The cities of Oulu in Finland and Trenčín in Slovakia have been selected as European Capitals of Culture for 2026.

The European Union annually names several cities as European Capitals of Culture to underline Europe’s cultural diversity and honour the cultural and artistic identity of each region.

The two cities replace Chemnitz in Germany’s Saxony and the Slovenian-Italian border twin cities of Nova Gorica/Gorizia.

WAM

Oman has confirmed two public holidays in January 2026 to mark Accession Day and the Islamic occasion of Al Isra’a Wal Miraj, as part of a newly approved policy to announce national and religious holidays in advance each year.

Under the calendar endorsed by the Council of Ministers, Thursday, January 15, 2026, will be observed as a public holiday to commemorate Accession Day, marking the anniversary of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s accession to the throne. 

A second public holiday will follow on Sunday, January 18, 2026, to mark Al Isra’a Wal Miraj, the Islamic observance commemorating the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey and ascension.

The announcements is part of a shift in how holidays are scheduled, with the government opting to publish dates at the start of each Gregorian year to improve institutional planning and coordination across both the public and private sectors. 

However, the policy excludes Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, which will continue to be announced separately based on official moon sighting.

In a statement, the Ministry of Labour said the advance scheduling is intended to help government entities and businesses organise daily, seasonal and annual operations more efficiently, while also reducing clashes between public holidays and major local or international events.

The ministry added that employees required to work during official holidays will continue to be compensated in line with existing labour regulations.

Beyond January, the government also confirmed public holidays later in the year, including National Day on November 25 and 26, Islamic New Year on June 18, and Mawlid Al Nabawi on August 27, reinforcing the country’s move towards greater predictability in its annual calendar.

Story by Gulf News

Kuwait’s Minister of Health, Dr Ahmed Abdulwahab Al Awadhi, has issued a ministerial decision regulating the sale and circulation of energy drinks, introducing age limits, consumption caps and sweeping restrictions on where the products may be sold, according to Al Qabas newspaper.

Under the decision, energy drinks may only be sold to individuals aged 18 and above. Daily consumption is limited to a maximum of two cans per person, with the caffeine content not exceeding 80 milligrams per 250 millilitres in a single can.

The regulations also require producers and importers to place clear and prominent health warnings on packaging, while banning all commercial advertising and sponsorships linked to energy drinks.

The decision prohibits the sale and circulation of energy drinks in all public and private educational institutions, including schools at all levels, as well as public and private institutes and universities. Sales are also banned across government institutions and entities.

In addition, the sale of energy drinks has been prohibited in restaurants, cafés, grocery stores, food trucks of all types and sizes, and self service vending machines. The restrictions extend to online ordering platforms and delivery services, effectively barring home delivery of the products.

Sales will be permitted only through cooperative societies and parallel markets, and then solely in designated areas within those outlets. These sales will be subject to strict oversight by the relevant authorities, with full compliance required in relation to age verification and quantity limits.

STORY BY GULF NEWS