Middle East

Albanian PM Edi Rama awarded Presidential Medal of Honour

President Isaac Herzog, on Sunday, awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor to the visiting Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, in recognition of his "steadfast support for Israel following the October 7 massacre, his courageous stance against antisemitism, and his enduring friendship with the Jewish people."

2025-04-07T05:59:04.063857+00:00 IST

UAE ranks first globally in fibre-to-home coverage

The United Arab Emirates has set a new global record in fibre-to-the-home network coverage, reaching 99.5 percent, maintaining its position as the top-ranked country in the world since 2016, according to the annual report issued by the FTTH Council Europe based on 2024 data.

2025-04-06T22:09:22.229983+00:00 IST

UAE: MoHAP celebrates World Health Day

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has joined the global community in commemorating World Health Day 2025, reaffirming its commitment to improving maternal and newborn health as part of its national healthcare strategy.

2025-04-06T22:09:06.933615+00:00 IST

Abdullah bin Zayed meets Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, today received Gideon Sa'ar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, in Abu Dhabi.

2025-04-06T21:47:03.105279+00:00 IST

Shin Bet internal crisis deepens amid recording scandal

The head of the Jewish division in the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) suspended himself on Sunday after a recording of him discussing methods of handling Jewish terror suspects was aired on Israeli TV the previous night.

2025-04-06T17:47:22.114720+00:00 IST

Israel reveals correspondence proving connection

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed to the public for the first time the correspondence between Iran and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in Gaza last October by Israeli forces.

2025-04-06T17:23:45.415815+00:00 IST

Three ‘intensive’ air and noise pollution enforcement days held

As part of the fight against air pollution and noise from transportation, Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection what it described as three "intensive enforcement days" were held in Eilat (Monday to Wednesday, March 31 to April 2).

2025-04-06T17:18:47.888185+00:00 IST

Yas bin Hamdan bin Zayed inaugurates Challenge Sir Bani Yas 2025

On behalf of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, Sheikh Yas bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, officially inaugurated the Challenge Sir Bani Yas Triathlon, marking the first-ever full-distance triathlon to take place in the Middle East and North Africa.

2025-04-06T00:14:53.067294+00:00 IST

Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre launches index

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced its new measuring and tracking index 'Relationship Strength with Arabic Language within Abu Dhabi Community,' coinciding with declaration of 2025 as the Year of Community.

2025-04-05T21:59:30.157261+00:00 IST

Mohammed bin Rashid attends 29th Dubai World Cup

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today attended the 29th edition of the Dubai World Cup at the iconic Meydan Racecourse.

2025-04-05T21:44:27.643831+00:00 IST

UAE secures seat on UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Interior, has been elected to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) for the 2026-2029 term, as a representative of the Asia-Pacific Group.

2025-04-05T21:43:36.962142+00:00 IST

Israeli leaders scrambling to reduce US tariffs

Israeli leaders are scrambling to negotiate with the US administration to lower a newly imposed 17 per cent tariff on Israeli exports, which caught officials in Jerusalem by surprise. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are expected to press for a reduction to 10 per cent, the minimum rate applied to some other nations.

2025-04-05T17:28:42.867560+00:00 IST

Israel broadens ground operations in Northern Gaza

Israel expanded its ground operations in northern Gaza, advancing into Gaza City's eastern Shejaiya neighborhood to widen a buffer zone, the Israel Defense Forces said on Friday.

2025-04-05T17:26:15.999030+00:00 IST

Landmines plague area equal to 3,00,000 football fields in Iraq

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contaminate an estimated 2,100 square kilometres of Iraqi land, a devastating area comparable to nearly 3,00,000 football fields.

2025-04-04T21:50:24.568258+00:00 IST

UAE to vaccinate 90% of girls aged 13–14 against HPV by 2030

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) stressed the proactive national strategy to combat the human papillomavirus (HPV) to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer and other diseases associated with the virus. The strategy was launched as part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to promote public health and prevent communicable diseases.

2025-04-04T21:49:21.842363+00:00 IST

Saudi Arabia's travel account surplus reached nearly SAR50 bn

Saudi Arabia's tourism sector achieved a record surplus in the 2024 travel account, reaching SAR49.8 billion, a 7.8% increase over 2023, according to a Tourism Ministry press release.

2025-04-03T22:27:14.769391+00:00 IST

Abu Dhabi Art announces dates, visual campaign artist

The 17th edition of Abu Dhabi Art will take place from 19 to 23 November at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, (DCT Abu Dhabi) the fair will showcase Emirati artist Shaikha Al Mazrou as the Visual Campaign Artist for 2025, highlighting her influential role in the UAE's dynamic art landscape.

2025-04-03T22:00:53.844737+00:00 IST

IDF strikes Syrian bases in Hama, Damascus 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes on Wednesday targeting remaining military capabilities at Syrian bases in Hama and T4, as well as additional military infrastructure sites in the Damascus area.

2025-04-03T00:39:28.628258+00:00 IST

Dozens of Palestinians killed, wounded in Israeli bombing of Gaza

At least 19 Palestinian civilians were killed and dozens of others were wounded following Israeli airstrikes on a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) clinic in the northern Gaza Strip.

2025-04-02T22:01:07.308551+00:00 IST

“All lines crossed in Gaza”: UNRWA Commissioner-General

Israeli Forces airstrikes hit a UNRWA building in Jabalia northern Gaza today, said Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General.

2025-04-02T21:59:08.136117+00:00 IST

Netanyahu vows pressure on Gaza until hostages are returned

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday spoke about the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensifying their operations in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu also said that the pressure on Gaza will continue to escalate until hostages are returned.

2025-04-02T20:26:02.141732+00:00 IST