IMF Says Gulf Buffers, Export Flexibility Can Absorb War Shock
The International Monetary Fund said that the economic impact of the ongoing conflict on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states will depend on its duration, scope and intensity, with strong financial buffers and export flexibility expected to limit the fallout. IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack noted tha»»»
Dubai extends truck permits until further notice
Dubai's Road and Transportation Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police General Headquarters have extended the truck movement permit, allowing trucks to operate across Dubai roads around the clock until further notice, to support the logistics sector and ensure smooth supply chain operations. Airport Tunn»»»
Acting Prosecutor General Reaffirms Commitment to European Cooperation
Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov reaffirmed the Bulgarian prosecution service's commitment to active cooperation with its European partners at a forum in The Hague, the prosecution said on Saturday. He did so during bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 20th Consultative Forum of pro»»»
Burhan Rejects Ceasefire Before RSF Surrender as Drone Strike Hits Power Station in Northern Sudan
A drone attack blamed on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck the town of Al-Dabba in northern Sudan, targeting a power station and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Dongola, officials said Friday. The strike cut electricity to the town and left at least three people inj»»»
Middle East tensions strain fertilizer supplies, raising global food price risks
Capitals, March 21 (SANA) Disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East are expected to deepen a global fertilizer crisis, raising the risk of further increases in food prices, particularly in developing economies. Economists and international institutions have warned that disruptions to fe»»»
Elon Musk misled shareholders during Twitter purchase, US jury finds
Tech multi-billionaire Elon Musk could be forced to pay billions of dollars in damages after a federal jury found that the world's richest man had misled Twitter shareholders while purchasing the social media platform by posting false statements to drive down the company's share price. The tycoon's»»»
Early Signs of Confidence: Bulgaria’s Markets Respond Positively to Eurozone Membership
The first months following Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone suggest a stable start and rising investor confidence, even though it is too early to draw long-term conclusions. In the opening week of 2026, trading on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange surged by 50% year-on-year, while the SOFIX index incr»»»
Venezuela Reshapes Military in Shift Toward Washington
A sweeping overhaul of Venezuela's top brass is designed to remake the armed forces and draw them closer to Washington, multiple military and political sources told AFP. Delcy Rodriguez has been in power for less than three months, but has already taken major steps to overhaul Venezuela's economy a»»»
Israel, Iran Trade Attacks as US Sends Marines to Middle East
Israel and Iran attacked each other on Saturday as the US was sending thousands more Marines to the Middle East and President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to help open the Strait of Hormuz. Israel also attacked Beirut, saying it was targeting Hezbollah as it s»»»
A Wave of Executions Is Feared in Iran After 3 Young Men Were Hanged This Week
A 19-year-old star wrestler and two other young men were hanged in Iran this week, raising alarm among rights groups that a wave of executions may be underway as authorities facing relentless attacks from the US and Israel seek to squelch public dissent. The three men are the first to be executed f»»»
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»»»
UN Would Like to Contribute to Resolving Crisis in Strait of Hormuz - Secretary-General
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Nations wishes to contribute to resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. "My main objective is to see if it is possible to create conditions in the Strait of Hormuz similar to what [existed] in the past. Of course, it is»»»
U.S. lends 45 million barrels from reserve to curb prices amid war with Iran
Washington, March 21 (SANA) The United States has lent 45.2 million barrels of crude oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to energy companies, aiming to ease price increases driven by the conflict with Iran. Reuters quoted the Energy Department as saying the initial batch represents about»»»
‘Reliance on official, verified news crucial during regional tensions’
Doha, Qatar: During times of regional geopolitical tension, relying on official and verified news sources becomes essential not only for personal awareness but also for maintaining public order and responsible civic engagement, according to Lecturer at the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer»»»
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»»»
Orbán: “We do not negotiate while being threatened and blackmailed”
Prime Minister Orbán resumed his nationwide tour with a stop in Szentendre, where he delivered a sharp message on energy security, the war in Ukraine, and Hungary’s position within the European Union. Speaking to supporters, the prime minister framed the current geopolitical situation as a decisive»»»
US green-lights delivery and sale of Iranian oil at sea
WASHINGTON , United States — The US Treasury on Friday temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels, in Washington's latest step to stem a supply crisis over the Middle East war.The authorisation allows for the delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil and other petroleum p»»»
Orbán: “We have the right to block the €90 billion loan for Ukraine”
Following a tense and protracted EU summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Hungary has both the legal and political grounds to block the €90 billion loan package intended for Ukraine. The prime minister described the negotiations as “combative” and underscored that Hungary succ»»»
US prosecutors investigate Colombia’s Petro over suspected ties to drug traffickers
Colombian President Gustavo Petro is being examined in criminal investigations by two US federal prosecutors' offices, according to a New York Times report published on Friday. Relations between Washington and Bogota entered a volatile phase after US President Donald Trump's return to office 14 mon»»»
Israel Strikes Hezbollah’s Civilian as Well as Military Wings in an Attempt to Crush the Group
An Israeli strike on a health center in southern Lebanon instantly killed 12 medical workers, seriously wounded one and left four missing under the rubble for hours. The March 13 strike in the village of Burj Qalaouiyah, one of the single deadliest strikes in Lebanon since the latest Israel-Hezboll»»»
Streamlining the kill chain: how AI is changing modern warfare
The US-Israeli war with Iran has put AI use in defence systems in the spotlight like never before. AI's exact role in the military, its accuracy and possible repercussions are slowly beginning to emerge – but the extent of its use and role in the war so far still largely remain a mystery. The»»»
The World This Week - Iran: The ‘Mosaic Doctrine’, Zelensky V Orban, Hungary-splaining
In a week where assassinations have continued within the top ranks of Iran’s regime, the minister of intelligence, the commander of the Bases paramilitary and the powerful security chief Ali Larijani included, but a weakened government seems to have had little bearing on Tehran’s retaliation across»»»
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»»»
Citizens and residents mark Eid with resilience and unity amid regional crisis
Doha, Qatar: Eid celebrations across Qatar are unfolding in a spirit of resilience and unity, as citizens and residents come together to observe the festive occasion despite the backdrop of ongoing regional tensions. Eid prayers, held indoors yesterday at designated venues such as the Education Cit»»»
What you need to know about the Philippines’ 2-month toll relief amid fuel price surge
Dubai: The Philippines is introducing a temporary toll discount for public transport and freight services starting March 23 to offer a breathing space to the transportation sector, who is currently under pressure from rising fuel prices, amid the situation in the Middle East. In a statement, Philip»»»
EDB notes Kyrgyzstan’s progress in sustainable development - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan ranks 47th in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index and 78th in the Energy Transition Index (ETI), an index published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF). These data are presented in a report by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) in the section covering the energy sector »»»
Middle East crude surges toward $150 as global oil prices stage rebound
Dubai: Global oil prices rose again on Saturday, reflecting mounting geopolitical pressure on supply flows. Middle East crude led the move with a sharp spike. Murban crude, a key benchmark exported from the UAE, jumped 18% to $146.40 per barrel. That followed a 6% surge a day earlier, when prices h»»»
Philippine Airlines cancels Dubai, Doha flights until April 30: What affected passengers can do
Dubai: Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has temporarily suspended its flights between Manila and major Middle East destinations, such as Dubai and Doha, until April 30 amid the ongoing tensions in the region. In its latest advisory, PAL has noted that the suspension is a “precautionary measur»»»
Arab Nations Condemn Israeli Strikes on Syria
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry condemned on Saturday Israel's strikes on Syrian army camps as "aggression", joining other Arab nations and Türkiye in calling on the international community to intervene. Israel's military said on Friday it had struck southern Syria in response to what it called att»»»
Jury finds Elon Musk misled investors during Twitter purchase
San Francisco: A jury has found Elon Musk liable for defrauding investors by deliberately driving down Twitter's stock price in the tumultuous months leading up to his 2022 acquisition of the social media company for $44 billion. But it absolved him of some fraud allegations, finding that he did no»»»
Trump Hints at Wind-Down of War as US Sends More Troops and Iran Threatens Tourism Sites
US President Donald Trump said he was considering “winding down” military operations in the Middle East even as the United States is sending three more amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 additional Marines to the region. Trump’s post Friday on social media followed an Iranian threat to atta»»»
Far from war, global fuel frustrations mount
LAGOS — Far from the Middle East war, fallout from oil disruptions is reverberating across the world, unsettling lives from Lagos to Manila as people adjust to fuel price hikes and gas shortages.Benchmark oil prices are hovering around $100, a surge of around 40 to 50 per cent since the war against»»»
The global economy is paying the price for Epic Fury
Three weeks after the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran, the world has entered an exceptionally dangerous phase. The confrontation has expanded far beyond the bounds of a conventional military conflict. It has developed into a multi-layered war in which military fronts converge with immense ec»»»
Why modern-day wars can easily go regional
The world is now passing through an era of ‘strategic unravelling’, and its proportions are catastrophic. Conflicts no longer remain confined to their immediate geographies. With grim persistence, they expand into regional wars. Their prevalence stems from the breakdown of the post-1945 internation»»»
Unstable weather in UAE: Rain prompts authorities to step up emergency measures
The UAE is bracing for heavy rain and gusty winds as unstable weather moves across the country. This morning, rainfall has affected Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other areas, with convective clouds forming over scattered regions and fresh to strong winds causing blowing dust and reduced visibility between »»»
Reporters - The West Bank, up against the wall: Illegal Palestinian workers face exploitation and danger
Our reporters in the Middle East went to meet Palestinians who are desperately trying to reach Israel to find work there. Before the October 7 attacks, 120,000 Palestinian workers held permits allowing them to enter Israel legally. Today, only a handful of permits are »»»
Spotlight - A spiralling energy crisis: Strikes on gas, oil sites have sent prices soaring again
An analysis of the spiralling energy crisis with Mohamad Al-Sabban, energy economist and longtime advisor to the Saudi Government.»»»
Eye on Africa - Senegal not losing AFCON title without a fight
In tonight's programme: Senegal says it's not losing its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title without a fight. But first, a joint statement is issued by DR Congo and Rwanda, where both nations have agreed to take steps to advance last year's stalled peace accord. And in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, a gr»»»
Mojtaba Khamenei says Iran dealt its enemies a 'dizzying blow' in written message
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Friday said Iran had struck a “dizzying blow” in its war with Israel and the United States in a written message marking Nowruz, the Persian New Year, even as blasts rocked the capital Tehran. Israel accused the Islamic republic of targeting Jerusalem’s holiest sit»»»
Talking Europe - Europe's housing crisis: Is the EU plan up to the job?
MEPs recently approved a key report on housing, with the stated aim of securing decent, sustainable and affordable housing. They are responding to an EU-wide crisis in which property prices jumped by 15.5 percent between 2021 and 2024, according to Eurostat. That has frozen out millions of people l»»»
Focus - With its wind farms, Danish island of Samsø shows path forward during energy crisis
The US-Israeli war against Iran has once again underlined the vulnerability of the world's oil and gas supplies. Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz has pushed up oil prices and threatened global economic stability. This comes at a time when wind farms and solar panels are providing »»»
US Ready to Help Other Countries Guard Strait of Hormuz If Asked — Trump
US President Donald Trump said the United States is ready to assist other countries in guarding the Strait of Hormuz if asked. "If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts," Trump wrote on Truth Social. WorldUS Unlikely to Withdraw From Iran Anytime Soon Because of Hormuz Strait »»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
African food security threats spike as Iran war strangles fertiliser supplies, prices soar
Conflict-driven disruption to fertiliser supply chains in the Middle East is raising the risk of price shocks across Africa, with analysts warning that benchmark urea prices could approach levels seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when global prices roughly doubled, impacting»»»
Georgians continue fight for democracy after almost 500 days of protest
It's Saturday night in Tbilisi. A crowd is gathering outside the city's State Concert Hall, chatting among themselves. For some, the gathering offers a brief respite from the exhaustion of prolonged demonstration. For others, it is an act of defiance against a government that opposition figures, We»»»
Kyrgyzstan: Ousted security services chief now facing corruption allegations
Ousted former Kyrgyz security services boss Kamchybek Tashiyev, a former boxer who until last month was President Sadyr Japarov’s right-hand man, is on the ropes. A little more than a month after Japarov uncere»»»