Gulf – 9xm News

One visa, six Gulf countries: GCC Unified Tourist Visa confirmed for pilot launch this year | World News

The GCC unified tourist visa, confirmed for pilot launch this year, will allow seamless travel across all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries/ Representative Image The GCC will begin testing a single unified tourist visa in the fourth quarter of 2025, allowing travel across all six member countries under one permit. UAE Minister of Economy and […]

Ship struck in Gulf of Aden: Suspected missile sets vessel ablaze off Yemen coast; Houthi role suspected

A suspected missile strike, likely from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, caused a vessel to catch fire in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. Initial reports indicated no casualties.Media outlets in Yemen, quoted by Associated Press, indicated a possible ballistic missile was launched from Houthi-controlled areas.The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre reported that a […]

Discover Sharjah’s heritage: Why Al Asayl 2025 is a must-visit for falconry and Gulf traditions enthusiasts | World News

The Al Asayl Exhibition is more than just a trade show; it is a vibrant showcase of Gulf heritage. The event brings together the region’s deep-rooted traditions in equestrianism, falconry, and camel culture, celebrating a legacy passed down through generations. Sharjah is set to welcome heritage lovers, falconry experts, and animal-care businesses as the Al […]

Is UPI available in Gulf countries? How Indian expats can use UPI across banks and apps: All you need to know | World News

Since 2022, UPI has expanded to the GCC, with Qatar and Oman becoming the latest countries to join/ Representative image The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has rapidly gained global attention for revolutionizing digital payments in India, and its expansion is now making waves in the Middle East, especially across the GCC nations. UPI, which allows […]

Gulf markets dip amid rising geopolitical tensions; Saudi Arabia and UAE stocks fall the most | World News

Gulf markets fell Wednesday as Middle East tensions rose, with Saudi Arabia and UAE leading losses/Representative Image On Wednesday, Gulf stock markets opened broadly lower, tracking regional unrest triggered by Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders in Doha. The downturn reflects heightened market sensitivity to geopolitical risk, with key indices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and […]

UAE: Kim Kardashian’s Skims to open first Middle East store in Dubai, debuting in Gulf luxury market | World News

Skims was only available in the region through third-party retailer Ounass, before opening its first physical store in Dubai/ Image: X Skims, the shapewear and lifestyle brand founded by Kim Kardashian, is set to open its first brick-and-mortar store in the Middle East, selecting Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates as its entry point into the […]

boAt launches in UAE: India’s top homegrown audio brand marks its Gulf market debut | World News

boAt launches full audio and wearable range in the UAE in July 2025, marking its first major Middle East expansion/Image: boAt TL;DR: boAt entered the UAE market in July 2025 as India’s top audio wearables brand and the world’s No. 3 per IDC rankings. The brand is offering its full range, including earbuds, headphones, speakers, […]

Trump vs AP: Court lets US president block Associated Press from key spaces; ‘Gulf of America’ order dispute widens

US President Donald Trump won a temporary legal victory allowing him to continue restricting media access to certain spaces such as the Oval Office and Air Force One. A federal appeals court in Washington, DC, has upheld an earlier ruling that enables White House officials to exclude the Associated Press (AP) from the rotating pool […]

What’s cooking in the Gulf? Health, heritage and premium imports reshape GCC dining | World News

Healthier meals, fusion menus, and premium food imports are defining how Gulf residents eat in 2025/Representative Image TL;DR: GCC consumers are shifting toward healthier, experience-led dining, favouring plant-based, functional, and fusion cuisine. Technology is reshaping dining from digital menus and loyalty apps to cloud kitchens and delivery-first models. The region’s appeal for culinary tourism is […]

Exposed: How fake visa rackets are targeting Indian jobseekers for the Gulf | World News

Thousands of Indians are being defrauded by organised visa mafia networks promising fake Gulf jobs, leading to financial ruin and shattered dreams/Representative Image TL;DR: Organised networks in India are issuing fake Gulf job and tour visas, defrauding individuals of ₹23 lakh to ₹67 lakh per application. Law enforcement recently disrupted major operations in Mumbai, Bengaluru, […]