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Saudi Arabia will resume normal operations of international flights and the complete opening of airports across the Kingdom starting from May 17, according to local media reports citing a circular from the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority (GACA).

GACA indicated in its circular that “the Kingdom’s airports will be open to international flights, starting at one 1 am Monday, the 17th of next May.”

The circular by GACA was sent by the authority to all airlines operating in airports across the country to notify them of the change in the previously scheduled date of March 31 to the new date of May 17.

The authority stressed the need to adhere to the preventive protocols and precautionary measures as well as instructions issued by the concerned higher committee in this regard to stem the spread of coronavirus epidemic in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia postponed on Jan. 29 the reopening of its sea, land, and airports and extended the travel ban for its citizens to May 17 instead of March 31.

Courtesy: english.alarabiya.net

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Mumbai: As trends from the Maharashtra assembly elections are coming out, Eknath Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena appears to be solidifying its claim to the party's legacy, surpassing Uddhav Thackeray’s faction in a fierce political battle.

By 10:53 am, the Shinde-led Sena was leading in 55 of the 81 seats it contested, while Thackeray’s group was ahead in just 17 out of 95. These early numbers indicate a strong start for Shinde within the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which is dominating with leads in 220 seats overall. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), led by the Thackeray faction alongside the Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), is trailing with 55 leads.

Meanwhile, these polls can be termed as a battle for Shiv Sena’s identity, which split in 2022 following Shinde’s rebellion. That revolt toppled the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government, propelling Shinde to the Chief Minister’s post in an alliance with the BJP. While the Thackeray camp claimed moral victory after performing better in the INDIA bloc’s strong performance in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, however these assembly trends suggest a resurgence for Shinde’s leadership.

Among the high-stakes contests is the Worli seat in Mumbai, where Aaditya Thackeray, Uddhav’s son and a former minister, faces a tough fight against Milind Deora, a Congress deserter and ex-Union Minister. Aaditya is currently leading in the battle.

In the meantime, Shinde’s faction’s strong performance could enhance his influence in government formation, there is also a chatter that the BJP, which is contesting 149 seats, may push to reclaim the Chief Minister’s position if the Mahayuti achieves a commanding victory.