Major shift: Book self-driving taxis on Dubai streets
Dubai: A major transformation in urban mobility is underway as driverless taxis begin operating on selected streets of Dubai, marking a step forward in the emirate’s smart transport vision. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that autonomous taxis are now operational in Jumeir»»»
Iran will announce Strait of Hormuz mechanism, collect fees, Iranian MP says
DUBAI: Iran has prepared a mechanism to manage traffic through the Strait of Hormuz along a designated route that will be unveiled soon, the head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee Ebrahim Azizi said on Saturday. Azizi added that only commercial vessels and partie»»»
CBSE mandates 3 languages for Classes 9, 10 from July: What students need to know
New Delhi: In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that students of Classes 9 and 10 will study three languages from the 2026-27 academic session. Under the revised system, students will study three languages, labelled R1,»»»
Iran’s President Thanks Pope for Moral Stance Against US-Israeli Aggression
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for his “moral stance” against US-Israeli attacks on Iran, urging the international community to adopt a realistic and fair approach to counter what he called Washington’s “illegal demands and adventurous, dangerous policies.” »»»
Canada Deepens Arctic Defense Ties with Nordics after Trump Threats
Since US President Donald Trump’s barrage of threats to seize Greenland, authorities on the frozen island have been seeking help from a northern ally: Canada. A reserve unit of the Canadian armed forces called the Rangers has long maintained a year-round presence in mostly inaccessible Arctic commu»»»
NEET-UG leak case: Pune teacher arrested over Biology paper leak
A botany teacher from Pune has been arrested in connection with the NEET-UG Biology paper leak case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Friday, taking the total number of arrests in the probe to nine. The accused, identified as Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, was arrested from Delhi after»»»
Are Palestinians living through an 80-year-old catastrophe again?
For Palestinians May 15th is a date etched into their souls. Nakba, literally means ‘catastrophe’ in Arabic. For Palestinians on this day in 1948, the day after the State of Israel was declared, the destruction of their homeland began. While Israelis celebrated the birth of their nation, hundreds o»»»
‘My biggest opponent has always been myself’ — Bahrain’s Hamad Marhoon is ready for PFL MENA 9
DUBAI: Bahraini flyweight Hamad Marhoon is just days away from the biggest fight of his young professional career, something of which he is very aware. The 22-year-old KHK MMA Team product will face Jordan’s Saher Qasmieh (2-0) on the preliminary card of PFL MENA 9: Pride of Arabia, due to be held »»»
Kuwaiti oil price rises $1.87 to $124.03 per barrel
Kuwait: The price of Kuwaiti oil rose by $1.87 to $124.03 per barrel in Friday's trading, compared to $122.16 per barrel in the previous session, according to figures released by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). In global markets, Brent crude futures gained $3.54 to settle at $109.26 per bar»»»
Qatar Chamber, QFC sign MoU to strengthen private sector and attract investment
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Chamber and Qatar Financial Center (QFC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in supporting the private sector's contribution to sustainable development in Qatar through attracting global investments, expertise, and technologies to th»»»
Driving mistake behind over 1,000 UAE crashes revealed
Statistics released by the UAE Ministry of Interior on traffic accidents by cause for 2025 revealed that sudden swerving was the leading cause of road accidents, with 1,047 accidents recorded across the UAE. Distracted driving ranked second with 931 accidents, followed by failure to maintain a safe»»»
UAE dismisses speculation over its exit from OPEC and OPEC+
Abu Dhabi: Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said the UAE’s decision to withdraw from OPEC and the OPEC+ was a sovereign and strategic choice driven by the country’s long-term economic vision, expanding energy capabilities and enduring commitment to global ener»»»
Deputy FM stresses boosting development finance, digital transformation
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation, Samar al-Ahdal stressed the importance of enhancing development financing and supporting digital transformation and innovation in the countries of the Global South to confront growing economic and geopolitical challenges. This came d»»»
Putin to visit China May 19-20, days after Trump trip
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China on May 19 for a two-day visit, hot on the heels of US President Donald Trump's trip to Beijing, the Kremlin said on Saturday. During the trip, the Russian leader will discuss with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping how to "further strengthen the»»»
When success isn’t enough: Why this Filipino expat chose Dubai for a second beginning
Dubai: There is a line in the film Burlesque where a character reflects on leaving everything behind after realising she no longer saw a future that inspired her. For Filipino expatriate Mychal Feraren, that feeling became unexpectedly real. After more than a decade working at one of the Philippine»»»
Everything you need to know about Tommy Robinson’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally
Tommy Robinson’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally is so controversial that the British government has deployed the latest surveillance technology against attendees and banned speakers from entering the country. What are they so scared of?Tens of thousands of protesters are expected at the Unite the Kingdo»»»
Putin to visit China May 19-20, days after Trump trip
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China on May 19 for a two-day visit, hot on the heels of US President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing, the Kremlin said on Saturday. During the trip, the Russian leader will discuss with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping how to “further streng»»»
Iraq exported 10 million barrels of oil through Strait of Hormuz in April
BAGHDAD: Iraq exported 10 million barrels of oil via the Strait of Hormuz in April, down from about 93 million barrels monthly before the Iran war, the country’s new oil minister, Basim Mohammed, said at a press conference on Saturday. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war has cu»»»
Al-Taawoun draw with Al-Riyadh, confirm AFC Champions League Two qualification
DUBAI: Al-Taawoun could only manage a 1-1 draw with Al-Riyadh on Friday night, but the result was good enough to confirm their qualification for the AFC Champions League Two next season. The draw left Al-Taawoun sixth in the SPL table and two points behind outgoing champions Al-Ittihad, who have pl»»»
SFD continues providing financial aid to countries amid geopolitical tensions
RIYADH: Sudan, Cameroon and Palau were among countries that have received financial support from the Saudi Fund for Development so far in 2026, as it continued its work despite growing geopolitical tensions. Established in 1974 and commenced operations in 1975, SFD has financed more than 800 develo»»»
Startup Wrap: Saudi startups dominate MENA funding week as a16z makes first GCC bet
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia emerged as this week’s main mover in startup activity across the region, with five firms announcing new funding across fintech, health tech, and business operations. The largest deal in the sector from the Kingdom came from fintech Stitch, which raised $25 million in series A f»»»
Senior IS leader killed by US and Nigerian forces
Senior IS leader killed by US and Nigerian forces 17 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMakuochi Okafor,West Africa reporter, LagosandYang Tian AFP via Getty ImagesThe Nigerian military has increased cooperation with the US in efforts to combat extremist violence (file photo) Nigeria's P»»»
Dubai paid parking: Parkin rolls out gateless system at Mirdif Avenue Mall, Dh10 hourly tariff
DUBAI: Parkin PJSC has introduced a seamless, gateless and paperless parking experience at Mirdif Avenue Mall, offering auto-payment and Pay Later options through the Parkin app for a smoother and more efficient user journey. The system is designed to streamline access, reduce manual ticketing, and»»»
Iraq Exported 10 Million Barrels of Oil Through Strait of Hormuz in April
Iraq exported 10 million barrels of oil via the Strait of Hormuz in April, down from about 93 million barrels monthly before the Iran war, the country's new oil minister, Basim Mohammed, said at a press conference on Saturday. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war has curtail»»»
Nigeria Confirms Killing of Senior ISIS Leader in Joint US Operation
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu and the west African country's military on Saturday confirmed the killing in Nigeria of a senior ISIS leader in a joint operation with US forces. "Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joi»»»
Six-hour workdays approved across Kuwait government entities
Dubai: Kuwait has officially announced a reduction in working hours across government entities to six hours a day during the summer months as part of efforts to reduce electricity consumption and support the stability of the national power grid. The decision came after the Civil Service Council app»»»
End of the ‘People’s Army’ Myth: Israel Weighs Resorting to Mercenaries
As Israel’s military grapples with a severe manpower shortage estimated at 15,000 troops — a situation Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has described as “dangerous for the future of the Jewish state” — Israeli ultra-Orthodox parties continue to reject military service in favor of Torah study even as Israe»»»
Defector ‘Savannah’ Arrives in Khartoum, Deepening RSF Crisis
Former Rapid Support Forces (RSF) field commander Brigadier General Ali Rizqallah, known as “Savannah,” arrived in the Sudanese capital Khartoum days after announcing his split from the paramilitary force led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), in a move observers say highlights growing divisions w»»»
Palestinian Ministry Says Israeli Forces Kill Man in West Bank Camp
Palestinian health officials said Israeli forces killed a man on Saturday on the outskirts of the Jenin refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank. The health ministry in Ramallah identified the victim as 34-year-old Nour al-Din Kamal Hassan Fayyad, saying he was "killed by occupation forces' »»»
Son Heung-min to lead Republic of Korea squad at his fourth World Cup
Seoul, Republic of Korea: Son Heung-min was named in the Republic of Korea's squad for his fourth World Cup on Saturday. Captain Son will turn 34 in July and he is now playing for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, having left Tottenham Hotspur and the English Premier League a year ago. He head»»»
Putin to Visit China May 19-20 After Trump Trip
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China on May 19 for a two-day visit, hot on the heels of US President Donald Trump's trip to Beijing, the Kremlin said on Saturday. During the trip, the Russian leader will discuss with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping how to "further strengthen the»»»
Sri Lanka raises tax on imported cars as Middle East crisis bites
Sri Lanka slapped a 50 percent surcharge on customs duties on vehicles Saturday in a bid to discourage imports and ease currency pressure stemming from the Middle East conflict. The increase in taxes comes as the local rupee has sharply depreciated since the start of US and Israeli attacks on Iran,»»»
Kurdish Groups Reject Allocation of Only 4 Seats to Them in Syria Parliament
Syrian Kurdish groups on Friday rejected the allocation of only four seats for Kurds in Syria’s 210-member parliament, saying the move does not reflect the true size of the Kurdish population in the country. The position came as Kurds marked “Kurdish Language Day” amid disputes with the Syrian gove»»»
UAE’s skilled workforce keeps growing despite global uncertainty
Dubai: The UAE recorded fresh growth in its skilled private-sector workforce during the first quarter of 2026, with numbers rising by 1.5 per cent, thanks to the continued momentum of the country’s labour market and its ability to attract specialised talent from around the world despite ongoing glo»»»
Strong start for Edufair Abu Dhabi as students explore study pathways
The prestigious Gulf News Edufair Abu Dhabi got under way this morning at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche, drawing students, parents and educators to one of the capital’s leading higher education events. More than 25 universities and higher education institutions from the UAE an»»»
Former IRGC Chief Says No Direct Talks Before US Confidence-Building Steps
Mohammad Ali Jafari, former commander-in-chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said Iran would not enter negotiations with the United States before Washington implements “preconditions” and “confidence-building measures.” In an interview with the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency, Jafa»»»
Cabinet transfers fuel supplies for state-owned companies to single operator - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new procedure for purchasing fuel and lubricants for state and municipal enterprises. According to the resolution, Kyrgyz Munayzat Corporation LLC has been designated as the primary supplier of fuel and lubricants and petroleum products for a nu»»»
Palestinian ministry says Israeli forces kill man in West Bank camp
RAMALLAH: Palestinian health officials said Israeli forces killed a man on Saturday on the outskirts of the Jenin refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank. The health ministry in Ramallah identified the victim as 34-year-old Nour Al-Din Kamal Hassan Fayyad, saying he was “killed by occupatio»»»
UAE reiterates commitment to sovereignty, regional stability
Abu Dhabi, May 16 (SANA) The United Arab Emirates reaffirmed on Saturday its commitment to regional security and stability in coordination with international partners. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as Iranian attacks targeting the UAE and other regi»»»
Wordle Heads to Primetime as Media Seek Puzzle Reinvention
News organizations are racing to add puzzles and games to their digital offerings, hoping to replicate the success of a strategy The New York Times has been quietly perfecting for years -- and is now taking to primetime television. US broadcaster NBC is producing a game show based on the word puzzl»»»
Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi closes for Eid Al Adha: All you need to know
Dubai: The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi will be closed for four days in observance of Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. In an advisory, the embassy has announced that regular operations will be suspended from May 26 to May 29. The closure covers Arafat Day on May 26 and the Eid Al Adha holidays from M»»»
Trump warns Taiwan against independence
Beijing, China: Donald Trump has warned Taiwan against taking any steps toward declaring independence following his meeting with Xi Jinping during a two-day visit to Beijing. Before departing Beijing, Trump said that he did not want anyone declaring independence and did not want anyone saying that »»»
Pakistan religious minister to inspect Hajj arrangements in Saudi Arabia visit today
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Mohammad Yousaf will arrive in Saudi Arabia on Saturday to review Hajj arrangements, his office said, as 117,000 Pakistani pilgrims arrive in the kingdom ahead of the annual pilgrimage. Pakistan is expected to send more than 179,000 pilgrims f»»»
Beneath a luxury hotel in Dubai: The secret 24/7 Fish Hospital keeping 65,000 marine lives alive
Dubai: Beneath one of the world's most recognisable luxury resorts, past the glittering lobbies and pools, something far more extraordinary is happening, shark eggs are incubating, jellyfish are being bred, and a team of marine specialists are preparing the next generation of ocean life for the Ara»»»
Man in critical condition after shark attack in western Australia
Sydney, Australia: A man in his thirties was in a "critical" condition Saturday after being attacked by a shark in western Australia, rescue services told AFP. The incident took place after 10am (0200 GMT) off Rottnest Island near the city of Perth, a spokesperson for St John Ambulance Western Aust»»»
Egypt, Türkiye Boost Cooperation Through Air Travel, Tourism
Egypt and Türkiye are strengthening their cooperation and “strategic partnership” by boosting air traffic and tourism as the two countries mark 75 years since the first flight between them. Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh el-Hefny said on Friday that the celebration sent “a positive messa»»»
Amid US-China competition in the Gulf, there is room for cooperation
The last time US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met before this week’s state visit to China was in Busan, South Korea, at the end of October 2025, when they agreed to lower tariffs. In a sense, it was an American retreat, as Beijing used its control over the rare-earth mine»»»
Thirst Grips Khartoum Residents as War Enters Fourth Year
As Sudan’s war enters its fourth year, civilians are enduring worsening hardship on an unprecedented scale, with prolonged power outages and the broad collapse of basic services turning access to water into one of the harshest challenges of daily life. Obtaining drinking water is no longer routine.»»»
US Accuses Iraqi Man of Helping Iran-Backed Faction’s Plans for Attacks in US, Europe
An Iraqi national accused of involvement in multiple attacks against US interests in Europe has been arrested and brought to the US to face six terrorism-related counts, the US Justice Department said on Friday. Prosecutors said the suspect, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, was a senior member »»»
‘Some hide their crosses’: Jerusalem nun attack highlights Israel’s growing anti-Christian problem
When a foreign nun was the victim of violent physical assault in Jerusalem last month, local activists and clergy say they were shocked but not surprised. In the past few years, anti-Christian incidents have surged in Israel – illustrating how a small minority of insular and mainly ultra-religious »»»