Updated: Mar 2nd, 2026 In a relief measure amid escalating tensions in West Asia and widespread flight disruptions, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has directed hotels across the emirate to extend the stay of stranded guests, with the government bearing the additional costs, as per reports. In an official communication dated February 28,...

Updated: Mar 2nd, 2026 Iran on Monday claimed that a US F-15 fighter jet had crashed in Kuwait, with videos circulating on social media purportedly showing an American pilot ejecting seconds before the aircraft went down. Footage widely shared online appears to capture a parachute descending from the sky, while other clips carried by local media outlets show what is...

The gunman who killed two people and wounded 14 others at Austin’s packed bar in USA was believed to be motivated by the attacks on Iran, as the FBI  recovered a  Quran from his car, and  the Iranian flag design on the t-shirt he wore, as per report. Authorities are reportedly investigating whether the gunman, Ndiaga Diagne, 53, who fatally...

Updated: Mar 2nd, 2026 International pop star Shakira (48)  has officially confirmed that she is in a relationship with British actor Lucien Laviscount (33). The couple met in early 2024 while working together on the music video for her song Punteria. Lucien played her love interest in the video, and their  on-screen chemistry soon turned into a real-life romance. According...

Updated: Mar 2nd, 2026 The US Embassy in Islamabad on Monday announced that visa appointments, as well as American Citizens Services, have been cancelled for the day following the violent protests that unfolded the previous day.  In a post on X, the US Embassy said, “All appointments for US visas and American Citizen Services are cancelled for today, March 2,...

Updated: Mar 2nd, 2026 Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, on Monday dismissed reports that Tehran is seeking dialogue with the United States as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.  Taking to X, Larijani made his position clear, stating, “We will not negotiate with the United States.” This remark comes after a report from The...

President Donald Trump has said the US military could press its assault on Iran for “four to five weeks” if needed and suggested that a “Venezuela” model — removing only the top leader while keeping much of the state intact — could shape a post-conflict transition in Tehran.  In a brief telephone interview with The New York Times, Trump outlined...

Updated: Mar 2nd, 2026 Israeli warplanes carried out intensive airstrikes at Monday dawn in Beirut’s southern suburbs, hours after rockets were fired from Lebanese territory toward Israel, local television channel al-Jadeed reported.  The Israeli strikes targeted Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, prompting residents to flee their homes amid fears of further escalation, according...

Updated: Mar 1st, 2026 Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday offered condolences to his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian over the killing of Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family.  He expressed sympathy with the family and friends of Khamenei and the leadership and people of Iran. In a statement issued by the Kremlin, Putin said: “Please,...

US President Donald Trump’s decision to launch a sweeping military strike against Iran, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, followed weeks of sustained diplomatic pressure from Israel and Saudi Arabia, according to The Washington Post. Citing officials familiar with internal deliberations, the newspaper reportedly said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed...