Bed-Space Living in Dubai Under Fire as New Law Imposes Dh500K to Dh1 Million Fines Dubai has introduced a sweeping new law aimed at regulating shared housing and partition-style living arrangements, with violators facing fines of up to Dh500,000 and up to Dh1 million for repeat offences. The legislation marks one of the strongest steps […]
The war between United States, Israel and Iran entered its 12th day on Wednesday with no sign of easing, as American and Israeli forces carried out what officials described as the most intense strikes yet on Iranian targets while the conflict spread across the region. US defense secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday would see the […]
The State Department released the final rules for the Green Card lottery or the Diversity Visa program, bringing back the measures introduced under the first Trump administration. Applicants for the Green Card lottery will now require a valid and unexpired passport from their home country before entering the lottery, beginning last month. The new rules […]
Planning I’tikaf in Qatar? New Ramadan Mosque retreat rules explained Authorities in Qatar have issued new guidelines for Muslims planning to observe the traditional Ramadan mosque retreat, known as I’tikaf. The rules aim to ensure that worshippers can devote themselves to prayer while maintaining order, hygiene and respect inside mosques during the spiritually significant final […]
The Saudi Ministry of Health has launched an extensive inspection campaign to strengthen safety standards for cosmetic procedures carried out in clinics across the Kingdom. Under the new regulations, all private healthcare providers must comply with updated requirements designed to protect patients and ensure higher standards of care. Specialised consultant is a must As per […]
A letter from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dated January 9, 2026 shows the administration is formally re‑evaluating the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, a post‑study work benefit used by international students on F‑1 visas, including a large number from India. The review could affect the length of OPT and whether the programme […]
Passport Panic? What the UK’s New Rules Mean for Dual Nationals in the Gulf From February 25, 2026, the United Kingdom has implemented sweeping changes to its border entry system that are complicating travel for British citizens with dual nationality, including those living in the United Arab Emirates and other parts of the world. The […]
Saudi Arabia now allows conditional exemptions for foreign firms lacking Kingdom-based regional headquarters/Image: File Foreign companies without a regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia are no longer automatically out of the running for government contracts. Under a revised procurement framework, government entities may apply for structured exemptions, softening the strict 2024 relocation requirement while preserving the […]
The Donald Trump administration Friday announced a sweeping overhaul of the asylum system to reduce the burden of meritless applications. Work permits for asylum applicants could be paused for many years under the proposed rule.“For too long, a fraudulent asylum claim has been an easy path to working in the United States, overwhelming our immigration […]
UAE Ramadan 2026: Reduced Work Hours Explained for Private Sector Employees As the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH begins across the UAE, workplaces nationwide are adjusting schedules to reflect both the spiritual rhythm of the month and legal labour requirements. Under Cabinet Decision No. 1 of 2022 implementing Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, […]
