Middle Eastern Times

Emirates Airline powered Dubai’s rise from desert backwater to teeming Mideast metropolis, making the city one of the world’s biggest intercontinental hubs and generating a yearslong economic boom. But now, the coronavirus pandemic and the economic devastation it has wrought have forced the first major downsizing for an airline that has weathered Middle East conflicts and oil-market shocks. As a result, the state-owned carrier’s woes are tearing through Dubai’s economy. The airline’s parent company, one of Dubai’s biggest employers, has slashed tens of thousands of jobs from its 100,000-strong workforce after the pandemic halted much of global air travel, a fall from grace for an airline that long outmuscled competitors in the U.S. and Europe for landing rights and passengers. That has in turn driven an exodus of Dubai-based expatriates linked to the airlines, shrinking spending at restaurants, bars and even private schools. “It is extremely difficult for the hospitality sector...

In a bid to make a Guinness World Record, Dubai is all set to unveil the world's largest fountain on October 22. The fountain will be located at the Pointe, a lifestyle and dining destination, and will be spread over 14,000 sq ft of sea water while its super shooter will be 105-metre tall and have over 3,000 LED lights. Omar Khoory, managing director, Nakheel Malls, said, “We look forward to the inspiration this will bring customers at The Pointe, residents of Palm Jumeirah, our retailers, tourists and the wider community.” Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said the Palm Fountain is yet another incredible addition to Dubai's list of world-famous landmarks and is sure to be a big draw among residents and visitors alike. The Palm Fountain will have 20 bespoke shows with five different shows running daily between sunset and midnight (7 pm to 12 am) while swaying to an array of popular songs including Khaleeji, pop, classic, international and m...

Egyptian Journalist Basma Mostafa Arrested in Luxor Egyptian Journalist Basma Mostafa Arrested in Luxor Egyptian journalist Basma Mostafa, who works with local platform al-Manassa, was reportedly arrested by authorities in Luxor one day after her disappearance, according to statement released by her employer. News of her arrest also circulated social media, prompting questions on her whereabouts. According to al-Manassa, Mostafa traveled to Luxor on Saturday but then lost all contact with her employer. Later, the platform reported that prosecutors had interrogated Mostafa and ordered her to remain in custody for 15 days. “Mostafa’s last phone call before her disappearance on Saturday was at 11:15 am, when she arrived in Luxor, in which she said that a police officer stopped her and checked her identity and then allowed her to continue her walk, but he kept following her. After this call, all attempts to communicate with her failed, until she appeared at the State Security Pr...

Egyptian Journalist Basma Mostafa Arrested in Luxor Egyptian Journalist Basma Mostafa Arrested in Luxor Egyptian journalist Basma Mostafa, who works with local platform al-Manassa, was reportedly arrested by authorities in Luxor one day after her disappearance, according to statement released by her employer. News of her arrest also circulated social media, prompting questions on her whereabouts. According to al-Manassa, Mostafa traveled to Luxor on Saturday but then lost all contact with her employer. Later, the platform reported that prosecutors had interrogated Mostafa and ordered her to remain in custody for 15 days. “Mostafa’s last phone call before her disappearance on Saturday was at 11:15 am, when she arrived in Luxor, in which she said that a police officer stopped her and checked her identity and then allowed her to continue her walk, but he kept following her. After this call, all attempts to communicate with her failed, until she appeared at the State Security Pr...

Travellers resume long weekend trips, travel portals see 40% increase in bookings Travellers resume long weekend trips, travel portals see 40% increase in bookings Travellers resume long weekend trips, travel portals see 40% increase in bookings Travellers resume long weekend trips, travel portals see 40% increase in bookings Travellers resume long weekend trips, travel portals see 40% increase in bookings Travellers resume long weekend trips, travel portals see 40% increase in bookings Travellers resume long weekend trips, travel portals see 40% increase in bookings Travellers resume long weekend trips, travel portals see 40% increase in bookings Travellers resume long weekend trips, travel portals see 40% increase in bookings There has been around a 40% increase in bookings on travel portals ahead of the long weekend starting Friday and brought rare cheer to the industry that has been among the worst-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, people aware of the matter said. Traveller...

Google delays mandating Play Store’s 30% cut in India to April 2022 Google delays mandating Play Store’s 30% cut in India to April 2022 Google delays mandating Play Store’s 30% cut in India to April 2022 Google delays mandating Play Store’s 30% cut in India to April 2022 Google delays mandating Play Store’s 30% cut in India to April 2022 Google delays mandating Play Store’s 30% cut in India to April 2022 Google delays mandating Play Store’s 30% cut in India to April 2022 Google delays mandating Play Store’s 30% cut in India to April 2022 via Blogger https://ift.tt/34ojd5D October 05, 2020 at 03:28PM via Blogger https://ift.tt/3cYWJfm October 05, 2020 at 06:28PM via Blogger https://ift.tt/3jC4Sc8 October 05, 2020 at 09:28PM via Blogger https://ift.tt/2Svq1ZO October 06, 2020 at 12:28AM via Blogger https://ift.tt/36ALGrR October 06, 2020 at 03:28AM via Blogger https://ift.tt/3nwoUYa October 06, 2020 at 06:28AM via Blogger https://ift.tt/3izPewS October 06, 2020 at 1...

Leak reveals possible harsher three-tier Covid plan for England Leak reveals possible harsher three-tier Covid plan for England Leak reveals possible harsher three-tier Covid plan for England Leak reveals possible harsher three-tier Covid plan for England Leak reveals possible harsher three-tier Covid plan for England Leak reveals possible harsher three-tier Covid plan for England Leak reveals possible harsher three-tier Covid plan for England Leak reveals possible harsher three-tier Covid plan for England Leak reveals possible harsher three-tier Covid plan for England   A new three-tie r lockdown system is being planned for England, with leaked government documents paving the way for potential harsher restrictions including the closure of pubs and a ban on all social contact outside of household groups. The draft traffic-light-style plan, seen by the Guardian, is designed to simplify the current patchwork of localised restrictions, which apply to about a quarter of...