"Dubai International Airport is now the world's busiest for international passengers. Jolyon Attwooll traces an astonishing rise

Are you a regular long-haul flier? Then the chances are you have stopped in Dubai recently – and you would be far from alone.

Much is written about the staggering growth of Dubai, a destination that – whatever your views on its tourist attractions, or lack thereof – has become impossible to ignore.

Somewhat less is said about the equally towering ambitions held for the city’s airport, a development that has planted the emirate squarely at the crossroads of the world’s air traffic.

To relatively little fanfare, its inexorable surge to becoming the world’s busiest international passenger hub was confirmed late last month - knocking Heathrow off the top spot.

Data released by the Airports Council International showed that almost 69 million (68.9m) international passengers had passed through the airport in the 12 months to the end of September, compared to 67.8m in Heathrow."

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http://youtu.be/EiiY-Rz8OEg

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"DAMASCUS, Syria — Three Syrian diplomats left Damascus for Kuwait Monday where they will reopen their country's embassy in the Persian Gulf nation, a Syrian official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, told The Associated Press that the diplomats include a charge d'affairs.

Kuwait, where tens of thousands of Syrians live, has been a strong supporter of the opposition trying to remove President Bashar Assad from power.

Khaled al-Jarallah, an undersecretary at Kuwait's Foreign Ministry, was quoted in the local Kuwaiti news website Aljarida earlier this month as saying that the Syrian diplomats left Kuwait City voluntarily in March and are returning voluntarily to resume consular services for Syrian residents there.

Al-Jarallah was quoted as saying that this does not mean a normalization of relations with Syria and that Kuwaiti diplomats would not be returning to Damascus, where the embassy closed after Syria's crisis began in March 2011.

The Syrian Embassy in Kuwait shuttered it doors nine months ago, forcing some 130,000 Syrian residents there to seek consular services from the embassy that remains open in the United Arab Emirates. Syrians across the Gulf Arab states have struggled to renew their passports and register marriages, births and deaths with their government because of the closure of Syrian embassies in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait."

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/suicide-bombers-attack-syria-gas-facilities-27873437

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a1N9nXiwxX0

"KUWAIT, Dec 29 (KUNA) -- Up to 2.1 million passengers have travelled on Kuwait Airways planes over the period January-November 2014, the company's Acting Director for Sales and Marketing said Mohammad Al-Enezi said on Monday.
This marks a rise of 12 percent compared to the corresponding period last year, he added.
Net revenues realized over the 11 months hit KD 144.6 million, KD 14.4 million (11 percent) higher than the same period in 2013, Al-Enezi told the annual conference for the national carrier's overseas stations.
He stressed that Kuwait Airways achieved the aspired targets despite challenges it faced, old fleet and retirement of a numerous staff members over the past two years.
According to Al-Enezi, the company is adopting a new strategy, through a private sector vision, making the best use of market tools and flexible plans and polices so that Kuwait Airways would restore its leading status, not only in the region, but worldwide.
The strategy focuses on linking Kuwait to the world's top economic, trade and tourist hubs, he said.
This signals a strong bid to develop the country into a financial, cultural and trade center, responding to directives by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah."

Source: http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2416664&language=en

"KUWAIT, Dec 29 (KUNA) -- Up to 2.1 million passengers have travelled on Kuwait Airways planes over the period January-November 2014, the company's Acting Director for Sales and Marketing said Mohammad Al-Enezi said on Monday.
This marks a rise of 12 percent compared to the corresponding period last year, he added.
Net revenues realized over the 11 months hit KD 144.6 million, KD 14.4 million (11 percent) higher than the same period in 2013, Al-Enezi told the annual conference for the national carrier's overseas stations.
He stressed that Kuwait Airways achieved the aspired targets despite challenges it faced, old fleet and retirement of a numerous staff members over the past two years.
According to Al-Enezi, the company is adopting a new strategy, through a private sector vision, making the best use of market tools and flexible plans and polices so that Kuwait Airways would restore its leading status, not only in the region, but worldwide.
The strategy focuses on linking Kuwait to the world's top economic, trade and tourist hubs, he said.
This signals a strong bid to develop the country into a financial, cultural and trade center, responding to directives by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah."

Source: http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2416664&language=en

"Manama: Expatriates apprehended barbecuing in non-allocated places in Kuwait will be deported, the head of the municipal council has said.

“There is a plan to set up a new link with the interior ministry to deport the foreigners who break the municipal laws, including barbecuing on the beaches and public parks,” Ahmad Al Saubaih said. “The municipality had designated specific spots at the beach and in public gardens where people could barbecue. It has also imposed a ban on having a barbecue in certain areas. However, several people fail to comply with the laws and regulations, even though they are aware that those who cause any form of damage to public utilities and facilities are punished,” he said, quoted by local daily Al Rai on Sunday."

Source: http://m.gulfnews.com/news/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-to-deport-expats-over-illegal-barbecuing-1.1432897