#News

Private sector ramadan 2021

Ramadan 2021: Timings for UAE private sector employees announced

There will be an official reduction of two hours for private sector employees in the UAE

UAE Federal government

Ramadan 2021: UAE announces timings for public sector employees

Federal government employees will only need to work from 9am-2pm

Saudi Arabia Alula

Saudi Crown Prince launches master development plan for AlUla

It will be implemented in three phases until 2035, with the first phase set to be completed by 2023

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi offers flights to Israel from Dhs99

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will operate its inaugural flight to Tel Aviv on April 18, 2021

Masdar Azerbaijan solar power

UAE’s Masdar inks deal for mega solar power project in Azerbaijan

The 230-megawatt project is Azerbaijan’s first foreign investment-based independent solar project structured as a public-private partnership

Abu Dhabi summit: Regional leaders pledge to accelerate progress on climate action

A total of 11 countries have signed a group statement to ensure the success of the Paris Agreement

Suez Canal authorities say backlog of ships is now cleared

Overall, 422 vessels passed through since the tanker was freed on March 29

Jordan arrests senior officials for ‘security reasons’

A royal family member and a former minister are among those who have been arrested

Dubai launches new strategy to double companies and jobs in the creative sector

The Dubai Creative Economy strategy aims to double the creative industries’ GDP contribution to 5 per cent of Dubai’s economy by 2025

Kuwait masks

Kuwait might continue curfew during Ramadan, Eid

The nightly curfew currently in place from 6pm to 5am is currently expected to end on April 8

Dubai Airport Show 2021 Dubai-world-trade-centre-DWTC

Airport Show 2021 in Dubai to be held in May as hybrid event

The physical version of the 20th edition of the B2B event will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre

Khalid Yusuf Al-Jalahma Bahrain Ambassador Israel

Bahrain appoints Khalid Yusuf Al-Jalahma as first ambassador to Israel

On Tuesday, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also directed his country’s officials to set up a diplomatic mission within Israel

Suez Canal reopens to traffic after giant ship is freed, operations to return to normal ‘within days’

Hundreds of vessels carrying everything from oil to livestock were forced to wait in line after the Ever Given became stuck in the canal

Container ship Ever Given is seen at the Suez Canal on March 28, 2021

Giant ship blocking Suez Canal ‘partially refloated’

Ever Given has been stuck since Tuesday, causing a backlog of hundreds of ships and snarling global supply lines

UAE fuel prices

UAE hikes fuel prices for April 2021

It is the second straight month that prices have risen in the UAE

Expo 2020 Dubai to reopen sustainability pavilion this week

It was closed on Wednesday to observe the mourning period for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi

China, UAE to expedite production of affordable Covid-19 vaccines

The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi landed in Abu Dhabi from Iran on Saturday evening for a two-day official visit

Covid-19 PCR test

Covid-19 PCR tests to now cost Dhs65 in Abu Dhabi

The same tests would previously cost Dhs85 in the capital emirate

Dubai Expo’s sustainability pavilion to be closed during mourning period for Sheikh Hamdan

The dates for re-opening of the pavilion will be confirmed in due course

UAE Indonesia

UAE to invest $10bn in Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund

The investments will focus on strategic sectors in Indonesia, including infrastructure, roads, ports, tourism and agriculture, among others

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikh Mohammed restructures Dubai government; approves five-year foreign trade plan

Three new chambers of commerce will be created and the five-year plan seeks to increase Dubai’s foreign trade from Dhs1.4 trillion to Dhs2 trillion

Kuwait city

Kuwait eases Covid-19 restrictions, exempts vaccinated arrivals from institutional quarantine

The nightly curfew timing has been reduced by one hour

Saudi’s Nazaha arrests several people on corruption, embezzlement charges

Legal procedures against the accused are currently underway

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

UAE announces new remote working residency visa, multiple-entry tourist visas

The decision was reached on Sunday during a cabinet meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Arabtec Holding

Arabtec confirms filing for bankruptcy in Dubai Court

The bankruptcy judge decided to appoint a panel consisting of seven experts to examine the application

Ban on entry of foreigners into Kuwait remains in effect – civil aviation authority

The ban was imposed by the country on February 7 as part of measures to curb the spike in the number of coronavirus cases

UAE Covid-19 Vaccine

Free Covid-19 vaccinations in UAE reopened to all residents aged 16 and above

Barring vulnerable categories, prior appointments required for everyone else seeking to receive the jab

UAE schools

No decision yet on model for next academic year – UAE Ministry of Education

It came after media reports this week stated that the authorities in the country had decided to extend the hybrid learning system into the next academic year

Walid El-Hindi Shuaa Capital

Shuaa Capital appoints Walid El-Hindi as CEO of real estate division

Shuaa’s real estate investment portfolio is reported to be worth over $11bn

Kuwait Airways

Kuwait: Covid-19 PCR tests only from designated labs for incoming UAE passengers

Airlines must verify the tests were undertaken at pre-approved labs and that the results are not older than 72 hours