Middle East

Dubai, April 7: In a significant boost to US naval capabilities in the region as tensions with Iran continue over its disputed nuclear programme, a second carrier has joined the USS Abraham Lincoln in the 5th Fleet area of operations. The USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and Carrier Strike Group 12 arrived in the region on April 3, officials confirmed to Khaleej

Beirut, April 7: At least 24 Syrians were killed in violence on Friday, opposition activists said, only four days before a troop pullback agreed by President Bashar al-Assad as part of a peace plan proposed by mediator Kofi Annan. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said shelling had killed at least 10 people, including four rebel fighters, in the flashpoint central city of Homs. Two soldiers

Fujairah, April 7: The Fujairah Municipality has given ultimatum to the owners of industrial workshops, factories, stores and scrap shops in the old industrial area near the Fujairah International Airport to relocate to the new industrial area in Al Hail neighbourhood within two months. The civic body has asked the electricity and water authority in the emirate to disconnect the power supply to

Dubai, April 6: The long wait for freedom is continuing for the Indian visitor, who has been stuck in a rare case of mistaken identity for nearly three months in the UAE, even after the Indian mission here came to his rescue. Mathew Joseph, 47, a fisherman who was held by the UAE officials on January 2 for his close similarities with a wanted man, may have to wait for one more week to get the

Dubai, April 6: India expressing interest in importing additional liquefied natural gas from Qatar will further boost the trade between the countries, a senior banker has said. “India will be one of the largest gas markets for Qatar apart from China. Cooperation in the power sector between India and Qatar is under deliberation. India has sought to purchase 2 million tonnes to 3 million tonnes of

Sharjah, April 6: As many as 720 illegal residents have been arrested in the emirate in the last five days, the police announced on Thursday. SHARJAH — As many as 720 illegal residents have been arrested in the emirate in the last five days, the police announced on Thursday. The arrests were made as part of the Sharjah Police’s yearlong campaign to round up illegal residents who have either run

Damascus, April 6: Syrian troops attacked the Damascus suburb of Duma, an assault activists said shows that Bashar Assad’s government is intensifying violence in the days before the April 10 UN deadline to pull out forces from cities. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday the crisis is getting worse and claiming more lives every day despite Assad’s pledge. The UN chief appealed to Assad

Sharjah, April 5: Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, stressed that the residential districts in the emirate will be only for families and bachelors will be prevented from residing there. Shaikh Sultan said this while touring Wasit Street in Sharjah City, accompanied by Salah bin Butti, Head of the Department of Planning and Survey, and Sultan Al

CAIRO, April 5: Egypt’s ruling military council has reiterated its pledge to hand over power in the country to a civilian leader following the next month’s presidential vote. “The Army will hand over power in Egypt to a newly elected president in late June, even if a constitutional commission does not conclude its work on the country’s basic law,” Major General Mamdouh Shahin, chief legal advisor

Dubai, April 5: Dubai's top traffic official has warned pedestrians against crossing roads with a speed of 80 km/h plus from undesignated spots because that is a crime punishable by the UAE Traffic Law. Pedestrians are often advised not to cross highways with speeds of more than 80 km/h because they could be held liable for any accidents resulting from their irrational behaviour, said Senior Chief