On March 1, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration will require 100% U.S. citizen ownership for SBA loans. Even 1% green card ownership disqualifies a business. The rule impacts SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, key funding tools for real estate, equipment, and jobs. Pakistani-American businessman Dilawar Syed, who previously served in the Small Business Administration,…
MAGA influencer Elijah Schaffer threw X into a tizzy after he made several posts and then deleted some, triggering speculations that something is not right with him. Schaffer is known for his anti-India posts on X but this time, he posted something alarming about his wife and kids, only to delete them soon. Schaffer said…
A 38-year-old Indian-origin man, Vishal Bhatt, was arrested in a surprising turn of events that started with him calling the police department first. According to East Rutherford Police in New Jersey, Bhatt called the police department to complain about a ticket he received on January 28. The comments that he was making over the call…
Art Basel Qatar Opens in Doha: A New Era for MENASA Art Scene The inaugural Art Basel Qatar has officially opened in Doha, marking a significant milestone for the international art world and for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region. Instead of simply transplanting the familiar Art Basel formula from Basel,…
The video of an Indian woman celebrating after her UK visa got approved found its way to the anti-India bloc on social media, who questioned why getting out of India is such a big deal. The video was originally posted on Instagram, where the creator documented how she prepared for Edinburgh after her visa was…
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted an arrest photo of Nekima Levy Armstrong (left); minutes later, the White House shared a manipulated version of the same image (right). A manipulated arrest image shared by the White House has sparked outrage, raising alarms over AI misuse, racial stereotyping and the political weaponisation of social media. When…
Emails exchanged in November and December 2016 show that Valeria Chomsky asked Jeffrey Epstein to help arrange a meeting between her husband, Noam Chomsky, and Donald Trump, shortly after Trump’s election victory. In the same correspondence, Valeria Chomsky also expressed interest in a political role inside the Trump White House. November 13, 2016: Post-election exchanges…
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping via videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow (Picture credit: AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday praised the steady expansion of economic cooperation between Russia and China during a video call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing the partnership as strategic and mutually beneficial. The…
Dubai Signs Elon Musk’s Boring Company to Build Futuristic “Dubai Loop” Revolutionising Urban Transport Beneath the City Dubai has taken a major step toward realising one of the most ambitious transport innovations of the 21st century. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has officially signed a contract with Elon Musk’s The Boring Company…
ndia Hikes Duty-Free Baggage Limit for UAE Passengers / Image: file For the millions of Indians living in the UAE, the trip back home usually involves suitcases filled with gifts, chocolates, and the latest electronics bought in Dubai. However, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has recently updated the “Duty-Free Allowance” for…
Hailstorm Warning Issued for Mecca as Thunderstorms Intensify / Image: file The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has issued an urgent weather alert for the Makkah region, forecasting a significant shift from the typical dry heat to intense winter storms. As of February 4, 2026, meteorologists are tracking a weather system capable of producing moderate…
Saudi Aramco Just Raised $4 Billion And Global Investors Are Rushing In Saudi Arabia’s oil giant, Saudi Aramco, has successfully completed a major $4 billion bond issuance, underscoring strong investor confidence in the company’s financial stability and its strategic capital management approach. The multi-tranche bond sale, a part of Aramco’s Global Medium Term Note Programme,…
Daniel’s Room Dubai Mall: Art, Coffee and Desserts Fusion in Fashion Avenue Dubai’s culinary and cultural landscape just got a bold new addition with the launch of Daniel’s Room at Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue, a space where specialty coffee, limited-edition desserts and contemporary art coexist under one roof. The concept, created by artist Daniel Arsham,…
India’s 2026 Baggage Rules: Are UAE Travellers Finally Getting a Fair Deal? India has introduced a major overhaul of its customs baggage rules for 2026, bringing changes that will significantly benefit international travellers, especially UAE residents, Indian expats (NRIs) and tourists of Indian origin flying into the country. These changes come into effect from February…
Inside the Sponge City Vision Set to Reshape Urban Life / Image: AI In a major move toward climate resilience, Dubai has officially embraced the “Sponge City” urban model through a landmark partnership with the Chinese tech hub, Shenzhen. Announced during the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026, this collaboration aims to transform how the emirate…
UAE Schools Reveal Ramadan Timetable and Holiday List / Image: file As the holy month of Ramadan approaches (expected to begin on February 19, 2026), the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) have structured a calendar that prioritizes both learning and spiritual reflection. This year’s schedule is uniquely balanced;…
Singapore Airlines Sets Up Direct Singapore–Riyadh Flights in A Big Boost for Middle East-Asia Connectivity In a major development for global aviation and international travel, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced that it will launch non-stop flights between Singapore and Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, beginning in June 2026. The service, scheduled to operate four…
A federal jury in the United States has convicted Varun Arora, an Indian national living in the country without authorization, for sexually assaulting a fellow traveler onboard a domestic flight from Rhode Island to Washington D.C. in August 2024. The case highlighted the distressing nature of the assault, wherein Arora ignored the victim’s pleas to…
World’s Tallest Hotel Opens with Daring Wingsuit Flight Through ‘Eye of the Needle’ In a stunning display that married adrenaline with architectural spectacle, five elite wingsuit athletes from XDubai recently executed a daring precision flight around Ciel Dubai Marina, which is now officially recognised as the world’s tallest hotel. The aerial stunt, part of the…
Pakistan has been invited to participate in upcoming talks between Iran and the United States aimed at easing tensions between the two countries, slated to take place on Friday in Turkey.“Pakistan has received the invitation for the upcoming talks between Iran and the United States,” Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said while responding to…
