WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States’ use of oil from its strategic reserve may indicate the risk that the conflict with Iran could drag out, George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy advisor to the first Trump presidential campaign, told Sputnik. "These reserves are designed to only access during »»»

Twenty-four people have been detained for various types of crimes, including vote buying. Twelve fast-track proceedings have been initiated for violations of citizens’ voting rights, said here on Thursday Sofia's police chief Lyubomir Nikolov. He added that so far the total number of investigations»»»

Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro will appear Thursday in a New York court for the second time since his capture by US forces in an extraordinary nighttime raid. Maduro, 63, and wife Cilia Flores have been held in a Brooklyn jail for almost three months after American commandos snatched th»»»

Walking on the Moon by 2030, building a lunar base, and then perhaps on to Mars: after 30 years of honing its expertise, China is challenging the United States' supremacy in spaceflight. As US space agency NASA prepares for its crewed lunar flyby mission, Artemis II, we take a look at China's ambit»»»

A bus carrying about 50 people plunged into a major river in central Bangladesh as it was driving onto a ferry, leaving at least 18 people dead, authorities said Thursday. The bus plunged into the Padma River on Wednesday afternoon in Rajbari district, about 84 kilometers (52 miles) from the capita»»»

The Church of England has enthroned Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury since the church’s establishment in 1534. The ceremony took place in Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday, and was attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as Prince William and his wife, Ca»»»

Archaeologists say they may have discovered the skeletal remains of the legendary D’Artagnan, the figure immortalized by French writer Alexandre Dumas in ‘The Three Musketeers’, Dutch regional broadcaster L1 reported on Wednesday. The remains were found in the Dutch city of Maastricht. Historical a»»»

An Israeli soldier was killed in fighting in south Lebanon on Thursday, the military said, after the army announced it was conducting ground operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah. "Staff sergeant Ori Greenberg, aged 21, from Petah Tikva, a soldier of the Reconnaissance unit, Golani Brigade, fell»»»

Police operations targeting vote-buying and violations of electoral rights are continuing across Bulgaria, with multiple coordinated actions reported in different regions. Authorities say arrests have already been made as part of ongoing investigations into alleged schemes involving electoral fraud»»»

The gaping holes torn in a road to Mandalay by last year's devastating earthquake have been filled in, and the route in northern Myanmar partly resurfaced. But only a few of the broken spans of the historic Ava Bridge have been removed, while the others still droop into the river where hundreds of »»»

With the war in Iran leading to a near-total internet blackout in the country, activists around the world -- especially in the United States -- are mobilizing to help Iranians stay connected via Starlink. Despite being banned, billionaire Elon Musk's satellite internet system has gained ground in I»»»

Australia and Germany agreed Thursday to simplify hosting each other's troops and cooperate on space defense during a visit by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to Canberra. Australia's Defense Minister Richard Marles said the two countries would sign a status of forces agreement making it "m»»»

Foreign ministers from the G7 meet outside Paris from Thursday with European nations and allies seeking to narrow differences with the US on the Middle East war while keeping other crises like Ukraine and Gaza high on the agenda. The two-day meeting of seven leading industrialized democracies at th»»»

In a gesture highlighting compassion and social solidarity, The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai has organised a humanitarian initiative for around 500 residents at the violators shelter in Al Awir, allowing them to connect with their families during Eid Al Fitr. The i»»»

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Next month's draw for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been indefinitely postponed, the continental football body said Thursday, amid the war in the Middle East. No new date was immediately set by the Asian Football Confederation, which has also seen regional club comp»»»

Dubai: Mohanlal’s much-awaited thriller Drishyam 3 has been delayed, with the makers now eyeing a May 21 theatrical release, and this time, the shift isn’t just about box office strategy. According to reports, the Gulf region is a key market for Malayalam cinema and the team have decided to release»»»

The gaping holes torn in a road to Mandalay by last year's devastating earthquake have been filled in, and the route in northern Myanmar partly resurfaced. But only a few of the broken spans of the historic Ava Bridge have been removed, while the others still droop into the river where hundreds of »»»

Romania is entering a new phase – shifting focus from generation to transport, control, and resilience – and Elnos wants to be part of the buildout. In this interview, Robert Schmidt details how the group’s European track record in extreme-site execution, modern installation methods, and discipline»»»

Dubai: India’s National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced an important update for Indian expat students who have registered to attend the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 in Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain centres. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Thursday shared the NTA’s advisory on the ci»»»

A multinational NATO exercise will take place in Bulgarian airspace on March 26 and 27, the Ministry of Defense confirmed, as part of the Alliance’s enhanced vigilance activity Neptune Strike 26-1. Training operations will be conducted over the Novo Selo training area and in northeastern Bulgaria, »»»

Dubai: Indian filmmaker Aditya Dhar has addressed the controversy surrounding a viral image allegedly showing Ranveer Singh smoking while wearing a turban, clarifying that the visual is entirely fabricated and not part of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The clarification comes after a Sikh organisation ra»»»

A military drone launched by Russia entered national airspace for 4 kilometres and crashed near the locality of Parches after being diverted by Ukrainian air defence systems, the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) informs on Thursday.According to the same source, during the night of Wednesday into»»»

European Union lawmakers are on track to give a green light -- with conditions -- Thursday to the bloc's tariff deal with US President Donald Trump, which Europe hopes to salvage while also racing to diversify its trade ties around the globe. Brussels and Washington clinched the deal last summer th»»»

Afghanistan is significantly increasing trade with Central Asian countries. TOLOnews reports, citing the country’s Ministry of Industry and Trade. It is noted that Afghanistan’s trade volume with the region reached $2.6 billion by the end of 2025, while Afghan exports increased by 77 percent to $21»»»

Dubai: Mubadala Energy has secured a new exploration block in Indonesia’s Andaman Sea, tightening its hold on one of Southeast Asia’s most closely watched deepwater gas regions. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Southwest Andaman Production Sharing Contract was award»»»

Suzuka, Japan: A rejuvenated Lewis Hamilton said Thursday that he was more committed to Formula One "than ever" aged 41 and believes he trains harder than any other driver. The seven-time world champion has made a strong start to the season with Ferrari and is fourth in the championship after two r»»»

Learn how visual tools help investors navigate Bulgaria’s euro transition, manage GBP/EUR risk, and interpret cross-border market trends more effectively. Bulgaria’s anticipated transition to the euro marks a structural shift for investors managing cross-border assets. As currency dynamics and capi»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Academy Msheireb, part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education, continues to strengthen its innovation-driven approach to education by launching digital initiatives that support learning beyond the classroom. The school has introduced two digital initiatives: the virtual l»»»

The veterinary staff at a Florida sea turtle hospital is getting help from space to monitor the animals they have rehabilitated. They're particularly interested in amputees. Using satellite tracking devices in a collaboration between the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and the Smithsonian Conservation»»»

Miami: Jannik Sinner powered into the Miami Open quarter-finals on Tuesday, defeating unseeded American Alex Michelsen in straight sets to stay on course for the “Sunshine Double”. Italian second seed Sinner, who is bidding to follow up his triumph at Indian Wells with victory in Miami, bided his t»»»

A roundtable on countering international terrorism and religious extremism was held at the Academy of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic (SCNS). The discussion brought together representatives of the Anti-Terrorism Center of the Kyrgyz Republic, relevant departments of»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance Hits More Merkva Tanks in South Lebanon, Targets Israeli Helicopters to Prevent Intervention: Military Media 26-03-2026 »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance: Our fighters targeted a Merkava tank near the town of Qantara with a guided missile, achieving a confirmed hit. This br»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Doha Equestrian Tour (DET) resumed yesterday with Al Shaqab Cup, while the Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup will be held from April 2 to 4. The competitions, which is being held at Al Shaqab Arena, feature elite international riders alongside competitors from across the region and Q»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Katara Cultural Village Foundation has announced that the twelfth edition of the Katara Prize for Arabic Novel received 2,610 submissions, marking the highest number of submissions since the prize’s inception in 2014. The previous record was 2,321 submissions in the seventh edition»»»

Doha, Qatar: Marc Saez emerged as the star scoring a brace and providing an assist as Muaither staged a dramatic comeback from two goals down to edge Al Markhiya 3-2 and book a place in the QSL Cup semi-finals at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. In the other quarter-final, Pablo Sarabia came off»»»

Dubai: Mubadala Investment Company has agreed to sell its minority stake in CoolIT Systems to Ecolab in a $4.75 billion transaction led by KKR, marking a timely exit from a segment gaining traction amid rising demand for artificial intelligence. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & »»»

Sarah Mullally has begun her public ministry as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, marking a historic moment for the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion. The 63-year-old former nurse and midwife was formally enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral, becoming the 106th holder of the»»»

A relative lull hangs over efforts to shape Gaza’s future, as global and regional attention shifts to the US-Israeli war against Iran. Still, Israel has continued targeting commanders from Hamas’ armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, using intelligence from collaborators and surveillance devices. One»»»

Lebanon’s cabinet meets on Thursday in a first test of a deepening political crisis, after a sharp split between the “Shiite duo” of Hezbollah and Amal Movement and other factions over a decision to declare Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, persona non grata. The government will convene at»»»

Dubai: Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, speaking in Washington, said tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are already translating into higher costs for households globally. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Speaking at the Middle East Institute’s 80th anniversary gala, where he»»»

DHAKA, Bangladesh: A bus carrying about 50 people plunged into a major river in central Bangladesh as it was driving onto a ferry, leaving at least 18 people dead, authorities said on Thursday. The bus plunged into the River Padma Wednesday afternoon in Rajbari district, about 84 kilometers (52 mil»»»

Only weeks after Iranian diplomat Mohammad Reza Sheibani returned to Beirut as ambassador, his name has become the focus of a diplomatic crisis. Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry withdrew its approval and declared him “persona non grata”, reflecting rising tensions between Beirut and Tehran and drawing re»»»

Doha, Qatar: The attendance statistics for the period following the resumption of in-person classes showed an outstanding level of commitment among students and faculty members, who have resumed their academic and administrative duties, which reflects the strength of the educational system and the »»»

The discovery of the oldest ever dog DNA suggests they have been our best friends for nearly 16,000 years -- 5,000 years earlier than had previously been thought, new research said Wednesday. Despite being ubiquitous in the homes, backyards and hearts of people across the world, surprisingly little»»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov signed a law ratifying the exchange of notes between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of Japan on the project «Reconstruction (construction) of a bridge over Naryn River on Bishkek—Osh road to improve connectivity with the Tran»»»

A surge in jet fuel costs—up over 90% in Poland since February—will push airfares higher despite Orlen’s recent wholesale price cuts. Global Jet-A1 prices jumped 83% in March, according to International Air Transport Association, driven by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Fuel accounts for up »»»

VIGO Photonics, via its US subsidiary, has acquired assets of Florida-based InfraRed Associates, a long-established developer of cooled infrared detectors serving industry, science, and military clients across global markets. The move is aimed at deeper entry into the US defense sector, where local»»»

Ever since the United States and Israel began bombing Iran on 28 February 2026, Europe has appeared sidelined and divided over a conflict that could shape the international balance of power in the years ahead. As might be expected, differing approaches by its 27 member states show that the European»»»

Indian refiners are increasingly using currencies other than the US dollar to pay for Russian crude, Bloomberg reported, as New Delhi moves to reduce exposure to shifting US policy and growing geopolitical uncertainty. Bloomberg reported that the transactions are being structured through special ov»»»