Kuwait has started a new electronic travel permit system. This is for expatriates working in the private sector. The system launched on July 1, 2025. Workers need employer approval to leave. They must use the Sahel Individuals app. Employers use the As-hal Companies portal. Airlines warn that flights will be cancelled without the permit.
Related news
Australian authorities are investigating an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, the second such incident in seven months. Worshippers were inside the building when flammable liquid was poured on the front door and ignited. Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the act as antisemitic, while police are searching for a white male suspect in his 30s.
Dubai is set to welcome three prestigious international universities, IIM Ahmedabad, American University of Beirut, and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences in 2025-26. This expansion supports Dubai’s Education 33 strategy, aiming to boost global competitiveness and international student enrolment to 50% by 2033, contributing approximately $1.52 billion USD to the city’s economy.
GCC nations advocate for a balanced climate strategy, linking environmental goals with development needs, as stated by Ambassador Nasser Al-Hayen. They caution against overly critical views on fossil fuels, stressing the importance of respecting national sovereignty in energy strategies. The GCC calls for inclusive frameworks, rejecting prescriptive models that could undermine global climate agreements.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced he will not seek reelection after opposing President Trump's tax and spending proposal. This decision opens up a competitive Senate seat in 2026, offering Democrats an opportunity to gain ground. Tillis, known for occasional bipartisanship, faced criticism from his own party and Trump, who publicly attacked him and celebrated his retirement.
A powerful storm caused devastating flash floods in Texas. The Guadalupe River overflowed, destroying homes and a summer camp. Many people died, and several are missing. Camp Mystic was completely destroyed. Hundreds of people have been rescued. Rescue efforts are underway. Residents did not receive flood warnings. Rainfall exceeded forecasts. The Texas Hill Country's geography worsened the flooding.
The White House declared that Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney yielded to President Trump's pressure by withdrawing a digital services tax targeting American tech companies, which had halted trade discussions. Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump's negotiation skills led to Canada's decision. Tensions rose after Trump suggested Canada should become the 51st state.
A UAE resident received a divorce via WhatsApp voice note from her husband abroad, raising legal questions about digital divorces. Under UAE law, such divorces can be valid if properly documented and meet specific legal conditions. The article explains how UAE courts handle digital pronouncements, jurisdictional rules, and the steps required to formalise a WhatsApp-based divorce.
Bigg Boss 19 is set to make history with the reported entry of Habubu, a UAE-based AI doll, as the first non-human contestant. Developed by IFCM, Habubu features emotional AI, multilingual skills, and traditional Emirati aesthetics. Her inclusion highlights the UAE’s innovation in artificial intelligence and brings a unique cultural-tech blend to South Asia’s most-watched reality show.
President Trump announced the resumption of tariffs initially imposed in April, following a 90-day pause for negotiations that largely failed. Letters detailing tariffs ranging from 10% to 70% will be sent to various countries, with smaller nations addressed later. Duties are expected to be collected starting August 1, potentially generating significant revenue for the US.
A right-wing Croatian singer, Marko Perkovic, also known as Thompson, ignited controversy after performing a song featuring a pro-Nazi salute at a large concert in Zagreb. Meanwhile, in Turkiye, a 53-year-old man was seriously injured by a lion that escaped from a zoo in Manavgat. The escaped lion was later shot dead after the attack.