2 dead, 3 injured as shrapnel falls in Abu Dhabi after missile interception
Dubai Police issue reminder on debrisDubai Police on Thursday sent residents a reminder not to approach, touch or photograph any debris or objects that have fallen after missile interceptions."While some objects may appear harmless, interacting with them may pose safety risks," said the message from the authority.Pentagon considers diverting Ukraine military aid to the Middle East, Washington Post reportsThe Pentagon is considering whether to divert weapons intended for Ukraine to the Middle East as the war in Iran depletes some of the US military's most critical munitions, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing three people familiar with the matter, reported Reuters.Israeli soldier killed in south Lebanon fightingAn Israeli soldier was killed in fighting in south Lebanon on Thursday, the military said, after the army announced it was conducting ground operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah."Staff sergeant Ori Greenberg, aged 21, from Petah Tikva, a soldier of the Reconnaissance unit, Golani Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon," the military said.Asian Cup 2027 draw postponedNext month's draw for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been indefinitely postponed, the continental football body said Thursday, amid the war.No new date was immediately set by the Asian Football Confederation, which has also seen regional club competitions disrupted following the US-Israel-Iran war.The draw was supposed to take place on April 11 in Riyadh but has been postponed "after careful consideration to ensure the undisrupted attendance of all stakeholders", the AFC said.The 19th edition of the Asian Cup is scheduled to take place from January 7 to February 5 next year. Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar are the host cities.Israel took Iran's Araghchi, Qalibaf off hit-list on Pakistan request, Pakistani official says: ReutersIsrael took Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf off its hit-list after Pakistan requested Washington not to target them, a Pakistani official told Reuters on Thursday."The Israelis had their ... coordinates and wanted to take them out, we told the US if they are also eliminated then there is no one else to talk to, hence the US asked the Israelis to back off," the official said.2 dead, 3 injured after shrapnel falls in Abu Dhabi A ballistic missile interception by UAE air defence systems has caused falling debris in Sweihan Street in Abu Dhabi — resulting in the deaths of two unidentified persons and three injuries. Number of wounded rises to 6 in Iranian missile attack in IsraelThe Israeli military said air defences responded to missile attacks from Iran on Thursday that according to medics left six people lightly wounded and caused some damage.A spokesperson for Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service said paramedics were providing medical treatment to "six people who were lightly injured by blast effects", updating an earlier toll of two injured.Earlier on Thursday, a spokesperson for MDA told public radio there was damage to several houses in the central city of Kafr Qassem, whose Mayor Haitham Taha said it was caused by cluster munitions.Oman Air flights to Dubai remain cancelled till April 15Oman Air announced on Thursday that flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Copenhagen and Khasab will remain cancelled until April 15.It also said that flights to Amman and Dammam will resume on April 1.UAE deals with second wave of incoming missile, drone threats from IranThe UAE Ministry of Defence said air forces are dealing with a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks from Iran on Thursday, just two hours after the first one.The ministry confirmed that the sounds heard were that of missile and drone interceptions.Why is the Indian rupee sliding so sharply? The Indian rupee’s slide toward the 94-per-dollar mark has emerged as one of the most closely watched market signals for investors, policymakers and millions of overseas Indians — especially the large UAE-based diaspora.The currency’s weakness reflects a powerful mix of surging oil prices, a strong US dollar, foreign capital outflows and rising geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, raising important questions about inflation, remittances and the outlook for Asia’s third-largest economy.Israel medics say Iranian missile attack leaves 2 woundedThe Israeli military said air defences were responding to "missiles launched from Iran" early Thursday, with sirens activated across central Israel, parts of Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.Israel says air defences responding to Iranian missiles The Israeli military said air defences were responding to "missiles launched from Iran" early Thursday, with sirens activated across central Israel, parts of Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank."Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," a military statement said, more than 14 hours after announcing a previous missile attack.UAE authorities say situation safeResidents rece
Dubai Police issue reminder on debris
Dubai Police on Thursday sent residents a reminder not to approach, touch or photograph any debris or objects that have fallen after missile interceptions.
"While some objects may appear harmless, interacting with them may pose safety risks," said the message from the authority.
Pentagon considers diverting Ukraine military aid to the Middle East, Washington Post reports
The Pentagon is considering whether to divert weapons intended for Ukraine to the Middle East as the war in Iran depletes some of the US military's most critical munitions, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing three people familiar with the matter, reported Reuters.
Israeli soldier killed in south Lebanon fighting
An Israeli soldier was killed in fighting in south Lebanon on Thursday, the military said, after the army announced it was conducting ground operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah.
"Staff sergeant Ori Greenberg, aged 21, from Petah Tikva, a soldier of the Reconnaissance unit, Golani Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon," the military said.
Asian Cup 2027 draw postponed
Next month's draw for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been indefinitely postponed, the continental football body said Thursday, amid the war.
No new date was immediately set by the Asian Football Confederation, which has also seen regional club competitions disrupted following the US-Israel-Iran war.
The draw was supposed to take place on April 11 in Riyadh but has been postponed "after careful consideration to ensure the undisrupted attendance of all stakeholders", the AFC said.
The 19th edition of the Asian Cup is scheduled to take place from January 7 to February 5 next year. Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar are the host cities.
Israel took Iran's Araghchi, Qalibaf off hit-list on Pakistan request, Pakistani official says: Reuters
Israel took Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf off its hit-list after Pakistan requested Washington not to target them, a Pakistani official told Reuters on Thursday.
"The Israelis had their ... coordinates and wanted to take them out, we told the US if they are also eliminated then there is no one else to talk to, hence the US asked the Israelis to back off," the official said.
2 dead, 3 injured after shrapnel falls in Abu Dhabi
A ballistic missile interception by UAE air defence systems has caused falling debris in Sweihan Street in Abu Dhabi — resulting in the deaths of two unidentified persons and three injuries.
Number of wounded rises to 6 in Iranian missile attack in Israel
The Israeli military said air defences responded to missile attacks from Iran on Thursday that according to medics left six people lightly wounded and caused some damage.
A spokesperson for Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service said paramedics were providing medical treatment to "six people who were lightly injured by blast effects", updating an earlier toll of two injured.
Earlier on Thursday, a spokesperson for MDA told public radio there was damage to several houses in the central city of Kafr Qassem, whose Mayor Haitham Taha said it was caused by cluster munitions.
Oman Air flights to Dubai remain cancelled till April 15
Oman Air announced on Thursday that flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Copenhagen and Khasab will remain cancelled until April 15.
It also said that flights to Amman and Dammam will resume on April 1.
UAE deals with second wave of incoming missile, drone threats from Iran
The UAE Ministry of Defence said air forces are dealing with a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks from Iran on Thursday, just two hours after the first one.
The ministry confirmed that the sounds heard were that of missile and drone interceptions.
Why is the Indian rupee sliding so sharply?
The Indian rupee’s slide toward the 94-per-dollar mark has emerged as one of the most closely watched market signals for investors, policymakers and millions of overseas Indians — especially the large UAE-based diaspora.
The currency’s weakness reflects a powerful mix of surging oil prices, a strong US dollar, foreign capital outflows and rising geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, raising important questions about inflation, remittances and the outlook for Asia’s third-largest economy.
Israel medics say Iranian missile attack leaves 2 wounded
The Israeli military said air defences were responding to "missiles launched from Iran" early Thursday, with sirens activated across central Israel, parts of Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.
Israel says air defences responding to Iranian missiles
The Israeli military said air defences were responding to "missiles launched from Iran" early Thursday, with sirens activated across central Israel, parts of Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.
"Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," a military statement said, more than 14 hours after announcing a previous missile attack.
UAE authorities say situation safe
Residents received an alert signalling that the situation is safe after a wave of missile and drone threats from Iran.
Philippines suspends electricity market due to Middle East conflict
The Philippines' energy market regulator said on Thursday it had suspended the country's wholesale electricity spot market across all its three grids until further notice due to fuel supply risks and price volatility over the Middle East conflict, Reuters reported.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it has proposed to implement a modified administered pricing, which it expects to be finalised by April 1.
"Under the proposed scheme, coal plants may be paid at a fixed rate, natural gas plants based on contracted prices, and renewable energy sources such as hydro and geothermal, under administered pricing with preferential dispatch," the ERC said in a statement.
What to do when you receive an emergency alert
In case of emergencies, residents are asked to remain in a safe location through alerts sent by the authorities.
Here's what you should do if you receive an alert.
If you are inside a building:
Step away from balconies or windows.
Move to the central area of the structure.
Stay clear of glass partitions or surfaces.
Listen to building security or announcements.
Avoid using elevators, unless specifically instructed to do so.
Continue to take these measures until the follow up safety message from MOI is sent out.
If you are outdoors:
Move into the nearest building.
Avoid open spaces.
Do not stand next to an external wall or glass panel.
If you are driving:
Continue driving calmly and with caution.
Do not stop on the road or get distracted by filming.
Proceed to the nearest indoor location and take shelter there.
Once the all-clear is issued, residents may resume normal activities.
UAE air defences currently dealing with missile threat
The Ministry of Defence says that air defence forces are currently dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran. It confirmed that the sounds heard in some areas of the country are those of interceptions of ballistic missiles and combat drones.
Saudi Arabia intercepts 3 drones in eastern region
The Ministry of Defence in Saudi Arabia said that three drones has been intercepted and destroyed in the eastern part of the country. This comes after an initial round of interceptions an hour ago in the same region.
Japan says beginning release of state oil reserves
Japan said it had started to release another part of its strategic oil reserves Thursday as it looks to temper the impact on the resource-poor nation from the surge in prices caused by the war.
Japan is the fifth-biggest importer of oil, with more than 90 per cent of it from the Middle East.
"The release (of national stockpile) started at 10:59 am (0159 GMT) to oil refiners," Kaname Morimoto, an official of the ministry of economy, trade and industry, told AFP.
Israel military says carried out 'wide-scale strikes' in Iran
Israel's military said Thursday its forces had carried out a wave of strikes across Iran, including in the central city of Isfahan.
A brief military statement said Israeli forces "completed a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in several areas across Iran", according to AFP.
Adnoc CEO Sultan Al Jaber says weaponising Hormuz strait is 'economic terrorism'
He said that when Iran holds the passage hostage, every nation pays the price "at the gas station, at the grocery store, at the pharmacy."
Kuwait downs two drones
Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Duty Force intercepted and destroyed two hostile drones in the areas under their jurisdiction on Thursday early morning, the authority said in a post on X.
What has happened so far?
Take a look at Khaleej Times's live coverage from the beginning of the war to find out how events have unfolded.
Day 27 begins with strikes in Iran, drone attacks in GCC
The war enters its 27th day, with Israel launching 'widespread attacks' in Iran, and Kuwait downing two drones on Thursday morning.
US President Donald Trump said he was ready to "unleash hell" if Iran doesn't accept a deal to end the Middle East war, but the Iranian foreign minister said that they do not intend to negotiate.
Meanwhile, Adnoc CEO Sultan Al Jaber was received at the White House, and has spoken out against the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it 'economic terrorism'.
Stay tuned to this Khaleej Times live blog to get all the latest updates from the war today.
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