During his tour of the Middle East early this month, Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Syria, a country that until recently was a close ally of Russia. The Ukrainian president's visit to the Syrian capital Damascus and his talks with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa mark the resumption and strengthening of Ukraine's diplomatic efforts in the region.
U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard/Collage by Emily Bogle/NPR Bill Galvin has spent much of the past month answering the phone. "It's been very, very busy," he says.
Loading... The first signs an American aircraft was shot down came over the Telegram messaging app. Images of aircraft debris and a pilot's empty ejection seat appeared on pro-Iranian channels. They were quickly followed by videos of search-and-rescue aircraft flying low over the mountains of southwestern Iran.
A slew of recent headlines have proclaimed that the Iran war marks the end of the so-called "Dubai dream," where foreigners seek a tax-free, luxury lifestyle in the United Arab Emirates. "The unravelling of Dubai as a safe haven," US magazine the New Yorker wrote. "Could this be the end of Dubai?"
Skip next section READ: Facts vs. influencers: Is the 'Dubai dream' really over? April 9, 2026 READ: Facts vs. influencers: Is the 'Dubai dream' really over? Despite the conflict in the Middle East, authorities and some residents in Dubai insist life is going on as normal in the eternally-sunny, low-tax emirate.
The announcement of a two‑week ceasefire between Iran, Israel and the United States has put the war on hold, after 40 days of intense attack and retaliation. As always, civilians have borne the brunt of the war. Thousands have been killed or injured, and many more displaced.
The Iranian authorities launched a new wave of executions of people believed to be political prisoners in March, even as the US and Israel were conducting airstrikes against the Islamic Republic. The clerical regime has executed 14 individuals since the war started in late February.
Islamabad is being praised for convincing Washington and Tehran to stop the war and give mediation a chance for the next two weeks.
First responders and residents gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's Tallet al-Khayyat neighbourhood, on April 8, 2026. Fadel Itani/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Fadel Itani/AFP via Getty Images President Trump said late Wednesday that U.S.
Skip next section Iran confirms strikes in Gulf despite ceasefire April 8, 2026 Iran confirms strikes in Gulf despite ceasefire Iranian state television said drone and missile strikes on Wednesday targeting Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates were a response to airstrikes that hit oil facilities on Iran's Lavan island, located to the north of
U.S. and Iran agree to two week ceasefire, how Iranians are responding to the ceasefire, the effects of the war in Iran give investors around the world whiplash.
Skip next section Explosions reported on strategic Kharg Island April 7, 2026 Explosions reported on strategic Kharg Island Kharg is the most important export terminal for Iranian crude oil in The Gulf, a large share of oil production is shipped from there.Image: Planet Labs PBC/Handout/REUTERS Explosions have been reported on Iran’s Kharg Island the semi‑official