Qatar revises excise tax law, targets high-sugar beverages
Doha, Qatar: The General Tax Authority has issued Law No. (2) of 2026 amending certain provisions of Law No. (25) of 2026 on excise tax, introducing new measures targeting sugary drinks and revising how taxes on sweetened beverages are calculated. The authority stated that the changes aim to curb t»»»
UAE business community see ceasefire stabilising trade, investment
Dubai: A ceasefire in the region is prompting cautious optimism among UAE business leaders, who say the development could help stabilise markets, restore investor confidence and ease pressure on trade flows after a period of uncertainty. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app n»»»
Mickoski: Expecting strong strategic dialogue with U.S., new investments
Skopje, 7 April 2026 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said the second session of the Strategic Dialogue between North Macedonia and the U.S., held Tuesday in Washington, will be a productive day and is expected to end with a joint statement. He expects an investment in a major antimony pro»»»
Arab Parliament condemns continued blatant Iranian attacks against Arab Gulf states despite ceasefire
Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Yamahi, Speaker of the Arab Parliament, condemned the continued Iranian attacks against the Arab Gulf states using ballistic missiles and drones, despite the agreement reached on a ceasefire between America and Iran. He added that Iran’s continuation of these attacks after the»»»
US and EU waging a ‘proxy war’ in Hungary – ex-Austrian FM Kneissl
The US and EU are engaged in a political “proxy war” in Hungary, with Washington and Brussels backing rival sides ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections, according to former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl. Kneissl made the remarks in an interview with RT as US Vice President J.D. V»»»
Prime minister, Spanish FM discuss latest regional developments following US-Iran ceasefire announcement
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain HE Jose Manuel Albares. The discussion covered the latest regional developments»»»
BAFTA racial slur was breach of BBC editorial standards: internal probe
BAFTA racial slur was breach of BBC editorial standards: internal probe London: The BBC breached its own editorial standards by broadcasting a racial slur during the BAFTA awards ceremony, an internal probe found Wednesday. The finding follows a "fast-tracked" investigation ordered by former Direct»»»
Missed Dubai Mall? Primark opens second store in Dubai tomorrow
Dubai: Just weeks after its much-hyped debut, Primark is opening its second store in Dubai on April 9, this time at City Centre Mirdif, Gulf News can reveal. The new Primark store is located on the Ground Floor (P1 – Entrance C) at City Centre Mirdif and will open at 10 am on Tuesday, according to »»»
Series of Israeli strikes across Lebanon kills dozens, wounds hundreds
The health ministry said in a preliminary toll that the series of Israeli strikes across Lebanon on Wednesday killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds. "In a very serious escalation, Israeli warplanes launched a wave of simultaneous airstrikes on several Lebanese areas, resulting in, in an init»»»
Siyanie Coalition Leader Says He Will Face Slander Accusations, Won't Use Parliamentary Immunity
Siyanie (Radiance) coalition leader Nikolay Popov said on Wednesday that he will face a slander accusations without invoking parliamentary immunity as a candidate in the April 19 parliamentary elections. Popov was speaking during a protest in his support in front of the Pleven District Court. Popov»»»
Doha Diamond League meet postponed until June 19
Paris, France: The Diamond League athletics meeting in Doha has been postponed for six weeks and will now take place on June 19 due to the war in the Middle East, organisers announced Wednesday. The United States and Iran agreed on Tuesday a two-week ceasefire to the war that has killed thousands a»»»
Salam calls on Lebanon's friends to help end Israeli attacks
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday called on his country's friends to help put an end to Israeli attacks following a series of deadly strikes across the country. In a statement, Salam said that while Beirut "welcomed the agreement between Iran and the United States and intensified our efforts »»»
Hezbollah giving mediators opportunity to secure ceasefire
A Hezbollah official said the militant group backed by Iran is giving a chance for mediators to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon. In the meantime, the official said, "We have not announced our adherence to the ceasefire since the Israelis are not adhering to it." He spoke on condition of anonymity bec»»»
Alleged Gilgo Beach Killer Rex Heuermann set to plead guilty - UPI.com
Rex Heuermann, of Massapequa Park, Long Island, is expected to plead guilty Wednesday to the killing of seven women. File Photo courtesy of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office April 8 (UPI) -- A man who allegedly killed seven women and discarded their bodies in the Gilgo Beach area of Long Island i»»»
It's High Time for the Global South to Demand Colonial Reparations
The US, UK, and other Western powers with colonial pasts have repeatedly refused to consider reparations for the slave trade and other colonial crimes—yet have set precedents that could allow such claims to be enforced. The West "has been guided by a sense of moral superiority and legal exceptional»»»
Lebanon PM Calls on Country's Friends to Help End Israeli Attacks
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday called on his country's friends to help put an end to Israeli attacks following a series of deadly strikes across the country. In a statement, Salam said that while Beirut "welcomed the agreement between Iran and the United States and intensified our»»»
Institutions Prepare for Early Parliamentary Elections with Focus on Transparency, Security, Voting Abroad
Bulgaria is intensifying preparations for the early parliamentary elections on April 19, with authorities emphasizing fairness, technical readiness, and the prevention of electoral violations both domestically and abroad. “It is extremely important to see whether we have fulfilled our promise to co»»»
Nutella in Space: Artemis II crew accidentally creates viral moment
Dubai: NASA’s Artemis II crew made history by flying farther from Earth than any humans since Apollo 13, and along the way, they gave the internet something unexpected to snack on: a jar of Nutella floating in zero gravity. Probably the only jar in the entire universe to be a part of a mission like»»»
PIFM strongly protests the new draft emergency ordinance: “An unprecedented aggression against the economic environment”
The Employer’s Association of Labor Importers (PIFM), a member of the National Council of SMEs in Romania, is raising a critical alarm regarding the latest version of the Draft Emergency Ordinance (OUG) concerning the registration and obligations of foreign employers, released today for public cons»»»
Some EUR 1.2 Mln Approved for Compensation for Families with Children without Access to Public Kindergarten
The caretaker Government approved EUR 1,190,761 for compensation to families whose children were not admitted to state or municipal kindergartens due to lack of available places, the press service of the Council of Ministers reported on Wednesday. The funds will cover 2,029 children in four municip»»»
Trump-backed Republican projected to win race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene
Washington, United States: A Republican candidate backed by US President Donald Trump has won a runoff House election in Georgia to replace influential right-wing lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene, according to media projections on Wednesday. Clay Fuller defeated Democrat Shawn Harris for the US Hous»»»
Is Iran cashing in millions from Strait of Hormuz blockade?
TradeIranIs Iran cashing in millions from Strait of Hormuz blockade?Nik MartinAn Iranian lawmaker claims Tehran is quietly charging tankers up to $2 million for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The move threatens to turn the key waterway into a high-stakes toll booth. https://p.dw.com/p/5»»»
Sharjah welcomes a new residential Community Built Around Everyday Wellbeing
Sharjah: Construction has officially begun on a groundbreaking residential project in Sharjah designed around daily well-being rather than weekend escapes. Sanzen Developments’ Sukoon project will feature 859 villas and town houses across four thoughtfully designed phases, offering a lifestyle buil»»»
Rosen Zhelyazkov Is Top-of-the-List Candidate of GERB-UDF for Blagoevgrad 1st Constituency
BTA will publish the names of the top-of-the-list candidates of every party/coalition for all constituencies for the April 19 parliamentary elections. The information about the candidates is provided by the respective political entity, the candidates themselves and other official sources. Rosen Zhe»»»
Close to EUR 6 Mln Allocated for Traffic Safety Fund
The government Wednesday approved EUR 5.77 million in funding to secure the operation of the Traffic Safety Fund, the government press office reported. The Fund is overseen by the Interior Ministry. It collects receipts from fines for violations related to equipment, as well as donations and other »»»
UAE disappointed as Security Council fails to act on Strait of Hormuz crisis
New York: The UAE has expressed its deep disappointment at the UN Security Council’s failure to take decisive action to address the global repercussions caused by Iran’s illegal closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and failure to adopt a resolution put forward by Bahrain on behalf of the UAE, Kuwait, Q»»»
Iran Could Open Strait of Hormuz in a Controlled Way ahead of Meeting with US, Senior Iranian Official Says
Iran could open the Strait of Hormuz in a limited and controlled way on Thursday or Friday ahead of a meeting between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official, involved in the talks, told Reuters on Wednesday. "If an understanding on a framework for talks is reached, the stra»»»
Cabinet welcomes US-Iran ceasefire agreement
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, chaired Wednesday the regular Cabinet meeting. Following the meeting, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi stated the followi»»»
Tehran’s call: How Mojtaba Khamenei sealed the Iran deal
Dubai: In the end, the deal was not decided in Washington — but in Tehran, where Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei quietly gave the green light, a decisive intervention that broke weeks of deadlock, according to Axios. The ceasefire that followed brought a sudden halt to weeks of escalating confronta»»»
Bulgaria’s SJC Rejects Move to Oust Acting Prosecutor General Sarafov
The Prosecutorial College of the Supreme Judicial Council has declined to remove Borislav Sarafov from his position as Acting Prosecutor General, despite calls from the Justice Ministry to act following a recent Constitutional Court ruling. The development was confirmed by Deputy Justice Minister T»»»
Multiple Israeli Airstrikes Hit Central Beirut Hours after US and Iran Announce Ceasefire
Multiple Israeli airstrikes hit central Beirut hours after US and Iran announce ceasefire. The Israeli military said it struck around 100 Hezbollah sites across Lebanon on Wednesday, describing the operation as the "largest coordinated strike" since the war with Iran began. "The -army- completed th»»»
Caretaker Cabinet Approves Some EUR 1.2 Mln in Compensation for Families Denied Kindergarten Places
The caretaker Government approved EUR 1,190,761 for compensation to families whose children were not admitted to state or municipal kindergartens due to lack of available places, the press service of the Council of Ministers reported on Wednesday. The funds will cover 2,029 children in four municip»»»
How Pakistan’s quiet diplomacy drives US-Iran ceasefire breakthrough
Dubai: After weeks of intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy, Pakistan has emerged as a central player in brokering a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, a breakthrough that diplomats say would not have been possible without Islamabad’s sustained efforts since the conflict began. The»»»
UAE a source of stability under wise leadership, says Sharjah Ruler
Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has reassured residents that the UAE remains secure and stable under its wise leadership and the vigilance of its armed forces. Speaking during a phone call on the “Direct Line” programme bro»»»
Over 9,000 Polling Stations to Use Voting Machines in Bulgaria, CEC Chair Says
Voting machines will be used in 9,354 polling stations across the country, while 2,641 stations will operate with paper ballots only, Central Election Commission (CEC) Chair Kameliya Neykova said during a meeting with President Iliana Iotova and institutions responsible for organizing the early par»»»
Thailand confirms deaths of three ship crew in Gulf attack
Bangkok: Thailand's foreign minister confirmed on Wednesday the deaths of three Thai crew members of a cargo ship struck by Iran while transiting the Strait of Hormuz a month ago. US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February prompted Tehran to respond by effectively closing the strait, a crucial art»»»
Oil prices plunge after cease-fire, Hormuz Strait reopening announced - UPI.com
A gas station in London, England, displays the latest price for a liter of regular unleaded on Wednesday morning hours after crude oil prices fell sharply on news disruption to the global supply of oil caused by the Iran war may be about to ease. Photo by Andy Rain/EPA April 8 (UPI) -- Global oil p»»»
Reform UK calls to ban visas for countries demanding slavery reparations
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK would stop issuing visas to nationals from any country that demands slavery reparations from Britain, the party’s home affairs spokesman has announced, dismissing the compensation claims as “insulting.” Speaking to The Telegraph, Zia Yusuf stated that a growing number of na»»»
German military spending pushing deficit higher – Federal Statistical Office
Germany’s military spending shot up by over 23% to €39 billion ($45 billion) last year, pushing the budget deficit to the highest level in four years, the Federal Statistical Office has reported. Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Berlin began a military buildup, with defense»»»
Case 75: Court remands political scientist Zhumagulov in custody until June 10 - | 24.KG
On April 6, the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek ordered to remand political scientist Bakytbek Zhumagulov in custody until June 10. Media reported citing the court’s press service. Photo Internet According to available information, Bakytbek Zhumagulov has been placed in pretrial detention fac»»»
Sarkozy denies Libyan funding in presidential campaign
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has claimed that “not a single cent” from Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya found its way into his 2007 election campaign, at an appearance before a Paris appeals court on Tuesday. He is appealing a five-year prison sentence handed down in 2025 after being found guilty»»»
Trump reportedly acknowledges Canadian annexation unlikely
US President Donald Trump allegedly conceded in private that Canada is unlikely to become part of the US, despite previously hinting at annexing the neighboring country, a snippet from an upcoming book by British journalist Robert Hardman has indicated. Over the past year, Trump has on multiple occ»»»
Efforts to integrate digital technologies into judicial system intensify - | 24.KG
The judicial system continues its digital transformation efforts, with the ultimate goal of transitioning to a fully-fledged e-justice system and strengthening public trust in the judiciary. The press service of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic reported. According to the press service, in a»»»
Hezbollah MP warns of response if Israel does not adhere to ceasefire
Hezbollah legislator Ibrahim Al-Moussawi has warned of a response from Iran and its allies if Israel "does not adhere to a ceasefire." His comment to local television channel Al-Jadeed is the first from the militant group in Lebanon after the U.S. and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement mediated by »»»
Pakistan, France and Egypt say ceasefire 'includes Lebanon'
French President Emmanuel Macron said the ceasefire agreement between the U.S., Israel and Iran "fully includes Lebanon," which is in opposition to the stance taken by Israel as it continues an offensive there. Macron said the inclusion of Lebanon in the deal is "a good and even essential thing." "»»»
Rahber Global opens Afghanistan's first international-standard visa facilitation centre in Kabul
Rahber Global, a Dubai-based mobility infrastructure and consular services company, has established its flagship visa facilitation and application support center in Kabul, Afghanistan - the first international-standard facility of its kind in the country. The center is scheduled for formal inaugura»»»
Nutella in Space: Artemis II crew accidentally creates viral moment
Dubai: NASA’s Artemis II crew made history by flying farther from Earth than any humans since Apollo 13, and along the way, they gave the internet something unexpected to snack on: a jar of Nutella floating in zero gravity. Probably the only jar in the entire universe to be a part of a mission like»»»
All eyes on Hormuz Strait: Marine traffic starting to move as two-week ceasefire kicks in
Major shipping companies and tanker operators have began moving vessels more freely once the risk of attack diminished following the two-week ceasefire declared by Iran-US ceasefire. While the ceasefire remains fragile, marine traffic has started moving, though it remains far below pre-crisis level»»»