Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The Allenby Bridge between Jordan and the occupied West Bank reopened on Tuesday for passengers, but it remained closed for lorries, two days after a Jordanian lorry driver shot dead three Israeli workers at the crossing.
“There has been light passenger movement this morning,” a Jordanian official told The National.
Taxi drivers on the Jordanian side said the bridge closed at 3pm (12pm GMT), six hours before the official closing time. The bridge is known for its erratic opening hours.
It is the only direct border route between Jordan and the West Bank and serves as a vital passageway for Palestinians. Since attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels disrupted Red Sea shipping this year, it has become a significant route for goods in and out of Israel.
Maher Al Jazi, a lorry driver from the southern governorate of Maan, was killed by Israeli security personnel at the bridge and the crossing was shut in both directions. The Jordanian Interior Ministry said on Monday that two Jordanian lorry drivers, apprehended by Israel in connection with the attack, remain in custody.
It is nearly 30 years since the 1994 peace treaty was signed between the two countries. It obligates Jordan and Israel to prevent cross-border threats.
The rare outbreak of violence at the tightly controlled border has put the kingdom in a delicate position. Since the start of the war in Gaza in October, widespread anger in Jordan over Israel’s conduct has increased, as well as accusations by supporters of militant groups that Jordanian authorities have not been doing enough to support Palestinians in the war.
The incident occurred despite extra measures taken by Jordan to secure the border with Israel since the war began in October, such as banning public assemblies near the frontier and a more expansive military presence.
In the first direct Jordanian official reaction to the Allenby attack, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement overnight condemning violence, while blaming Israel for what it described as the regional effect of the Gaza war.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
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What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
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Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
