[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]

Question: I've received an exciting job offer from a Dubai company, but they mentioned I might need to provide a police clearance certificate. Is this standard practice in the UAE? What exactly does this certificate check, and how do I obtain one?

As the head of President Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Tesla CEO Elon Musk has vowed to cut between $1 trillion and $2 trillion from the annual federal budget by 2026.

In a major victory for passenger comfort, Korean Air has claimed the prestigious title of Airline of the Year for 2026 by leading aviation safety and product rating authority AirlineRatings.com - and their generous legroom appears to be the winning factor.

India's central bank is set to introduce stricter controls on foreign remittances by resident Indians, including a ban on holding fixed-term foreign currency deposits abroad, according to two government officials familiar with the matter. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will revise existing regulations to close loopholes that currently allow individuals to transfer money overseas for parking in time deposits or interest-bearing accounts, one official revealed. "This practice essentially enables

In a move highlighting the growing impact of global supply chain disruptions, Suzuki Motor has temporarily suspended production of its popular Swift subcompact due to China's tightening rare earth export policies. Industry insiders reveal this marks the first major Japanese automaker affected by Beijing's recent trade measures.

COPENHAGEN — Denmark has issued new travel guidance urging transgender individuals to consult the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen before planning trips to America, citing potential complications with entry requirements under current U.S. policies.

(Reuters) -OpenAI is considering granting special voting rights to its non-profit board to preserve the power of its directors, as the ChatGPT-maker fends off an unsolicited takeover bid from Elon Musk, Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

JAKARTA: Saudi Arabia has defied its arid desert climate to successfully develop an integrated and sustainable model for water security, a World Water Forum focus group was told on Friday.

LONDON: British Moroccan model Nora Attal turned heads this week at Burberry’s Winter 2026 showcase, held on Monday at London’s Tate Britain. 

DAMASCUS: Syrian forces were clashing with gunmen loyal to an Assad-era special forces commander in Latakia on Thursday, the province’s security director said, after authorities reportedly launched helicopter strikes. The port city of Latakia and the rest of Syria’s Mediterranean coast are the heartland of the ousted president’s Alawite minority and were considered bastions of support during his rule. “The armed groups that our security forces were clashing with in the Latakia countryside were affiliated with the war criminal Suhail Al-Hassan, who committed the most heinous massacres against the Syrian people,” the security director told state news agency SANA. Nicknamed “The Tiger,” Hassan led the country’s special forces and was frequently described as Assad’s “favorite soldier.” He was responsible for key advances by the Assad government in 2015. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had earlier reported “strikes launched by Syrian helicopters on armed men in the village of Beit Ana and the surrounding forests, coinciding with artillery strikes on a neighboring village.” SANA reported that militias loyal to the ousted president had opened fire on “members and equipment of the defense ministry” near the village, killing one security force member and wounding two. Alawite leaders later called in a statement on Facebook for “peaceful protests” in response to the air strikes, which they said had targeted “the homes of civilians.” Tensions erupted after residents of Beit Ana, the birthplace of Suhail Al-Hassan, prevented security forces from arresting a person wanted for trading arms, the Britain-based Observatory said. Security forces subsequently launched a campaign in the area, resulting in clashes with gunmen, it added. The Observatory said it could not verify the identity or affiliation of the gunmen. The tensions erupted after at least four civilians were killed during a security campaign in Latakia, the monitor said on Wednesday. Security forces launched the campaign in the Daatour neighborhood on Tuesday after an ambush by “members of the remnants of Assad militias” killed two members of the security forces, state media reported citing security sources. Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham led a lightning offensive that toppled Assad on December 8. The country’s new security forces have since launched extensive campaigns seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions.

When it comes to New Year’s Eve, Dubai doesn’t do subtle. From dining hundreds of metres above the city to ringing in 2026 with global superstars, Michelin-starred menus and fireworks reflected across the water, celebrations here are designed to be unforgettable. Whether you’re chasing skyline views, world-class entertainment or an intimate yet indulgent night out, these extravagant and one-of-a-kind New Year’s Eve experiences across Dubai and the UAE promise to start the year on a spectacular note.

You know that stack of insurance documents sitting in your email? The ones you haven't looked at since the day you signed up?

Mary Hon admitted that she once felt inadequate as the godmother to Charmaine Hui, the daughter of the late actor Benz Hui.

Singapore's sushi enthusiasts have a thrilling new reason to celebrate as Sushiro prepares to launch its groundbreaking 16th outlet in the city. This isn't just another sushi restaurant - it's a revolutionary dining experience featuring Southeast Asia's first-ever digital conveyor belt system, set to transform how we enjoy Japanese cuisine.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

A groundbreaking innovation from the UAE promises to transform food storage forever. Red Planet, a visionary food tech company, has developed ready-to-eat meals that maintain freshness and nutrition for an astonishing 25 years – without refrigeration or artificial preservatives.

RIYADH: Kuwait and Egypt’s non-oil private sectors maintained growth in February as business activity increased in both countries, according to S&P Global. 

Asian currencies surged on Monday, with the Indian rupee leading gains, as the US dollar extended its decline following controversial remarks by former President Donald Trump about Federal Reserve leadership. The rupee climbed to an early high of 85.0525 (Dh23.1750) before settling at 85.1125 (Dh23.1914), marking a healthy 0.3% daily gain against the weakening greenback. Trading floors buzzed with speculation about potential Reserve Bank of India intervention, though market participants noted s

Former National Basketball Association (NBA) centre Jason Collins is undergoing experimental chemotherapy treatment in Singapore to treat a deadly form of brain cancer.

Bitcoin has staged a sharp rebound after a week of heavy selling, climbing about 5–6 per cent to trade near the $68,000–$70,000 range and briefly revisiting its previous 2021 peak around $69,000.

MIAMI: Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy cruised to a St. Patrick’s Day victory at the Players Championship on Monday, defeating J.J. Spaun in a playoff at TPC Sawgrass.

(Reuters) -ANZ raised its zero to 3-month gold price forecast to $3,100 per ounce and 6-month forecast to $3,200 per ounce, according to a research note on Tuesday.

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Abu Dhabi has unveiled a groundbreaking new facility, marking the Middle East and North Africa's (MENA) first dedicated production hub for high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Operated by Mira Aerospace, a subsidiary of Space42, the state-of-the-art plant will manufacture over 20 advanced drones designed for civil, environmental, and defense applications.

Toyota Singapore has finally welcomed a passenger electric vehicle (EV) to its lineup.

Education leaders across the UAE are advocating for deeper collaboration between schools and universities following the nation's recent overhaul of international study regulations.

When the desert asks the toughest questions, it is determination rather than reputation that matters most. That was clear at Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Al Salam on Saturday, as two Emirati women rewrote the narrative of one of equine sport’s most demanding events.Hamda Jasim Ahmed Mohamed Al Ali and Maitha Mohamed Al Qubaisi delivered a performance of rare authority to dominate the flagship 160 km ride of the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival,

As of Saturday (Feb 7), Malaysia has identified 10 new tuberculosis clusters in seven states, with Johor reporting the highest number of cases at 37, announced Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

A shocking road rage incident in Johor has taken social media by storm, with police now scrambling to identify the fighters involved in a wild public brawl.

Hershey Bears forward Hendrix Lapierre has been named AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 16.

On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games

In the modern business landscape, digital transformation isn't just a trend—it's a necessity. For small businesses, this shift isn't about keeping up with the times; it's about thriving and staying competitive in an increasingly digital world.

Singapore attracted increased investment in 2025 despite uncertainties in geopolitics and the economy. According to data released on Monday (Feb 9) by Singapore's Economic Development Board, China played a significant role in the total commitments and business expenditures.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi is a rare kind of multi-hyphenate whose work spans several‭, ‬diverse fields‭. ‬She‭ ‬is president of the American University of Sharjah‭, ‬chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority‭, ‬founder and CEO of Kalimat Group‭, ‬author‭, ‬an accomplished mountaineer‭, ‬a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture and founder of Tanweer Festival among many other accomplishments in education‭, ‬arts‭, ‬culture and publishing‭. ‬Most recently‭, ‬she collabora

When you think of Rado‭, ‬you don’t just think of watches‭; ‬you think of a brand that reimagined what a watch could be made of‭. ‬Decades ago‭, ‬while most of the industry obsessed over shapes and complications‭, ‬Rado practised the alchemy of materials‭. ‬After pioneering ceramic on the wrist‭, ‬the‭ ‬brand pushed boundaries again‭, ‬mastering sapphire crystal‭, ‬perfecting high-tech ceramic‭, ‬and creating plasma-treated ceramic‭, ‬a‭ ‬breakthrough that gave ceramic the lustre of metal without compromising its lightweight‭, ‬scratch-resistant properties‭. ‬With these innovations‭, ‬Rado wasn’t just building watches‭; ‬it was shaping the future of how time should feel on the wrist‭.‬