How NATO Turned International Law Into Tool to Destroy Libya
Fifteen years ago, a UN resolution establishing a no-fly zone in Libya was twisted into a mandate to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi. "There is a date that scholars of international relations never forget, and it is March 17, 2011," Marco Marsili, associated researcher at the Centre for International Stu»»»
Pakistan and Afghanistan Announce Eid ‘Pause’ in Hostilities
Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday announced a halt in fighting during celebrations for the end of Ramadan, after the deadliest strike in their escalating conflict killed hundreds in Kabul earlier this week. The governments in Islamabad and Kabul said in separate statements that Saudi Arabia, Qa»»»
Pakistan and Afghanistan announce Eid 'pause' in hostilities
Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday announced a halt in fighting during celebrations for the end of Ramadan, after the deadliest strike in their escalating conflict killed hundreds in Kabul earlier this week. The governments in Islamabad and Kabul said in separate statements that Saudi Arabia, Qa»»»
Storms, warm seas drove sudden drop in Antarctic ice: study
Paris, France: Unusually strong winds and warm ocean water likely drove a rapid plunge in Antarctic sea ice in recent years, scientists said on Wednesday, shedding new light on a puzzling event. While the Arctic sea ice area has been steadily declining, the story has been very different in Antarcti»»»
Dubai and Oman activate green corridor to speed up cargo movement
Dubai: Dubai Customs has announced the activation of a “green corridor” between the emirate and the Sultanate of Oman for sea and air shipments, in cooperation with Oman’s General Administration of Customs. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The initiative is designed to »»»
Iran's intelligence minister Esmail Khatib killed in air strike
Iran's intelligence minister Esmail Khatib has been killed, the country's president has confirmed. Masoud Pezeshkian said the "cowardly assassination" had left Iran "in deep mourning", after Israel said on Wednesday it had killed Khatib in an air strike. It comes a day after Israel announced it had»»»
UAE rolls out up to 50% tax credit for businesses
Dubai: The UAE has launched the first phase of its Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentives Programme, offering businesses tax credits to encourage investment in innovation and technology. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Under Phase 1, companies can claim a non-re»»»
Qatar welcomes temporary truce between Afghanistan and Pakistan on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr
DOHA: The State of Qatar welcomed the announcement of a temporary truce between Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, considering it a positive step that contributes to de-escalation and fosters a more conciliatory atmosphere between the two sides. In a st»»»
Amir receives phone call from Sri Lanka's President
Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a telephone call today from the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka HE Anura Kumara Dissanayake. At the beginning of the call, HE the President inquired about the situation in the State of Qatar, expressing hi»»»
Report: Netanyahu offered a ceasefire, Hezbollah responded with shelling operation
The Lebanese state has no option left but to seek a humanitarian truce for Eid al-Fitr, after the failure of efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel is insistsling on Hezbollah's complete "surrender" before halting its operations in Lebanon, while the »»»
U.S. eyes Chile’s dominant global rhenium supply - UPI.com
Used primarily in the aerospace, energy and petrochemical industries, rhenium plays a key role in high-performance applications. Photo by cottonbro studio/pexels SANTIAGO, Chile, March 18 (UPI) -- The United States is continuing efforts to secure supplies of critical minerals deemed vital to nation»»»
Qatar welcomes temporary truce between Afghanistan, Pakistan on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr
Doha, Qatar: The State of Qatar expressed its welcome for the announcement of the temporary truce between Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on the occasion of the upcoming blessed Eid al-Fitr, and considers this step a positive initiative that contributes to de-escalation and streng»»»
NATO Allies in Talks on 'Best Way' to Re-open Hormuz Strait
NATO chief Mark Rutte said Wednesday that allies of the military alliance were in discussions on the "best way" to open the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large chunk of the world's oil supply normally passes, AFP reported. "I have been in contact with many allies. We all agree, of course, that »»»
'Very difficult to stop': BBC visits scene of Iran cluster bomb strike on Israel
It was late at night when an Iranian cluster bomb flew through the ceiling of an elderly couple's apartment in central Israel and exploded in their tiny living room, killing them both. The path of the bomb was still clearly mapped onto the ash-covered debris left behind. A large hole in the ceiling»»»
Israel claims Iranian intelligence minister 'eliminated' in airstrike - UPI.com
Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib (C) attending a session of the Iranian Parliament in August 2024 for the presentation of newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian's cabinet picks. Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA March 18 (UPI) -- Israel said Wednesday that it had killed Iranian Intelli»»»
Dubai’s top court clarifies compensation rights in non-Muslim divorces
Dubai: Dubai Court of Cassation has issued a landmark ruling clarifying how compensation claims should be handled in divorce cases involving non-Muslim couples, drawing a clear line between personal harm and damages directly arising from divorce. In its latest judgment, the court ruled that claims »»»
US watchdog slams lack of oversight in $26 bn Ukraine aid
The US sent Ukraine $26 billion in aid without adequate oversight of how the funds would be used, a government auditor has told lawmakers. The flaws in a program managed by the now-defunct US Agency for International Development (USAID) were highlighted by the office of the inspector general, which»»»
Hundreds of ants in tubes: Kenya arrests two in wildlife trafficking case
Nairobi: A Chinese national and a Kenyan man were charged Tuesday with unlawfully dealing in wildlife species after they were found in possession of hundreds of live ants stored in specialised tubes. The case was the latest focused on the alleged smuggling of ants in the East African country, where»»»
How Sharjah is readying itself for Eid Al Fitr
Sharjah: Sharjah City Municipality has announced full readiness to receive Eid Al Fitr, launching intensive inspection and awareness campaigns targeting a wide range of establishments expected to see high public turnout during the holiday. The campaigns will cover food outlets, barbershops, beauty »»»
Markwayne Mullin faces Senate hearing to replace Kristi Noem as DHS head - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla, is sworn in during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on his nomination to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Bonnie Ca»»»
China never demanded Kyrgyzstan introduce visa-free regime first — Ambassador - | 24.KG
China has never demanded that Kyrgyzstan be the first to introduce a visa-free regime, Liu Jiangping, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Kyrgyzstan, said at a briefing. She responded to a 24.kg news agency correspondent’s question about the accuracy of»»»
Hittler faces Zielinski as French town's election contest goes viral
A small French town has won instant internet fame because its mayor – running for re-election in Sunday's municipal elections – goes by the name of Hittler. Not just that. One of his two opponents is called Zielinski. "It has gone completely crazy," lamented Charles Hittler, mayor of Arcis-sur-Aube»»»
Russia Condemns Irresponsible Attack on Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant - Foreign Ministry
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia condemns the irresponsible attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant (NPP) and Israel and the United States must abandon reckless attacks that carry security risks, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday. "We strongly condemn the irresponsib»»»
Fire-hit USS Ford heads for repairs amid Iran war pressure
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier and a central pillar of US naval operations in the war against Iran, is expected to head for repairs after a major fire onboard. The nuclear-powered carrier, deployed for nearly nine months and involved in more than two weeks of strikes l»»»
New Dubai law transforms police training with AI and VR
Dubai has taken a major step in advancing police education with the issuance of Dubai Police Academy Law No. (7) of 2026 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The new law reflects Dubai’s forward-looking vision to ele»»»
Sharjah Police to confiscate noisy vehicles
Sharjah: Police have announced strict measures against vehicles and motorcycles causing noise and disturbance in residential areas and on public roads, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and community peace. The General Command of Sharjah Police said it has received multiple compl»»»
Cyberattack on med-tech company a 'wake-up call' to threats to U.S. - UPI.com
A cyberattack by Iran-linked hackers on the medical technology company Stryker last week highlighted the modern threats facing the United States. File Photo by Ritchie B. Tongo/EPA March 18 (UPI) -- A cyberattack by Iran-linked hackers on the medical technology company Stryker last week highlighted»»»
CBSE announces special assessment scheme for Class 10 students in UAE, Middle East
Dubai: India's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday announced a special assessment scheme for declaring Class 10 results across Middle East countries, after several board examinations were cancelled due to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war. The board had scrapped the Class 10 main »»»
National Professional Agricultural Group relaunched (CONECT)
Tunis, March 18, (TAP)-The Confederation of Citizen Enterprises of Tunisia (CONECT) has relaunched “CONECT Agri” as a national platform to coordinate efforts among farmers, investors, and industrial stakeholders, with the goal of improving...»»»
ANAX Holding partners with Emirates Red Crescent to boost Eid charitable efforts
Dubai: This Eid, ANAX Holding, a Dubai-based investment firm, supported the noble initiatives carried out by the Emirates Red Crescent benefiting vulnerable families and individuals across the UAE. During a visit to the Emirates Red Crescent Dubai Center, Satish Sanpal, Founder and Chairperson of A»»»
President Iotova Expects Election Campaign Focused on Ideas, Not Conflict
“I am convinced that, for the first time in many years, there will be an election campaign that is not built solely on conflict and confrontation, but will feature a clash of proposals and ideas," President Iliana Iotova told journalists. She was speaking at a forum on healthcare, organized by the »»»
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»»»
The US-Iran war confirms China’s four worst fears
When the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on 28 February, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and crippling Tehran’s military infrastructure, the world witnessed a dramatic reshaping of the Middle East’s power structure. Beijing’s public response—measured moral condemnations, an e»»»
Strategy Shift: Why Pakistan's ‘Righteous Fury’ Differs From Previous Cross-Border Strikes
This operation is not just about neutralizing militants; it is about compelling Kabul to act responsibly and stop tolerating groups that destabilize the region, Sultan M. Hali said. Earlier cross-border actions were limited to tactical raids against militant hideouts. However, Operation Righteous F»»»
France says it’s unreasonable to expect Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah amid bombing – Ya Libnan
Share: PHOTO- A person walks past debris at the site of an Israeli strike, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Zuqaq al-Blat district in central Beirut, Lebanon, March 18, 2026. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi Beirut- It is unreasonable to expect th»»»
Iran war triggers helium shortage, hits semiconductor supply
BusinessMiddle EastIran war triggers helium shortage, hits semiconductor supplyTimothy RooksRising tensions in the Middle East are rattling high-end chipmakers. Among all the latest geopolitical uncertainties for the industry is a shortage of helium that could slow global production. https://p.dw.c»»»
Prosecution asks for seven years' jail for Norwegian crown princess's son
Prosecutors in the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, have requested a jail term of seven years and seven months, arguing he should be found guilty of 39 of the 40 charges he is accused of. The 29-year-old denies the most serious charges, which include four cou»»»
State Well-Stocked on Fuel, Holds 90 Days Reserve Buffer, Prime Minister Gurov Says
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said in an interview for Radio Free Europe that the state has fuel reserves at quite solid levels, as required by law. Gurov noted that all traders are currently maintaining the required reserve levels, explaining that under the Crude Oil and Petroleum Products»»»
Israelis had just returned to Kiryat Shmona, now rockets are flying again
Gila Pahima returned to Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel last spring, 18 months after its population had been evacuated because of Hezbollah rocket fire. Now air raid sirens are again sounding around the clock as the boom of missiles and interceptors echoes overhead. "I feel like we're in constant »»»
Interior Minister and Turkish Ambassador Discuss Crime Countering, Easing Border Traffic
Interior Minister of Interior Emil Dechev on Wednesday conferred with Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Sait Uyanık. During the meeting, the sides discussed countering illegal migration, combating smuggling and drug trafficking, easing passenger and cargo traffic across the shared border, as well as measur»»»
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»»»
Eid in the UAE: A guide for a safe celebration this 2026
Dubai: As the UAE awaits for Eid Al Fitr, authorities have issued fresh guidance to ensure that residents and visitors alike can celebrate safely and with peace of mind. The Dubai Media Office has released a safety guide explaining what to do if you receive an emergency alert on your phone, which c»»»
When football meets geopolitics: The challenges facing World Cup 2026
When the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America on June 11, 2026, it will be the largest sporting event ever staged. Matches will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, involving millions of spectators and a global television audience expected to exceed five bi»»»
Dubai 24K gold dips below Dh600, weakest in a month
Dubai: Gold prices fell below the Dh600 mark on Wednesday afternoon, with the 24K rate dropping to Dh597 per gram at 3.40 pm from Dh601 in the morning, while 22K declined to Dh552.75 from Dh556.50, tracking a broader pullback in global markets. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices i»»»
Chronic Kidney Disease Officially Recognized in Bulgaria
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now officially recognized in Bulgaria. This was reported during a news conference to present the results of years of efforts by the medical community and patient organizations to improve the diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease. Hristina Nikolova, Chair»»»
‘They will do nothing for us’ – Trump on NATO
US President Donald Trump has criticized other NATO nations’ unwillingness to join the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, calling the bloc a “one-way street” that America has never really needed. The remarks came a day after US allies, including NATO members, ignored or rejected Trump’s ca»»»
France Says It’s Unreasonable to Expect Lebanon to Disarm Hezbollah Amid Bombing
It is unreasonable to expect the Lebanese government to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah while the country is being bombed by Israel, France's special envoy for Lebanon said on Wednesday. Jean-Yves Le Drian said only negotiations would resolve the crisis, in which Lebanese authorities say over 900 peop»»»
When code becomes collective: A practical reflection on classifying software under Romanian copyright law
In technology-driven transactions, some of the most decisive legal questions are not always the most visible ones. A seemingly technical issue, such as the classification of software under copyright law, can ultimately determine whether a deal moves forward or stalls. This became particularly clear»»»
UK meningitis outbreak: What we know as cases climb to 20
British health authorities are scrambling to contain what officials have described as an “unprecedented” meningitis outbreak centred around a university and linked to a popular nightclub in southeastern England. The outbreak in Kent has claimed the lives of two young people — a 21-year-old universi»»»
Media Review: March 18
OVERVIEW The upcoming early parliamentary elections are the topic present in all media outlets. POLITICS According to a poll commissioned by bTV, conducted by Market Links and published by Trud, the Bulgarian Nartional Radio (BNR), and Dnevnik.bg, five political formations will gain the necessary 4»»»