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Doha, Qatar: Abu Dhabi has confirmed that interception of a ballistic missile by air defence resulted in the death of two unidentified individuals. Meanwhile Oman Air has extended its flight cancellations across Gulf countries.
Stay tuned for more live updates:
7:30pm Doha Time
VIDEO: A National Tribute produced by the Ministry of Interior’s Public Relations Department, highlighting the dedication and steadfast resolve of the men safeguarding the nation.
5:12pm Doha Time
Advisor to Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs meets EU Special Representative for Gulf Region
Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari met Thursday with European Union Special Representative for the Gulf Region HE Luigi Di Maio, who is visiting the country.
The meeting discussed the developments of the military escalation in the region and its serious repercussions on regional and international security and stability. It also discussed ways to resolve all disputes by peaceful means, in addition to ways to enhance joint cooperation under the current circumstances. Read more
4:45pm Doha Time
Global trading system hit by 'worst disruptions in the past 80 years': WTO chief
The global trading system is experiencing the "worst disruptions in the past 80 years", World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned as the WTO ministerial conference opened Thursday. "The world order and the multilateral system we use to know has irrevocably changed," she said, adding: "We cannot deny the scale of the problems confronting the world today."
The World Trade Organization's 166 members appear deeply divided as trade ministers gather in the Cameroonian capital for the WTO's top conference, amid global economic turmoil linked to the Middle East conflict. Read more
4:22pm Doha Time
Mideast conflict could spark financial system stress: ECB
The Middle East conflict is a threat to financial stability, a senior European Central Bank official said Thursday, warning that it could spark "systemic stress" in the markets. The turmoil unleashed by the conflict has come at a time of growing worries about a bubble in tech stocks driven by euphoria over AI, as well as the health of the private credit sector. Read more
2:54pm Doha Time
Kuwait Defense Minister inspects international airport after fuel fire
Kuwait's Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem AlSabah inspected Kuwait International Airport on Thursday following a drone attack targeting fuel storage facilities.
The Ministry of Defense said in a statement he reviewed damage caused by the attack, which was limited to material losses with no reported injuries, and assessed ongoing firefighting and safety measures. Read more
1:47pm Doha Time
Pakistan confirms US-Iran mediation, says Turkiye, Egypt also involved
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar says Pakistan has been relaying messages between the US and Iran as part of mediation efforts.
He added that the US shared 15 points that Iran is deliberating upon.
Turkiye, Egypt and few other countries are “also extending their support to this initiative”, said Dar.
1:34pm Doha Time
Iran’s attacks across GCC ‘turning point in the relationship’
Al Jazeera reported that the GCC meeting in Riyadh has begun. GCC Secretary General, Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi said that Iran’s attacks on countries in the region “is not just another escalation in the region, it is a change, a turning point in the relationship and situation between Iran and the GCC countries”.
“Iran is purposefully targeting and launching direct attacks at the GCC countries,” he added.
“These attacks are against civilian targets. The Iranian attacks with missiles and drones led to the killing of civilians among the residents and citizens.”
11:35am Doha Time
Kuwaiti oil barrel price drops
The price of the Kuwaiti oil barrel went down USD 22.27 to reach USD 124.15 per barrel on Wednesday, compared with USD 146.42 pb the previous day, according to a statement issued by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) on Thursday.
In international markets, Brent crude oil price went down USD 2.27 to USD 102.22 pb, while West Texas crude decreased USD 2.03 to USD 90.32 pb.
10:40am Doha Time
UNHRC adopts resolution on impacts of Iranian attacks on GCC states, Jordan
The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) condemned yesterday Iran’s attacks on its Gulf neighbors, urging it to quickly provide compensation to all its victims.
The 47-member council endorsed a resolution put forward by the six GCC states and Jordan condemning Iran’s moves to close the Strait of Hormuz and demanding that Tehran immediately cease all unjustified attacks.
The Human Rights Council adopted, without a vote, the resolution titled: “Human Rights Impacts of Unjustified Attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran on the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Jordan”, which was co-sponsored by more than 100 countries.
Qatar strongly condemned the missile and drone attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran targeting Qatari territory. Read more
10:30am Doha Time
Oman Air extends flight cancellations across Gulf
The Omani national carrier says flights to Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait will remain cancelled until April 15 due to the ongoing airspace closures.
Services to Iraq’s Baghdad and Denmark’s Copenhagen also remain suspended until then, it said, but flights to Jordan’s Amman and Saudi Arabia’s Dammam will resume on April 1.
10:05am Doha Time
Abu Dhabi intercepts ballistic missile, confirms two death due to debris
Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident involving falling debris in Sweihan street, following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems.
The authorities confirmed that the incident resulted in the deaths of two unidentified individuals, three injuries, and damage to a number of cars. It added that further updates will be provided in due course.
9:30am Doha Time
Saudi intercepts drone in Eastern Region
The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced Thursday morning the interception and destruction of a drone in the Eastern Province.
This was stated by the spokesperson of the Saudi Ministry of Defense, Major General Staff Turki Al Malki, without adding further details.
Earlier on Thursday, the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced the interception and destruction of three drones in the province.
9am Doha Time
Gold prices stabilize amid anticipation of de-escalation in Middle East
Gold prices stabilized on Thursday as investors awaited clearer signs of progress in efforts to de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East, while remaining cautious ahead of new geopolitical developments that could impact safe-haven assets demand.
Spot gold was trading at $4,503.29 per ounce, while US gold futures for April delivery fell 1.2% to $4,500.
Gold came under further pressure as crude oil prices surpassed $100 a barrel, as investors reassessed the prospects for easing tensions in the Middle East.
As for other precious metals, silver fell 0.1% in spot trading to $71.19 an ounce, platinum dropped 0.7% to $1,906.90, and palladium fell 1.4% to $1,404.
