X has changed the Iran flag emoji shown on its platform, replacing the Islamic Republic’s emblem with the older Lion and Sun symbol on the green, white and red tricolour.The change followed a user request that was approved in Twemoji, the open-source emoji system used by X. Jeremy Bier, an engineer at the company, said […]
UAE lowers legal age to 18, strengthens citizen rights / AI Illustration The UAE Government has issued a new Federal Decree Law to restructure and modernise the nation’s Civil Transactions Law, aiming for a simpler, clearer, and more coherent legal framework that matches the evolving needs of society and business. This legislation is considered the […]
Kuwait banned pet import for trade, introduced strict pet-import rules / AI Generated Image Kuwait’s Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) has announced a ban on the commercial import of dogs and cats as part of a drive to tackle a rising stray-animal problem in residential areas. The measure limits the flow […]
Rage bait has been crowned as the Word of the Year, 2025, by Oxford University Press. The phrase was chosen after a three-times surge was noted in its usage online, signaling “a deeper shift in how we talk about attention—both how it is given and how it is sought after—engagement, and ethics online.“The term is […]
New UAE tax procedures reshape refunds, audits, excise / Image: File The UAE has issued amendments to its Tax Procedures Law that take effect from 1 January 2026, aiming to simplify refund processing, clarify limitation periods and strengthen the Federal Tax Authority’s (FTA) powers during audits and investigations. Key changes include a clearer five-year window […]
The White House lit up social media after posting a video of President Donald Trump walking and laughing with football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, captioned “Two GOATs” — a nod to both men’s iconic status in their respective fields. The light-hearted clip, captured during Ronaldo’s rare appearance in Washington for a black-tie state dinner honouring Saudi […]
The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed US President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a policy blocking transgender and nonbinary people from choosing passport sex markers that aligned with their gender identity. The decision, issued on the court’s emergency docket, permits the policy to remain in effect while a lawsuit over it proceeds.A lower-court order had […]
Oman’s new payment system explained simply / AI-generated illustration The days of relying solely on international payment giants are ending in the Sultanate. Driven by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), major local banks are launching the “Ma’al” Card, a groundbreaking national payment card designed to bring financial independence, unmatched cost savings, and a strong […]
In most parts of the world, red is the colour of revolution — socialism, labour movements, and left-wing politics. From the Bolshevik flag to Britain’s Labour rose, red has long been the hue of the Left. Yet in the United States, it’s the conservative Republican Party that’s bathed in crimson. How did that happen? The […]
The Senate on Monday voted against reopening the govt for the 11th time, extending the shutdown to three weeks as both sides remain at odds and unable to resolve the deadlock. The chamber voted 50-43 on the House-passed continuing resolution to fund the govt through late November, falling short of the 60 votes required for […]
