Wealthy residents and business travelers are reportedly paying as much as £260,000, or about $350,000, to leave Gulf countries after a series of Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted locations in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain over the weekend. The attacks struck areas that had long been considered secure for residents, tourists, and international business visitors, prompting a sudden rush to exit the region. Riyadh has emerged as a major transit point for those

Air travel operations in parts of the Middle East showed early signs of recovery after several airlines announced limited service resumption following widespread disruptions caused by recent regional strikes. Dubai-based Emirates confirmed it received approval from local authorities to restart a limited number of flights, with operations expected to begin Monday evening. The decision comes after thousands of flights were canceled over the weekend due to airspace closures across multiple countries in the region. Authorities in Dubai stated that only a small number of flights would be allowed to operate from Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport as a precautionary measure while the situation stabilizes. Travelers have been advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, as schedules may change at short notice depending on safety assessments and airspace availability. Emirates said priority would be given to passengers who already held confirmed bookings before the disruption. The airline also urged customers not to travel to the airport unless they had received direct confirmation that their flight would operate. According to the airline, most services remain suspended until further notice as authorities continue to monitor regional developments. The disruption followed military strikes involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which led to the temporary closure of large sections of Middle East airspace. The shutdown affected not only flights to the region but also international routes that normally pass through the area, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded worldwide. Dubai, one of the busiest global aviation hubs, experienced significant delays as airlines were forced to reroute or cancel long-haul flights. Israeli carrier El Al announced that it is exploring alternative options to bring stranded citizens home, including the possible use of chartered aircraft from European locations to nearby destinations such as Taba in Egypt or Aqaba in Jordan. The airline said the plan would require approval from government authorities before it could proceed. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways also confirmed temporary suspension of commercial services, stating that flights to and from the city would remain halted until midweek. The airline noted that certain cargo and repatriation flights may continue under strict safety protocols as authorities gradually reopen regional airspace. Airlines across the region are continuing to assess conditions before fully restoring normal schedules, with officials emphasizing that passenger safety remains the primary concern while tensions in the region persist.

The United States and Israel continued coordinated military strikes inside Iran as tensions escalated following the deaths of three American service members during the latest phase of the conflict. Former US President Donald Trump said the United States would respond forcefully to the losses, warning that additional casualties could occur before the confrontation reaches a conclusion. The deaths mark the first confirmed American fatalities since the latest round of joint operations targeting Ira

Protesters gathered Saturday outside the federal building in San Francisco to denounce recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, assembling less than a day after the military action was announced. Demonstrators later marched through downtown streets, chanting anti-war slogans and calling for an end to U.S. involvement in the Middle East. Participants carried signs criticizing military spending, condemning both major political parties, and expressing opposition to immigration enforcement and forei

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is among several international travellers stranded in the Middle East after escalating military tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States led to widespread disruption of air travel across the Gulf region. The conflict intensified after combined strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets began on Saturday, triggering retaliatory attacks from Iran across multiple locations in the region. Following the exchange of strikes, se

Official media in Iran has confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announcing a 40-day period of national mourning across the country. The announcement was made through state television, which reported that the senior leader died following recent military strikes carried out by the

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly condemned what he described as a barbaric attack on a school in southern Iran on Saturday, following a series of strikes carried out by the United States and Israel that have intensified the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In an official statement, Pezeshkian said the incident marked another dark chapter in what he called a pattern of aggression against the country, and warned that the violence could further destabilize the region. According to Iranian authorities, at least 63 people were killed in the attack, with dozens more injured, making it one of the deadliest incidents reported since the latest escalation began. Israeli officials stated that the strikes were aimed at high-level targets connected to Iran’s leadership and military planning. A military spokesperson said multiple locations where senior Iranian figures had gathered were hit simultaneously, resulting in the elimination of individuals considered critical to the country’s campaign management and governance. The strikes were described as part of a broader effort to weaken Iran’s operational capabilities, though details about those killed were not immediately confirmed by independent sources. The developments prompted urgent diplomatic activity at the United Nations, where the security council scheduled an emergency session in New York to address the growing crisis. Diplomats said the meeting was requested by several member states, including Russia and China, who described the strikes as an act of armed aggression and called for immediate international discussion. France, Bahrain, and Colombia also supported the request, reflecting widespread concern over the risk of a wider regional war. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to address the council and has already urged all sides to halt military actions. In a statement issued earlier, he warned that continued use of force could undermine international peace and security and lead to severe consequences for civilians across the Middle East. Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to diplomatic negotiations, stressing that only dialogue could prevent the conflict from expanding further and threatening global stability.

Iran launched a large-scale counter-attack targeting United States military bases across the Middle East, with several strikes also reported in the United Arab Emirates, triggering panic in major cities including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Explosions were heard in multiple locations on Saturday, prompting emergency responses and heightened security across the Gulf region. Authorities confirmed that precautionary evacuations were carried out in several high-profile locations, including the Burj Khalifa

The United States and Israel have launched large-scale military strikes on Iran, triggering a rapid escalation that has pushed West Asia toward a wider conflict. US President Donald Trump announced the start of major combat operations, while calling on the Iranian public to oppose their leadership. Within hours, Iran responded with missile attacks targeting Israeli positions and US military facilities across the region, raising fears of a prolonged confrontation. Explosions were reported in

The United States and Israel carried out a coordinated military operation against Iran on February 28, marking a sharp escalation in West Asia tensions and raising concerns about a wider regional conflict. Officials familiar with the development said the strikes were aimed at key military and political targets, including locations linked to Iran’s leadership and nuclear programme. Iranian authorities later responded with missile attacks targeting Israeli territory and facilities used by US for

Iran launched large-scale retaliatory strikes on Saturday after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated military attacks on multiple targets across Iranian territory following the collapse of recent nuclear negotiations held in Oman and Switzerland. The joint offensive, described by Israel as Operation Roaring Lion and by the United States as Operation Epic Fury, reportedly struck more than 30 locations, including government facilities in Tehran and sites suspected of involvement in

The collapse of the Geneva nuclear talks on February 26, 2026, marked a decisive setback in months of diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the long-running dispute over Iran’s nuclear program. Mediators had earlier indicated that progress was being made, but negotiations ultimately failed after both sides refused to compromise on core demands. Officials confirmed that technical-level discussions were scheduled to continue in Vienna, though the situation deteriorated rapidly following milit

Dubai Police have arrested a man accused of professional begging despite owning three luxury cars, as part of an intensified Ramadan crackdown targeting illegal fundraising and street solicitation across the emirate. Authorities said the suspect amassed thousands of dirhams by appealing to public sympathy while presenting himself as impoverished and in distress. According to Brigadier Ali Al Shamsi, director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department, the man would position himself in public areas during the day, appearing fatigued and destitute to solicit financial assistance from passersby. Investigators found that once his daily activity concluded, he would abandon the disguise and leave the area in a high-end vehicle. Police said the suspect had refined his approach, crafting detailed narratives of hardship and helplessness that made his appeals appear credible and convincing. Officers discovered large sums of money in his possession at the time of arrest, with amounts estimated in the thousands of dirhams. In a separate case highlighted during the campaign, one individual was found to have collected Dh25,000 yet continued to beg despite the sum being sufficient to support himself or finance travel back to his home country. Officials described such practices as deliberate exploitation of public generosity, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, when charitable giving typically increases. The arrest forms part of the “Combat Begging” campaign launched by Dubai Police to curb street begging and organised begging networks. During the first week of Ramadan alone, 26 beggars of various nationalities were detained as part of coordinated inspection efforts across key locations in the city. Authorities said the anti-begging campaign aims not only to enforce the law but also to protect residents and visitors from fraud and deception. Under UAE Federal Law No. 9 of 2018, begging is punishable by up to three months’ imprisonment and a fine of Dh5,000. Harsher penalties apply to those who organise begging rings or recruit individuals from abroad for the purpose of solicitation, with sentences reaching six months in prison and fines of up to Dh100,000. Police stressed that enforcement measures are designed to deter repeat offenders and dismantle organised operations that seek unlawful financial gain. Ahead of Ramadan, Dubai Police also issued warnings about online scams and donation fraud circulating on websites and social media platforms. The Anti-Cybercrime Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation reported that fraudsters frequently exploit the spirit of compassion associated with Ramadan to solicit money through deceptive digital campaigns. Residents have been urged to verify charitable appeals through official channels and to report suspicious activities. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining public safety and ensuring that charitable contributions reach legitimate causes. They encouraged the public to channel donations through licensed charities and government-approved organisations, emphasizing that vigilance remains essential in preventing both street begging and online scams during the holy month.

The United States Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that it has imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals, entities, and vessels accused of facilitating illicit Iran oil sales and supporting Tehran’s weapons programs. The action, carried out through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), forms part of Washington’s continuing maximum pressure campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s military capabilities and financial networks. According to the Treasury, the measures

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a standing ovation in Israel’s parliament on Wednesday as he delivered a historic address to the Knesset, becoming the first Indian prime minister to speak before the Israeli legislature. Lawmakers rose to their feet and chanted his name as Modi began his remarks by conveying greetings from 1.4 billion Indians. In his speech, the prime minister strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated India’s firm policy of zero tolerance toward ex

Iranian authorities on Tuesday deployed plainclothes police and armed security personnel across several universities in an effort to contain a fourth consecutive day of student protests directed at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The heightened security presence reflects growing concern within the government over expanding campus unrest and the potential for demonstrations to spread further. Clashes were reported at multiple academic institutions, including Tehran’s Univers

Satellite imagery and open-source flight tracking data indicate that the United States has significantly expanded its military presence across Europe and the Middle East as tensions with Iran intensify over Tehran’s nuclear programme. More than 150 American military aircraft have reportedly been repositioned to forward operating bases in what analysts describe as one of the largest regional force deployments in over two decades. The aircraft include heavy cargo planes, aerial refuelling tanker

A powerful blizzard swept across the eastern United States on Monday, bringing air travel to a near standstill at major airports serving New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and surrounding regions. The severe winter weather forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights, with disruptions expected to continue through at least Tuesday, placing renewed pressure on carriers during the busy tail end of the winter travel season. Large portions of the East Coast, stretching from Maryland to Maine,

New York City officials have imposed sweeping emergency measures as a powerful winter storm approaches the northeastern United States, prompting widespread travel restrictions, school closures, and transit disruptions. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Sunday ordered the shutdown of the city’s traffic network for all but emergency travel and formally declared a state of emergency, warning residents to prepare for dangerous conditions. Under the directive, public schools across the city will

A developing Nor'easter is expected to track just off the East Coast late Sunday into Monday, bringing the potential for accumulating snow, gusty winds, and hazardous travel conditions across the tri-state region. Forecasters warn that the combination of snowfall and strengthening coastal winds could create significant impacts, particularly in shoreline communities, as the system intensifies overnight. Current projections indicate a moderate snow event for much of the region, with widespread