Iran attack targets refineries as Gulf states intercept drones and missiles
Drone and missile strikes linked to Iran sparked fires at key refineries in Kuwait and Bahrain on Friday, while air defence systems in Saudi Arabia and Qatar intercepted multiple drones and missiles, raising tensions across the Gulf. Authorities confirmed that emergency teams contained the blazes a»»»
Iran Strikes West Jerusalem, Haifa - IRGC
TEHRAN (Sputnik) - The Iranian military struck targets in West Jerusalem and Haifa on Friday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said. "During the 66th phase of Operation True Promise 4, targets in West Jerusalem, Haifa in the region were successfully hit," the IRGC said in a statement qu»»»
Japan Ski Paradise Faces Strains of Global Acclaim
Beneath the powder snow at internationally popular Japanese ski resort Niseko, anxiety is mounting among residents over soaring prices and a massive influx of overseas workers. At a time when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is talking tough on immigration, upscale Niseko has never been more popular w»»»
From Bats to Bonds: Uganda's 'Cricket Grannies'
Giggles and songs ripple across a field in rural eastern Uganda where elderly women swing cricket bats as a way to reshape what ageing, health and sports can look like in later life. The so-called "cricket grannies" are bound together by a growing love of a game they initially knew nothing about bu»»»
Interior Ministry, Prosecution Service, SANS Establish National Interagency Unit on Upcoming Elections
Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov, caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev and acting State Agency for National Security (SANS) Chair Denyo Denev signed an order to establish a National Interagency Unit in connection with the upcoming elections for the 52nd National Assembly, the press cen»»»
Trump hosts Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi for White House dinner - UPI.com
1 of 8 | Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi of Japan makes remarks as she stands with President Donald Trump during a dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo March 20 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump hosted Prime Mini»»»
Europe to Not Survive Without Russia Oil, It Will Become Obvious in Couple of Weeks - Orban
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Europe will not survive without Russian oil when a global fuel shortage is at the door, and this will become obvious to everyone within a couple of weeks, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday. "The fact is, at this moment that it just knocking on the door the shor»»»
Syria Sets 2026 Budget at Around $10.5 Billion
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Friday the 2026 budget was set at around $10.5 billion, nearly triple last year's level, state TV reported. He said GDP is estimated to reach $60 billion-$65 billion this year, adding the economy could return to 2010 levels and improve services. Speaking af»»»
Amir performs Eid Al Fitr prayer
DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani performed Eid Al Fitr prayeralong with citizens at Lusail praying area this morning. The prayer was also performed by HH Personal Representative of HH The Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin »»»
Dubai boosts Eid security with patrols, drones and emergency teams
Dubai’s Event Security Committee have finalised their comprehensive security arrangements for the Eid Al Fitr holiday, following a coordination meeting chaired by Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs and Chairman of the Events Security Committee»»»
Bulgaria’s Election Campaign Begins as MPs Head on Pre-Election Break
The election campaign, in Bulgaria, for the early parliamentary vote scheduled for April 19 officially began at midnight on March 20 and will continue until April 17, followed by a day of reflection on April 18. At the same time, members of parliament have entered a pre-election recess. This will b»»»
Energean Suspends Israel 2026 Outlook as Mideast War Halts Production
Eastern Mediterranean-focused gas producer Energean on Thursday suspended its 2026 outlook for Israel, citing the ongoing Middle East conflict that has forced the shutdown of its production vessel serving multiple Israeli fields. Growing regional tensions have triggered precautionary shutdowns of k»»»
Trump's Mideast Muddle Could Play into Xi's Hands at Planned Summit
China will be in a stronger position to extract concessions from Donald Trump when the US president finally visits Beijing after becoming entangled in his Middle East war, analysts say. Trump had been due in the Chinese capital at the end of this month for talks with President Xi Jinping, but has d»»»
PM: Eid al-Fitr Holiday Affirms Timeless Values of Faith, Morality, Human Dignity - Foundation of Every Democratic Society
This bright holiday affirms the timeless values of faith, morality, and human dignity, which are at the foundation of every democratic society, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said this on the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, quoted by the Council of Ministers on Facebook on Friday. The P»»»
On This Day, March 20: Sarin attack on Tokyo subway kills 14 - UPI.com
On March 20, 1995, 12 people were killed, and more than 5,000 made ill in a nerve-gas attack on the Tokyo subway system. A 13th victim died a day later and a 14th in 2008. 1 of 7 | A photo taken on June 16, 1995, shows Aum Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara (C, back), born Chizuo Matsumoto, being»»»
Beware: Travel scams targeting OFWs amid regional tensions, how to avoid them
Dubai: Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE have been urged to remain vigilant after authorities have found a rise in scams linked to travel assistance programmes amid the current regional tensions. In an advisory, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai and the Northern Emirates has warne»»»
Russia's Pantsir Air Defense Systems Capable of Intercepting Flamingo Missiles - Rostec
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Pantsir air defense systems are capable of intercepting not only drones but also HARM and HIMARS projectiles, ATACMS ballistic missiles and cruise missiles including Storm Shadows and Flamingos, Russian state tech corporation Rostec said on Friday. "Pantsir systems have »»»
Israel Strikes 'Decimated' Iran as War Roils Markets
Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Friday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated", and as Gulf nations faced a fresh set of attacks. The Iranian capital, under near daily bombardment since a joint US-Israeli attack started the war on February 28, was »»»
Dubai gold prices climb on Eid Al Fitr morning as global rates recover
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai edged higher on Friday morning, reversing the sharp declines seen earlier this week, even as markets remain surprisingly muted to escalating geopolitical tensions from the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia»»»
President Extends Greetings to Bulgarian Muslims on Eid al-Fitr
President Iliana Iotova extended her greetings to Bulgarian Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the President’s press office announced on Friday. “In today’s divided and conflict-ridden world, the tradition of Eid al-Fitr reminds us of the power of sharing, compassion, and a helping hand. It re»»»
Fire at South Korean Auto Parts Factory Injures at Least 50
At least 50 people in South Korea were injured in a fire at an auto parts factory in the central city of Daejeon, officials said Friday. The National Fire Agency said 35 people were seriously hurt but couldn't immediately confirm whether any were in life-threatening condition. Video from the scene »»»
Eid Al-Fitr 2026: Meet UAE’s Eid babies bringing joy, hope and new beginnings
As the clock struck midnight and Eid Al-Fitr began, celebrations took on a deeply personal meaning for Pakistani couple Saqib Rauf and Farah Diba Sakib. Inside Burjeel Hospital, the couple welcomed their newborn son, an arrival that felt nothing short of poetic on a day defined by joy, gratitude an»»»
Iran Attacks Wipe Out 17% of Qatar’s LNG Capacity for Up to Five Years
Iranian attacks have knocked out 17% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy's CEO and state minister for energy affairs told Reuters on Thursday. Saad al-Kaabi said two»»»
North Korean Leader, Daughter Try Out New Tank
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and daughter Ju Ae tried out the country's new battle tank in large-scale military drills, state media reported on Friday, in the latest sign that she was being groomed as his heir. Photos released by state media showed a chuffed-looking Kim sitting on top of the mov»»»
Australian Mosque Protesters Heckle PM over Israel Stance
Protesters heckled and booed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday during a visit to Australia's largest mosque for Eid al-Fitr prayers, voicing anger over his stance on ally Israel's offensive in Gaza. Some in Australia's Muslim and Jewish communities are angry over a fine line walked by the c»»»