In ‘Solidarity’ Visit to Beirut, French FM Vows to Pursue Lebanon Truce Efforts
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Friday expressed solidarity with Lebanon and pledged to press ahead with diplomatic efforts to halt escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Barrot’s visit came as Lebanon faces mounting security and humanitarian problems resulting from ongoing h»»»
Between headlines and home: Why it’s OK to pause
Eid Mubarak. I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well in these unprecedented times. This is definitely a holiday with a difference. No-one in the UAE has asked for or wants this uncertainty, but perhaps it reinforces what is so special at this time of year: Being with loved ones, enjoying t»»»
Iran strikes Kuwait refinery for second straight day - UPI.com
Liquefied natural gas facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City, in Ras Laffan, Qatar, on February 25, 2026. File Photo by Hannibal Hanschke/EPA March 20 (UPI) -- Iran attacked Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery for the second time in two days on Friday, focusing its military on Persian Gulf energy in»»»
LIVE UPDATES: Gulf nations mark Eid amid heightened tensions; Kuwait shuts refinery after drone strike
Doha, Qatar: Gulf countries are observing Eid Al Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026, under heightened security measures as regional tensions continue to escalate. Authorities have restricted outdoor prayers and public celebrations in several countries as a precaution. In Kuwait, officials announced the»»»
Qatar slams attacks on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and UAE
Doha: The State of Qatar condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian targeting of energy facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over the past two days, deeming it a blatant violation of international law and a serious threat to global energy security, navigation, an»»»
UAE minister holds high-level India talks on Iran attacks, security
New Delhi: Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, visited New Delhi on Thursday, March 19, 2026, where she met with Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, and Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary. During the meetings, the two sides discu»»»
Sri Lanka refused ground access to US warplanes
Colombo: Sri Lanka refused permission to the United States to station two of its warplanes at a civilian airport in the island’s south in early March, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on Friday. The request was turned down to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutrality and ensure its territory was not u»»»
Iran's Supreme Leader Says Enemies' 'Security Must be Taken Away'
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called Friday for the enemies of his nations to have their “security” taken away, in his latest message to the public. Khamenei made the remarks in a statement issued on his behalf and sent to President Masoud Pezeshkian, after Israel killed Intelligence M»»»
This war must stop immediately: Prime Minister
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the region, warning that continued aggression risks plunging the Middle East into a broader and more dangerous conflict. He called on Iran»»»
Israeli air defense reservist arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli air defense reservist arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran 20-03-2026 10:28 AM Latest News Urgent News Al-Manar correspondent i»»»
Iran Revolutionary Guards Say US-Israel Strikes Killed Spokesman
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Friday that US-Israeli strikes had killed their spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini. Naini "was martyred in the criminal cowardly terrorist attack by the American-Zionist side at dawn,” the Guards said in a statement on their Sepah News website. A short time earlier, th»»»
Talks in Baghdad Aim to Halt Attacks on US Embassy
A series of meetings held over the past two days inside Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone have produced a preliminary framework aimed at halting attacks on the US Embassy, according to an informed Iraqi source. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the source said the discussions brought together representativ»»»
Six countries condemn attacks on Gulf energy
London: A joint statement issued by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan condemned Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf, on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The statement,»»»
Saudi Arabia warns Iran against attacks on energy sites, threatens military action
Iran could face retaliation from its Gulf neighbors for attacks on their energy infrastructure, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Al Saud has warned, adding that the “patience” of the countries of the region is not “unlimited.” Iran must “recalculate” its strategy, Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat sa»»»
WHO warns of possible nuclear incident in Iran amid US-Israeli strikes
The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing for a potential “nuclear incident” in Iran, a senior regional official has told Politico. The US and Israel claim their attacks are aimed at destroying the Islamic Republic’s uranium enrichment program, which Tehran maintains is peaceful. WHO Eastern»»»
President Dan: Europe must remain focused on Ukraine, even though we are affected by war in Iran
Europe must remain focused on Ukraine, even though we are affected by the crisis generated by the war in Iran, President Nicusor Dan said on Friday after the European Council meeting.He stated that one of the topics discussed at the meeting in Brussels was the situation in the Middle East, 'with al»»»
Cheap weight-loss jabs: India set to reshape global obesity fight
Mumbai: A deluge of weight loss drugs is set to transform the global fight against obesity as India prepares to unleash low cost generic versions of injections like Ozempic after a key patent expired Friday. The move will dramatically widen access to treatments that have long been considered a luxu»»»
Data Transparency and Trust in the Evolving Casino Economy
The digital age has fundamentally reshaped nearly every industry, and the gambling sector is certainly no exception. What was once the exclusive domain of opulent brick-and-mortar establishments has transitioned into a sprawling online universe, accessible with a few clicks. This transformation, wh»»»
Democracy fading as autocractic rulers gain ground – Statista
Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»
Which countries face the broadest international sanctions? Statista
As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and economic measures are becoming a key foreign policy tool, sanctions continue to shape global trade and diplomacy, Statista reports. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine»»»
Which countries face the broadest international sanctions? Statista
As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and economic measures are becoming a key foreign policy tool, sanctions continue to shape global trade and diplomacy, Statista reports. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine»»»
Which countries face the broadest international sanctions? Statista
As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and economic measures are becoming a key foreign policy tool, sanctions continue to shape global trade and diplomacy, Statista reports. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine»»»
Which countries face the broadest international sanctions? Statista
As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and economic measures are becoming a key foreign policy tool, sanctions continue to shape global trade and diplomacy, Statista reports. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine»»»
Which countries face the broadest international sanctions? Statista
As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and economic measures are becoming a key foreign policy tool, sanctions continue to shape global trade and diplomacy, Statista reports. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
Kuwait Petroleum Corp reports drone attacks targeting Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery
KUWAIT: Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery, operated by Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), came under drone attacks in the early hours of Friday, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said in a statement. Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported that the attacks resulted in a fire in several units within the re»»»
Israel Targets Hezbollah-Linked Financial Interests
Israel has stepped up its operations against Hezbollah in recent days, escalating on multiple fronts in response to the group’s intensified attacks into Israeli territory and its use of precision and ballistic missiles that have reshaped the battlefield. Tel Aviv has widened its targets to include »»»
Oil markets split: Middle East crude surges to $131 while Brent slides to $107, WTI down to $94
Global energy markets are sending mixed signals as oil prices diverge sharply across regions, highlighting the growing impact of geopolitical tensions on supply flows. Benchmark crudes West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude and Brent crude both declined in the latest trading session, with WTI falling »»»
France, Spain, Bahrain, India condemn Iranian attack on Ras Laffan in Qatar
DOHA: His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, held phone calls today with a number of Arab and international leaders to discuss developments in the region following the attack targeting Ras Laffan Industrial City and its implications as a serious escalation threate»»»
Orbán: We cannot allow Zelenskyy to blackmail Hungary into giving up cheap Russian energy
At a campaign rally in Dunaújváros, Prime Minister Orbán said the upcoming election will decide whether Hungary can remain outside the war, protect its economic achievements, and preserve national sovereignty. Reflecting on the past four years, the prime minister argued that Hungary’s stability—fro»»»
Press Review - Will the Jalisco cartel's new US-born leader complicate Trump's war on drugs?
PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, March 19: We look at why Russian oil is the big winner from the US and Israel's war in Iran. Also, the New York Times reveals sexual assault and rape allegations against the late US civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. In Mexico, the new leader of the Jalisco New Generati»»»
US‑Israel war with Iran, Day 21: What you need to know
The UAE has dismantled a Hezbollah and Iran-linked terror cell, arresting members accused of operating under a commercial front. As regional tensions intensify, President Sheikh Mohamed held talks with US President Donald Trump, while the UAE backed global efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz and»»»
Iran war: 10 reasons why your travel insurance may fall short – what to do if it does
Dubai: Airspace disruptions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran have triggered widespread flight cancellations across major transit hubs. Thousands of travellers have been affected as airlines suspended or rerouted services across the Middle East. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Che»»»
UAE dismantles Hezbollah-linked terror network targeting economy, arrests members – Ya Libnan
Share: Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s State Security Department has announced the dismantling of a terrorist network funded and directed by Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iran, with its members arrested. Authorities said the group had been operating within the country under the cover of a fictitious commercial fron»»»
BEIRUTER: Lebanon’s Litani bridges at the centre of conflict with Israel
In a dangerous escalation in the current armed conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter began targeted strikes on critical infrastructure, most notable the Litani bridges and routes in the south, drawing attention to Tel Aviv’s operational strategy and its broader implications for th»»»
BEIRUTER: Lebanon’s Litani bridges at the centre of conflict with Israel
In a dangerous escalation in the current armed conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter began targeted strikes on critical infrastructure, most notable the Litani bridges and routes in the south, drawing attention to Tel Aviv’s operational strategy and its broader implications for th»»»
BEIRUTER: Lebanon’s Litani bridges at the centre of conflict with Israel
In a dangerous escalation in the current armed conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter began targeted strikes on critical infrastructure, most notable the Litani bridges and routes in the south, drawing attention to Tel Aviv’s operational strategy and its broader implications for th»»»
BEIRUTER: Lebanon’s Litani bridges at the centre of conflict with Israel
In a dangerous escalation in the current armed conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter began targeted strikes on critical infrastructure, most notable the Litani bridges and routes in the south, drawing attention to Tel Aviv’s operational strategy and its broader implications for th»»»
Quagmire in the Gulf: 13 points from when war games meets reality in US-Iran conflict
Three weeks into the war with Iran, the trajectory of the conflict is beginning to resemble some of the worst-case scenarios long modelled by policymakers and analysts, according to Ilan Goldenberg, a former US Department of Defence official and Middle East expert. »»»
BEIRUTER: Lebanon’s Litani bridges at the centre of conflict with Israel
In a dangerous escalation in the current armed conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter began targeted strikes on critical infrastructure, most notable the Litani bridges and routes in the south, drawing attention to Tel Aviv’s operational strategy and its broader implications for th»»»
BEIRUTER: Lebanon’s Litani bridges at the centre of conflict with Israel
In a dangerous escalation in the current armed conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, the latter began targeted strikes on critical infrastructure, most notable the Litani bridges and routes in the south, drawing attention to Tel Aviv’s operational strategy and its broader implications for th»»»