UAE bars Iranian airlines as US sanctions squeeze Iran’s aviation sector
UAE joins Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan in restricting access to Iranian airlines.

UAE joins Oman, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan in restricting access to Iranian airlines.



![The supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church Catholicos Karekin II attending his trial over allegations of serving foreign powers, including Russia. Vagharshapat, Armenia, August 7, 2026 [Screenshot from Reuters Agency File]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1786163344.jpg?resize=770%2C433&quality=80)





‘Fear mongering is the main narrative’ in Armenia’s elections
Two political blocs and 17 parties taking part in the election after campaign shaped by security and identity issues.

Russia, the United States and European Union all have interests as geopolitics take centre-stage.
Russia is raising the pressure on Armenia as traditional ally looks to the West.
PM Nikol Pashinyan, who deepened ties with US, faces challenge from pro-Russia parties in upcoming parliamentary polls.

French President Emmanuel Macron sang ‘La Boheme’ accompanied by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the drums.

European leaders gathered in Armenia for two major summits, as security, trade, and the war in Ukraine dominate talks.
The US president has accused some NATO countries of not doing enough to support the US-Israel war on Iran.
Visiting US Vice President JD Vance pledges as much as $9bn in potential investment in Armenia.
The Kurds are widely believed to be the largest stateless ethnic group in the world.