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21 hours ago
Companies across the Gulf are rushing to purchase political violence insurance as regional fighting intensifies, seeking protection for major infrastructure and commercial properties against the growing risk of attacks and collateral damage, according to FT. Insurers and brokers say they have received hundreds of inquiries in recent days from asset owners looking for coverage that protects against war-related threats. The policies typically cover damage caused by terrorism, missile debris, civil unrest, strikes, riots and other forms of political instability. Demand has surged as the conflict in the Middle East expands, with Iran and allied groups launching missile and drone strikes against Israel and nearby countries following a joint U.S.–Israeli bombing campaign. Investors and businesses in Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and Oman are increasingly concerned about the possibility that the violence could spill over into neighboring economies. Industry experts say the financial impact of the conflict could be unusually large. Fergus Critchley, global head of terrorism and political violence at broker WTW, warned the current crisis could produce losses “significantly larger and more catastrophic” than those seen in recent years. FT writes that much of the new demand is coming from Western companies operating in the Gulf, which insurers say […]
1 day ago
Hotels across the UAE say they are prioritising guest safety, stable pricing, and flexible bookings as travel disruptions affect passengers across the region. Several hotel groups said they are closely monitoring the evolving situation and working with authorities to ensure operations continue smoothly while supporting travellers whose journeys have been disrupted. Guest safety Hotel groups Gulf News reached out to said wellbeing of hotel customers and staff remains its top priority.Tim Cordon, COO, Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia Pacific of Radisson Hotel Group, said, “At our core, we are in the business of looking after people. That is what we do first and foremost, and it is exactly what we are continuing to do now.” Cordon added, “We recognise that recent developments have led to flight cancellations, delays, and uncertainty for many travellers. During this time, our focus has been on responding with empathy, flexibility, and care, ensuring guests feel supported at every step.” The hotel group added that it is working with authorities across its markets and welcomed the swift response of governments, including the UAE. Stable room rates Hotels said they are taking steps to ensure pricing remains fair despite the travel disruptions. Cordon said Radisson Hotel Group has […]
1 day ago
Civil Defence teams responded to an incident in Manama that resulted in one fatality and several injuries, according to a senior official. Major Mohammed Abulfath, Director of Operations at the General Directorate of Civil Defence, said emergency teams immediately attended the scene after receiving the report. The incident led to the death of one person and left several others injured. The injured were transported to hospital to receive the necessary medical treatment. Major Abulfath added that Civil Defence teams conducted a full inspection of the building involved in the incident to ensure no other individuals were trapped or injured inside. Authorities also secured the surrounding buildings as part of precautionary measures. He confirmed that all nearby buildings have now been secured, and the site has been handed over to the relevant authorities to continue the necessary procedures. The response was carried out as part of the national effort to ensure public safety and manage the aftermath of the incident. READ MORE: UK’s RAF fighter jets down drones heading towards Jordan, Bahrain as part of ‘defensive air sorties’
1 day ago
More than 40,000 flights have been cancelled across the Middle East countries so far due to the ongoing regional military conflict. According to data shared by aviation analytics company Cirium, there were more than 72,000 flights scheduled in and out of the Middle East, with more than 40,000 flights cancelled since February 28 to March 9. Airlines in the UAE and other Gulf countries hit by Iranian missiles and drones have partially resumed operations after a few days of suspensions. The UAE and other Gulf countries have established an air corridor to operate limited flights. According to Fitch Ratings, the duration of the aviation disruption following the attacks launched by Israel and the US on Iran on February 28 and Iran’s subsequent attacks on countries in the region will be fundamental to determining the implications for affected sectors, including airlines, airports, lodging, insurance and lessors. “Our baseline expectation that the conflict in the Middle East will last less than a month should limit the implications for Fitch-rated issuers in sectors affected by the aviation disruption. A more prolonged disruption could have more significant implications for affected sectors and issuers, particularly smaller and less diversified ones,” the ratings agency said, adding that its base case is […]
2 days ago
The First High Criminal Court has begun the trial of a 24-year-old Bahraini man accused of stabbing another man at Malkiya Beach, leaving the victim with a permanent disability estimated at 1%. The court adjourned the case to March 15, 2026, to bring the defendant from detention. According to the Public Prosecution, the defendant assaulted the victim on October 20, 2025, stabbing him in the middle of the chest with a knife and causing injuries described in the forensic medical report, which resulted in a permanent disability of 1%. An officer at the Ministry of Interior testified that police received a report of a fight at Malkiya Beach, after which the victim was transferred to Salmaniya Medical Complex. Upon meeting the victim, officers observed a stab wound in the middle of his chest. The victim told police that he had a dispute with the defendant over the phone, after which the defendant asked to meet at Malkiya Beach. The victim arrived with friends and met the defendant, who asked him to send his friends away so they could speak alone. The officer added that once the victim moved away from his friends, the defendant suddenly stabbed him in the chest […]
2 days ago
The Indian Embassy in Bahrain has issued an important advisory for Indian nationals stranded in the kingdom following the continued closure of Bahrain’s airspace since February 28. In a message, H.E. Shri Vinod K. Jacob, Ambassador of India to Bahrain, explained that priority is currently being given to assist Indian nationals who are stuck in Bahrain after their flights were disrupted by the airspace closure. Many of those affected had been visiting the country on tourist or short-term visas and were unable to depart as scheduled. To facilitate their departure, the embassy has established a special operating procedure in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Under this arrangement, stranded Indian nationals can apply for permission to transit through Saudi Arabia in order to continue their journey home. The ambassador said those seeking assistance should send an email to wel2.bahrain@mea.gov.inwith the necessary details. Applicants are required to include their name, passport number, contact details, copies of relevant passport pages, visa information, and confirmed air tickets. Once the information is received, the Indian Embassy in Bahrain will forward the list to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. Officials there will then approach the Saudi authorities to obtain individual transit approvals for […]
2 days ago
The Northern Municipal Council approved a proposal to introduce a symbolic 100 fils fee for using public toilets at several parks and seaside locations in the Northern Governorate. Councillors voted to raise a recommendation to the Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture that the fee be implemented at three locations frequently visited by residents: Al Malkiya Coast, A’ali walking track and Abu Subh Coast. Members stressed that the proposal was designed with the community in mind. Elderly residents and children will be exempt from the fee, ensuring that the facilities remain accessible to those who rely on them the most. Councillors said the decision aims to improve the condition of public toilets in recreational areas that receive large numbers of visitors throughout the week. They noted that maintaining cleanliness and comfort in these facilities is essential for people who spend time walking along the coast or exercising in public spaces. In recent years, some of these facilities have suffered from repeated misuse and damage, including broken fixtures and vandalised equipment left behind by unknown individuals. Members said introducing a small fee could help discourage such behaviour while supporting regular cleaning and maintenance. During a special tour by The Daily Tribune, it […]
2 days ago
The Public Prosecution urged the court on Monday to hand down the death penalty to the defendants in a case alleging collusion with the enemy, saying the charges amount to treason against Bahrain. Addressing the court during what it described as a procedural hearing, the prosecution said it had not yet been given the chance to make its full case or lay out the evidence it says stands against the accused. It said it wanted, from the opening stage of the trial, to make plain the scale of the acts in question, the motives said to lie behind them and the meaning of the case now before the court. The prosecution placed the case against the backdrop of what it called an Iranian attack on Bahrain, saying the country was facing hard days in which people were living with fear and strain, while the state was using all it had to defend the country and keep order. In those circumstances, it said, some had chosen to side with the attackers and betray Bahrain by making contact with what it described as a terrorist group engaged in violent acts, with the aim of carrying out hostile acts against the kingdom. It […]
2 days ago
Kuwait has exempted government employees stranded abroad from work duties after regional airspace closures disrupted travel, allowing the period of absence to be counted as official working time until they are able to return to the country. The Civil Service Commission announced the measure on Sunday, saying it had contacted government ministries, public authorities and institutions to address the situation of employees unable to return to Kuwait because of exceptional regional circumstances. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the commission said the decision aims to support employees stranded outside the country due to the ongoing disruptions. Under the directive, the period during which employees are unable to return will be treated as actual working time until they are able to travel back to Kuwait after the reopening of airspace or by other available means. The commission said the duration of the exemption will be determined after the end of the employee’s authorised leave or holiday period during which they were originally expected to return. The employee’s direct supervisor or a higher-level manager will assess the situation before referring it to the relevant administrative department. Employees seeking to have the period recognised as official working time must also submit documentation proving […]
2 days ago
Oil prices surged above $100 a barrel after a halt in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz began choking global supplies, pushing energy markets into one of their sharpest rallies in years. Brent crude climbed about 11% to trade near $103 a barrel after briefly approaching $120 earlier in the session. The jump places crude on track for its biggest daily gain in dollar terms since futures trading began in 1988. Energy markets reacted to mounting supply disruptions across the Middle East, where several major producers have begun cutting output after storage facilities filled and tankers became stranded following the shutdown of shipping routes through Hormuz. The narrow waterway normally carries roughly one fifth of global oil flows and serves as a critical export route for Gulf producers. The near standstill in tanker traffic has forced producers to scale back output while global markets scramble to secure supplies. Prices retreated slightly after reports that Group of Seven finance ministers could discuss a coordinated release of emergency oil reserves to stabilise markets. Production cuts deepen supply squeeze Production shutdowns are beginning to spread across the region as the disruption to shipping continues. Iraq began shutting in output last week while […]
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