News

Qatar has strongly condemned the recent attack on the United Arab Emirates Consulate General in Iraqi Kurdistan, calling it a serious violation of international law and diplomatic norms.

In an official statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said targeting diplomatic missions represents a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guarantees the protection of embassies, consulates and their personnel. The ministry described the incident as a dangerous escalation that threatens the safety of diplomatic staff and undermines internationally recognised rules governing diplomatic work.

Doha reaffirmed its firm rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism, particularly...

Dubai’s record-breaking property market is showing early signs of caution as rising tensions in the Middle East prompt some investors to delay purchases. While the sector’s fundamentals remain strong, analysts say short-term deal-making could slow if uncertainty persists.

The emirate’s real estate market reached unprecedented levels in 2025, recording about AED 917 bn ($250 bn) in property transactions. Residential prices have surged 60–75% since 2021, supported by government incentives such as long-term residency visas, investor-friendly regulations and attractive rental yields of 6–9%.

However, reports of regional missile and drone activity have made some international buyers more cautious. Analysts...

NATO air defence systems have intercepted a second ballistic missile launched from Iran toward Turkey within a week, Turkish officials said, heightening tensions in the region and prompting Ankara to strengthen its military readiness.

According to Turkey’s authorities, the latest missile was shot down by NATO defences before reaching its target, with debris falling near the city of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey. A similar interception took place days earlier in Hatay province. No casualties were reported in either incident.

In response, Ankara has announced additional security measures, including the deployment of a Patriot missile defence system in Malatya...

Rodri has been reported to police by neighbours who say the Manchester City midfielder has been flying a drone close to the windows of their apartments.

Residents in a high-rise building in Salford claim the 29-year-old’s hobby has raised privacy concerns after the drone was seen hovering near their homes.

Police are now planning to speak to the Spanish international to ensure he understands the regulations governing drone use.

One resident said he and his partner were watching television when they noticed a drone with a flashing green light hovering about a metre from their window.

All eight episodes of One Piece Season 2 are now available to stream on Netflix, with the new instalment titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line.

The next chapter follows the Straw Hat crew as they continue their search for the legendary treasure known as the One Piece. With Gold Roger’s treasure still unclaimed, Luffy and his companions set sail towards the dangerous Grand Line for their next adventure.

The returning cast includes Inaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Emily Rudd as Nami, Mackenyu as Zoro, Taz Skylar as Sanji and Jacob Romero as Usopp. Michael Dorman also returns as...

Mercedes-Benz have emerged as a surprise contender for a stake in the Alpine F1 Team that is also being pursued by Christian Horner.

According to Telegraph Sport, Toto Wolff is leading a bid to acquire a 24% share in Alpine currently owned by Otro Capital. Alpine adviser Flavio Briatore previously confirmed that Horner is also interested in the stake as part of a consortium.

Mercedes already supply Alpine with engines and gearboxes under an agreement running until at least 2030. Any investment could deepen cooperation between the teams, although the Renault Group would retain its controlling 76% share.

Otro...

Two men have been charged with terror offences after allegedly attempting to bomb a protest outside the New York City mayor’s home, police said, with the attack reportedly inspired by the Islamic State group (IS).

The suspects, 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, allegedly told investigators they intended the attack to be «even larger» than the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and injured hundreds.

Explosives discovered outside mayor’s residence

Authorities said the pair attempted to detonate two explosive devices outside Gracie Mansion, where New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani lives. A third bomb was...

Uzbekistan plans to increase pharmaceutical production to 8.5 trln soums ($697 mln) in 2026, the Ministry of Justice said, citing a presidential decree.

To reach this target, the country will launch investment projects worth a total of $800 mln. After patents on original medicines expire, the government will provide support to domestic producers.

Producers will be reimbursed for 50% of technology transfer costs up to $50,000, or 50% of research expenses for new drug development up to $100,000.

From January 1, 2027, companies holding a national GMP certificate will be allowed to produce dietary supplements on their own production...

Starting April 1, 2026, silk cocoon producers in Uzbekistan will be eligible for subsidies covering 35% of the payments made by the sericulture cluster for delivered products, according to a presidential decree.

The decree states that the decision to award subsidies will be made by the local mahalla council. Low-income families involved in silk cooperatives on mulberry plantations will receive a subsidy of 4 mln soums ($328) per family member, payable once per person.

Home-based workers will also be able to access interest-free loans for three years to purchase equipment for raising silkworms. The maximum loan amount will be...

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has expanded its voice cast with several new stars, including Donald Glover, who will voice the green dinosaur Yoshi.

Newly announced cast members also include Luis Guzman as Wart and Issa Rae as Honey Queen. The additions were revealed by Chris Meledandri during a Nintendo Direct livestream on Monday, which also debuted a new trailer for the animated sequel.

Chris Pratt returns as the voice of Mario, who heads into space in the follow-up to The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Other returning cast members include Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi...

Two teenagers accidentally left a knapsack containing marijuana and cash at a donation area outside a charity shop in New Zealand before returning in a panic to recover it.

A volunteer at the store noticed a strong smell coming from the bag before opening it and discovering plastic packets containing 43.2 grams of marijuana along with NZ$3,700 (about $2,200) in cash, according to a statement from the New Zealand Police.

Recreational use and sale of marijuana are illegal in New Zealand, although limited medical use is permitted with a doctor’s prescription.

Police said the incident took place on February...

Belarus has expressed readiness to assist Uzbekistan in constructing a nuclear power plant, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said during a meeting with Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Minsk, Rakhmatulla Nazarov.

«We work with the Russians in many places around the world where they build nuclear power units. If this suits you, you can come at any time when necessary,» Lukashenko said, according to the Belarusian state news agency BelTA.

During the meeting, Nazarov noted that Belarus has made significant progress in developing its nuclear energy sector. He said Tashkent is particularly interested in Minsk’s experience in...

Oil prices dropped on Tuesday after reaching their highest level in more than three years in the previous session, as comments from Donald Trump suggesting the Middle East war could end soon eased worries about prolonged disruptions to global crude supplies.

Brent crude futures fell $4.17, or 4.2%, to $94.79 a barrel by 03:45 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined $3.81, or 4%, to $90.96 a barrel. Both benchmarks had earlier plunged by as much as 11% before recovering part of their losses.

Prices had surged past $100 a barrel on Monday, their highest level since...

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen will compete in the legendary Nurburgring 24 Hours for the first time this year, driving for Mercedes-AMG.

The Dutch driver has been confirmed for the 14-17 May endurance race with the factory-supported Winward team, competing under the Verstappen Racing banner. He will share the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with factory drivers Lucas Auer and Jules Gounon, as well as Daniel Juncadella, who recently joined Genesis’ Hypercar programme.

Auer, Gounon and Juncadella all have extensive experience on the demanding Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit, with the latter two also racing together for Winward in GT World...

Thick black smoke still rose over Tehran on Sunday morning, streets and cars were covered in soot, balconies were caked in black residue, and residents breathed in toxic air after overnight airstrikes on the city’s oil depots, The Guardian reports.

People sent messages and voice notes describing scenes in their homes and on the streets as «apocalyptic.» With the sun obscured by smoke, many had to switch on lights to see through the gloom.

Video geolocated by CNN shows a large fire burning near a petrol storage facility in northeastern Tehran on Saturday. The Israeli military...

The Beverly Hills home of pop star Rihanna was struck by gunfire on Sunday, police said. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department responded to reports at 13:15 local time (21:15 GMT), and a suspect was arrested shortly afterwards.

A police official told CBS News that assault rifle casings were found at the property. No one was injured, and a law enforcement source confirmed that Rihanna was in the house at the time.

Authorities said the suspect, a woman in her 30s, fired seven shots from a car outside the mansion before fleeing. The vehicle was later located about...

A Clumber spaniel named Bruin has been named Best in Show at Crufts 2026, triumphing over almost 19,000 competitors at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

Handled by his owner Lee Cox, Bruin first won the Gundog group before being crowned overall champion. Cox described the moment as «just wonderful for this breed» and called Bruin «the dog of a lifetime» after receiving the Kendall Memorial Trophy and a £200 cash prize.

Other top contenders included a Tibetan mastiff named Viking, a Pembroke Welsh corgi called Hazel, and a miniature schnauzer, Spencer. The reserve Best in Show was awarded to...

Jessica Alba has shared photos from a romantic getaway in Mexico City with actor Danny Ramirez, offering fans a glimpse into their relationship.

The actress posted images from the trip on Instagram on March 7, describing the visit as one of the best weeks she had spent in one of her favourite cities. Alba recently finalised her divorce from former husband Cash Warren.

The photos show the couple visiting restaurants, exploring museums and sharing affectionate moments throughout their stay. Among the highlights was a stop at the Frida Kahlo Museum, where the pair posed for a mirror selfie while...

A major fire broke out at a historic building near Glasgow Central Station on Sunday, leading to a partial collapse and widespread disruption to train services.

The blaze began in a vape shop on Union Street during the afternoon and later spread through the B-listed Victorian building, which partially collapsed several hours later as flames intensified.

According to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, more than 60 firefighters and 15 fire engines were deployed to the scene. Crews were still working to control the fire early Monday, more than 13 hours after the alarm was raised. No injuries have...

Jennifer Runyon, who appeared in the film Ghostbusters and the television sitcom Charles in Charge, died on March 6 at the age of 65.

Her death was confirmed by close friend Erin Murphy, who said Runyon passed away after a short battle with cancer.

«So sad to share that my friend Jennifer Runyon Corman has passed away after a brief battle with cancer,» Murphy wrote in a Facebook tribute. «Some people you just know you’ll be friends with before you even meet. She was a special lady. I’ll miss you Jenn. My thoughts are with...

A worker from Uzbekistan died after being struck by a forklift and crushed under materials at a metal smelting factory in Seosan, Yonhap reports.

According to the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency, the accident happened at about 9:46 pm on Sunday at a factory in the Seosan Auto Valley industrial complex in Jigok township.

The victim, a man in his 50s identified only as A, was working at the plant when he was hit by a moving forklift and trapped beneath materials. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital after he was found in cardiac arrest, but he later...

Global oil prices soared on Monday, climbing more than 25% to their highest levels since mid-2022 as supply cuts and fears of prolonged shipping disruptions shook energy markets amid the expanding conflict involving Israel, Iran and the United States.

Traders are particularly concerned about the impact on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route that normally carries about one fifth of the world’s oil supply. Disruptions to tanker movements and rising security risks have already slowed shipments, leaving Asian importers especially exposed because of their reliance on Middle Eastern crude.

Brent crude futures rose $24.96, or 27%, to...

On Monday, March 9, suhoor in Tashkent ends at 5:27 a.m., and iftar begins at 6:27 p.m.
The schedule for other regions of Uzbekistan is shown in the table above.

Suhoor and Iftar Times
Monday, March 9

Duas (Supplications)
Dua for Suhoor:
«Nawaytu an-asuuma sauma shahri ramadaana minal-fajri ilal-maghribi khalisan lillahi ta‘ala.»
Dua for Iftar:
«Allahumma laka sumtu, wa bika aamantu, wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu, wa ‘ala rizqika aftartu, faghfir li ya Ghaffaru ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhartu.»

During the month of Ramadan, special attention is given to the five daily obligatory prayers. Believers are advised to perform them on time and, if possible, in a mosque, since...

Mojtaba Khamenei has been appointed as the new supreme leader of Iran, succeeding his father Ali Khamenei.

The decision by the Assembly of Experts signals that hardline figures remain firmly in control in Tehran as fighting with United States and Israel enters its second week.

In a statement issued shortly after midnight in Tehran, the assembly said it had «by a decisive vote» chosen Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third leader of the Islamic Republic. The role gives him ultimate authority over state affairs in Iran.

Mojtaba, a mid-ranking cleric with influence within Iran’s security...