Ministry highlights progress in e-commerce strategy, launches regional digital trade project
AMMAN — Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply Secretary-General Dana Alzoubi on Sunday said that the launch of the "Digital Trade in the South Mediterranean" project marks a strategic step toward building an integrated digital trade ecosystem that promotes sustainable economic growth and keeps pac»»»
ICAO chief commends Egypt for accommodating emergency flights during regional airspace closures
The head of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) praised Egypt for successfully accommodating a surge of emergency and rescheduled flights forced by airspace closures during the recent regional conflict. ICAO Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar commended the Egyptian Ministry of C»»»
Earthquake recorded in Al Halah
An earthquake of 2.0 magnitude was recorded in Al Halah at 9.15pm UAE time, according to the National Seismic Network. Khitam Al AmirChief News EditorWith over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional »»»
Earthquake recorded in Al Halah, Abu Dhabi
An earthquake of 2.0 magnitude was recorded in Al Halah at 9.15pm UAE time, according to the National Seismic Network. Khitam Al AmirChief News EditorWith over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional »»»
'Ceasefire in the Middle East, especially in Lebanon, are meant to be broken', analyst says
In the midst of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, new rounds of talks are due to take place in Washington to determine whether the truce can be extended. However, for Aaron David Miller, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, ceasefires in the Middle East, par»»»
Gargash: There can be no return to the previous pace of relations without review, frankness and guarantees,
Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, said the Antalya Diplomacy Forum marks the first major international gathering after the Iranian war, as countries seek to understand a reshaped political landscape, stressing that the UAE cannot resume relations without review, ca»»»
Fidan: Syria has threatened no one, government pursuing people’s aspirations
Antalya, April 19 (SANA) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Sunday that Syria has not posed a threat to any party, stressing that the Syrian government continues working to fulfill the aspirations of its people while seeking to preserve stability and avoid conflict. Speaking at a press confe»»»
UAE rolls out back-to-school traffic plan
The UAE Ministry of Interior, represented by the Federal Traffic Council, has announced a comprehensive traffic plan to ensure the safe return of students to schools, in coordination with police general commands across the country. The ministry confirmed full readiness to implement the plan, which »»»
Syrian, Jordanian delegations discuss stronger parliamentary cooperation in Istanbul
Istanbul, April 19 (SANA) A Syrian parliamentary delegation held talks with a delegation from the Jordanian House of Representatives on enhancing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, on the sidelines of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul. According to a »»»
Joint statement on Libya unified budget agreement
Doha: Qatar, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America welcome the signing on April 11 of a unified 2026 budget for Libya, the first Libyan national budget in over a decade and a critical step to increase eco»»»
Iranians Expect No Post-War Respite Under Military Rule
Iranians striving to maintain a semblance of normal life after weeks of US and Israeli bombing and a deadly crackdown on protesters in January remain daunted by the future as damage from airstrikes and internet cuts take a toll. With Iran and the US wrangling over a truce extension and an agreement»»»
De La Rue meets Governor of Central Bank of Libya in DC to follow up on its currency printing plan
On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank (13-18 April) held in Washington, D.C., Naji Issa, Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, and his accompanying delegation met last Friday (17 April), with Clive Vacher, CEO of the British company De La Rue»»»
Trump ups pressure, gives Iran ‘last chance’ as talks resume Monday
Dubai: US President Donald Trump has sharply escalated rhetoric against Iran, threatening to destroy the country’s critical infrastructure while announcing that American negotiators will head to Pakistan for a fresh round of talks. In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Iran of violating the ceas»»»
Bahrain King addresses repercussions of war
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain received senior officials, during which several matters related to national affairs were reviewed as part of efforts to continue the Kingdom's progress and fulfil the aspirations of its citizens. According to Bahrain News Agency, King Hamad expressed pride i»»»
'Burned Apartment Block in Tirana to Be Fully Rebuilt, Residents to Receive Rent Support'
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced financial support and a full reconstruction plan for residents affected by a recent apartment fire in Tirana that left dozens of families without homes. Speaking on the “Flasim” podcast, Rama confirmed that the building will be entirely rebuilt by the »»»
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles into sea: Seoul
Seoul: North Korea test-fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Sunday, South Korea's military said, the latest in a recent flurry of launches by the nuclear-armed state. The Sunday launches add to a series of weapons tests Pyongyang has carried out in recent weeks, including ballistic mis»»»
Parkin urges customers to avoid scam messages, only use official channels
Dubai’s Parkin has warned motorists against fraudulent messages claiming outstanding parking fees and urging payment through untrusted links. The company said some users may receive scam messages alleging unpaid charges and directing them to unknown websites, stressing the need to avoid clicking on»»»
Spain to formally ask EU to break Israel association agreement, Sanchez says
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain will formally request the European Union suspend its association agreement with Israel at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on April 21 in Luxembourg, El Pais reported on April 19. »»»
Spain to formally ask EU to break Israel association agreement, Sanchez says
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain will formally request the European Union suspend its association agreement with Israel at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on April 21 in Luxembourg, El Pais reported on April 19. »»»
Spain to formally ask EU to break Israel association agreement, Sanchez says
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain will formally request the European Union suspend its association agreement with Israel at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on April 21 in Luxembourg, El Pais reported on April 19. »»»
Three US university students hurt in shooting
Three students at the University of Iowa were wounded in a shooting off campus early Sunday, the school president said. The shooting took place in an area of Iowa City not far from campus that is popular for nightlife with numerous restaurants. Police said officers responded to a report of a "large»»»
Egypt's President reaffirms rejection of any violation of Arab states' sovereignty
Cairo: President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed on Sunday his country's firm rejection of any infringement on the sovereignty of Kuwait or any other Arab state, during a meeting with Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, currently visiting Cairo. According to a »»»
Russian Attacks Kill at Least 2 as Ukraine Strikes a Russian Drone Factory
Russian strikes killed at least two people in Ukraine, officials said Sunday, as the Ukrainian military struck a drone factory in southwestern Russia. A “massive” nighttime drone strike on Chernihiv in northern Ukraine killed a 16-year-old boy and wounded four others, according to the head of the c»»»
AI is taking on real work, not just assisting employees
Dubai: For years, the conversation around enterprise AI focused on assistance. The technology was presented as a way to help employees write faster, search faster, analyse faster, and make better decisions. That was an important step, but it did not change the basic structure of work. In most organ»»»
Pope Leo XIV condemns 'logic of extractivism' in Angola visit
Pope Leo XIV denounced the “social and environmental disasters” linked to a “logic of extractivism” on Saturday, the first day of his visit to Angola, a country marked by decades of exploitation of its vast resources. Pope Leo XIV challenged Angola’s leaders to break the "cycle of interests” that h»»»
South Korea: North Korea test launched ballistic missiles into East Sea Sunday - UPI.com
This image, released on March 20, by the North Korean Official News Service (KCNA), shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, observing a military exercise involving tanks, drones, and other munitions. File Photo by KCNA/UPI | License Photo April 19 (UPI) -- South Korea's D»»»
'New era': Humanoid robot outruns humans in Beijing half-marathon, beats world record
A humanoid robot on Sunday won a half-marathon for robots in Beijing in 50 minutes 26 seconds, beating the human world record time and showcasing China's technological advances. A humanoid robot that won a half-marathon race for robots in Beijing on Sunday ran faster than the human world record in »»»
Light rain, drop in temperatures, dusty weather forecast across the UAE
Light rain is expected to affect parts of the UAE’s coastal areas and islands over the next four days, starting Monday, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said. The forecast comes as the country is influenced by weak surface pressure systems, accompanied by an upper-air high-pressure extensio»»»
UAE launches digital goods price platform to ensure transparency and market stability
Dubai: The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has launched an “Essential Goods Price Platform”, an innovative digital tool designed to enhance consumer awareness of smart shopping practices and provide full transparency on the prices of key goods and products listed on the platform. The initiative for»»»
'No Red Lines': The Real Secret of Iran's Newfound Geographic Power
Iran’s leverage over Hormuz Strait and the ~20% of global energy that flows through it was made possible “not by drawing red lines,” but “immediately hitting the heads and wallets of the global elite, hitting where it hurts most,” Institute of Middle East Studies expert Sergei Balmasov says. Washin»»»
Hormuz, not nukes, now defines Iran’s deterrence strategy
Dubai: Iran may not have a nuclear weapon — but it has shown it can disrupt the world’s most critical energy chokepoint, even as international bodies insist such waterways must remain open to global navigation. That tension — between capability and legitimacy — is now at the heart of how deterrence»»»
First day of Islamic month of Dhu Al Qadah announced
The UAE Council for Fatwa has announced that today marks the first day of Dhu Al Qadah 1447 AH, the 11th month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. In a statement, the council said the decision was made after reviewing scientific data related to moon sighting, in coordination with specialised scientific »»»
Pope Leo says ceasefire in Lebanon is 'a reason for hope'
Speaking at the end of his Mass in Kilamba, Angola, Pope Leo said the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was a “sign of relief for the Lebanese people.” He said: “I encourage those who have been committed to the search for a diplomatic solution to continue peace talks so that the end of hostili»»»
Trump lied seven times in one hour – Iran’s top negotiator
US President Donald Trump made seven claims in one hour after Tehran announced the temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and all of them are untrue, Iranian parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declar»»»
Egypt: Three killed as building ceiling collapses in Alexandria
Three people were killed and three others injured after part of an old residential building collapsed in Egypt’s coastal city of Alexandria, authorities said. According to local media reports, the incident occurred in the Gharbal area of Moharram Bek, in the central district, when the ceiling of a »»»
Watch: Dubai launches 'Work from Park' initiative with tech-enabled environments breaking office mould
Dubai: Subsequent to the recent "Work from Hotel" trend, Dubai has launched the “Work from Park” initiative that is said to provide tech-enabled environments that will break the traditional office mould. Dubai Municipality on Sunday announced the initiative, marking a strategic step towards redefin»»»
Saudi Arabia arrests over 14,000 illegal residents in a week
Dubai: Saudi security authorities arrested 14,487 illegal residents during a week-long nationwide crackdown, the Ministry of Interior has said. The arrests were carried out during joint inspection campaigns conducted by security forces in coordination with relevant government agencies between April»»»
Dubai rents stay stable in Q1 as demand holds firm
Dubai: Dubai’s rental market remained steady in the first quarter of 2026, with fresh data pointing to stable demand, fewer contract cancellations and continued investor confidence. Figures from the Dubai Land Department show that rental contracts worth Dh32.2 billion were signed between January an»»»
Sharjah Coop braces for back-to-school shopping wave
Sharjah : As families across the UAE prepare for a return to in-person schooling after a prolonged period of distance learning, Sharjah Coop has reported a noticeable shift in consumer behaviour, marked by increased early planning and heightened readiness among households. Faisal Khaled Al Nabooda,»»»
'They are stealing the election': How Armenia became the next Russia-EU battlefield
Armenians are set to head to the polls in June for their parliamentary elections, which the EU and Russia are closely watching. With support for joining the bloc at an all-time high, this could be a sign that the former Soviet country is moving away from Moscow, one of its closest allies. But forei»»»
UAE uncovers major poultry cartel manipulating prices
Dubai: The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has referred a cartel involved in anti-competitive practices in the poultry market to the federal public prosecution to initiate investigations and take the necessary legal measures, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). The ministry said evidence h»»»
Video: UAE flag-raising unites faiths at BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: People of different faiths including Emirati officials joined hands at the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on Sunday to showcase their deep gratitude, unity, and solidarity with the leadership and people of the UAE in a special UAE flag-raising ceremony. The BAPS Hindu Mandir officially r»»»
Dubai launches Foster Families Committee to advance alternative care system
The Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai convened the third meeting of the Foster Families Committee, with the participation of representatives from several relevant government entities, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the alternative care ecosystem and enhance collaborative »»»
Attorney general inaugurates course on practical criminal investigation
DOHA: Attorney General HE Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi inaugurated a refresher training course entitled 'Practical Criminal Investigation', which is organised by the Public Prosecution in cooperation with the Public Prosecution of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The course, which is held over f»»»
GCC affirms commitment to strengthen stability, development, resolve disputes through peaceful means
Antalya: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed its enduring commitment to promoting a stable and secure environment and adopting constructive policies based on development and prosperity rather than wars and conflicts, in a way that strengthens mutual trust with regional and international p»»»
Sharjah Police expand traffic services with new plate centre
Sharjah: Sharjah Police General Command has launched a specialised vehicle licence plate printing facility at the Al Ehsan Vehicle Inspection Centre in Al Suyoh (Al Mawrada 2), in a move aimed at enhancing service efficiency and accessibility for motorists. The facility was inaugurated in the prese»»»
UAE growth accelerates in early 2026 driven by banking and trade gains
Dubai: UAE economic growth accelerated in the early months of 2026, driven by expanding banking activity, rising foreign trade flows, and sustained investment momentum, according to official data and international reports. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply cli»»»
Economic reforms boost ability to handle regional shocks, attract investment
Planning and Economic Development Minister Ahmed Rostom confirmed that economic reform has enhanced the state’s ability to manage the repercussions of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and stressed that the government is continuing reforms to achieve macroeconomic stability and development f»»»
Security lockdown in Islamabad, Rawalpindi as US-Iran talks expected
Dubai: Pakistan has placed its twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on high security alert, deploying tens of thousands of personnel and suspending transport services ahead of a possible second round of high-stakes talks between the United States and Iran, according to reports. More than 10,000 »»»
Video: Drone-led rescue saves stranded hikers in Hatta
Dubai: Dubai Police have successfully rescued two tourists who became stranded while hiking in the rugged terrain of Hatta, after suffering from severe exhaustion and fatigue. The incident occurred at approximately 11.30am last Tuesday, when the two women contacted the Command-and-Control Centre at»»»