UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008
LONDON: Both chambers of Britain's parliament have approved a bill that would ban children aged 17 and under from buying cigarettes during their lifetime. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to stop anyone born after January 1, 2009 (now aged 17) from taking up smoking. Health minister Wes Streeting ca»»»
EU's top court finds Hungary violated law with anti-LGBTQ reforms - UPI.com
1 of 2 | A participant holds a rainbow flag during the gay pride parade in downtown Budapest, Hungary, on July 24, 2021. On Tuesday, the European Union's top court said Hungary's anti-LGBTQ legislation violated the EU's treaty. File Photo by Szilard Koszticzak/EPA-EFE April 21 (UPI) -- The European»»»
Pope Leo marks anniversary of Pope Francis' death with tribute - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Pope Leo XIV waves to supporters as he leaves after his visit to the Ngul Zamba (Power of God) orphanage April 15 in Yaounde, Cameroon. The pontiff, who is on an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa, spoke about his predecessor, Pope Francis, on Tuesday, the first anniversary of Francis' dea»»»
Nafis expands: New groups supported, quotas unchanged
Dubai: The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) has confirmed that Emirati spouses of citizens and children of Emirati mothers working in the private sector will not be counted towards the annual 2 per cent Emiratisation target under the Nafis programme. The council said the quota for priv»»»
Sidra Medicine introduces Qatar’s first advanced gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease and thalassemia
Doha, Qatar: Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has been qualified by Vertex Pharmaceuticals as one of a of a limited number of hospitals in the world, to administer Casgevy, a groundbreaking, one-time CRISPR/Cas9-based gene therapy treatment. Casgevy is now available in Qatar for patien»»»
Two Palestinians Killed in West Bank Village Attacked by Israeli Settlers, Witnesses Say
Two Palestinians, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Tuesday after Israeli settlers and soldiers opened fire, witnesses said, while in Gaza health officials said two Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said two»»»
Frontliners Tribute Initiative allows children of all ages to express their appreciation
Does your child have a hero? Now he or she can leave a little note of appreciation for those on the frontlines in the UAE. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge has launched the new project called the Frontliners Tribute Initiative, where students of all grades can, as part of the Natio»»»
Saudi HR ministry rolls out operational plan to enhance pilgrim services during Hajj
RIYADH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has begun implementing its operational plan for the Hajj season through a set of regulatory, supervisory, and social initiatives aimed at improving services for pilgrims and enhancing their experience in the holy sites. Ismail bin Saeed»»»
After Spain, Belgium Condemns Israel’s Conduct in Lebanon as Eurovision Boycott Grows
Mounting international pressure on the Israeli occupation entity intensified this week, as European officials and global cultural figures escalated criticism over its military conduct in Lebanon and Gaza, with calls ranging from sanctions to sweeping cultural boycotts. Belgium Pushes EU Action Over»»»
Rohingya refugees begin to bear spillover effects of Iran war
DHAKA: The impact of the US–Israel war on Iran has already reached Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, where refugees say spillover effects are compounding the existing crisis of displacement and shrinking humanitarian aid. Bangladesh relies on imports for 95 percent of its energy needs and has been stru»»»
Boulevard Flowers in Riyadh now open to visitors
RIYADH: One of the world’s largest flower gardens has opened opposite Riyadh’s Boulevard World, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. Boulevard Flowers, set across 214,000 sq. meters, features tens of millions of floral displays. These include more than 100 varieties of flowers and plants in »»»
Filipino expat’s LEGO tribute to Al-Balad’s Rawashin
JEDDAH: The carved wooden balconies of Jeddah Historic District, known as Rawashin, have long defined the skyline of the Red Sea city. Projecting gracefully from coral-stone facades, these intricate wooden screens are more than decorative elements; they are ingenious climate solutions designed for »»»
Counting a billion people: Inside India's mega census drive
New Delhi: Sukhwinder Kaur battles the scorching sun as she trudges door-to-door in New Delhi as part of India's colossal exercise to count more than one billion citizens. Kaur is among three million census enumerators fanning out across cities and villages in an exercise that will help shape polic»»»
Ivelia Hotel & Spa Welcomes Guests After Major Renovation and Upgrade to 4-star Category
Ivelia Hotel & Spa in the village of Dabnitsa is welcoming guests after a major renovation and an upgrade to a four-star category as of September 2025, the complex’s manager Anelia Uzunova told BTA. The spa centre uses salt electrolysis as a method for purifying the water in the pools, which avoids»»»
Children to be banned from using phones in schools in England by law - UPI.com
The British government said Monday that it will pass legislation to bar smartphones from schools in England amid broader political and societal debate over whether to ban social media for children younger than 16. File photo by Sascha Steinbach/EPA April 21 (UPI) -- The British government announced»»»
Saudi Masam project clears 1,906 explosive devices in Yemen
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Masam project removed 1,906 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week. These include 1,815 unexploded ordnances, 68 anti-tank mines, nine anti-personnel mines, and 14 improvised explosive devices, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The explosives were»»»
SPEEDWELL unveils GLENWOOD Estate, a lakeside villa-community in Corbeanca
SPEEDWELL, a premium real estate developer with Belgian roots, highly active in Romania and Poland, and specialized in residential and mixed-use projects, launches GLENWOOD Estate – a distinctive residential compound in Corbeanca – on the shores of Ostratu Lake, with a total investment value estima»»»
Pope Leo XIV pays tribute to Pope Francis on the anniversary of his death
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE: Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Pope Francis on Tuesday on the first anniversary of his death, recalling his preaching about God’s mercy and his gestures of solidarity with poor people.“We thank the Lord for the great gift of the life of Francis, to the church and the world,” L»»»
Dubai school bus safety rules: What every motorist must know
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has taken to social media to remind motorists of the importance of strictly following school bus stop arm regulations, stressing that road safety for children remains a shared responsibility. In its message, the authority said drivers must comply with sto»»»
SPEEDWELL unveils lakeside villa-community GLENWOOD Estate in Corbeanca
SPEEDWELL, a premium real estate developer with Belgian roots, highly active in Romania and Poland, and specialized in residential and mixed-use projects, launches GLENWOOD Estate – a distinctive residential compound in Corbeanca – on the shores of Ostratu Lake, with a total investment value estima»»»
Rats, fleas plague Gaza’s displaced as temperatures rise
KHAN YUNIS: As springtime temperatures rise in Gaza, a surge in rats, fleas and other pests has compounded the misery of hundreds of thousands of displaced people still living in tents after more than two years of war. With meagre shelter and almost no sanitation, Palestinians told AFP the vermin a»»»
Rats, Fleas Plague Gaza’s Displaced as Temperatures Rise
As springtime temperatures rise in Gaza, a surge in rats, fleas and other pests has compounded the misery of hundreds of thousands of displaced people still living in tents after more than two years of war. With meager shelter and almost no sanitation, Palestinians told AFP the vermin are invading »»»
EU court deals major blow to Orbán’s legacy and anti-gay crackdown
Europe’s top court has ruled against Hungary’s homophobic laws, further dismantling Viktor Orbán’s far-right legacy which drew inspiration from Russian-style policies. The Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice on Tuesday (21 April) said Hungary’s child protection laws were unlawful because the»»»
Qatar seeks to consolidate position as regional hub for innovation: President of Arab Federation for AI
Doha, Qatar: The world is celebrating World Creativity and Innovation Day today, Tuesday, as the United Nations has designated April 21 of each year as a global day to highlight the use of creative thinking and technology towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. On this occasion, Presid»»»
European Immunization Week kicks off in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
European Immunization Week kicked off in Kyrgyzstan on April 20. Gulbara Ishenapysova, Deputy Minister of Health and Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Kyrgyz Republic, announced at a press conference. According to her, up to 75,000 children and adults are vaccinated annually during the European Im»»»
What happens inside this UAE support network for autism, people of determination
Dubai: Inside a growing UAE-based community network, families of children with autism and other developmental needs are finding support that goes beyond awareness campaigns, ranging from therapy-led discussions and peer-sharing sessions to programmes preparing teenagers for adulthood. Ausome Family»»»
Hezbollah to bury fighters killed in war with Israel
Hezbollah announced it will hold mass funerals in south Lebanon on Tuesday for 44 fighters killed during more than six weeks of war with Israel. The burials come after Israel and Lebanon entered into a 10-day ceasefire on Friday announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Hezbollah has not given the »»»
Hezbollah to bury fighters killed in war with Israel
BEIRUT: Hezbollah announced it will hold mass funerals in south Lebanon on Tuesday for 44 fighters killed during more than six weeks of war with Israel.The burials come after Israel and Lebanon entered into a 10-day ceasefire on Friday announced by US President Donald Trump.Iran-backed Hezbollah ha»»»
Has India’s last school been built?
Thiruvananthapuram: For decades, India grappled with a surging population problem, and school textbooks explained the dangers of an exploding population. That trend has distinctly reversed now, with a steadily declining fertility rate, which in turn is manifesting in many ways – like school closure»»»
Musk fails to appear at French court hearing over sexualised AI deepfakes on X
Tech magnate Elon Musk, who has owned the X platform since 2022, failed to appear at his court hearing on Monday, the Paris prosecutor’s office said. The billionaire, founder of Tesla and the aerospace company SpaceX, had been summoned by French authorities as part of an investigation launched»»»
Indonesia passes long-awaited law to protect domestic workers
Jakarta: Indonesia's parliament passed a law on Tuesday to protect the rights of domestic workers after more than two decades of deliberations and multiple delays. The bill was first introduced in 2004 to protect the country's 4.2 million domestic workers, almost 90 percent of them women according »»»
GERB Leader: Radev Now Holds Full Power to Fulfill "Good Intentions"
GERB leader Boyko Borissov on Tuesday congratulated Rumen Radev and his Progressive Bulgaria party on winning Sunday's early parliamentary elections and highlighted the opportunities arising from the fact that they will command a majority in the new National Assembly. Borissov expressed hope that R»»»
Volunteers Count Sparrows across Bulgaria amid Long-Term Decline in Numbers
Volunteers across Bulgaria have counted nearly 3,600 sparrows at 278 locations as part of the annual We Count Sparrows campaign which highlighting both public engagement and ongoing concerns about urban biodiversity. Information about the campaign was made public Tuesday by the Bulgarian Society fo»»»
Hot Air Balloon with 13 Aboard Makes Emergency Landing in California Backyard
A balloon landed in a Southern California backyard — a balloon with 13 people. The enormous hot air balloon, with a pilot and passengers in the basket, descended perfectly Saturday on a small plot of grass at a home in Temecula. Hunter Perrin said he had no idea that he had visitors until a neighbo»»»
On Ukraine front, married medics face war side by side
While Ukrainian combat medic Anastasia Podobailo cleaned blood from a wounded soldier’s arm and called him “little bun,” her colleague and husband Mykola Yasinenko checked the patient’s intravenous drip was flowing.The couple navigated their small surgery together and treated the groaning servicema»»»
Kyrgyzstan increases diplomatic employees’ liability on foreign trips - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan is increasing the liability of diplomatic employees traveling on foreign business trips. Deputy Foreign Minister, Almaz Imangaziev, announced at a meeting of the Committee on Constitutional Legislation, State Structure, Local Government, and Regulations of the Zhogorku Kenesh. According »»»
Late Queen Elizabeth II's Legacy Still Looms Over British Monarchy 100 Years After Her Birth
Queen Elizabeth II lives on at the Cool Britannia gift shop across the road from Buckingham Palace. Four years after the queen’s death, the shop is doing a brisk business in mugs, tea towels and key rings bearing the likeness of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch as the nation marks the centenary o»»»
Aman Center unveils 2026-2030 strategy to boost social protection, empower women and children
Doha, Qatar: The Protection and Social Rehabilitation Center (Aman), one of the centers under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work yesterday launched its new strategy for 2026-2030, marking a significant milestone in its institutional development and a new phase in its efforts to enhance social saf»»»
128 people suffer from tick bites in Bishkek - | 24.KG
At least 128 people contacted the Bishkek State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance Center regarding tick bites. According to the center, including eight people (four adults and four children) were vaccinated with immunoglobulin against tick-borne encephalitis. A total of 189 people have been»»»
Spanish Catholic Church sexual abuse victims surpass 3,000 – El Pais investigation
More than 3,000 people have reportedly suffered sexual abuse as minors within the Spanish Catholic Church, according to a eight-year investigation by the El Pais newspaper which published its latest findings on Monday. The outlet began collecting data on sex crimes within the church in 2018, when o»»»
Louisiana community is struggling to understand after man killed 8 children
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana: A stunned Louisiana city struggled to come to grips Monday with the massacre of eight children carried out by a father who was separating from his wife and used an assault-style weapon despite a 2019 felony firearms conviction. The violence reverberated across Shreveport a da»»»
Tech 24 - Should kids be banned from social media? The world is deciding
From the announcement of a new EU age-verification app to a video summit of European leaders and legal threats in Australia, governments moved quickly this week on a debate years in the making. FRANCE 24's Charlotte Lam has more in Tech 24. The European Commission, on Wednesday, unveiled what Bruss»»»
Israel's atrocities in Southern Lebanon and Gaza mount as it seeks a buffer zone
↵ Israel blew up civilian homes in Ainata, a centuries-old village in South Lebanon »»»
Israel's atrocities in Southern Lebanon and Gaza mount as it seeks a buffer zone
↵ Israel blew up civilian homes in Ainata, a centuries-old village in South Lebanon »»»
Peter Magyar unveils cabinet line-up, demands Orban-era officials resign by May
Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, named seven ministers and a further nine ministries in his incoming government in a two-hour press conference in Budapest on April 20, after the first meeting of the party's parliamentary group at Hungexpo, the country's largest conference hall. »»»
Afghan charged in deadly bombing at Kabul airport gave false confession, his attorney tells jurors
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia: US authorities “got the wrong man” when they charged an alleged Daesh militant in a deadly suicide bombing at a Kabul airport during the American military’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, a defense attorney said Monday at the start of the man’s trial in Virginia.»»»
Gaza's civil defence agency says 3 killed in Israeli strike
Gaza's civil defence agency said Tuesday that an Israeli strike killed three people in the Palestinian territory overnight, with Israeli warplanes seen soaring over the region after the assault, according to AFP journalists. Despite an October 10 ceasefire, Gaza remains gripped by daily violence as»»»
Supreme Court to hear Catholic school bid to reject LGBTQ parents' children - UPI.com
Denver-area organizations say the stance, which makes them ineligible for state universal pre-K funding, is unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court said on Monday that it will hear a case brought by the Archdiocese of Denver and other Catholic preschools that object to the state refusing to fund t»»»
Aman Centre launches its 2026-2030 strategy
QNA Doha The Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre (Aman), one of the centres affiliated with Qatar Foundation for Social Work, has launched its 2026-2030 strategy. The new strategy marks a significant milestone in the centre’s journey and reflects its vision to enhance social security, prote»»»
QU launches website for Class of 2026 graduation ceremony
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar University (QU) has launched a website pertaining to the Graduation Ceremony Class of 2026, which falls under a special tab on the university’s official website. The ceremony website includes information on a number of topics related to the main ceremonies of the gra»»»