Author: News Desk

Two of Apple’s latest iPhone 12 models went on sale in China on Friday, after early pre-order data showed strong consumer interest in the 5G-enabled device in the firm’s second-largest market. The short queues outside Apple stores in the business hub of Shanghai struck a contrast with the crowds that flocked to past launch events, as most ordering has now shifted online. “I feel great being the first customer to get the new iPhone,” said Yan Bingqing, 30, who arrived before the store opened, and was in a line of about 20 people. “I’ve been waiting a long time.” A…

A Kuwaiti court has ordered the arrest and jailing of a head of a charitable association on charges of money laundering and seizing donors’ money, a newspaper has reported amid a crackdown on suspected charities in the country. The Criminal Court had ordered the defendant, who is a military man, be placed in the Central Prison after he was accused of seizing 211,000 Kuwaiti dinars, the newspaper added. The defendant denied the accusations. The court adjourned the case hearings until November 16. Prosecutors have charged him with laundering 211,000 and fraudulently transferring the sum to his personal bank account, taking…

A shop in Dubai was given a stern warning for not placing adequate social distancing stickers at its premises, the Dubai Economy (DED) announced on Friday. No business was ordered closed and no fine was issued as DED’s Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection reported 738 businesses were found compliant with the precautionary measures against COVID-19 during a field inspection conducted on Thursday. The DED reminded that inspectors will continue with their daily visits to open markets and shopping centres across Dubai to deter any health protocol violation or abuse.

Saudi Arabia has launched a raft of new electronic services for citizens and expatriates aimed at facilitating access to visa and passport issuance, a media report said on Friday. The new services offered by the Saudi General Directorate of Passports was launched by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, including services codenamed the Abshar Individuals, Abshar Business and the Expatriate, Okaz newspaper reported. The report explained that the latest services allow expatriates to electronically renew their residency permits, extend exit-and-return visas from outside the kingdom and issue a final exit visas during a trial work period. They also include issuing…

Hackers sponsored by Russia have been trying to break into U.S. state and local government computer networks and in two instances were successful, U.S. government agencies said on Thursday – the second major warning over foreign hacking in as many days. In an alert less than two weeks before the U.S. election, the agencies said that a Russian group, sometimes called Berserk Bear or Dragonfly by researchers, had targeted dozens of state, local, tribal and territorial U.S. governments as well as aviation networks. “Since at least September 2020, a Russian state-sponsored … actor … has conducted a campaign against a…

Anyone who ignores coronavirus precautionary measures, such as wearing a face mask in public or social distancing, will be issued a hefty fine of 1,000 Saudi Riyal ($266), Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior warned again on Thursday. “A punishment will be issued to anyone who deliberately violates the precautionary and preventative measures… with a fine of 1,000 riyal ($266),” the interior ministry said on Twitter. The violations include: -not wearing a face mask -not maintaining social distancing measures -refusing to have your temperature checked upon entering a private or public facility -not following protocols when your temperature rises to above…

Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Alzayani on Thursday opened the Food Trucks area, which is located in the vicinity of Bahrain International Stadium. In attendance were Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Ayman bin Tqawfiq Almoayyed, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nasser Ali Dr. Nasser Ali Yousif and Mps Ahmed Al-Amer and Ibrahim Al-Nafea. Alzayani, also BTEA Chairman, hailed the vision of His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, National Security Advisor, Supreme Defence Council Secretary General and SCYS Chairman HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. He also commended…

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued Royal Decree 67/2020, appointing Dr. Nasser Ali Yousif as Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister shall implement the decree which takes immediate effect, and wil be published in the Official Gazette.

The Palm Fountain at The Pointe, Dubai’s premier lifestyle and dining destination by Nakheel, has secured the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Fountain after a breathtaking launch streamed live across the world. The magical show was attended by distinguished guests, residents and tourists, who watched in awe as The Palm Fountain broke the record in tune to an exclusive song – Dubai is another planet, produced to reflect the city’s vibrant and inspirational spirit. A celebration of Dubai’s creativity and ambition, The Palm Fountain is spread over 14,000 sq ft of seawater and is the only multi-coloured fountain…

Citizens of the United Arab Emirates will be able to stay in Israel for up to 90 days on a single visit under a visa exemption agreement that the two countries reached this week, the UAE state news agency WAM said. The exemption comes in line with the mutual visa waiver Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed between both countries. Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy, signed on behalf of the UAE, while Shlomo Mor-Yosef, Director-General of the Population and Immigration Authority of the Ministry of Interior, signed on behalf of Israel. “The entry into force of…