NEWS & INSIGHTS

ABU DHABI // The number of cancer diagnoses in the Middle East in the next two decades will nearly double unless authorities take action, the World Health Organisation has warned. The WHO estimated that in the Eastern Mediterranean region – […]

One of the many draws of the UAE for expatriates is the prospect of a tax-free salary. But the temptations of shopping malls, fast cars and fancy holidays are clearly still putting paid to many expats’ attempts to save for […]

ABU DHABI // Motorists in Abu Dhabi will be able to pump their own petrol from the start of next month – and pay for it with a swipe of their Emirates ID cards. Four self-service “smart” petrol stations with […]

Oman has stopped issuing visas to domestic workers from Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Guinea and Cameroon. It was reported that the decision was taken to stop the spread of disease from African countries to Oman, and curb criminal activity in the […]

Officials from the Philippines’ state education departments will meet with their Qatari counterparts to discuss a law which threatens the jobs of up to 12,000 Filipino engineers and architects in the Gulf state. Discussions will focus on Qatar’s strict implementation […]

Saudi Arabia may further ease restrictions on foreign ownership in the economy and overhaul one of the world’s most restrictive visa systems as the kingdom seeks to draw investors to help reduce its reliance on oil exports. The world’s biggest […]

AmericInn, the largest midscale hotel brand in the central United States, has announced plans for at least 20 new hotels to be opened across the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent over the next five years. Partnering with Singapore- and […]

In an announcement yesterday, China’s Ministry of Public Security confirmed visa relaxation plans for foreigners flying to China. Non-residents travelling to Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang will soon be blessed with visa-free transit for six days. The […]

Dubai’s water authority has awarded a $71million contract for a 46km water extension of the network in the south of the emirate. The contract requirement was to supply, lay and commission an extension of the network, which is to be completed […]

The UAE is a popular destination for Britons – but what’s life really like there? Annabel Kantaria, a long-term expat in Dubai, has some advice a) You may not have as much spare cash as you think b) There will be a […]

Kent College and Mir Hashem Khoory (MHK) have signed a partnership agreement to open a campus of the top UK-based school in September at Meydan in Dubai. Kent College Dubai will be run in partnership with Kent College Canterbury which […]

Qatar has announced a more restrictive policy on certain expatriates obtaining driver’s licenses. What does the change mean? Expatriates holding licenses issued in certain Asian and African countries will now be required to take a driving class in Qatar and […]