Iraq's parliament approved amendments to the country’s Personal Status Law that will allow girls as young as 15 to be married.

#iraq #iraqtiktok

"Resources are shrinking across the board and they have been for a long time." UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has announced cost cuts as the world body faces a cash crisis, with member states failing to pay dues on time.

Protesters clashed with police outside New York City Hall, during a demonstration against the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student at Columbia University and pro-Palestine activist.

The National visits the ruins of Iranian-backed militia bases in Syria's Palmyra, which have been abandoned since the fall of Assad's regime.

Residents in Abu Dhabi woke up to light rain on Wednesday morning, with the National Centre of Meteorology predicting more showers across the UAE later this week. #uae #weather

Karoline Leavitt responds to question from The National.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed collaboration and the situation in the Middle East.

New electric seagliders could cut travel time from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in half, completing the journey in 30 minutes. The $250 million joint venture between Abu Dhabi’s Strategic Development Fund and US-based Regent will manufacture these high-speed, sustainable ferries, offering a cost-effective alternative to helicopters. Set to launch by 2027, the project will also create over 1,000 jobs, with a strong focus on Emirati workforce development.

Manchester United has announced plans to build a 100,000-seat stadium next to Old Trafford. Designed by architect Norman Foster, the project is expected to take five years to complete. Co-owner Jim Ratcliffe outlined the club’s ambition to create a modern, world-class facility, saying: "United is the world's favourite football club, and it deserves a stadium befitting of its stature. The UK needs a stadium of this scale, and the north of England is the best place to build it." Construction will proceed next to Old Trafford, ensuring modern infrastructure while maintaining the club’s existing ground.

Volunteers in Dubai are distributing over 10,000 iftar meals each day during Ramadan as part of an initiative by The Giving Family. Co-founder Fadie Musallet said the initiative is about showing appreciation to workers for their efforts in building the city. "We owe it to them to give back and bring them joy. At the end of the day, they don’t owe us anything—it's because of their hard work that we get to enjoy living in such a beautiful city," he told The National. The initiative also serves as a lesson in giving, with families involving their children in the distribution efforts to teach them the importance of community service.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expresses gratitude for Saudi Arabia's role in peace efforts ahead of US-Ukraine talks.

An oil tanker caught fire after a collision with a cargo vessel in the North Sea on Monday. Lifeboats and coastguard services were sent to the scene, with 32 casualties brought ashore #northsea #oiltanker #newstok #newstiktok #news

"To run for the presidency is something that I see as just a continuation of my lifetime in dedication to service," Prince Feisal of Jordan says as the only Arab candidate vying for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency #IOC #jordan #olympiccommittee #princefeisal #sports #sportsontiktok

Indian cricket fans celebrated their national team's victory against New Zealand at the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai #ICC #india #newzealand #cricket #championstrophy

Tesla owners are expressing regret over their purchases, citing backlash against Elon Musk's growing political role in Donald Trump's administration. Dr Kumait Jaroje, a Cybertruck owner in Massachusetts, told The National that reactions to his gold-plated Tesla shifted dramatically after Musk endorsed Trump. He described experiencing verbal abuse, vandalism, and even threats, leading him to stop driving the vehicle altogether.

The UN Refugee Agency has reported that 1 million displaced Syrians in northwest Syria plan to return home within a year. Since September, more than 500,000 refugees have already returned, with 200,000 coming back after the fall of the Assad regime in December. The UNHCR warns that returning Syrians face major challenges, including a lack of housing, jobs, schools, clean water, and electricity. "Syria now stands at a crossroads, urgently needing international support for rebuilding," said Celine Schmitt, UNHCR Senior Communications Adviser. With 90% of the population still dependent on humanitarian aid, the agency is urging global efforts to stabilize Syria and help those returning.

On Culture Bites this week, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews break down the reaction to ‘With Love, Meghan’, the new lifestyle show from Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Watch this episode on YouTube or listen wherever you stream podcasts.