OxfordAQA cancels IGCSE and A Level exams in UAE for May/June 2026 series
Dubai: UK exam board OxfordAQA has cancelled all International GCSE and International A Level exams in the UAE for the May/June 2026 series. The announcement came in an email to UAE schools on Thursday, signed by Rob Bryson, Director of International Delivery, and seen by Gulf News. “After consulti»»»
Qatar participates in ministerial meeting on developments related to Strait of Hormuz
Doha: The State of Qatar participated in a ministerial meeting on developments related to the Strait of Hormuz, held on Thursday via videoconference at the invitation of the United Kingdom's Foreign Office. Qatar was represented at the meeting by Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs»»»
Milosevic, Venezuelan ambassador discuss situation in Venezuela, support for Serbia
BELGRADE - The head of the Serbian parliamentary friendship group with Venezuela, Marko Milosevic, met with Venezuelan Ambassador to Belgrade Jaidys Briceno on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations, support for Serbia on the Kosovo-Metohija issue and the situation in Venezuela following the event»»»
MoI warns against misuse of emergency alert sounds
DOHA: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has issued a public notice urging the public to refrain from playing or circulating audio or video clips that include sounds of the National Warning System, citing concerns over public safety and social stability. In a statement released on Thursday, the ministr»»»
UK’s Pearson cancels International GCSE, A Level and iPLS exams in UAE for May/June 2026
Dubai: UK exam board Pearson Edexcel on Thursday confirmed the cancellation of school exams across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon for the May/June 2026 series. All International GCSE, International A Level and iPLS qualifications will be cancelled, according to an announcement made by Emma Wh»»»
Philippines secures from Iran 'safe passage' of its ships, seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz
Manila: The Philippines has secured assurances from Iran for the safe passage of its ships and seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz, following high-level diplomatic outreach ordered by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said she held a “very productive” phone call o»»»
Eight Arab, Muslim Countries Condemn Israeli Death Penalty Law
DOHA (Sputnik) - Foreign Ministers of Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE condemned Israel for passing a death penalty bill for terrorists and warned it will heighten regional tension, according to a joint statement released on Thursday. On Monday, Israeli Mini»»»
Macron Says it is Unrealistic to Open Hormuz Strait by Force
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump challenged US allies to work towards reopening it. Thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since February »»»
Saharan dust over Crete reached 10 times safety limit on Wed
Concentrations of Saharan dust over Crete reached up to ten times recommended limits on Wednesday, as strong winds from North Africa carried a dense orange haze across the island, according to data from the University of Crete. Winds of up to 140 km/h transported large quantities of dust from easte»»»
Artemis II astronauts complete first burn, head back to sleep - UPI.com
1 of 6 | The Earth is seen from NASA’s Orion spacecraft as it orbits above the planet during the Artemis II test flight. NASA astronauts launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday for a 10-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Image courtesy of NASA April 2 (UPI) -- The Artemis II astronauts h»»»
Cambridge cancels UAE June 2026 exams for IGCSE, O Level, AS & A Level and IPQ students
Dubai: Cambridge International Education has announced that schools in the UAE will not sit traditional exams in the June 2026 series, replacing them with a portfolio of evidence route for all candidates. The decision, made in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Education, affects students taking»»»
Which countries' ships are hit by Hormuz crisis?
London: Shipping companies from Greece, the UAE and China are most affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to data from Bloomberg and marine traffic organisations. Around 670 commodity vessels sent signals from west of the Strait of Hormuz over the last day, with companies from t»»»
UAE President and King of Jordan discuss regional developments
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received a phone call from King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, during which they discussed regional developments and their serious implications for regional and international security and stability. »»»
Qatar sends 10th identical letter to UN, Security Council regarding latest developments of Iranian attack on its territories
NEW YORK: The State of Qatar has sent a 10th identical letter to Secretary-General of the United Nations HE Antonio Guterres, and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for April, HE Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, regarding the latest »»»
Qatar sends 10th identical letter to UN, UNSC regarding Iranian attack on its territories
New York: The State of Qatar has sent a 10th identical letter to HE Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, and HE Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of April, Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, regardin»»»
Flights are getting expensive again — here’s what’s driving it and what UAE travellers should know
Dubai: Airfares from the UAE are climbing sharply as airlines grapple with a surge in jet fuel prices, tighter capacity and operational disruptions linked to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East. For travellers planning summer holidays or last-minute trips, the message is becoming »»»
12-year-old boy drowns in Sharjah wadi
Sharjah: A 12-year-old boy has died after drowning in Wadi Al Helo in the Kalba area of Sharjah, prompting Sharjah Police to issue an urgent warning against swimming in wadis and rainwater pools. Police said the incident was reported at 7:05pm on Wednesday, when the operations room received a call »»»
Could a Maidan-style coup happen in Hungary?
Polls ahead of the Hungarian elections point to an opposition victory, but players behind the scenes expect Prime Minister Viktor Orban to come out on top. Others say it’s a scenario ripe for a Kiev-style ‘color revolution’. READ MORE: Battle for Hungary: EU attacks on Orban are a sign of worse thi»»»
Senate sends DHS funding bill back to the House - UPI.com
The Senate Thursday sent a bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security back to the House of Representatives. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 2 (UPI) -- The Senate sent its bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security back to the House Thursday morning after t»»»
UAE expresses solidarity with Pakistan, offers condolences over flood victims
The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan over the victims of floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries. Get updated faster and for FREE: Do»»»
7 ways Dubai’s AI-powered government will change your daily life in the UAE
Dubai: Dubai is accelerating its push toward an AI-driven government, with all public services set to be integrated into a single digital ecosystem within one year. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.The directive was issued by Sheikh Hamdan bin Moha»»»
UAE expresses solidarity with Afghanistan after floods
The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with Afghanistan over the victims of floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall that affected several regions, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click »»»
Danube Group pledges no layoffs, on-time salaries amid geopolitical turmoil
Dubai: At a time when the US–Israel–Iran conflict is reshaping geopolitical and economic realities, businesses across the region are being tested on their ability to adapt and endure. Against this backdrop, Danube Group’s Founder and Chairman Rizwan Sajan is setting a strong example of leadership b»»»
Singapore Airlines extends Dubai flight cancellations
Dubai: Singapore Airlines has extended the cancellation of its Dubai flights until May 31, citing the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East. In an advisory, the airline confirmed that these two services will remain suspended during this period - SQ494 departing Singapore for Dubai and S»»»
UAE parents welcome distance learning extension: 'Our children's safety comes first'
Dubai: The UAE government's decision to extend distance learning until April 17 amid regional tensions has been met with relief and gratitude by parents, who say their children's safety outweighs any disruption to routine. For Praseetha Rajesh, a mother of two whose elder daughter Anushka is a univ»»»
Pakistan intensifies diplomacy to ease US-Iran tensions, offers to host talks
Dubai: Pakistan has stepped up high-level diplomatic engagement with the United States and regional stakeholders in a bid to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, positioning itself as a key facilitator for dialogue amid a conflict that has rattled global energy markets and heightened geopolitic»»»
UAE: Sharjah issues mosquito safety guide
Sharjah: The Sharjah City Municipality has issued a set of guidelines to curb mosquito breeding during the rainy season, urging residents to take preventive measures to protect public health and maintain environmental standards. The municipality highlighted that Puddle or standing water remains the»»»
Dubai Airport highlights autism friendly services as part of awareness day
Dubai: On Autism Awareness Day, Dubai International Airport took to social media to highlight their efforts to make travel more inclusive, focusing on support for passengers with autism and other hidden disabilities. The airport hopes to create a calm, sensory-friendly experience at every stage, fr»»»
Trump’s War Rhetoric Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Contradictions, Casualty Questions Deepen
US President Donald Trump addressed the nation in a speech that resembled political theater more than presidential leadership, offering remarks that reflected less a coherent strategy than a projection of self-crafted illusion. Claiming sweeping military triumphs—including the destruction of Iran’s»»»
Strait of Hormuz crisis worsens as over 40 nations push to restore shipping
London: Britain accused Iran on Thursday of holding the world's economy hostage as diplomats from more than 40 countries held talks on ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that has been choked off by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. The U.S. is not attending the virtual mee»»»
Dubai's luxury stores take hit as Mideast war drags on
Dubai: Rows of luxury boutiques line an upmarket Dubai mall, yet a month into the Middle East war their sales staff sit idly, phones in hand, watching for the rare customer. Salespeople in immaculate suits say they have been told not to speak to reporters, but one briefly described the mood. "Of co»»»
Acharnes residents protest planned pine tree cutting
Plans to cut 139 large pine trees in Acharnes are dividing residents and local officials, as part of a redevelopment project tied to a stormwater drainage network. Many residents and groups oppose the move, arguing the tree-lined avenue is a rare urban asset, especially near fire-scarred areas like»»»
Filipino workers in UAE can now send money faster with du-GCash tie up
Dubai: Sending money home could soon become faster and more flexible for thousands of Filipinos living in the UAE. Digital wallet platform du Pay has partnered with GCash to improve cross-border transfers, aiming to make it easier for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to support families back home. »»»
Gulf News Edufair returns to Abu Dhabi with expanded academic and career pathways
After drawing more than 8,000 visitors across its May and October editions last year, Gulf News Edufair returns to Abu Dhabi on May 16-17 at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche, bringing together a broader mix of universities and education providers. More than 25 higher education in»»»
Tunisia and Libya hold talks on export challenges
Tunis, Apr. 2, 2026 (TAP) – A working session on the challenges facing trade between Tunisia and Libya was held between Mohamed Al-Hangari, President of the Libyan Export Development Authority (LEDA), and Samir Majoul, President of the Arab Chambers...»»»
UAE air defense intercepted 19 ballistic missiles and 26 drones from Iran on April 2, 2026
The UAE Ministry of Defence said on Thursday that air defenses engaged 19 ballistic missiles and 26 drones originating from Iran. Since the start of Iran's brazen attacks, the UAE air defenses have engaged 457 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles, and 2,038 drones. The attacks have resulted in ca»»»
UAE dismisses inaccurate residency claims, affirms Iranian community's valued role
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of the United Arab Emirates has issued a statement affirming that the country is home to a respected and valued Iranian community that forms an integral part of its social fabric and contributes to its diversity and openness. "The UAE is home to m»»»
Abu Dhabi issues traffic alert ahead of Saturday closures
The Abu Dhabi Mobility has announced temporary road closures in Mohammed bin Zayed City and Musaffah Shabiya, on Saturday, April 4, as part of traffic management measures. According to the advisory, closures will affect sections of Sheikh Najm Street and surrounding internal roads in Musaffah Shabi»»»
Umm Al Quwain Police crack down on kids riding illegal e-bikes
Umm Al Quwain: Umm Al Quwain Police General Headquarters has urged parents to prevent children from using unlicensed motorcycles and electric bikes in residential areas, citing rising safety risks and noise complaints. The Traffic and Patrols Department said reckless riding by untrained youngsters—»»»
Dr. Ahmed Kelani: EIPICO achieves the impossible equation in 2021
EIPICO was able to provide medicine to the Egyptian citizen at a fair price, as the average price of a package of EIPICO products is one of the lowest prices in the market with the highest international quality standards, this is in fulfillment of its social role, in addition to pumping investments»»»
More questions than answers: What Trump left unsaid on Iran
President Donald Trump used his national address to project confidence in the US campaign against Iran — but left some of the most critical questions unanswered. While he spoke of military progress and suggested that objectives are “nearing completion,” the speech offered little clarity on what com»»»
Iran fires missiles at Israel and Gulf neighbors as Trump talks of winding down war
Iran fired more missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab states Thursday, demonstrating Tehran's continued ability to attack even as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the threat from the country was nearly eliminated and predicted the war would end soon. Iran's strikes on its neighbors along with its cho»»»
The 71% gap: Nearly every UAE driver knows this rule, so why aren’t they following it?
Dubai: Nearly everyone in the UAE knows seat belts save lives. About 95 per cent of residents, in fact. So why are only 24 per cent of rear-seat passengers actually wearing one? A new survey in the UAE has identified what it calls the single biggest opportunity to reduce road fatalities in the coun»»»
Gargash contrasts Iran’s hostility with UAE tolerance
Dubai: The northern Iranian coastline of the Arabian Gulf, once a hub of coexistence and shared prosperity among diverse communities, has been transformed by the Iranian regime into a platform for regional aggression, said Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President. He said»»»
Bulgaria Stays Out of Hormuz Military Operation, Backs Talks Instead
Acting Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski has stated categorically that Bulgaria will not take part in any military coalition aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, citing the country’s limited capabilities. She emphasized that this position is clear and final, while noting that Sofia may still en»»»
Inflow of foreign direct investment to Kyrgyzstan reached $950 million in 2025 - | 24.KG
At year-end 2025, inflow of foreign direct investment to Kyrgyzstan amounted to $950 million. Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, said in his speech at the second meeting of the Heads of Government/Vice Presidents of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Bak»»»
Mecca airport, metro plans move forward, says Saudi official
Dubai: Plans to develop a new airport and metro system in Mecca are progressing, Saleh Al-Rasheed, CEO of the Royal Commission for Mecca City and the Holy Sites, said in an interview with Harvard Business Review Arabia on March 25. He said detailed studies for a world-class airport in the holy city»»»
Ground Broken on New Children Support Centre
Construction of a new centre for support for children and parents began on Thursday morning with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony in Sofia. White doves were also released during the event as a message of kindness and peace. The facility will be named House of Children. The project is implemented »»»
Between war and peace: will Iraq cross the Rubicon?
Since October 2023, the Middle East and North Africa have been set ablaze, with war coming to Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Syria, and Iran, to name but a few. In large part, Iraqis felt that they had been dodging bullets, miraculously emerging mainly unscathed amidst the mayhem. In recent w»»»
Dubai’s KHDA issues distance learning guidelines, asks schools to review system in two weeks
Dubai: Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has published a comprehensive framework setting out minimum quality standards that private K-12 schools must meet during periods of distance and online learning. The guidelines, titled Quality Expectations for Effective Distance Learni»»»