#News

Oman Muscat

Oman closes land border for one week, says closure can be extended

The land border will be closed for at least a week, starting at 6pm on Monday, January 18

Philippines

Covid-19: Philippines consulate in Dubai closed for two days

All those who availed of consular services on Sunday, January 17, have been advised to get tested for Covid-19

Emirates Dubai Australia

Emirates to indefinitely suspend flights between Dubai and Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane

The airline said the decision was made due to “operational reasons”

Covid-19_UAE

Abu Dhabi changes Covid-19 testing rules for those entering from within the country

A negative PCR or DPI test result not older than 48 hours is required to enter Abu Dhabi

Air Arabia resumes daily flights to Doha

The announcement comes after the UAE restored ties with Qatar earlier this month

Prince Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al Saud

Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed condoles death of Saudi Prince Khalid bin Abdullah

The Saudi prince was a high-profile thoroughbred owner-breeder

Khalifa Port UAE

UAE’s non-oil trade reaches Dhs1.033 trillion for January-September 2020

China was the UAE’s leading trading partner with a total trade of Dhs124.45bn

Saudi Arabia Airport

Covid-19: Saudi Arabia issues travel advisory to 12 countries – reports

The advisory comes against the background of the new strain of Covid-19 which is believed to be more contagious

Dubai UAE

Dubai Economy issues 42,640 new licences in 2020

It represented a 4 per cent increase over the number of new licences issued in 2019

FIrst-abu-dhabi-bank-atms

UAE’s First Abu Dhabi Bank issues five-year $500m sukuk

It attracted a total orderbook of around $1.5bn which represents a three times over-subscription rate

Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tariq

In historic move, Oman to appoint first-ever crown prince

A new Basic Law will “set up a specific and stable mechanism for the transfer of power in the sultanate”

Dubai UAE

Covid-19: Dubai placed on Scotland’s mandatory quarantine list

The Scottish government said that a number of positive cases were identified in passengers who have flown into Glasgow from Dubai since the new year

Dubai South

An additional 650 companies set up operations within Dubai South in 2020

An additional floor is being constructed in its Business Park to accommodate the growing number of clients

Abu Dhabi Ports

Abu Dhabi Ports freezes rent escalation for remainder of 2021

The decision is expected to impact over 1,400 companies within KIZAD and ZonesCorp

Video: Saudi Crown Prince announces car-free, zero-carbon city, ‘The Line’

Located within NEOM, the city is expected to house one million residents and create 380,000 jobs by 2030

UAE: Students may return to their campus at 50 per cent of its capacity

The Ministry of Education will review the situation on a weekly basis

Bahrain

Bahrain: Expats can apply for self-sponsorship of residency permits online

The online service covers foreign retirees, investors and property owner in Bahrain

UAE reopens air, land and sea borders with Qatar

Scheduled and unscheduled flights between the two countries will resume operations from Saturday

Dubai's virtual asset

Sheikh Hamdan announces Dhs315m economic stimulus package for Dubai

The total stimulus provided to the emirate’s economy since the start of the pandemic has risen to Dhs7.1bn

Dubai UAE Residents

UAE residents who have stayed outside of the country for over 180 days can now return

Those with valid visas issued in Dubai must get an approval from the GDRFA before they return

etihad

Sale: Abu Dhabi’s Etihad offers two-for-one tickets

The sale covers return fares inclusive of taxes and surcharges

oil-pumps

Kuwait makes three oil and gas discoveries

The discoveries were made in the largely unexplored western and northwestern areas of the country

pensions of UAE Nationals working in the emirate’s public schools to 80%

UAE: Ministry of Education sets exam dates for students from grades 4-12

The exams will be held from January 10-14

The good news you might have missed in 2020

Here’s a rundown of some bright spots in 2020 and what we could look forward to this year

New Year celebrations: UAE urges people to adhere to protocols, warns of fines for violators

Several firework shows and other events have been organised in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to ring in 2021

e-learning study from home

Abu Dhabi announces e-learning for all school students for first two weeks of new term

The decision was made to protect the health and safety of students, teachers and school staff, officials said

Kuwait aims to vaccinate 80% of population by September 2021

As of Monday, 2,500 people were vaccinated and second doses will be administered from January 14

Covid-19: UAE reports 1,506 new cases, two deaths

The new cases were detected after the ministry conducted 153,157 additional Covid-19 tests over the past 24 hours

Atlantis New Year

UAE confirms January 1 as public holiday for New Year

However, with January 1 falling on a Friday, workers in the country will not get an additional day off

No fireworks show at The Pointe at Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah for NYE, organisers confirm

The fireworks show will not held for ‘safety reasons’