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Emirates and flydubai resume operating some flights over Iraq

13 Dec 2017

The National -- Emirates and flydubai have resumed using Iraqi airspace for flights to other countries, the Middle East airlines said on Monday, two days after Iraq declared victory in its years-long fight against Islamic state.

Several airlines stopped flying over Iraq in 2014 on safety concerns because of the conflict and after a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet was shot down over Ukraine the same year.

Airlines have instead been flying longer routes over Iran and other... Read More

Putin orders withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria (Video)

12 Dec 2017

The National -- Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces in Syria to start withdrawing on Monday, as he held surprise talks with president Bashar Al Assad on a visit to Russia's Syrian air base.

The visit to the Hmeimim base in Latakia province marked Mr Putin's first trip to Syria and comes as Mr Al Assad's forces have retaken control of most of Syria under Russian air cover.

The base has served as the main launchpad for the air campaign that Russia has waged... Read More

Dog walking and camping now banned at Al Qudra Lakes

12 Dec 2017

The National -- One of Dubai's most popular dog walking and camping spots will no longer allow dogs or tents.

New signs have gone up at Al Qudra Lakes, warning visitors of a wide range of new rules intended to keep the area clean and improve safety.

The rules also now disallow bonfires, the entry of vehicles, and feeding animals; feeding the ducks is a popular activity in the area.

People who violate the new rules would face fines.

Al Qudra had been the subject of... Read More

Saudi Arabia to open cinemas for first time in 35 years

12 Dec 2017

The National -- Saudi Arabia said that cinemas are expected to open early next year for the first time since their ban in the 1980s.

"As the industry regulator, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media has started the process for licensing cinemas in the Kingdom," Minister of Culture and Information Awwad bin Saleh Alawwad said in a statement.

"We expect the first cinemas to open in March 2018.”

The move comes as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030... Read More

Non-existing place becomes London's top-rated restaurant on TripAdvisor

12 Dec 2017

AFP -- "The Shed at Dulwich," based in a south London back garden, offered invited guests conceptual dishes named after moods, including "Lust – rabbit kidneys on toast," "Empathetic – vegan clams in a clear broth" and "Contemplation – a deconstructed Aberdeen stew."

The menu was accompanied by mouth-watering photographs of the dishes, which in reality were comprised of bleach tablets, shaving foam, gloss paint and even a fried egg rested against a human foot.

"One day, sitting... Read More

UAE Armed Forces help military advance in Yemen (Video)

11 Dec 2017

The National -- The Saudi-led Arab Coalition Forces and the Yemeni National Resistance Forces continued their advance in the West Coast of Yemen after liberating Al Khoja, on their way to fully liberating the strategic port city of Hodeida, national news agency Wam reported.

The liberation of Hodeida is essential to regaining control over the port, which is vital to the supply lines of the Iran-backed Houthi militias.

The sweeping advance towards Hodeida is a crucial step in... Read More

2.5 million captagon pills seized by Abu Dhabi police

11 Dec 2017

The National -- Four men were discovered by police in possession of more than 2.5 million tablets of the banned amphetamine captagon.

The men planned to sell the pills in Abu Dhabi and across the country, police said on Sunday, and were referred to public prosecutors.

“Police officers ambushed the gang. They were stunned when they saw police officers to the extent that they didn’t even try to escape,” said Col. Tahir Al Dhahiri, head of the anti-narcotics department at Abu... Read More

Major section of Dubai Metro to close for 18 months

11 Dec 2017

The National -- A major section of the Dubai Metro will close for 18 months while the extension to the Expo 2020 site is built.

Trains will not travel between Ibn Battuta and and Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) Stations between Jan 5, 2018 to the middle of 2019.

Buses will carry passengers to reach stations either side of the closed section.

Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station, which is in between the stations, will be redeveloped completely.

“Constructional... Read More

UAE's Largest Mi Store opens its door

10 Dec 2017

Global technology leader Xiaomi has opened its second Authorized Mi Store in Dubai. In partnership with its local distributor TASK FZCO, Xiaomi launched the second Authorized Mi store in the UAE, less than four months after the first store. This highlights Xiaomi’s unwavering efforts to bring more innovative products at accessible prices to Mi Fans in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Located at Deira City Centre in Dubai, the company's second physical store... Read More

Angel Yin WINS THE OMEGA DUBAI LADIES CLASSIC 2017

10 Dec 2017

Finishing her year with a fantastic victory in a thrilling playoff, Angel Yin has won the 2017 OMEGA Dubai Ladies Classic, final stop of the year on the Ladies European Tour.

The tournament was played on one of the city’s renowned course - The Majlis – and was held under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.