Gold set for worst month in over 17 years
Singapore: Gold prices edged higher on Tuesday, helped by a softer dollar, but were poised for their worst month in more than 17 years as higher energy prices dimmed hopes for a US interest rate cut this year. Spot gold rose 0.8% to $4,544.19 per ounce. US gold futures for April delivery gained »»»
Boarding schools, social institutions to be required to undergo accreditation - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new regulation on the accreditation of boarding schools for children, as well as social organizations providing services to people with disabilities and senior citizens. The document applies to all institutions, regardless of ownership—both publ»»»
Arms cache linked to Kolbayev organized crime group discovered in Tokmok - | 24.KG
A cache of weapons and ammunition believed to belong to members of the organized crime group of the late crime boss Kamchy Kolbaev (K. Asanbek) has been discovered in the city of Tokmok, the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan (SCNS) reported. According to the SCNS, the find was mad»»»
UAE remittances get a lift as peso slides past 16.5
Dubai: The Philippine peso weakened again on Tuesday morning, pushing past 16.5 against the UAE dirham and extending a steady decline seen in recent sessions. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.At 9.35 am, Dh1 fetched 16.53 pesos, near the upper end of its recent trading »»»
Dubai introduces new rules for trading derivatives of virtual assets like crypto
Dubai: Dubai has launched a new regulatory framework for trading derivatives linked to virtual assets, marking one of the first attempts globally to bring such products under a dedicated and enforceable rulebook. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.Th»»»
Driving in UAE rain? Authorities share essential safety tips
Showers hit parts of the UAE, including Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, with authorities urging drivers to remain cautious. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) issued a rain alert for scattered areas across the country, warning of convective cloud formation bringing light to moderate rainfall, h»»»
Israel to Help US Manage Strait of Hormuz Crisis Through Intelligence
Israel is helping the United States manage the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz through intelligence, a senior Israeli security official told the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Monday, without addressing the issue of an Israeli involvement in any possible ground operations in Iran. The official sa»»»
China’s electrostate powers its grip on global metals
China’s emergence as a dominant force in industrial metals is increasingly being driven not only by its access to raw materials, but by the scale and structure of its electricity system as it emerges as the world’s leading “electrostate”. »»»
China and Turkmenistan cannot get their gas export numbers straight
China’s leading international broadcaster, CGTN, aired an interview on March 24 with Turkmenistan’s paramount leader, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, touting how “mutual trust and centuries-old exchanges” shape present-day bilateral relations. But such messaging struck a discordant note during the »»»
EV sales overtake petrol vehicles in EU for first time
Sales of EVs overtook standard petrol cars in the EU for the first time in December 2025, marking a milestone in the bloc’s transition to cleaner transport and reducing its reliance on oil imports, according to data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. »»»
Air freight disruption drives surge in India-US cargo rates
Air cargo rates from India to the United States have risen between 200% and 350% since the outbreak of the third Gulf war on February 28, as capacity constraints rather than demand drive pricing, according to industry estimates. »»»
Trump allows Russian oil tanker to dock in Cuba but warns island is "next" after Iran
The United States has allowed a Russian government-owned oil tanker to break its own blockade of Cuba, delivering the fuel-starved island its first significant energy shipment in three months, as President Donald Trump said the cargo would do little to alter Havana's fate. »»»
US embassy reopens in Caracas after six-year freeze
The United States has formally resumed operations at its embassy in Caracas, reopening a diplomatic mission shuttered since 2019 in a move that signals a marked shift in Washington's engagement with Venezuela. In a stateme»»»
Argentina wins reprieve in $16bn YPF case but legal battle set to run until 2027
A US appeals court has overturned a $16.1bn judgment against Argentina over the 2012 nationalisation of energy firm YPF, offering a significant legal respite for the South American country and prompting a strong political response from President Javier Milei. »»»
DR Congo–China agreement deepens minerals ties amid US supply chain push
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which accounts for roughly 70% of global cobalt supply and holds vast copper reserves, has signed a mining cooperation agreement with China, as competition for critical minerals between global powers has intensified. »»»
US cuts Nigerian crude imports by 47% in January as Angola, Ghana gain share
The United States sharply reduced purchases of Nigerian crude in January 2026, with imports falling 47.16% m/m to 1.664mn barrels from 3.149mn barrels in December, The Punch reports, citing data from the US Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. »»»
Trump allows Russian oil tanker to dock in Cuba but warns island is "next" after Iran
The United States has allowed a Russian government-owned oil tanker to break its own blockade of Cuba, delivering the fuel-starved island its first significant energy shipment in three months, as President Donald Trump said the cargo would do little to alter Havana's fate. »»»
Argentina wins reprieve in $16bn YPF case but legal battle set to run until 2027
A US appeals court has overturned a $16.1bn judgment against Argentina over the 2012 nationalisation of energy firm YPF, offering a significant legal respite for the South American country and prompting a strong political response from President Javier Milei. »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
IMF: How the war in the Middle East is affecting energy, trade, and finance
Energy prices, supply chains, and financial markets are the main transmission channels, but the regional effects will vary significantly. The world faces yet another shock. The war in the Middle East is upending lives and »»»
Management of Tunduk transferred to Presidential Administration - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov signed a decree on certain issues related to the operations of Tunduk OJSC. The document aims to improve the company’s efficiency and provides for a redistribution of powers to manage state participation in the company. According to the decree, the functions of»»»
National Bank of Kyrgyzstan conducts 5th intervention since beginning of 2026 - | 24.KG
On March 30, the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan conducted another intervention in the foreign exchange market—its fifth since the beginning of 2026. In total, the bank sold $178.9 million, of which $95.9 million was sold with settlement on the day of the transaction, and another $83 million with settl»»»
‘Get Used to New Regional Order’ Says Head of Iran’s Quds Force
The commander of the foreign operations branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued a rare message on Monday hailing Iranian proxy groups for helping create a "new regional order". Esmail Qaani became head of the Guards' Quds Force after the killing of Qassem Soleimani in a US strike in Iraq in 20»»»
Oil Slips, Stocks Rise as Report Says Trump Willing to End War
Oil prices sank and most stocks rose Tuesday, following a report that indicated Donald Trump was willing to end the Iran war even if the key Strait of Hormuz remained closed. But investors remain wary as the Wall Street Journal story came on the same day the US president threatened to destroy Iran'»»»
‘Transnational repression’: Iranian diaspora faces harassment, death threats, pressure on families
Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Dr. Roya Boroumand, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran. According to Dr. Boroumand, Iran's transnational repression began in the aftermath of the 1979 revolution. Over time, this strategy has adapted, bec»»»
Occupying Iran's Kharg island could be 'dangerous and risky' for US forces
More American forces are reaching the Middle East. Before their arrival, the U.S. military had already built up the largest American force in the region in more than 20 years. While State Secretary Marco Rubio said US objectives could be met without ground operations, President Donald Trump later s»»»
Iranian leaders 'do not take any statements from Donald Trump seriously '
The United States and Israel kept up their attacks on March 30 on the Islamic Republic, even as there were signs of progress in nascent ceasefire talks. But according to FRANCE 24's Reza Sayah, based in Tehran, Iranian authorities do not take statements from Trump seriously. He also tells us about »»»
US military building up in the Middle East as Trump looks for offramp in Iran
President Donald Trump said he wanted to take Iran’s oil and suggested US troops could seize the country’s Kharg Island export hub, even as he added in comments published on March 30 that a deal with Tehran to end the war “could be made fairly quickly.” The buildup has since been confirmed by the N»»»
US mulls over ground offensive in Iran despite claims of talks
US and Israeli strikes on Iran continue over a month after the joint campaign began. Washington is mulling a ground offensive to seize Iran's nuclear stockpile, which would be one of the riskiest in US history. Thousands of American army personnel arriving in the region over the weekend, as Trump a»»»
Iran are now 'calling the shots' over the Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump says Iran has agreed to let 20 ships through the Strait of Hormuz - a sign, according to him, that talks with Tehran are moving forward. But he has also signalled to the US possibly taking over Kharg island, and a regional US military build-up has triggered concern of grou»»»
One Lebanese soldier killed, Israel expands buffer zone in southern Lebanon
Israel renewed its bombardment of Beirut's southern suburbs on March 30 while continuing air strikes on Lebanon's south, one of which targeted an army checkpoint and killed a soldier. In south Lebanon, where state media reported a series of Israeli air strikes, the Lebanese army said one of its sol»»»
US not 'postured' for another Iraq 2003: Iran maintains vast, 'high-quality military capability'
Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Michael Knights, Adjunct Fellow at The Washington Institute and Head of Research at Horizon Engage. He examines the evolving military dynamics between the US and Iran, focusing on the operational possibilities available to US forces and the structural resilience o»»»
While Trump vows Iran deal on the way, 'evidence points to another direction'
US President Donald Trump threatened on March 30 to destroy Iran's crude export hub of Kharg Island, along with its oil wells and power plants, unless Tehran quickly accepted a peace deal. He also claimed that the United States was in 'serious discussions' with 'a more reasonable regime' in Tehran.»»»
Bab al-Mandab strait: Iran’s Houthi allies enter the conflict, raising fears over key trade route
As Iran’s Houthi allies enter the conflict, Iran has threatened to disrupt shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait – a strategic waterway linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal – with the help of its Houthi allies in Yemen. While disruptions in the Strait o»»»
Kyiv useful to US, Gulf at critical time: Drone interceptors 'more effective than Patriot missiles'
Nadia Massih is pleased to welcome Dr Samuel Ramani, Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. According to Dr. Ramani, President Zelensky’s outreach to Gulf states reflects a calculated effort to reposition Ukraine within a shifting global order, where military innovation, energy po»»»
The Debate - Boots on the ground? Trump eyes Iran oil hub Kharg Island
What could possibly go wrong? As Donald Trump repeats threats of a Venezuela-style seizing of Tehran’s oil exports, as US assault troops get in position, the price of oil blowing past 110 dollars a barrel, and as markets take it at face value that the Pentagon's planning to make a grab for Kharg Is»»»
Three UN peacekeepers killed in south Lebanon in 24 hours amid Israel-Hezbollah conflict
The UN said on Monday that two members of its peacekeeping force were killed in an explosion in south Lebanon, with a third being killed in a separate blast the previous day. Here's what to know about how the Blue Helmets are involved in the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. United Nat»»»
Israel legalises death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis
Israel's parliament on Monday passed a law approving the death penalty for Palestinians convicted on terror charges of carrying out deadly attacks on Israelis. The law, which also allows the courts to impose the death penalty on Israeli citizens, has been harshly criticised by Israeli and Palestini»»»
Sir Westmacott challenges Trump rationale as war on Iran sparks 'serious' economic fallout worldwide
For Spotlight, François Picard is pleased to welcome Sir Peter Westmacott, distinguished ambassadorial fellow with the Atlantic Council's Europe Center and former British Ambassador to Turkey, France and the US. As a senior British diplomat, he approaches the current crisis with both concern and an»»»
Spotlight - Sir Westmacott challenges Trump rationale as war on Iran sparks 'serious' economic fallout worldwide
For Spotlight, François Picard is pleased to welcome Sir Peter Westmacott, distinguished ambassadorial fellow with the Atlantic Council's Europe Center and former British Ambassador to Turkey, France and the United States. As a senior British diplomat with decades of experience across key tran»»»