Middle East

Sharjah Ruler approves 330 municipal jobs/Image: WAM His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved the recruitment of 330 Emirati citizens across municipalities in the emirate, in a move aimed at strengthening national workforce participation and improving public services. The initiative covers both university graduates…

Saudia announces resumption of flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi from April 11 Saudi Arabian Airlines will partially restart operations to key regional destinations from Saturday, April 11, marking a limited return to service after suspending flights for over six weeks amid escalating tensions in the region. The national carrier confirmed it will run a set…

Bahrain resumes flights as airspace reopens; operations restart under tight safety coordination / Image: file Bahrain has officially reopened its airspace, allowing flight operations to resume at Bahrain International Airport after a multi-day suspension triggered by escalating regional tensions.The closure, which lasted several days at the height of the crisis, was enforced as a precautionary…

375 held in Abu Dhabi for fake posts and filming violations during tensions / Image: AI-Generated In a sweeping enforcement drive, Abu Dhabi Police confirmed the arrest of 375 individuals for filming sensitive incidents and circulating misleading or false information on social media platforms. The action, announced on April 8, comes amid heightened regional tensions,…

Saudi Arabia’s life expectancy rises to nearly 80 years, up from 74 in 2016/Image: Getty Images Saudi Arabia’s life expectancy has increased significantly over the past decade, reaching 79.9 years by the end of 2025, up from 74 years in 2016, bringing the country close to its Vision 2030 target of 80 years.The update was…

Saudi Arabia mandates 100% Saudization of 69 additional jobs in private sector. Saudi Arabia has announced an expansion of its Saudization policy, bringing dozens of additional private sector roles under full localisation from April 5, 2026. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) announced that the updated decision will cover 69 more professions,…

As many expatriate families in the UAE grapple with reduced wages and unpaid leave following recent geopolitical tensions, one business owner has stepped in with a personal initiative aimed at offering immediate relief.Maria Paz Banaag-Marquez, 59, who runs a well-established pastry chain across the UAE, has announced the distribution of free grocery packets to support…

Saudi Arabia arrested 14,242 illegal residents in week-long crackdown, enforcing residency, labour and border laws/Image: Getty Images Saudi Arabia’s security forces have detained thousands of illegal residents in a nationwide crackdown, as authorities step up enforcement of residency, labour, and border regulations while warning of severe penalties for anyone offering assistance to violators. The Ministry…

Saudi Arabia has stepped onto the global space stage with a landmark mission that places it at the heart of NASA’s Artemis programme. The successful launch and early communication with its “Shams” satellite signals both scientific ambition and growing technological capability, with implications that extend far beyond orbit. A historic first in the Artemis programme…

Hajj 2026 preparations intensify with early visas, strict deadlines and Nusuk bookings as registrations cross 1.2 million globally / Image: file Saudi Arabia has accelerated preparations for Hajj 2026 (1447 AH), introducing earlier visa processing, stricter timelines and a fully digital system to manage millions of pilgrims.According to official timelines, Hajj is expected to take…