Slovenia’s ruling Freedom Movement is projected to win the largest share of votes in the March 22 general election, but a sharply reduced margin over the opposition suggests complex coalition talks ahead, according to a parallel vote count. »»»

Iran's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels except "enemy" ships would in practice exclude most countries in the Persian Gulf and many in Europe, Former steel CEO and energy Russian analyst Alexander Frolov said on March 22. »»»

The board of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) resolved to cut the key interest rate by 50 basis points (bp) to 15% at the policy meeting on March 20, according to a press release from the regulator. This was »»»

Ukraine has sent drone units to five Gulf countries at the invitation of their governments as US-made interceptor ammunition runs low. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Said the units had been sent to advise and trai»»»

Russian authorities have recently taken steps toward significantly restricting the operation of Telegram, a popular messaging service, and are now threatening its total shutdown. The move, however, is unlikely to put off a significant section of the population from using the service, including the »»»

Dubai: As regional tensions continue, authorities across the UAE are maintaining high levels of readiness while ensuring daily life, education and essential services continue with minimal disruption. Here’s a quick breakdown of the latest updates residents should know. Stay updated: Get the latest »»»

A citizen of Kyrgyzstan, Bekzhan Beishekeev, has been charged in the United States in connection with a crash that killed four people. He faces up to 28 years in prison, reports from an immigrant information portal on social media say. Photo social media The fatal road accident occurred on February»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced the detection of the launch of two ballistic missiles towards the Riyadh Region and the interception and destruction of three drones in other regions. The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agen»»»

Amanat Ishimov has been appointed Deputy Director of the Department for Competition and Public Procurement Policy at the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), the commission’s press service reported. Photo press service of EEC Amanat Ishimov was born in 1984 in Bishkek. In 2006, he graduated from the»»»

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has approved plans for ground operations against the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, the IDF said. "The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, approved plans yesterday (Saturday) for the advancement of targeted ground op»»»

The possible deployment of US troops to Kharg Island would be disastrous for the United States, as Iran would effectively be taking hostages, Joe Kent, former director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, believes. Axios previously reported that US President Donald Trump is prepared to seize»»»

Some US military personnel are disappointed with the military attack against Iran and say they "do not want to die for Israel," the HuffPost website reported citing sources. The publication, which interviewed military personnel, reservists, and human rights organizations advocating for military per»»»

Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led the investigation into alleged Russian interference in US President Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign, has died aged 81. The veteran prosecutor, long seen as a bipartisan figure, drew a sharply divisive response from Trump, who said he was “glad h»»»

Cuba was hit by another nationwide blackout on Saturday, leaving much of the island in darkness for the second time in less than a week as its overstretched power system struggled with ageing infrastructure and acute fuel shortages caused by a US oil blockade. Cuba plunged into darkness for the sec»»»

Donald Trump’s gloating reaction to the death of former FBI director Robert Mueller, who investigated the president’s ties to Russia during his 2016 campaign, reveals “everything you need to know about the debasement of public life in the United States,” said Reed Brody, a former New York assistant»»»

Cuba was plunged into darkness for the second time in less than a week on Saturday after its national power grid failed again, strained by aging infrastructure and a US oil blockade. The blackout comes as Havana said it is open to “a serious and responsible dialogue” with the United States. Cuba, u»»»

Robert S. Mueller III, the FBI director who transformed the nation's premier law enforcement agency into a terrorism-fighting force after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and who later became special counsel in charge of investigating ties between Russia and Donald Trump's presidential campaign, has die»»»

An Iranian missile struck the Israeli town of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, injuring dozens in what Tehran said was retaliation for strikes on its Natanz nuclear site. The attack comes amid escalating regional tensions, including two failed Iranian missile strikes on the US‑UK base Diego Garc»»»

The US military declared on Saturday it had taken out an Iranian bunker housing weapons threatening oil and gas shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, as thousands of Iranians marked Eid al-Fitr with prayer. The US statement appeared designed to calm the concerns of energy markets and of Washington's s»»»

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Sunday threatened to completely close the Strait of Hormuz if US President Donald Trump makes good on his promise to target Iranian energy facilities unless the key transport route is fully reopened within 48 hours. Meanwhile, Israel continued its strikes on Lebanon, »»»

Iran threatened on Sunday to attack key infrastructure across the Middle East if US President Donald Trump follows through on his vow to "obliterate" the Islamic republic's power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz swiftly reopens. Trump ratcheted up pressure on Iran's leadership, announcing a count»»»

Displaced people in Lebanon are increasingly being forced to sleep on the streets as housing becomes unaffordable amid soaring prices, according to Matthieu Karam, editor and photographer at L’Orient-Le Jour. He added that many Lebanese have grown suspicious of those sleeping rough, fearing that me»»»

Iranian missile strikes on two southern Israeli towns wounded more than 100 people on Saturday, medics said, after Israeli air defence systems failed to intercept the pr»»»

From continuing US and Israeli strikes on Iran to Nowruz celebrations and a volcanic eruption on the French island of Reunion, FRANCE 24 takes a look at some of the week's most powerful images. »»»

It has been “extremely difficult” for the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah since the 2024 ceasefire with Israel, despite ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon, said Ziad Majed, professor of Middle East studies at the American University of Paris. He noted that Lebanese authorities face a dilemm»»»

Iran on Saturday threatened to retaliate by targeting key infrastructure in neighbouring countries if US President Donald Trump follows through on his vow to “obliterate” the Islamic Republic’s power plants amid tensions over a blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. Journalist Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reportin»»»

US President Donald Trump threatened overnight to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, barely a day after suggesting he was “winding down” the war. Striking Iran’s energy sites, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, could violat»»»

Gulf states are caught between a rock and a hard place, right now as the consider how to respond to the Iran's regime, dealing with a volley of attacks on critical infrastrure, and threats that continue. The Gulf Cooperation council, made has been meeting to co ordinate defence, diplomacy and a way»»»

In the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, paramedics and residents are living under near-constant air strikes, as Israel targets areas it says are linked to Hezbollah. With much of the population displaced, those who remain face daily danger, limited supplies, and relentless uncertainty as emergen»»»

At least 10 Palestinians were injured on Sunday in settler attacks near Nablus in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian medics said. The violence followed a settler’s funeral, with homes and cars torched. Separately, four Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, hospital authori»»»

Iran said on Sunday it would target Gulf energy and water infrastructure if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on a threat to strike its power grid within 48 hours, escalating the conflict. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel after overnight Iranian missile attacks injured dozens in Arad»»»

Both opponents of Israel and its supporters in the Middle East and beyond share a common misconception: that Israel has an overall strategy guiding its national security policy. Critics accuse Israel of pursuing some nefarious plan, while supporters say it is trying to destroy Iran's so-called 'axi»»»

Speaking at a campaign rally in Miskolc, Prime Minister Orbán framed the upcoming election as a decisive moment for Hungary’s future, emphasizing security, national sovereignty, and the continuation of policies built over the past 16 years. Addressing a large crowd, the prime minister highlighted b»»»

As tensions continue in the Middle East, the economic fallout is being felt far beyond the region. In South Africa, officials are warning that the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran could come at a steep cost. Our South African correspondent speaks to political analyst Sanu»»»

Smartphones are banned in more than half of schools worldwide reports UNESCO.»»»

French voters returned to the polls Sunday for the second and final round of municipal elections in over 1,500 communes. The race is expected to be extremely tight in Paris with Emmanuel Grégoire, heading a united left and green list, competing with conservative Rachida Dati and hard-left La France»»»

French voters are heading to the polls in the second round of local elections to elect the mayor of some 1,500 communes, including major cities such as Paris, Lyon and Marseille. FRANCE 24's Antonia Kerrigan reports from Paris.»»»

Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally won second-round runoffs in several French towns on Sunday but fell short in Marseille, Toulon and Nîmes, three of its prime targets in nationwide municipal elections that exposed the strengths and weaknesses of France's fractious political parties a ye»»»

In France’s second city, Marseille, residents headed to polling stations to choose their new mayor among three candidates: incumbent left-wing Mayor Benoît Payan, far-right candidate Franck Allisio, and conservative Martine Vassal. Hard-left candidate Sébastien Delogu withdrew after scoring lower t»»»

Socialist frontrunner Emmanuel Grégoire comfortably defeated veteran conservative Rachida Dati in a second-round runoff for Paris mayor on Sunday, defying forecasts of a close race to extend the left's quarter-century rule in the French capital. Socialist frontrunner Emmanuel Grégoire was elected P»»»

Left-wing incumbent Benoît Payan was comfortably re-elected mayor of France's second city Marseille on Sunday, holding off a challenge from far-right candidate Franck Allisio, projections from several pollsters showed.  Marseille's left‑wing incumbent Mayor Benoît Payan easily beat his far-rig»»»

China holds the largest share in Kyrgyzstan’s foreign trade turnover, a macroeconomic review of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) says. According to the report, Kyrgyzstan’s total foreign trade turnover reached $15.8 billion in 2025, marking a decline of 10.2 percent. The country’s key trading pa»»»

UAE airlines are running a limited flight schedule to key destinations as weather disruptions and regional conditions continue to affect operations. Passengers are advised to check flight status before travelling, follow official airline updates, and only go to airports with confirmed bookings. Adv»»»

The founder of Ayu Holding, Sharshenbek Abdykerimov, has made accusations against the former head of the Department of the State Committee for National Security for Bishkek, Eldar Zhakypbekov. The text of the appeal was published on social media. The businessman, who fled Kyrgyzstan and was arreste»»»

A bridge on Zhibek Zholu Avenue in Bishkek has been reopened after reconstruction. The City Hall’s press service reported. According to the press service, after the renovation, the bridge was widened to 34.3 meters (previously only 9 meters) and is now 25 meters long. The bridge was completely reco»»»

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that the world faces the "worst energy crisis in decades" as the Middle East war grinds. Moreover, the exchange of dire threats between the Iranian regime and US and its allies over the Strait of Hormuz continues to drive oil price spikes. With no en»»»

The UAE is set to experience unstable weather from Monday, March 23 to Friday, March 27, with intermittent rainfall of varying intensity, winds reaching up to 50 km/hr, dust haze, reduced visibility, and light to moderate sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman. A chance of hail is also »»»

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Sunday that at least 64 people were killed in a recent attack on a hospital in Sudan. File Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/EPA-EFE March 22 (UPI) -- An airstrike on a Sudanese hospital over the weekend has killed at least 64 peopl»»»

WEST PALM BEACH, Forida: At war with Iran, President Donald Trump is cycling through an increasingly desperate list of options as he searches for a solution to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. He is jumping from calls to secure the waterway through diplomatic means to lifting sanctions and now e»»»

Abu Dhabi: Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, said the country’s response to Iranian aggression extends beyond an immediate ceasefire, towards securing long-term regional stability. In a post on X, Gargash said that as the "UAE confronts Iran’s blatant aggression and demonst»»»