GCC News

2 days ago

Sharjah Archaeology Authority Opens World Heritage Office To Safeguard UNESCO Sites And Future Nominations

The Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) has launched the Sharjah World Heritage Office to strengthen the management of World Heritage sites in the emirate and coordinate the protection of listed, nominated, and potential sites in line with international standards. The launch follows an Emiri Decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, approving the authority’s organisational structure. It also coincides with the inscription of Faya on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025, marking a more advanced phase in managing Sharjah’s cultural and natural heritage through an integrated framework covering research, nominations, documentation, and coordination with relevant entities. The office is responsible for developing and managing nomination files for sites of Outstanding Universal Value in the emirate, and for the administrative oversight of sites inscribed on the World Heritage List and the Tentative List. It also prepares digital databases, accurate records of cultural heritage sites, and specialised studies that support World Heritage work, strengthening monitoring, documentation, and protection efforts while enhancing the emirate’s readiness for future international nominations. In addition, the international AED2 million Faya Research Grant programme established by the Sharjah government for the Faya World Heritage Site will be […]

2 days ago

Tehran Demands Kuwait Release 4 Iranians Detained In The Gulf

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi on Wednesday said Tehran is demanding the release of four Iranian citizens detained in the Arabian Gulf by Kuwait. Kuwaiti authorities on Tuesday said ⁠four people who confessed to being affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards were arrested earlier this month as they attempted to land on a Kuwaiti island. Aragchi accused Kuwait of attacking an Iranian boat, adding Iran had the “right to respond.” In clear attempt to sow discord, Kuwait has unlawfully attacked an Iranian boat and detained 4 of our citizens in the Persian Gulf. This illegal act took place near island used by the U.S. to attack Iran. We demand immediate release of our nationals and reserve right to respond. — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 13, 2026 “In clear attempt to sow discord, Kuwait has unlawfully attacked an Iranian boat and detained 4 of our citizens in the Persian Gulf. This illegal act took place near island used by the US to attack Iran,” Abbas Araghchi wrote on X. “We demand immediate release of our nationals” he added. Kuwait’s Interior Ministry said that two navy colonels, a captain and a lieutenant commander admitted they were tasked with “infiltrating” Bubiyan Island. Seyed […]

2 days ago

Flydubai Says It Has Revised Pakistan Flight Schedule

Flydubai on Wednesday said it has revised its flight schedule to Pakistan. The Dubai-based carrier said affected passengers are being contacted for rebooking and refunds. “Flydubai has recently revised its flight schedule to Pakistan. Customers whose flights have been affected are being contacted directly regarding their rebooking and refund options. Customers who have booked through a travel agent are advised to contact them directly,” a Flydubai spokesperson said in the statement. Flydubai operates flights to major Pakistani cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, Faisalabad, Quetta, Sialkot and Multan. On May 13, flydubai’s website showed that travellers could not book flights to Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. Booking options were unavailable for the three cities until October 24-25. However, flight booking options were available to other Pakistani cities, including Faisalabad, Karachi, Multan, Quetta, and Sialkot, as of May 13. “We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our passengers’ travel plans,” the spokesperson added. The Dubai carrier has been operating at reduced capacity due to the regional military conflict. A statement posted on Flydubai’s website on March 31 said flight durations and transit times in Dubai may be longer than usual due to the temporary rerouting of some flight paths. It advised passengers […]

2 days ago

2 Citizens Arrested For Transporting 5 Residents To Makkah Illegally

Hajj security forces arrested two Saudi citizens for transporting four Egyptians and one Pakistani resident, in violation of Hajj regulations and instructions. The citizens were caught while attempting to transport the residents into Makkah without obtaining Hajj permits. Legal procedures were taken against the arrested people. Public Security urged everyone to comply with Hajj regulations and instructions and to promptly report violators by calling 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 in all other regions of the Kingdom. READ MORE: Expat Arrested In Makkah For Harassing A Woman

2 days ago

Saudi Employees Are Prohibited From Holding More Than Seven Jobs Within One-Year Period

The Qiwa platform, under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, has emphasized that Saudi employees are prohibited from holding more than seven jobs within a one-year period, Okaz newspaper reported. This restriction applies if the employee has already completed seven employment contracts within 365 days, calculated from the date of the first contract. The platform also stressed that the registration of non-Saudi employees must be cancelled if their work permits have expired, or if they have remained without a work permit for more than three months after June 30, 2026, regardless of their residency status. The platform clarified that a Saudi employee who has entered into seven employment contracts within a year will not be permitted to complete an eighth contract until a full year has elapsed from the date of the first contract within the relevant period. This clarification follows notifications issued to employers stating that Saudi employees are not allowed to hold more than seven jobs in a year. Regarding employment contracts for Saudi employees, the platform explained that the maximum number of valid employment contracts an employee may hold simultaneously is two, in accordance with labor regulations and service requirements. It further noted that if […]

2 days ago

Bahrain Launches ‘We Are With You’ Tourism Campaign

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has launched a new promotional campaign titled “We Are With You” as part of efforts to strengthen Bahrain’s position as a preferred tourism destination for visitors from GCC countries. The campaign features a packed calendar of entertainment, cultural, sporting, and family events taking place across the Kingdom throughout the season. Activities include concerts, theatre performances, festivals, shopping events, and family experiences hosted in cooperation with various partners, including events at the Bahrain World Exhibition Centre and major shopping malls. BTEA Chief Executive Sarah Ahmed Buheji said the campaign reflects Bahrain’s commitment to offering an integrated tourism experience that combines entertainment, culture, hospitality, shopping, and leisure activities for Gulf visitors and families. She noted that Bahrain’s accessibility, diverse attractions, and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal destination for weekend getaways and short holidays. The campaign also includes special travel packages, hotel offers, shopping promotions, and entertainment experiences in cooperation with tourism sector partners to enhance the visitor experience. Officials said the initiative aims to provide visitors with a lively and memorable tourismseason while showcasing Bahrain’s authentic Gulf hospitality and modern tourism infrastructure. READ MORE: Bahrain: IRGC Links Under Probe

3 days ago

Fake Hajj Offers Trap Victims As Dubai Police Issue Warning

Residents planning to perform Hajj and Umrah have been urged to remain vigilant after Dubai Police warned of a rise in fake pilgrimage campaigns and fraudulent online advertisements designed to steal money and personal information. The warning was issued by Dubai Police’s Anti-Fraud Centre at the General Department of Criminal Investigation as part of the force’s ongoing “Be Aware of Fraud” awareness campaign, which aims to protect the community from increasingly sophisticated cyber scams. According to Dubai Police, fraudsters are exploiting the desire of worshippers to perform Hajj and Umrah by promoting fake Hajj and Umrah packages across social media platforms and digital websites. The deceptive advertisements often feature attractive offers, heavily discounted prices, and false promises of easy travel arrangements and guaranteed bookings. Police said scammers typically lure victims by claiming they can provide “guaranteed” Hajj packages at prices lower than market rates or obtain urgent visas and permits in a short period of time. Once trust is gained, victims are asked to transfer advance payments to complete procedures, only for the fraudsters to disappear without delivering any legitimate service. Authorities noted that such crimes tend to increase significantly in the weeks leading up to the Hajj and Umrah […]

3 days ago

UAE Ready To Deal With Any Health Threats, Including Hantavirus

UAE authorities have reaffirmed the readiness of the country’s national health monitoring and response system to deal with any emerging health developments, particularly those related to the Hantavirus, while stressing that the situation does not currently pose pandemic concerns. The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and the Ministry of Health and Prevention said the UAE’s approved health preparedness and surveillance measures continue to undergo regular evaluation and review in line with international best practices and approved standards. The remarks came during a meeting of the National Team for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management for Human Epidemics, chaired by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, under the supervision of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, and attended by members of the national team and strategic partners. During the meeting, officials discussed the latest developments related to the Hantavirus, alongside the UAE’s approved health monitoring and response systems, precautionary measures and coordination mechanisms with relevant entities at the local, national and international levels. The team confirmed the continued implementation of preventive monitoring measures as part of the UAE’s proactive approach to strengthening public health preparedness and enhancing response capabilities for communicable diseases. Authorities also stressed […]

3 days ago

Dubai Updates Driving Licence Tests: RTA Introduces Collision Warning, Lane Assist

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has updated its driver training curriculum for applicants seeking a light vehicle driving licence, bringing it in line with modern vehicle technologies and international safety standards. Focus on advanced driver assistance systems The revised programme integrates training on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which are now widely featured in new vehicles. These include forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane-keeping support systems, parking assist functions, night vision systems, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and both conventional and adaptive cruise control. Alignment with global standards According to Sultan Al Akraf, Director of Drivers Licensing at RTA, the updated curriculum aligns with internationally recognised standards set by the CIECA. He said the initiative is aimed at improving road safety, shaping driver behaviour, and reducing traffic accidents by ensuring learners understand the latest in-vehicle technologies. Integrated into training programmes Al Akraf noted that the updated content has been introduced in collaboration with driving institutes across Dubai and has been incorporated into: Enhancing safety and future readiness The RTA said the changes reflect its broader strategy to enhance road safety, support smarter mobility, and deliver innovative, sustainable transport services that improve customer experience. Officials added that […]

3 days ago

UAE Launches First-Of-Its-Kind National Emirati Nurses Programme

The UAE Readiness and Response Programme “Jaheziya” has launched the “Emirati Nurses” initiative, a first-of-its-kind national programme aimed at developing Emirati nursing leaders and strengthening the country’s emergency preparedness capabilities through internationally accredited training and specialised medical education. Launched to coincide with International Nurses Day (May 12), the initiative brings together a network of global healthcare and emergency response institutions, including the European Centre for Disaster Medicine, the American Nurses Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the American Emergency Services Foundation. The programme is being implemented in coordination with educational, healthcare, ambulance, police, civil defence and emergency response institutions across the UAE under a unified framework focused on emergency readiness and rapid response. Dr Adel Al Shamri Al Ajmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Zayed Giving Initiative, President of the UAE Doctors Initiative and CEO of the UAE Readiness Programme “Jaheziya”, said the initiative would act as a national accelerator for Emirati nursing professionals through specialised institutional and community-based training, research programmes and continuous professional development. He said the initiative aims to enhance critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills among nursing staff while strengthening the long-term retention and qualification of Emirati healthcare […]

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Sharjah Archaeology Authority Opens World Heritage Office To Safeguard UNESCO Sites And Future Nominations

Tehran Demands Kuwait Release 4 Iranians Detained In The Gulf

Flydubai Says It Has Revised Pakistan Flight Schedule

2 Citizens Arrested For Transporting 5 Residents To Makkah Illegally

Saudi Employees Are Prohibited From Holding More Than Seven Jobs Within One-Year Period

Bahrain Launches ‘We Are With You’ Tourism Campaign

Fake Hajj Offers Trap Victims As Dubai Police Issue Warning

UAE Ready To Deal With Any Health Threats, Including Hantavirus

Dubai Updates Driving Licence Tests: RTA Introduces Collision Warning, Lane Assist

UAE Launches First-Of-Its-Kind National Emirati Nurses Programme

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