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Saudi Arabia imposes 24-hour curfew in Mecca and Medina

Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew Thursday in Mecca and Medina , the interior ministry said, extending measures taken to combat the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 1,700 people and killed 16. The interior ministry said in a statement there were some exceptions,...

Kuwait actress triggers uproar with call for expat ban over coronavirus

A famous Kuwaiti actress has sparked a furore by calling for expatriates to be expelled from the oil-rich nation so that locals can be sure of having a hospital bed if they fall ill with coronavirus. Hayat al-Fahad, 71, who is known for playing a range of roles in Arabic dramas, told a...

Saudi minister tells Muslims to wait on making haj plans

Saudi Arabia is urging Muslims to wait before making plans to attend the annual haj pilgrimage until there is more clarity about the deadly coronavirus pandemic, the kingdom's minister for haj and umrah said Tuesday. Some 2.5 million pilgrims usually flock to the holiest sites of Islam in...

Dubai promises state support, new funding for Emirates airline

Dubai will inject funding into state-owned Emirates, one of the world's biggest long-haul carriers, the crown prince said Tuesday, as the government joined others in offering financial aid to airlines. Several states have stepped in to help airlines hammered by the coronavirus...