Arabian Gulf
King Salman: We Embarked on Unprecedented Reform Journey to Empower Women
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, said that the Kingdom has embarked on an unprecedented reform journey to empower women and support their participation in national development. He added that the country was proud of the distinguished work of the Women 20 group, wi
UAE-Israel relations take off with aviation deal, includes 28 weekly Tel Aviv flights
Emily Judd UAE-Israel relations are taking off with the signing of an air transportation agreement that allows for 28 passenger flights per week from the UAE to Tel Aviv. The countries’ civil aviation authorities signed an air transport services agreement on Tuesday during a bilateral meetin
Saudi Arabia Reiterates Condemnation of Paris Terrorist Attack
The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the terrorist attack that took place in Paris last week. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held virtually from Neom due to the ongoing coronavirus p
WHO Hails Saudi Measures in Reopening Holy Sites for Umrah
The World Health Organization hailed on Tuesday the measures and precautions Saudi Arabia has implemented in confronting the novel coronavirus pandemic. It also praised the measures it has adopted in ensuring the safety and health of Umrah pilgrims as the Kingdom gradually began resuming the pilg
Kadhimi Confirms Iraq Seeks True Partnership With Germany
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi on Tuesday found great support in Berlin, the second leg of his visit to Europe. He had arrived in the German capital from Paris and will leave it to head to London. German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Kadhimi and pledged to continue to support Baghdad
Kuwait's New Emir Calls for National Unity ahead of Elections
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah called on Tuesday for national unity to meet challenges facing the Gulf state, in a speech to lawmakers ahead of elections on Dec. 5. The parliamentary elections come at a time when the wealthy OPEC member is facing a liquidity crisis caused by l
Founder of UAE State-Run WAM News Agency Dies at 78
Ibrahim al-Abed, the founder of the United Arab Emirates' state-run WAM news agency and a pioneering media figure, died Tuesday. He was 78. Al-Abed long served as the head of the country's National Media Council, a government regulatory body. He also was a de facto government spokesman, with his
Fact-Finding Committee to Investigate Iraqi Protests
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi formed on Sunday a fact-finding committee to investigate the bloody events and the killing of demonstrators in anti-government protests that emerged across the country one year ago. More than 500 protesters were shot dead by security forces and gunmen suspe
Second Emirati Ship Docks in Haifa Port
The second UAE cargo arrived in Haifa port on Monday while the first Emirati passenger flight landed near Tel Aviv, one month after both countries agreed to normalize ties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev toured the pier at Haifa port where the conta
Saudi Arabia Prepares for Third Phase of Umrah Pilgrimage
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Saleh Benten said that the Kingdom welcomes all Muslims coming from abroad to perform the Umrah as authorities kick off the third phase of the resumption of the pilgrimage amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Saudi Arabia has been gradually allowing U
UAE Cabinet Ratifies Accord to Israel ahead of Official Visit
The cabinet of the United Arab Emirates on Monday approved an agreement to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel that was signed in Washington last month, ahead of the first official visit by a UAE government delegation to Israel. The UAE and fellow Gulf state Bahrain in September becam
Iraq Launches Investigation Into 'Farhatia Massacre'
The Farhatia massacre in Iraq’s Saladin Governorate, which involved the kidnapping of 12 civilians and the execution of 8 of them, is still occupying Iraqi's attention, whether on social media or through the reactions of political forces and parties. In this regard, Iraqi Prime Minister Mus
Dubai to Allow Weddings to Resume Under Strict Preventative Measures
The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai announced that wedding receptions will be allowed to resume in hotels, halls, homes, temporary venues, and tents in residential areas effective from 22 October 2020. The decision enables the community to celebrate social occasions i
Kuwait Leadership Sends Letters to Saudi King, Crown Prince
Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet has received two letters on Sunday from Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait and Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait, on behalf
Bahraini FM: Visit of Israeli Delegation to Manama is 'Historic'
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani described the visit of the Israeli delegation to the country as "historic". The Israeli delegation, which arrived to Manama on Sunday, boarded an El Al Israel Airlines charter flight and was accompanied by US Treasury Secretary Steve
Saudi Arabia Announces 348 New Virus Cases
Saudi Arabia recorded 348 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, raising the Kingdom’s total to 342, 202. Of the new cases, 73 were announced in Madinah, 32 in Yanbu, 25 in Riyadh, 17 in Makkah, 13 in Jeddah and 12 in Unayzah. The health ministry announced 20 more deaths from the COVID-19 diseas
Tensions Rise between Kurds, PMF in Baghdad
Officials at the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) headed by Masoud Barzani accused Iran-aligned groups within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of storming and torching their party offices in central Baghdad on Saturday. Hundreds of Iraqi police officers and riot control units present in the
GCC Secretary-General Denounces Terror attack in Paris
The general secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned the stabbing attack in the Paris suburb that left one man dead. Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf expressed his sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the victim's family and to the French government and its friendly people. He furth
