Author: Gulf News Week

The finance ministry also rejects claims that gold plates on temple towers, doors or other structures will be treated as strategic gold reserves of the countryThe finance ministry in India has refuted reports and social media posts claiming that temple gold holdings will be monetised or used under any proposed gold bond scheme, calling these “false” and “misleading”.In an official clarification, the government said no proposal has been approved to issue gold bonds to temples in exchange for gold reserves held by temple trusts or religious institutions across the country.The Ministry of Finance in a post on X said, “Speculation…

India’s home ministry has announced amendments to citizenship rules in the country, which now require applicants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to disclose their previous passports when applying for Indian citizenship. The principal Citizenship Rules were originally notified on February 25, 2009 and were last amended on March 11, 2024. Declaring, surrendering passports As part of the changes, a new clause has been inserted in “Schedule IC of the Citizenship Rules.” The new clause requires applicants to “declare whether they possess a valid or expired passport issued by the governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh.” Under the revised provision, “Applicants…

A former British soldier sentenced to 15 years in a maximum-security Russian prison colony has told the BBC he feels abandoned by the UK government.Hayden Davies was captured in Ukraine by Russian forces more than 18 months ago after joining the Ukrainian army’s foreign legion as a volunteer. He was convicted of mercenaryism, which means taking part in a military conflict for material reward as a so-called “private soldier”.Davies was sentenced to 13 years in a Russian prison in December last year by a court in Donetsk, a Ukrainian city occupied and controlled by Russia. The UK does not recognise…

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, the UAE remains unshakeable in its relevance on the global stage, says co-founder of the Passport Index Armand ArtonThe UAE passport has retained its position as the world’s most powerful, a spot it has held since 2018, after reaching a record score of 182 in the Passport Index by Arton Capital. European countries dominate the top 20 rankings, with the UAE one of only three non-European passports on the list, alongside Singapore and Malaysia.The latest score, the highest ever recorded in the index, keeps the UAE passport at number one globally and gives Emirati citizens access…

As dawn breaks, hundreds of men gather at a dusty square in Chaghcharan, the capital of Ghor province in Afghanistan.They line the roadside hoping someone will come along offering any work. It will determine whether their families eat that day.The likelihood of success, however, is low.Juma Khan, 45, has found just three days of work in the past six weeks that paid between 150 to 200 Afghani ($2.35-$3.13; £1.76-£2.34) per day.”I live in fear that my children will die of hunger.”His story is in no way unique.Warning: This article contains distressing detailsIn Afghanistan today, a staggering three in four people…

Hours after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week, Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Taiwan against pursuing independence.”I’m not looking to have somebody go independent. And, you know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I’m not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down,” he told Fox News in an interview that aired on Friday.Trump’s comments – some of the strongest a US president has made so far on the issue – immediately sparked a flurry of responses from Taiwan saying it does not see…

Two teenage attackers fatally shot three men at a mosque in San Diego, California, in a suspected hate crime, before taking their own lives, say police. The assault took place on Monday morning as officers were investigating a call about a possibly suicidal teen who had run away from home. Police were alerted to the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and found three victims who had been shot in the front of the building. Shortly afterwards, they received another call that shots had been fired nearby from a vehicle at a landscaper. Officers found the suspects -…

Schools across the UAE are preparing for a significant overhaul in how Arabic is taught and embedded in classrooms, as the country moves towards introducing a dedicated Arabic Language Law by 2027.The proposed legislation is motivating institutions to rethink curriculum design, teaching methods and assessment strategies for Arabic.Rather than treating Arabic as a standalone subject, schools are likely to integrate it more deeply into everyday learning, with a stronger focus on engagement, accessibility and outcomes for both native and non-native speakers.Educators say this will require changes not just to syllabuses, but also to teacher training and classroom practice.The initiative, outlined…

Private sector employees, government staff, Sharjah workers and schools will have different break lengths depending on weekends and work schedulesThe UAE has announced Eid Al Adha 2026 holiday dates for private sector employees, government staff and schools, with the length of the break varying depending on work schedules.For some residents, the holiday will stretch into a 10-day break. Others will get anywhere between four and nine days off.Here is a simple breakdown:Private sector: Who gets a 6-day Eid break?Private sector employees in the UAE will get a four-day paid holiday for Eid Al Adha 2026. The Ministry of Human Resources…

Tourists and Indian residents from the UAE are allowed to carry gold coins and bars, but this is subject to declaration and customs duty as per Indian regulations, gold jewellers in Dubai said.The clarification came after India hiked gold import duty from six per cent to 15 per cent, prompting a surge in demand for gold jewellery in Dubai due to a further price gap between the UAE and India.“Yes, non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Indian travellers are permitted to bring gold into India from the UAE, subject to prevailing Indian customs regulations and applicable duties. Gold coins and bars can…