1 million displaced in Lebanon but aid groups are crippled by foreign aid cuts
Humanitarian organizations under intense strain because of the United States' steep cuts to foreign aid say they are scrambling to find the funds needed to respond to the war in the Middle East, where millions of people have already been displaced by the widening conflict. U.S. President Donald Tru»»»
Djuric guest of honour at US's Freedom 250 event in Belgrade
BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric attended on Wednesday evening as a guest of honour a formal reception and jazz concert at Belgrade's Kolarac Endowment that marked the launch of the Freedom 250 programme, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the US Declaration of Independen»»»
Biggest Threat for Bulgaria Is Ukraine War, Not Persian Gulf Conflict, Bulgarian Navy Commander Says
The biggest threat for Bulgaria is the war that is being waged on the Black Sea - in Ukraine - not the Persian Gulf conflict, Bulgarian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov said here Thursday. He was among the participants in an international conference on Black Sea security, held by the Varn»»»
Iran Seeks to Legalize Fees for Vessels Transiting Strait of Hormuz - Lawmaker
TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran wants to legalize fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian parliament member Mohammadreza Rezaei Kouchi said on Thursday. "We want to develop a bill in which sovereignty, dominance and control over the Strait of Hormuz will be considered law, creating a»»»
What we know and don't know about the Iran war negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump's surprising claim this week that talks with Iran were yielding great progress has only raised more confusion over a war whose goals were already unclear. The most basic question: What talks? A 15-point plan from the Trump administration offering a potential pathway to a»»»
Hormuz chokehold hardens US-Iran standoff as Iran rejects US plan
Dubai: The United States and Iran are digging in, raising the risk of a deeper and wider conflict as diplomacy stalls, military pressure builds and Tehran tightens its grip on the Strait of Hormuz — a move already rattling global markets and regional security. The renewed push for talks comes despi»»»
Iran wants Lebanon included in any ceasefire, sources say – Ya Libnan
Share: FILE- Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary guard (IRGC) flags . Both bare a hand holding up a rifle and a globe. IRGC operatives fired the first rockets at Israel on March 2 , 2026 and Hezbollah is now being commanded by IRGC according to Lebanese PM . Lebanon decided the Iranian ambassador f»»»
Vucic, Wadephul discuss Serbia-Germany bilateral relations, Serbia's EU path
BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with German FM Johann Wadephul on Wednesday evening about Serbia-Germany bilateral relations and Serbia's EU path. In a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram profile, Vucic noted that the discussion with Wadephul had been good and substantial. "»»»
UK Suffers OECD's Biggest Growth Downgrade as Iran War Pushes Up Energy Costs
Britain's economic growth prospects this year received the sharpest downgrade of any major economy in the OECD's interim forecast update on Thursday following the US-Israeli war on Iran, while inflation is set to rise faster too. The Paris-based international body cut its 2026 forecast for Britis»»»
UAE updates university evaluation framework to focus on outcomes, AI readiness
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has released an updated edition of its Outcome-Based Evaluation Framework (OBEF) University Guidebook, reinforcing a strategic shift toward performance measurement rooted in outcomes, skills acquisition, and real-world impact. The en»»»
Media Review: March 26
Thursday’s news coverage spans a wide range of topics, with fuel prices emerging as a central theme across television programmes. Speaking on Bulgarian National Television, Atanas Katsarchev, Chief Economist of the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour, and Vassil Velev, Chairman of the Governing Board »»»
Africa’s solar explosion: 10 countries smashing records
Amid energy lockdowns from Australia and Bangladesh to New Zealand and Slovenia — the war-induced oil crunch is imposing travel limits on an unprecedented scale. Result: Reduced workweeks, exposing the downside of a fossil-dependent planet. It's all "temporary", or at least until Hormuz Strait gets»»»
Sri Lanka to launch cargo clearance at Hambantota Port in May
Colombo: Sri Lanka will begin cargo clearance operations at Hambantota Port in May, as the Customs Department completes preparations to extend its services to the southern port. Customs Director General Seevali Arukgoda said all necessary arrangements have been finalized to support the commencement»»»
“Iran Has Upper Hand, Washington Lost the Initiative”: Ex-Head of UK’s M16 - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe “Iran Has Upper Hand, Washington Lost the Initiative”: Ex-Head of UK’s M16 26-03-2026 11:42 AM Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger in an inte»»»
Iran says 'no negotiations' as US warns to accept 15-point deal
U.S. President Donald Trump is ready to "unleash hell" if Iran does not accept a deal to end the nearly four-week Middle East war, the White House warned Wednesday, but a defiant Tehran said it did not intend to negotiate. The ramped-up rhetoric dashed hopes of any imminent de-escalation as violenc»»»
Reports: Trump admin. again seeks to prosecute NY AG Letitia James - UPI.com
The Trump administration is again seeking to prosecute Letitia James, attorney general of New York, after failing to do so several times last year. File Photo by Derek French/UPI | License Photo March 26 (UPI) -- The Trump administration is again seeking to prosecute New York Attorney General Letit»»»
Lukashenko Says Belarus-North Korea Relations Entering New Phase
MINSK (Sputnik) - Relations between Belarus and North Korea are entering a fundamentally new phase, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday. "Friendly relations between our states, which originated during the Soviet era, have never been interrupted. Today, as a result of comprehe»»»
Egypt moves to double currency swap with China amid regional war fallout
As military tensions continue to reshape the Middle East, Egypt is moving to solidify its financial defenses through deeper strategic cooperation with Beijing. In a high-level diplomatic call on Thursday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, discussed an ur»»»
Iran's top envoy says S. Korean ships can transit Strait of Hormuz only after coordination with Tehran - UPI.com
Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi speaks during a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Seoul on Thursday. Photo by Yonhap Iran's top envoy to Seoul said Thursday South Korean ships can pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but only with prior coordination with Tehran, saying that »»»
Pakistan delays SSC exams in four countries amid tensions
Dubai: Pakistan’s Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) has partially postponed its Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations in several Gulf countries, in the wake of ongoing regional conflict. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by FBISE Chairm»»»
Venezuela's Maduro Back in US Court after Stunning Capture
Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro will appear Thursday in a New York court for the second time since his capture by US forces in an extraordinary nighttime raid. Maduro, 63, and wife Cilia Flores have been held in a Brooklyn jail for almost three months after American commandos snatched th»»»
Church of England gets first woman Archbishop of Canterbury
The Church of England has enthroned Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury since the church’s establishment in 1534. The ceremony took place in Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday, and was attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as Prince William and his wife, Ca»»»
Police Arrest Dozens Across Bulgaria in Large Operation Against Vote-Buying
Police operations targeting vote-buying and violations of electoral rights are continuing across Bulgaria, with multiple coordinated actions reported in different regions. Authorities say arrests have already been made as part of ongoing investigations into alleged schemes involving electoral fraud»»»
Transport Minister: Türkiye-operated Oil Tanker Attacked in Black Sea
A Turkish-operated oil tanker was attacked early Thursday in the Black Sea, possibly by an unmanned surface vehicle, Türkiye's transport minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said. "I can say that a foreign-flagged ship operated by a Turkish company, which had loaded crude oil from Russia, reported an explo»»»
Belarusian President Lukashenko makes first visit to North Korea - UPI.com
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (R) gestures beside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a welcome ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on his first official visit to North Korea, state media reported Thursday. Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL, March 26 (UPI) -- Belarusian President Alexa»»»
'Sidestep rumours, focus on facts': Dubai operating normally amid fake news
Dubai Media Office has urged residents and visitors to sidestep rumours and focus on verified information following a surge in false news circulating online. In its latest advisory, the office confirmed that Dubai is operating as normal and warned the public not to be misled by fake news. False cla»»»
Six Arab nations issue joint condemnation of Iran attacks
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan renew their condemnation in the strongest terms of the blatant Iranian attacks, which constitute a flagrant violation of their sover»»»
Iran says 39 suspected Israeli spies arrested
Iran's intelligence ministry said it had identified and arrested 39 people it described as operatives working for Israel and terrorist groups in Tehran, IRGC-linked Tasnim reported on March 25. The ministry said 27 of»»»
Iran says 39 suspected Israeli spies arrested
Iran's intelligence ministry said it had identified and arrested 39 people it described as operatives working for Israel and terrorist groups in Tehran, IRGC-linked Tasnim reported on March 25. The ministry said 27 of»»»
Iran says 39 suspected Israeli spies arrested
Iran's intelligence ministry said it had identified and arrested 39 people it described as operatives working for Israel and terrorist groups in Tehran, IRGC-linked Tasnim reported on March 25. The ministry said 27 of»»»
Iran and the US Harden their Positions as Tehran Keeps Its Grip on the Strait of Hormuz
Iran and the United States hardened their positions as diplomacy aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the war in the Middle East appeared to be faltering on Thursday. Tehran moved to formalize its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz while Washington prepared for the arrival of US combat forces in»»»
Drones Attack Turkish Tanker With 140,000 Tonnes of Oil Near Turkish Coast - Reports
ISTANBUL (Sputnik) - Unidentified drones have attacked a Turkish oil tanker, ALTURA, carrying 140,000 tonnes of crude oil in the Black Sea off the Turkish coast, damaging the vessel and prompting a distress call from the crew, Turkish broadcaster NTV Haber reported on Thursday. The incident took pl»»»
On This Day, March 26: U.S. unemployment adds record 3.3M claims - UPI.com
On March 26, 2020, new unemployment claims in the United States surged to 3.3. million, the largest weekly increase in U.S. history to date amid job losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 1 of 3 | Union Station is largely empty amid lockdowns and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic Apr»»»
QF’s QAM launches digital educational initiatives to enhance students’ reading, creativity
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Academy Msheireb, part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education, continues to strengthen its innovation-driven approach to education by launching digital initiatives that support learning beyond the classroom. The school has introduced two digital initiatives: the virtual l»»»
Qatar stocks rally 140 points as market posts sharp gains
Doha, Qatar: The shares in Qatar’s stock market witnessed a notable bounce-bank as the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index surged 139.59 points or 1.38 percent, yesterday to close at 10,290.29 points helped by strong buying interest from investors. The QSE general index declined at the end of trading »»»
Shairbek Tashiev repeatedly summoned for questioning — sources - | 24.KG
Former Zhogorku Kenesh deputy Shairbek Tashiev was summoned again for questioning by the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Investigative Department, sources reported. According to sources, Shairbek Tashiev is a witness in a case. The specific case under investigation has not yet been specified. An audi»»»
CGB organises awareness workshop for Adaa system ambassadors
Doha, Qatar: The Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB), represented by its Department of Talent Management and National Human Resources Development, yesterday held the 13th virtual awareness workshop for ambassadors of the national performance management system “Adaa”. According to »»»
Guterres Names Envoy for Middle East… Warns of a Wider War
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday named veteran French diplomat Jean Arnault as his personal envoy to support efforts to end the Middle East conflict, saying the “world is staring down the barrel of a wider war.” Guterres told reporters that he had been in close contact with many i»»»
Minister of Public Health offers condolences for martyrs of Qatari-Turkish forces
Minister of Public Health H E Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud offered his condolences at the Embassy of Turkiye in Doha, yesterday, for the martyrs of the Qatari-Turkish joint forces, praying to Almighty Allah to envelop them in His mercy, grant them a place in His spacious paradise, and be»»»
Kyrgyzstan and Belarus identify ways to intensify military cooperation - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan and Belarus have identified ways to intensify military cooperation. The issue was discussed in Minsk during talks between Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin and Kyrgyz Defense Minister Ruslan Mukambetov. The press service of the Belarusian Defense Ministry reported. The parties a»»»
A historic first: Who is new Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally?
Sarah Mullally has begun her public ministry as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, marking a historic moment for the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion. The 63-year-old former nurse and midwife was formally enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral, becoming the 106th holder of the»»»
Lebanon’s Upcoming Cabinet Session to Test Fallout of Expelling Iranian Envoy
Lebanon’s cabinet meets on Thursday in a first test of a deepening political crisis, after a sharp split between the “Shiite duo” of Hezbollah and Amal Movement and other factions over a decision to declare Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, persona non grata. The government will convene at»»»
Sheibani, an Iranian Diplomat with Intelligence Clout
Only weeks after Iranian diplomat Mohammad Reza Sheibani returned to Beirut as ambassador, his name has become the focus of a diplomatic crisis. Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry withdrew its approval and declared him “persona non grata”, reflecting rising tensions between Beirut and Tehran and drawing re»»»
MPs ask to simplify tests for migrant children after taking them themselves - | 24.KG
Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan Marlen Mamataliev arrived in Russia on an official visit at the head of a parliamentary delegation. The delegation was welcomed at the airport by State Duma Deputy Speaker Anna Kuznetsova. The press service of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan reported. On th»»»
Why Europe’s response to the Iran war is so disjointed
Ever since the United States and Israel began bombing Iran on 28 February 2026, Europe has appeared sidelined and divided over a conflict that could shape the international balance of power in the years ahead. As might be expected, differing approaches by its 27 member states show that the European»»»
Iran Allows Passage Through Hormuz for Friendly Countries — Araghchi
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to friendly states, including Russia, China, Pakistan and Iraq, while closed to its adversaries. “The Strait of Hormuz… is closed only to our enemies… But it’s free for everyone else,” Araghchi said in a TV interview.He a»»»
Why UAE residents are buying board games alongside first-aid and essentials: Retailers share insights
A little ice-cream doesn’t hurt anyone. Dubai-based Aayati Manchanda admits that during the first few days of crisis, she would sneak in an ice-cream along with essentials of bottled water and vegetables. “I was trying to think practically, but also I’m human. I need to comfort myself,” she notes. »»»
Safe here, anxious there: An expatriate’s life in the shadow of war
The current escalation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States is not just another distant war. For many of us living and working in the Gulf, it is a reminder that conflict now travels across borders, screens, and emotions, collapsing the distance between “here” and “there”. The present scen»»»
Foreign Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan discuss regional issues - | 24.KG
Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev had a telephone conversation with his Uzbek counterpart, Bakhtiyor Saidov. The Foreign Ministry’s press service reported. According to it, the two sides noted the steady development of friendly and partnership relations between the two countries. «Par»»»
Live updates: Iran dismisses US ceasefire plan, issues its own counterproposal – Ya Libnan
Share: File – Iran FM Abbas Araqchi Major developments we’re following: Iran on Wednesday dismissed an American plan to pause the war in the Middle East, issuing its own counterproposal instead, as it launched more attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab countries. Two officials from Pakistan described the»»»