UAE responds to Iranian missiles and drones, residents alerted safe
UAE residents have received a mobile alert from the Ministry of Defence confirming that the situation in the country is currently safe, following earlier warnings about potential missile threats. The message, sent across the UAE, thanked residents for their cooperation and reassured the public that»»»
UAE could join US-Israeli war against Iran – WSJ
The United Arab Emirates is getting ready to become the first Gulf nation to commit its military to the US-Israeli war against Iran, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing Arab officials. Since the start of the conflict a month ago, the UAE has been hit by some 2,500 Iranian missiles and dron»»»
UAE responds to Iranian missiles and drones; residents receive emergency alerts
The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that air defence systems are actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran, amid ongoing regional hostilities. Authorities have urged residents to stay in safe locations, follow verified government updates, and remain alert as the»»»
Tunisia-Algeria: Towards joint action plan for wetland preservation
Tunis, April 1 (TAP) - The Algerian-Tunisian regional workshop dedicated to the protection of wetlands and biodiversity have resulted in the identification of practical solutions for bilateral cooperation and the presentation of initial draft...»»»
IT tender for school equipment under investigation by prosecutor’s office
A major dispute has erupted in Poland’s largest public IT tender, worth PLN 1.86 billion, for equipping schools with AI labs. NASK and the Ministry of Digital Affairs reported bidder Galaxy to prosecutors over suspected use of non-authentic certificates. The investigation concerns possible document»»»
Wujek mine closes after 127 years
Wujek Coal Mine has symbolically ended operations after 127 years, entering a four-year decommissioning phase starting April 1. Of around 700 employees, over 300 will work on closure processes, while others will transfer to different mines or receive support packages. The site holds strong historic»»»
How many times has the EU screwed itself over in the past year?
Hey, good news! The EU has found a new source of desperately needed gas amid the current energy crunch. The bad news? It’s in the US. So it will serve America, first. With Europe getting any sloppy seconds that Daddy Trump feels like overcharging it for when he isn’t threatening to invade. It’ll be»»»
Germany halts rescue efforts for stranded whale
Berlin: Experts said Wednesday they were halting rescue efforts for a humpback whale struggling in shallow waters off the German coast and had given up hope for its survival. The 13.5-metre (44-foot) animal has been floundering off Germany's Baltic Sea coast for more than a week, having first been »»»
Gaza genocide brings orphan figures up from 17,000 to 64,000: Palestinian official
Gaza: Assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development in the Gaza Strip Riyad Al Bitar said that Israel's genocidal war against the Strip, which began on October 7, 2023, led to a sharp rise in the number of orphans, hitting around 64,000. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Bita»»»
Caretaker Finance Minister Klisurski Says State Is Preparing Regular Budget Draft
The caretaker government is drafting a regular budget proposal to be submitted if the next parliament fails to form a governing majority, caretaker Minister of Finance Georgi Klisurski said on Wednesday. Speaking in a television interview, Klisurski said the draft had not yet been completed, but wo»»»
Sheikh Hamdan directs Dubai government entities to integrate all services
In a landmark step in Dubai’s digital transformation journey, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, announced that the emirate has entered a new era in which »»»
Awqaf Ministry shuts down 5 unlicensed Umrah offices
Doha: As part of ongoing oversight efforts, the Department of Hajj and Umrah Affairs at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs conducted periodic inspection tours. These operations resulted in the detection of five unlicensed Umrah tour operating offices working without official permits; necessa»»»
Dubai rolls out transport fee exemptions and discounts for key groups
Dubai has introduced a package of transport-related incentives, including fee exemptions and discounts, aimed at supporting families and enhancing quality of life, authorities said. The initiative, aligned with the National Family Growth Agenda 2031, follows an agreement between the Ministry of Fam»»»
France expects green light for €70bn nuclear expansion despite EU probe
France expects its plans for a €70bn expansion of its nuclear energy industry will be a “major contributor” to the EU’s electricity production, Paris said after the EU Commission announced a state aid probe into the project on Tuesday (31 March). “France’s new nuclear energy sector will, in the com»»»
Artemis II prepares to launch of crewed moon mission - UPI.com
1 of 3 | NASA's Artemis II moon rocket with the Orion Spacecraft atop rests on Launch Complex 39B in the early morning light at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday. Artemis II, with a four-person crew, is scheduled to lift off later today at 6:24 p.m. EDT, with a two-hour window. It will b»»»
Qatar marks World Autism Awareness Day with call for inclusion
DOHA: Qatar's Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities has marked World Autism Awareness Day with an event highlighting inclusion and human dignity. The event, held under the theme 'Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value', aimed to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorder and promote g»»»
Germany Halts Rescue Efforts for Stranded Whale
Experts said Wednesday they were halting rescue efforts for a humpback whale struggling in shallow waters off the German coast and had given up hope for its survival. The 13.5-metre (44-foot) animal has been floundering off Germany's Baltic Sea coast for more than a week, having first been spotted »»»
Liberation of LPR Marks Shift to Tougher Russian Demands in Ukraine Talks - Analyst
By liberating the Lugansk People’s Republic, Russia is signaling that it has lost faith in negotiations with Zelensky, who offers “nothing but empty talk and publicity stunts," military analyst Alexei Leonkov, editor of Arsenal of the Fatherland, tells Sputnik. There will be new demands from Russia»»»
India’s IndiGo hikes airfares with revised fuel surcharge from April 2
Dubai: Airfares between the UAE and India are likely to come under upward pressure after Indian carrier IndiGo announced a revision in fuel charges, driven by a sharp rise in jet fuel prices. The airline confirmed that updated fuel surcharges will apply to all new bookings made from 1 am on April 2»»»
K-Sure provides $1 billion in pre-emptive financing to Romania - UPI.com
Hyundai Rotem is seeking to export its K2 battle tanks to Romania. To support such efforts, Korea Trade Insurance Corp. will provide about $1 billion in pre-emptive financing to Romania. Photo by Hyundai Rotem SEOUL, April 1 (UPI) -- Korea Trade Insurance Corp., or K-Sure, said it would provide abo»»»
American University of Sharjah announces distance learning till end of semester
Sharjah: The American University of Sharjah (AUS) on Wednesday announced extension of online learning for the remainder of the semester. In a heartfelt message to the AUS community, Chancellor Dr Tod Laursen acknowledged the toll the uncertainty had taken and said the university had heard its stude»»»
Iran’s block of Hormuz oil flows is ‘global economic extortion,’ says UAE’s Al Jaber
Dubai: Iran’s disruption of energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz amounts to “global economic extortion” that risks destabilising economies far beyond the Middle East, according to Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. The UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Managing Director and Group CEO of»»»
Iran attacks threaten global aviation, UN aviation body ICAO says
Dubai: UN aviation watchdog International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has issued a strong condemnation of attacks attributed to Iran, describing them as unlawful acts that pose a direct threat to the safety of international civil aviation. At its 237th session in Montreal on April 1, the ICA»»»
US–NATO rift deepens: Is Trump preparing for an exit?
The future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is under renewed scrutiny after US President Donald Trump signalled he is considering pulling Washington out of the alliance, amid growing tensions with European partners over the Iran conflict. Trump’s remarks — coupled with warnings from»»»
30 killed in Russian military transport aircraft crash in Crimea - UPI.com
Ukrainian rescuers at the scene of another Antonov AN-26 crash near Chuguyev city in Kharkiv province in September 2020 in which 26 Ukrainian military personnel, most of them cadets, were killed. File Photo by Sergey Khrupov/EPA-EFE April 1 (UPI) -- At least 30 passengers and crew were killed when »»»
Trump: Iran asked for cease-fire, will address nation on war - UPI.com
President Donald Trump said Wednesday morning that Iran has asked for a cease-fire. He said he told them only if the Strait of Hormuz is open. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo April 1 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said on Truth Social Wednesday that Iran asked for a cease-fire, but he »»»
Emiratis express unity and confidence in leadership amid regional tensions
Dubai: As tensions continue to unfold across the region, many Emiratis say their sense of security and trust in the nation’s leadership remains unwavering. Across the UAE, citizens describe a climate of calm resilience, with daily life continuing as normal and communities standing firmly united beh»»»
Saudi Arabia unveils rare 1,000-year-old Quran manuscript
Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Public Library has revealed a 1,000-year-old manuscript titled “Gharib Al Quran”, authored by the early scholar Abu Ubaidah Mamar Ibn Al Muthanna. The manuscript, dating to the fourth century, consists of 23 folios measuring 17 by 22 cm. It is written in clear A»»»
What happened to Middle East air travel in just 33 days?
Dubai: The regional aviation map has changed completely in just over a month. Airspace restrictions, temporary closures, and safety-driven rerouting have forced airlines to suspend some flights, reduce schedules, and reroute many services along longer corridors to avoid affected zones. The UAE’s Ge»»»
France: NATO is Not Designed to Carry Out Operations in Strait of Hormuz
NATO is a military alliance that ensures the security of the Euro-atlantic area and is not designed to carry out operations in the Strait of Hormuz that would breach international law, France's junior army minister said on Wednesday. "Let me remind you what NATO is. It is a military alliance concer»»»
Libyan food prices increased in February by 5 percent: WFP Report
The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) report, Libya Market Price Monitoring – February 2026, published last Monday 30 March, says food prices increased in Libya following the devaluation of the Libyan dinar last January. The report stated that the national Full Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB) increa»»»
The power behind the crown: Why beauty pageants captivate Southeast Asians
Dubai: Beauty pageants have long been more than just a display of physical beauty. In Southeast Asia, they are a cultural phenomenon that carries deep significance for communities both at home and abroad. For many Filipinos, Thais, and Vietnamese among others, pageants are closely tied to national »»»
Yango Drive releases 2025 Mobility Report highlighting AI’s growing impact on UAE’s travel ecosystem
Yango Drive, the car rental service and part of the global tech company Yango Group, has published its 2025 Mobility Report, an industry analysis exploring how AI is reshaping mobility across the UAE. Based on publicly available government and market data, the report examines shifting traveller beh»»»
Sharjah allows remote work for mums in government sector
Sharjah has introduced remote working for employed mothers in the government sector, aiming to support work-life balance and family stability, officials said. Hesham Suhail Al Qahtani, Director of HR Systems at the Sharjah Department of Human Resources, said the new policy allows working mothers wi»»»
Zelensky's Words on Easter Ceasefire Resemble PR Campaign for Truce - Moscow
"Zelensky's favorite approach is another PR campaign. And he needs it not as a desire for long-term peace, but as another step on the advice of his Western European allies in order to get a one-month, two-month truce in order to make up for losses, regroup and prepare the armed forces of Ukraine fo»»»
Dubai’s timely stimulus sends strong signal of confidence
At a time when regional tensions are casting a shadow over global markets, Dubai’s latest economic stimulus could not have come at a better moment. The approval of Dh1 billion in incentives by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministe»»»
Saudi Arabia: Travel to some countries comes with a ban
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has introduced new penalties for citizens travelling to prohibited destinations, including fines of up to SR30,000 and travel bans of up to two years, under updated regulations approved by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Minister of Interior. The fine is doubled for repeat o»»»
Repatriation of Kyrgyzstanis from Middle East discussed at MFA - | 24.KG
A meeting of the operational headquarters for the implementation of the plan for repatriating citizens of Kyrgyzstan from the Middle East was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). According to the MFA’s press service, government officials discussed issues of ensuring operational cooperatio»»»
Renovation of Kozhomkul Sports Palace begins in Bishkek - | 24.KG
Following Mayor Aibek Dzhunushaliev’s instructions, work has begun in Kozhomkul Sports Palace in Pervomaisky district of Bishkek. The City Hall’s press service reported. Demolition work began today in the area where the swimming pool will be located. Specialized equipment is currently in operation,»»»
UAE: New rules for remote working
Working from home in the UAE does not translate into lighter rules or more flexible obligations. Behind the convenience of remote setups lies a framework just as firm as that governing office-based roles — where employees remain bound by the same working hours, performance benchmarks and legal resp»»»
39 cultural properties in Lebanon placed under enhanced protection
UNESCO convened Wednesday an extraordinary meeting to strengthen the protection of cultural heritage in Lebanon, following the country’s request. The meeting - an extraordinary session of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict – led to granting provisio»»»
UAE petrol jumps 30 pct as Mideast conflict bites
Dubai: United Arab Emirates petrol prices rose more than 30 percent on Wednesday, with diesel soaring 72 percent, one month into the Middle East conflict. Monthly rates set by the UAE's fuel price committee put petrol up 31-33 percent for April, with the highest grade at 3.39 AED ($0.92). Diesel, c»»»
Railway Chiefs of SCO countries meet in Bishkek - | 24.KG
The sixth meeting of heads of railway administrations from member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Bishkek, bringing together representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the state enterprise»»»
STS offers refund as more UAE school groups waive transport fee during distance learning
Dubai: The number of UAE school groups suspending or refunding transport fees during the ongoing period of distance learning is growing, with School Transport Services (STS), one of the largest school transport providers in the country, also offering parents a pro-rata refund or credit on April fee»»»
ADNOC sustains output as UAE reviews energy continuity plans
Dubai: ADNOC has reinforced its business continuity framework to ensure stable energy supply, with senior leadership reviewing preparedness measures amid ongoing regional tensions. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Pri»»»
UAE air defense intercepted 5 ballistic missiles and 35 drones from Iran on April 1, 2026
The UAE Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that air defense systems engaged 5 ballistic missiles and 35 drones originating from Iran. Since the start of Iran's attacks, the UAE Air Defenses have engaged 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles, and 2012 drones. The attacks have resulted in cas»»»
Belgasem Hafter reneges on US-brokered agreement by refusing to cut development spending – sends dinar crashing
After days of steady gains by the Libyan dinar on the black-market foreign exchange from a high two weeks ago of around LD 10.50 per dollar to a low of LD 8.22 at one point yesterday, the dinar lost value on opening today (to LD 9.18) after Belgasem Khalifa Hafter announced he would not adhere to a»»»
Cabinet approves draft law on oversight of fuel stations
Doha, Qatar: The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani chaired the regular meeting of the Cabinet, held at its headquarters in the Amiri Diwan on Wednesday morning, April 1, 2026. Following the meeting, the Minister of Justice and Mini»»»
Dubai records Dh1b-plus land deal in Palm Jumeirah
Dubai’s real estate market has recorded a landmark transaction with the sale of a granted land plot at the Royal Amwaj project in Palm Jumeirah for more than Dh1 billion, despite regional tensions, according to official data. Figures from the Dubai Land Department’s “Dubai REST” app showed the comm»»»
Dubai leads UAE in luxury-branded residential positioning at 88%, new industry analysis finds
A newly released industry analysis has found that Dubai now leads the UAE in luxury-coded residential positioning, with 88 per cent of developments using premium narrative frameworks, highlighting a growing shift in how real estate projects are marketed across the country. The report, “Luxury Samen»»»