Sri Lanka struggles to avert economic collapse over Mideast war
Colombo: Sri Lanka is struggling to prevent a repeat of its spectacular economic collapse four years ago, as the prolonged Middle East war compounds the fallout from a deadly cyclone in November. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has rationed fuel, raised its price by a third and increased electri»»»
Uninsured driver ordered to pay Dh28,000 after causing Abu Dhabi traffic accident
Abu Dhabi: A man driving an uninsured car has been ordered by the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court to pay Dh28,000 in compensation after causing a traffic accident that damaged a woman’s vehicle. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click h»»»
Houthis Threaten ‘Gradual Escalation’ after Fourth Attack on Israel
Yemen’s Houthi group has threatened “gradual escalation” after claiming a fourth attack on Israel, about a week after entering the war alongside Iran as part of the Tehran-led “axis of resistance.” The move comes as Yemen’s internationally recognized government steps up rhetoric, saying a decisive »»»
IMF Urges BOJ to Keep Raising Rates Even as Iran War Poses New Risks
The International Monetary Fund urged the Bank of Japan to continue raising interest rates, even as the Middle East war posed "significant new risks" to the country's economic outlook. The proposal comes amid market expectations the BOJ will raise interest rates as soon as April in the face of moun»»»
‘Iran is the victim’: Jeffrey Sachs disputes Trump’s address on RT’s Sanchez Effect
Iran is a victim of illegal aggression by the US and Israel, prominent American economist Jeffrey Sachs has told RT’s Sanchez Effect, rejecting Washington’s claims that Tehran was seeking a nuclear weapon. Speaking with host Rick Sanchez on Thursday, Sachs lambasted US President Donald Trump’s spee»»»
Prime Minister of Italy arrives in Doha
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister of the Italian Republic HE Giorgia Meloni arrived in Doha on Saturday morning, April 4, 2026, on a working visit to the country. Her Excellency and the accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at Doha International Airport by Minister of State at the Ministry o»»»
Another Train Derails in Central Bulgaria, Three Injured
Three passengers were injured after a train from Ruse to Plovdiv collided with a landslide on Saturday morning between Tsareva Livada and Tryavna in north central Bulgaria, the National Railway Infrastructure Company said. Train traffic in the section has been suspended. The incident occurred at 8.»»»
Russian Priest From US Explains Growing Interest of Young People in Orthodoxy
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Young generations feel the emptiness of secular society and therefore want to strengthen their faith, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) Synod Youth Department Vice Chairman, Archpriest Andrei Sommer, told Sputnik. "They themselves are a generation that is look»»»
Raising ‘ausome’ children: Inside the autism journey of UAE families
Dubai: In homes across the UAE, families raising children with autism are discovering that their journeys, while often filled with challenges, are also filled with hope. This World Autism Month, parents in Dubai have shared to Gulf News how their children have transformed their lives, teaching them»»»
Trump Seeks $152 Mn to Revive Alcatraz as Federal Prison
US President Donald Trump asked Congress on Friday for $152 million to begin rebuilding the notorious Alcatraz prison, pressing ahead with his vision to return the former island lockup to active use. The funding request, included in the White House's proposed 2027 budget, would cover the first year»»»
US military aircraft hit in Iran war are first shot down by enemy fire in over 20 years
Iran shooting down two American military aircraft marks an exceedingly rare assault for the US. that has not happened in more than 20 years and shows the Islamic Republic’s continued ability to hit back despite President Donald Trump asserting it has been “completely decimated.” Get updated faster »»»
Türkiye to connect its railways with Syria as Part of Historic Hejaz Railway
Ankara, April 4 (SANA)Turkish Minister of transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu said on Friday that Türkiye plans to extend its current railway line to the city of Aleppo in Syria, as part of efforts to revive the historic Hejaz Railway. “We wish to revive the old line with a symbolic an»»»
Dubai road works to disrupt traffic on Al Khaleej Street
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a temporary traffic diversion on Al Khaleej Street due to scheduled road works. The diversion will affect the stretch between Cairo Street Roundabout and Al Wahida Street Roundabout, heading towards the Al Mamzar area. Get updated faster and»»»
LIVE UPDATES: Iran downs two US warplanes as Middle East conflict intensifies
Doha, Qatar: Iranian and American forces raced each other Saturday to recover a crew member of the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war. Tehran said it had shot down the F-15 warplane, while US media reported United States special forces had rescued one of its two »»»
Train Derails in Central Bulgaria, Three Injured
Three passengers were injured after a train from Ruse to Plovdiv collided with a landslide on Saturday morning between Tsareva Livada and Tryavna in north central Bulgaria, the National Railway Infrastructure Company said. Train traffic in the section has been suspended. The incident occurred at 8.»»»
Israeli Forces Encircle Bint Jbeil in South Lebanon
Military developments are accelerating in south Lebanon as Israel steps up pressure through a mix of strikes, evacuation warnings and what analysts describe as a strategy of isolating border towns, with Bint Jbeil emerging as a primary focus. The Israeli army on Friday warned residents on the north»»»
Trump seeks $1.5 trillion defense budget as Iran war drives costs
US President Donald Trump on Friday asked lawmakers to approve a massive $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, as the United States faces rising costs from its war with Iran and mounting global security commitments. The proposal would lift Pentagon spending by more than 40 percent in a single year»»»
One dead, 47 injured after 'incident' at Peru football derby: minister
Lima: At least one person died and 47 more were injured Friday night in an unspecified "incident" at Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Peru's capital during a rally ahead of a football derby, according to the health ministry. "There has been an unfortunate incident at the stadium in which 47 people h»»»
French, Japanese Ships Cross Strait of Hormuz in First Since War
One French- and another Japanese-owned vessel are among a handful of vessels to have crossed the war-torn Strait of Hormuz, maritime tracking data showed Friday. The passage, a vital maritime route for oil and liquified natural gas, has been virtually blocked by Iran since the start of the war, sai»»»
On This Day, April 4: Gates, Allen found Microsoft - UPI.com
On April 4, 1975, Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. 1 of 8 | Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates attends the NBA Finals game on June 10, 1996, in Seattle. On April 4, 1975, Microsoft was founded by Gates and Paul Allen. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo April 4 (UPI) -- On th»»»
Iran Executes Two Linked to Opposition Group
Iran on Saturday executed two men it said were convicted of links to an opposition group, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, and of carrying out armed attacks, domestic media reported. The executions were the latest in recent days of individuals with PMOI links. The PMOI confirmed S»»»
Artemis Astronauts More than Halfway to Moon, Putting Earth in Rearview
The Artemis 2 astronauts have passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon on Saturday as they sped toward a planned lunar flyby, with NASA releasing initial images of Earth taken from inside the Orion spacecraft. Astronaut Christina Koch said the crew had a collective "expression of joy" up»»»
Artemis astronauts more than halfway to the Moon, putting Earth in rearview
Houston: The Artemis 2 astronauts have passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon on Saturday as they sped toward a planned lunar flyby, with NASA releasing initial images of Earth taken from inside the Orion spacecraft. Astronaut Christina Koch said the crew had a collective "expression o»»»
As Trump orders UFO data released, a question hangs: If aliens exist, what would they think of us?
For generations, human beings have wondered: What would alien life from another planet be like? But we rarely ask the opposite: What would they think of us? Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.It's a question that can produce some, well, uncomfortable»»»
Iran, US race to recover missing crew member of crashed American fighter jet
Forces from Iran and the US are racing to recover a missing crew member from the F-15 warplane, shot down by Iran on Friday. US media reported United States special forces had rescued one of its two crew members. Iranian and American forces raced each other Saturday to recover a cre»»»
Iran, US race to find crew member of crashed American fighter jet
Tehran: Iranian and American forces raced each other Saturday to recover a crew member of the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war. Tehran said it had shot down the F-15 warplane, while US media reported United States special forces had rescued one of its two crew »»»
Amir congratulates President of Senegal
Doha, Qatar: The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani sent a cable of congratulations to HE Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, on the occasion of his country’s National Day.»»»
Ukrainian Drone and Missile Attack Kills at Least One in Southern Russia
A Ukrainian drone and missile attack on southern Russia killed at least one person, injured four others, and sparked a blaze aboard a foreign-flagged vessel, Russian officials said on Saturday. Earlier, Yuri Slyusar, governor of the Rostov region, said that one person was killed and four serio»»»
Earthquake Kills 8 Members of Same Family near Afghan Capital
An earthquake that struck Afghanistan overnight killed eight members of the same family in Kabul province, the health ministry said on Saturday. The 5.8-magnitude quake struck at 8.42 pm (1612 GMT) on Friday at a depth of 186 kilometers (115 miles) at the epicenter in northeastern Badakhshan provin»»»
Bombers from Kola take part in major daytime attack
Two Tu-95MS aircraft from Olenya Air Base participated when Russia carried out one of the largest bombardments of Ukraine so far this year on 3 April. Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Telegram that Russia launched hours-long attacks using UAVs, as well as air- and ground-launched missiles, across th»»»
Why Сould Ukrainian Regime Be Interested in Forced Mobilization of Women?
Reports about women’s forced mobilization in Ukraine come as desertion there has reached a massive scale, approaching around 500,000 cases. The number of draft evaders in the country currently exceeds one million people. With a catastrophic lack of manpower, the Ukrainian administration is desperat»»»
Italian Prime Minister to visit Qatar today: Embassy
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister of Italy, HE Giorgia Meloni, will be in Doha this morning, April 4, 2026, as part of a Gulf tour, the Embassy announced. The Embassy stated that, "The visit by the Prime Minister of Italy, HE Giorgia Meloni, expresses solidarity and friendship with the State of Qatar." M»»»
Syria rejects any attempt to target embassies or diplomatic premises- Foreign Ministry
Damascus, April 4 (SANA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic affirmed its firm and unwavering position, rejecting any assault or attempt to target embassies and accredited diplomatic premises in the Syrian Arab Republic, saying that these premises are protect»»»
Report: Armed Forces Personnel Shortage Stood at 20.5% in 2025
In 2025, the shortage of military personnel decreased by 1.8% and reached 20.5%, according to the Report on the State of Defence and the Armed Forces, approved by the caretaker government on April 1. Despite the measures taken, vacant positions for military personnel remained close to those in 2024»»»
Report: Military Personnel Shortage Stood at 20.5% in 2025
In 2025, the shortage of military personnel decreased by 1.8% and reached 20.5%, according to the Report on the State of Defence and the Armed Forces, approved by the caretaker government on April 1. Despite the measures taken, vacant positions for military personnel remained close to those in 2024»»»
Hamas Hopes Pressure Will Amend Gaza Disarmament Plan
Hamas is pressing mediators to secure changes to a plan presented more than a week ago by Nikolay Mladenov, the High Representative of the “Board of Peace,” which calls for the full disarmament of Gaza without exception. A Hamas delegation in Cairo is holding intensive talks with Palestinian factio»»»
'Extraordinary' views of home as astronauts head towards the Moon
Houston: As Artemis 2 astronauts forged Friday on their lunar mission, NASA released initial images taken ahead from inside the Orion spacecraft, including a full portrait of Earth featuring its deep blue oceans and billowing clouds. After a flurry of high-stakes activity including a dramatic blast»»»
Artemis II crew captures stunning earth views on moon mission
Cape Canaveral, Florida: The Artemis II astronauts have captured our blue planet's brilliant beauty as they zoom ever closer to the moon. NASA released the crew's first downlinked images Friday, 1 1/2 days into the first astronaut moonshot in more than half a century. The first photo taken by comma»»»
Traffic violation cameras launched on Bishkek – Osh road - | 24.KG
Hardware and software systems have been launched on sections of Bishkek — Osh road in Chui region. They automatically record several types of violations, from speeding to driving without license plates. According to the Main Traffic Safety Department, the systems are being deployed as part of the S»»»
Baghdad Says Faction Attacks are ‘Individual Attempts’
The Iraqi government moved on Friday to contain the fallout from an escalating regional war, after the US issued sharp warnings of possible attacks on its interests inside Iraq. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani vowed to pursue those behind attacks and the kidnapping of foreigners, saying the »»»
Two earthquakes — in Afghanistan and Tajikistan — felt in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
A magnitude 7 earthquake hit Afghanistan and was felt in Kyrgyzstan, the Institute of Seismology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic reported. According to the institute, the tremors were recorded on April 3 at 10.12 p.m. The epicenter was located in Afghanistan, approximatel»»»
Daniyar Amangeldiev and Alexey Overchuk discuss economic cooperation - | 24.KG
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk met with First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Daniyar Amangeldiev. The Russian Government’s Telegram channel reported. «Russia and Kyrgyzstan enjoy a strong partnership based on trust and mutual support. We see significant pot»»»
Israeli Army: Hezbollah Disarmament Needs Full Occupation of Lebanon
A senior Israeli military commander said on Friday that disarming Hezbollah was not part of the current war objectives, and that the army’s plan instead focused on razing entire villages in southern Lebanon and forcibly displacing residents to create a buffer zone imposing a new border reality. Def»»»
Four injured in Bahrain from falling debris of intercepted Iranian drone
Manama: Bahraini authorities said that four people were injured after debris fell following the interception and destruction of an Iranian drone. In a post on X, the Bahraini Ministry of Interior confirmed that four citizens sustained minor injuries and several homes in Sitra were damaged due to fa»»»
Two US fighter jets downed in Mideast, one crew member rescued
A US fighter jet was shot down over Iranian airspace on Friday, triggering a search operation by Washington which rescued one crew member. A second US Air Force aircraft went down later in the day, according to a US official. The whereabouts of any other crew were not immediately known. A US f»»»
Restoration of Aluminum Production at EGA Plant in UAE May Take Up to 12 Months – Company
The restoration of aluminum production at Abu Dhabi plant of the Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) company, the largest aluminum producer in the Middle East, may take up to 12 months, EGA said. On March 28, the government of Abu Dhabi said that six people were injured as a result of debris from an in»»»
Israel Says Striking Hezbollah Sites in Beirut after Destroying Bridge
The Israeli military said Saturday it had begun striking "Hezbollah infrastructure" in Beirut after it destroyed a bridge in eastern Lebanon to prevent the Iran-backed group's reinforcements from crossing. An AFP journalist heard two loud explosions in the capital within half an hour early Saturday»»»
Iran Shoots Down 2 US Fighter Jets in One Day — Pilot Missing Inside Iran
The Iranian army confirmed that two US combat aircraft were shot down within 24 hours. One pilot is still missing in Iranian territory. According to US media reports, two rescue helicopters were hit by Iranian fire. An F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran, and an A-10 Warthog crashed near the»»»
Diner stunned as microchip found in meal reveals meat is from retired Turkish racehorse
An electronic identification microchip found in a meat stew served by a Turkish soup kitchen turned out to be from a racehorse retired early with a broken leg. The fate of four-year-old thoroughbred mare Smart Latch, illeg»»»
Diner stunned as microchip found in meal reveals meat is from retired Turkish racehorse
An electronic identification microchip found in a meat stew served by a Turkish soup kitchen turned out to be from a racehorse retired early with a broken leg. The fate of four-year-old thoroughbred mare Smart Latch, illeg»»»