Macron Says it is Unrealistic to Open Hormuz Strait by Force
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump challenged US allies to work towards reopening it. Thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since February »»»
Saharan dust over Crete reached 10 times safety limit on Wed
Concentrations of Saharan dust over Crete reached up to ten times recommended limits on Wednesday, as strong winds from North Africa carried a dense orange haze across the island, according to data from the University of Crete. Winds of up to 140 km/h transported large quantities of dust from easte»»»
International Federation of Gymnastics Bends Over Backwards to Show Double Standards Against Russia
On April 1, the Federation threatened possible disciplinary action against 15-year-old Russian gymnast Sofia Ilteryakova after she failed to turn toward the flags raising behind her at an awards ceremony at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria on March 30. The event was Ilteryakova’»»»
Iran Almost Finalized Draft of New Navigation Regime in Strait of Hormuz
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Iran has nearly completed its draft protocol, which would establish a new navigation regime in the Strait of Hormuz, and plans to begin talks with Oman to develop a joint solution, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in an interview with Sputnik. "The draft of »»»
IRGC Says Attacked US-Linked Industrial Facilities in Middle East
TEHRAN (Sputnik) - The Iranian military has attacked US-linked steel and aluminum industry facilities in the Middle East, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday. Iran has previously said that US and Israel attacked facilities of the Iranian metallurgical companies Khouzest»»»
Artemis II astronauts complete first burn, head back to sleep - UPI.com
1 of 6 | The Earth is seen from NASA’s Orion spacecraft as it orbits above the planet during the Artemis II test flight. NASA astronauts launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday for a 10-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Image courtesy of NASA April 2 (UPI) -- The Artemis II astronauts h»»»
10 days to election: Campaign in Hungary resembles political spy movie
In our ongoing weekly digest, award-winning journalist Veronika Munk summarises and explains the most important political developments in Hungary. We guide readers on the route to the crunch 12 April 2026 election — a poll without precedent in the region over the past 15 years. This week, we cover:»»»
Vucic, Dodik discuss all important matters for Serbs in region
BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met on Thursday in Belgrade with Milorad Dodik, leader of the Republika Srpska party Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, to discuss all important matters for Serbs in the region. "I especially informed Dodik of an attempt to erode stability and se»»»
Cambridge cancels UAE June 2026 exams for IGCSE, O Level, AS & A Level and IPQ students
Dubai: Cambridge International Education has announced that schools in the UAE will not sit traditional exams in the June 2026 series, replacing them with a portfolio of evidence route for all candidates. The decision, made in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Education, affects students taking»»»
Hezbollah 'Addresses Its Supporters'...Reveals Using Surface-to-Air Missiles
Hezbollah has, in recent days, activated the use of surface-to-air missiles to target Israeli drones, in addition to firing them at helicopters and fighter jets, according to statements it issued. It reported the downing of several drones in southern Lebanon and damage to a helicopter, while expert»»»
Athens road fatalities drop 75% in March
Road accident fatalities in the greater Athens area fell by 75 percent in March compared to the same month last year, according to the latest traffic police data. A total of 433 traffic accidents with 511 injuries were recorded, resulting in four deaths, a 75% decrease from March 2025. Authorities »»»
Thousands of migrants under removal orders, few actually leave
Greece’s “deport or jail” migration policy is failing in practice, data shows. Greek police issued 26,527 removal orders in 2025, but completed only 5,736 actual deportations. Roughly 1,800 migrants are held in pre-departure detention centers, with another 200 in police stations — far short of what»»»
Dacic back at work, to start returning to ministerial duties on Monday
BELGRADE - Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic announced on Thursday he was back at work following a 36-day sick leave and that he would be returning to his duties from next Monday. "In the coming days, I will have to follow all instructions given to me by doctors and be careful. From Monday, I w»»»
Which countries' ships are hit by Hormuz crisis?
London: Shipping companies from Greece, the UAE and China are most affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to data from Bloomberg and marine traffic organisations. Around 670 commodity vessels sent signals from west of the Strait of Hormuz over the last day, with companies from t»»»
UAE President and King of Jordan discuss regional developments
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received a phone call from King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, during which they discussed regional developments and their serious implications for regional and international security and stability. »»»
Lebanese Health Ministry reports 1,345 martyred and 4,040 wounded since the onset of Israeli aggression - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanese Health Ministry reports 1,345 martyred and 4,040 wounded since the onset of Israeli aggression 02-04-2026 17:22 PM Latest News Urg»»»
Syrian Troops Uncover Tunnel Network on Lebanon Border
In rugged terrain along the Syrian-Lebanese border, yellow bulldozers raised earthen berms in front of armoured vehicles while soldiers combed through tunnels they said were used by Hezbollah, as Syria reinforces its side of the border. Syria is seeking to stay out of the regional war, whose flames»»»
Citigroup orders telework as US banks in Paris tighten security
Paris, France: Citigroup has urged staff in Paris and Frankfurt to work from home, a company spokeswoman said Thursday, as US banks step up security following a thwarted attack against another US financial institution over the weekend. "The safety of our employees is our number one priority, and we»»»
Qatar sends 10th identical letter to UN, Security Council regarding latest developments of Iranian attack on its territories
NEW YORK: The State of Qatar has sent a 10th identical letter to Secretary-General of the United Nations HE Antonio Guterres, and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for April, HE Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, regarding the latest »»»
Qatar sends 10th identical letter to UN, UNSC regarding Iranian attack on its territories
New York: The State of Qatar has sent a 10th identical letter to HE Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, and HE Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of April, Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, regardin»»»
Al Kaabi meets UK energy security secretary, reaffirms Qatar's commitment to remain reliable energy supplier
DOHA: Minister of State for Energy Affairs HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi met with Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero of the United Kingdom HE Ed Miliband. Discussions during the meeting, which was held virtually, dealt with the impact of the ongoing regional conflict on the global energ»»»
Bulgarian Authorities Seize Over Half a Million Euros in Crackdown on Vote Buying
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov has announced that authorities have seized more than half a million euros in what he described as funds intended to influence or distort the outcome of the upcoming elections in Bulgaria. In a recorded video message distributed on social media, he said the gov»»»
Flights are getting expensive again — here’s what’s driving it and what UAE travellers should know
Dubai: Airfares from the UAE are climbing sharply as airlines grapple with a surge in jet fuel prices, tighter capacity and operational disruptions linked to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East. For travellers planning summer holidays or last-minute trips, the message is becoming »»»
12-year-old boy drowns in Sharjah wadi
Sharjah: A 12-year-old boy has died after drowning in Wadi Al Helo in the Kalba area of Sharjah, prompting Sharjah Police to issue an urgent warning against swimming in wadis and rainwater pools. Police said the incident was reported at 7:05pm on Wednesday, when the operations room received a call »»»
Sudan Appoints Yassir al-Atta Armed Forces Chief of Staff
Sudan has appointed General Yassir al-Atta, a member of the country's Sovereign Council and assistant to the commander-in-chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, chief of staff of the country's Armed Forces, a military spokesman told Reuters on Thursday. The move is the most significant personnel shift since»»»
A Month into War, Lebanon's Prime Minister Says No End in Sight
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Thursday there was no end in sight to a war that had already displaced a million people over the last month, as families fleeing Israeli strikes said they were exhausted by repeated rounds of conflict. Lebanon is entering the second month of conflict betw»»»
Iran accuses US and Israel of genocide over school strikes killing children
Iran has accused the US and Israel of genocide over the “deliberate” targeting of schools and education facilities in strikes on the country. In a post on X on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said more than 600 schools and educational facilities across Iran have been targeted i»»»
Nepal helicopter rescue scam: 32 charged in probe
Several tour guides in Nepal ran a fake helicopter rescue racket to defraud insurance companies in Australia and the UK, the Kathmandu Post has reported. Investigations by the paper revealed that the guides first staged a medical emergency, called in a helicopter, and checked tourists into a hospit»»»
Poland refuses to lend Patriot missile systems for Iran war
Poland will not relocate its American-made Patriot air defense missile systems to the Middle East to help the US intercept attacks from Iran, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has said. Despite US President Donald Trump claiming that the Pentagon has an “unlimited” stockpile of weap»»»
Could a Maidan-style coup happen in Hungary?
Polls ahead of the Hungarian elections point to an opposition victory, but players behind the scenes expect Prime Minister Viktor Orban to come out on top. Others say it’s a scenario ripe for a Kiev-style ‘color revolution’. READ MORE: Battle for Hungary: EU attacks on Orban are a sign of worse thi»»»
Three New Secretaries Apppointed to President Iotova Since She Took Office Late January
Three new secretaries have been appointed to President Iliana Iotova since she took office at the end of January, shows information on the President's website. They are Meglena Plugchieva, Kristiela Simeonova, and Milena Dimitrova. Plugchieva has been appointed Secretary for Foreign Policy. She has»»»
Putin, Saudi prince seek more efforts to end Mideast war
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for intensifying political and diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East war during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "Both sides emphasized the need for a rapid cessation of hostilities and the intensification of political»»»
Senate sends DHS funding bill back to the House - UPI.com
The Senate Thursday sent a bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security back to the House of Representatives. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 2 (UPI) -- The Senate sent its bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security back to the House Thursday morning after t»»»
UAE expresses solidarity with Pakistan, offers condolences over flood victims
The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan over the victims of floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries. Get updated faster and for FREE: Do»»»
Al-Tanf Crossing Opens Iraqi Energy Lifeline to Counter Hormuz Disruption
In a step reflecting a strategic shift in regional energy routes, Baghdad has officially begun exporting crude oil via Syria, in an effort to bypass the paralysis that has affected traditional maritime trade corridors. The move, which Damascus described as a return to its role as a “transit compass»»»
QOC Athletes Commission holds General Assembly Meeting
Doha, Qatar: The Athletes Commission of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) held its Ordinary General Assembly meeting 2026 on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Secretary-General of the Commission Mutaz Essa Barshim, in the presence of Assistant Secretary-General of the Athletes Commission Nada Mo»»»
7 ways Dubai’s AI-powered government will change your daily life in the UAE
Dubai: Dubai is accelerating its push toward an AI-driven government, with all public services set to be integrated into a single digital ecosystem within one year. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.The directive was issued by Sheikh Hamdan bin Moha»»»
UAE expresses solidarity with Afghanistan after floods
The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with Afghanistan over the victims of floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall that affected several regions, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click »»»
World's oldest tortoise very much alive despite death rumors
London: Reports of the death of the world's oldest living land animal - a nearly 200-year-old tortoise - were greatly exaggerated. Jonathan, believed to be 193, is still kicking - albeit slowly - on the island of St. Helena. "It was a hoax," Anne Dillon, head of communications on the island, told T»»»
Oil price jumps after Trump says Iran going to be 'hit extremely hard' - UPI.com
The price of oil surged while stock markets fell back after U.S. President Donald Trump's address Wednesday night stoked fears the Iran war could be about to get a lot worse. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo April 2 (UPI) -- The price of oil surged while stocks retreated on Thursday afte»»»
Qatar Museums moves Doha Design Biennale 2026 opening to November
Doha, Qatar: After careful consideration, in light of the evolving situation in the region, Qatar Museums and Design Doha have made the decision to postpone the opening of the Design Doha Biennial 2026 to Nov. 5-7, 2026, with exhibitions remaining on view until Dec. 31, 2026. Qatar Museums remains »»»
POLITICO: Bulgaria Seeks EU Help to Counter Election Interference Ahead of April Snap-Vote
Bulgaria has formally requested assistance from the European Union to counter potential foreign interference and disinformation campaigns ahead of its upcoming parliamentary elections, according to reporting by POLITICO and correspondence seen by the publication. In the request, Bulgarian authoriti»»»
Over EUR 0.5 Mln Seized in Police Operations Related to Elections, PM Says "State No Longer Pretends to Be Blind"
At this point, more than half a million euros have been seized in police operations related to the upcoming elections, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said in a video published on his Facebook page on Thursday. According to him, this is the budget of a small municipality. “Against this sum, t»»»
Prosecutor's office dismisses reports of new "police raid" of faculty building as untrue
BELGRADE - The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade on Thursday dismissed as untrue reports by some media outlets about a fresh "raid" of the Faculty of Philosophy building in Belgrade by Criminal Police Directorate personnel. In a statement on its website, the prosecutor's office said tha»»»
South Asian Journalists Join In-Person SputnikPro Session
The Rossiya Segodnya media group has launched a new SputnikPro internship for nine specialists from leading media in South Asia at its headquarters in Moscow. The project is part of the InteRussia programme of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.The event was opened by Director for Intern»»»
Danube Group pledges no layoffs, on-time salaries amid geopolitical turmoil
Dubai: At a time when the US–Israel–Iran conflict is reshaping geopolitical and economic realities, businesses across the region are being tested on their ability to adapt and endure. Against this backdrop, Danube Group’s Founder and Chairman Rizwan Sajan is setting a strong example of leadership b»»»
Singapore Airlines extends Dubai flight cancellations
Dubai: Singapore Airlines has extended the cancellation of its Dubai flights until May 31, citing the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East. In an advisory, the airline confirmed that these two services will remain suspended during this period - SQ494 departing Singapore for Dubai and S»»»
Minister of Energy meets UK’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Doha, Qatar: The Minister of State for Energy Affairs, HE Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, met today, April 2, 2026, with the Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero of the United Kingdom. Discussions during the meeting, which was held virtually, dealt with the impact of»»»
UAE parents welcome distance learning extension: 'Our children's safety comes first'
Dubai: The UAE government's decision to extend distance learning until April 17 amid regional tensions has been met with relief and gratitude by parents, who say their children's safety outweighs any disruption to routine. For Praseetha Rajesh, a mother of two whose elder daughter Anushka is a univ»»»
IRGC announces targeting US-linked steel facilities in Abu Dhabi, parts of aluminum operations in Bahrain, as well as military industries tied to Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and US Army depots near Manama - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe IRGC announces targeting US-linked steel facilities in Abu Dhabi, parts of aluminum operations in Bahrain, as well as military industries t»»»