What happened, and why it matters. Short articles reviewed by an editor, with a link to every source.
Oman has added a free 14-day tourist visa for nationals of countries designated by the competent authority, in force since 3 August 2026. It is separate from the existing rule that lets citizens of 103 countries enter without a prior visa.
The mid-year break in Qatar's government schools starts on Sunday 20 December 2026, and students return on Monday 4 January 2027. Private schools' dates differ slightly.
The UK government says a Hajj place can only be booked through the official Nusuk Hajj platform. Here are the ten registration steps, the packages, the meningitis vaccine rule and how to avoid scams.
Astronomical forecasts point to Ramadan 1448 starting on Monday 8 February 2027, but each country announces the final date after looking for the crescent moon on the evening of 29 Sha'ban.
At the opening of the COP31 Leaders' Summit in Antalya, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said what happened in Gaza is "not only a genocide but also an ecocide" and called for humanitarian aid to be let in immediately.
The official calendar sets the students' winter break from 14 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, with students back at school on Monday 4 January 2027, after the weekend.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on 20 July 2026 a multiple-entry Umrah visa valid for 365 days with a total permitted stay of up to 90 days and with the requirement to purchase a service package via the Nusuk platform before each visit.
Technical and legal rounds in Doha and Beirut bring closer the signing of a framework agreement to finance, build and operate power plants and to import gas and electricity via Syria.