How Japan’s new shared custody law affects migrant lives
Dubai: Japan has introduced a major reform to its family law, allowing divorced couples to share custody of their children for the first time. The amendment to its Civil Code, which took effect starting this April, has marked a step away from the system that granted custody to only one parent after»»»
Benghazi Chamber of Commerce to hold conference on Libya’s economic crisis from 20 to 21 June
Benghazi Chamber of Commerce announced last Monday (30 March) that it will be organising the First Scientific Economic Conference on “The Libyan Economic Crisis: Between the Confusion of Economic Policies and the Shortcomings of Management: Diagnosing the Reality and Scenarios for Addressing It,” f»»»
Tunisia/Ecological Transition: Establish precise indicators to measure real impact of climate policies
Tunis, Apr. 2 (TAP) – Tunisia should implement precise indicators to measure the real impact of its climate policies to succeed in its ecological transition, according to a policy brief released in March 2026 by the think tank Global Institute 4...»»»
The Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz crisis have severely impacted India’s condom industry, reports say.
India’s massive condom industry is facing major disruptions due to material shortages and soaring production costs linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East, local media reports, citing manufacturers. India produces over 6 billion condoms annually in a high-volume, low-margin market worth $860 m»»»
Nepal nearly doubles jet fuel prices ahead of busy tourist season
Kathmandu, Nepal: Nepal has nearly doubled aviation fuel prices as global energy costs surge during the Middle East war, officials said Thursday, raising fears of a fresh blow to its tourism-dependent economy. The landlocked Himalayan nation of 30 million relies almost entirely on India for its fos»»»
Indian art record: Ravi Varma painting fetches $17.9m
Dubai: A 19th-century masterpiece by Raja Ravi Varma has sold for a record $17.9 million at an auction in Mumbai, setting a new benchmark for Indian art and underscoring its growing global value. The oil-on-canvas painting, Yashoda and Krishna, was auctioned by Saffronart on Wednesday, far exceedin»»»
President Yotova Urges Bulgaria to Promote Itself as Safe Destination to Save Tourist Season
President Iliana Yotova has called for Bulgaria to be actively promoted as a safe and competitively priced destination in order to secure a strong tourist season, during a meeting with caretaker Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva. The discussion was part of a broader series of consultations initiated»»»
Egypt Unveils Initiative to Simplify Banking for Citizens Abroad
In a groundbreaking move to support its diaspora, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), has announced a new initiative designed to streamline banking processes for Egyptians living overseas. This initiative enables expatriates to open bank accou»»»
EPICO, Backed by ACDIMA, Leads the Way into the Pharmaceutical Active Raw Materials Industry
In a milestone step to enhance Egypt’s pharmaceutical sector, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, witnessed the signing of a pivotal cooperation protocol. This agreement, established between the Arab Pharmaceutical Ingredients Co. ( Arab API ) and »»»
More questions than answers: What Trump left unsaid on Iran
President Donald Trump used his national address to project confidence in the US campaign against Iran — but left some of the most critical questions unanswered. While he spoke of military progress and suggested that objectives are “nearing completion,” the speech offered little clarity on what com»»»
Schneider Electric brings solutions for the future of energy in Romania at Innovation Day event
Schneider Electric presented its innovations and solutions for the digital transformation process in the energy sector during the Innovation Day event held in Bucharest, in the presence of the company’s partners and integrators. The technologies showcased are designed to address current industry ch»»»
Prime minister, German FM discuss repercussions of military escalation in the region
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany HE Johann Wadephul. During the call, they reviewed developments of the military escalation in the region and its»»»
100 Digital Women Leaders of Kyrgyzstan program launched - | 24.KG
Training has officially begun within the 100 Digital Women Leaders of Kyrgyzstan educational program, aimed at developing the leadership potential of female executives. The project is being implemented as part of the state program to support women’s leadership. The National Commission on State Lang»»»
Emirates NBD secures $2.25b in long-term financing amid strong global demand
Dubai: Emirates NBD has closed $2.25 billion in long-term financing, drawing strong participation from international lenders as it seeks to diversify funding and strengthen liquidity. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here. The transaction comprises a $1»»»
Prime Developments Ltd. announced as platinum sponsor for Investment Gateway Summit 2026
Prime Developments Ltd., a leading developer dedicated to infrastructure, sustainable projects, and community enhancement in St. Kitts and Nevis, proudly joins the Investment Gateway Summit 2026 as its exclusive Platinum Sponsor. "We are proud to welcome Prime Developments Ltd. as a Platinum Sponso»»»
Bulgaria Stays Out of Hormuz Military Operation, Backs Talks Instead
Acting Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski has stated categorically that Bulgaria will not take part in any military coalition aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, citing the country’s limited capabilities. She emphasized that this position is clear and final, while noting that Sofia may still en»»»
Union of Brewers in Bulgaria Reports Record Investments in Beer, Malt Production in 2025
The Bulgarian brewing sector has consolidated its position as one of the most dynamically developing production branches in the country. With increased investments, innovations and adaptation to consumer attitudes, the industry has made a significant contribution to the economy, regional growth and»»»
Cabinet's Actions Are Putting Bulgaria's National Security at Risk, Vazrazhdane Leader Says in Haskovo
The government’s actions are putting Bulgaria’s national security at risk, Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov said during a meeting with party members and supporters in Haskovo on Thursday. He added that the Cabinet “is turning Bulgaria into a military target in a conflict that could escalate i»»»
Bulgaria Must Present Itself as Safe Destination with Competitive Prices for Successful Tourism Season, President Says
With sound policies and good organization, Bulgaria can achieve a successful tourism season by presenting itself as a safe destination offering quality services at competitive prices, President Iliana Iotova said at a meeting with caretaker Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva and her team, President's»»»
Trump wanted to stop Iran's bomb — but left uranium behind
Dubai: US President Donald Trump’s claim that he no longer “cares” about Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile is raising fresh doubts about why the war was launched at all. For weeks, Trump had framed the conflict as an urgent bid to stop Tehran from building a nuclear bomb, warning Iran was ju»»»
Inflow of foreign direct investment to Kyrgyzstan reached $950 million in 2025 - | 24.KG
At year-end 2025, inflow of foreign direct investment to Kyrgyzstan amounted to $950 million. Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, said in his speech at the second meeting of the Heads of Government/Vice Presidents of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Bak»»»
27 small hydropower plants commissioned in Kyrgyzstan over five years - | 24.KG
Over the past five years, 27 small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 110 megawatts have been commissioned in Kyrgyzstan. Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev said in his speech at the second meeting of the Heads of Government/Vice Presidents of the Organiza»»»
Alexandru Ștefan appointed Country Lead for Wolt Romania
Wolt, the local commerce platform connecting users with restaurants and shops, has announced a leadership restructure in Romania. Alexandru Ștefan, currently Head of Account Management, will take on the additional responsibility of Country Lead for Wolt Romania. The transition aims to ensure busine»»»
Ministers, Business Representatives Discuss Ways to Curb Impact of High Electricity Prices on Energy-Intensive Industries
Caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov held a working meeting with representatives of the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (KRIB) and the Bulgarian Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers (BFIEC), the Energy Ministry reported here on Thursday. Talks focused on options »»»
Tourism Sector Ready to Keep Summer Package Prices, Minister Georgieva Says
Talks with the tourism sector show readiness to maintain the prices of already agreed tourist packages for the summer season, provided there is no sharp increase in fuel and electricity prices, caretaker Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva told journalists on Thursday after a meeting with President Il»»»
Amir and president of Congo review regional and international developments
DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with President of the Democratic Republic of Congo HE Félix Tshisekedi at Lusail Palace to discuss regional and international developments. The president expressed his country's solidarity with Qatar following the»»»
Kyrgyzstan to mark World Health Day with focus on prevention and science - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan will mark World Health Day on April 7, an annual initiative of the World Health Organization aimed at drawing attention to key health issues and disease prevention. According to the Republican Center for Health Promotion and Mass Communication, the 2026 theme is «Together for health. Sta»»»
Mecca airport, metro plans move forward, says Saudi official
Dubai: Plans to develop a new airport and metro system in Mecca are progressing, Saleh Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Mecca City and the Holy Sites, said in an interview with Harvard Business Review Arabia on March 25. He said detailed studies for a world-class airport in the holy city»»»
Burj Al-Baher project to restart implementation - LLIDF acquires InterContinental Al Ghazala Hotel project in partnership with owners
The Burj Al Baher project, located on the coast in the Mitiga area of Tripoli, is to restart implementation soon. The news came out of a meeting held Tuesday between Tripoli Prime Minister, Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba, and Mahmoud Ajaj, the new Chairman and CEO of the Libyan Local Investment & Developmen»»»
State Role in Economy Should Be Limited - Blue Bulgaria Top-of-the-List Candidate in Haskovo
Blue Bulgaria supports limiting the State’s role in the economy, Tsveta Kirilova, the coalition’s top-of-the-list candidate in Haskovo, said at a meeting with voters on Thursday, quoted by her campaign headquarters. "The State should not be a trader or a major investor, but only a regulator and a g»»»
Prime Minister, German Foreign Minister review regional development over phone call
Doha, Qatar: The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, received a phone call from HE Johann Wadephul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany. During the call, they reviewed the developments of the military esc»»»
Cabinet Chairman of Kyrgyzstan meets with President of Azerbaijan within OTS - | 24.KG
Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, met with Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting took place as part of the second meeting of the Heads of Government and Vice Presidents of the»»»
Amir, Congo President review regional and international developments
Doha, Qatar: The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani reviewed with His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the developments in regional and international situations, during a meeting held at Lusail Palace today, April 2, 2026. President Tshiseke»»»
Dubai’s KHDA issues distance learning guidelines, asks schools to review system in two weeks
Dubai: Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has published a comprehensive framework setting out minimum quality standards that private K-12 schools must meet during periods of distance and online learning. The guidelines, titled Quality Expectations for Effective Distance Learni»»»
Supreme Judicial Council Starts Yordan Stoev Disciplinary Dismissal Procedure
At an extraordinary meeting on Thursday, the Plenum of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) decided that rules should be drafted and adopted regarding the procedure for the early dismissal of Yordan Stoev, a member of the SJC Prosecutors Chamber appointed through the parliamentary quota. The request »»»
How to convert money transfers into wealth-building assets
Dubai: The Philippine government has encouraged overseas Filipinos to rethink traditional remittance habits and explore investment opportunities as a way to protect their income against global economic volatility. In its “Peso Sense” financial literacy campaign, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas»»»
India Says Defense Exports Hit 'All-time High' of $4 bn
India's defense exports "skyrocketed" to an all-time high of more than $4 billion in the last fiscal year, as it looks to boost its arms manufacturing sector, the government said Thursday. The figures mark a rise of more than 60 percent from 2024, the defense ministry said, and provide a shot in th»»»
Stolen Dacian helmet reportedly recovered after 2025 museum heist
The Dacian golden helmet of Coțofenești, one of Romania’s most significant archaeological treasures, reportedly stolen during the 2025 heist at the Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands, may have been recovered, according to sources close to the investigation. The development was first signaled b»»»
World Bank director warns of global economic risks from Middle East conflict
World Bank Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer Paschal Donohoe has expressed strong concerns regarding the impact of the war in the Middle East on the global economy, at a time when a number of countries were already facing difficulties due to a string of global crises, Agerpres reports. »»»
Media Review: April 2
OVERVIEW No single issue dominates Thursday’s media, but the note sent by Iran to Bulgaria, the security agreement signed between Bulgaria and Ukraine, and the justice minister’s request for the disciplinary dismissal of the acting prosecutor general, are among the main topics. POLITICS Speaking on»»»
Prosecutors' Chamber Ethics Commission Seeks Information on Sofia City Prosecutor Emilia Rusinova
The Ethics Commission at the Prosecutors' Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) opened proceedings on its own initiative following media reports concerning the head of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office, Emilia Rusinova, and requested information from the competent authorities, the SJC pres»»»
Egypt’s SUMED oil flows jump 150% on Red Sea trade rerouting
A general view of the Port of Kharg Island Oil Terminal, 25 kilometers from the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf and 483 kilometers northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, in Iran on March 12, 2017. Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Oil flows through Egypt’s “SUMED” pipeline have surged by 15»»»
Romanian audiobook platform Voxa raises over EUR 4 million for regional expansion
Romanian digital book streaming platform Voxa has secured more than EUR 4 million in a funding round led by Catalyst Romania. The capital is earmarked for regional growth and product development as the company eyes a dominant position in South Eastern Europe. The investment marks the 12th transacti»»»
Albania Steps Up Security Coordination After U.S. Embassy Alert, Interior Minister Says
Interior Minister Besford Lamallari said authorities have intensified coordination with U.S. officials following a recent security alert issued by the American embassy in Tirana. Lamallari confirmed that he has instructed counterterrorism structures to maintain direct communication with the embassy»»»
China’s bid to host High Seas Treaty secretariat raises global stakes - UPI.com
Delegates stand and applaud after the adoption of the text of the High Seas Treaty at the United Nations headquarters in New York on June 19, 2023. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA April 2 (UPI) -- Delegates were gathered in the busy corridors at United Nations headquarters in New York this week for a»»»
Hope rises again: Dubai’s clergy share Easter messages of renewal and faith
Dubai: As Easter approaches, Christian communities across Dubai are reflecting on the timeless message of the resurrection, reminding the faithful that hope and light can rise even in the darkest moments. Gulf News has reached out to clergies from several churches across the emirate to gather their»»»
Malaysia civil servants to work from home amid fuel crisis: PM
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia will introduce a work-from-home policy for ministries, agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies starting April 15 to conserve energy during the Middle East war, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said. The premier's announcement late Wednesday comes as the Southea»»»
Relm secures full VARA VASP License, expanding regulated digital asset broker-dealer services in UAE
Dubai: XBASE Virtual Assets Broker & Dealer Services LLC, operating as Relm and a subsidiary of XBD Group, has received its full Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The license authorises Relm to operate as a regulated virtual asset»»»
SpaceX eyes biggest IPO ever as Musk expands tech empire
Dubai: Elon Musk’s SpaceX has taken a key step toward what could become the largest stock market debut in history, after confidentially filing for an initial public offering in the US. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The company submitted draft registration documents t»»»
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»»»