Modi makes history, becomes longest-serving head of government
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday became the longest-serving head of an elected government in India’s history, surpassing the record of Pawan Kumar Chamling, who served as Sikkim’s chief minister for over 24 years. With 8,931 days in office, combining his tenure as Gujarat Chief Min»»»
How Abu Dhabi is ensuring uninterrupted electricity and water even during emergencies
Abu Dhabi continues to enhance its preparedness to ensure the sustainable supply of electricity and water, within the framework of a comprehensive strategic vision based on efficiency, resilience, and rapid response to various conditions, including crises and emergencies. In this context, the Chair»»»
Cuba Hit by Second Nationwide Blackout in a Week
Cuba plunged into darkness for the second time in less than a week on Saturday after its national power network failed again, strained by aging infrastructure and a US oil blockade. As night fell, Havana's streets were mostly pitch black, with people navigating using phone lights or flashlights, ju»»»
Why the Trump administration is easing sanctions on certain Iranian oil stockpiles
Reuters- Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, are seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, on March 11, 2026. Stringer/Reuters Trump administration officials are making a desperate push to secure every available barrel of oil amid a worsenin»»»
Property tax exemption for primary residences raised to LE 8 million: Finance Minister
Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk has announced a suite of unprecedented tax facilities and incentives designed to alleviate financial pressures on Egyptian citizens. Central to the new measures is the decision to raise the property tax exemption threshold for primary residences to LE 8 million, e»»»
Expert warns of $200 oil in ‘greatest energy crisis in history’
International energy consultant Mamdouh Salameh warned that the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz—even for a brief period—will trigger a massive surge in oil prices, predicting that Brent crude could exceed $120 per barrel within days. Speaking to Al Qahera News, Salameh explained that a six-»»»
Flight status for March 22: Check these updates before you fly out or into UAE
Dubai: Airlines operating in and out of the UAE warned of continued disruption on Sunday, as unstable weather and regional airspace constraints forced delays, cancellations and rerouting across multiple networks. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Carriers including IndiG»»»
World Water Day: How UAE champions global fight for clean water for 2.1b people
Dubai: The UAE is spearheading a global movement to secure clean water for billions of people, backing its ambitions with a $150m international initiative, world-leading desalination technology, and a starring role at the upcoming UN Water Conference 2026, in what is seen as a clear signal that the»»»
GCC condemns Iran attacks as escalation threatening Gulf security
Riyadh, March 22 (SANA) The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Sunday condemned the continued Iranian attacks on its member states, warning they represent an escalation that threatens regional stability and global energy supplies. GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi said in a statement »»»
Jazeera Airways resumes Egypt flights via Saudi Arabia
Jazeera Airways announced Sunday that it will resume commercial flights to and from Sohag in Egypt via Saudi Arabia’s Qaisumah Airport, starting March 29. Passengers will complete check-in at Jazeera Airways’ center at Mishref International Fairground Hall 8, before being transported by bus to Qais»»»
Three weeks on, weakened but defiant: Why Iran may prolong the war despite heavy losses
Dubai: The losses at the top of Iran’s power structure have been staggering. The Supreme Leader is dead. His successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen in public since the strike that killed his father — raising fresh questions over who is actually running the country. Ali Larijani, the regime’»»»
Can Nations Save the Shorebird that Flies 30,000 km a Year?
Chasing an endless summer, one shorebird species undertakes a grueling annual journey from the Arctic to the tip of South America and back -- a feat increasingly fraught with peril. The Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica) is one of the world's most remarkable travelers, but its population has plun»»»
War Deepens Lebanon’s Economic Collapse
Lebanon’s economy barely catches its breath before another crisis hits, tightening the squeeze and deepening its fragility. The current war has wiped out efforts to revive it, as the country still reels from the 2019 financial collapse, the coronavirus pandemic, the Beirut port blast, and the 2023-»»»
Ichthyologist Bekova: Urban Rivers Are a Resource, Not a Problem
Urban rivers should be seen not as a problem but as a resource that can bring long-term environmental, social and economic benefits if managed properly, ichthyologist and hydrobiologist Radoslava Bekova of the Institute of Oceanology told BTA on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion of World Water Day, »»»
‘Global headwinds, local resilience shape Qatar’s commodity price landscape’
Doha, Qatar: Commodity price movements in Qatar during early 2026 have reflected a mix of global market trends and strong domestic economic fundamentals, according to analysts, who point to both external pressures and strategic national positioning. Qatar’s longstanding role as a leading LNG export»»»
What to expect from Federal Reserve in 2026?
Doha, Qatar: At the beginning of 2026, QNB's baseline macroeconomic view for the United States remained broadly constructive. According to QNB Economic Commentry, latest powerful wave of artificial intelligence (AI) related capital expenditures, improving productivity dynamics, and the gradual norm»»»
Video: How Dubai pushes ahead with 6,000km walkways plan
Dubai: Dubai has taken a major step towards its vision of becoming one of the world’s most walkable cities, with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) awarding the first contract under its sweeping Dubai Walk Master Plan. The initiative will deliver more than 6,000 kilometres of walkways across t»»»
Fighting in South Lebanon Reaches Close Combat Stage
Israeli advances in the border town of Khiam and the coastal village of Naqoura triggered fierce clashes with Hezbollah, which said its fighters battled Israeli forces for four hours in central Khiam, as sustained Israeli shelling pounded the surrounding areas and one-way attack drones entered the »»»
Public transport demonstrates resilience amid crisis
Doha, Qatar: Despite the ongoing regional tensions that have disrupted international air travel and prompted widespread staycations, Qatar’s integrated public transport network continues to function with clockwork precision, ensuring residents and visitors enjoy seamless mobility during the Eid Al »»»
On This Day, March 22: Arab League established in Cairo meeting - UPI.com
On March 22, 1945, representatives from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Transjordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Yemen met in Cairo to establish the Arab League. 1 of 8 | A general view of a meeting held by Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo November 2, 2011. On March 22, 1945, representatives from Egypt, Sy»»»
Five Options Under Consideration to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz
Luke Broadwater, Helene Cooper, Eric Schmitt* Washington: As the United States presses ahead with its military campaign against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the war’s most pivotal battlefield. In response to US and Israeli airstrikes, Iran has largely blockaded the strait, snarling oil»»»
Sidra Medicine ensures uninterrupted services
Doha, Qatar: Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, continues to play a vital role in Qatar’s national healthcare system, maintaining uninterrupted services for women and children during the current situation. As the country’s main tertiary pediatric hospital, the institution has reaffirmed »»»
Israeli Provocations Aim to Draw Damascus into Regional Escalation
Damascus is treading carefully to avoid being pulled into the region’s escalating tensions, but Syrian-Israeli friction has resurfaced after Israel struck Syrian army sites and military infrastructure, claiming it was acting to “protect Druze citizens in Sweida.” The attacks drew condemnations from»»»
Qatar advances food self-sufficiency with strong growth in local production
Doha, Qatar: Qatar has recorded significant progress in strengthening its food security and achieving higher levels of self-sufficiency, driven by sustained investments in local agricultural production and strategic partnerships across sectors. According to recent achievements highlighted by Minist»»»
Qatar’s e-commerce grows amid festive shopping surge
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s e-commerce sector is gaining momentum as consumers increasingly turn to digital platforms for convenience and competitive pricing, even as traditional mall shopping continues to draw strong crowds across the country. Speaking to The Peninsula, experts say online shopping has ex»»»
Egypt Says it Will Pay $1.3 Billion in Arrears to Oil Companies by June
Egypt will settle $1.3 billion in arrears to international oil companies by June, the petroleum ministry said on Saturday, accelerating its previous timetable for repayments. Egypt had accumulated about $6.1 billion in arrears to foreign oil companies by June 30, 2024 due to a prolonged foreign cur»»»
Attacks in Baghdad Breach Fragile Militia Truce
A wave of coordinated attacks struck Baghdad in a sharp escalation of Iraq’s security tensions, pointing to a shift in armed factions’ tactics and signaling that an undeclared truce may have effectively collapsed, with the US’s “Victory Base” being among the targets. The attacks began with a strike»»»
Defiant Bulgaria Leader Ninova Pledges Economic Relief Measures, Targets Rising Prices
Korneliya Ninova, leader of the Defiant Bulgaria National Movement party, during a visit to Kyustendil on Saturday, said, “We stand firmly, consistently, and unwaveringly against the existing model of governance represented by GERB and MRF.” “I have fought this model for ten years and I will not gi»»»
China's Premier Vows to Expand Global 'Trade Pie'
China's number two leader Li Qiang said Sunday that his country was willing to help expand the global "trade pie" by further opening up, state media reported, while he slammed unilateralism from certain countries. Many of China's key trading partners have increasingly called on Beijing to reduce it»»»
Putin's Envoy Dmitriev Sees Fuel Crisis in EU, UK in 2-3 Weeks
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for supplying oil and liquefied natural gas from the Persian Gulf to the global market, has been effectively halted. As a result, fuel prices are rising in most countries. Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) CEO Kirill Dmitriev, who is also the s»»»
EU Urges Reduced Gas-storage Target
The European Commission on Saturday urged EU member countries to lower their target for filling natural gas storage in the coming months, to alleviate price pressures caused by the war in the Middle East. EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen sent a letter asking to "consider reducing your filling t»»»
Refiners in India, Elsewhere in Asia Look to Buy Iranian Oil after US Waives Sanctions
Indian refiners plan to resume buying Iranian oil while refiners elsewhere in Asia are examining such a move after Washington temporarily removed sanctions to alleviate an energy crunch caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran, traders said on Saturday. Three Indian refining sources said they will buy »»»
Trump threatens Iran: 48-hour ultimatum on Strait of Hormuz
Iranian missiles struck two communities in southern Israel late Saturday, injuring dozens and damaging buildings near the country’s main nuclear research centre. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump warned the US will “obliterate” Iranian power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Horm»»»
Sri Lanka raises fuel prices by 25 percent amid soaring oil prices
Sri Lanka raised fuel prices by 25 percent on Sunday, the second increase in two weeks, as the country prepared for more impact from the war in the Middle East. Regular petrol was increased to 398 rupees ($1.30) per litre, up from 317 rupees, while diesel, the fuel commonly used for public transpor»»»
US judge strikes down Pentagon press limits as unconstitutional
A US judge on Friday ruled that the Pentagon’s controversial media access policy violated constitutional protections, restoring journalists’ credentials after major outlets refused to comply. The decision marks a significant victory for press freedom, underscoring the public’s right to diverse repo»»»
Trump threatens to send ICE agents to airports amid TSA funding impasse
President Donald Trump on Saturday warned he may deploy ICE agents to US airports if Congress fails to fund airport security. The move comes as TSA staff face a second missed paycheck in a 36-day partial government shutdown, raising fears of travel disruption. Critics question ICE’s suitability for»»»
Washington sends conflicting signals as war rages on in the Middle East
As the Iran conflict enters its fourth week, strikes on nuclear sites and a reported attack on a US-UK base signal further escalation. With no clear exit in sight, fears are mounting of wider instability and humanitarian fallout. “The attack on Diego Garcia is an escalation… it’s a joint US-UK base»»»
Trump Threatens to Destroy Iran's Power Plants If Tehran Doesn't Open Strait of Hormuz
If Iran doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, the United States will destroy the Islamic Republic's power plants, starting with the largest, declared US President Donald Trump. "If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in t»»»
India lifts domestic airfare caps, giving relief to airlines
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced it will withdraw temporary fare caps on domestic flights starting Monday, March 23. The decision ends the price-control regime introduced several months ago to manage volatility in the aviation sector. Stay updated: Get the latest faster by downloading t»»»
Western silence allows Israel to get away with killing journalists
On March 19, RT war correspondent Steve Sweeney and his cameraman Ali Rida Sbeity were injured by an Israeli strike meters from where they stood in southern Lebanon. Sweeney was on camera reporting on recent Israeli attacks on southern Lebanese towns and infrastructure when he heard the sound of an»»»
Turkey’s diesel tax buffer evaporates amid booming oil prices and refinery margins
Price hikes on diesel in Turkey are now being directly reflected in sales prices as the special consumption tax (OTV) on diesel prices was set at zero as of March 20, according to a statement from the country’s revenue administration (GIB). »»»
Turkey’s diesel tax buffer evaporates amid booming oil prices and refinery margins
Price hikes on diesel in Turkey are now being directly reflected in sales prices as the special consumption tax (OTV) on diesel prices was set at zero as of March 20, according to a statement from the country’s revenue administration (GIB). »»»
War will deepen Iran’s water crisis
An Israeli missile fell a few hundred metres from the Bushehr nuclear power plant during the South Pars missile strike on March 18, threatening not only a nuclear disaster on the order of Chernobyl but cutting off the entire region from its fresh drinking water supplies. However, even if Bushehr is»»»
War will deepen Iran’s water crisis
An Israeli missile fell a few hundred metres from the Bushehr nuclear power plant during the South Pars missile strike on March 18, threatening not only a nuclear disaster on the order of Chernobyl but cutting off the entire region from its fresh drinking water supplies. However, even if Bushehr is»»»
War will deepen Iran’s water crisis
An Israeli missile fell a few hundred metres from the Bushehr nuclear power plant during the South Pars missile strike on March 18, threatening not only a nuclear disaster on the order of Chernobyl but cutting off the entire region from its fresh drinking water supplies. However, even if Bushehr is»»»
War will deepen Iran’s water crisis
An Israeli missile fell a few hundred metres from the Bushehr nuclear power plant during the South Pars missile strike on March 18, threatening not only a nuclear disaster on the order of Chernobyl but cutting off the entire region from its fresh drinking water supplies. However, even if Bushehr is»»»
War will deepen Iran’s water crisis
An Israeli missile fell a few hundred metres from the Bushehr nuclear power plant during the South Pars missile strike on March 18, threatening not only a nuclear disaster on the order of Chernobyl but cutting off the entire region from its fresh drinking water supplies. However, even if Bushehr is»»»
War will deepen Iran’s water crisis
An Israeli missile fell a few hundred metres from the Bushehr nuclear power plant during the South Pars missile strike on March 18, threatening not only a nuclear disaster on the order of Chernobyl but cutting off the entire region from its fresh drinking water supplies. However, even if Bushehr is»»»
War will deepen Iran’s water crisis
An Israeli missile fell a few hundred metres from the Bushehr nuclear power plant during the South Pars missile strike on March 18, threatening not only a nuclear disaster on the order of Chernobyl but cutting off the entire region from its fresh drinking water supplies. However, even if Bushehr is»»»
War will deepen Iran’s water crisis
An Israeli missile fell a few hundred metres from the Bushehr nuclear power plant during the South Pars missile strike on March 18, threatening not only a nuclear disaster on the order of Chernobyl but cutting off the entire region from its fresh drinking water supplies. However, even if Bushehr is»»»