Oman Reports Rise in Global Oil Prices Amid Stronger Demand Outlook
Bahrain Welcomes UAE-Mediated Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange
Kuwaiti Athletes Continue Medal Run at Gulf Games
Qatar Maintains Dominance at Gulf Games Doha 2026
Saudi Arabia Secures Second Place Globally at ISEF 2026
UAE Rejects Iranian Allegations at BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Saudi Roads General Authority issues interactive 2026 Hajj land-route guide
Dubai Taxi Company integrates over 2,000 vehicles following National Taxi acquisition
American Express Middle East signs partnership with Al Dana Amphitheatre
Oman-India CEPA enters final administrative phase before June launch
Saudi Arabia deploys AI guidance robots for Hajj 1447 AH pilgrims
GFH Bank reports US$35.11 million net profit for Q1 2026
Qatar maintains lead in swimming events at GCC Games
Saudi Arabia welcomes Yemen detainee exchange agreement reached in Amman
UAE medal tally rises to 20 at Doha GCC Games 2026
Oman-Canada trade exchange reaches RO 62.4 million milestone
Kuwaiti officials monitor impact of regional tensions on oil reserves
Bahrain emphasizes regional cooperation for humanitarian aid corridors
Venus reaches perihelion as visible astronomical event over Qatar
Saudi Media Minister highlights Hajj system readiness for 1447 AH
Dubai Taxi Company acquires National Taxi LLC for AED 1.45 billion
Oman confirms final preparations for India CEPA launch on June 1
Kuwait diving team launches mission to protect coral ecosystems
Bahrain defense officials review successful aerial interception reports
Qatar Ministry of Environment sets strategy for COP31 negotiations
Kuwait overhauls expat residency fees and Article 22 conditions
Kuwait has officially implemented a new fee structure and salary threshold for expatriate families as part of its 2026 immigration reforms. Sponsors must now earn a minimum of KD 800…
Read more
Qatar private sector targets 20% nationalization for 2026
As part of the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), Qatar has set a new target to increase Qatari participation in the private sector workforce to 20% by the end of…
Read more
Qatar announces automatic one-month extension for expired entry visas
The Ministry of Interior has announced a one-month automatic extension for all entry visa categories that have expired or are nearing expiry. These extensions are being processed online without additional…
Read more
Qatar mandates digital e-contracts to streamline job transfers
Qatar’s Ministry of Labour has officially enforced the mandatory use of its digital e-services for all private sector employment contracts. The fully digital process is designed to simplify employer changes…
Read more
Saudi Arabia rolls out 5-year physical Muqeem ID cards for residents
The Ministry of Interior has introduced a new version of the Resident Identity (Muqeem) card featuring a five-year physical validity period. While the physical card lasts longer, residents must still…
Read more
Haramain railway increases capacity to 2.2 million for pilgrimage season
Saudi Arabia Railways has officially boosted seat capacity on the Haramain High-Speed Rail to 2.2 million for the 2026 Hajj season. The move includes the deployment of 35 trains running…
Read more
Saudi Arabia: Strict permit-only access for Hajj 2026 confirmed
The Saudi Ministry of Interior has enforced a total ban on Hajj activities for holders of visit and tourist visas. Authorities stated that only those with dedicated Hajj permits will…
Read more
UAE affirms sovereign right to defend vital facilities against aggression
Following recent Iranian drone and missile escalations, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its absolute right to self-defense under international law. The government has called for an immediate…
Read more
Dubai scraps Dh750k minimum threshold for investor visas
In a strategic move to boost the local property market amid regional tensions, Dubai authorities have removed the Dh750,000 minimum property value requirement for two-year residency visas. Under the new…
Read more
GCC condemns treacherous Iranian attack on ADNOC tanker
GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi has issued a sharp condemnation following a drone attack on an Emirati oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, belonging to the Abu…
Read more
Direct Strikes on Energy Assets and Civilian Areas
ADNOC Tanker Targeted in Strait of Hormuz: The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned a drone attack on the MV Barakah, a crude oil tanker affiliated with ADNOC Logistics &…
Read more
Healthcare Fees for Expatriates Set to Rise
In a move to optimize healthcare resources, the government has confirmed that healthcare fees for foreign workers will double from BHD 72 to BHD 144 over a four-year period. The…
Read more
Sultanate Accelerates Renewable Energy Target to 30%
Oman is fast-tracking massive solar and wind projects in Dhofar to meet a 30% renewable energy capacity goal by 2030. The push is part of a strategy to reduce carbon…
Read more
Regulated Freelance Visa Proposal Gains Momentum
Government officials have confirmed plans to introduce a regulated freelance visa to tackle illegal residency permits. The first phase will target basic professions, with annual fees expected between 750 and…
Read more
Job Mobility Maintained Under No-NOC Policy
Authorities reminded expatriates today that they can change jobs without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) provided notice periods are met. The reform continues to drive labor market flexibility, allowing workers…
Read more
Strict Enforcement of Hajj Permit Rules for 2026
The Ministry of Interior has reiterated that visit visa holders are strictly barred from performing Hajj. Violators face fines of up to SAR 20,000, potential deportation, and a 10-year re-entry…
Read more
GCC ‘Grand Tours’ Visa Pilot Confirmed for Q4
A status update on the unified “GCC Grand Tours Visa” confirms a live pilot phase will begin in Q4 2026 between Dubai and Bahrain. The system will use QR-code validation…
Read more
Work Permit Fee Reforms Take Effect for Foreign Labor
Bahrain has begun implementing a gradual increase in work permit fees for expatriates to prioritize national employment. Issuance fees have risen to BHD 125, with monthly fees for foreign workers…
Read more
Sohar International Launches ‘Ta’awn’ Program for SMEs
Sohar International has signed a strategic deal with the SME Development Authority (Riyada) to provide Shari’a-compliant funding for local entrepreneurs. The program aims to accelerate the growth of Omani startups…
Read more
Residency Rules Overhauled with Standardized Fee Structure
Kuwait has standardized its expatriate residency fees and reclassified family dependents under Article 22. The new system requires a minimum monthly salary of KD 800 for sponsoring spouses and children,…
Read more
Qatar Targets 20% Workforce Nationalization in Private Sector
New policy guidelines have set a target to increase Qatari participation in the private sector from 17% to 20%. To support this, the 2026 Nationalization Award has been launched to…
Read more
Vision 2030 Enters Final ‘Peak Delivery’ Phase
The Kingdom has officially transitioned into the third phase of Vision 2030, shifting focus from policy reforms to large-scale project execution. Authorities are prioritizing a 65% private sector GDP contribution…
Read more
NCM Issues Weather Alert for High Heat and Dust
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a warning for Thursday as temperatures are expected to climb to 43°C in internal regions. Motorists are advised to be cautious of…
Read more
Parliament Approves Urgent Wage Support for April
The Bahraini Parliament has cleared an urgent proposal to provide wage support for private sector workers affected by recent income disruptions. The financial relief, sourced from the unemployment fund, targets…
Read more
New Minimum Annual Salary Increment Rules for Private Sector
Oman’s Ministry of Labour has reminded private sector employers of the mandatory performance-based salary increment for Omani nationals. Eligible employees are entitled to an annual raise of 2% to 5%…
Read more