The Times of India News

Emirates is marking the holiday season with a range of festive offerings for travelers. Passengers at 40,000 feet can enjoy seasonal cuisine, desserts, and rare wines in premium cabins. Lounges worldwide feature traditional holiday dishes, while inflight entertainment includes Christmas movies, TV specials, and music. The initiative also highlights charitable giving and special gift options for passengers.

Professor Abbas El Gamal, a pioneer in digital communications, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Great Arab Minds Award in Engineering and Technology. The Egyptian-American academic from Stanford University is recognized for his foundational work in network information theory and digital imaging. This accolade, often called the 'Arab Nobel,' celebrates his significant contributions and inspires future Arab innovators.

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has pledged $550 million to the UNs 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview, which seeks $33 billion to assist 135 million people across 23 crises, aiming to protect 87 million urgently in need, while reinforcing partnerships with UN agencies and supporting health, food, refugee, and child-focused programmes worldwide.

Saudi Arabia has updated its corporate rules to clearly identify beneficial owners in companies. Individuals holding 25 percent or more ownership are now considered beneficial owners, with alternative criteria based on control if ownership is unclear. Shareholders acting on behalf of others must disclose details within 15 days, while subsidiaries of listed companies are exempt, strengthening transparency and corporate accountability.

Authorities have temporarily closed a slip-road on Emirates Road (E611) at Bridge No. 7 for northbound traffic heading towards Jebel AliLehbab Road/Al Qudra Road. This closure, effective December 11, 2025, is part of a Dh750 million expansion project to enhance capacity and safety on the E611. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes like Bridge No.

The Kingdom of Bahrain will observe public holidays on Tuesday, December 16, and Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in celebration of National Day and the Accession Day of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. All ministries, government departments, public authorities, and institutions will be closed, allowing citizens and residents to honor the nations progress, unity, and leadership.

The UAE is set for unsettled weather from December 12 to 19, with scattered rain, gusty winds, and variable cloud cover across the country. Light to moderate showers may appear intermittently, while winds could stir dust in exposed areas. Coastal waters will be rough at times, particularly in the Arabian Gulf, prompting caution for outdoor and marine activities.

The UAE Central Bank has clarified that Nafis payments are temporary incentives, not guaranteed income for loan eligibility. This ruling impacts Emirati private sector employees' creditworthiness by excluding government top-ups from income calculations, making it harder to meet debt-burden ratio requirements. Banks will assess these incentives case-by-case.

Oman Air is launching a new MuscatTaif route starting January 31, 2026, marking its fifth destination in Saudi Arabia. Operating three weekly flights on a Boeing 737, the expansion strengthens economic and cultural ties between the two countries. The airline aims to enhance regional connectivity, offer greater travel options, and support tourism and business links across the Gulf.

The UAE passport has achieved 8th place globally in the Henley Passport Index 2025, granting visa-free access to 184 destinations. This marks the largest improvement in the index's history, a testament to a decade of dedicated diplomatic efforts. The enhanced mobility offers significant economic and social benefits for citizens and the nation.

On August 2, 2027, Saudi Arabia will witness the longest solar eclipse in 100 years, with the Moon blocking the Sun for over six minutes. The eclipse will also pass across North Africa and southern Spain. Daylight will fade to twilight, and the Suns glowing corona will shine around the Moon, offering observers a rare, breathtaking celestial spectacle.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has imposed a travel ban on Mali, urging citizens not to visit and calling on those already there to return immediately. Authorities emphasize strict adherence to official guidance, heightened caution, and vigilance. Nationals are encouraged to use the 24/7 emergency hotline for support, ensuring safety amid ongoing concerns in the West African nation.

The General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat has announced that starting January 2026, Friday sermons and prayers across all UAE mosques will begin at 12:45 pm. Worshippers are urged to arrive early to fully participate in the sermon and prayer. The change aims to provide consistency, better organization, and a smoother experience for all communities nationwide.

Kuwait authorities have arrested 15 individuals in connection with the Ya Hala raffle scandal, part of the countrys most famous shopping festival. Investigations revealed bribery, forgery, and misuse of official positions to direct prizes to select beneficiaries. The case, covering multiple draws and substantial prizes, highlights vulnerabilities in commercial promotions and ongoing efforts to restore public trust.

Dubais Free Zones provide expats with a simple, tax-friendly way to start a business with 100% foreign ownership. Dubai now offers a Dedicated Free Zone Passport, enabling operations across multiple zones with a single permit. This guide covers what Free Zones are, how to choose the right one, step by step setup, license types, costs, timelines, and key considerations for launching a business in Dubai.

The UAE Ministry of Higher Education revoked recognition of Midocean University after inspections revealed major violations, including unaccredited programmes, flawed online courses, record discrepancies, and non-compliance with national laws. The universitys qualifications are now not accredited. The Ministry urges students to verify institutions accreditation, emphasizing protection of students, academic integrity, and enforcement of regulatory standards across the UAE.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan has approved comprehensive plans to enhance residential areas, family welfare, and digital infrastructure. The initiatives introduce sustainable, socially connected neighbourhoods, with parks, walking and cycling paths, and essential community services. Alongside the Digital Resilience Policy, the plans support Dubai Plan 2033, aiming to strengthen quality of life, social cohesion, and the emirates position as a global model.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have launched a 785-kilometer high-speed electric rail connecting Riyadh and Doha, cutting travel time to just two hours. The project will serve over 10 million passengers annually, create 30,000 jobs, boost trade and tourism, and strengthen Gulf cooperation. Built to the highest safety and sustainability standards, it marks a major step in regional development

Abu Dhabi's BRIDGE Summit, a global gathering of over 60,000 creatives and industry leaders, commenced today to shape the future of media through AI and global storytelling. Hollywood star Idris Elba highlighted his mission to empower African creators and address financial barriers, while discussions emphasized AI's potential and ethical challenges in the $2.8 trillion media sector.

Saudi Arabia has expanded its presence in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities with the addition of Riyadh, AlUla, and Riyadh Al-Khabra. This recognition highlights their dedication to lifelong learning and community initiatives, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's goals for a knowledge-based economy and human capital development.

Taibah University in Madinah has suspended all in-person classes, shifting to online learning via Blackboard due to a severe weather warning. This mandatory move prioritizes student and staff safety amidst forecasts of heavy rainfall. The university urges everyone to stay updated through official channels and continue with coursework remotely.

Saudi Arabia faces severe weather alerts across eight regions. Red, Orange, and Yellow warnings are active due to heavy rain, flash floods, strong winds, and thunderstorms. Residents in Madinah and Northern Borders are under Red Alert, facing extreme danger. Other regions like Ha'il, Qassim, Tabuk, Makkah, Asir, and Al Baha are also affected. Authorities urge immediate preparation and caution.

A Ghanaian preacher calling himself Noah has gone viral after claiming God warned him of a three-year global flood beginning on 25 December. His videos show wooden boats under construction and promises of salvation for those who join him, but nothing has been independently verified. The trend raises sharper questions about faith, fabrication and how apocalyptic stories spread online.

Hamad Ali Al-Khater has been appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, effective December 7, 2025, succeeding Badr Mohammed Al-Meer. Al-Khater brings extensive experience from QatarEnergy and his tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport, positioning him to enhance airport-airline synergy and passenger experience.

Bahraini rapper Flipperachi, real name Hussam Aseem, is gaining massive attention in India after his hit track FA9LA featured in the Bollywood spy thriller Dhurandhar. Known for his Khaleeji hip-hop style and international collaborations with artists like The Game, Shaggy, and Shaquille ONeal, Flipperachis music is now reaching millions, marking a major crossover into the Indian film industry.

Dubai Police have arrested Marko Dordevic, leader of the notorious Vracarci gang, also called the Witchcrafters, in a coordinated international operation named Haris. The arrest, carried out with Europol, Serbian, and Spanish authorities, follows a Red Notice by Interpol. Dordevics capture marks a major step in dismantling cross-border organized crime and highlights the UAEs role in global security efforts.

The UAE is introducing penalties of up to Dh5,000 for businesses violating e-invoicing requirements. Starting July 2026, all invoices must be created, exchanged, and reported electronically to the Federal Tax Authority. Fines apply for delays in implementation, failure to transmit invoices or credit notes, system failure notifications, and updating registered business data, emphasizing strict compliance and operational readiness.

Dubai's RTA has installed 595 new public bus shelters, nearing 89% completion of its 762-unit goal by 2025. This initiative modernizes public transport infrastructure, enhancing comfort and reliability for over 192 million annual riders. The project prioritizes accessibility and integrates advanced features like digital screens and air-conditioned waiting areas.

The UAE plans to produce 60 trillion AI tokens through its Stargate AI campus in Abu Dhabi, aiming to become the worlds factory of intelligence. AI tokens, the basic units of AI computation, turn data into actionable insights. The initiative positions the UAE as a global AI leader, drives economic and energy efficiency, and transforms intelligence into a strategic national resource.

Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step to simplify the Umrah pilgrimage for domestic and international visitors with the Nusk Al-Umrah card. It centralizes key services, including transportation, crowd management, accommodation, and bus refueling. Domestic pilgrims can use digital versions, while international visitors receive printed cards, enhancing safety, convenience, and efficiency for millions of worshippers each year.

The Saudi Embassy in Addis Ababa has warned its citizens about a deadly Marburg virus outbreak in southern Ethiopia, particularly in the South Omo Zone and Sidama regions. As of December 3, 13 cases have been confirmed, with eight fatalities. Citizens are urged to follow local health guidance, avoid crowded areas, and contact the embassys 24/7 emergency hotline for assistance.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense has opened a new military recruitment cycle for men and women, accepting applications from December 7th. The program seeks to fill positions from Private to Sergeant, catering to high-school, diploma, and degree holders across over 100 specializations. This initiative aims to bolster national forces with diverse and qualified talent.

UAE influencer Khalid Al Ameri has quietly confirmed his relationship with Indian actress Sunaina Yella through a heartfelt birthday post on Instagram. The carousel included intimate photos, including a mirror selfie showing them holding hands. Their relationship had been hinted at since mid-2024, with matching posts and subtle interactions, now finally confirmed to fans worldwide.