Languages

Business

Saudi Arabia moves ahead with Salwa canal plan

20 Jun 2018

Saudi Arabia’s deadline for accepting tenders to dig a 60-kilometre canal that will turn Qatar into an island will be June 25.

Five international companies with expertise in digging canals have so far submitted their tenders for the Salwa canal inside the territories of Saudi Arabia and alongside the Saudi-Qatari borders. The name of the winner will be announced within 90 days and the company will have one year to complete the task, Saudi daily Makkah has reported.

The planned... Read More

‘Indecent costume’ led to Saudi entertainment chief’s dismissal

20 Jun 2018

A heavy onslaught by conservatives who objected to women donning “indecent costumes” has reportedly led to the dismissal of the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Ahmad Al Khatib, from his position.

Pictures and short clips of a woman in a pink figure-hugging costume performing in a circus in the capital Riyadh were posted on social media, prompting sharp criticism and critical comments from users.

“The General Entertainment Authority had been... Read More

Emiratis told to keep out of these countries

20 Jun 2018

Authorities in the UAE have issued a travel advisory to more than 10 countries, and warned Emiratis against travelling to three countries.

As schools come to a close and families gear up for their annual summer holiday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) has warned travellers against visiting certain countries due to political reasons, or security and health concerns.

Emiratis are prohibited from visiting Qatar, the mountain region of... Read More

Jumeirah Group hires former Michelin Guide exec Michael Ellis

19 Jun 2018

The first non-French person to head the Michelin Guides said Monday that he is leaving the world's most prestigious restaurant guides.

American Michael Ellis said that he was joining the Dubai-based luxury hotel chain Jumeirah after seven years with the red guides.

The soft-spoken Ellis, who previously worked for the French tyre maker's motorcycle division, has expanded the guides to 31 editions in 30 countries.

But there has been controversy about Michelin's decision to... Read More

Change at the top for Bottega Veneta

19 Jun 2018

News last week that Tomas Maier was stepping down as creative director of Bottega Venetta was all the more unexpected given that his tenure at the brand has been widely lauded as a success. But his successor, Daniel Lee, has already been named.

Personally picked by Tom Ford for the role, Maier spent 17 successful years at the helm of Bottega Veneta, consistently delivering desirable collections and spearheading the numerous collaborations that the house has been involved with. In... Read More

Saudi Arabia lodges official complaint with FIFA over beIN’s 'insulting' World Cup coverage

19 Jun 2018

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has lodged an official complaint with FIFA over beIN Sports’ World Cup coverage, which they say includes "insulting" political messages aimed at the kingdom and its leadership.

The Qatari-government funded network – which owns the sole broadcasting rights to the tournament in the region – has used its coverage to spread "hatred among fans and people in the region", according to the Saudi Football Federation.

The complaint follows beIN’s... Read More

Emirates Announces Special Fares in June 2018

18 Jun 2018

Moscow, Russia, June 18, 2018 – Special fares are valid for booking between 18 and 24 June for outbound travel by 10 October 2018 from Moscow and Saint Petersburg. This summer passengers can book their perfect getaway in Dubai and unlock benefits with Emirates boarding pass.

Destination

Economy Class, return fares including taxes and fees starting from*

Moscow

Saint Petersburg

Dubai

24 000 RUB

29 000 RUB

Summer just got cooler with Emirates’ complimentary ice cream service

18 Jun 2018

This summer travel season, Emirates is serving complimentary ice cream to all its customers at Dubai International Airport. Ice cream cups will be given out at the Terminal 3 departure and transit areas from 15 June to 31 August for customers travelling from or through Dubai.

The ice cream, branded Emperor, is made in-house by Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) and the airline expects to serve two million cups of ice cream to its customers over the next 3 months. Customers can look out... Read More

New NASA images show impact of huge tropical storm on the Empty Quarter

18 Jun 2018

Newly released images captured from space show the effect of tropical cyclone Mekunu on the Empty Quarter, after the storm dumped several years’ worth of rain on the desert and created temporary lakes between the sand dunes.

Tropical cyclone Mekunu tore through the region in May, dumping three times Oman’s annual rainfall – 278 millimetres – on the vast area in just 24 hours.

Now footage released by space agency NASA has revealed the effects of the storm on what is usually one... Read More

Dubai man rescued after car falls into 15-foot hole

18 Jun 2018

A driver was rescued on Friday after his vehicle plunged into a 15-foot-deep hole in Al Khawaneej, Dubai Civil Defence said. “A rescue team was dispatched to the area, where an air ambulance flew to the scene and lifted the driver out. He suffered from moderate injuries,” said a statement on social media.

The National