#News

Kuwait to resume flights, reopen borders on January 2

The GCC state suspended flights and closed its borders on December 21 due to concerns over the new Covid-19 strain

Covid-19 testing UAE 8

UAE reports 1,027 new Covid-19 cases, total death toll touches 660

The UAE’s daily infection number dropped below 1,000 for the first time in two months on Sunday at 944

Gold heads for best close in six weeks

Bullion is set to post the first monthly gain since July after a run of losses prompted by the development of effective coronavirus vaccines

Saudi receives five million pilgrims since resuming Umrah, no Covid-19 cases detected

The kingdom resumed Umrah in a phased manner in October

Covid-19 new strain: Kuwait joins Oman, Saudi in suspending flights, closing its borders

The border closure will be in place from 11pm on Monday, December 21 until Friday, January 1, 2021

OMAN-HEALTH-VIRUS-TRAVEL

Covid-19 new strain: Oman to close all its borders for a week

Cargo vehicles including planes, ships and trucks will be excluded from the decision

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Kuwait set to receive first batch of Covid-19 vaccines this week

Over 60,000 people have registered on the vaccination platform so far

SAUDI-HEALTH-VIRUS-TRAVEL

Saudi suspends all international flights, closes land and sea ports over new virus strain

New urgent measures have been put in place for one week, with the possibility of an extension

Covid-19 testing UAE 3

Covid-19: UAE reports 1,171 cases; Dubai’s DHA urges travellers to get doctor’s advice for vaccination

The total number of Covid-19 recorded cases in the UAE has now reached 193,575

Emaar Development announces new chairman, Alabbar to remain in executive role

Adnan Kazim has been named as its new chairman in line with regulatory requirements

Fireworks at Global Village S25 (6)[4] copy

UAE announces list of public holidays for 2021 and 2022

Public and private sector workers in the country will have the same number of national holidays

Abu Dhabi City United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi to start specialised courts as part of legal overhaul

The specialised courts will review family lawsuits and other civil cases including rental disputes

Truck

Dubai trade with Bahrain increases 170% in 10 years

In the first half of 2020, trade between Dubai and Bahrain amounted to Dhs5.37bn

UAE Football Association

UAE Football Association signs MoU with Israeli FA

The MoU envisages organising friendly matches for all national teams and clubs in the two countries

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

UAE to form an independent National Human Rights Authority

The authority will be granted complete financial and administrative independence to carry out its tasks

Al Hamra Village Ras Al Kaimah

RAK developer offers UAE residency with purchase of homes

Along with the 12-year residency visa, investors will also receive a business licence, an additional partner visa and a flexi-desk to conduct business

kuwait

Kuwait approves emergency use of Pfizer vaccine

As of December 13, Kuwait has reported 146,218 Covid-19 cases including 911 deaths

dirhams

Abu Dhabi jails six, slaps fines of Dhs160m on money laundering charges

The accused, also involved in drug trafficking, were found guilty of using exchange houses to transfer illegal funds to Pakistan

Bahrain

Bahrain to provide free Covid-19 vaccinations to all residents and citizens

All those over the age of 18 will receive the vaccine, with plans in place to initially vaccinate five thousand individuals per day

UAE Public Prosecution

Up to six-month imprisonment or Dhs5,000 fine for insulting people in the UAE

The Public Prosecution said that it would be considered an aggravating circumstance if the libel or insult is addressed to a public servant

Dubai UAE ALSAADA Tourist card

Dubai’s GDRFA unveils new ALSAADA Tourist card

The card will offer exclusive privileges, discounts, and promotions to tourists visiting Dubai and will be distributed free of charge

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed launches the UAE’s first federal domestic tourism campaign

The UAE’s domestic tourism sector contributed Dhs41.2bn to the national economy in 2019

Hope Consortium flies two million Covid-19 vaccine doses from Beijing into Abu Dhabi

Etihad Cargo chartered seven Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to fly the temperature-sensitive cargo into Abu Dhabi International Airport

Damac Hotels

Dubai’s Damac Hotels records Q4 occupancy rates of 85%

Currently, around 80 per cent of the guests are based in the UAE, while 20 per cent are foreigners visiting the country

British investments in UAE valued at $20.5bn

The UAE is also one of the 27 top investors in the UK

Oman

Oman to restart issuing tourist visas

Tourist visas will only be issued to those whose visits are organised by hotels or tourism companies

Gitex 2020: UAE to host Israeli tech delegation

Gitex will host the UAE-Israel Future Digital Economy Summit and the Gitex Future Stars Israel Innovation Discovery Day

Yutaka Yano appointed as president of Mitsubishi Motors Middle East and Africa

Yano was previously the general manager for the Middle East at Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Tokyo

Etihad Beijing Abu Dhabi

Etihad to begin direct weekly flights from Beijing to Abu Dhabi

Etihad will become the only airline in the MENA region to operate non-stop passenger flights departing from both Shanghai and Beijing

Dubai Electricity

Dubai’s DEWA slashes water and electricity surcharges

The reductions will be applied on electricity and water bills from December 1, 2020