Since October 2023, the Middle East and North Africa have been set ablaze, with war coming to Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Syria, and Iran, to name but a few. In large part, Iraqis felt that they had been dodging bullets, miraculously emerging mainly unscathed amidst the mayhem. In recent w»»»

Dubai: A rare and endangered golden monkey has been born at Pairi Daiza, marking the first such birth in Belgium and a significant milestone for conservation efforts in Europe. The baby monkey, born on March 17, 2026, is reported to be in good health and is being closely cared for by its mother, de»»»

For Iraq, this is a strange moment both politically and militarily. The state of Iraq has proximity to—but no direct connection to—the fierce battle raging between Iran on one side and Israel and the United States on the other, with Gulf states becoming Iranian targets as a result. That is the stat»»»

OVERVIEW No single issue dominates Thursday’s media, but the note sent by Iran to Bulgaria, the security agreement signed between Bulgaria and Ukraine, and the justice minister’s request for the disciplinary dismissal of the acting prosecutor general, are among the main topics. POLITICS Speaking on»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Foreign Ministers of the State of Qatar, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Arab Republic of Egypt strongly condemned the Israeli occup»»»

Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez (R) speaks alongside U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 4, 2026. On Wednesday, the Trump administration lifted sanctions on Rodriguez. File Photo by. Miguel Gutierrez/EPA April 2 (UPI) -- The Trump administration h»»»

On April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II, head of the Roman Catholic Church for more than a quarter century, died at his Vatican apartment. 1 of 6 | Bishop Robert Hermann celebrates a mass in honor of the late Pope John Paul II at the Cathedral Bascillica in St. Louis on April 3, 2005. The pontiff died »»»

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday the original aims of the war in Iran had been met and it was not clear what more remained to be achieved. Albanese called for de-escalation, noting that US-Israeli attacks had degraded Iran's air force, navy and military industrial base, r»»»

The director of the Romanian Road Authority (ARR), Cristian Anton, former head of cabinet of Sorin Grindeanu while the latter was the minister of transport, was detained by the DNA prosecutors in connection with a corruption case, after searches in Bucarest and Timisoara. The investigation aims at »»»

Israel said it came under Iranian missile fire on Thursday after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb the Iranian republic into the "Stone Ages" with heavy strikes in the next two to three weeks. In a speech from the White House, Trump sought to reassure war-weary Americans that the militar»»»

Acting Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski said that the diplomatic note sent by Iran to Bulgaria should be viewed as standard communication in a period of heightened international tension, stressing that it does not constitute a threat but rather a formal warning. She underlined that Bulgaria mainta»»»

Beijing has voiced firm opposition to Manila's plan to rename more than 100 maritime features in the Nansha Qundao on April 2, vowing to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, Global Times reports. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to reports that the Philippines intends to ad»»»

Beijing has voiced firm opposition to Manila's plan to rename more than 100 maritime features in the Nansha Qundao on April 2, vowing to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, Global Times reports. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to reports that the Philippines intends to ad»»»

Beijing has voiced firm opposition to Manila's plan to rename more than 100 maritime features in the Nansha Qundao on April 2, vowing to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, Global Times reports. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to reports that the Philippines intends to ad»»»

The months since Nicolás Maduro's capture have brought Venezuela closer to the global economy than at any point in a generation. New laws, a US sanctions rollback and a resumption of international engagement have redrawn the investment landscape with striking speed. Yet for many of the large Wester»»»

The months since Nicolás Maduro's capture have brought Venezuela closer to the global economy than at any point in a generation. New laws, a US sanctions rollback and a resumption of international engagement have redrawn the investment landscape with striking speed. Yet for many of the large Wester»»»

Oil futures showed mixed movements Thursday morning (April 2, 2026) amid ongoing volatility tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict. As of the latest snapshot: WTI Crude rose to $103.69, up +$3.57 (+3.57%). Brent Crude climbed to $105.53, up +$4.37 (+4.32%). Murban Crude (UAE benchmark) fell to $103.63, dow»»»

Fresh signals of de-escalation in the Iran conflict continued to drain the massive “war premium” that had driven prices above $110 just days earlier. WTI, the main US oil price benchmark, crashed under $100 as ceasefire hopes emerged overnight. As of 10:12 AM (Tokyo) | 1:12 AM GMT (London) on Thurs»»»

The months since Nicolás Maduro's capture have brought Venezuela closer to the global economy than at any point in a generation. New laws, a US sanctions rollback and a resumption of international engagement have redrawn the investment landscape with striking speed. Yet for many of the large Wester»»»

ABU DHABI: The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast a period of unsettled weather across the UAE, through 6 April, advising residents to prepare for shifting conditions including rain and reduced visibility. The forecast indicates a mix of fair to cloudy skies, with light to moderate r»»»

In a historic first, Donald Trump became the first US sitting president to attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court on Wednesday as it weighed his bid to restrict birthright citizenship. During more than two hours of questioning, justices from across the ideological spectrum assessed the policy’s»»»

Since the start of Donald Trump’s second term, media outlets in the United States have faced an uphill battle. Targeted verbal attacks, attempts to control information and press credentials, and financial pressure are just some of the ways the White House has sought to influence reporting –or label»»»

New York: Gold prices continued their upward trend for the fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, as the dollar weakened amid renewed cautious hopes for a de-escalation of the Middle East conflict. The price of gold in spot trading rose 2.5 percent to $4,784.22 per ounce, after earlier reaching i»»»

Bulgaria must clearly guarantee that its territory will not be used for military actions against Iran and should work towards de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, said Vazrazhdane top-of-the-list candidate in Ruse Zlatan Zlatanov after a meeting with Iran's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Alireza »»»

For decades, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) built a strategy around one narrow stretch of water — the Strait of Hormuz, just 33km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point, yet carrying nearly a fifth of the world’s oil every day. It was designed as a trap. Mines seeded beneath the surfa»»»

For decades, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) built a strategy around one narrow stretch of water — the Strait of Hormuz, just 33km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point, yet carrying nearly a fifth of the world’s oil every day. It was designed as a trap. Mines seeded beneath the surfa»»»

Dubai: Iran’s disruption of energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz amounts to “global economic extortion” that risks destabilising economies far beyond the Middle East, according to Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. The UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Managing Director and Group CEO of»»»

A bottle of wine from 1945 became the most expensive bottle of the beverage ever sold at auction when it fetched a price of $812,500. Photo courtesy of Acker March 31 (UPI) -- A bottle of wine from 1945 became the most expensive bottle of the beverage ever sold at auction when it fetched a price of»»»

The dollar dropped for a second day on Wednesday as expectations of a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict grew after the US signalled that an end to the war could be near, even though markets remained on edge on fears of escalation. The White House said US President Donald Trump would address the»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani chaired the regular meeting of the Cabinet, held at its headquarters in the Amiri Diwan on Wednesday morning, April 1, 2026. Following the meeting, the Minister of Justice and Mini»»»

Dubai: Global markets have already moved ahead of the facts. Investors are increasingly betting that the conflict between the US and Iran could end within weeks, a shift driven largely by comments from Donald Trump that the military campaign may be wrapped up in “two to three weeks.” That expectati»»»

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that U.S. forces would be out of Iran "soon" with military operations ending in as little as two or three weeks. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo April 1 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said the United States would be out of Iran "soon" with military o»»»

DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani chaired the regular Cabinet meeting held at its headquarters in the Amiri Diwan. Following the meeting, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HEIbrahim bin Ali Al Moha»»»

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on April 1 that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper would host a meeting this week aimed at building an international coalition to restore maritime security in the Persian Gulf, with military planners tasked with drawing up options for making the Strait of »»»

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on April 1 that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper would host a meeting this week aimed at building an international coalition to restore maritime security in the Persian Gulf, with military planners tasked with drawing up options for making the Strait of »»»

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on April 1 that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper would host a meeting this week aimed at building an international coalition to restore maritime security in the Persian Gulf, with military planners tasked with drawing up options for making the Strait of »»»

World shares were higher and oil fell briefly below $100 per barrel on Wednesday after U.S. stocks soared to their best day in almost a year on renewed hopes that the Iran war could soon end. The renewed optimism over a possible de-escalation of the Iran war, which is in its fifth week, came after »»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received His Excellency Nikolaos Georgios Dendias, Minister of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic, at his office in Lusail Palace, Wednesday, April 1, 2026.During the meeting, they reviewed developments in the region and thei»»»

People hold placards against the death penalty law for Palestinian terrorists that was passed by the Israeli government during a protest in front of the Israeli Knesset, the Parliament, in Jerusalem on Tuesday. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo April 1 (UPI) -- The United Nations human right»»»

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) discussed recent legislative updates to the Commercial Companies Law during a specialised forum aimed at strengthening legal awareness and supporting the business environment. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simpl»»»

Acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov flew to Kyiv, signed a 10-year defense cooperation agreement with Volodymyr Zelensky, and flew back. On paper, a straightforward show of solidarity with real strategic substance. In practice, he attached enough additional baggage to the visit to hand nearly every»»»

Choosing the right degree or career path has become increasingly complex. As industry demands change and new fields continue to emerge across technology, business and sustainability, students today face more options, and greater uncertainty, than ever before. This is where the 10th edition of Gulf »»»

Doha, Qatar: As the Middle East accelerates its investments in artificial intelligence (AI), experts see the region, including Qatar, playing a growing role in shaping the next phase of AI infrastructure, enterprise deployment, and next-generation video technologies. Speaking to The Peninsula, mark»»»

The United States needs to reassess NATO's importance to the country, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. "We have to re-examine the value of NATO and that alliance for our country," Rubio said in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday. Rubio also accused NATO of acting unilaterally against the »»»

The George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group departed Norfolk, Virginia, on Tuesday for a deployment, the US Navy said. "The George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) departed Norfolk for a regularly scheduled deployment, March 31, 2026," the official statement on the defense media website DVI»»»

A coordinated gang assault on rural communities in Haiti's Artibonite region over the weekend left scores dead and thousands displaced, with rights groups putting the death toll as high as 70 while authorities confirmed only 16 fatalities, laying bare the chronic dysfunction plaguing the country's »»»

Sandro Castro, grandson of late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, has publicly slammed Cuba's president and questioned the island's socialist economic model, in a rare display of dissent from within the ruling family as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Havana and a de facto US oil »»»

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met in Beijing on March 31 and issued a joint five-point initiative calling for an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. »»»

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met in Beijing on March 31 and issued a joint five-point initiative calling for an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. »»»

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met in Beijing on March 31 and issued a joint five-point initiative calling for an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. »»»