News

An official breakdown of Saudi Arabia’s population has been released by the General Authority for Statistics (Gastat), a Saudi state statistics agency, and the results may surprise you.

With a total population of 34.8 million, of that number 10.5 million are foreigners.
However, it’s the staggering figure that the youth takes up the population of the Kingdom that may interest you.
Those who are aged between 15 to 34 make up 36.7 per cent of the population in the country and a total of 66 per cent of them are unmarried.
In terms of gender in this age category, 43.1 per cent of Saudi women are unmarried. Meanwhile, 75.6 per cent of males aren’t married.
The statistics, which were released in conjunction with International Youth Day, also showed Saudi women exercise with the intention of health and wellbeing.
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The next public holiday for the UAE has been confirmed and it’s not far off at all – in fact, it’s next week.
The news was announced by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), which confirmed that Sunday, August 23 would be a public holiday, marking the first day of Muḥarram for Islamic year 1442.

This announcement currently pertains for government employees only, who will return to work on Monday, August 24.

FAHR: It has been decided that the Hijri New Year holiday for the year 1442 in the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates will be on Sunday, 23rd of August 2020, and regular working hours will resume on Monday, 24th of August 2020. pic.twitter.com/6ISWMyEj26
— FAHR (@FAHR_UAE) August 13, 2020

However, an announcement for the private sector is expected to be made soon.
The rest of the public holidays for 2020 are as follows…
The Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday
The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday will fall on Thursday, October 29.
Commemoration Day and UAE National Day
To close out 2020, those in the UAE will have another three-day break to look forward to with Commemoration Day on Tuesday, December 1, and UAE National Day, Wednesday, December 2, with a day off also on Thursday, December 3.
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A new initiative has been launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai which is set to train one million medics around the world.
His Highness announced the news to his 10.3 million followers on Twitter, stating that the UAE would be working with 67 training and academic institutions and 140 experts across the globe.

The new initiative will be overseen by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and will provide specialised training in the medical and ambulance fields to one million people from a distance.
According to Sheikh Mohammed, the initiative “part of the UAE’s international responsibility to support the global medical sector”.

بمتابعة أخي الشيخ سيف بن زايد أطلقت دولة الامارات اليوم مبادرة صحية لتوفير تدريب تخصصي في المجال الطبي والإسعاف لمليون شخص حول العالم عن بعد.. بالشراكة مع ١٤٠ خبيرا و٦٧ جهة تدريبية وأكاديمية حول العالم .. جزء من مسئولية الامارات الدولية لدعم القطاع الطبي العالمي
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) August 12, 2020

This just one of the many schemes the Ruler of Dubai has launched in order to put more training and support behind the health sector.
Earlier this week, Sheikh Mohammed opened a new medical research centre in Dubai which will not only study COVID-19, but also other communicable diseases.
His Highness toured the new Dhs300 million centre on Tuesday, which will aim to study an array of diseases including diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, obesity and more.
In a statement issued by Dubai Media Office, Sheikh Mohammed stressed how medical research is of the utmost importance, particularly now.
“Medical research is an important part of our society’s health security system and a guarantee for the sustainable development of our country,” he said. “It also brings the revival and resumption of Arab scientific excellence seen throughout our Arab history.”
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Bella Hadid isn’t just thinking about the people of Beirut in the short-term, she’s here to help for the long haul and is also sharing this message with her fans.
In an informative post she shared to Instagram, the model not only encouraged her followers to think of the long-term needs of Lebanon, but also urged them to do research when exploring donation options.

“Immediate support is great, especially during this time,” she said. “I also have kept in mind that the future of rebuilding doesn’t stop here; we should and will continue to rebuild Lebanon.”
Highlighting that 34 schools and 12 health care centres have already been destroyed; outlining the number of deaths and people directly affected by the tragic Beirut explosion; and sharing the poverty and struggle the country was experiencing before the blast, Hadid encouraged her fans to think of the long-term.

In addition, she outlined the importance of supporting organisations that prioritise helping those that are the most vulnerable.

“It’s important to support organisations that prioritise helping those that need it the most and are clear about where donated funds are going, especially in the near term,” she said.
Further educating her audience, the 23-year-old shared the five organisations she has been supporting for years and will continue to do so in the wake of the tragedy – Save the Children, UNICEF, International Medical Corp, Preemptive Love and Lebanon Food Bank.
Last week, the model sent a heartfelt message to her “brothers and sisters” in the capital city.
“My eyes and heart are crying for you Lebanon…,” she began. “I am sorry you have to endure this kind of disaster my brothers and sisters… I will be sending donations to the Lebanese Red Cross, as well as ALL of the smaller organisations in Beirut.”
“We need to continue to speak on this crisis, #PRAYFORLEBANON but most importantly, we need to collectively support immediate humanitarian relief,” Hadid continued. “Stand UP and stand TOGETHER. I love you all out there. Beirut – I am wrapping you in a golden blanket of light and strength. I see you and support you. I am sorry.”
For further information on how you can help the people of Beirut click here.
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Turkish actress Hande Erçel and her long-time boyfriend Murat Dalkılıç announced their engagement back in February, but just five months on, it appears the pair have now parted ways.

While it’s unclear of exactly when they split, according to Turkish media reports last month, the couple called it quits, which was then confirmed by Erçel herself on social media.
The 26-year-old was seen out and about in Istanbul recently and had a run-in with the press who asked her about her split from Dalkılıç.
The actress politely said she had already made her explanation on social media, adding there was “nothing bad” that went on. She also said her ex was a “very valuable” person to her.
The now-former couple began dating in 2017 and after three years together Dalkılıç popped the question.
Following their breakup, it appears the pair have deleted many of the pictures they had together on Instagram, but they both still follow one another.
Sometimes it’s just not meant to be…
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UAE residents who have been stranded abroad for the past few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic no longer need approval to re-enter the country, it has been announced.
In a statement issued by the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, it was confirmed that the registration and waiting for approval process has been replaced with pre-approvals being granted without the need to submit an application in order to return to the country.

تنفيذاً لتوجيهات القيادة الرشيدة، اعتمدت الهيئة الوطنية لإدارة #الطوارئ_والأزمات والهيئة الاتحادية للهوية والجنسية المرحلة الثانية من عودة المقيمين اعتباراً من 12/8/2020 بالتزامن مع قرب إنتهاء الإجازة الصيفية للمؤسسات التعليمية وعودة الأنشطة التجارية والمرافق الاجتماعية والخدمية.
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 12, 2020

Both authorities said this was part of the “second phase of residents’ return” from Wednesday, 12 August, which was in conjunction with the end of the summer holidays for many students who will be returning to school, university and other educational institutions.
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship advised that to “ensure that the procedures are completed easily” that those residents returning should update their details on this website – https://uaeentry.ica.gov.ae – to verify travel documents.

ولضمان استكمال الإجراءات بكل سهولة ويسر، ننصح المقيمين بضرورة تحديث بياناتهم الخاصة (رقم بطاقة الهوية، رقم جواز السفر، الجنسية) عبر موقع https://t.co/uqH8WT2pAp
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 12, 2020

It is still mandatory for all travellers including UAE residents to undergo a COVID-19 test no more than 96 hours before the intended date of travel. Upon residents’ arrival in the country, everyone is required to adhere to the precautionary guidelines in place, including required self-isolation and laboratory test.
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As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to champion women, a history-making appointment has been made.
In a new appointment for Dr. Khulood Mohammed al-Khamis to Secretary-General of Tabuk’s regional council, it made her the first woman to hold this role across the entire Kingdom.

Having worked as an associate professor in the science department at the University of Tabuk, Dr. al-Khamis knows the area well.
To solidify her new role, the new secretary-general met with the Governor of Tabuk Region Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz on Monday after her new appointment was announced.

The governor expressed how confident he was in Dr. al-Khamis being the first woman to hold such a position.
“His Highness congratulated Dr. Khulood al-Khamis on this confidence as the first woman to hold the position of Secretary-General of the regional council at the level of the Kingdom, wishing her continued success in her new work,” a statement said about the pair’s meeting which was obtained by the Saudi Press Agency.
In a statement to Al Arabiya, she expressed her gratitude for being the first woman in Saudi Arabia to hold such a position.
“I’m happy to be the first Saudi woman to hold this position and to be a daughter of Tabuk, and this is not surprising from the leader on the matter, and from [His Highness] Prince Fahd bin Sultan, Governor of Tabuk region, and the keenness to empower Saudi women to assume leadership positions in the Kingdom,” she said.
READ: ‘Historical’ court ruling in Saudi Arabia will benefit equality for women
This latest appointment is just one of the many things have changed for women in the last few years in the Kingdom since Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in 2017.
Under his Vision 2030 initiative, an ambitious post-oil economic plan, there has been a major focus on women’s rights in the Kingdom.
Just three months after he stepped into the role in 2017, the Crown Prince revealed in a royal decree, women would be able to secure driving licenses from June 2018.
Then, in March 2018, it was announced by the Ministry of Justice that women who are divorced in the country would be able to instantly retain custody of their children.
Under his plans, women are now also able to attend sports events in stadiums in three cities, female students in the Kingdom are now allowed to carry their phones while on campus and as of August 2019, women aged over 21 are now allowed to travel independently.
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For the better part of four months of this year, the world was largely put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the travel industry.
The UAE closed its borders in March, with only repatriation flights and cargo flights allowed to come in and out of the country.

Following the long pause of travel, Dubai reopened its borders for international tourism on July 7, and a month on the tourism and hospitality sectors in the emirate are now “benefitting from a rapid rebound”, according to WAM.
The Director-General of Dubai Tourism, Helal Saeed Almarri, has said that since the reopening of the borders they have “been greatly encouraged by the market’s response in the second phase of our recovery strategy”.

“People are much more optimistic and well-informed now and are ready to go on holidays to destinations that are safe and have put in place strong health and safety protocols,” he added.

Green shoots of revival bloom as #Dubai accelerates tourism rebound #WamNewsRead More: https://t.co/3DC1NctOhu pic.twitter.com/Gzmzu7bDFU
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) August 10, 2020

With Emirates now flying to over 70 destinations and flydubai covering 66 desintations this summer, bookings for both local airlines are reportedly increasing.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel and tourism industry was brought to a complete standstill and according to the World Tourism Organisation, this could be losses of between US$1.2 and US$3.3 trillion globally for the industry, which is dependent on the recovery time.
But for Dubai the “pause phase” – as Almarri refers to it – gave the travel hub time to rethink strategies in order to build a framework that would work in the current climate.
“We rethought business strategies and plans working closely with stakeholders and partners to develop innovative initiatives to manage the ‘new normal’,” he explained. “In cooperation with key authorities, we mapped out stringent health protocols and precautionary measures that would reassure even the most demanding safety-conscious tourists.”
As we head into the final quarter of the year, the Director-General of Dubai Tourism remains optimistic about regrowth for the industry given the obstacles and challenges 2020 has posed.
“We expect to see good progress in the last quarter of 2020 based on growth strategies we have adopted to accelerate momentum ahead of the full reopening,” he said.
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