Browsing: Middle East featured

Qatar’s Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74, confirmed by the Amiri Diwan. Ruling from 1995 to 2013, he was instrumental in transforming Qatar into a significant global player, particularly as the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.

UAE GDP hit $517bn in 2025, driven by a 6.8% growth in the non-oil sector, reflecting successful diversification efforts.

Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 69 individuals, accusing them of supporting Iranian attacks against the country. The Ministry of Interior claims the individuals displayed disloyalty and colluded with foreign entities. Rights groups have condemned this action as a serious abuse of power and a violation of international law.

Israel has issued evacuation orders for seven towns in southern Lebanon, urging residents to relocate amid escalating tensions with Hezbollah, which it accuses of breaching a US-brokered ceasefire. Contrary to these claims, Hezbollah says its actions are justified responses to continuous Israeli violations.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has departed Islamabad for Moscow, as confirmed by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is scheduled to meet with senior officials to discuss ongoing diplomatic efforts, amidst uncertainty regarding the resumption of direct talks with the United States.

US and Israeli military actions against Iran, framed as efforts to eliminate its nuclear programme, are undermining global confidence in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). These attacks risk further destabilising international nuclear non-proliferation initiatives.

Real Madrid aims to narrow the La Liga gap to six points behind Barcelona when they face Real Betis on Friday at 9pm GMT, amidst injury concerns. Notably, Eder Militao and Arda Guler will miss the remainder of the season due to thigh injuries.

Meta is laying off 8,000 workers, about 10 per cent of its workforce, to enhance efficiency and focus on artificial intelligence investments. Concurrently, Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to approximately 8,750 employees, marking a significant shift for the company amid industry-wide cost adjustments.

Oil prices surged above $106 per barrel amid escalating US-Iran tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, following reciprocal vessel seizures. The increase represents a nearly 5% rise since late Wednesday, reflecting concerns over shipping disruptions in a key global energy transit route.

Tensions escalate as the fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran nears expiration, with no confirmation from Tehran regarding participation in upcoming Islamabad talks. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance leads negotiations amid threats from both sides, raising concerns about the potential for renewed conflict.