US special operations gets new chief amid Iran war as Jeffers takes new Gaza role
The US Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) has a new commander, with Rear Adm. Thomas Donovan taking over from Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers as the Iran war continues to reshape the US military’s focus in the Middle East. Donovan assumed command during a change-of-command ceremony in Tampa, Flo»»»
UAE expresses solidarity with Indonesia after deadly 7.7 magnitude earthquake
The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Republic of Indonesia over an earthquake that struck the country, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries, in addition to substantial damage to property. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply»»»
Planning your weekend? Here’s when rain could fall across parts of the UAE
Dubai: Parts of the UAE could see light rain this weekend, with the best chance coming on Sunday across northern and eastern areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology. Saturday itself is expected to remain largely dry. Conditions will be fair to partly cloudy, becoming cloudy at times »»»
2 planes with the same flight number avoid possible disaster thanks to quick-thinking controller
A potential disaster was averted Friday when a Phoenix air traffic controller recognized two American Airlines jets mistakenly were flying the same flight number and acted quickly to avoid confusion and keep them a safe distance apart. Audio of the incident shortly after midnight Friday shows how h»»»
Mysterious cult behind Hungarian murder: Man killed his ex-wife after bitter family dispute - tabloid
On the morning of 18 August 1995, a visibly distressed man walked into the police station in Jászberény and told officers to arrest him. He said he had strangled his wife during an argument at their home in the Hungarian town. However, investigators soon established that the killing had been preced»»»
India's Modi woos youth with free coaching, AI training
New Delhi, India: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday his government would provide free online coaching lessons for competitive exams, weeks after massive youth-led protests forced the education minister to resign. Modi said the initiative was aimed at easing the financial burden on m»»»
Gold prices remain steady in Syrian markets
Damascus, Aug 15 (SANA) The price of a gram of 21-karat gold in the Syrian market remained unchanged on Saturday from the level recorded on Thursday. According to a bulletin issued by the General Authority for Precious Metals Management, 21-karat gold was priced at 16,000 Syrian pounds per gram for»»»
Vance warns US economic woes are fueling socialism’s appeal
The US Republican Party must address the economic pressures facing Americans or risk driving more young people toward socialism, Vice President J.D. Vance has said. Vance made the remarks in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, pointing to the cost of housing and education, access to well-paid j»»»
UAE state oil company says vessel attacked in Hormuz strait
Dubai, UAE: United Arab Emirates' state-owned oil giant ADNOC said Saturday one of its vessels came under attack in the Hormuz strait, the latest incident in the waterway at the centre of the US-Iran conflict. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) "confirmed that one of its vessels was attacke»»»
Construction workers strike gold at Belgian building site
Brussels, Belgium: Belgian police are calling on treasure hunters to steer clear of a building site where construction workers this week stumbled on a stash of gold reportedly worth more than $10 million. The surprise haul came to light on Tuesday during renovation work on a building in the east Fl»»»
7 killed in Israeli strike on Ansar as Israel says Hezbollah acted against troops in Ali al-Taher
Lebanese state media said an Israeli strike in the country's south on Saturday killed seven people, including three children and two women, in the worst toll since deals in June saw a lull in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli army meanwhile said that the airstrike and other heav»»»
Kerala expat wins Dh100,000 with Big Ticket after his mother and daughters pick the number
Dubai: Sarath Sasidharan has celebrated his first-ever Big Ticket win, taking home Dh 100,000 in Series 289, with a little help from the people closest to him. The 33-year-old technician from Kerala in India has been living in the UAE since 2007. He first heard about Big Ticket through his colleagu»»»
Top 10 stories of the week: UAE holidays, visa-free travel and US-Iran conflict developments
From a personal message by Dubai's Ruler about the value of family time to a new visa offer for Indian tourists, several stories captured readers' attention this week. Other major developments included Dubai's announcement of a public holiday for the Prophet Mohammed's Birthday, new travel options »»»
Air India hydraulic fault: Second incident reported in 10 days; over 50 passengers affected
An Air India flight from Bangkok to Delhi was forced to abort its take-off after the pilots detected a hydraulic malfunction, marking the second hydraulic-related incident involving an Air India A320 in 10 days. According to an exclusive report by the New Indian Express, Flight AI2335, carrying mor»»»
Atletico sign veteran Argentinian defender Romero from Spurs
Madrid: Atletico Madrid signed 2022 World Cup winning centre-back Cristian Romero from Tottenham on Saturday for a fee reported to be 40 million euros ($46 million) including add-ons. "(Romero) signs for our club until June 30, 2031," said Atletico in a statement. The Argentina international -- who»»»
The Expo effect — how Osaka 2025 is shaping Saudi Arabia’s business strategy for Expo 2030
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia prepares to host Expo 2030, the experience of Osaka 2025 offers lessons on how the Kingdom can turn the six-month event into longer-term economic and business opportunities. Expo 2030 Riyadh is expected to attract more than 42 million visits from 197 countries across a site »»»
Spain boosts security in Ceuta as calls appear online for another mass border rush
CEUTA: Spain has beefed up police and military presence in its North African enclave of Ceuta amid social media messages encouraging migrants to attempt another mass border breach on Saturday, two weeks after tens of thousands rushed into the city. Soldiers in combat fatigues stood watch outside s»»»
Pom Klementieff returns to Middle East Comic Con
DUBAI: French actress Pom Klementieff is set to appear at Middle East Film and Comic Con in Abu Dhabi next month, returning to the emirate two years after her first visit to the pop culture festival. Klementieff, best known as Mantis in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, will meet fans on Se»»»
UAE state oil company says vessel attacked in Hormuz strait
United Arab Emirates' state-owned oil giant ADNOC said Saturday one of its vessels came under attack in the Hormuz strait, the latest incident in the waterway at the centre of the US-Iran conflict. Tehran has imposed an effective blockade of the strait, a vital shipping route for global energy supp»»»
U.S. regulators upgrade recall of 19million eggs to highest risk level
Los Angeles: U.S. Food Safety regulators have upgraded a recall of about 19 million eggs to its highest risk category over potential salmonella contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday classified the recall that started last month as Class I, its highest recall classi»»»
Iran fires back at Trump's threat to declare Hormuz a US territory
Iran on Saturday fired back at U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory, saying the crucial energy waterway it has blockaded "will remain Iranian". Trump has repeatedly said the strait, which Tehran effectively closed at the start of»»»
Telecom Egypt’s consolidated profits leap 46.7% YoY in H1 2026 Arab Finance For Information Technology
Arab Finance: The consolidated net profits attributable to the shareholders of Telecom Egypt rose by 46.68% to EGP 15.266 billion in the first half (H1) of 2026 from EGP 10.407 billion in H1 2025, according to the financial results. The company generated operating revenues valued at EGP 59.215 bill»»»
Trump’s ‘pretty soon’ Hormuz takeover plan: What he said and Iran’s sharp response
US President Donald Trump has said the United States will declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory “pretty soon” after defeating Iran, escalating tensions over the strategically vital waterway. Speaking at a political rally in New York on Friday, Trump said the US already had “total control” of th»»»
Al-Hilal claim needlessly difficult victory as Summerville makes Saudi Pro League debut
RIYADH: It might come as a surprise to some that Simone Inzaghi is now one of the longest-serving head coaches in the Saudi Pro League, after just over 14 months in charge of Al-Hilal. While the Riyadh side finished second, and unbeaten, in the league last season, and reached the quarter-finals of »»»
Brad Pitt has started drinking again, the bottle doesn’t care that he’s Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt has started drinking again and this really is cause for celebration among millions of ordinary people around the world, because after all, what brings us closer to the great and famous, but our vices? I have often heard people who enjoy a glass of cognac in the morning point out that Wins»»»
On This Day, Aug. 15: U.S. ship opens Panama Canal - UPI.com
On Aug.15, 1914, a U.S. ship sailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, officially opening the Panama Canal. 1 of 3 | The SS Ancon became the first ship to transit the newly built Panama Canal on August 15, 1914. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. National Archives Aug. 15 (UPI) -- On this date in»»»
Trump says record Navy deployment in Iran operations 'not nearly long enough'
US President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed concerns about the toll on sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, who have endured a record deployment of almost nine months, saying that the deployment had been “not nearly long enough”. The Lincoln has been supporting the US war»»»
Middle East live: Trump threatens US takeover of Hormuz as Iran vows to retain control
US President Donald Trump threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory after vowing to “finish defeating” Iran in a New York rally on Friday. Tehran rejected the claim on Saturday, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi saying the strategic waterway “will remain Iranian»»»
Copper prices poised for further gains as demand grows, supply gap widens: QNB
Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Bank (QNB) expects copper prices to maintain their upward trajectory in the coming period, supported by growing global demand for the metal, driven by the accelerating energy transition and the expansion of infrastructure related to artificial intelligence, while the sup»»»
About 20-30 Kyrgyz children need stem cell transplants each year - | 24.KG
Every year, about 20-30 children need hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Sultan Stambekov, head of the Pediatric Oncology Department at the National Center for Maternal and Child Welfare, said. According to him, about 90 adults also need this procedure. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is »»»
Budapest has never seen heatwaves like this: 2026 breaks records twice
Both of this year’s extreme heatwaves in Budapest were more intense than ever before, according to an analysis published on the specialist portal Másfélfok (One and a Half Degree) – Climate Change Explained. Péter Szabó, a climate researcher and PhD student at the meteorology faculty at ELTE, said »»»
Watch: Record crowds at Indian missions in the UAE mark India's 80th Independence Day
Abu Dhabi/ Dubai: The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai marked India's 80th Independence Day with celebrations that drew unusually large crowds this year, as the milestone anniversary falling on a Saturday holiday brought out families and individuals in record numbers. C»»»
How Iran war brought Abraham Lincoln close to the breaking point
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been grappling with dismal conditions for months during the US-Israeli war on Iran, amid mounting reports of severe exhaustion, supply shortages, and mental-health problems among crew members. The problems have sparked an uproar among crew members’ families and prompted »»»
De-Escalation Around Iran Could Boost Global Gold Prices
Lower oil prices could ease inflationary pressure, bring back market expectations of rate cuts, and open the way upward for gold prices, head of investment consulting at Solid Investments company Alexei Antonov tells Sputnik. Under bearish scenarios, the precious metal price is seen at $4,300 per t»»»
UAE-India: A generational partnership for a shared future
On the auspicious occasion of the 80th Independence Day of India, I extend my heartiest greetings to Indians in the UAE. I also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-Presi»»»
US Golden Dome Project Turns Space Into Battlefield
The next step after the US Golden Dome may be the deployment of American missiles and laser weapons beyond Earth, military expert Alexei Leonkov tells Sputnik. This refers to kinetic intercept systems similar to the ground-based Patriot and THAAD systems, as well as a laser under the Space Based La»»»
Sunny Deol asks ‘Do we deserve our independence?’ as Batwara 1947 hits UAE cinemas
Dubai: If there is one actor who has become the long-enduring poster boy for patriotic cinema in Bollywood, it is Sunny Deol. For over three decades, this age-defying Indian actor has been Hindi cinema's undisputed face of unapologetic, chest-thumping nationalism. From leading Indian soldiers into »»»
Zambia resumes vote count after pause over violence
Lusaka: Zambia resumed vote counting Friday after a nationwide suspension over alleged attacks on polling staff and the theft of marked ballot papers ratcheted up tensions. The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) halted the count around noon, a day after presidential and parliamentary elections an»»»
Minister vows to recover full €10bn EU recovery fund, overhaul motorway contracts
The Minister of Transport and Investment spoke on Friday in Budapest, at the government spokesperson's briefing, about bringing home the full 10 billion euros available from the European Union's recovery fund. Dávid Vitézy also stressed the importance of reviewing the entire motorway concession. Th»»»
Two barges to be sunk at dawn to raise Danube and protect Paks nuclear plant
The sinking of two eighty-metre barges near Paks to raise the water level of the Danube is set to begin on Saturday at dawn, the prime minister announced on Friday evening at the scene via his Facebook page. Speaking from one of the barges to be sunk, from the closed water area of the Paks nuclear »»»
UAE’s ADNOC vessel attacked again in Strait of Hormuz: All you need to know so far
A second vessel operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening, August 14, just a day after two ADNOC-affiliated ships were struck in the same waterway. The back-to-back incidents highlight the escalating risks facing commercial shippi»»»
Powerful quake off Indonesia kills 20, sparks mass evacuations
Maumere, Indonesia: Rescuers combed through debris for survivors Saturday after a powerful earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia, killing at least 20 people and sending thousands fleeing. As the full scale of the disaster unfolded, rescue official Fathur Rahman told AFP at least »»»
French family rescued after 16 hours adrift off Thai island
Bangkok: A French family spent more than 16 hours floating at sea after their jet ski capsized off Thailand's Koh Samui island before being rescued, a local official told AFP on Saturday. The 50-year-old father and his two sons, aged five and seven, were taken to hospital for checks after their ove»»»
7.7 magnitude quake off Indonesia kills two, injures one
Jakarta: At least two people were killed and another injured after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia early Saturday. Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Management said two people were killed and another injured in Sikka Regency. Local sources said patients w»»»
UAE flight status today: Latest Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia cancellations; India travel advisory
UAE travellers flying today should check their flight status before heading to the airport. Most services continue to operate, but airlines are making changes to selected regional routes, particularly flights to Bahrain and Kuwait, amid the ongoing regional security situation. With UAE airports ent»»»
Iran Has Not Decided to Resume Talks With the US — Araghchi
Iran has not made any decision to restart negotiations with the United States, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, Tasnim reported. Key points:Qatar and Pakistan are only passing messages as mediators, but this does not mean negotiations are taking placeThe Islamabad Memorandum of Underst»»»
Iran Rejects Trump's Claim on Hormuz
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi hit back after US President Donald Trump claimed he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz “a territory of the United States.” Gharibabadi said the Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized “by tweet,” “by aircraft carrie»»»
UAE residents' update: US-Iran conflict, Hormuz tensions, ADNOC attack and flight cancellations
The US-Iran conflict remains centred on the Strait of Hormuz, with tensions rising after President Donald Trump said he could declare the strategic waterway US territory. Iran has rejected the claim and said the strait will remain under its authority. For UAE residents, the developments continue to»»»
Saudi leaders offer condolences on death of former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have sent separate cables of condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping over the death of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, state news agency SPA reported on Friday. King Salman expressed his deepest condolences and sincere s»»»
India Independence Day 2026: Modi charts path to Viksit Bharat by 2047
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said self-reliance would pave the way for India to become a developed nation, stressing the need for the country to become self-reliant and protect its interests. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on India’s 80th Independence Day»»»