Eid Al Fitr: Will today’s weather impact Shawwal crescent moon sighting in UAE?
Dubai: Cloud cover and strong winds forecast across parts of the UAE on Wednesday could make it more difficult to sight the Shawwal crescent moon, as the country’s moon-sighting committee prepares to meet after Maghrib prayers to determine the end of Ramadan. According to the National Center of Met»»»
Iran Unleashes 'Dancing Missile' on Enemies: Here's Why Sejjil is a Game Changer
On Sunday, Tehran launched the two-stage solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) against US and Israeli positions during the 54th wave of Operation True Promise 4. Nicknamed the "dancing missile" for its unpredictable flight path, the Sejjil is designed to do one thing: bypass multi-layere»»»
Türkiye Says NATO Deploying More Defenses to Guard Southern Base
NATO is deploying another US Patriot missile defense system to the southern Turkish province of Adana, where personnel from the United States and other countries are located in the Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. Türkiye, which has NATO's second-largest army and ne»»»
Macau woman hospitalised after being startled by humanoid robot
Hong Kong: A woman on an evening walk in Macau was briefly hospitalised after a humanoid robot startled her and left her feeling unwell, police told AFP on Wednesday. Police said they had received a call for assistance for the woman, who "was startled when she suddenly noticed a robot behind her wh»»»
Cesar Chavez Day events canceled following sexual abuse allegations - UPI.com
Cesar Chavez, the late labor and civil rights activist seen here in February 1979 talking to a crowd in Calexico, Calif., has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior, prompting events to be held later this month in his honor to be canceled. File Photo by Mark Loundy/UPI | License Photo March »»»
Aoun calls for unity, warns against sectarian incitement
President Joseph Aoun called Wednesday for unity and solidarity and the rejection of division and sectarian provocation, hours after Israel flattened an apartment building in central Beirut and killed ten people in other neighborhoods of the city. Israel's military claimed the building in Bashoura »»»
At least 10 killed in Israeli strikes on Beirut's Zoqaq al-Blat, Basta, Bashoura
Lebanon said Israel struck central Beirut early Wednesday without warning, killing at least ten people, as the Israeli military announced it was targeting the country's south. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said two strikes in the early hours of Wednesday hit an apartment in the cent»»»
What to Know About Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant After Report of Projectile Hitting Its Complex
Iran and Russia both allege a projectile struck the grounds of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the country, raising the specter of a radiological incident as Tehran's war with Israel and the United States rages. Neither Iran nor Russia say there was any release of nuclear material in the inciden»»»
Senior EU official rebukes Zelensky over Orban threat
European Council President Antonio Costa has rebuked Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky over a recent threat directed at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Zelensky suggested earlier this month that he could dispatch the Ukrainian military to “speak” with a “certain person” in the EU – widely understo»»»
Nazis honored in EU country’s capital
Hundreds of people marched in the Latvian capital Riga on Monday to commemorate Latvians who served in a Waffen SS unit for Nazi Germany during World War II. While the country’s law bans the public display of Nazi symbols and glorification of Nazism, the annual march is permitted to proceed under t»»»
Production at the Sharara field continues despite pipeline fire – production diverted via other pipelines: NOC
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced in the early hours of this morning that production at the Sharara oilfield is continuing despite the pipeline fire that broke yesterday. It refutes some media speculation that production at Sharara has been completely shut down. The NOC explained that th»»»
Dubai property services served over 560,000 customers in 2025
Dubai: Dubai’s real estate services sector is seeing sustained growth, with new data indicating rising activity in permits, valuations, and customer transactions, reinforcing the market’s operational depth and transparency. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The number of»»»
UAE's Red Rock Technology invests $10M in AI 'Brain' for global food security
Dubai: Red Rock Technology has committed a $10 million investment to develop Seedelligence, an artificial intelligence architecture designed to power the National Food & Seed Sovereignty Institute and its future global locations. Unlike conventional agritech systems, where artificial intelligence m»»»
BTS light stick prices surge ahead of comeback concert
Seoul: Second-hand BTS light sticks were selling for up to six times the original price ahead of the K-pop megagroup's huge comeback concert this weekend, an online reseller showed Wednesday. The world's biggest boy band reunites on Saturday for their first show in nearly four years, taking over ce»»»
About 90 Ships Cross the Strait of Hormuz Despite the War
About 90 ships including oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the outset of the war with Iran and it is still exporting millions of barrels of oil at a time when the waterway has been effectively closed, according to maritime and trade data platforms. Many of the vessels that passed »»»
China Makes Energy Security ‘Reunification’ Offer to Taiwan Amid Middle East War
China offered on Wednesday what it said would be energy stability to Taiwan if it agreed to Beijing's rule, part of a campaign by China to convince the island of the benefits of "reunification", which it has long rejected. Governments around the world are scrambling for alternative energy supplies»»»
Electronic Governance Minister Sharkov Meets OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Representatives
Caretaker Electronic Governance Minister George Sharkov and his political cabinet held a meeting with representatives of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission regarding the early parliamentary elections on April 19, 2026, the Ministry of Electronic Governance said in a press release on Wednes»»»
Number of suspected meningitis cases rises in UK outbreak: official
London: The number of meningitis cases being probed by UK authorities has risen to 20, the Health Security Agency said Wednesday, following an "unprecedented" outbreak centred on a university. The outbreak in Kent in southeastern England has claimed the lives of two young people -- a 21-year-old un»»»
Dubai mosques to begin Dua Al Qunoot during Fajr and Maghrib prayers
Dubai: Dubai mosques will begin reciting Dua Al Qunoot during Fajr and Maghrib prayers starting Wednesday, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) announced, citing the Prophetic tradition observed during times of hardship. The department said the move comes as part of its »»»
Iran lashes out with attacks on Israel and Gulf neighbors
Iran lashed out following the killing of one of its top leaders in an airstrike with attacks on its Persian Gulf neighbors and Israel on Wednesday, using some of its latest missiles to evade air defenses and killing two people near Tel Aviv as the war in the Middle East showed no signs of slowing. »»»
South Korea Says it Secures Priority UAE Crude
South Korea has secured a pledge from the United Arab Emirates to supply 24 million barrels of crude oil, its presidential office said on Wednesday, as authorities roll out measures to cushion the economy from fallout from the Middle East conflict. Kang Hoon-sik, President Lee Jae Myung's chief of »»»
Taiwan changes 'Korea' to 'S. Korea' in immigration system in protest over Seoul's labeling of it as China - UPI.com
Taiwan said Wednesday it changed South Korea's name in its immigration systems in response to being identified as part of China. In this 2023 photo, a Taiwanese flag flies over Liberty Square Arch in Taipei. File Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo Taiwan said Wednesday it has changed South»»»
Eid shopping in 2026: What's changed this year
Dubai: As Eid Al Fitr fast approaches, residents and expatriates in the UAE have started their Eid shopping ahead, balancing great anticipation with practical planning to avoid last-minute crowds. From malls to neighbourhood markets, the spirit of the season remains visible amid ongoing development»»»
Israel Military Says Its Tank Fire Hit UN Lebanon Base, Regrets Incident
Israel's military on Wednesday acknowledged that its tank fire hit a UN position in southern Lebanon on March 6, wounding Ghanaian peacekeepers, an incident that underscores the growing risks as Israeli operations expand. Initial findings by an internal UN inquiry had suggested Israel was behind th»»»
Iran Says Nuclear Doctrine Unlikely to Change, Hormuz Strait Needs New Protocol
Iran's stance against the development of nuclear weapons will not significantly change, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Al Jazeera in remarks relayed by Iranian media on Wednesday, cautioning that the new supreme leader is yet to publicly express his view on the matter. Former Supreme Leader Al»»»
Remittances surge past $3b in January as Filipinos abroad send more money home
Dubai: Overseas Filipinos (OFs) have continued to contribute greatly to the Philippine economy, with cash remittances rising to $3.02 billion in January this year, a 3.5 percent increase from $2.92 billion recorded in the same month last year. The growth has highlighted the resilience of Filipinos »»»
LIVE UPDATES: Gulf countries continue intercepting missiles as regional tension enters 19th day
Doha, Qatar: Some Gulf countries have reportedly been attacked today morning, March 18, 2026. In Qatar, the Ministry of Defense announced interception of missile attack targeting the country. Similar reports of interception and destroying drones came from UAE and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Iran will »»»
Macron Risks Forced Exit After Trump Remarks, Russian FM Spox Warns
French President Emmanuel Macron risks losing his position, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, commenting on yesterday’s statement by US President Donald Trump. “I have another question—will the Venezuelan scenario or the Iranian scenario be applied to Macron? In fact, that »»»
At least 6 killed in Israeli strikes on Beirut's Zoqaq al-Blat, Basta, Bashoura
Lebanon said Israel struck central Beirut early Wednesday without warning, killing at least six people, as the Israeli military announced it was targeting the country's south. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said two strikes in the early hours of Wednesday hit an apartment in the cent»»»
UN Watchdog Says Projectile Struck Iran Nuclear Power Plant
The UN nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that Iranian authorities had reported projectile impact at the country's only operational nuclear power plant that caused no damage. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "has been informed by Iran that a projectile hit the premises of the Bushehr NPP »»»
Disneyland Abu Dhabi stays on course: Miral
Dubai: Plans to bring Disneyland to Abu Dhabi are moving forward, with Miral Group’s chief reaffirming commitment to the project in a public message that signals continued momentum on one of the region’s most closely watched developments. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balance»»»
No: 50, 18 March 2026, Regarding the Participation of H.E. Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, in the Meeting to be Held in Saudi Arabia
H.E. Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, will participate in the meeting on recent developments in the region to be hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on 18 March 2026.»»»
Over 2,000 Coal Jobs Vanish in Bulgaria as Low-Carbon Transition Hits Hard
Over 2,000 jobs in Bulgaria’s coal sector have been lost amid the ongoing shift toward a low-carbon economy, CITUB President Plamen Dimitrov reported at a labor market forum focused on the energy transition. He noted that roughly 1,000 jobs disappeared in the Maritsa Basin alone, while other region»»»
Cuba Vows ‘Unbreakable Resistance’ as US Pressure Mounts
Cuba's leader on Tuesday said the US would face "unbreakable resistance" if it tries to take over the impoverished island nation, as communist authorities scrambled to fix a nationwide electricity blackout. Cuba's government is under increasingly crushing pressure, with Washington enforcing an oil »»»
Iran Executes Man it Accused of Spying for Mossad
Iran’s judiciary said Wednesday it executed a man it accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. The judiciary’s Mizan news agency identified the man as Kourosh Keyvani. It alleged he “provided images and information on sensitive locations” to the Mossad. Keyvani was the first public»»»
Iran Missile Fire Kills Two in Central Israel
An Iranian missile barrage killed two people near Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv, medics said Wednesday, with the national railway company announcing shrapnel impact disrupted train services. Authorities reported that falling munitions had hit multiple sites in central Israel in the overnight bar»»»
Israel strikes and destroys building in heart of Beirut
An Israeli strike has destroyed a building in central Beirut, as missiles continue to hit areas far from where the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group has its strongest presence. A BBC team was jolted awake around 05:00 (03:00 GMT) by the sound of the blast. The Israeli military had issued a warning at »»»
US oil exports explode: Top buyers revealed
The US has emerged as the world's biggest oil supplier months before the war with Iran started. The United States has officially become one of the planet’s top oil exporters, shipping a staggering 3.9 billion barrels of crude and petroleum products in 2025 alone, according to fresh US Energy Inform»»»
Watch: Building collapses after Israeli strike in Beirut
Dubai: A residential building collapsed in central Beirut early Wednesday after an Israeli airstrike struck the densely populated Zuqaq al-Blat neighbourhood, Lebanese officials said. The attack reportedly killed at least six people and caused significant damage in an area located near government o»»»
Eid Al Fitr 2026: Where to go and what to do across UAE
The United Arab Emirates welcomes the blessed occasion of Eid Al-Fitr with a festive atmosphere filled with artistic shows, cultural festivals, and family-oriented activities across public spaces, shopping malls, and entertainment destinations. These venues have been beautifully adorned with lights»»»
Iraq Resumes Limited Oil Exports via Türkiye
Iraq announced on Wednesday it had resumed limited oil exports of 250,000 bpd through the Turkish port of Ceyhan after the country's output plunged due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. A founding member of the OPEC cartel, crude oil sales make up 90 percent of Iraq's budget revenues. Before »»»
Iraqi Security Official Says Drone Hits US Embassy in Baghdad
An explosion was heard in Baghdad early Wednesday, an AFP journalist said, as Iraqi officials reported a drone and rocket attack targeting the US embassy. The latest explosion came hours after multiple blasts were heard across the Iraqi capital, where a witness told AFP he saw detonations likely ca»»»
ANNHRI discusses Iranian attacks on Arab nations
Doha, Qatar: The Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI) convened yesterday its urgent General Assembly at its headquarters in Doha on the Iranian attacks on the Arab nations: human rights reading in violating the absolute ban on the use of force. The meeting, held virtually, c»»»
Saudi Arabi intercepts drone in Eastern region
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense announced today that a drone was intercepted and destroyed in the Eastern region. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al Malki said a drone was intercepted and destroyed in the Eastern region»»»
Eid Al Fitr: No Darb toll charges, free parking in Abu Dhabi
Dubai: Public parking fees under the “Mawaqif” system will be free from Thursday, March 19, until Sunday, March 22. Paid parking resumes on Monday, March 23. Truck parking fees at Musaffah M-18 will also be waived during the official holiday. Toll systemThe Q Mobility announced that Darb toll gate »»»
"No oil, no money," Orban tells Ukraine
“No oil. No money.” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban continues to take a hard line on dropping his veto on the disbursement of the €90bn EU loan agreed in December, as Brussels comes up with a face saving solution to end the impasse. »»»
Tehran Not Striking Civilian Targets in Neighboring Countries - Iranian Foreign Minister
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Tehran does not strike civilian targets in neighboring countries, it responds to the United States by attacking its bases in the Middle East, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday. "I can say with confidence that we have not attacked civilian targets in neighb»»»
Hormuz Crisis: Allies Refuse to Join US-Israeli 'War of Choice' Against Iran – Professor
European NATO members and other US allies do not want to get involved in the war against Iran, Professor Mehran Kamrava from Georgetown University in Qatar tells Sputnik. "America's treatment of NATO has undermined America's standing not just globally, but particularly among America's traditional a»»»
Stocks Extend Gains and Oil Dips as US, Israel, Iran Continue Strikes
Oil prices sank Wednesday after Iraq said it had resumed exports through Türkiye, avoiding the effectively closed Strait of Hormuz, while equities rose following another tech-led advance on Wall Street. The drop in crude, which saw WTI sink more than four percent, came even as the United States hit»»»
Iran to Hold Funeral for Slain Security Chief as It Vows Vengeance
Iran will hold a funeral Wednesday for its security chief Ali Larijani as it vowed revenge, firing off a wave of missiles at Israel after it killed the powerful figure in an air strike. A barrage of Iranian missiles killed two people near Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv, while Gulf nations interce»»»