Gulf Insider

48 minutes ago

Saudi Arabia recalls 4,464 Genesis vehicles over fuel leak, fire risk

A total of 4,464 Genesis vehicles have been recalled by the Ministry of Commerce due to a defect that could cause a fuel leak and increase the risk of fire. The defect involves the mounting of the fuel cross tube, which could lead to fuel leakage and increase the potential risk of a fire. The recall affects 4,464 vehicles across eight Genesis models and model-year ranges: JK1 (GV70) 2021–2024, Coupe (GV80) 2025, PE GV80 2025, JX1 GV80 2021–2024, PE (G80) 2025, RG3 G80 2021–2024, RS4 (G90) 2021–2025, and PE (GV70) 2025–2026. The Ministry urged owners to check whether their vehicles are included in the recall through Recalls.sa. Owners were also urged to contact the relevant company to have the necessary repairs carried out free of charge: Almajdouie, Wallanor Naghi.

Saudi Arabia

49 minutes ago

London police charge assailant with attempted murder of Saudi citizen

London’s Metropolitan Police have charged a 58-year-old man with attempted murder in connection with the stabbing of a Saudi national in the Mayfair area of central London. The police have officially upgraded the charges against the perpetrator from “assault with intent to rob” to “attempted murder.” Before the Magistrates’ Court, a decisive ruling was issued denying the perpetrator bail and extending the pre-trial detention of the suspect. The entire case file has been referred to the Crown Court, which has greater jurisdiction, paving the way for the imposition of the maximum penalties, which could reach life imprisonment. The Saudi citizen, in his 40s, was stabbed in the early hours of Friday near Berkeley Square in London’s Mayfair district in an attempted robbery targeting his valuables, including a luxury watch. The assailant attacked the victim with a knife before fleeing the scene, leaving him seriously injured. During the hearing in the Magistrates’ Court, it emerged that the assailant stabbed the victim while targeting a luxury watch, but suffered a setback and ultimately fled empty-handed. It was revealed that the Saudi citizen had outsmarted the attacker with a clever ruse. He had removed his expensive watch and carefully concealed it in his […]

Saudi Arabia

50 minutes ago

SFDA flags misleading medical device ad; violations could draw SR5 million fine

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) detected a non-compliant advertisement containing inaccurate and exaggerated claims about a medical device, a violation that could carry penalties of up to SR5 million. The advertisement promoted a medical device used to reduce pain and improve joint function in cases of mild osteoarthritis, but included claims that violated regulations governing the advertising and promotion of medical devices and supplies. The SFDA took the necessary legal measures against the company responsible for the violation, while the competent authorities closed the healthcare facility. The advertiser was also referred to the relevant authorities for further legal procedures. The SFDA said the violations are subject to the Medical Devices and Supplies Law and its Implementing Regulations. Penalties can include a fine of up to SR5 million, temporary closure of the facility for up to 180 days, and a ban on engaging in activities related to medical devices and supplies for the same period, in addition to license revocation. The authority urged the public to report violations through its unified number, 19999, and to verify medical information and claims through official sources before making health and treatment decisions.

Qatar

51 minutes ago

Emirates, Qatar Airways, others cancel Jakarta flights today after volcano eruption

Emirates airline has cancelled flights to and from Jakarta on Monday, September 7, 2026, due to the eruption of a volcano. The Dubai-based carrier has cancelled EK356 and EK358 flights from Dubai to Jakarta and EK357 and EK359 flights from Jakarta to Dubai as a result of the temporary closure of Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta due to volcanic ash. The airline also delayed and cancelled flights to and from Jakarta on September 5 and 6 due to the volcano eruption. As of Monday morning, eight Indonesian airports, including two serving Jakarta, remained closed because of volcanic ash from eruptions at Mount Anak Krakatau. Ash from Anak Krakatau, which sits halfway between the Java and Sumatra islands, has blanketed Jakarta and several surrounding areas since it erupted late on Friday, leading to the closure of the airports for safety reasons. In addition, other regional and international airlines have also cancelled flights to Indonesia. Qatar Airways said that as a result of volcanic ash affecting airport operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK), it has cancelled flights QR954, QR955, QR956 and QR957 on September 7, 2026, between Doha and Jakarta. “Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status before travelling. […]

UAE

53 minutes ago

Abu Dhabi adopts new charter to prioritise children’s wellbeing after separation

Abu Dhabi adopts a new charter aimed at protecting children’s wellbeing and ensuring their stability after parental separation. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Office, has issued Decision No. 43 of 2026 approving the ‘Post-Separation Charter – Year of the Family‘ document as President of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. The document aims to regulate the relationship between parents when they are involved in a dispute, strengthen children’s psychological and social stability, protect their best interests as the primary consideration in all family-related decisions, and strengthen educational cooperation between parents. The document reinforces the continuity of a safe family environment for children and ensures that both parents continue to play an active role in their care. It is based on the principle that ending the marital relationship does not end the parental relationship, nor does it reduce children’s need for shared care, safe communication and a stable environment that gives them a sense of security and belonging. The document represents an agreement based on understanding and mutual respect, aimed at keeping children away from disputes, protecting them from the effects of conflict, putting their interests above all […]

World

54 minutes ago

Iran launched 3,300 missiles, drones at UAE; most targeted civilian sites: Gargash

Iran launched 3,300 missiles and drones at the UAE over the course of several weeks, with the vast majority of the attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, said in a Special Address at Hili forum. Most of the projectiles were intercepted by the country’s air defences, he added. Gargash said the sustained attacks had demonstrated not only the capabilities of the UAE Armed Forces but also the country’s broader national resilience. Even while missiles were still in the air, the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade grew by 13 per cent in the first half of the year, he said, stressing that the nation’s development ambitions had not been curtailed and its goals remained firmly on course. “Naturally, some sectors were affected, but our economy did not falter,” he said. “It continued to grow and, importantly, to expand in the sectors on which our future depends.” “Six months into a crisis that, in my view, will reshape the region’s geostrategic landscape and alter its politics, what has emerged is a more complex and far more uncertain region than the one we knew before,” he said. He added “But I have little doubt that we are […]

UAE

55 minutes ago

Abu Dhabi’s Miral confirms 3 new Harry Potter lands at Warner Bros. World; completion in 2029

Abu Dhabi’s Miral has announced plans to add three new Harry Potter-themed lands to Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the region’s largest indoor theme park, with construction set to be completed in 2029. The announcement, made in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, came on Monday, September 7, following a week of teasers on the official Harry Potter social media channels. The park’s website had been running a countdown to the reveal, accompanied by a video of the iconic light blue 1962 Ford Anglia flying over Warner Bros. World – a nod to the famous scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where Harry and Ron use the flying car to reach Hogwarts after missing the train. The expansion will feature three of the most recognisable locations from the wizarding world: Diagon Alley, Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest. Spanning approximately 63,000 square metres (678,000 square feet), the new lands will increase the park’s footprint by about 26 per cent. This makes Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi the first Harry Potter-themed land anywhere in the world to house all three iconic environments within the same park, a distinction that sets it apart from Universal’s existing Wizarding World destinations, where visitors must travel between separate parks […]

Bahrain

57 minutes ago

Licensed taxis can now carry passengers between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain

New cross-border taxi service takes effect from September 6 under joint regulations Licensed taxis can now carry passengers directly between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain across the King Fahd Causeway, giving travellers a new cross-border transport option under regulations that took effect on Sunday, September 6. Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority said the move was being implemented under approved regulations and in coordination with authorities in both countries, as part of efforts to develop land transport options and make travel easier for citizens, residents and visitors. The new arrangement also aims to strengthen economic and tourism integration between the neighbouring GCC countries and improve the efficiency and experience of travel across the causeway. Only officially licensed taxis that meet approved technical, security, safety and service-quality standards will be permitted to operate across the link. Vehicles must be no more than five years old, according to the regulations. Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications said the service would provide passengers with a more flexible, safe and efficient means of travelling between the two countries while helping ensure smoother traffic flows across the causeway. Under the regulations, only officially licensed taxis are permitted to operate across the causeway. Vehicles must meet approved technical, […]

UAE

58 minutes ago

Dubai photographer’s mid-air shot of viral hijabi footballer wins top Flame Tree Season prize

Indian expats from Kerala team up to win Dh15,000 prize in contest by Dubai Culture, HIPA A photograph of a viral hijabi freestyle footballer suspended mid-air beneath a blooming flame tree has taken the top prize in Dubai’s Flame Tree Season Photography Competition. Dubai Culture announced the results in a social media post tagging the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards (HIPA), congratulating the top three: Jaseel Peralasseri in first place, followed by Louna Tanik Al Janabi and Anish Ashok. The contest, held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, carried a prize pool of Dh30,000 and invited entrants to capture the spirit of the flame tree season across the city. The competition came as part of Dubai’s wider celebration of the Flame Tree season, which was officially announced earlier this year by Sheikh Hamdan through a video shared on social media. For Jaseel, 28, an Indian expat from Kerala who won the top prize of Dh15,000, it was his first-ever photography competition. He was determined not to submit a straightforward landscape […]

UAE

59 minutes ago

Free doesn’t mean approved: UAE restricts digital tools used in government schools

Free or publicly available tools cannot be used unless formally approved by the ministry The UAE Ministry of Education has barred government schools from using general or free digital educational tools that have not been formally approved, tightening controls over the technology and online resources used in classrooms. Under guidelines for the 2026-2027 academic year, schools must limit the use of digital platforms and educational resources to tools officially approved by the ministry or included on its authorised list, according to Al Etihad newspaper. The ministry said approved tools had been reviewed for compatibility with the UAE national curriculum, student safety standards, child protection requirements and data privacy regulations. The rules are intended to ensure that digital learning remains safe, effective and aligned with curriculum objectives while protecting pupils’ privacy. Teachers will not be permitted to introduce a new digital tool directly into lessons simply because it is free or appears useful for learning. If a member of teaching staff identifies a tool or educational resource that could have value in the classroom, it must first be submitted to the Curriculum and Assessment Sector and the Technical Operations Department for evaluation, screening and a broader review. Only after completing that process […]

World

1 hour ago

Air India Express Kochi-Abu Dhabi flight turns back after engine alert

Kochi-Abu Dhabi flight returns safely after pilots detect falling oil levels in Engine 1 An Air India Express Boeing 737 flying from Kochi to Abu Dhabi turned back shortly after take-off after the crew detected a rapid drop in oil quantity in one of its engines. Flight IX 415 was around 50 minutes into its journey and cruising at about 36,000 feet when the pilots noticed that the oil quantity in Engine 1 was falling rapidly, according to sources. The crew assessed the situation and decided to abandon the Abu Dhabi sector and return to Cochin International Airport as a precaution. The commander contacted Mumbai Radio on high frequency and informed air traffic control that the aircraft was turning back to Kochi. The pilots continued to monitor the engine parameters throughout the return flight and prepared for possible contingencies. About 45 minutes after turning back, the oil pressure in Engine 1 began fluctuating and subsequently entered the red zone on the cockpit gauge. The crew then followed the applicable Non-Normal Checklist and shut down the engine. The Boeing 737 continued its approach on a single engine and landed safely at Cochin International Airport. There were no reports of injuries. The […]

UAE

1 hour ago

Dubai International tops 2025 air connectivity ranking with 40% hub advantage

DXB topped the connectivity ranking with a hub score nearly 40% ahead of its closest rival Dubai International Airport has ranked as the most connected airport across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East in 2025, retaining the top position in a regional index covering 315 airports. DXB also emerged as the leading hub, with its hub connectivity score close to 40% higher than its nearest competitor, according to the latest Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East Air Connectivity Index. The ranking looks at network size and flight frequency, the economic importance of destinations, aircraft type, domestic and international services, the number of stops involved and airline alliance membership. Shanghai Pudong International Airport ranked second for total air connectivity in 2025, followed by Incheon International Airport in South Korea. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport took fourth place, while Doha’s Hamad International Airport ranked fifth. Singapore Changi Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Tokyo Haneda International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport completed the top 10. Dubai also led the separate hub connectivity ranking, followed by Shanghai Pudong, Incheon, Hamad International and Guangzhou Baiyun. The strength of Dubai’s position comes during a year when connectivity continued to expand across both […]

UAE

1 hour ago

Dubai airport immigration gets 12-second ‘Click and Travel’ service

New system uses biometrics and facial recognition to process passengers in 12-15 seconds The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai has officially launched its “Click and Travel” service, allowing passport officers to complete passengers’ entry and departure procedures using mobile devices and process each transaction in approximately 12 to 15 seconds. The announcement was made during a press conference held at Dubai International Airport on Monday, attended by Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, and Major General Talal Ahmed Al Shanqiti, Assistant Director General for Airport Affairs in addition to senior officials. The new service is designed to accelerate immigration procedures and improve the efficiency of passenger processing, particularly during peak travel periods, periods of congestion and emergencies. GDRFA Dubai said the service combines biometric fingerprint technology, facial recognition and electronic passport reading, along with automated pre-screening and instant access to passenger information through a secure communications network. The technology enables passport officers to complete a passenger’s immigration transaction within 12 to 15 seconds, helping reduce waiting times and improve the overall airport experience. During its pilot phase, “Click and Travel” processed the immigration procedures of 31,373 passengers between its experimental launch […]

Oman

1 hour ago

NCSI unveils AI-Powered household income, expenditure survey

The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) on Sunday announced the results of its AI-powered Household Income and Expenditure Survey, describing the project as a national achievement and the first of its kind globally. The project is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of official statistics while keeping pace with modern global trends in statistical development. Dr Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Barwani, CEO of the NCSI, said the project represents a qualitative shift in the production of official statistics in Oman. “By employing artificial intelligence technologies, the project enhances the efficiency and sustainability of producing statistical indicators and improves the use of resources, while adhering to the highest standards of quality, accuracy and statistical reliability,” he said. Al Barwani added that the transformation saves the time, effort and resources previously required by traditional methods. The project also supports economic policymaking and decision-making by providing comprehensive data on household consumption expenditure, its patterns and its relationship with demographic variables. The survey provides the relative weights and importance of expenditure items needed to calculate the Consumer Price Index and measure inflation, in addition to accurate and comprehensive data on living conditions and information required for the System of National Accounts. […]

Oman

1 hour ago

Dhofar Film Festival opens with 32 films from 16 countries

The second edition of the Dhofar International Film Festival opened in Salalah on Sunday, bringing together 32 films from 16 countries for its official competition. Organised by the Oman Film Society (OFS) in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Dhofar Municipality, the festival runs from September 6 to 9. The opening ceremony was held at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah under the auspices of HH Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar. Anwar bin Khamis Al Ruzaiqi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OFS, said the festival aims to support young talent and showcase Oman’s natural, cultural and human resources, which can help position the Sultanate as a promising destination for film production. The official competition features four categories: the International Narrative Competition, with 13 films; the Omani Narrative Competition, with five films; the International Documentary Competition, with six films; and the Omani Documentary Competition, with eight films. The festival also places a strong emphasis on training, seeking to develop the skills of young Omani filmmakers and provide opportunities for direct engagement with experts from the film industry. Its programme includes workshops on cinematography and incorporating folk […]

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