‘Any attack on Qatari territory a violation of Qatari sovereignty’
Doha, Qatar: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari (pictured) has reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty, protecting its infrastructure, and maintaining stability through coordinated defens»»»
World Bank Chief to Asharq Al-Awsat: No One Can Gauge Fallout of the Regional Escalation
Rising geopolitical tensions are clouding the outlook for growth, inflation and capital flows across the Middle East, raising questions about the region’s ability to absorb fresh shocks. Instability is not good for any region, World Bank President Ajay Banga told Asharq Al-Awsat, saying the scale o»»»
80% of China’s Lanterns Are Made in One Little Town
In China, red lanterns could guide a traveler to safety in cold winter alleyways, be symbols of power outside an imperial hall, or act as a call to religious devotion when hung in a temple. They are also absolutely synonymous with lunar new year celebrations right across the vast country and link t»»»
Report: US, Kurds Discuss Potential Iran Military Operation
Iranian Kurdish militias have consulted with the United States in recent days about whether, and how, to attack Iran's security forces in the western part of the country, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter. The Iranian Kurdish coalition of groups based on the Iran-Iraq border i»»»
Iraq, caught in the middle, braces for Iran war impact
ConflictsIraqIraq, caught in the middle, braces for Iran war impactCathrin Schaer | Omar AlbamIraq is the only country in the Middle East to be targeted by both sides in the current conflict. There, the war could impact everything from the next government to intercommunal violence and civil servant»»»
Silence of World Media on Deaths of Schoolgirls in Iran Defies Description - MFA
On February 28, a girls' school in the southern Iranian city of Minab was hit. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that at least 171 schoolgirls died. The silence of the world media about the deaths of schoolgirls in Iran defies description, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakha»»»
Day 5: How the US–Israel war on Iran affects UAE residents
Dubai: As hostilities between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other enter a fifth day, UAE authorities have issued a series of updates addressing security, travel, education and public safety. UAE: No participation in warThe UAE has reiterated that it has not participated i»»»
Khamenei to be Buried in Mashhad
Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed Saturday in US-Israeli strikes, will be buried in the holy city of Mashhad, several Iranian news agencies reported on Tuesday. Khamenei, who died at 86 after leading the regime for 36 years, was originally from Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city, whe»»»
Pentagon Identifies First US Soldiers Killed in Iran War
The US military on Tuesday identified four of the first American soldiers killed in the war against Iran as the Trump administration warned the intensifying conflict would lead to more American casualties. Among six US military deaths so far, the four soldiers were members of an Iowa unit of the US»»»
LIVE UPDATES: Middle East Tensions Mount After Strikes on Iran – Day 5
The United States and Israel carried out a coordinated series of strikes on February 28 targeting multiple sites in Iran, including locations in Tehran. In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israeli territory and US military bases across the Middle East. The operation against Iran »»»
China Calls for End of Hostilities in Mideast, Resumption of Talks
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran retaliated by striking Israeli territory and US military bases across the Middle East. China is closely monitoring the situation around Iran and calls »»»
US Embassy in Pakistan directs non-essential staff to leave Karachi and Lahore consulates
The United States has directed non-emergency personnel to evacuate its consulates in Karachi and Lahore, citing heightened security risks across Pakistan, including terrorism and kidnapping threats. The advisory specifically warns against travel to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and the Line of Contro»»»
Iran says it has not yet used its most advanced weaponry
Iran is ready for a long war against the United States and Israel and has so far not used its most advanced weapons, its defence ministry said Tuesday. The Israeli military also said it struck Iranian industrial sites used to produce ballistic missiles, while Iran retaliated by hitting in»»»
Emaar operations continue normally across Dubai amid regional conflict
Dubai: All Emaar communities, malls, hospitality assets and development projects across Dubai continue to operate normally despite rising geopolitical tensions in the region, the developer said. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances."The city continues to demonstrate resilie»»»
Over 138 national food manufacturing factories operating with high efficiency
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s food manufacturing factories are operating with high efficiency as the industrial sector comprises over 138 national factories. Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said in a post on its X platform, “The industrial sector includes more than 138 national factories, producing»»»
Dubai gold rebounds after steep fall as buyers return to market
Dubai: Gold buyers in Dubai saw prices bounce back sharply on Wednesday morning after a sudden drop a day earlier, with the recovery highlighting the intense volatility currently gripping global bullion markets. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahr»»»
Iraq Could Widen Oil Production Cut to More Than 3 Million bpd Within Days
Iraq has cut oil production by nearly 1.5 million barrels a day and those cuts could widen to more than 3 million bpd within days as the country runs out of storage and cannot export crude due to the Iran crisis, two Iraqi oil officials told Reuters on Tuesday. As of Tuesday, Iraq has cut productio»»»
Syria Fears War Fallout on Domestic Stability
Syrian experts warned that escalating tensions in the region could drag on indefinitely, placing Syria at the heart of the crisis as the government struggles to meet citizens’ needs amid the return of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Lebanon and expectations of further returns from Türkiye an»»»
Pakistan Embassy in UAE suspends in-person services
Abu Dhabi: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi has temporarily suspended all in-person consular services effective immediately, until further notice. The move follows advisories from the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation recommending remote work for the priv»»»
Syria Says Army Reinforces Deployment Along Border with Lebanon, Iraq
Syria's defense ministry said it reinforced its border with Lebanon, and eight Syrian and Lebanese sources said this included rocket units and thousands of troops as conflict spread in the region including between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The sources included five Syrian military officers, »»»
Lebanon: Hezbollah Ban Faces Legal, Security Test
Lebanon’s government has entered a decisive test phase after banning the military and security activities of Hezbollah, a move President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday described as “sovereign and final, with no turning back,” despite open rejection from the group and rising domestic pressure for swift enfo»»»
UAE forecasts scattered rain and cooler temperatures
Abu Dhabi: The UAE is expected to see partly cloudy to cloudy skies on Wednesday with a chance of rainfall across scattered areas, according to the National Center of Meteorology. Temperatures are forecast to drop noticeably, while light to moderate winds are expected to become active at times, par»»»
US Launches Military Operation in Ecuador - Command
The United States has launched another military operation, jointly with the Ecuadorian armed forces, against organizations designated as terrorists in Ecuador, the US Southern Command said. "On March 3, Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces launched operations against Designated Terrorist Organizatio»»»
Macron Says Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier Sent to Mediterranean
French President Emmanuel Macron said he had ordered the redeployment of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier group to the Mediterranean. On Sunday, the UAE Defense Ministry said that Iran had launched a drone strike on French naval base Camp de la Paix in Abu Dhabi. On Monday, French Foreign Min»»»
Over 50,000 Troops Participating in US Operation Against Iran - US Central Command
More than 50,000 troops and 200 fighter jets are participating in the US operation against Iran, with additional forces expected to arrive soon, US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper said. "More than 50,000 troops, 200 fighters, two aircraft carriers and bombers from the United States are pa»»»
Rupee sinks to record low against UAE dirham. UAE expats weigh remittance window
Dubai: Indian expatriates in the UAE woke up to a sharp currency shift on Wednesday morning after the Indian rupee touched its weakest level ever against the UAE dirham, opening a potentially attractive window for remittances. (Check live forex rates here) Sign up for our daily business newsletter,»»»
KOICA hands over electric vehicles to support green mobility in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) handed over the electric vehicles under the «Electric Vehicle Transition Project for Public Service Fleet to Realize Green Mobility in the Kyrgyz Republic.» The handover ceremony was held at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republ»»»
Kuwait intercepts aerial threats; debris kills 11-year-old girl
Dubai: Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence said its air defences intercepted and destroyed several hostile aerial targets that entered the country’s airspace early on Wednesday, in an operation that led to debris falling on a residential home and causing casualties. In a statement, the ministry said the t»»»
LIVE UPDATES: Saudi Arabia intercepts two missiles; shrapnel injures people in Kuwait
Doha, Qatar: The US military has hit nearly 2,000 targets since attacking Iran on Saturday. The attacks have killed 787 people in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent, a toll that could not be independently confirmed by AFP. Meanwhile Iran drones struck adjacent the US consulate in Dubai, st»»»
Qatar arrests 10 suspects over alleged Iran espionage plot
Dubai: Qatari authorities have arrested two cells allegedly operating on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), detaining 10 suspects accused of espionage and sabotage activities targeting the country’s critical infrastructure, according to the Qatar News Agency (QNA). The arres»»»
Five-year results: Internet penetration in Kyrgyzstan reaches 98 percent - | 24.KG
Over the past five years, internet penetration in Kyrgyzstan has reached 98 percent, official statistics say. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of active internet users increased by 31 percent. Six years ago, there were 5.4 million users. By the end of 2024, this figure had risen to 7.1 million. Th»»»
UAE airlines continue limited operations as regular flights remain disrupted
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced the resumption of limited flights at UAE airports to help stranded passengers affected by recent regional developments depart safely. Air operations currently run at 48 flights per hour through designated emergency corridors. Since 1 March 2»»»
Kyrgyzstan remains leader in new car exports to Russia - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan remained the leader in new car exports to Russia as of February 2026. Sergei Tselikov, head of the analytical agency Avtostat, reported. According to him, passenger car imports increased by 35 percent in February. In February, 46,800 passenger cars were imported to Russia. This is 35 per»»»
Etihad Rail operates exceptional passenger trips amid regional travel disruptions
In response to current regional developments and the resulting disruption to travel, Etihad Rail, in coordination with and under the direct supervision of the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi (ADCMC), operated exceptional services between Al Ghuwaifat Station in the Al »»»
US citizens in the Middle East face 'mayhem' trying to get home
Americans travelling in the Middle East say it has been "mayhem" trying to get back home as the US-Israel war with Iran is felt throughout the region. The US is advising its citizens in 14 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel and Qatar, to "depart now" as security warnings put embassi»»»
Carney says he supports Iran strikes 'with regret'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for parties involved in the war in Iran to de-escalate hostilities quickly - and said while he supports the strikes, it's a position he takes "with regret". Carney, speaking to reporters in Sydney, his second stop in Indo-Pacific tour, said of Iran tha»»»
Blown up: 17 Iranian Navy ships, including 1 submarine, says US admiral
The US has delivered “overwhelming and unprecedented” strikes into Iran in the first 100 hours of "Operation Epic Fury", the US commander in charge of combat operations in the region said. To put things in perspective, Admiral Brad Cooper said the initial 24 hours of the February 28 Iran strikes we»»»
Think twice: Why sharing photos of certain UAE locations could lead to legal trouble
The UAE State Security Department has warned that photographing or circulating images of sensitive security locations — or promoting unreliable or fabricated information — is strictly prohibited, as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard national security and public stability. In a statement issued i»»»
Israel kills Iranian commander of Quds forces for Lebanon – Ya Libnan
Share: Israeli military spokesman Avichai Adraee claimed that the Israeli Air Force carried out an attack earlier today in the Tehran area, killing Davoud Alizadeh, who served as acting commander of the Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps, succeeding Hassan Mahdavi, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike. A»»»
Trump threatens to cut off trade with Spain over Iran war refusal
Trump threatened Tuesday to sever all trade with Spain after it refused to let US planes use its bases to attack Iran. Spain's left-wing government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of Europe's most defiant leaders against Trump, has said that bases long used by US forces could only be allow»»»
South Korean stocks plunge 6%, Japan's Nikkei down 2.5%
Asian stocks plunged in early trade on Wednesday as the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East rattled global markets. South Korea's benchmark Kospi index dipped more than six percent after open, while Japan's Nikkei index was down 2.5 percent. US stock indexes finished lower on Tuesday (March 3, 2026)»»»
Digital borders, sovereign rights: Why tech compliance is no longer optional
Technology is transforming the lives of people, businesses, and governments. As technologies expand and transcend borders, the regulatory burden becomes a growing challenge for both states and corporations. Safety standards and technology-related laws require compliance, while the effective deploym»»»
UAE safety guidelines: What to do when you hear a warning alert
The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has warned residents not to prioritise filming social media content over their personal safety during emergency alerts, stressing that failure to follow official instructions could result in legal accountability. The reminder follows reports that some residents and mo»»»
Asia stocks fall for third day, oil steadies as investors watch Iran war
Asian stock markets fell for a third day in a row on Wednesday while oil prices steadied as investors watch developments in the US-Israel war with Iran. In choppy trade, South Korea's Kospi index was 3.7% lower in early trading after slumping by more than 7% on Tuesday. Japan's Nikkei 225 was about»»»
Trump: US Navy ready to escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz
Washington, March 4 (SANA) – U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. Navy is prepared to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary, amid escalating tensions in the region. In a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump said he had directed the U.S. Development Fin»»»
Day-and-night strikes hit 2,000 targets in Iran: US CentCom
US forces have carried out strikes on close to 2,000 targets across Iran’s military and strategic infrastructure, according to statements from United States Central Command. These include missile batteries, command and control centers, air defense systems, naval assets (including reports that 11 Ir»»»
The gift of responsibility: Preparing children for an independent life after school
Human beings are remarkably adaptive. We learn, adjust, and grow in response to every new situation life presents. Yet, while adaptability is innate, ease in transition is not accidental. It is cultivated. The move from school to university, from home to hostel, from dependence to independence beco»»»
'All red lines have been crossed': Gulf states weigh response to Iranian strikes
Gulf states have found themselves on the front line of the Middle East's newest war, and they are angry. Iran has retaliated to US-Israeli air strikes by firing hundreds of missiles and drones at its Arab neighbours – targeting American military bases on their soil, but also civilian and energy inf»»»
‘The AK-47 of the skies’: How Iran’s cheap drones are reshaping this war
Dubai: President Trump has made destroying Iran’s ballistic missile stockpiles a central objective of the war. But while Washington focuses on launchers and long-range rockets, Tehran has unleashed something far cheaper — and arguably more disruptive. Drones. Known formally as unmanned aerial vehic»»»
'We're going to unleash Chiang on these people': Rubio says US stepping up Iran campaign
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says that the United States is stepping up its campaign in Iran, widening the scope of airstrikes in the country. FRANCE 24's Fraser Jackson reports from Washington.»»»