Rethinking autism – and our role in understanding it
April is World Autism Acceptance Month. It is a moment that has shifted from awareness to acceptance – a distinction worth pausing on. Awareness tells us something exists. Acceptance asks us what we do about it. Walk into almost any school staffroom, workplace, or family gathering and ask what peop»»»
Dos and don’ts for OFWs: Why sharing unverified posts can land you in trouble
Dubai: Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE and across the Middle East have been reminded to stay vigilant online, as authorities have warned that sharing unverified information can carry serious consequences. The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has issued a new advisory urgin»»»
Erdogan Warns of Iran War Spillover, Stresses Türkiye’s Neutrality
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday warned of the risk of a widening war in Iran, stressing that his government’s priority is to steer the country through the current regional turmoil unharmed and keep it away from escalating conflict. Erdogan placed primary responsibility for the w»»»
Bulgaria: Second Black Sea Drilling in Khan Asparuh Block Fails to Find Natural Gas
The second exploration drilling in the Krum-1 area of the Khan Asparuh block in Bulgaria’s Black Sea has also failed to identify commercially significant natural gas deposits, according to OMV Petrom, as reported by BTA. This latest result follows the earlier drilling in the Vineh section, with bot»»»
Gulf states should steer clear of attritional war traps
Israel may have begun by waging war on Gaza, but it didn't end there. In the years that followed October 7 2023, Israel has unleashed its war machine on Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and now Iran, in a systematic attempt to redraw the region’s map by force. Once hypothetical scenarios have become a fast-m»»»
LIVE UPDATES: Fuel surcharges, economic fallout deepens across world due to MidEast turmoil
Doha, Qatar: While Australia and Malaysia are taking steps to conserve fuel, several Chinese airlines have raised fuel surcharges on domestic flights. The World Bank has also expressed concern over the impact the war will have on inflation, jobs and food security. Stay tuned for more updates: -----»»»
Defense chief discusses alliance issues with U.S. lawmakers - UPI.com
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (L) speaks with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (C) and a delegation of U.S. Senators during a meeting at the Defense Ministry on Thursday. Photo courtesy of South Korea Ministry of Defense Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Thursday held talks with a delegation»»»
Sharjah Education Academy admissions open: Here’s what to know about fall 2026 programmes
Dubai: Educators in the UAE looking to advance their careers can now apply for Sharjah Education Academy’s (SEA) fall 2026 intake, with admissions open from March 30 to April 30. The academy is offering a mix of academic and professional programmes aimed at advancing teachers’ roles in the educatio»»»
Aoun, Salam continuing efforts to halt war despite deadlock
President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are determined to continue their contacts, hoping that will lead to international intervention to halt the fighting in south Lebanon, ministerial sources said. U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa meanwhile traveled to Washington for the Easter»»»
Buyers are turning to this Saudi city as housing demand grows
Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s housing market is beginning to diverge across cities, with Jeddah recording its strongest year in recent memory while Riyadh shows signs of strain and Dammam gains ground on pricing appeal. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.According to Cavendish Ma»»»
Dubai Safari Park celebrates the birth of second endangered white rhino calf
Dubai: In a time of uncertainty across the region, a moment of hope emerged at Dubai’s largest wildlife park with the birth of a second white rhino calf. The endangered species saw a healthy male born to mother Olive, later named Salam, the Arabic word for peace. The birth adds an important chapter»»»
How Artemis II astronauts could change how we see Earth forever
NASA’s Artemis II crewed mission lifted off late on Wednesday (April 1) on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to begin their journey around the Moon. The SLS rocket lifted the Orion spacecraft and its four‑person crew — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hanson — from Nasa's »»»
UK gathers more than 30 countries to plot ways of reopening Strait of Hormuz
Almost three dozen countries will meet Thursday in an effort to exert diplomatic and political pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that has been choked off by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the virtual meeting chaired by Forei»»»
How to cut your bill in Qatar without changing what you buy
Doha, Qatar: For many households in Qatar, the problem is not buying more. It is paying more for the same basket. You go out for essentials, stick to your usual products, avoid unnecessary extras, and still come back wondering how the total increased again. That is exactly why so many shoppers feel»»»
Parliament of Kyrgyzstan to conduct inventory of laws and resolutions - | 24.KG
The Zhogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan will carry out an inventory of its laws and resolutions. Speaker Marlen Mamataliev announced at a parliamentary session. According to him, the Parliament has adopted more than 3,000 laws and around 20,000 resolutions. «As you know, a reform is underway in the Parli»»»
Astronauts begin NASA lunar mission after climactic blast-off
Kennedy Space Center, United States: Four astronauts blasted off aboard a massive NASA rocket Wednesday on a long-anticipated journey around the moon, the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. With a thunderous roar that reverberated far beyond the launchpad, the enormous orange-and-white»»»
Dubai calls for vigilance amid surge in online rumours
Dubai: The government of Dubai has called on residents to stay informed with facts amid the rapid spread of misinformation and rumours on social media. Daily posts claiming statements such as ‘I hear explosions in Dubai,’ “’ubai faces severe shortage of goods,’ or ‘Life in Dubai has come to a stand»»»
Iraq’s Oil Hub Slows to a Crawl as Strait of Hormuz Shutdown Strangles Exports
Iraqi oil fields once alive with the buzz of workers are nearly deserted. Ports that pulsed with the churn of cargo have fallen still, the din of commerce replaced by the soft rhythm of waves. A month after the war in Iran started, workers at ports and oil fields in the province of Basra, where alm»»»
Over 330,000 prosumers inject energy, creating both good and bad things
Romania has over 300,000 prosumers, who are no longer passive and who end up injecting energy into the market, creating both good and bad things, Alexandru Molnar, director of the Wholesale Energy Market Regulations Directorate with the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE), said at a special»»»
Syria–Germany air transport deal to boost civil aviation sector
Damascus, April 2 (SANA) The head of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority said Wednesday that a newly signed air transport agreement with Germany marks a significant step toward developing civil aviation in Syria, strengthening bilateral cooperation and aligning the sector with international standar»»»
Airfares soar as war disrupts jet fuel supply
Dubai: In just over a month, the global aviation industry has undergone a dramatic shift, with airfares climbing sharply across major routes, including from the UAE. What was once a relatively stable pricing environment has become volatile, as airlines grapple with rising fuel costs, reduced capaci»»»
Trump says Iran war almost over, warns of weeks more heavy strikes
President Donald Trump said U.S. forces will "finish the job" in Iran soon as "core strategic objectives are nearing completion," offering a full-throated defense of the war Wednesday night in his first national address since the conflict began more than a month ago. He used his platform before a w»»»
MoPH marks World Autism Awareness Day, reinforces commitment to inclusion
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health is participating in the celebration of World Autism Awareness Day, observed annually on April 2. This year’s observance is held under the theme “Autism and Humanity – Every life Has Value,” as designated by the United Nations. The observance highlights the»»»
Australia PM Says Iran War Objectives Met, 'Not Clear' What More to Achieve
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday the original aims of the war in Iran had been met and it was not clear what more remained to be achieved. Albanese called for de-escalation, noting that US-Israeli attacks had degraded Iran's air force, navy and military industrial base, r»»»
Qatar Reads returns with family reading booth
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Reads, an initiative under Qatar National Library dedicated to fostering a culture of reading across Qatar, is hosting an interactive booth at Doha Festival City, from April 1 to April 22. The activation aims to deepen engagement with the Family Reading Programme (FRP), a structu»»»
MoT moves Autonomous e-Mobility Forum to September
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Transport has moved the 2nd edition of the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum to Sept 7-9, 2026, against the backdrop of the current regional situation. The Forum was initially scheduled this April 7-9. Organied by Just us & Otto Marketing Services, the 2026 Forum will feature»»»
Regional tensions weigh on GCC outlook with short-term contraction and uneven impact across economies
Doha, Qatar: GCC economies are forecast to contract this year as recent regional escalations continue to weigh on economic activity, according to ICAEW’s latest Economic Insight Q1 2026 report, produced in partnership with Oxford Economics. Set against a softening global growth backdrop, the report»»»
QF schools strengthen safety preparedness as in-person learning resumes
Doha, Qatar: With several schools under Qatar Foundation (QF) resuming in-person classes, enhanced safety measures and emergency preparedness drills are being prioritised to ensure the wellbeing of students and staff amid the current regional situation. Qatar Foundation continues to reinforce its c»»»
'Israel is exploiting Iran war to kill a Palestinian state'
In a wide-ranging conversation with Al Majalla, Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin gave a measured yet unwavering assessment of where the Palestinian cause stands—and where it must go. She argues that Israel's conduct since the 1993 Oslo Accords has not only strained the peace pr»»»
Al Wajba clinch Al Thumama Tournament title
Doha, Qatar: Al Wajba clinched the title of the third Al Thumama Ramadan Tournament with a 1-0 victory over Al Rayyan in the final, capping a strong run in the youth competition for players aged 10 to 14. The champions received QR7,000 along with gold medals, while the team’s captain marked the occ»»»
Education Ministry Undersecretary continues inspection visits to schools
Doha, Qatar: Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education H E Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Nuaimi continued his inspection visits to public and private schools following the students’ return to in-person learning. He visited yesterday Al-Kaaban Primary, Preparatory, and Secondary Sc»»»
Artemis II launches historic flyby lunar mission with diverse crew
Four astronauts – three Americans and one Canadian – blasted off Wednesday on NASA’s Artemis II, humanity’s first lunar flight in over 50 years. The 32-storey rocket soared from Kennedy Space Center, marking the start of a decade-long plan for sustainable Moon exploration and a future landing near »»»
Iran Fires Missiles at Israel after Trump Threatens Weeks of Strikes
Israel said it came under Iranian missile fire on Thursday after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb the Iranian republic into the "Stone Ages" with heavy strikes in the next two to three weeks. In a speech from the White House, Trump sought to reassure war-weary Americans that the militar»»»
Small improvised bomb explodes in central Athens, no injuries
A small gas-canister bomb exploded early Thursday outside a block of flats in central Athens, police said, causing minor damage and no injury. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack and the target was unclear. The pre-dawn blast damaged the entrance to the building on the cor»»»
Qatar joins Nice Agreement on International Classification of Goods and Services
Doha: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) announced yesterday that Qatar has joined the Nice Agreement on the International Classification of Goods and Services, as part of efforts to enhance investor services and modernize its legislative and regulatory framework in line with global devel»»»
MSDF launches unified platform to streamline services
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Social Development and Family has announced the launch of a unified digital platform that encompasses all its public services, marking a significant step in its digital transformation and efforts to enhance accessibility and efficiency. This initiative is expected to si»»»
Inside Zayed University’s ‘collective care’ model: Supporting college students through distance learning in UAE
Dubai: When universities across the UAE moved classes online or went hybrid, the challenge wasn’t just academic continuity, it was keeping thousands of students emotionally steady through an uncertain time. At Zayed University, Assistant Provost for Student Affairs Jane Tatterton says the solution »»»
Bulgaria Defense Warning: 2% of GDP Not Enough to Fix Army Gaps
The Council of Ministers has adopted the Report on the State of Defense and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2025, which was submitted to both the National Assembly and the public, outlining an overall assessment of military readiness and progress achieved over the past year. The do»»»
BBC sacks presenter Scott Mills over ‘personal conduct’
The BBC has been embroiled in yet another scandal involving child sexual abuse allegations against one of its top presenters. On Monday, the British state broadcaster confirmed that it fired the star of its Radio 2 breakfast show, Scott Mills, “following allegations about his personal conduct.” It »»»
UAE warns against scam messages impersonating officials
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Interior has warned the public against scam messages impersonating the ministry, as scammers attempt to obtain personal information. In a statement, the ministry said the messages falsely claim recipients have committed legal violations and urge them to follow urgent inst»»»
Oil Rallies, Stocks Tumble as Trump Says US to Hammer Iran Further
Oil prices spiked and stocks sank on Thursday after Donald Trump reiterated that US forces would hammer Iran for another two to three weeks but offered no solution to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz that has crippled global markets. Investors appeared to be unimpressed with the US president's m»»»
Trump tells Americans that Iran war ending as popularity dips
Washington, United States: President Donald Trump on Wednesday made his case for attacking Iran in his first nationwide address more than a month into the war, insisting the United States was close to victory as his approval rating sinks. In an evening speech from the White House, Trump broke littl»»»
Spot a scam or fake website in Dubai? Here's how to report it instantly
Dubai: The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA) has introduced a new service through the “Amer” Contact Centre , enabling residents to report cybersecurity incidents and suspicious online activities. The move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen digital safety »»»
Dubai gold drops after 3-day rally breaks
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai opened lower on Thursday morning, tracking a sharp shift in global sentiment that pushed bullion off recent highs and triggered fresh selling. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and India.) Sign up for our »»»
Three-Hour Debate on "Culture and Politics" Held in Sofia
With early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria eighteen days away, politicians gathered at Sofia's Toplocentrala contemporary art centre on April 1 for a discussion titled "Culture and Politics". Speakers observed that allocating one per cent of GDP to culture has been a goal for many years but is »»»
Erdogan lobbies Fico in campaign to lift EU sanctions on Uzbek tycoon Usmanov
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on March 2 sent a letter to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico requesting his assistance in an attempt at lifting EU sanctions applied to Uzbek-born tycoon Alisher Usmanov, the Ján Kuciak Investigative Centre (ICJK) reported on March 31. »»»
Erdogan lobbies Fico in campaign to lift EU sanctions on Uzbek tycoon Usmanov
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on March 2 sent a letter to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico requesting his assistance in an attempt at lifting EU sanctions applied to Uzbek-born tycoon Alisher Usmanov, the Ján Kuciak Investigative Centre (ICJK) reported on March 31. »»»
Erdogan lobbies Fico in campaign to lift EU sanctions on Uzbek tycoon Usmanov
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on March 2 sent a letter to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico requesting his assistance in an attempt at lifting EU sanctions applied to Uzbek-born tycoon Alisher Usmanov, the Ján Kuciak Investigative Centre (ICJK) reported on March 31. »»»
Erdogan lobbies Fico in campaign to lift EU sanctions on Uzbek tycoon Usmanov
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on March 2 sent a letter to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico requesting his assistance in an attempt at lifting EU sanctions applied to Uzbek-born tycoon Alisher Usmanov, the Ján Kuciak Investigative Centre (ICJK) reported on March 31. »»»
Erdogan lobbies Fico in campaign to lift EU sanctions on Uzbek tycoon Usmanov
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on March 2 sent a letter to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico requesting his assistance in an attempt at lifting EU sanctions applied to Uzbek-born tycoon Alisher Usmanov, the Ján Kuciak Investigative Centre (ICJK) reported on March 31. »»»