Italy is voting on whether to change its constitution. What does this mean for Meloni?
In her push for a "yes" vote in this weekend's constitutional referendum, Italy's prime minister has been reaching for new audiences. On Thursday, Giorgia Meloni sat at the mic between a popular rapper and a personal trainer-turned-podcaster to urge Italians to vote for a judicial system she promis»»»
US Says ‘Took Out’ Iran Base Threatening Blocked Hormuz Oil Route
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. The US statement appeared designed to calm the concerns of energy markets and of Washington's skeptical international allies, more than 20 of whom issue»»»
Global leaders condemn Iran actions in Strait of Hormuz, urge ceasefire
ABU DHABI: Joint statement from the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, and Australia on th»»»
Air Arabia issues travel advisory as UAE faces adverse weather
Air Arabia has issued a travel advisory as adverse weather is forecast across the UAE starting today and over the coming days. The airline said operations at Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah airports may be affected, potentially leading to flight delays or schedule changes. Stay updated: Get »»»
US Allows 30-Day Sale of Iran Oil at Sea in Bid to Tame Prices
The Trump administration waived sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil at sea for 30 days on Friday in its latest attempt to ease oil prices that have been driven up by the US-Israeli war on Iran. The waiver will bring some 140 million barrels of oil to global markets and help relieve pressure on»»»
After Pressure, Iraqi Factions Stop Attacks on US Embassy
Political parties in Iraq have carried out intense efforts over the past two days to contain the escalation in the country in wake of increased attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad by pro-Iran factions, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. The efforts aim to also prevent Iraq from sliding into a broader c»»»
Ready to help keep Hormuz open? Who said what
European powers and Japan have changed their posture on the ongoing Middle East war, by prioritising energy security and avoiding being dragged by the US into the on-going war with Iran. Recent developments show the allies are preparing to act even without full US leadership. Some countries, such a»»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing a deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
US‑Israel war with Iran, Day 22: What you need to know
Airspace disruptions and rising regional tensions are impacting travel and security across the UAE, with flights delayed and routes altered. Authorities confirmed the situation remains stable after intercepting missiles and drones, while travellers face uncertainty over schedules and rights. Meanwh»»»
Italy in Talks with US, Azerbaijan, Algeria to Offset Loss of Gas from Qatar
Italy is talking to several countries, including the United States, Azerbaijan and Algeria, to secure gas supplies now that Iranian strikes on Qatar appear to have halted its exports for an extended period, Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said. Iranian attacks have knocked out 17% of Qatar»»»
President Donald Trump: NATO 'cowards' for not helping to open Strait of Hormuz - UPI.com
President Donald Trump arrives for the Commander in Chief Trophy presentation in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Earlier in the day, he criticized NATO countries for declining to assist the United States in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | L»»»
Trump Calls NATO Allies 'Cowards' over Iran
US President Donald Trump on Friday branded NATO allies "cowards" for not heeding his demand for military assistance against Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Trump has recently veered between saying that Washington needs no help to secure the vital waterway for oil tankers, and »»»
Russian Paralympians added to Ukraine’s Mirotvorets database after 2026 Italy Games
Five Russian Paralympians have been added to the ‘kill list’ run by Ukraine’s state-backed Mirotvorets website, which publishes the personal details of individuals it labels as ‘enemies’ of the state. The athletes, placed on the list on Thursday, include alpine skier Aleksey Bugaev, and cross-count»»»
Damaged Russian Tanker Days away from Libyan Shores, Italian Official Says
A damaged Russian LNG tanker that has been drifting unmanned in the Mediterranean for more than two weeks, risking a major ecological disaster, is four to six days from Libya’s shores, an Italian official said on Friday. The Arctic Metagaz, carrying LNG from the Arctic port of Murmansk, has been un»»»
Oil Up despite Efforts by US, Allies to Boost Supply and Open Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices gained on Friday despite leading European nations, Japan and Canada offering to join efforts to secure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz and the US outlining moves to boost oil supply. "The potential for a quick reversal in energy prices is unlikely because damage has b»»»
Deputy Foreign Minister, Italian Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Relations
Bulgaria's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Radi Naydenov and Italian Ambassador Marcello Apicella conducted a meeting at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday to discuss the bilateral relations, the Ministry reported on Friday. The two discussed the excellent bilateral relations, based on shared Euro»»»
Oil prices fall as Europe, Japan move to secure Strait of Hormuz
London, March 20 (SANA) Oil prices fell on Friday after major European countries and Japan signaled readiness to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over potential supply disruptions. Brent crude futures dropped $1.24, or 1.1 percent, to $107.41 a barrel, while U.S. W»»»
How US Marines could reopen the Strait of Hormuz — and break the blockade
The Strait of Hormuz is not just an oil tanker passage. It’s a key waterway in global trade. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) uses a brutally simple playbook here: squeeze the world economy through this narrow gate — and control the gate. At just 39 km wide at its narrowest, shipping is»»»
BR Analysis | How Romania’s new media art & technology industry is growing
Worldwide, prestigious institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Tate Modern are incorporating digital art into their exhibitions, recognising its cultural and financial significance. These museums are pioneering new ways to engage visitors through immersive digital experiences. Mea»»»
Italy, Germany and France Offer Help with Hormuz Only after Ceasefire
Six major international powers said Thursday they were ready "to contribute to" ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though three stressed that any initiative would take place post-ceasefire. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands said Thursday they were ready "to»»»
Six countries condemn attacks on Gulf energy
London: A joint statement issued by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan condemned Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf, on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The statement,»»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Iran Attacks Wipe Out 17% of Qatar’s LNG Capacity for Up to Five Years
Iranian attacks have knocked out 17% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy's CEO and state minister for energy affairs told Reuters on Thursday. Saad al-Kaabi said two»»»
Oil markets split: Middle East crude surges to $131 while Brent slides to $107, WTI down to $94
Global energy markets are sending mixed signals as oil prices diverge sharply across regions, highlighting the growing impact of geopolitical tensions on supply flows. Benchmark crudes West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude and Brent crude both declined in the latest trading session, with WTI falling »»»
Iran regime missile assembly plant flattened in US precision strikes: CentCom
An Iranian regime's missile manufacturing and assembly facility had been razed to the ground following precision strikes as part of the US military carrying out "Operation Epic Fury". In an X post, the US Central Command stated their air, land, and sea forces continue of neutralise threats from the»»»
Iran warns of 'zero restraint' amid intensifying gas and oil attacks
Iranian attacks on the world's largest LNG plant in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait sent global oil and gas prices surging Thursday, raising fears of wider economic fallout. US President Donald Trump warned of a forceful response if Iran continued targeting Gulf energy infrastructur»»»
Netanyahu says Iran 'decimated,' Mojtaba Khamenei 'has not shown his face'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Iran is being "decimated" and it is unclear who is in charge, even as the Islamic Republic kept up attacks on Gulf oil and gas targets that have jolted global markets. Nearly three weeks into the Middle East war launched by Israel and the»»»
European nations, Japan condemn Iran attacks on Gulf infrastructure
LONDON: The United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Japan have strongly condemned Iran’s attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities in Gulf states, as well as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the targeting of commercial vessels. In a jo»»»
Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs: Iranian attacks disrupted 17 % of gas export capacity
DOHA: Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the Managing Director and CEO of QatarEnergy, Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi has revealed that Iranian attacks disrupted 17 percent of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing losses estimated at approximately $20 billion in ann»»»
Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs: Iranian attacks disrupted 17 % of gas export capacity
DOHA: Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the Managing Director and CEO of QatarEnergy, Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi has revealed that Iranian attacks disrupted 17 percent of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing losses estimated at approximately $20 billion in ann»»»
QatarEnergy: Iranian attacks disrupt 17% of LNG export capacity
Dubai, March 19 (SANA) – Iranian attacks have disrupted 17% of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in annual revenue losses, QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi said on Thursday. In remarks to Reuters, al-Kaabi said the attacks damaged two of Qatar’s 14 L»»»
Missile attacks cause estimated loss of $20 billion in annual revenue, reduce Qatar’s LNG export capacity by 17%: Minister of State for Energy Affairs
Doha: QatarEnergy expects the damage to its Ras Laffan Industrial City caused by missile strikes, which occurred on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, and in the early hours of Thursday, March 19, 2026, to cost about $20 billion a year in lost revenue and to take up to five years to repair, impacting suppl»»»
Iranian attacks disrupted 17 percent of gas export capacity: Minister of State for Energy Affairs
Doha, Qatar: The Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Managing Director and CEO of QatarEnergy, HE Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi has revealed that Iranian attacks disrupted 17 percent of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing losses estimated at approximately USD 20 billion »»»
'Ready' to help keep Hormuz open: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Japan
In a significant display of international unity amid escalating Middle East tensions, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan have issued a joint statement pledging “readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts” to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. This vital chokepoi»»»
Fisherman hands over ancient amphora netted off Peloponnese
A fisherman off the western Peloponnese has caught in his nets and handed over to port authorities a broken ancient amphora, officials said Thursday. A Coast Guard statement said the fisherman informed the Kyllini port authority Wednesday that he brought up the fragmentary vase – which would have b»»»
Kevin Spacey settles alleged sexual assault civil cases - UPI.com
Kevin Spacey attends the Filming Italy Venice Award photocall during the Venice International Film Festival in August 2025 in Venice, Italy. Spacey settled a sexual assault civil case in England. File Photo by Rocco Spaziani/UPI | License Photo Founder of the Women's Tennis Association and tennis g»»»
How the Iran war has left Europe facing yet another energy crisis
The knock-on effects of the conflict now whipping through the Middle East are awakening ghosts of crises past that shook the European Union. Seven months into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, the President of the European Commission stood at her podium in the Europ»»»
On This Day, March 19: 1935 Harlem Riot breaks out - UPI.com
On March 19, 1935, the so-called Harlem Riot broke out after a crowd of onlookers mistakenly believed that a white business owner had beaten -- and possibly killed -- a 12-year-old Black boy accused of stealing candy. 1 of 4 | The historic Apollo Theater is in the Harlem section of New York City on»»»
Hungary veto on Ukraine and carbon market to hijack EU summit
Hungary’s veto on money for Ukraine is to hijack the spotlight at Thursday’s EU summit in Brussels (19 March), alongside disagreements over Europe’s carbon market, overshadowing what was meant to be a key debate on turning Europe into a truly economic powerhouse. In draft conclusions, seen by EUobs»»»
Greece among 10 EU states pressing Brussels to keep giving industry free carbon permits
Ten European Union member states, including Greece, have called on the bloc to keep handing out free carbon permits to industry to help curb costs as the US-Israeli war on Iran sends energy prices soaring. European Union leaders, who meet for a summit in Brussels on Thursday, are debating proposal»»»
EU and NATO leadership ‘worst in decades’ – El Pais columnist
The leadership of the EU and NATO is the worst either bloc has had in decades, marked by incompetence, a policy of appeasing the US, and failing to protect European interests, according to a scathing critique by journalist Claudi Perez in Spain’s leading newspaper, El Pais. The opinion piece, publi»»»
U.S. pounds Hormuz Strait anti-ship missile sites with bunker-busters - UPI.com
U.S. forces targeted hardened Iranian missile sites on the Iranian side of the Strait of Hormuz with bunker-buster bombs in an effort to prevent attacks on shipping transiting the strategically key waterway. File photo courtesy Royal Thai Navy/EPA March 18 (UPI) -- U.S. forces successfully deployed»»»
Democratic decline deepens in Eastern Europe as global slide to autocracy accelerates
Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»
Democratic decline deepens in Eastern Europe as global slide to autocracy accelerates
Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»
Democratic decline deepens in Eastern Europe as global slide to autocracy accelerates
Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»
Democratic decline deepens in Eastern Europe as global slide to autocracy accelerates
Democratic governance is under unprecedented strain worldwide, with Eastern Europe now a hotspot for backsliding even as the US and other established democracies face rapid erosion of rights, according to the latest V-Dem Institute Democracy Report. »»»