Nusuk card for Hajj 2026: What it is and why every pilgrim must have it
Dubai: Hajj 2026 is weeks away, and for the millions of pilgrims converging on Mecca, one document is non-negotiable - the Nusuk card. Issued by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, it is the mandatory smart ID every registered pilgrim must carry from arrival to departure, granting access to »»»
Boy mangles hand while playing with firecracker
A 12-year-old boy suffered a serious injury to his hand when he lit a firecracker that exploded outside a church in Menidi, western Attica, state-run broadcaster ERT reported. The accident happened outside the Church of Agios Vlasios on Sunday, which was Orthodox Easter in Greece. The minor has suf»»»
Israeli Fire Kills Three in Gaza Following New Ceasefire Talks
An Israeli airstrike killed at least three Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Monday, health officials said, as mediators met leaders from Hamas in an effort to shore up a US-brokered ceasefire deal. Medics said the strike had hit a group of men outside a school in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza »»»
Trump’s Hormuz gamble: Showdown for control of the key strait
Dubai: President Donald Trump has escalated the battle for the Strait of Hormuz, ordering a US naval blockade targeting ships linked to Iran — a move that risks sending global oil prices higher even as Washington says it wants the vital artery reopened. The contradiction is only apparent. Trump isn»»»
UAE denies rumours of distance learning extension until May 1
Dubai: The UAE Ministry of Education has firmly denied rumours circulating on social media claiming that distance learning will be extended until May 1, 2026. Related Topics:Education»»»
UAE rolls out new crypto rules, expands regulated activities
Dubai: The Capital Market Authority has introduced a new regulatory framework for virtual assets, setting out a broader and more structured rulebook for firms operating across the sector as activity continues to expand. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The framework bri»»»
Dubai teams up with HSBC to draw more global money, businesses and investors into emirate
Dubai: Dubai has signed a strategic agreement with HSBC Bank Middle East to attract more international companies, institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals to the emirate, as it steps up efforts to boost foreign capital inflows under its D33 economic agenda. The agreement, signed by th»»»
Pope Leo says he has ‘no fear’ of Trump, vows to keep speaking out against Iran war
Pope Leo XIV has pushed back against criticism from US President Donald Trump, saying the Vatican’s calls for peace are rooted in the Gospel and not political positioning. Speaking to The Associated Press aboard the papal plane, Leo said it was “not understanding what the message of the Gospel is” »»»
One wrong post, big backlash: Athiya Shetty’s Asha Bhosle tribute sparks debate
Dubai: The death of Asha Bhosle on April 12, 2026, prompted an outpouring of tributes across India from politicians and industry veterans to a younger generation of actors eager to be seen marking the moment. But amid the grief, one post stood out and not in a way anyone intended. Actor Athiya Shet»»»
Why Orban lost: Hungary’s 16-year rule ends
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been ousted after 16 years in power, marking a dramatic political shift in one of Europe’s most closely watched elections. In a high-turnout vote, Orban conceded defeat to conservative challenger Peter Magyar, ending a long period of nationalist rule that h»»»
Egyptian blogger ends life by jumping from 13th floor of building in Alexandria
An Egyptian blogger has died after jumping from the 13th floor of a residential building in Alexandria’s Smouha district during a live broadcast on Facebook Reels, in an incident that has sparked widespread reaction and renewed debate over mental health and online safety. Authorities identified the»»»
Watch: 1,500 residents unite at Kite Beach Dubai to show love for UAE in 'Run As One' solidarity run
Dubai: When Kite Beach Dubai lit up at sunrise on Sunday, it wasn't just the morning light that made it glow. Nearly 1,500 runners, draped in red, white, green and black, moved together along one of the city's most iconic waterfronts in a unique show of unity and gratitude. The community event, Run»»»
Iraqi Oil Exports Plummet 81.3% in March Due to Hormuz Closure
Iraq’s oil exports plunged in March to 18.6 million barrels, down from 99.87 million in February – a drop of 81.3 percent - due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to official figures released Monday. The state-run Organization for Marketing of Oil said revenues also have fallen to ju»»»
Home Away Sports Festival returns with greater impact, celebrating community and connection
The second Home Away Sports Festival, held on Sunday 5 April 2026, was a resounding success, bringing together 196 blue-collar migrant workers for a full day of cricket, badminton, carnival games, music and community. Organised this year by Karam Kandhari and Aarin Taurani, in collaboration with Sm»»»
Why Edufair Abu Dhabi is a must-attend for every student and parent
The highly anticipated Edufair Abu Dhabi will take place from May 16–17 at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche, bringing together more than 25 prestigious universities and career service providers from the UAE and abroad. The event aims to help students and families identify the rig»»»
Trade Unions Warn: Prices in Bulgaria Won’t Fall Back Even If Fuel Gets Cheaper
The president of the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions, Plamen Dimitrov, has warned that inflation in Bulgaria is likely to exceed earlier projections, even if fuel prices begin to decline. Speaking to the Bulgarian National Radio, he stressed that a formal meeting of the Tripartite Council h»»»
Abu Dhabi parking update: New paid system in Musaffah starts April 20
Abu Dhabi’s mobility authorities have announced the activation of a paid parking system in new sectors of Musaffah starting Monday, April 20, as part of efforts to improve traffic flow and regulate parking usage. The initiative, announced by Q Mobility, aims to reduce haphazard parking, ease conges»»»
Easter Traditions Endure: Between Faith, Symbolism and Modern Life
On the occasion of Easter, the greatest Christian holiday, Orthodox believers continue to preserve customs passed down through generations. From painted eggs and festive tables to family gatherings, tradition remains deeply rooted in everyday life – even as modern lifestyles reshape how it is pract»»»
UAE exporters stay confident as growth outlook holds steady
Dubai: Companies across the UAE and global markets continue to expect export growth in 2026, even as the Middle East conflict reshapes financial conditions and risk dynamics across global trade. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The latest Allianz Trade Global Survey, wh»»»
New York’s New Mayor Touts ‘Socialist’ Plans 100 Days in
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked his 100th day in office on Sunday with a rally to tout early successes and vow to follow through on his unabashedly "socialist" agenda. "I know there are many who use 'socialist' as a dirty word, something to be ashamed of," the 34-year-old told a packed room in»»»
Beyond compliance: How Vodafone Qatar champions health and safety
Doha, Qatar: In the fast-paced world of telecommunications, where infrastructure, technology, and people intersect, maintaining a strong health and safety (H&S) culture is a necessity. Vodafone Qatar recognises that a resilient and proactive approach to safety is fundamental to both operational exc»»»
How two women turned Kite Beach into a love letter to Dubai and bought 10,000 people together
Dubai: There are ideas that take years to develop and there are ideas that arrive fully formed, urgent and impossible to ignore. The We Love Dubai initiative was the second kind. It started with a conversation. Marta Paniagua, Creative Director at Multilem Middle East, turned to her colleague Dorot»»»
Ten lessons from the Hungarian election: how the myth of ‘illiberalism’ collapsed
Four years ago it was Viktor Orbán who inflicted a humiliating defeat on the then Hungarian opposition; this time his party, Fidesz has been beaten just as badly. We sum up the lessons of Sunday’s Hungarian elections in 10 points. After 16 years, the Orbán system has fallen and Viktor Orbán is leav»»»
DWTC Free Zone partners Wio to speed up business banking
Dubai: Companies across the UAE and global markets continue to expect export growth in 2026, even as the Middle East conflict begins to tighten financial conditions and raise concerns around payments and counterparty risk. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The agreement »»»
Al Sadd upbeat for Al Hilal clash as Al Duhail target Al Ahli upset
Doha, Qatar: Captain Hassan Al-Haydos said Al Sadd are confident as they prepare to face Al Hilal SFC in the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah tonight. Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal start as favourites in the one-legged knockout tie after »»»
Qatar positions itself as cyber resilience hub in Middle East
Doha, Qatar: Qatar is emerging as a regional leader in strengthening cyber resilience, underpinned by robust national frameworks and a clear strategic vision, according to regional market experts. The country has established comprehensive initiatives, including the National Cyber Security Strategy »»»
Job hunting in the UAE? How to stand out in interviews, avoid common mistakes and impress recruiters
One of my previous employers once recalled a series of interview moments that stuck with them for all the wrong reasons. It’s easy to understand why, interviews can be nerve-wracking, and in that pressure, candidates often swing between two extremes. Some become so overwhelmed that they struggle to»»»
Qatar passport climbs in Henley global rankings
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s passport has climbed to 45th place in the latest Henley Passport Index, underscoring the country’s growing diplomatic influence and enhanced global mobility for its citizens. According to the latest official ranking published on its website, Qatari passport holders can now acce»»»
Etihad ramps up China flights with new routes
Dubai: Etihad Airways is increasing its presence in China with five new routes and 28 additional weekly flights. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The expansion will lift Etihad’s mainland China operations to 35 weekly flights across six destinations, including its exist»»»
Negotiations between Lebanon, Israel Deepen Hezbollah’s Crisis with the State
Lebanon will hold direct negotiations with Israel at the US State Department on Tuesday amid concerns that they will be a failure with each party clinging to their conditions. The success of the negotiations will also have implications in Lebanon because Hezbollah opposes any agreement that would r»»»
Dubai gold dips again. Should you buy now?
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai edged lower on Monday morning, tracking a cautious global market mood shaped by rising geopolitical tensions and renewed inflation concerns. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.At 9:19am, 24-karat gold was priced at Dh569 per gram, down from Dh5»»»
Millions of People in Sudan Surviving on One Meal a Day, NGOs Say
Millions of people in Sudan are surviving on just one meal a day, as the country's food crisis deepens and threatens to spread, according to a report published on Monday by a group of non-governmental organizations. Sudan's war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which enters it»»»
EDB launches Digital Academy for Central Asia - | 24.KG
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has launched a Digital Academy for the Central Asian region. The free platform features 326 projects and expert materials. The initiative aims to transform unique expertise into practical tools for public officials, businesses, and financial institutions. Best in»»»
Gold dropped 12% in March, early April flows hint at a shift
Dubai: Gold’s sharp March decline has caught investors off guard, coming at a time when geopolitical tensions and inflation risks would typically support prices, yet the move was driven less by fundamentals and more by a rapid unwind of leveraged positions across markets. (Check latest UAE gold pri»»»
'Unconditional surrender' was never an option for Iran
US-Iran talks aimed at finding a permanent end to the war ended on Saturday night without any deal, leaving the fate of a two-week ceasefire hanging in the balance. The meeting in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad brought together Iranian and US officials, chief among them US Vice President JD Van»»»
‘I’m not a fan’: Trump calls Pope Leo 'weak on crime'
Joint Base Andrews: US President Donald Trump told reporters Sunday that he is "not a big fan" of Pope Leo XIV, after the global leader of Catholics made a plea for peace. "I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo. He's a very liberal person, and he's a man that doesn't believe in stopping crime," Trump told »»»
Weather alert: UAE to see rain, mist and dust before winds intensify midweek
Dubai: The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast changing weather conditions across the UAE from today to Friday, with rain, humidity and dust expected at different intervals. On Monday, partly cloudy to cloudy conditions are expected, with a chance of light to moderate rainfall over co»»»
Disinformation over Erdogan threat to invade Israel reportedly goes viral
Dailymotion on April 12 released a video explainer telling how disinformation over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatening to invade Israel had gone viral. It reported: “A viral video is spreading panic online, »»»
Disinformation over Erdogan threat to invade Israel reportedly goes viral
Dailymotion on April 12 released a video explainer telling how disinformation over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatening to invade Israel had gone viral. It reported: “A viral video is spreading panic online, »»»
Trump orders naval blockage of Iran in a new shockwave for energy markets
Following the collapse of ceasefire talks this weekend US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade of shipping into and out of the Persian Gulf. Until now, the US has allowed Iranian crude and product »»»
Trump orders naval blockage of Iran in a new shockwave for energy markets
Following the collapse of ceasefire talks this weekend US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade of shipping into and out of the Persian Gulf. Until now, the US has allowed Iranian crude and product »»»
Disinformation over Erdogan threat to invade Israel reportedly goes viral
Dailymotion on April 12 released a video explainer telling how disinformation over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatening to invade Israel had gone viral. It reported: “A viral video is spreading panic online, »»»
Trump orders naval blockage of Iran in a new shockwave for energy markets
Following the collapse of ceasefire talks this weekend US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade of shipping into and out of the Persian Gulf. Until now, the US has allowed Iranian crude and product »»»
Trump orders naval blockage of Iran in a new shockwave for energy markets
Following the collapse of ceasefire talks this weekend US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade of shipping into and out of the Persian Gulf. Until now, the US has allowed Iranian crude and product »»»
COMMENT: Iran and the US, where maximalism meets survival and peace cannot follow
The scene in Pakistan’s capital this weekend carried the weight of history. For the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, senior American and Iranian officials sat in the same city, and very nearly the same room, to negotiate an end to a war that has already consumed the calculus of several»»»
Trump orders naval blockage of Iran in a new shockwave for energy markets
Following the collapse of ceasefire talks this weekend US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade of shipping into and out of the Persian Gulf. Until now, the US has allowed Iranian crude and product »»»
Disinformation over Erdogan threat to invade Israel reportedly goes viral
Dailymotion on April 12 released a video explainer telling how disinformation over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatening to invade Israel had gone viral. It reported: “A viral video is spreading panic online, »»»
Trump orders naval blockage of Iran in a new shockwave for energy markets
Following the collapse of ceasefire talks this weekend US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade of shipping into and out of the Persian Gulf. Until now, the US has allowed Iranian crude and product »»»
Disinformation over Erdogan threat to invade Israel reportedly goes viral
Dailymotion on April 12 released a video explainer telling how disinformation over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatening to invade Israel had gone viral. It reported: “A viral video is spreading panic online, »»»
Trump orders naval blockage of Iran in a new shockwave for energy markets
Following the collapse of ceasefire talks this weekend US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade of shipping into and out of the Persian Gulf. Until now, the US has allowed Iranian crude and product »»»