#News

The good news you might have missed in 2020

Here’s a rundown of some bright spots in 2020 and what we could look forward to this year

New Year celebrations: UAE urges people to adhere to protocols, warns of fines for violators

Several firework shows and other events have been organised in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to ring in 2021

e-learning study from home

Abu Dhabi announces e-learning for all school students for first two weeks of new term

The decision was made to protect the health and safety of students, teachers and school staff, officials said

Kuwait aims to vaccinate 80% of population by September 2021

As of Monday, 2,500 people were vaccinated and second doses will be administered from January 14

Covid-19: UAE reports 1,506 new cases, two deaths

The new cases were detected after the ministry conducted 153,157 additional Covid-19 tests over the past 24 hours

Atlantis New Year

UAE confirms January 1 as public holiday for New Year

However, with January 1 falling on a Friday, workers in the country will not get an additional day off

No fireworks show at The Pointe at Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah for NYE, organisers confirm

The fireworks show will not held for ‘safety reasons’

Kuwait to resume flights, reopen borders on January 2

The GCC state suspended flights and closed its borders on December 21 due to concerns over the new Covid-19 strain

Covid-19 testing UAE 8

UAE reports 1,027 new Covid-19 cases, total death toll touches 660

The UAE’s daily infection number dropped below 1,000 for the first time in two months on Sunday at 944

Gold heads for best close in six weeks

Bullion is set to post the first monthly gain since July after a run of losses prompted by the development of effective coronavirus vaccines

Saudi receives five million pilgrims since resuming Umrah, no Covid-19 cases detected

The kingdom resumed Umrah in a phased manner in October

Covid-19 new strain: Kuwait joins Oman, Saudi in suspending flights, closing its borders

The border closure will be in place from 11pm on Monday, December 21 until Friday, January 1, 2021

OMAN-HEALTH-VIRUS-TRAVEL

Covid-19 new strain: Oman to close all its borders for a week

Cargo vehicles including planes, ships and trucks will be excluded from the decision

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Kuwait set to receive first batch of Covid-19 vaccines this week

Over 60,000 people have registered on the vaccination platform so far

SAUDI-HEALTH-VIRUS-TRAVEL

Saudi suspends all international flights, closes land and sea ports over new virus strain

New urgent measures have been put in place for one week, with the possibility of an extension

Covid-19 testing UAE 3

Covid-19: UAE reports 1,171 cases; Dubai’s DHA urges travellers to get doctor’s advice for vaccination

The total number of Covid-19 recorded cases in the UAE has now reached 193,575

Emaar Development announces new chairman, Alabbar to remain in executive role

Adnan Kazim has been named as its new chairman in line with regulatory requirements

Fireworks at Global Village S25 (6)[4] copy

UAE announces list of public holidays for 2021 and 2022

Public and private sector workers in the country will have the same number of national holidays

Abu Dhabi City United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi to start specialised courts as part of legal overhaul

The specialised courts will review family lawsuits and other civil cases including rental disputes

Truck

Dubai trade with Bahrain increases 170% in 10 years

In the first half of 2020, trade between Dubai and Bahrain amounted to Dhs5.37bn

UAE Football Association

UAE Football Association signs MoU with Israeli FA

The MoU envisages organising friendly matches for all national teams and clubs in the two countries

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

UAE to form an independent National Human Rights Authority

The authority will be granted complete financial and administrative independence to carry out its tasks

Al Hamra Village Ras Al Kaimah

RAK developer offers UAE residency with purchase of homes

Along with the 12-year residency visa, investors will also receive a business licence, an additional partner visa and a flexi-desk to conduct business

kuwait

Kuwait approves emergency use of Pfizer vaccine

As of December 13, Kuwait has reported 146,218 Covid-19 cases including 911 deaths

dirhams

Abu Dhabi jails six, slaps fines of Dhs160m on money laundering charges

The accused, also involved in drug trafficking, were found guilty of using exchange houses to transfer illegal funds to Pakistan

Bahrain

Bahrain to provide free Covid-19 vaccinations to all residents and citizens

All those over the age of 18 will receive the vaccine, with plans in place to initially vaccinate five thousand individuals per day

UAE Public Prosecution

Up to six-month imprisonment or Dhs5,000 fine for insulting people in the UAE

The Public Prosecution said that it would be considered an aggravating circumstance if the libel or insult is addressed to a public servant

Dubai UAE ALSAADA Tourist card

Dubai’s GDRFA unveils new ALSAADA Tourist card

The card will offer exclusive privileges, discounts, and promotions to tourists visiting Dubai and will be distributed free of charge

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed launches the UAE’s first federal domestic tourism campaign

The UAE’s domestic tourism sector contributed Dhs41.2bn to the national economy in 2019

Hope Consortium flies two million Covid-19 vaccine doses from Beijing into Abu Dhabi

Etihad Cargo chartered seven Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to fly the temperature-sensitive cargo into Abu Dhabi International Airport