The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived in the Middle East for their first international trip together in 18 months. Prince Harry and Meghan will spend two days visiting Jordan to highlight efforts to support vulnerable communities affected by conflict and displacement. The couple, who stepped »»»

TradeGermanyIndustrial AI: Germany's best chance to take on US, China?Nik MartinGermany is already harnessing AI for smarter production — with virtual factories, robot fleets and its newly launched Industrial AI Cloud. Can this edge overcome stagnation and let the country truly take on its rivals? »»»

Gold prices rose on Wednesday, lifted by a softer dollar and heightened safe-haven demand amid uncertainty over US tariffs and rising friction between Washington and Tehran. Spot gold rose 0.8% to $5,190.99 per ounce, as of 0841 GMT. US gold futures for April delivery were up 0.7% at $5,210.40. The»»»

China and Germany want to deepen cooperation, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Beijing on Wednesday, as Merz began a visit aimed at resetting ties amid a widening trade imbalance. Merz told Li that Germany attached great importance on maintaining and deepening i»»»

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday he did not take his security for granted, after he was evacuated from his residence for several hours following a bomb threat sent to a Chinese dance group. Albanese was evacuated from his residence in Canberra late on Tuesday following t»»»

On the ninth day of Ramadan, the Big Bad Wolf (BBW) Books sale is set to open in Dubai Studio City’s Sound Stage, offering readers and families an extensive selection of books at affordable prices. The 11-day sale, starting Thursday and held in partnership with the Sharjah Book Authority and Dubai »»»

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit focusing on strengthening security, economic and technological cooperation between the two countries. Modi has said he would hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herz»»»

Saudi Arabia has ranked first in the Middle East for women’s empowerment and recorded the highest global improvement in supportive frameworks, according to the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law 2026 report. The Kingdom posted the largest increase in points worldwide in the “supportive framew»»»

Dubai: A new day filled with mercy and forgiveness unfolded during the Holy Month of Ramadan at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, where community and collaboration took centre stage. The gathering brought together teams from Dubai Police General Headquarters, represented by the General Department of Comm»»»

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri does not seem concerned about a possible spillover of the U.S.-Iran conflict into Lebanon, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. The sources said they sensed from Berri's attitude that Hezbollah will not take any action in the event of a strike on Iran. A report pub»»»

London: British luxury carmaker Aston Martin on Wednesday announced plans to cut up to one-fifth of its workforce after widening annual losses on US tariffs and weak Chinese demand. The job losses total around 600, with Aston Martin employing some 3,000 people. "In 2025, the global luxury automotiv»»»

Business Run 2026, a large-scale corporate race bringing together entrepreneurs, company executives, and business teams from across the country, will take place on April 26 in Adinai Park. The event is organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic. Business Run is positio»»»

A wedding celebration in Bihar’s Buxar district turned into a shocking incident on Tuesday night after a bride was shot at point-blank range on stage, allegedly by a former partner, according to local media reports. The victim, 18-year-old Aarti Kumari, was undergoing the jaimala ritual (the tradit»»»

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and India have formally launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), in a move officials described as a new chapter in their strategic partnership. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal signed t»»»

Germany's chancellor has touched down in China as German businesses sound the alarm about a yawning trade imbalance. Imports into Germany from China were more than double the value of those exported back last year – according to federal statistics. "We want a partnership with China that is balanced»»»

Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications sector has reaffirmed the strength of its operating model and growth potential, reporting a solid rise in combined revenues in 2025. The performance reflects continued customer growth and an expanding portfolio of digital solutions, underscoring the sector’s centra»»»

Dubai: Etihad Rail has revealed new details on what passengers can expect when services start operating later this year. The passenger experience has been shaped around how people actually live, work and travel across the UAE today, offering a modern, comfortable and reliable alternative to interci»»»

US President Donald Trump has delivered his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, using the primetime speech to defend his administration’s record and outline political and economic priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The address on Tuesday, the first State of the U»»»

Around 1.4 million women are absent from Romania's labor market, and integrating even 10% of them would ease the pressure on the state budget and help rebalance the economy, Cristina Chiriac, president of the National Confederation for Women's Entrepreneurship (CONAF) declared on Tuesday at a labor»»»

Dubai: Heads up, passengers! Travellers have been advised to double-check their departure terminals as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in the Philippines rolls out a series of terminal reassignments starting March 29 this year. The changes are part of its ongoing efforts to “optimise »»»

A commemorative gathering was held in central Sofia to honor the resilience of the Ukrainian people four years after the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The event took place near the Church of St. Sophia and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, drawing dozens of Bulgarian and Ukrainian citi»»»

The International Monetary Fund has said that economic activity in Kuwait is “rebounding,” adding that real GDP will expand by 3.8 percent in 2026. In concluding the 2025 Article IV consultation with Kuwait, IMF Executive Directors endorsed staff’s appraisal, as follows: “An economic recovery is un»»»

The GS4 Max stands out with its eye-catching presence and bold design, highlighted by the criss-cross matrix front grille, Morning Star LED headlights and Rainbow taillights. DOMASCO GAC Motor have just launched the all-new GS4 Max SUV in Qatar, offering consumers a new blend of advanced technology»»»

Ornate packaging paired with enticing advertisements that claim expensive shampoos are elixirs to all hair woes can leave one wondering: Are the higher prices really worth it? Should I abandon my $8 drugstore mainstay for a $42 premium brand? Experts say affordable shampoos and conditioners found i»»»

At the close of 2025, Bulgarian citizens showed a slight increase in travel activity, with approximately 1.1 million individuals aged 15 and above undertaking tourism trips in the fourth quarter, according to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI). This marks a 1.5% rise com»»»

Iraq's transport ministry said Wednesday a temporary shutdown of Baghdad International Airport was caused by an "emergency technical problem,” denying reports of any security threat. The closure prompted speculation on social media, but officials stressed that the halt in operations was purely tech»»»

Doha, Qatar: QNB Group, a leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, emerged as the most highly decorated regional bank at the annual Global Finance Sustainable Finance Awards. The bank secured five awards in total, including Overall Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in the Middle»»»

Geneva: Qatar participated in the high-level segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), currently convening in Geneva. Qatar was represented at the event by Minister of State for International Cooperation H E Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad. In her address, t»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Student Activities Department at Qatar University (QU) held a press conference to announce the details of the 13th edition of the Cultural Village under the theme ‘Heritage Worn with Pride.’ The event will take place at the Student Affairs Building (I11) from March 30-31, 2026 for »»»

Doha, Qatar: Apex Group Ltd. (“Apex Group”), a leading global financial services provider with over $3.5 trillion in assets serviced, announces the successful licensing and opening of its new office in Qatar at the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a top-tier onshore financial and business hub in the r»»»

Concern is mounting in Lebanon as tensions between the United States and Iran intensify, stoking fears that any direct military clash could spill onto Lebanese soil. The evacuation of non-essential staff from the US embassy in Beirut has deepened unease, especially as it coincided with official Leb»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs is continuing the Baraim Category (Far‘ Al-Baraim) examinations as part of the 31st edition of the Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Qur’an Competition, reinforcing the competition’s role as a leading educational platform that encourages chi»»»

Doha, Qatar: Al Gharafa have been one of the standout sides for much of the ongoing Qatar Stars League (QSL) season, but a recent dip in form has complicated their pursuit of the title. The Pedro Martins-coached side had been sitting at the top of the standings before a costly three-match losing st»»»

Dubai: South Indian actor and beloved celebrity couple Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna are all set to tie the knot tomorrow, February 26, 2026 at a plush hotel in Udaipur. Unlike many high-profile celebrity couples, the actors confirmed their wedding just days ahead, giving fans the “happil»»»

US President Donald Trump boasted Tuesday of a "turnaround for the ages" in his State of the Union speech, saying he had ushered in a "golden age" ahead of crucial midterm elections. Trump spent the first hour of his televised speech focused on the economy, saying he had curbed inflation, driven th»»»

Dubai: Astronomical calculations in Oman indicate that Friday, March 20, is likely to mark the first day of Eid Al Fitr, subject to the official moon sighting, local media reported. According to estimates, the crescent moon of Shawwal is expected to be born before sunset on Thursday, March 19, maki»»»

Construction of a cableway station is underway at the ski cluster in Jyrgalan, the press service of Ala-Too Resort OJSC reported. According to the company, the work is progressing ahead of schedule. The facility is being built using the Doppelmayr D-Line technological system, which combines chairli»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Interior, through the General Directorate of Traffic, has launched a forward-looking initiative aimed at achieving zero road accidents in the future by transforming the behavior of the next generation of road users. The initiative is rooted in a preventive vision that p»»»

Dubai: Dubai gold prices edged higher on Wednesday morning, extending a volatile month shaped by global trade tensions, geopolitical risks and shifting expectations around US interest rates, all of which continue to steer investor appetite toward safe-haven assets. (Check latest UAE gold prices her»»»

Donald Trump delivered a combative State of the Union address on Tuesday night that trumpeted what he said was an American "turnaround for the ages". At a time when polls suggest many in the US continue to be dissatisfied with the current state of the nation – and with Trump's leadership of it - th»»»

Dubai: Commuters across the Emirates faced a difficult Wednesday morning as a series of traffic incidents and heavy congestion snarled major arterial routes between Dubai and Sharjah. The morning rush hour was punctuated by multiple crashes on Al Ittihad Street near the Al Mamzar area, causing sign»»»

Winter is not letting up much in the wake of Monday's blockbuster blizzard that buried parts of the coastal Northeast under 3 feet of snow. Two additional storms will spread snow and ice across parts of the Midwest and Northeast before the end of the week, with another potentially impactful system »»»

Dubai: The UAE is set to experience fair to partly cloudy conditions from today through Sunday, with humid nights and a chance of fog or mist in some areas, the national forecaster said. According to its daily bulletin, the National Centre of Metrology says that humidity levels are expected to rise»»»

A top Democrat has accused the FBI director of causing a delayed response to high-profile cases in the US due to his personal use of the agency's private jet. Sen Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for a probe into FBI Director Kash Patel over what he called "ir»»»

The Philippine government is confronting a legal and diplomatic dilemma in its attempt to secure the return of former congressman Zaldy Co, who is reportedly traveling across Europe using a Portuguese passport after his Philippine passport was cancelled. Co, who once chaired the powerful House Appr»»»

Dubai: Masood M. Sharif Mahmood is set to take on the role of Group Chief Executive Officer of e&, succeeding Hatem Dowidar following a planned leadership transition. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of e& UAE, the group’s core telecoms business in its home market. Sign up for our dai»»»

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) has unveiled a new electric vehicle battery that it says can fully charge in 12 minutes and retain 80% of its capacity after 1.5mn miles, marking a potential breakthrough in durability and charging speed in the global EV market. »»»

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in India on February 18 for a state visit targeting $20bn in bilateral trade for the year, up from $15.2bn in 2025, as he seeks to deepen ties with one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. »»»

China almost certainly shook neighbouring Kazakhstan with an underground nuclear weapons test, according to a senior American official. Seismic activity detected in Kazakhstan on June 22, 2020 appeared to stem from such a »»»

Brazil and India signed a series of agreements during President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's three-day state visit to New Delhi covering critical minerals and pharmaceutical technology, but the trip fell short of one of its most commercially significant objectives after negotiations to open the Indi»»»