Asia

Qatar

Gulf states talk Trump out of Iran strikes in a show of regional influence

Trump said he suspended imminent US military strikes on Iran “for two or three days” after the Gulf states intervened to gain more time due to ongoing negotiations and concerns over Iranian retaliation, with Qatar stating that Gulf leaders are united in trying to avoid a resumption of the war.

19/05/2026

Business Line

From raw materials to value-added exports: A structural trade transformation

In partnership with Center for the Production of Content for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is broadening its export base through market diversification, industrial growth, and trade reforms, targeting higher value-added products and new international markets.

19/05/2026

Residences

Four Seasons opens a stunning new resort on the Red Sea

Found on Shura Island in Saudi Arabia, the luxury property has a spa, three swimming pools and a 1.3km-long beach.

19/05/2026

Travel News

Thailand to slash visa-free stays for tourists

Holidaymakers from more than 90 countries could soon face shorter visa-free stays in Thailand, as officials move to curb crimes involving foreign nationals despite tourism remaining vital to the country’s economy.

19/05/2026

Iran

Iranian TV teaches viewers to shoot as IRGC ramps up child recruitment

Iranian state TV has broadcast live weapons training, including simulated shooting at Trump, Netanyahu and the UAE flag, as the IRGC formally recruits children as young as 12 for checkpoints.

19/05/2026

No Comment

Tehran mass wedding turns military vehicles into bridal cars

Tehran stages a mass wedding where brides and grooms ride in decorated military vehicles, mixing celebration, symbolism and state messaging.

19/05/2026

Europe

Malaysia seeks €216m from Norwegian firm over scrapped missile deal

Delivery of the Naval Strike Missile system as well as launcher components was revoked that had been destined for Malaysia's littoral combat ship programme under the terms of a 2018 deal.

19/05/2026

Europe

Finnish divers recover bodies of two Italians from cave in Maldives

Maldives government spokesman Ahmed Shaam had earlier said that the three Finnish divers would retrieve the bodies, which were lying at a depth of around 60 metres.

19/05/2026

Economy

Could Central Asia help Europe address labour shortage concerns?

European labour shortages and legal migration systems were central topics at the Tashkent International Migration Forum, where officials came together for discussions and solutions.

19/05/2026

Iran

Europol disrupts thousands of IRGC online accounts across 19 countries

Europol announced a major digital crackdown that led to the removal of thousands of online accounts linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the suspension of the group's primary X account in the EU.

19/05/2026

Azerbaijan

'No society is immune' to housing crisis, UN chief warns at Baku forum

António Guterres told the World Urban Forum in Baku that no country is immune from the housing crisis, as 40,000 delegates gathered for the second day of talks.

18/05/2026

Lebanon

Lebanese president vows to 'do the impossible' to end war with Israel

On Monday, the Lebanese health ministry said the death toll from Israeli strikes since the start of the war had reached 3,020, with 211 people 18 and under and 116 healthcare workers among those killed.

18/05/2026

United Arab Emirates

UAE still investigating mystery nuclear plant drone attack

The enigma surrounding Sunday’s unprecedented drone attack on the Barakah nuclear plant deepened on Monday as the UAE said the drone came from its western border, but it did not accuse Iran.

18/05/2026

Iran

Iran sets up Hormuz transit authority to charge ships for passage

Tehran has launched a formal body to manage and charge ships for transit through the Strait of Hormuz in a highly-contested move as tankers pile up in the waterway and peace talks remain deadlocked.

18/05/2026

Residences

‘Long snooze’: Is this the world’s best hotel bed?

The ‘Curator Suite 1503’ at RYSE, Autograph Collection in Seoul is home to an enormous extra-long bed, which stretches the near length of the room.

18/05/2026

Health news

How sport is changing the lives of people with autism in Central Asia

Can sport help improve the lives of children with autism? From adaptive cycling to inclusive running events, structured physical activity helps children develop communication, focus and emotional regulation.

18/05/2026

Markets

UzNIF debuts on London market in first international Uzbek IPO

The IPO generated more than $2.8 billion (€2.6bn) in investor demand and raised around $603 million (€540m). Officials at the London Stock Exchange described the listing as a landmark moment for Uzbekistan’s access to international capital markets.

18/05/2026

Azerbaijan

Iran calls for reconstruction support at World Urban Forum in Baku

Iran's deputy housing minister used the World Urban Forum in Baku to call for international support to rebuild 150,000 homes damaged in the war.

18/05/2026

Europe

Bodies of four divers in Maldives accident found, Italy says

Five Italian divers are believed to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of about 50 metres in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, according to Italy’s Foreign Ministry.

18/05/2026

No Comment

Cats in costumes and beauty contests draw crowds at expo

Thousands of cat lovers gathered at Cat Expo India in Mumbai, where visitors explored cat beauty contests, pet care products, grooming services, accessories and premium food brands alongside dozens of felines.

18/05/2026

No Comment

Bodybuilders show off muscles at Southeast Asian championships

Myanmar hosts the Southeast Asian Bodybuilding Championships in Yangon, with athletes from eight countries competing from May 14 to 18.

18/05/2026

Japan

Japan arrests Americans over stunt at baby monkey Punch's zoo

The baby monkey became an internet star this year after the zoo posted photos of Punch clutching an IKEA plush orangutan for comfort after being rejected by his mother.

18/05/2026

North Korea

North Korea tells military to bolster defences against 'arch enemy'

The plans come at a low point in relations with South Korea and Pyongyang unresponsive to Seoul's repeated offers for dialogue.

18/05/2026

Taiwan

Taiwan defends US arms purchases that Trump called 'bargaining chip'

Trump’s calling of arms sales to Taiwan a “bargaining chip” has raised concerns on the self-governing island of a potential change in US foreign policy towards the territory after the US president’s latest visit to China.

18/05/2026

Iran

Iran has responded to latest US peace proposal, Tehran official says

On Sunday, Iran's Fars news agency said Washington had presented a five-point list, which included a demand for Iran to keep only one nuclear site in operation and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the US.

18/05/2026

Azerbaijan

World Urban Forum opens in Baku with warning on global housing divide

Ministers and experts opened the World Urban Forum in Baku on Sunday with stark warnings about the global housing divide, calling for international cooperation to tackle a growing crisis.

17/05/2026