UAE approves relief package for postal sector firms
Dubai: The UAE’s Postal Sector Regulatory Committee has approved a comprehensive support package to provide immediate financial and operational relief to companies in the Postal and Courier, Express and Parcels (CEP) sector, as part of efforts to strengthen resilience and ensure service continuity.»»»
Local Manufacturing of 5G Routers Positions Egypt as a Regional Tech Hub
Egypt announced the commencement of its first entirely locally manufactured router at the Egyptian Silicon Industries Company (SICO) factory, located in the Assiut Governorate. This initiative is spearheaded by e& Egypt, marking a pivotal point in the nation’s strategy to enhance local manufacturin»»»
Qatar Rail's new Board meets, appoints Jassim Al-Ansari as CEO
Doha, Qatar: The new Board of Directors of Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) held its first meeting at the company’s headquarters, chaired by Minister of Transport, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, and attended by board members including Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, »»»
Qatar, Austria amend double taxation agreement to boost transparency
Doha, Qatar: Within the framework of enhancing financial transparency and promoting joint investment, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Austria signed an amendment to certain provisions of the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to ta»»»
Philippines: Up to ₱300,000 loans for e-bikes, e-mobility
Manila: Tired of watching your hard-earned salary evaporate every time you hit the fuel pump? Well, buckle up — or should we say, plug in. The state-owned fund, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has officially dropped the "Ginhawa Bike and E-Mobility Loan" (GBEL), allowing qualified member»»»
Hajj pilgrims allowed to travel within Saudi Arabia using digital ID
Hajj pilgrims can now travel within Saudi Arabia using a digital visitor identification instead of carrying a passport, the General Directorate of Passports said. The directorate said pilgrims can obtain the digital ID through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher platform, enabling easier and safer mo»»»
Make it in the Emirates opens in Abu Dhabi with 5,000 products and SMEs in focus
Abu Dhabi: Make it in the Emirates opens today in Abu Dhabi with a focus on local manufacturing, supply chain readiness, industrial financing and a bigger role for UAE-made products in shops, e-commerce platforms and export markets. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - »»»
UAE e-invoicing deadline looms: What businesses must do before July 1
Dubai: UAE businesses are entering a critical preparation phase as the country moves toward mandatory e-invoicing, with July 1, 2026 set as the first key deadline. By that date, companies must select an accredited service provider (ASP) to prepare for the system’s phased rollout. Get updated faster»»»
Evans caps Berlin double-header with victory after Muller wins Saturday thriller
BERLIN: Mitch Evans claimed victory in Sunday’s Berlin E-Prix, the eighth round of the Formula E season, as the Jaguar driver delivered a perfectly timed late charge to win the second race of the double-header at Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit. Evans spent much of the race managing energy outside»»»
Indian expat wins Dh25 million in Big Ticket draw
Big Ticket’s latest live draw delivered another memorable night and brought moments of celebration, with one participant walking away with the Dh25 million grand prize, while another celebrated a luxury car win. Abdul Rasheed Allipra Valappil Abdu, who won Dh25 million, is a 48-year-old driver from»»»
Egypt’s telecom providers launch operations for the fifth-generation (5G)
The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) of Egypt has entered into a landmark agreement with the country’s leading telecom providers—Orange Egypt, Vodafone Egypt, and e& Egypt—effectively granting them licenses to operate fifth-generation (5G) mobile services. This move marks a pivotal step»»»
MoPH inspects 27,036 imported food shipments in Q1 2026
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health represented by the Food Safety Department has recorded the inspection of 27,036 imported food shipments to ensure they meet Qatar’s safety standards and comply with relevant regulations and technical requirements. This came in the Food Safety Department Ac»»»
Nissan Says Gulf Strategy Unchanged Despite Geopolitical Challenges
Nissan Motor Co.’s Chief Performance Officer Guillaume Cartier said the Gulf and Middle East remain central to the company’s growth and profitability despite recent geopolitical challenges, adding that investment plans in the region remain unchanged. Cartier told Asharq Al-Awsat that the automaker »»»
Winter Sports Development Program kicks off under Years of Culture Initiative
Doha, Qatar: The Winter Sports Development Program was launched at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena as part of the Years of Culture Initiative (Qatar – Canada & Mexico 2026), in a strategic collaboration between the Qatar Winter Sports Committee and Qatar Museums’ flagship cultural program. Designed »»»
More Nepalis drive electric, evading global fuel shocks
Anup Ojha Kathmandu, Nepal: As global fuel markets reel from the Middle East war, motorists in Nepal are increasingly turning to electric vehicles, with high demand putting a strain on dealerships. Electric microbus driver Purushottam Adhikari said he was now shuttling more passengers along the 300»»»
Judge blocks temporarily blocks Texas ban on smokable hemp - UPI.com
A Texas judge extended a temporary injunction on the state health department's ban on smokable hemp, which went into effect this year after Texas Gov. Greg Abbot vetoed a ban passed last year by the state legislature. File Photo by Paul Brinkmann/UPI May 2 (UPI) -- A Texas judge on Friday temporari»»»
Startup wrap — Funding momentum steady amid MENA regional tensions
RIYADH: Startups operating in the Middle East and North Africa region showed remarkable resilience last week, securing multiple funding rounds across key sectors even as geopolitical tensions from the Iran conflict continued to rattle markets. This momentum builds on a record-breaking 2025, when ME»»»
How overseas work experience now counts in Philippine civil service exams
Dubai: Years spent working overseas will now carry added weight for Filipinos aiming to enter government service, following a new policy from the Philippine Civil Service Commission (CSC). Through resolution no. 2600596, the CSC has introduced the overseas Filipino workers (OFW) preference rating, »»»
UAE roads in numbers: 6,014 crashes, 1,102 pedestrian hits
Dubai: Light vehicles were responsible for the largest share of traffic accidents across the UAE last year, according to new figures released by the UAE Ministry of Interior. The data shows that light vehicles were involved in 3,834 accidents, far exceeding other categories. Motorcycles ranked seco»»»
US judge protects Yemeni refugees, slams Trump administration’s push to end special status
NEW YORK: A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from forcing about 3,000 Yemeni refugees to leave the US, ruling that Temporary Protected Status repeatedly granted to them and due to expire Monday should be extended again. Judge Dale E. Ho in Manhattan extended the status tempo»»»
How is Big Ticket turning May into a month of million-dirham dreams
Dubai: Big Ticket has launched its May edition with a “a dynamic line-up of promotions,” headlined by the Dh20 million grand prize that will be awarded during a live draw on June 3. The draw will mark the moment one participant turns into a millionaire as the UAE heads into the summer season. This »»»
‘Completely unexpected’: Dubai-based stock controller wins Dh25,000 in Big Ticket
Dubai: A Dubai-based stock controller has won Dh25,000 in the latest Big Ticket weekly e-draw, describing the moment as “completely unexpected” after years of trying his luck. Mohammed Sameer, a 33-year-old Indian national, has been living in Dubai with his family for the past 14 years. Like many U»»»
UAE calls for faster Gulf growth in key GCC meeting
Abu Dhabi: Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, has taken part in the 70th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Trade Cooperation Committee, where ministers reviewed a series of strategic initiatives aimed at deepening economic ties and strengthening the competitiven»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Number of people without electricity halved since 2000 – OWID
Most people in the world would think very little before flicking on the lights, charging a mobile phone or turning on a laptop to read this. But that’s a very different reality from the almost 700 million people in the wor»»»
Cookies, consent, and clicks – will the EU new ‘Reject All’ rules work?
Cookies have been around since the early days of the internet. The “Accept All” button has become a routine reflex for many. Now the EU wants to fix this loophole in its landmark privacy rules, claiming users would save 198 million hours a year with new changes – but will these really empower users»»»
Iran’s Monthslong Internet Shutdown Is Crushing Businesses in an Already Battered Economy
At her studio in Iran's capital, Amen Khademi prepared a fashion shoot for a jacket she designed with Persian-inspired motifs. But even as she applied lipstick to the model, she was distracted, worrying if her business would survive after four months without its main link to customers — the interne»»»
Iran’s monthslong Internet shutdown is crushing businesses in an already battered economy
TEHRAN, Iran: At her studio in Iran’s capital, Amen Khademi prepared a fashion shoot for a jacket she designed with Persian-inspired motifs. But even as she applied lipstick to the model, she was distracted, worrying if her business would survive after four months without its main link to customers»»»
Who benefits from Dubai’s Creative Sector Resilience Portfolio
Dubai: Dubai has launched a new support portfolio for its creative sector, giving artists, cultural institutions and small businesses access to workspaces, grants, training, exhibition opportunities and wider public visibility. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Creat»»»
No layoffs, smarter fleets: Inside Dubai Taxi’s game plan
Dubai: Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) has not cut jobs despite fluctuations in demand linked to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, which has disrupted regional travel and mobility patterns. The DFM-listed company’s chief executive told Gulf News that business has remained “f»»»
Your Visa card payments in the UAE are about to get a lot faster and smoother
Dubai: When you use your Visa card in the UAE—whether ordering food, booking a ride, or shopping online—the speed and reliability of that payment is set to improve. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.Visa has appointed Emirates NBD as its National Ne»»»
Dubai launches new support plan for artists, SMEs and cultural institutions
Dubai: Dubai has launched a new support portfolio for its creative sector, giving artists, cultural institutions and small businesses access to workspaces, grants, training, exhibition opportunities and wider public visibility. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Creat»»»
Alpha Smart Invests $100mn in Integrated Sokhna Industrial Complex
CAIRO — Egypt has secured a significant new industrial investment as Alpha Smart signed an agreement with the Suez Canal Economic Zone to develop an integrated ready-factories complex in the Sokhna industrial zone, according to an official statement issued by the authority. The signing ceremony, he»»»
Dubai Police warn over weak home device security risks
Dubai: Dubai Police have called on residents to strengthen the security of home surveillance systems and internet-connected devices, warning that weak settings can expose users to hacking, privacy breaches and cyber extortion. The alert comes as part of ongoing awareness campaigns by the General De»»»
Saudi Arabia rolls out mobile passport counters to fast-track Hajj arrivals
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has begun deploying mobile counter devices across international entry points to facilitate the smooth arrival of pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj season. The authority said the initiative covers airports, land crossings and seaports, using advanced tech»»»
IBAHRI condemns Israel’s strikes on Lebanon, calls for accountability and lasting peace
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has expressed grave concern over alleged violations of international law arising from the recent escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, while cautiously noting that diplomatic developments following high-level discussions held at th»»»
OPEC Fund launches $1.5 billion initiative to boost economic stability
Vienna, April 30 (SANA) The OPEC Fund for International Development has launched a $1.5 billion initiative to support economic stability, trade and resilience in developing countries amid rising global pressures. The initiative, titled the Economic Stability, Trade and Resilience Initiative (E-STAR»»»
Appeals court rejects Trump request to hear Carroll defamation case - UPI.com
An appeals court on Wednesday denied President Donald Trump's request to rehear his appeal of writer E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo April 30 (UPI) -- A full federal appeals court rejected Donald Trump's request to rehear his appeal of an $83.3»»»
Qatar advances National Human Rights Plan with focus on justice reform
Doha, Qatar: Qatar has continued a series of high-level consultative sessions aimed at shaping its National Human Rights Action Plan (2026-2030), with a strong emphasis on judicial reform and alignment with international standards. The sessions are being presided over by Minister of State for Inter»»»
Japan-Saudi parliamentary ties shift toward broader strategic partnership
TOKYO: The Japan-Saudi Parliamentary Friendship League convened a high-level general meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday, bringing together Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, former Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry NISHIMURA Yasutoshi, 21 parliamentarians including SASAKI, Secretar»»»