Author: gulf-daily.com

German lawmakers have approved a measure to suspend family reunifications for many migrants, marking a significant shift in the country’s migration policy. The decision, taken by the Bundestag, reflects a tougher stance on immigration by the new government, which has pledged to tighten border controls and regulate migration more strictly. The legislation, passed on Friday, halts family reunifications for individuals granted “subsidiary protection” for a period of two years. Subsidiary protection is granted to people who do not qualify for full asylum but cannot safely return to their home countries due to risks such as war or inhumane treatment. The…

Air Arabia, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, has officially launched its new direct service to Sochi, Russia. The inaugural flight marks an expansion of the airline’s growing network in Russia, providing six weekly flights from Sharjah International Airport to the popular Black Sea resort city. The introduction of the Sharjah-Sochi route makes Sochi the sixth Russian city directly served by Air Arabia, joining existing destinations that include Moscow, Kazan, Samara, Ufa, and Yekaterinburg. The new service reflects the airline’s ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity between the UAE and Russia, further strengthening economic, tourism, and cultural ties between the…

A new report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its international partners has revealed that despite steady progress in expanding access to electricity, over 666 million people around the world still live without basic power. The report, published on Wednesday, underscores the challenges that remain in achieving universal energy access by 2030, a central target under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the report, nearly 92 percent of the global population now has some form of electricity access, marking significant improvement compared to previous years. However, the pace of expansion remains too slow to meet…

NATO leaders have agreed to a substantial increase in defense spending, marking a major policy shift aimed at strengthening the alliance’s ability to address rising security threats. The decision came at the conclusion of a brief but closely watched summit in The Hague on Wednesday, where member states pledged to boost annual defense-related expenditures to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035. The new target significantly raises the bar for defense investment among the 32-member alliance and reflects growing concerns over global security challenges. The commitment aligns with long-standing calls from U.S. President Donald Trump for greater financial…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in The Hague on Tuesday, where the two leaders discussed a range of regional, global, and bilateral issues, according to official statements. During the meeting, President Erdogan welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, which was reportedly brokered through diplomatic efforts led by President Trump. Erdogan emphasized the need for the ceasefire to serve as a foundation for lasting peace in the region. He also called for urgent steps to resolve the Gaza crisis and encouraged renewed dialogue aimed at de-escalating tensions over Ukraine.…

More than 80,000 residents have been evacuated from flood-affected areas in China’s southwestern Guizhou province following days of continuous heavy rainfall and rising river levels. Local authorities confirmed that as of Tuesday afternoon, mass evacuation efforts were underway in the counties of Rongjiang and Congjiang as floodwaters continued to rise. In Rongjiang county, approximately 48,900 people have been relocated to temporary shelters after torrential rains caused significant flooding. The county, located along the Duliu River, recorded water levels exceeding warning thresholds by 6.68 meters as of Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. Authorities have raised the flood control emergency response to Level I, the…

India’s total exports have reached a record high of $825 billion for the financial year 2023-2024, marking a significant year-on-year growth of 6.3 percent, according to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The announcement was made during the Exim Bank Trade Conclave 2025 held in New Delhi, where the minister highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to ease trade restrictions and support export-driven growth through tariff reductions and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Sitharaman emphasized that the government’s strategic policy measures, including lower import tariffs and targeted incentives for domestic industries, have played a crucial role in enhancing India’s export performance. She noted that…

Oil prices dropped sharply on Tuesday following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump indicating that China can continue purchasing oil from Iran. The statement signals a potential shift in Washington’s “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran, coming in the wake of a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran. By midday, global benchmark Brent crude had fallen $4.06, or 5.68%, to $67.42 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $3.88, or 5.66%, to $64.63 a barrel. This follows a 7% decline in oil prices on Monday, as markets began to anticipate reduced geopolitical risk in the Middle East. Trump’s announcement came via his social media platform, Truth Social, where he…

Dubai, UAE, June 24, 2025: MENA Newswire, the region’s most technologically advanced, language-agnostic media distribution platform, made headlines at the Global Brand Awards 2025 in Dubai, securing two of the ceremony’s top honors. The company was named Leading Smart Media Distribution Startup and Emerging Smart Media Solutions Provider for the United Arab Emirates, a resounding endorsement of its rapid rise as a technology-driven force redefining media distribution across the region. Organized by Global Brands Magazine, the Global Brand Awards celebrate excellence across industries, recognizing organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance, innovation, and dedication to service excellence. MENA Newswire was selected from hundreds…

Foreign currency deposits in the Republic of Korea recorded their first increase in four months during May, supported by a rise in deposits at securities firms and the temporary placement of corporate overseas investment funds, according to official data released on Monday. The total outstanding foreign currency-denominated deposits held by residents in South Korea reached US$101.36 billion at the end of May. This figure represents a rise of US$5.1 billion compared to the previous month, as stated by the Bank of Korea (BOK). The increase ends a downward trend that had persisted since January this year. The term “residents,” as defined by the BOK, includes Korean…