Two snakes, Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat and a question: Have we hit peak celebrity news?
Dubai: It began, as many important newsroom discussions do, with a snake. Actually, not one snake, but two. On August 17, multiple reports in India said that two snakes were spotted on the lawn of Shah Rukh Khan’s sea-facing Mumbai mansion, Mannat. One, an eight-foot-long, non-venomous Indian rat s»»»
Bengaluru woman killed husband with lover, strangled son who witnessed crime: Police
Bengaluru: A 26-year-old Bengaluru woman has been arrested over the deaths of her husband and four-year-old son, with police investigating whether the child was killed because he witnessed his father’s murder, the Times of India reported. Police allege that Harini conspired with her suspected lover»»»
India Supreme Court backs hanging as method of execution
India’s Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea seeking to replace hanging with what petitioners argued were less painful methods of execution, leaving hanging as the prescribed method for carrying out the death penalty in the country. However, the court made clear that its ruling need not be the »»»
Two-day UAE property showcase in Hyderabad targets Indian investors
Leading UAE property developers will present their latest residential, commercial and mixed-use projects at a two-day property exhibition in Hyderabad later this year, as organisers seek to strengthen investment ties between the UAE and India. The Property Grand Expo, organised by The Times of Indi»»»
Indian-origin Green Card holder detained by ICE after 27 years in US
Washington: An Indian-origin woman who has lived in the United States for 27 years has been detained by immigration authorities, months after a judge terminated earlier removal proceedings against her, NDTV reported. Venkata Narsamamba Vasamsetty, a grandmother of two and a lawful permanent residen»»»
DIFC Courts see 243 opt-in cases in H1 2026, drawing parties from 22 overseas jurisdictions
Dubai: Parties from the UAE and 22 overseas jurisdictions across five continents opted to use the DIFC Courts during the first half of 2026, with 243 opt-in cases accounting for 30% of the 810 cases filed across all divisions. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply»»»
LuLu festival celebrates Indian flavors and fashion
The colors, flavors, and festivities of India came alive at LuLu Hypermarket, Riyadh Avenue Mall, Murabba, as Lulu India Utsav 2026 was officially launched. The festival was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador Vipul, joined by Nemil Nazir, commercial director Lulu Hypermarkets Saudi Arabia, along with»»»
Final farewell turns tragic as Kerala woman dies at husband’s funeral
Dubai: A family in Kerala’s Pala is mourning the loss of a husband and wife just days apart. Kurian Joseph, 73, of Vazhayil in Puthenpallikkunnu, Pala, died on Saturday, according to local media reports. His funeral services were being held at his residence on Monday when his wife, Shirley Kurian, »»»
Indian expats in UAE, GCC welcome Supreme Court's order to regulate airfare, ease ticket Burden
Dubai: Indian expats in the UAE and Gulf countries have welcomed the Indian Supreme Court’s move to regulate airfares, expressing hope that the initiative will finally ease the financial strain that comes with high-priced tickets to and from India. The Supreme Court heard the matter on Monday, Augu»»»
Flying from the UAE today? Check these flight cancellations before you leave
Dubai: Flying from the UAE today, August 18? Most flights continue to operate, but travellers should be prepared for cancellations, delays and last-minute schedule changes as airlines continue to review operations amid the ongoing Middle East war. Emirates has resumed one daily Bahrain service, whi»»»
US could 'administer' the Strait of Hormuz: Congressional report lays out radical post-war scenarios
The United States could face an extraordinary post-war choice over the Strait of Hormuz: continue providing security and effectively administer shipping through the strategic waterway — or hand responsibility back to regional powers and risk renewed disruption. The debate has gained urgency after P»»»
The Way Corporate Services marks India’s Independence Day with patriotic fervour
Tribune News Network Doha The Way Corporate Services celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day with patriotic fervour, bringing together members of the Indian community, business leaders and social activists to honour the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and reaffirm the values of unity, democracy»»»
Young artists showcase vision for Viksit Bharat 2047 in Doha
Tribune News Network Doha Young Indian artists in Qatar gave colourful expression to their dreams for a developed and progressive India at the Viksit Bharat 2047 Painting Competition, organised by the Embassy of India in Qatar as part of the celebrations marking India’s 80th Independence Day. Held »»»
Embassy facilitates return of injured Indian national to India
Tribune News Network Doha The Embassy of India in Qatar, with the active help and support of Indian community organisations, facilitated the return of an Indian national to India after he had been hospitalised in Qatar for approximately five months following an injury. The Indian national had under»»»
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomes 3.1 million guests in first half of 2026
More than 3.1 million guests visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi during the first half of 2026, as the landmark continued to attract worshippers and visitors from around the world. According to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, the mosque welcomed 3,127,607 guests during the six-mont»»»
15 dead within hours: hotel fire and temple stampede strike pilgrims in India
Dubai: At least 15 people were killed in two separate disasters involving Hindu pilgrims in eastern India on Monday, with eight dying in a hotel fire in West Bengal and seven in a crowd crush at a temple in neighbouring Bihar, officials said. The incidents occurred during Shravan, a sacred month in»»»
Iran and the Philippines offer Russia two very different farm-export bets
Russia's meat and feed exporters face a choice between two very different markets: Iran, slow and bureaucratic but predictable, and the Philippines, fast-growing but brutal on price. This is what Russia's pivot to Asia looks like at the level of an actual container. Shut out of European agricultura»»»
Belgium leads EU buyers as Russian LNG sales to the bloc jump 57%
The EU bought €809mn of Russian liquefied natural gas in June, 57% more than a year earlier, with Belgium the single biggest buyer. That gave Russia 24.1% of the EU's LNG market by value, second only to the US on 54.3% and €1.83bn. Belgium took €268mn worth, its highest since July 2025, ahead of Fr»»»
Iran and the Philippines offer Russia two very different farm-export bets
Russia's meat and feed exporters face a choice between two very different markets: Iran, slow and bureaucratic but predictable, and the Philippines, fast-growing but brutal on price. This is what Russia's pivot to Asia looks like at the level of an actual container. Shut out of European agricultura»»»
Belgium leads EU buyers as Russian LNG sales to the bloc jump 57%
The EU bought €809mn of Russian liquefied natural gas in June, 57% more than a year earlier, with Belgium the single biggest buyer. That gave Russia 24.1% of the EU's LNG market by value, second only to the US on 54.3% and €1.83bn. Belgium took €268mn worth, its highest since July 2025, ahead of Fr»»»
Iran and the Philippines offer Russia two very different farm-export bets
Russia's meat and feed exporters face a choice between two very different markets: Iran, slow and bureaucratic but predictable, and the Philippines, fast-growing but brutal on price. This is what Russia's pivot to Asia looks like at the level of an actual container. Shut out of European agricultura»»»
More than 3.1 million guests in six months: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque draws the world
Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi welcomed more than 3.12 million guests in the first half of 2026, reinforcing its position as one of the UAE’s most prominent religious and cultural landmarks and an increasingly important destination for international visitors. The Sheikh Zayed Gra»»»
Can a heat wave trigger a paycheck? India is trying It
Jyoti Thakur | Daniela RivasAs deadly heat threatens livelihoods, women working in Delhi's informal sector are trying out heat wave insurance that pays out automatically when temperatures spike. https://p.dw.com/p/5ImFwAdvertisementMillions of workers in India face a growing threat from extreme hea»»»
Middle East and South Asia air cargo volumes among global decline in early August
RIYADH: Air freight volumes in the Middle East and South Asia fell 6 percent week on week in the first full week of August, the steepest regional decline, as global air cargo volumes dropped 4 percent, according to the latest WorldACD Weekly Air Cargo Trends report. The decline outpaced the 4 perce»»»
Watch: Hundreds of Indian expats joined by UAE minister and Bollywood actor to pledge loyalty to the nation
Dubai: Hundreds of Indian expats on Sunday night took a pledge of loyalty and commitment to the UAE and its leadership, in a moving highlight of an event marking India's 80th Independence Day in Dubai. The gathering, organised by the Indian People's Forum (IPF), one of the largest community associa»»»
DIHAD 2026 in Dubai to bring 21,000 participants, 1,000 organisations from 165 countries
Dubai: More than 21,000 participants, delegates and visitors from over 165 countries are expected in Dubai next week for the 22nd Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition, DIHAD 2026. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The event will »»»
DP World delivers three cranes for $800m Port of Tartous project in Syria
Dubai: DP World has reached a significant milestone in its US$800 million investment programme to transform the Port of Tartous, completing the delivery of three Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs) that will strengthen Syria’s trade infrastructure and support the country’s economic recovery. Sign up for o»»»
Inside Thaikkudam Bridge's Dubai concert: The Kerala rockers open up on fame, egos and the song that changed everything
Dubai: Before Thaikkudam Bridge took the stage in Dubai, rhythm guitarist Ashok Betty Nelson made me a promise: “If you want to dance, if you want to listen to good melodies, come to our show. You will not be disappointed.” Having now watched them in action at Coca-Cola Arena this weekend as a part»»»
Media Review: August 17
POLITICS On bTV's morning show, former foreign affairs minister Nadezhda Neynsky said Bulgaria was losing its foreign policy influence due to inconsistent actions. According to her, Prime Minister Rumen Radev's governance programme fails to provide a clear development plan for Bulgaria up to 2030. »»»
World shares mixed, Brent crude higher after stagflation worries
Shares were mixed in Europe and Asia on Monday after U.S. stocks edged back from their all-time high following a weaker than expected report on the U.S. economy. Oil prices also were mixed. In early European trading, Germany's DAX was nearly unchanged at 26,438.04, while the CAC 40 in Paris lost 0.»»»
Look: India’s marble wasteland looks like a snowy mountain valley
Dubai: A vast expanse of white marble waste in Kishangarh, Rajasthan, is drawing tourists, photographers and filmmakers to a landscape that resembles a snow-covered valley. Kishangarh, one of India’s major marble-processing centres, generates huge quantities of slurry and discarded stone as marble »»»
Can a heatwave trigger a paycheck? India is trying It
Jyoti Thakur | Daniela RivasAs deadly heat threatens livelihoods, women working in Delhi's informal sector are trying out heatwave insurance that pays out automatically when temperatures spike. https://p.dw.com/p/5ImFwAdvertisementMillions of workers in India face a growing threat from extreme heat»»»
At least 7 Hindu devotees killed in Indian temple stampede - UPI.com
Aug. 17 (UPI) -- At least seven Hindu devotees were killed Monday morning in a crowd crush at a Shiva temple in eastern India, where tens of thousands had gathered to take part in a religious observance, according to reports. The incident occurred near Ashok Dham, a famous temple dedicated to Lord »»»
Yo Yo Honey Singh turns front-row fan as Lucky Ali’s nostalgic Dubai concert captivates arena
Dubai: There was an unexpected star in the front row at Lucky Ali’s Dubai concert on August 16: rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh. Singh was spotted attending the veteran singer’s live show at the Coca-Cola Arena on Sunday night, and beyond the obvious celebrity-spotting moment, there was something rather h»»»
MES Indian School marks Indian Independence Day
Doha, Qatar: MES Indian School, Doha, celebrated the 80th Independence Day of India with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm. The celebration was graced by Chief Guest, Hazmal Ismail, President (Officiating), Dr Najeeb K P, General Secretary, Najeeb M A, Director, Shaheed Alungath, Director MES. Gover»»»
Qatar handed tough draw at FIVB Boys’ U17 World Championship
Doha, Qatar: Qatar have been drawn alongside Tunisia, France and Venezuela in Pool A of the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship, which will be hosted in Doha from August 19 to 29. The tournament will bring together 20 teams from around the world, divided into five pools. Pool B featur»»»
Qatar U-18 eye knockout stage spot despite loss to China
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s U-18 national basketball team has not lost hope of reaching the knockout stages of the FIBA U-18 Asian Championship, despite suffering a 66–118 defeat against China at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Hall in Ahmedabad, India. The game was part of Group C’s second-round fixtures in the»»»
India: Modi courts youth amid growing criticism
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi put young people at the heart of his development agenda in a speech marking India’s Independence Day on Saturday. He announced free online coaching for competitive exams and plans to train 10 million young people in artificial intelligence over the next year. The»»»
Flying from the UAE today? Check your airline before heading to the airport
Dubai: Flying from the UAE today, August 17? Most UAE flights continue to operate, but travellers should expect possible delays, cancellations and last-minute schedule changes as airlines continue to adjust services amid the ongoing regional security situation. Emirates has partially resumed flight»»»
11 rescued from burning building in Mumbai
More than 11 people were rescued this morning from a building in Mumbai after a fire broke out, reported PTI. The blaze affected a four-storey commercial building in Mumbai's Kandivali. There were no casualties, confirmed officers. Also Read: Fire at luxury residential building in Tollygunge, sever»»»
7 dead in 'stampede-like' incident at Bihar temple
Bihar: Seven people died and many were injured in a stampede-like incident at Ashokdham Temple in the Indian town of Lakhisarai, reports ANI. Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shivam Kumar toldANI, "Seven casualties have been reported. It is being said that an electric pole fell there and people were e»»»
US-Iran standoff: What UAE residents need to know today (Aug. 17, 2026)
The UAE remains open for business and air travel, but the sharp decline in Hormuz shipping and the recent attacks on three UAE-linked vessels show that the regional security environment remains fragile. With the deadline for a temporary agreement expiring today (Monday, August 17, 2026) the US-Iran»»»
Poland leads the world on defence worry, Finland climbs fastest since 2019
Even in the country most alarmed by it, defence is a top national concern for fewer than one person in three, reports Statista, which asked people in 32 countries whether defence and foreign affairs ranked among the most important issues facing their country. Nowhere did more than about one in thre»»»
Modi aims to have 50 Indian firms in Fortune 500 list
Agencies New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech on Saturday, set a target for India Inc. to have 50 Indian companies on the Fortune 500 list within the coming decade. “We often hear about the Fortune 500. Why shouldn’t our goal be that, within the next decade, 50 of »»»
MES Indian School marks I-Day with cultural fiesta
Tribune News Network Doha MES Indian School, Doha, celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm. The celebration was graced by Chief Guest Hazmal Ismail, president (officiating); Dr Najeeb K.P., general secretary; Najeeb M.A., director; Shaheed Alungath, director, »»»
BPS I-Day event celebratesIndia’s remarkable journey
Tribune News Network Doha Birla Public School, Doha celebrated the 80th Independence Day of India on August 15 at the school campus with great patriotic fervour. The celebrations commenced with the unfurling of the Indian National Flag by Director C. V. Rappai, along with management representatives»»»
MESIS celebrates 80th Independence Day with patriotic zeal, enthusiasm
Tribune News Network Doha MES Indian School (MESIS), Abu Hamour Branch, celebrated the 80th Independence Day of India with great pride and patriotic zeal on its campus. The celebration commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by the Chief Guest Dr Najeeb K.P., general secretary, M.E.S Gover»»»
Russia's fuel crisis is back as Ukraine continues to knock out Russian refineries
Petrol rationing is back across Russia after the peak of the Ukraine-caused fuel crisis seemed to have passed, and this time a governor has admitted his region's refinery will be out of action for six months. Ukrainian drones struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refining complex in Bashkortostan on»»»
Russia's fuel crisis is back as Ukraine continues to knock out Russian refineries
Petrol rationing is back across Russia after the peak of the Ukraine-caused fuel crisis seemed to have passed, and this time a governor has admitted his region's refinery will be out of action for six months. Ukrainian drones struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refining complex in Bashkortostan on»»»
Qatar U18 basketball team lose to China at Asian Championship
New Delhi: The Qatar U18 basketball team lost 66-118 to China in their second Group C match at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup, currently being held in India through August 23. The tournament features 16 teams divided into four groups. China dominated throughout the game, winning all four quarters 32-11, 32-»»»