US mine-clearing operation in Strait of Hormuz: How it works and why it matters
Dubai: The United States has begun a high-stakes operation to clear suspected Iranian sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, deploying warships, underwater drones and specialised helicopters to reopen one of the world’s most critical energy routes. Two US Navy guided-missile destroyers — the USS Frank »»»
Qatar announces 34-athletes delegation for Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has announced that it will participate with a delegation of 34 male and female athletes in the Asian Beach Games, set to be held in Sanya, China, from April 22 to 30, 2026, with the participation of 1,790 athletes, competing across 14 sports. Abdulla A»»»
Interior Ministry issues safety advisory as maritime navigation fully resumes
Doha, Qatar: As maritime navigation becomes fully operational for all types of vessels, the Ministry of Interior has issued a set of safety reminders for marine trips. In a social media post, the Ministry’s General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security reminded seagoers to ensure that life jac»»»
Teenage sprint star Gout powers to 200m win in blistering 19.67sec
Sydney: Teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout ran a blistering 19.67 seconds to win the 200m at the Australian championships on Sunday, faster than Usain Bolt at the same age. Fellow Australian Aidan Murphy also cracked the 20-second mark, coming second in 19.88 -- the two quickest times of the year a»»»
Foreign trade: deficit narrows in Q1 of 2026 (INS) [update]
Tunis, April 12 (TAP) - The trade deficit shrank to TND 5,232.7 million in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, against TND 5,049.5 million, during the same periode last year, the National Institute of Statistics (French: INS) said on Sunday. This...»»»
'Our Life in the UAE' forum gets 31 million views
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Board of the Watani Al Emarat Foundation, praised the pivotal role played by influencers, content creators, and podcasters in conveying the noble message of the “Our Life in the UAE” forum to audiences bo»»»
Union's Eta becomes first female coach in top-five European leagues
Berlin: Bundesliga club Union Berlin on Sunday named Marie-Louise Eta as head coach, making her the first female manager of a men's team in a top-five European league, after former mentor Steffen Baumgart was sacked. The 34-year-old will take over for the remainder of the season. "I am delighted th»»»
Honoring Yuri Gagarin, First Human in Space
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made history on April 12, 1961, when he completed a 108-minute mission to orbit the Earth on board the Vostok spacecraft. The "Vostok-1" spacecraft was launched at 6:07 a.m. GMT from the steppes of Kazakhstan. It took off from the at the time relatively unknown Baikonu»»»
Flying out of Dubai with a pet? You need to know this
Travelling with pets on your mind? Make things easier on yourself by getting the paperwork in order. Dubai Municipality put out an Instagram post explaining the documents you need to fly with your little fur balls. But first, you’ve got to: Microchip and register your pet. Ensure all his/her vaccin»»»
Foreign trade: deficit narrows in Q1 of 2026 (INS)
Tunis, April 12 (TAP) - The trade deficit shrank to TND 5,232.7 million in the first quarter of 2026, against TND 5,049.5 million, during the same periode last year, the National Institute of Statistics (French: INS) said.»»»
Watch: BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi announces reopening date
Abu Dhabi: The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on Sunday announced it will reopen to the public after a temporary closure that lasted several weeks. In a social media post, the Mandir management shared “a heartfelt message from Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, ahead»»»
Sharjah moves to upgrade malls, back SMEs and lift retail appeal
Dubai: Sharjah is stepping up efforts to strengthen its retail ecosystem, with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry holding talks with shopping mall operators to improve service standards, support SMEs and raise the sector’s investment appeal. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheq»»»
QNA Launches training course on video filming, montage
Doha, Qatar: Qatar News Agency (QNA) launched on Sunday April 12, 2026, a five-day training course on video filming and montage, as part of QNA Training Center's 2026 training plan, with the participation of media professionals from the agency and several government bodies. Represented by photograp»»»
Irish police arrest man over alleged criminal damage at Shannon airport
London: Police in Ireland on Sunday said officers had arrested a man who entered "an unauthorised area" of Shannon airport, as social media footage appeared to show a man climbing onto a US Air Force plane. The Shannon hub is controversial in Ireland for facilitating the movement of US troops, prov»»»
Ukrainian drones attacked Plesetsk space centre, Roscosmos says
The drone attack took place as the spaceport in northern Russia was preparing to launch a rocket, Roscosmos chief Dmitry Bakanov reportedly told Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin. State propaganda agency RIA Novosti reported that the Ukrainian drone attack was discussed during a recent meeting between B»»»
UK minister says 'disappointing' no breakthrough in Iran war talks
London: UK government minister Wes Streeting on Sunday April 12, 2026, said it was "disappointing" that negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad had stalled, adding that US President Donald Trump's earlier social media comments had been "incendiary". "It's obviously disappointin»»»
Ukrainian drones targeted Plesetsk space centre, Roscosmos says
The drone attack took place as the spaceport in northern Russia was preparing to launch a rocket, Roscosmos chief Dmitry Bakanov reportedly told Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin. State propaganda agency RIA Novosti reported that the Ukrainian drone attack was discussed during a recent meeting between B»»»
‘Final offer’ vs ‘unreasonable demands’: What US, Iran, Israel and Pakistan said after talks
Dubai: If the 21-hour US–Iran talks revealed deep divisions at the negotiating table, the reactions that followed showed an equally sharp divide in how both sides see the path forward. From Washington, the message was firm. US Vice President JD Vance said the United States had made its position cle»»»
How your old device can power a student’s education
Dubai: The Digital School’s “Donate Your Own Device 2.0” campaign has reached a major milestone, achieving 70% of its target in record time as it works toward collecting 100,000 used electronic devices to support students in underserved communities worldwide. Launched in August 2025 in collaboratio»»»
Economic Shock of Mideast War to Cast Shadow over IMF, World Bank Meetings
Top finance officials from around the world will convene in Washington this week under the shadow of the war in the Middle East, which has delivered a third major shock to the global economy after the COVID pandemic and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Top International Monetary Fun»»»
ADX-listed companies hit Dh200bn profit, 98% compliance rate
Dubai: Companies listed on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange reported combined net profits exceeding Dh200 billion for 2025, alongside a 98% compliance rate in audited financial disclosures, highlighting a market environment backed by strong governance and consistent investor engagement. Sign up for ou»»»
Pakistan Seeks Deeper Economic Ties with Saudi Arabia
Pakistan called for stronger economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia during a visit by Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan, who held talks with the country’s top leadership in Islamabad. The visit, the first by a senior Saudi official since a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran, came a»»»
Anti-Corruption Bloc Candidate Proposes Infrastructure Solutions for Ruse Region
Viktor Stoyanov, top-of-the-list candidate of the Anti-Corruption Bloc in the 19th multi-member constituency in Ruse, outlined proposals to improve transport infrastructure in the region in a statement to the media. He identified the curve near Polsko Kosovo as dangerous, suggesting either a new se»»»
Russia Celebrates 65th Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's First Human Spaceflight
Celebrated on April 12, Cosmonautics Day - also known as the International Day of Human Space Flight - honors the memory and historic achievement of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. The Soviet Air Force pilot became the first person to travel into space aboard the Vostok spacecraft. The historic 108-»»»
UAE-backed DIAFA acquires Ivy, Annabel’s, Scott’s in ten-figure deal
Dubai: DIAFA, the Abu Dhabi-based luxury hospitality platform and an affiliate of International Holding Co., has completed a majority investment in Richard Caring’s restaurant and private members’ club portfolio, taking control of brands including The Ivy, Scott’s, Sexy Fish, Noema and Annabel’s, a»»»
Pakistan says 'imperative' for US, Iran to uphold ceasefire
Pakistan's foreign minister insisted on Sunday Washington and Tehran must uphold a ceasefire agreement, after marathon talks between the two sides to end the war in the Middle East ended without an agreement. "It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire," said»»»
RTA app, website down due to glitch; services hit
Dubai: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority on Sunday said temporary technical issue are affecting its services across different channels. In a response to users who complained of service disruptions including including parking payments, RTA said on social media: "There is a temporary technical is»»»
Israeli Strikes Target ‘Joint Force’ Fighters in Gaza
Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip have recently focused on targeting Palestinian faction fighters operating within what is known as the “joint force,” deployed near sensitive areas close to the so-called “yellow line,” Palestinian sources said. The force is tasked with preventing infiltration by Is»»»
Hungary election: which polls to trust and everything else you need to know
At 6AM, polling stations opened in Hungary and its high-stakes parliamentary elections began. Voters will decide whether, after 16 years of an increasingly authoritarian government, prime minister Viktor Orbán and his rightwing party, Fidesz, will stay in power, or the leader of the centre-right Ti»»»
Cambodia urges Thailand to resume talks on disputed border
Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Cambodia has urged Thailand on April 12, 2026, to resume talks as soon as possible on their disputed border, a long-standing disagreement that led to deadly clashes last year. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Saturday that he "strongly hopes" the two neighbours will »»»
UAE community race celebrates unity at Wahat Al Karama
The Higher Organising Committee of the Zayed Charity Run, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the National Projects Office, has announced the “You’ve Protected the Nation, O Homeland” community race at Wahat Al Karama. The event will take place at 8:00am on April 18, bringing tog»»»
UAE introduces microgrids across federal buildings, supports 2031 vision
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced the launch of a pioneering strategic project to implement microgrid systems in federal government buildings—marking a significant step in advancing the UAE’s approach to building a smart, flexible energy ecosystem capable of responding to chan»»»
US-Iran Islamabad talks end without deal as Hormuz control remains key sticking point
The first direct high-level negotiations between the United States and Iran since 1979 ended without agreement on April 12 after more than 21 hours of talks in Islamabad, with the status of the Strait of Hormuz emerging as the main obstacle. »»»
US-Iran Islamabad talks end without deal as Hormuz control remains key sticking point
The first direct high-level negotiations between the United States and Iran since 1979 ended without agreement on April 12 after more than 21 hours of talks in Islamabad, with the status of the Strait of Hormuz emerging as the main obstacle. »»»
US-Iran Islamabad talks end without deal as Hormuz control remains key sticking point
The first direct high-level negotiations between the United States and Iran since 1979 ended without agreement on April 12 after more than 21 hours of talks in Islamabad, with the status of the Strait of Hormuz emerging as the main obstacle. »»»
Ashghal announces six-week closure at Al Badi Interchange
Doha, Qatar: The Public Works Authority, Ashghal, has announced a temporary road closure at Al Badi Interchange in all directions for a period of six weeks, starting from Sunday, April 12, 2026, until 10am on Friday, May 29, 2026. In a post on its social media, Ashghal added that the closure is par»»»
How a failure in medical protocols led to a Dh100,000 Dubai court ruling
Dubai: A hospital in Dubai and a doctor have been ordered to compensate a couple after the loss of their unborn child, with a court awarding Dh100,000 in moral damages. The Court of First Instance found that, while it could not be definitively established that earlier intervention would have saved »»»
RT’s essential guide to the Hungarian election
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is facing the most serious threat to his power in decades, in an election that’s drawn in the EU, US, and Ukraine. RT explores the players, the stakes, and the dirty tricks shaping the Hungarian election. We’ve delved into the election in our ‘Battle for Hungar»»»
Asha Bhosle dies at 92: A look-back at the legendary icon's interview in Dubai
Dubai: “I love the people of Dubai… they work very hard and they party harder.” That was Asha Bhosle, wry, observant, and completely at ease, when I met her ahead of her concert in the city. It was such a perfect, unfiltered read of Dubai, delivered with that trademark glint in her eye. But my firs»»»
Alsharbatly tops Diamond, Gohal wins Bronze Tour at Hathab
Doha, Qatar: Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly delivered a commanding performance to secure victory in the Diamond Tour during the tenth round of the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) main arena yesterday. Competing in the Accumulator with Joker clas»»»
Land transport activity surges 7.5% with over 3,000 transactions in Q1
Doha, Qatar: Demonstrating sustained momentum, Qatar’s land transport sector achieved a strong and positive performance in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026 with continued growth across key services and regulatory activities. In a post on its X platform yesterday, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) has r»»»
Hungarians vote in a key election that could unseat populist Prime Minister Orbán
Hungarians headed to the polls on Sunday in a pivotal parliamentary election that could end Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 16-year grip on power, as the opposition led by Peter Magyar challenges his nationalist rule in a contest drawing scrutiny across Europe and backing for Orban from US President »»»
Qatar, Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture marks 100 days
Doha, Qatar: In just over three months, the Years of Culture partnership with Canada and Mexico has already begun to demonstrate the value of sustained cultural dialogue, setting the tone for a year rooted in discovery, mutual understanding, and human connection. Years of Culture Adviser on Latin A»»»
On This Day, April 12: U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh evacuated - UPI.com
On April 12, 1975, the U.S. military evacuated Americans from the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as part of Operation Eagle Pull. 1 of 6 | U.S. Marines assist in the evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on April 12, 1975. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy April 12 (UPI) -- On this date in »»»
Cambodia Urges Thailand to Resume Talks on Disputed Border
Cambodia has urged Thailand to resume talks as soon as possible on their disputed border, a long-standing disagreement that led to deadly clashes last year. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Saturday that he "strongly hopes" the two neighbors will be able to work together "quickly and with»»»
No deal after 21 hours of talks: Why US-Iran marathon negotiations collapsed in Pakistan
The United States and Iran failed to reach a deal after marathon negotiations in Islamabad, with Washington insisting Tehran would not give the required commitment to abandon the pursuit of a nuclear weapon. The breakdown leaves the fragile two-week ceasefire in uncertainty. US Vice President JD Va»»»
Orphan sponsorship endowment sets sustainable model for long-term care
Doha, Qatar: Under the supervision of the General Directorate of Endowments, the “Orphan Sponsorship Endowment” (Waqf) has emerged as a leading contemporary model that reinforces a sustainable approach to caring for orphans by transforming short-term assistance into a long-term, evolving system of »»»
Watch: 200kg UAE flag carried by 64 nationalities sets Guinness World Record in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: On a rain-swept evening at Hudayriyat Island, 153 people from 64 nationalities lifted a single banner weighing over 200kg and walked 100 metres together, setting a Guinness World Record and delivering one of the UAE's most quietly powerful moments of unity. They were not soldiers or athl»»»
Al Gharafa secure third straight Women’s Basketball League title
Doha, Qatar: Al Gharafa Club sealed their dominance in Qatari women’s basketball, clinching the 2025-2026 Qatar Basketball League title for a third consecutive season. The champions lifted the trophy despite a narrow 68-72 defeat to Al Shamal in their final match, the only loss in an otherwise domi»»»