The International Monetary Fund said that the economic impact of the ongoing conflict on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states will depend on its duration, scope and intensity, with strong financial buffers and export flexibility expected to limit the fallout. IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack noted tha»»»

A Russian drone attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least two people, a Ukrainian official said, ahead of expected US-Ukraine talks. Zaporizhzhia regional head Ivan Fedorov said a man and a woman were killed and two children wounded when a Russian drone hit a private house on Saturday morn»»»

Dubai's Road and Transportation Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police General Headquarters have extended the truck movement permit, allowing trucks to operate across Dubai roads around the clock until further notice, to support the logistics sector and ensure smooth supply chain operations. Airport Tunn»»»

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has directed the Community Development Authority to replace the title “housewife” with “Generations Shaper”, in a symbolic m»»»

Tunis, March 21 (TAP)- President of the Republic Kais Saïd Friday received a phone call from French president Emmanuel Macron who congratuated him on Tunisia's 70th independence anniversary. The Head of State and the French president...»»»

Two people were killed in a Russian drone attack on a home in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, local authorities say. Two children, 11 and 15, were also injured in the attack which took place on the eve of new talks between Ukrainian and American negotiators in the US. Negotiations on ending the»»»

Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov reaffirmed the Bulgarian prosecution service's commitment to active cooperation with its European partners at a forum in The Hague, the prosecution said on Saturday. He did so during bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 20th Consultative Forum of pro»»»

Doha, Qatar: The US temporarily lifted sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil loaded on vessels as of March 20, in a bid to curb the increase in energy prices resulting from the war in the Middle East. The suspension of sanctions would expire on Apr. 19. US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent wro»»»

The UAE Embassy in Muscat has advised citizens and travellers to exercise caution as a low-pressure system brings heavy rain, hail, and strong winds across much of Oman. Authorities emphasise the importance of following all official safety instructions. Stay updated: Get the latest faster by downlo»»»

A drone attack blamed on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck the town of Al-Dabba in northern Sudan, targeting a power station and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Dongola, officials said Friday. The strike cut electricity to the town and left at least three people inj»»»

Capitals, March 21 (SANA) Disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East are expected to deepen a global fertilizer crisis, raising the risk of further increases in food prices, particularly in developing economies. Economists and international institutions have warned that disruptions to fe»»»

Dubai: The Filipino Social Club (Filsoc) in Dubai is set to host a special gift-giving programme on March 22. Titled as “Filsoc Free Diaper Gifts,” the initiative aims to recognise the everyday sacrifices of mothers within the community. “It is a time to honour the incredible strength of mothers. W»»»

Tech multi-billionaire Elon Musk could be forced to pay billions of dollars in damages after a federal jury found that the world's richest man had misled Twitter shareholders while purchasing the social media platform by posting false statements to drive down the company's share price. The tycoon's»»»

Tunis, March 21 (TAP)- Scattered showers are expected on Saturday morning in the south. The weather is forecast to be cloudy for a while over most regions, growing densely cloudy in the afternoon in northwestern and central western regions, the...»»»

Doha, Qatar: There is a chance of continued rain during the upcoming week, possibly becoming heavy by midweek, according to the Qatar Meteorology Department. "Partly cloudy to cloudy weather is expected to continue during the upcoming week, with chances of rain, thundery in some areas," it said in »»»

The first months following Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone suggest a stable start and rising investor confidence, even though it is too early to draw long-term conclusions. In the opening week of 2026, trading on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange surged by 50% year-on-year, while the SOFIX index incr»»»

A sweeping overhaul of Venezuela's top brass is designed to remake the armed forces and draw them closer to Washington, multiple military and political sources told AFP. Delcy Rodriguez has been in power for less than three months, but has already taken major steps to overhaul Venezuela's economy a»»»

Israel and Iran attacked each other on Saturday as the US was sending thousands more Marines to the Middle East and President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to help open the Strait of Hormuz. Israel also attacked Beirut, saying it was targeting Hezbollah as it s»»»

Doha, Qatar: Al Arabi SC have officially renewed the contract of head coach Cosmin Contra for two more seasons, keeping him at the club until 2028, the management announced yesterday. The decision confirms the club’s confidence in the Romanian coach, who took charge on 15 October 2025 as part of th»»»

A 19-year-old star wrestler and two other young men were hanged in Iran this week, raising alarm among rights groups that a wave of executions may be underway as authorities facing relentless attacks from the US and Israel seek to squelch public dissent. The three men are the first to be executed f»»»

The Trump administration waived sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil at sea for 30 days on Friday in its latest attempt to ease oil prices that have been driven up by the US-Israeli war on Iran. The waiver will bring some 140 million barrels of oil to global markets and help relieve pressure on»»»

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the aim of Donald Trump's Board of Peace to fund and deliver the basics of a Gaza reconstruction plan to rebuild Palestinian homes and infrastructure, Politico reported on Saturday. “There is an objective there that ‌was defined, ‌approved by the Secur»»»

Abu Dhabi: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that mothers are a source of lasting strength for the nation and society. Stay updated: Get the latest faster by downloading the Gulf News app now - it's completely free. Click here for Apple or here for Android. You »»»

Doha, Qatar: Retailers across Doha have noted a strong pickup in consumer spending, driven by discounting, promotional campaigns, and a seasonal rise during Eid Al Fitr. Malls and high streets are witnessing increased footfall, with industry players pointing to a concentrated surge in demand for fa»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Nations wishes to contribute to resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. "My main objective is to see if it is possible to create conditions in the Strait of Hormuz similar to what [existed] in the past. Of course, it is»»»

Hamdija Alukić (70) has been arrested in Alabama on charges that he committed war crimes against civilians in the Prijedor area in 1992. Alukić is accused of participating in attacks on two vehicles carrying civilians, as well as of setting fire to several houses while people were still inside them»»»

Washington, March 21 (SANA) The United States has lent 45.2 million barrels of crude oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to energy companies, aiming to ease price increases driven by the conflict with Iran. Reuters quoted the Energy Department as saying the initial batch represents about»»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov today took part in Nooruz celebration in Naryn’s central square. Congratulating the people of Kyrgyzstan on the spring equinox holiday, he noted that Nooruz is a symbol of renewal, creation, labor, and unity, a legacy inherited from our ancestors. «We are proud»»»

Dozens of models with Down syndrome strutted down a catwalk at a fashion show in Romania’s capital for an evening celebrating style, “atypical beauty” and courage to mark World Down Syndrome Day. The SEEN Anonymous Seamstresses Gala in Bucharest brought together designers from across the country, w»»»

The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes on Beirut claiming to target the Iran-backed group Hezbollah early Saturday, while Lebanese state media reported strikes in the country's south. Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on Mar»»»

Iran is ready to let Japanese-related vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies, Kyodo news reported, citing Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Tehran has started talks with Tokyo, including with Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, about possibly opening»»»

Doha, Qatar: During times of regional geopolitical tension, relying on official and verified news sources becomes essential not only for personal awareness but also for maintaining public order and responsible civic engagement, according to Lecturer at the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer»»»

Political parties in Iraq have carried out intense efforts over the past two days to contain the escalation in the country in wake of increased attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad by pro-Iran factions, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. The efforts aim to also prevent Iraq from sliding into a broader c»»»

Donald Trump's war with Iran is weighing on independent US voters, a crucial bloc likely to determine if the president's Republican Party maintains control of Congress in the November midterm elections. At a breakfast diner in Pennsylvania, a swing state where voters often shift between parties, th»»»

Israel’s ongoing military operation in Lebanon violates international law, French President Emmanuel Macron has said. Speaking at a European Council press conference in Brussels on Thursday, Macron also criticized the attacks on Israel being carried out by Lebanese-based militant movement Hezbollah»»»

Prime Minister Orbán resumed his nationwide tour with a stop in Szentendre, where he delivered a sharp message on energy security, the war in Ukraine, and Hungary’s position within the European Union. Speaking to supporters, the prime minister framed the current geopolitical situation as a decisive»»»

Dubai: What started as a modest gathering of motorcycling enthusiasts has evolved into one of the UAE’s much-anticipated multi-club biking events, drawing hundreds of riders united by both passion and purpose. Amid the current geopolitical situation, the fourth edition of the “Biker Buddies Eid Bro»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has issued an important advisory to owners of ships and maritime vessels, urging them to strictly follow instructions from competent authorities to ensure the safety and protection of life and property amid current developments. The Ministry emphasised t»»»

Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs H E Ghanem bin Shaheen bin Ghanem Al Ghanim among worshippers gathered for Eid Al Fitr prayers at Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque yesterday. Pic: Rajan Vadakkemuriyil/The Peninsula»»»

WASHINGTON , United States — The US Treasury on Friday temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels, in Washington's latest step to stem a supply crisis over the Middle East war.The authorisation allows for the delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil and other petroleum p»»»

Following a tense and protracted EU summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Hungary has both the legal and political grounds to block the €90 billion loan package intended for Ukraine. The prime minister described the negotiations as “combative” and underscored that Hungary succ»»»

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is being examined in criminal investigations by two US federal prosecutors' offices, according to a New York Times report published on Friday. Relations between Washington and Bogota entered a volatile phase after US President Donald Trump's return to office 14 mon»»»

Doha, Qatar: Hotels across Doha are experiencing a notable surge in bookings for Eid Al Fitr holidays amidst ongoing tensions in the region, as citizens and residents increasingly opt for local staycations rather than travelling abroad. Industry experts say the combination of time off, competitive »»»

Doha: The General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs launched the Joy of Eid initiative to celebrate Eid Al Fitr by distributing 5,000 gifts to children across 20 major Eid prayer mosques in different areas of Qatar. The initiative aims to spread happiness a»»»

«If today we are a ‘dead-end’ country between Europe and China, then with the completion of China—Kyrgyzstan—Uzbekistan railway, we will become a transit state,» President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said during Nooruz celebrations in Naryn region. According to him, the launch of the railway is exp»»»

In Naryn region, the gross domestic product (GDP) was 18 billion soms in 2020, and by 2025, it reached 40 billion. Thus, the growth rate is 224 percent, indicating that the figure has more than doubled. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov announced this during Nooruz celebrations. In the industri»»»

Construction work has already begun on Kara-Keche thermal power plant (TPP), where 1,200 megawatts of electricity will be generated. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said during Nooruz celebrations in Naryn region. He emphasized that Tenir-Too region has significant energy potential. Thanks to»»»

The Bishkek City Hall plans to renovate and build more than 40 parks and public gardens in 2026, its press service reported. According to it, some of the parks will be renovated, while a significant number will be built from scratch. The work will be carried out by the municipal enterprise Bishkekz»»»

Projects to create clusters in meat, dairy, honey, feed, and fruit production are currently being implemented in Naryn region with a total value of nearly 2 billion soms. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said during Nooruz celebrations. The head of state noted that livestock numbers and produc»»»

An Israeli strike on a health center in southern Lebanon instantly killed 12 medical workers, seriously wounded one and left four missing under the rubble for hours. The March 13 strike in the village of Burj Qalaouiyah, one of the single deadliest strikes in Lebanon since the latest Israel-Hezboll»»»