BusinessGlobal issuesWho holds the biggest strategic oil reserves?Nik MartinIran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed dozens of countries to tap their emergency oil stockpiles. But what exactly are strategic reserves, and who holds the world's biggest crisis-ready supplies? https»»»

The competent authorities in the Emirate of Fujairah have apprehended an individual (an Arab national) after he trespassed and carried out filming in restricted areas without obtaining the necessary official permits, in clear violation of the laws and regulations in force in the country. Stay updat»»»

A federal judge on Monday blocked the US government from making sweeping changes to childhood immunisations, in a blow to Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's agenda. Since taking office a year ago, Kennedy has sought to change and loosen vaccine regulations, including slashing the number of reco»»»

The IV World Social Work Day Forum took place here on Tuesday for World Social Work Day, bringing together representatives of the social system, state institutions, municipalities, civic organizations, and companies providing social services to discuss the significance of social work and opportunit»»»

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he requested intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump to prevent an escalation of the conflict with Ecuador. File Photo by Carlos Ortega/EPA March 17 (UPI) -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro said authorities found an active explosive device near the borde»»»

Vienna, March 17 (SANA) Governor of the Central Bank of Syria Abdulkader Husrieh met President of the Arab-Austrian Chamber of Commerce Werner Fasslabend in Vienna to discuss strengthening economic and financial cooperation. The meeting, held at the chamber’s headquarters, focused on expanding trad»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujic met with a Venice Commission delegation on Tuesday to discuss a recently passed set of judicial laws and noted that the legislation was based on constitutional solutions adopted in 2022, as well as on guarantees of judicial independence and autonomy o»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hezbollah Rejects Kuwaiti Claims as Baseless 17-03-2026 16:05 PM Hezbollah flags (image from archive).Hezbollah issued on Tuesday a firm de»»»

India has begun sourcing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from multiple global channels, including the United States, as it moves to diversify supplies amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The government on Tuesday said there is no disruption in domestic availability, with supplies remaini»»»

When war forces people to flee their homes, the world rightly focuses on human suffering. Evacuation flights, border crossings, and displaced families dominate the headlines. Yet amid this chaos, another tragedy unfolds quietly and painfully: pets are being abandoned. These loyal companions, who on»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic received on Tuesday a Venice Commission delegation that is on a two-day visit to Belgrade. "The common goal of both sides is the same - a judiciary independent of any kind of pressure and influence, but not independent of the Constitution and the la»»»

Brussels, March 17 (SANA) The European Union is preparing measures to ease the impact of rising energy prices linked to tensions in the Middle East, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said ahead of an EU summit. In a message to EU leaders, von der Leyen outlined proposals including »»»

Lebanon transferred more than 130 Syrian detainees to their home country on Tuesday, a Lebanese judicial official told AFP, as part of an agreement the two sides signed in February. Overcrowded Lebanese prisons host more than 2,200 Syrians held on various charges. Many of them are still awaiting tr»»»

Video footage from the State Tax Service’s investigation, titled «Oil for Insiders: How Kyrgyzneftegaz was Ruined,» has been published in the media. It contains information about possible illegal actions by officials at the OJSC. The press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz R»»»

With airstrikes rocking Beirut and Israeli troops trying to advance against Hezbollah, Lebanon's government has broken a taboo by proposing the first direct talks with Israel in decades. But Lebanese officials say they want the fighting to end first — and it might be too late for that. Hezbollah's »»»

Amman: Jordan's Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah said on Tuesday that the Kingdom's wheat reserves are sufficient to cover consumption for 5.5 months, with an additional four-month supply already contracted and en route. Speaking during a meeting of the Parliamentary Economy and I»»»

Berlin: Germany said Tuesday its competition watchdog will soon get more powers to target energy firms over concerns they are unfairly hiking petrol prices to profit from the wartime oil shock. Global oil prices have surged as the Middle East conflict has led to the near total closure of the Strait»»»

US President Donald Trump has said he expects to have the “honor” of “taking Cuba in some form,” claiming he could do “anything I want” with the Caribbean nation. Trump made the remarks on Monday in the Oval Office despite ongoing talks between Washington and Havana as the island grapples with a de»»»

Other countries have either pushed back or remained cautious on President Donald Trump's request for countries to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial oil route under near-blockade by Iran during the war in the Middle East. Trump has said the US will keep bombing the shoreline and Irania»»»

Tunis, March 17 (TAP) - Sousse will play host on April 9-11 to an international workshop centered around smart and sustainable farming amid a changing environment and economic landscape.University researchers, engineers, experts, investors and...»»»

An aging workforce and limited adaptability in the labour market are the findings of a survey conducted by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB) among those directly and indirectly affected by the climate transition in Pernik, Kyustendil and Stara Zagora. The results of »»»

The Afghan government said on Tuesday that about 400 people were killed in a Pakistani air strike on a drug rehabilitation centre in the capital, Kabul, in the deadliest attack in the recent violence between the two neighbours. Hundreds more were said to have been wounded at the facility, which was»»»

The 28th 300-strong Cheonghae Unit departs for the Gulf of Aden to combat piracy off Somalia aboard the 4,400-ton ship. Photo by YONHAP / EPA March 16 (Asia Today) -- Military experts say South Korea would need a layered anti-drone defense system if the Cheonghae Unit is deployed near the Strait of»»»

In a very informative session, titled “How can we grow the Egyptian economy now”, the American University in Cairo, hosted Dr. Noha Bakr, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Political Science, AUC, and Mr. Aly Wali, Senior Director of Logic Management Consultant to address the key potentials of developi»»»

Kyrgyzstan’s initiative to develop and standardize honey production has been identified as a key project for advancing industrial cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Daniil Ibraev, member of the Presidium of the EAEU Business Council and President of the Kyrgyz Union of Industria»»»

Poland ‌will not send troops to Iran as the conflict does not directly affect its security, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday, adding that the United States and other powers understood Warsaw's decision. US President Donald Trump called on allies over the weekend ‌to help ‌secure the Strai»»»

Oil tankers are crossing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's actions to choke traffic through the shipping route have not hurt the US economy, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Tuesday, reiterating the Trump administration's position that the war should be over in weeks, not month»»»

Ohana Development, a leading UAE real estate developer renowned for its luxury projects, has recorded Dh6 billion in sales within 72 hours for Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana, a gated waterfront community located along Yas Canal in Abu Dhabi, setting a new sales record in the emirate’s real»»»

Dubai: Israel’s military has announced it had killed General Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force, though Iranian state media did not immediately confirm the death. Israel’s defence minister also said Tuesday that the military killed top Iranian secu»»»

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, who visited Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday, carried a fundamental question: who in Lebanon actually has the capacity to implement and fulfill commitments as to any possible agreement with Israel to stop the current war, the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported. "»»»

BusinessUnited States of AmericaWhat does the Iran war mean for the US defense sector?Arthur SullivanUS defense companies are being called on to ramp up production to meet fresh demand from the war in Iran. It opens up an existing rift between them and the Trump administration. https://p.dw.com/p/5»»»

A 23-year-old suspect accused of murdering a 20-year-old man in the Kalamaria district of Thessaloniki last week received on Tuesday a second postponement to testify before an investigative magistrate. The man is facing charges of intentional homicide, illegal possession of a weapon and weapon use.»»»

A Russian airborne assault targeting eastern and southern Ukraine with attack drones, bombs and artillery on Tueaday and overnight left 11 people dead and more than 50 injured. File Photo by Sergey Kozlov/EPA March 17 (UPI) -- Russian attacks on eastern and southern Ukraine, including almost 180 in»»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran's oil exports are proceeding without disruption amid the conflict with the United States and Israel, Ismail Hosseini, spokesman for the Iranian Parliament Commission on Energy, said on Tuesday. "Oil exports are proceeding smoothly. If the opponents have eyes on Kharg Island,»»»

Dubai: During the holy month of Ramadan, the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) strengthened its commitment to community service, reaching thousands of families and individuals across the UAE through a wide range of welfare initiatives. As part of its Ramadan welfare programme, PAD distributed 600 fo»»»

Paris, March 17 (SANA) China and the United States reached a preliminary agreement on some trade issues during two days of talks in Paris, China’s Commerce Ministry said Tuesday. Speaking at a press conference, China’s international trade representative Li Chenggang described the latest round of ta»»»

The Lebanese judiciary is expected to seek the arrest of Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qmati, after he threatened that his group can overthrow the government and take over the country, the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Tuesday. In an interview, Qmati has warned that his party is "capable of ove»»»

Taulant Balla, head of the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party of Albania, presented a draft resolution on Iran in Parliament, emphasizing Albania’s stance against terrorism and commitment to global security. Balla described the resolution as part of Albania’s obligations as a member of NATO»»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov signed a decree introducing a temporary moratorium on inspections of business entities. The measure is aimed at reducing pressure on businesses, improving the investment climate, and supporting the development of entrepreneurship. Under the decree, law enforcem»»»

JAKARTA (Sputnik) - Indonesia is discussing oil purchases with Russia, Indonesian Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia told Sputnik on Tuesday. "At the moment, we are discussing this with our partners in Russia, we still need to study the proposal and the situation... We do not rule out working with an»»»

YEKATERINBURG, Russia (Sputnik) — Terrorist attacks orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services inside Russia were up 40% by late 2025 to 1,830, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday. "The Ukrainian criminal regime and its patrons do not abandon attempts to commit sab»»»

Bulgaria will continue to support the just cause of Ukraine and remains a consistent partner committed to efforts to achieve a lasting and just peace that guarantees security and stability throughout Europe, said caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov during a meeting with Ukraine’s Ambassador to Bu»»»

The escalating war with Iran is pushing parts of the world into energy triage, forcing governments to choose where to cut demand or absorb costs, while prioritizing dwindling supplies. Asia is the most exposed since it relies heavily on imported fuel, much of it shipped through the now-blocked Stra»»»

Dubai: Airlines across the UAE and wider Gulf are steadily rebuilding operations, with flights resuming almost immediately after recent disruptions, signalling early resilience in one of the world’s most connected aviation hubs. An extraordinary 1.4 million passengers have been served through the U»»»

Dubai: Even as geopolitical tensions and global crises create uncertainty in many parts of the world, the UAE continues to provide a secure and safe environment for residents and visitors. Gulf News has spoken to mental health specialists and they have noted that the country’s strong institutions, »»»

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic has approved a new regulation governing the issuance and circulation of bonds. The resolution was adopted to streamline the securities market and strengthen investor protection. According to the document, the new rules regulate the procedures for issu»»»

BELGRADE - The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic said on Tuesday the plight Kosovo-Metohija Serbs had experienced in 2004 should not and must not happen to any nation or social group. In an official statement, Petkovic said that 22 years ago - on March 17, 200»»»

The U.N. human rights chief's office expressed concerns about possible "ethnic cleansing" in a new report on Tuesday, saying that Israel has accelerated the expansion of settlements in large parts of the occupied West Bank and the forced displacement of more than 36,000 Palestinians. The report fro»»»

With the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, gas and oil volumes flowing to Europe could drop below 10% amid forecasts of oil prices jumping to about $300 per barrel, Lebanese expert Munir Alaeddin tells Sputnik. "Europeans are in a difficult situation and facing a serious energy crisis, as »»»

Dubai: When Israeli and US strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the outset of the Middle East war, one man quickly stepped into the vacuum: Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani — more powerful, and more visible, than at any point in his decades-long career. Now, even that figure may be gone.»»»