Italy refused a flight of American bombers on their way to the Middle East clearance to land at the strategic "hub of the Med" air base.

A likely strike by the United States hit the central Iranian city of Isfahan, sending a massive fireball into the sky, and Tehran struck a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. The attacks Tuesday were testament to the sustained intensity of the monthlong war the U.S. and Israel launched against Iran. Iran has maintained its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, closing off the vital waterway for global energy shipments, sending oil prices skyrocketing and roiling world markets. Meanwhile, Israel said another four soldiers have been killed in its invasion of Lebanon, as have two more United Nations peacekeepers, prompting the U.N. Security Council to schedule an emergency session later in the day.

Cancellations reached as high as 70 per cent in the first two weeks of war. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Middle East News: The UAE Ministry of Education has confirmed that distance learning will continue until April 17, 2026, impacting schools and universities across the nation. The decision addresses safety concerns amid ongoing evaluations and ensures academic continuity for millions of students through digital platforms.

Dubai has approved a series of economic and social initiatives, including financial relief measures and trade facilitation steps, aimed at supporting businesses and improving workforce conditions amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The so-called Dubai dream, burnished by opulent malls and five-star hotels, has attracted millions of expats to the Persian Gulf city over the past few decades