Author: Gulf News Week
Abruptly laid off without settlement details, nearly 200 workers fear for their futures as the company’s financial collapse threatens their end-of-service benefits. DUBAI, UAE – A sudden and poorly communicated mass layoff at Petrofac’s UAE operations has left nearly 200 former employees in a state of severe anxiety, with their legally mandated end-of-service benefits—collectively estimated at over Dh27 million—now in jeopardy. The terminations, executed during a town hall on November 18, saw staff escorted from the premises immediately. While the company’s financial troubles were known, the failure to provide any timeline or clarity on gratuity payments has been described by affected…
Pope Leo XIV will pray at the resting place of Saint Charbel, a revered Maronite monk whose legacy of miracles unites Christians and Muslims in a nation facing crisis. ANNAYA, Lebanon – Nestled in the serene hills of north Lebanon, the Saint Maron Monastery is a hive of quiet devotion and frantic preparation. With Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit days away, the spiritual heart of the Saint Charbel cult is readying itself to welcome the pontiff and the thousands of faithful who find solace here. The pope’s pilgrimage to the tomb on December 1 is a central moment of his trip…
The sustainable, solar-powered FBO facility, developed with Falcon Executive Aviation, will directly serve the upcoming Wynn resort and is slated for a Q1 2027 debut. Ras Al Khaimah, UAE – Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is elevating its private aviation game with a major expansion designed to cater to the emirate’s booming luxury tourism market. A new agreement with Falcon Executive Aviation will see the development of a bespoke VVIP terminal and private jet hangar, directly supporting the influx of high-profile guests expected with the 2027 opening of the $3.9-billion Wynn Al Marjan Island. The strategic partnership, announced at the…
Major shift to take effect in 2026, ending decades-long practice of April-March academic year for Indian curriculum institutions. DUBAI: In a landmark decision that will reshape academic scheduling for thousands of students, Indian curriculum schools across the UAE will transition to the Ministry of Education’s unified calendar beginning April 2026, effectively concluding their traditional April-March academic cycle that has defined Indian education in the Emirates for decades. The move synchronizes one of the UAE’s largest educational sectors with the national academic framework, creating uniformity across the country’s diverse international school landscape. The delayed implementation until 2026 provides schools ample time to…
Trump’s Gaza plan just won UN backing. What Resolution 2803 means for Gaza, Palestinians and international law.A United Nations resolution built on Donald Trump’s Gaza plan promises a ceasefire, foreign peacekeepers and a new “board of peace” to govern the Gaza Strip. But with no real accountability for Israel and Palestinians sidelined, is this an end to the war – or a blueprint for a new kind of occupation?In this episode: Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2The Take: Inside the rise of sports betting in the United Stateslist 2 of 2The Take: How are Palestinians from Gaza…
The latest report came hours after the RSF agreed to a three-month humanitarian truce.Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters are committing war crimes in the Darfur town of el-Fasher, the rights group Amnesty International has alleged in a new report.The report was published on Tuesday, just hours after the RSF declared that it would immediately enter into a three-month humanitarian truce “in response to international efforts” led by United States President Donald Trump.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3RSF announces unilateral three-month ‘humanitarian truce’ in Sudanlist 2 of 3Sudan army chief rejects the Quad’s truce proposal, citing…
White House cites groups’ alleged support for Hamas, accusing them of waging campaign against US interests and allies.Washington, DC – United States President Donald Trump has ordered his aides to start a process to label the branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan as “terrorist” organisations, citing their alleged support for the Palestinian group Hamas.Trump issued the decree on Monday as Washington intensified its crackdown on Israel’s foes in the region.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US judge dismisses criminal charges against James Comey, Letitia Jameslist 2 of 3Pentagon says it is investigating US senator…
Germany had paused armed sales amid Israeli ground offensive in Gaza City, but cited ceasefire in resumption.Amnesty International has decried the German government’s decision to lift a partial arms embargo on Israel, calling the move “reckless” and “unlawful”.Germany responded to mounting domestic pressure in August to ban nearly all arms sales to Israel. That came as Israeli forces moved ahead with a controversial ground operation in Gaza City.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Turkiye’s Erdogan urges Germany to help end Israel’s ‘genocide’ in Gazalist 2 of 3Israeli settler attack on West Bank mosque draws international condemnationlist 3 of…
France prepares to host Iran’s foreign minister in Paris for high-stakes talks on nuclear and regional tensions.France will host Iran’s foreign minister in Paris this week for talks that are set to include stalled nuclear negotiations.French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed on Monday that his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi will arrive on Wednesday for discussions that Paris hopes will nudge Iran back into full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as part of a defunct nuclear deal.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3IAEA passes resolution demanding nuclear access from Iran; Tehran rejectslist 2 of 3Why is Saudi…
Statement comes hours after warring Sudanese Armed Forces leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan rejected ceasefire proposal as biased.Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have announced an apparently unilateral three-month humanitarian truce in the country’s civil war.RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, made the announcement on Monday in a recorded address. The warring Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan did not immediately confirm that any agreement had been reached.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Sudan has vast oil, gold and agricultural resources. Who controls them?list 2 of 3Waves of Sudanese families flee expanding war,…