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Syrian troops ride on a towed military vehicle as they head towards the Lebanese border following clashes in Qusayr, Syria. Reuters

TrendingSyria clashes with Hezbollah and donor conference in Brussels

The Iron Beam system, part of Israel's multi-tiered air defence network, on display at Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, near Tel Aviv. Photo: Israeli Ministry of Defence

Has Israel’s Iron Beam cracked the challenge of sending lasers to war?

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carries Bahrain's Al Munther nanosatellite into orbit, along with other international payloads, on Saturday. AFP

Al Munther satellite: How Bahrain is building its future in space

Syrian police check seized drugs as they prepare to burn them in Damascus on February 25. Captagon has been manufactured in the country for years, earning its makers hefty profits as it became one of the more popular recreational drugs among affluent youth in the Middle East. EPA

EditorialCrackdowns alone won't solve Syria's Captagon problem

Al Balad, Jeddah’s historical district, offers a fascinating tapestry of crumbling buildings, ancient history and quaint cobbled streets. Photo: Consolum

Saudi Crown Prince unveils map to shape future urban development

Nick Donaldson / The National

Special investigationHunting the trafficking boss bringing death to shores of Europe

Athletes Commission chair and IOC member Kirsty Coventry is one of seven candidates bidding for the IOC presidency. Reuters

Africa’s most decorated Olympian aims to be first female IOC president

A member of the Syrian security forces stands guard in Homs at an event to mark the 14th anniversary of the uprising against former president Bashar Al Assad. With the formation of a new government, the country faces an opportunity for real change. AFP

CommentSyria’s new government is trying - but it needs help

SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Mourners gather near the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, at a hospital in Gaza City March 18, 2025. REUTERS / Stringer

Israel launches new strikes on Gaza after ceasefire talks with Hamas stall

More than 200 people killed across the enclave

Hamas-Israel ceasefire negotiations in Egypt at a stalemate

At least nine killed in Syria- Lebanon border clashes

With no options, Palestinians in Gaza are being forced to live in the ruins of their former homes or take refuge in buildings severely damaged in the 15 months of fighting. AFP

On the brink of collapse: Palestinians risking their lives in unsafe Gaza buildings

Israel braced for mass protests over Netanyahu bid to dismiss intelligence chief

Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore on board the ISS, where they have been since June 2024. AP

Stranded Boeing astronauts to begin journey back to Earth on Tuesday

US does not rule out military action against Iran amid Houthi strikes

G7 preparing new Russian sanctions fearing ceasefire failure

In focus

In Split Fiction, two writers must work together as they navigate the worlds they write about. Photo: Hazelight Studios

Split Fiction and the best co-op games to play with a partner in 2025

Saba Karim Khan is the editor of Home #itscomplicated. Photo: Saba Karim Khan

New book captures complex relationship Pakistanis have with their country

Nick Donaldson / The National

Beyond the HeadlinesAre crackdowns deterring Iraqi Kurdish smugglers?

Former Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been in top form for Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. Reuters

Ask Mina: Wenger's offside idea, Toney's SPL form and Mancini's future

India captain Rohit Sharma has won successive ICC trophies and enters the IPL in vintage form. AP

Are India’s double champions on the brink of complete white-ball dominance?

The mainly Alawite village of Arza lies abandoned after being attacked during deadly sectarian violence in eastern Syria that began on March 6. Nada Atallah / The National

Special reportKillings in Syrian village raise fears of sectarian violence without end

Newcastle defender Dan Burn celebrates with the League Cup trophy. AFP

Newcastle League Cup hero Dan Burn: I feel like I’m dreaming

'That 12,500 Irish people call the UAE home really speaks to the strength of this relationship,' Alison Milton, Irish ambassador to the UAE, told The National. Antonie Robertson / The National

Irish envoy hails flourishing ties with UAE ahead of St Patrick's Day celebrations

Video

Israelis condemn Netanyahu's plan to dismiss head of internal security service

Protesters called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to dismiss Ronen Bar, head of the Domestic Intelligence Service, a 'war against the hostages' and demanded a hostage deal and ceasefire with Hamas

Aftermath of US air strike on Yemen's Saada

Aftermath of US air strike on Yemen's Saada

Rodrigo Duterte appears by video link at ICC

Rodrigo Duterte appears by video link at ICC

Young Palestinian woman's project teaches Gaza's children to read and write

Young Palestinian woman's project teaches Gaza's children to read and write

UAE's Etihad-Sat launches into orbit aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket

UAE's Etihad-Sat launches into orbit aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket

Elissa performed a theme song for one of this year's major Ramadan dramas. Photo: Mawazine

From Elissa to Ahmed Saad, Arab pop stars behind Ramadan TV theme songs in 2025

The International Charity Organisation, established in Ajman in 1984, has launched a series of initiatives over Ramadan this year. Photo: ICO

International Charity Organisation supporting 60,000 orphans over Ramadan

Vimto, a cordial drink that is high in sugar, is a traditional drink at iftar. Photo: Asmaa Al Hameli / The National

Why we want sugar and fried food during Ramadan

The event brought together more than 100 volunteers to pack boxes as part of Ne’ma’s Valuing Our Roots campaign. Photo: Ne'ma

Volunteers gather in Abu Dhabi to pack iftar boxes for low-income residents

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid meets Sheikh Mansour for Ramadan prayer

The UAE Food Bank hopes to distribute seven million meals by the end of Ramadan. Photo: Dubai Media Office

UAE Food Bank distributes two million meals in first 10 days of Ramadan

President Sheikh Mohamed met with teachers, students and school administrators to celebrate Ramadan. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed receives teachers and pupils to celebrate Ramadan

Abra captains prepare to break their fast during Ramadan while their boats are moored on Dubai Creek. Antonie Robertson / The National

How abra captains on Dubai Creek break their fast with a quiet iftar

A Red Cross rescuer walks towards a burning car that was hit by an Israeli air strike in the southern Lebanese village of Burj Al Muluk on March 15. AFP

Israeli strikes in Lebanon could cause 'serious ripple effects', warns UN official

Beirut has been seeking international support to boost funding for its military as it gradually posts troops along its porous borders

US offers $10m for information on Hezbollah financing network

This combination of pictures created on January 30, 2025 shows candidates for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) (from top L) Sebastian Coe, Kirsty Coventry, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, Johan Eliasch, David Lappartient, Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior and Morinari Watanabe. AFP

Seven candidates vie for IOC presidency but it looks a three-horse race

Egyptian ‘made $15.5m’ from Mediterranean people-smuggling operation

Alhurra, the Middle East television network, was established in 2004 as an alternative Arabic broadcast, and is funded by the US Congress. AFP

Trump administration terminates funding for Middle East Broadcasting Networks

Easing food inflation brings relief for struggling Egyptians

Lebanese doctor deported from US had photos sympathetic to Hezbollah on her phone, officials say

Trump says Biden pardons are void because former president used autopen

Iraq confiscates 1.1 tonnes of Captagon pills shipped from Syria

Business

Culture

Amazon, Google and Meta recently signed a petition to support the goal of at least tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050. (Photo by Jose Jordan / AFP)

Big tech doubles down on nuclear AI needs amid concerns

MGX's $2bn Binance investment likely to drive more regulatory clarity for crypto

Investcorp buys majority stake in German logistics consultancy Miebach

Culture

Zeina Daccache brings together comedy and tragedy of ‘trapped’ Lebanese in new play

Music & On-stage

Eight films screening at Cinema Akil’s 2025 Hong Kong Film Festival

Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in Adolescence. Photo: Netflix

Netflix hit Adolescence puts spotlight on incel culture

Beyond the Headlines

Beyond the Headlines

Delve deeper into the biggest stories from the Middle East and around the world

Culture Bites

Culture Bites

Your guide to the arts and culture scene in the UAE

Business Extra

Business Extra

The stories, companies, trends, tech, Innovation and leaders shaping your world

Trending Middle East

Trending Middle East

The top news stories, field reports and insights from the Middle East and beyond

Pictures of the Day

Protesters carrying a placard showing former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte are blocked by riot police near Malacanang palace in Manila. AFP

Nuns in St Peter's Square take part in the rosary prayer service for the health of Pope Francis in Vatican City. Getty Images

Visitors pose for pictures with light installations at SangSom Moonlab, an interactive art exhibition in Bangkok. AFP

A worker produces charcoal, widely used for grilling, as demand increases during Ramadan, in Mosul, Iraq. Reuters

Early morning traffic in Saint Petersburg, Russia, with an almost full Moon low in the sky. Reuters

Alleged Tren de Aragua gang members deported by the US under a government agreement are met at El Salvador International Airport, from where they will be taken to prison. Reuters

A worker collects sea salt at a farm in Chachoengsao province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters

Children use abandoned refrigerators as boats in a flooded area after heavy rain caused a river to burst its banks, submerging scores of homes in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. AFP

Protesters carrying a placard showing former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte are blocked by riot police near Malacanang palace in Manila. AFP

Nuns in St Peter's Square take part in the rosary prayer service for the health of Pope Francis in Vatican City. Getty Images

Visitors pose for pictures with light installations at SangSom Moonlab, an interactive art exhibition in Bangkok. AFP

A worker produces charcoal, widely used for grilling, as demand increases during Ramadan, in Mosul, Iraq. Reuters

Early morning traffic in Saint Petersburg, Russia, with an almost full Moon low in the sky. Reuters

Alleged Tren de Aragua gang members deported by the US under a government agreement are met at El Salvador International Airport, from where they will be taken to prison. Reuters

A worker collects sea salt at a farm in Chachoengsao province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters

Children use abandoned refrigerators as boats in a flooded area after heavy rain caused a river to burst its banks, submerging scores of homes in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. AFP

Protesters carrying a placard showing former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte are blocked by riot police near Malacanang palace in Manila. AFP

LatestMost ReadTop Videos

Telegram’s Pavel Durov ‘feels great to be home’ in Dubai

Why UAE’s young talent is giving middle managers a run for their money

US attack on freedom of speech is not doing ‘Brand America’ any favours

Has Israel’s Iron Beam cracked the challenge of sending lasers to war?

Ask Mina: Wenger's offside idea, Toney's SPL form and Mancini's future

Eid Al Fitr 2025: UAE announces holidays for public sector

Cartoon for March 18, 2025

Dubai issues new regulation for free zone companies

Abu Dhabi launches affordable housing development as demand soars

Why Danny McBride decided to end Righteous Gemstones without telling his co-stars

US conducts strikes on Houthi targets

US conducts strikes on Houthi targets

Aftermath of US air strike on Yemen's Saada

Aftermath of US air strike on Yemen's Saada

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