Middle East

Dubai unveils a Dh34 billion fully underground metro Gold Line, promising faster travel, stronger connectivity and a major urban transformation / Image: file Dubai has unveiled its largest-ever transport project, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announcing a Dh34 billion ($9 billion) Metro Gold Line on April 22, 2026. The ambitious project is designed…

Despite earlier uncertainty, Iran now says it is fully prepared for the 2026 World Cup. Iran are part of the confirmed 48-team field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and while earlier uncertainty had surrounded their participation due to security concerns over playing in the United States, Iran’s government now says the country is fully…

UK creates ‘smoke-free generation’ with landmark lifetime tobacco ban / Image: file If you were born after 2008, cigarettes could be off-limits for life. In a sweeping government move, the UK is introducing a landmark rule that will steadily raise the legal smoking age until it effectively disappears for future generations. Under this rule, the…

Veteran Kuwaiti actress Hayat Al-Fahad dies following prolonged illness / Image: file Veteran Kuwaiti actress Hayat Al‑Fahad, one of the most influential figures in Gulf television and theatre, has died at the age of 78 after a long illness. Her death marks the end of an era for the region’s entertainment industry, where she was…

UK proposes major electricity pricing reforms to boost renewables / Image: file The UK government is moving ahead with a major overhaul of its electricity pricing system, aiming to break the long-standing link between gas prices and household power bills. At the centre of this push is the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero,…

Dubai launches ‘work from park’ initiative/Image: X Dubai has introduced a new “Work from Park” initiative aimed at turning public parks into spaces where people can work, relax and connect, as the city looks to adapt to changing work habits and improve quality of life. The programme, launched by Dubai Municipality, will create dedicated work…

Angham and Majid Al Mohandis will perform live in Dubai, promising a night of Arabic hits, and unforgettable music / Image: file Dubai is set to host what promoters are already calling the “event of the season”, as Angham and Majid Al Mohandis take the stage together on May 9, 2026, at the Coca-Cola Arena.The…

Students across the UAE return to classrooms with strict safety rules, and hybrid options / Image: File More than a million students across the UAE returned to classrooms on Monday, April 20, marking a full-scale resumption of in-person learning after weeks of distance education triggered by regional tensions.The reopening applies to schools, nurseries, and universities…

UAE approves Foundayo obesity pill offering needle-free weight loss / Image: File In a major healthcare shift, the UAE has approved Foundayo (orforglipron), a once-daily oral obesity pill developed by Eli Lilly. The decision by the Emirates Drug Establishment places the country among the first globally to introduce a needle-free alternative to injectable weight-loss treatments.This…

Dubai Police seize vehicles after drivers perform dangerous stunts during rain, warning of Dh50,000 fines and serious road safety risks / Image: file Dubai Police seized multiple vehicles and imposed strict penalties after drivers performed reckless stunts during recent rainfall, turning public roads into dangerous zones. In incidents reported in mid-April 2026, authorities confirmed that…