Investing in Gold in Times of Conflict: Safe Haven or Risky Bet?
Why did gold suffer its sharpest fall since 2008? Investors saw the Middle East conflict not as a normal geopolitical event, but as the start of a new inflation shock, increasing expectations that central banks would keep interest rates higher for longer. That was negative for gold. As US Treasury »»»
A history of US presidents clashing with the Vatican – from Clinton to Trump
US President Donald Trump is once again at odds with the Vatican, this time hurling personal attacks and wild insults at Pope Leo XIV. Conflicts between the White House and the Vatican, however, are nothing new. From John Paul II’s open defiance of George W. Bush over the Iraq war to heated exchang»»»
China's Gordian knot: why it has no good options in Iran
Since the US and Israel waged war on Iran on 28 February, China has issued a cascade of diplomatic communiqués condemning the strikes, calling for a ceasefire, invoking UN Charter principles, and proposing a joint five-point peace initiative with Pakistan. Not a single weapon has followed. Not a wa»»»
Trust in digital solutions: Why institutional backing makes the difference
In today’s digital landscape, the value of a technical platform is no longer defined by its features alone, but by its reliability and the strength of the institution behind it. As companies increasingly rely on digital platforms to manage technical projects and operational needs, trust has become »»»
How Burj Al Arab became a global icon
Dubai’s most recognisable hotel, Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, is preparing to undergo its first major restoration since opening in 1999, marking a new chapter in the landmark’s history. Owned by Jumeirah Group, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding, the hotel said the project is designed to preserve one of the e»»»
Interior Minister Warns of Fake Euro Plot for Vote Buying
Caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev said he has information that a large amount of counterfeit euros is being prepared for vote buying in the coming days. Speaking on Nova TV on Wednesday, he added that this would effectively allow elections "to be bought without real money". He declined to spe»»»
Hormuz Under Insurance Pressure as ‘War Premiums’ Violate Int’l Laws
As military tensions flare in the Strait of Hormuz, another battle is unfolding behind the scenes, one no less dangerous. Insurance companies have emerged as key players shaping the fate of global shipping. With premiums surging to unprecedented levels, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat the world is app»»»
Can NATO survive the US-Iran war?
NATO allies said on Monday they would not get involved in US President Donald Trump's plan to blockade Iranian ports, proposing to intervene only once fighting ends, in a move likely to anger Trump and increase strains in the alliance. "We're not supporting the blockade," British Prime Minister Ke»»»
How a Russian ship under sanctions delivered armoured vehicles to Mali
Dozens of military vehicles transported from Russia were delivered to Mali through the port of Conakry, Guinea, in late March. The equipment was carried by a Russian cargo ship currently under international sanctions. A satellite image posted on March 6 on the X account of an open-source investigat»»»
Why fidgeting increases during stressful times and how it affects posture: UAE experts explain how to fix it
She was fidgeting so furiously with her pen that it somehow flew out of her hand, into her colleague’s face. It happens, more often than she can count. Maybe not flinging a pen into her colleague’s desk, but fingernail biting and the occasional flying of stationery. Dubai-based Aditi doesn’t hold b»»»
Resilience in uncertainty: UAE’s sustainability edge
These past weeks have been a sobering reminder to our nation and to the wider Middle East of how fragile global stability can be. Geopolitical unrest in our region has once again underscored the importance of resilience, unity and responsible leadership. In times of uncertainty, countries are teste»»»
Oil prices drop: Brent at $95, WTI at $91 on hopes for Mideast peace deal — stocks rise
Oil prices tumbled early on Wednesday on rekindled hopes for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Overnight on Tuesday, Wall Street's main indices climbed, with both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq now back at levels from before the US and Israel began bombing Iran on Febru»»»
How Dubai’s media became a stabilising force in times of conflict
In times of crisis and emergency, media is no longer a mere conveyor of events; it transforms into a strategic actor that shapes public awareness, regulates collective sentiment, and reinforces trust in institutions. Within this context, balanced media—grounded in accuracy, composure, and responsib»»»
From war hero to war criminal: One man’s fate is breaking a country’s politics in half
Last week Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most highly decorated war hero, was arrested by federal police and charged with having committed war crimes in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Roberts-Smith has been charged with being complicit in the murder of five unarmed Afghan civilians – allegedly k»»»
Mental Health Aviation Act advanced unanimously by Senate committee - UPI.com
Referring to aviators, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said Tuesday during a Senate committee hearing in Washington that “For too long, many individuals who love to fly have struggled in silence, with untreated mental health conditions, for fear of losing their careers” File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI »»»
Minister hails inauguration of Kanaf Parenting Center asmilestone for family system
QNA Doha Minister of Social Development and Family HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi described the inauguration of the Kanaf Parenting Center an important national milestone in the development of the family work system. She said it represents a practical reflection of the state’s vision, which»»»
Ex-Rep. Eric Swalwall faces new sexual assault allegations - UPI.com
1 of 4 | U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell speaks in a 2023 hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. A day after Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress because of sexual assault and misconduct allegations, another accuser has come forward. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo April 14 (UP»»»
Israeli-Lebanese negotiations 'largely symbolic and performative', Middle East expert says
Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Aaron David Miller, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, says that "none of the participants in today's meetings have the authority to negotiate", adding that "implementing what the Lebanese and Israeli government would like to do is simply not pos»»»
US has ‘accomplished’ Iran goals, could ‘wind down’ military operation – Vance
The US has achieved its objectives in Iran, Vice President J.D. Vance has claimed, adding Washington could begin winding down its military operation against the Islamic Republic. In a Fox News interview on Monday, after US negotiators left talks in Pakistan without securing an agreement to end the »»»
Ex-Trump adviser Olivia Troye launches congressional campaign as Democrat - UPI.com
Olivia Troye, a former Trump administration national security official, speaks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago. Troye has launched a campaign for Congress in Virginia. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo April 14 (UPI) -- Saying, "Trump doesn't »»»
Brian Hooker says he will continue looking for missing wife in Bahamas - UPI.com
April 14 (UPI) -- Brian Hooker, an American man released from police custody this week in the Bahamas after his wife went missing, said he won't stop looking for her. Brian Hooker, 58, said his wife Lynette Hooker, 55, fell overboard from the dinghy they were in on April 5, while holding the boat's»»»
Lebanese channel anger, division over Israel-Hezbollah war online - UPI.com
People walk Monday among the wreckage of cars in Corniche el Mazraa, one of the areas hit during a massive wave of Israeli airstrikes last week in Beirut, Lebanon, Photo by Wael Hamzeh/EPA BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 14 (UPI) -- Divisions among Lebanese over Iran, Hezbollah and state authority have inte»»»
French investigators target Élysée palace in events company contracts probe
Officers from the French police's financial unit on Tuesday searched several locations as part of a corruption investigation but were denied access to the presidential Élysée Palace. Investigators were looking into why one events company had been chosen to host important state ceremonies for more t»»»
Fortinet report: cyberattacks against banks increasing
European banks are facing a growing wave of cyberattacks originating outside their own systems, particularly through third- and fourth-tier suppliers. According to the Fortinet report, incidents involving external partners have risen by 25% in two years, with 97% of banks affected at deeper supply »»»
Fuel Congress 2026: 30 refineries close in Europe, EU looking to Poland
At the Fuel Congress 2026 in Warsaw, policymakers said the war in the Persian Gulf has exposed a key weakness of the European Union: economic competitiveness. Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka stressed that secure fuel supplies are essential for both economic strength and climate policy. He noted a shi»»»
Kyrgyz officials in Washington seeking investment
Kyrgyzstan is angling to set up a special economic zone near Lake Issyk-Kul intended to rival Kazakhstan’s Astana Hub and Uzbekistan’s IT Park in Tashkent. At a meeting at the New Lines I»»»
Trump deletes image of himself as Jesus as feud with pope dismays US Catholics
US President Donald Trump on Monday deleted a social media image depicting him as Jesus after an outcry from religious leaders that he was being blasphemous. The outrage added to widespread dismay among US Catholics over Trump’s unprecedented verbal assault on Pope Leo XIV, the first American to le»»»
Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass No. 53: Europe’s dying heart – Hungary’s vote delivers lethal kick
The speechwriter of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen must have fancied himself (genderspeak: themselves) deserving of a handsome bonus when he placed the following words into his principal’s mouth: “Europe’s heart is beating stronger in Hungary tonight.” Yet his euphoria – and the»»»
Greek national on trial in UK for arms deals with Libya and South Sudan
Two arms brokers, one of whom is Greek, arranged illegal deals to supply ex-Soviet surface-to-air missile systems to South Sudan and fighter jets to Libya during its civil war, British prosecutors have told a London court. Greek national Christos Farmakis, 48, and British national David Greenhalgh,»»»
Far-Right Polish MP Draws Outrage with Swastika on Israeli Flag
A far-right Polish lawmaker displayed a paper Israeli flag emblazoned with a swastika in parliament, accusing the country of "genocide" in the Middle East, with Israel slamming his actions as "antisemitic horror". "Israel is in the process of committing a genocide of exceptional cruelty before our »»»
IMF lowers 2026 global growth forecast as Middle East war threatens oil supply, inflation
Dubai: The International Monetary Fund has lowered its global growth forecast for 2026, warning that the war in the Middle East has disrupted what had been a stronger economic recovery and could cause more serious damage if energy supplies from the Gulf are hit harder. In its latest World Economic »»»
Trump's naval blockade raises economic pressure on Iran
BusinessIranTrump's naval blockade raises economic pressure on IranNik MartinA US naval blockade will cut off Iran's main source of hard currency by halting most of its oil exports. Will President Trump's pressure force Tehran back to negotiations or widen the conflict? https://p.dw.com/p/5C4oIThe »»»
CCTV captures woman taking lost jewellery in Sharjah car park
The Sharjah Court of Misdemeanour has heard a case involving an Asian woman accused of taking lost jewellery from a commercial car park with the intention of keeping it. According to investigations, the incident took place at a shopping centre car park, where the defendant was seen leaving a vehicl»»»
Dubai ranks No. 1 globally for international passengers again in 2025 DXB report
Dubai: Dubai International Airport has retained its title as the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic, holding on to its global number one position in 2025 as it handled record traveller volumes last year. According to the latest Airports Council International (ACI) World ran»»»
Czech Colt CZ announces dual listing on Euronext Amsterdam
Czech weaponry manufacturer Colt CZ has announced the admission to listing and trading of its shares on the regulated market of Amsterdam’s Euronext bourse. Trading of Colt CZ shares is expected to commence on April 15 at »»»
Czechoslovak Group owner said to be in talks with PPF to acquire largest commercial TV station in Slovakia
Michal Strnad, Czech owner of regional weaponry and ammunition conglomerate Czechoslovak Group (CSG), is said to be in talks with the richest Czech investment company PPF Group over a sale of TV Markíza, the biggest commercial television station in Slovakia. »»»
Czechoslovak Group owner said to be in talks with PPF to acquire largest commercial TV station in Slovakia
Michal Strnad, Czech owner of regional weaponry and ammunition conglomerate Czechoslovak Group (CSG), is said to be in talks with the richest Czech investment company PPF Group over a sale of TV Markíza, the biggest commercial television station in Slovakia. »»»
Czech Colt CZ announces dual listing on Euronext Amsterdam
Czech weaponry manufacturer Colt CZ has announced the admission to listing and trading of its shares on the regulated market of Amsterdam’s Euronext bourse. Trading of Colt CZ shares is expected to commence on April 15 at »»»
How OFWs can qualify for affordable homes in the Philippines
Dubai: Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including those based in the UAE, can now qualify for socialised housing units in the Philippines regardless of their monthly income, following an expansion of the government’s flagship housing programme. The move has come after Philippine president Ferdinan»»»
Bahamas police release husband of missing American Lynette Hooker - UPI.com
April 14 (UPI) -- Authorities in the Bahamas have released the 58-year-old American man detained last week in the investigation into missing American Lynette Hooker. The man, Lynette Hooker's husband, Brian Hooker, was released Monday, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement that only id»»»
TV, film professionals oppose proposed Paramount-Warner merger - UPI.com
More than 1,000 film and TV professionals are voicing their opposition to the proposed Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo April 14 (UPI) -- Hundreds of film and television professionals, including A-list stars Javier Bardem, Jane Fonda, Da»»»
Seoul shares rise nearly 3 pct, approaching 6,000 level on eased Middle East tensions - UPI.com
South Korean stocks rose nearly 3 percent Tuesday to inch toward the 6,000-point mark on hopes for renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The local currency sharply gained against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 159.13 points, or 2.74 perc»»»
New toll gates installed on Dubai-Abu Dhabi highways
Abu Dhabi’s ‘Darb’ toll system is expanding to other external roads in the emirate, and new gates have been installed at strategic locations. The toll gates, installed by the Department of Transport under Abu Dhabi Municipality, operating as Abu Dhabi Mobility, have come up in areas such as Ghantoo»»»
UAE court awards family Dh1.1m after fatal medical negligence ruling
A Dubai court has ordered a doctor and a hospital to jointly pay Dh1.1 million in compensation to a husband and his two daughters following the death of a patient due to medical negligence after gastric sleeve surgery. The Dubai Civil Court of First Instance found both defendants liable after the w»»»
IEA: Global crude oil demand set for sharpest quarterly crash since Covid
The International Energy Agency (IEA) says global oil demand is headed for its "steepest" quarterly drop since the Covid shock, with the agency’s outlook pointing to weakening consumption in April and the second quarter as trade tensions and softer economic momentum hit fuel use. An OPEC+ report, m»»»
Wind power is not the harmless energy source liberals said it was
They may appear to be innocuous – even elegant – on the landscape as they collect power from the currents, but wind turbines have their own set of problems that environmentalists wish to ignore due to their eco-virtue-signaling. As environmentalists look at a sprawling field of wind turbines as ‘go»»»
UAE court orders two salesmen to repay Dh1.4 million after gold theft
Two sales employees have been ordered to repay more than Dh1.4 million after embezzling gold entrusted to them by their employer, according to a Dubai court ruling. The pair, who worked for a gold trading company, were tasked with selling shipments of gold weighing 13.5 kilograms and collecting the»»»
How UAE startups can survive uncertainty: Smart cuts, key protections, and priorities
When cash flow tightens, instinct often swings between panic and paralysis. But according to founders and operators on the frontlines, the difference between startups that stall and those that stabilise is what they choose to protect. Here’s a sharp, founder-led breakdown of how to rethink costs wi»»»
Hoopoe Holding launches governance framework to improve early visibility in UAE healthcare systems
Dubai based hoopoe holding has introduced a governance framework designed to help healthcare leaders identify emerging system pressure earlier, as healthcare systems across the UAE continue to expand in both scale and complexity. Developed under the leadership of Founder and CEO Shahriar Shahir Bar»»»
Qatar reveals details of pavilion for 2026 Venice Biennale
Doha, Qatar: The National Pavilion of Qatar has revealed details of its presentation for the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, running from May 9 to November 22, 2026. Commissioned by Chairperson of Qatar Museums H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the »»»