Economy Global banks tighten security in Gulf hubs after new Iran threat Precautionary moves by global lenders highlight growing concern that regional tensions could disrupt banking operations in the Gulf, as Iran is signalling that it may diversify its attacks. 12/03/2026
Focus Southern Gas Corridor meeting reviews energy cooperation In partnership with Azpromo Energy leaders and policymakers discussed supply security, diversification and renewable cooperation, highlighting the evolving role of the Southern Gas Corridor in Europe’s energy strategy. 12/03/2026
Tech News Iran threatens Amazon, Google and Microsoft assets in Middle East Iranian news agency Tasnim published a list of approximately 30 Big Tech targets throughout the Middle East as “enemy technology infrastructure,” signalling that they could be the next targets. 12/03/2026
Lebanon Lebanon's displaced face high rent, tepid state response and war fears Hundreds of thousands flee southern Lebanon after Hezbollah fires on Haifa, facing chaotic evacuations, profiteering landlords and limited state aid. 12/03/2026
Iraq Video shows moment ship struck off Iraq Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed it had attacked a vessel off Iraq, releasing a video that purports to show the moment the ship was attacked. The footage claims to show explosions striking the Safesea Vishnu, a ship flagged in the Marshall Islands, overnight. 12/03/2026
Iran Missing in action: What we know about Mojtaba Khamenei's condition Mojtaba Khamenei’s secretive rise as Iran’s new ayatollah and absence from public has fuelled speculation over his injuries, whereabouts and whether he really controls the IRGC. What is known so far? 12/03/2026
Destinations Why Macao is one of 2026's most unique city breaks At a recent Macao tourism event in London, the city’s attractions, culture, and gastronomy and latest offerings were showcased to guests. 12/03/2026
No Comment More than 1,000 athletes compete in World Indoor Tug-of-War Championships in Taiwan More than 1,000 athletes compete in the World Indoor Tug-of-War Championships at Taipei Arena, marking the first time Taiwan has hosted the international competition. 12/03/2026
No Comment Aftermath of Israeli air strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs Destroyed buildings and rubble-strewn streets were seen in Beirut’s southern suburbs after overnight Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah positions, according to the Israeli military. 12/03/2026
Iran Iran's new ayatollah vows to block Hormuz in regime-released statement Tehran fired fresh barrages of drones and missiles early on Thursday as the Iran war nears the two-week mark. Air raid alerts were sounded in Israel as authorities warned of incoming Iranian fire, as Gulf states brace for more attacks. 12/03/2026
Bahrain Iranian attack sparks huge fire at Bahrain facility Bahrain’s interior ministry released footage showing a huge fire at a fuel facility in Muharraq after Iranian attacks. Authorities say the military has intercepted more than 170 drones and over 100 missiles since Iran began targeting countries in the region. 12/03/2026
Tech News Middle East data centres are becoming targets during Iran war Data centres are the physical buildings that house all the infrastructure required to power banking apps, cloud services, and artificial intelligence platforms. 12/03/2026
Iran US responsible for deadly strike on Iranian school, inquiry says The bombing of the school and its casualties involving children has become a focal point of the war, and would also stand among the highest civilian casualty events caused by the American military operations in the last two decades. 12/03/2026
Iran Oil prices top $100 a barrel amid Iranian attacks on commercial ships The latest attacks marked an escalation in Iran’s campaign aimed at generating enough global economic pain to pressure the United States and Israel to end the war that started 12 days ago. But there were no signs that the conflict was subsiding. 12/03/2026
World News EU reinforces cooperation with Azerbaijan on security and energy As the Iran war rages on, European Council President António Costa held talks with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Wednesday to expand the European Union’s cooperation with Azerbaijan on defence, security and energy. 11/03/2026
Modern Nomads Adventure and ancient legends in the snow-capped forests of Burabay In partnership with MDQ Deep in the northern steppe, the forested mountains and frozen lakes of Burabay State National Natural Park offer a breathtaking escape into nature. 11/03/2026
No Comment Funeral held in Tehran for Iranian commanders killed in US–Israeli strikes Crowds gathered in Tehran for the funeral of several senior Iranian military commanders killed in recent US–Israeli strikes. 11/03/2026
Europe News As Iran war reaches Europe's borders, can the NATO shield hold? As the Iran war escalates, European cities are now within range of Tehran's arsenal. We asked NATO how it would defend against a strike, and an expert on political violence what other methods Iran could use to target Europeans. 11/03/2026
No Comment Japan marks 15th anniversary of earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster Japan marked the 15th anniversary of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster with ceremonies and a nationwide moment of silence. 11/03/2026
Travel News Iran conflict ‘costs Middle East tourism industry €515 million a day’ The estimate from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is based on the 2026 pre-conflict forecast for the Middle East. 11/03/2026
Japan Fukushima reflects on recovery 15 years after nuclear plant disaster On 11 March 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck northeastern Japan, triggering a tsunami that devastated coastal communities in Tohoku and caused the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster. Fifteen years on, rebuilding continues. 11/03/2026
Iran US military releases footage of strikes on Iranian naval vessels Video released by US Central Command shows what it says are US forces striking several Iranian navy vessels, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz. The US military said it destroyed the vessels amid concerns Iran could mine the strategic waterway. 11/03/2026
Iran UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states Tehran says it is targets US military assets in the region but those strikes have also hit civilian infrastructure like energy facilities and hotels. 11/03/2026
Iran US says it destroyed Iranian mine-laying vessels near Strait of Hormuz Washington says it has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran threatened to not allow oil to pass through the waterway, through which a fifth of the world’s crude flows. Israel and Iran have also launched fresh attacks early on Wednesday, as the war enters i 11/03/2026
12 minutes with Von der Leyen 'acting outside of competence,' Araud tells Euronews Gérard Araud told Euronews Ursula von der Leyen is overstepping her mandate on foreign policy as Commission chief and pushing a German line on the 27. While not historically a competence of the Commission, von der Leyen is establishing her own line on geopolitics - not without friction. 10/03/2026
Qatar Qatar warns the world Iran war could yield 'catastrophic results' “This is the biggest I told you so in the history of I told you sos in the world,” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Dr Majed Al-Ansari told the media in a striking statement directed to all active combat forces in the Iran war just as a new wave of Iranian attacks triggered air raid alerts in Doha. 10/03/2026