Oil Slips, Stocks Rise as Report Says Trump Willing to End War
Oil prices sank and most stocks rose Tuesday, following a report that indicated Donald Trump was willing to end the Iran war even if the key Strait of Hormuz remained closed. But investors remain wary as the Wall Street Journal story came on the same day the US president threatened to destroy Iran'»»»
‘Transnational repression’: Iranian diaspora faces harassment, death threats, pressure on families
Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Dr. Roya Boroumand, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran. According to Dr. Boroumand, Iran's transnational repression began in the aftermath of the 1979 revolution. Over time, this strategy has adapted, bec»»»
Thousands of Lebanese trapped behind Israeli frontlines rely on humanitarian aid
The humanitarian crisis in Southern Lebanon is reaching a breaking point. As Prime Minister Netanyahu confirms plans to expand a military 'buffer zone' along the border, sweeping evacuation orders south of the Litani River have already forced over a million people to flee. Yet, thousands remain tra»»»
US mulls over ground offensive in Iran despite claims of talks
US and Israeli strikes on Iran continue over a month after the joint campaign began. Washington is mulling a ground offensive to seize Iran's nuclear stockpile, which would be one of the riskiest in US history. Thousands of American army personnel arriving in the region over the weekend, as Trump a»»»
Iran are now 'calling the shots' over the Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump says Iran has agreed to let 20 ships through the Strait of Hormuz - a sign, according to him, that talks with Tehran are moving forward. But he has also signalled to the US possibly taking over Kharg island, and a regional US military build-up has triggered concern of grou»»»
Bab al-Mandab strait: Iran’s Houthi allies enter the conflict, raising fears over key trade route
As Iran’s Houthi allies enter the conflict, Iran has threatened to disrupt shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait – a strategic waterway linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal – with the help of its Houthi allies in Yemen. While disruptions in the Strait o»»»
Three UN peacekeepers killed in south Lebanon in 24 hours amid Israel-Hezbollah conflict
The UN said on Monday that two members of its peacekeeping force were killed in an explosion in south Lebanon, with a third being killed in a separate blast the previous day. Here's what to know about how the Blue Helmets are involved in the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. United Nat»»»
Israel legalises death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis
Israel's parliament on Monday passed a law approving the death penalty for Palestinians convicted on terror charges of carrying out deadly attacks on Israelis. The law, which also allows the courts to impose the death penalty on Israeli citizens, has been harshly criticised by Israeli and Palestini»»»
Trump's options in Iran range from bad to worse
Reportedly frustrated that his war in Iran is dragging on longer than intended, US President Donald Trump has been conveying the message that it will be over soon. But with the Americans' ceasefire proposal leading nowhere, Washington's options now range from bad to worse. FRANCE 24's Peter O'Brien»»»
Truth or Fake - Fake images falsely claim Iran captured US marines on Kharg Island
American military reinforcements continue to arrive in the Middle East, as uncertainty persists over the possibility of US boots on the ground in Iran. President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could “obliterate” Kharg Island, a critical hub through which Iran processes around 90% of its oi»»»
Trump threatens to destroy Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub if no deal reached
US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to destroy Iran’s key oil export hub at Kharg Island and other critical infrastructure unless Tehran swiftly agrees to a deal to end the US-Israeli war, sharply escalating tensions in an already volatile region. The warning has rattled global energy ma»»»
Russian Tanker Set to Deliver Oil to Crisis-hit Cuba
A Russian oil tanker was set to deliver the first crude shipment to Cuba since January on Tuesday after Washington gave the crisis-hit island a reprieve from an effective fuel blockade. The Anatoly Kolodkin, a tanker under US sanctions, was on its way to the port of Matanzas, east of Havana, with 7»»»
Israel’s Parliament Approves Death Penalty for Palestinians Convicted of Murdering Israelis
Israel’s parliament on Monday passed a law approving the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis, a measure that has been harshly condemned by the international community and rights groups as discriminatory and inhumane. The passage of the bill marked the culmination of a yea»»»
‘Qatar’s food security remains highly stable’
Doha, Qatar: Minister of Municipality and Chairman of Committee for Follow-up on the Implementation of Food Security Policies H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, has affirmed that Qatar’s food security remains “highly stable and excellent,” underscoring the country’s preparedness»»»
North Korea tests high-thrust engine for missile capable of striking US mainland
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a test of a high-thrust, solid-fuel engine for weapons and hailed it as a development to boost the country’s strategic military capability, state media reported Sunday. Analysts said the test signalled efforts to place multiple warheads on a single missile ca»»»
Japan welcomes sakura season with cherry blossoms in full bloom
Cherry blossom trees across Japan reached full bloom this week, marking the start of the sakura season, when spring sees a burst of the tiny white and pink flowers. In the ancient capital of Kyoto, officials on Monday declared full bloom after examining a sample tree within the grounds of Nijo»»»
Dramatic red skies in Australia due to cyclone and soil drought
Almost surreal images showing bright red and orange skies are coming out of Australia. This meteorological phenomenon is caused by the passage of a powerful cyclone sweeping along the west coast. It is a rare sight, but known to happen during major sandstorms or dust storms. This red Australian sky»»»
President of NOC of Kyrgyzstan Umbetaly Kydyraliev resigns - | 24.KG
The President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Kyrgyzstan Umbetaly Kydyraliev resigned. He announced this at a meeting of the NOC Executive Committee held yesterday, sources reported. According to these sources, the election of a new head of the organization will take place during the Gen»»»
Iran Fires Missiles across Middle East as Trump Threatens Oil Hub
Iran fired missiles across the Middle East on Tuesday as its capital was hit by fresh explosions, after US President Donald Trump threatened the country's key oil export hub, power stations and desalination plants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump's partner in attacking Iran, said m»»»
Department of Meteorology warns of thundery rain, strong wind
Doha, Qatar: Weather inshore, until 6pm on Tuesday, will be partly cloudy to cloudy with scattered rain, thundery at times, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report, warning of thundery rain associated with strong wind. Offshore, it will be partly cloudy to cloudy with scatter»»»
Zelensky visits Jordan on Middle East tour to bolster security ties
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was in Jordan on Sunday as part of a regional tour focused on security cooperation, after Kyiv deployed anti-drone experts and struck defence agreements with several Gulf states amid rising tensions linked to Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensk»»»
Zelensky hails 'historic' defence agreements with Gulf states
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said he signed "historic" agreements with countries in the Middle East last week, including sharing Ukrainian expertise on downing drones as Iranian strikes continue to target Gulf countries. Ukraine has previously proposed an exchange of its drone i»»»
France hands captain of suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker one-year jail sentence
A French court on Monday sentenced in absentia the captain of a suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker to one year in jail for failing to comply with orders to stop his ship. The vessel, which the French navy boarded in September before releasing the vessel, was thought to be transporting Russian oi»»»
Police arrest two more over attempted attack on US bank HQ in Paris
French police on Monday arrested two more people over an apparent bid to set off a homemade explosive device outside a Bank of America branch in Paris, bringing the total in custody to five, prosecutors said. The arrests follow an incident early Saturday morning when police arrested a first suspect»»»
Germany's Merz says 80 percent of Syrian immigrants should return home
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa agreed the vast majority of Syrian immigrants living in Germany should return to their homeland over the next three years. Al-Sharaa met Merz in Berlin – making his first presidential visit to Germa»»»
Exxon and QatarEnergy's Joint Venture Golden Pass Produces 1st LNG at New Texas Facility
Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil, has produced its first liquefied natural gas at its new facility in Texas, the company said on Monday, a major step toward bringing one of the largest US export projects online. The plant is expected to export its first cargo in »»»
Kuwait accuses Iran of targeting power and desalination facility
Kuwait has accused Iran of carrying out a “heinous attack” on one of its combined power and desalination plants on Sunday. Like much of the Middle East, the nation depends heavily on industrial production to meet its freshwater needs. What happened?The purported Iranian strike killed one worker – a»»»
Tech 24 - The law is coming for social media, with the science still uncertain
The law is finally catching up with social media. This week, a California jury found Meta and Google liable for addicting a child to their platforms. On Tuesday, the French Senate will vote to ban under-15s from social media, with other countries making similar plans. Is humanity saved? Or are thin»»»
Business - Oil rises, stocks fall as Iran war enters fifth week and further escalation looms
Oil surged over $115 a barrel this Monday as the war in Iran entered its fifth week. Houthi strikes on Israel have raised concerns that shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb strait could be disrupted, adding to the supply pressure already created by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Also »»»
Dubai gold climbs back toward Dh550 after volatile March correction
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai moved higher early Tuesday, extending a modest recovery after a sharp correction earlier in March. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and India.) Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balance»»»
Hegseth's Broker Sought Defense Fund before Iran Attack — Report
Pete Hegseth's Morgan Stanley broker contacted BlackRock in February about a multimillion-dollar investment in a defense ETF — shortly before the US launched strikes on Iran, the Financial Times reported. Pete Hegseth's broker contacted BlackRock about a multimillion-dollar investment in a defense »»»
Indonesia Urges Respect for International Law After Peacekeepers Killed in Lebanon
Indonesia urged warring parties in the Middle East "to respect international humanitarian law" after three of its peacekeepers were killed in Lebanon. "The safety of peacekeeping troops must be the top priority. All parties to the conflict are urged to respect international humanitarian law and ens»»»
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Turkey builds house for PKK leader Ocalan on prison island Imrali
The Turkish government has built a house for Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the militant-politico Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), imprisoned for life after he was abducted by intelligence agents in Nairobi, Kenya 27 years ago. »»»
US-Israel plan for Kurdish incursion into Iran collapses
A joint plan by the US and Israel to support a Kurdish ground incursion into Iran has collapsed following leaks and regional opposition, according to The Times of India, which reported on March 28 that the proposal had been under development for several years. »»»
Air freight disruption drives surge in India-US cargo rates
Air cargo rates from India to the United States have risen between 200% and 350% since the outbreak of the third Gulf war on February 28, as capacity constraints rather than demand drive pricing, according to industry estimates. »»»
China and Turkmenistan cannot get their gas export numbers straight
China’s leading international broadcaster, CGTN, aired an interview on March 24 with Turkmenistan’s paramount leader, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, touting how “mutual trust and centuries-old exchanges” shape present-day bilateral relations. But such messaging struck a discordant note during the »»»
China’s electrostate powers its grip on global metals
China’s emergence as a dominant force in industrial metals is increasingly being driven not only by its access to raw materials, but by the scale and structure of its electricity system as it emerges as the world’s leading “electrostate”. »»»
Trump allows Russian oil tanker to dock in Cuba but warns island is "next" after Iran
The United States has allowed a Russian government-owned oil tanker to break its own blockade of Cuba, delivering the fuel-starved island its first significant energy shipment in three months, as President Donald Trump said the cargo would do little to alter Havana's fate. »»»
Argentina wins reprieve in $16bn YPF case but legal battle set to run until 2027
A US appeals court has overturned a $16.1bn judgment against Argentina over the 2012 nationalisation of energy firm YPF, offering a significant legal respite for the South American country and prompting a strong political response from President Javier Milei. »»»
Israel now occupies more of Lebanon than Russia does of Ukraine
Israel has occupied more of Lebanon’s territory after three weeks of fighting than Russia controls of Ukraine after four years of war. In the initial attack, Israeli forces quickly occupied the strip of land in southern Le»»»
Iran’s shadow fleet and shadow banks keeps the money pouring in
Iran has doubled its oil exports since the start of Operation Epic Fury, sustaining flows of between 2.4mn and 2.8mn barrels per day (b/d), including 1.5mn to 1.8mn b/d of crude. It has also doubled the amount of money it’s earning, The Economist reports. »»»
US-Israel plan for Kurdish incursion into Iran collapses
A joint plan by the US and Israel to support a Kurdish ground incursion into Iran has collapsed following leaks and regional opposition, according to The Times of India, which reported on March 28 that the proposal had been under development for several years. »»»
Iran’s shadow fleet and shadow banks keeps the money pouring in
Iran has doubled its oil exports since the start of Operation Epic Fury, sustaining flows of between 2.4mn and 2.8mn barrels per day (b/d), including 1.5mn to 1.8mn b/d of crude. It has also doubled the amount of money it’s earning, The Economist reports. »»»
Israel now occupies more of Lebanon than Russia does of Ukraine
Israel has occupied more of Lebanon’s territory after three weeks of fighting than Russia controls of Ukraine after four years of war. In the initial attack, Israeli forces quickly occupied the strip of land in southern Le»»»
US-Israel plan for Kurdish incursion into Iran collapses
A joint plan by the US and Israel to support a Kurdish ground incursion into Iran has collapsed following leaks and regional opposition, according to The Times of India, which reported on March 28 that the proposal had been under development for several years. »»»
Fires reported at pumping stations along UAE’s ADCOP pipeline
Satellite imagery appears to show fires at two pumping stations along the UAE’s Habshan-Fujairah oil pipeline, a key export route designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, according to conflict monitoring outlet The Clash Report, which cited analysis from Soar Atlas. »»»
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Turkey builds house for PKK leader Ocalan on prison island Imrali
The Turkish government has built a house for Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the militant-politico Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), imprisoned for life after he was abducted by intelligence agents in Nairobi, Kenya 27 years ago. »»»
Saudi Arabia launches new self-driving vehicle route in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority has launched a new autonomous vehicle passenger route in Riyadh, SPA reported on March 30. The trial programme will go from Hayat Mall and Riyadh Gallery, as the kingdom expands i»»»
Israel now occupies more of Lebanon than Russia does of Ukraine
Israel has occupied more of Lebanon’s territory after three weeks of fighting than Russia controls of Ukraine after four years of war. In the initial attack, Israeli forces quickly occupied the strip of land in southern Le»»»
Iran’s shadow fleet and shadow banks keeps the money pouring in
Iran has doubled its oil exports since the start of Operation Epic Fury, sustaining flows of between 2.4mn and 2.8mn barrels per day (b/d), including 1.5mn to 1.8mn b/d of crude. It has also doubled the amount of money it’s earning, The Economist reports. »»»