Middle East

Tel Aviv, Mar 16: Israel's Naftali Bennett is a multi-millionaire former high-tech entrepreneur who made a name in politics with hardline religious-nationalist rhetoric and who could be the kingmaker following Israel's election next week. Bennett leads the Yamina party, which has backed Israel's proposed annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, while Bennett himself has made pitches to hard

Dubai: The UAE passport ranks first in the Arab world with Kuwait second and Qatar third, according to Nomad Capitalist, the global consulting firm. Internationally, the UAE passport ranks 38th, Kuwait 97th and Qatar 98th. Oman ranked fourth in the Arab world (103rd), and Bahrain fifth (105th). Kuwaiti passport holders can enter 96 countries without a visa or obtain visa online. Nomad Capitalist

Israeli forces have attacked Palestinian worshipers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds, detaining five people. According to Palestinian sources, the Israeli forces attacked the Muslim worshipers and fired stun grenades at them after Friday prayers, forcing the Palestinians to leave the al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Asbat Gate. The Israeli troops had also

Riyadh, Mar 12: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has confirmed May 17 (Shawwal 5 or four days after Eid al-Fitr) as the date for the resumption of international airports and the complete opening of airports all over the Kingdom. In a circular on Wednesday, the GACA informed all airlines operating from the Saudi airports about the change of the date mentioned in an earlier

Dubai, Mar 10: Emirates airline has introduced up to two free night stays at a five-star hotel as well as 10kg extra baggage allowance and special airfares for passengers bound for Dubai from India. Travellers booking return economy class tickets from India to Dubai until March 28, for travel between March 15 and June 30 are eligible for “a complimentary one-night stay at the JW Marriot Marquis

Dubai, Mar 9: The Emirates Schools Establishment has announced the registration of non-Emirati resident pupils would be carried out between April 4 and 15in public schools in the UAE for the academic year 2021-22. The registration is open to all Grades till 12. However, the enrolment for kindergarten (KG) 1 and 2 in public schools is only available for Emirati pupils. An exception has been made

Abu Dhabi, Mar 8: Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) today issued the updated list of 'Green List' destinations. Passengers arriving from these destinations will be exempt from mandatory quarantine measures after landing in Abu Dhabi and will only be required to undergo PCR testing upon arrival at Abu Dhabi Airport. The three countries that have been added include Kazakhstan

Riyadh, Mar 7: The Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen said on Sunday that it destroyed 10 armed drones launched by the Houthi movement, including at least five fired towards Saudi Arabia, state television channels reported. The coalition did not specify locations in the kingdom but said the drones were aimed at 'civilian sites'. On Saturday, the coalition said it intercepted seven drones over 24

Bagdad, Mar 6: Iraq’s Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the top religious authority for most Shia Muslims, hosted the head of the world’s Catholics, Pope Francis, on Saturday in the shrine city of Najaf. Sistani, 90, almost never holds meetings but made an exception for 84-year-old Francis, who is making the first-ever papal trip to Iraq to encourage dwindling Christians and extend his hand to Shia

Abu Dhabi, Mar 6: Cinemas in the emirate of Abu Dhabi will resume operations with limited capacity, local authorities announced on Saturday. Cinema halls can function at 30 per cent capacity while following all precautionary measures including wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and regular sanitizing, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee said. Following the latest