United Arab Emirates — country that left OPEC and OPEC+ in May 2026 to pursue national energy interests; faces ongoing disruptions from Iranian drone and missile attacks.
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May 2026
The Namibian
The United Arab Emirateshas invested heavily incross-country pipeline infrastructure
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“There is also valuable experience to be drawn from countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have invested heavily in cross-country pipeline infrastructure.”
The United Arab Emirateshas announced its decision to quitthe Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and Opec+
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“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced its decision to quit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and Opec+ to focus on "national interests", dealing a heavy blow to the oil-exporting groups.”
United Arab Emiratesis accused by Djibouti of destabilisingthe Horn of Africa
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“The United Arab Emirates, which Djibouti accuses of destabilising the Horn of Africa, is thought by numerous experts to have been behind Israel's recognition of Somaliland.”
United Arab Emiratessaidits air defences were actively engaging missiles and drones
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“Elsewhere in the Gulf, Bahrain's interior ministry said air-raid sirens sounded yesterday morning, while the United Arab Emirates said its air defences were actively engaging missiles and drones.”
“According to Amnesty International, the RSF's arsenal includes Chinese drones obtained via their allies, the United Arab Emirates, which denies arming the paramilitary.”
Iranhas fired over 1,900 missiles and drones atUnited Arab Emirates, more than any other country targeted by Tehran
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“Iran has fired over 1 900 missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates (UAE), more than any other country targeted by Tehran since the start of the Middle East war, upending travel plans in the financial hub despite its air defence intercepting the vast majority of the projectiles.”
United Arab Emirateshadisolated incidents where drones or missiles entered airspace that authorities intercepted
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“They say there have been isolated incidents where drones or small missiles entered United Arab Emirates airspace, but notes that authorities intercepted them.”
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described a meeting held Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian football federation as "excellent" and "constructive," aimed at ensuring Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Iranian federation president said discussions covered concerns and joint commitment to Iran's smooth participation, though visas had not yet been issued.
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described a meeting held Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian football federation as "excellent" and "constructive," aimed at ensuring Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Iranian federation president said discussions covered concerns and joint commitment to Iran's smooth participation, though visas had not yet been issued.
Knowledge Katti has urged Parliament and national leaders to support the creation of the Upstream Petroleum Unit (UPU) and the Petroleum Amendment Bill, arguing these reforms are necessary to help Namibia transition from oil exploration to production and address long-standing governance challenges in the sector.
Jonas Vingegaard makes his Giro d'Italia debut on Friday as he bids to win both the Italian Grand Tour and the Tour de France in the same year. The two-time Tour winner and clear favourite, with rival Pogacar absent, says completing the triple crown of all three Grand Tours is a goal for him.
US President Donald Trump has said the war in Iran will be "over quickly" and that he aims to end Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Iran said a US proposal to end the war is "still being considered"; Axios reported the White House is working toward a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran that could frame nuclear negotiations, with provisions including suspension of Iranian nuclear enrichment, lifting sanctions, and restoring free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump announced "Project Freedom" to assist ships stranded by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, but paused it two days later to pursue a potential agreement with Iran. The waterway has been blocked since US and Israeli airstrikes on 28 February, with Iran's military firing at US warships and the US sinking small boats, threatening an ongoing ceasefire.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea passage between Iran and Oman connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is a critical global shipping route; geopolitical tensions there, particularly between the US and Iran, can disrupt maritime traffic and affect countries far away including Namibia.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's road death rate of about 22 per 100,000 people—among the world's highest—is preventable if citizens collectively decide to prioritize safety over speed, alcohol, and impatience, citing examples from countries with much lower rates.
Tadej Pogacar won the Tour of Romandie in his first appearance at the Swiss race, taking the final stage by three seconds over Florian Lipowitz and finishing with a 42-second overall margin. The win marks his first stage race of the season as he builds toward defending his Tour de France title in July.
Tadej Pogacar won the mountainous 'queen stage' of the Tour of Romandie on Saturday, attacking twice on the final 8.3km climb to drop his rivals and claim his third victory in four days of the week-long race.
The United Arab Emirates has announced it will leave the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and Opec+ effective 1 May to pursue its own energy strategies and "national interests", a move the UAE says reflects its "long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile."
Mohamed Suleiman, a journalist trapped in Sudan's el-Fasher for three years by a communications blackout during the civil war, finally reached Port Sudan in January and reconnected with the world. His account documents systematic killings, famine conditions, and the inability of the international community to stop the fighting or provide adequate humanitarian aid.
The FNB Namibia Eagles suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Scotland and now hold fifth place on the Cricket World Cup Division 2 log with 22 points from 28 matches, six points behind the Netherlands in fourth and facing increased pressure to qualify for the World Cup final qualifier.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the European Union should consider temporarily suspending its strict spending rules if the Iran war and resulting energy shock worsens. Brussels cautioned that such a suspension is only possible if the EU experiences a severe economic crisis, which it said is not currently the case.
Ismail Omar Guelleh, who has ruled Djibouti since 1999, is poised to extend his control of the strategically important Horn of Africa nation in a presidential election widely dismissed as uncompetitive, with the opposition divided and a human rights monitor calling it a "masquerade."
As a US deadline looms for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, new strikes rocked Tehran with both sides rejecting an international ceasefire proposal. President Trump has warned of "complete demolition" of Iranian infrastructure if the deadline is not met, while Iran's military dismissed his threats and Iranian officials reject demands to end their control of the strategic chokepoint.
US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran's power plants and bridges if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, after announcing a "miraculous" rescue of a wounded American airman from inside Iran. The escalating conflict has engulfed the Middle East, prompted Iran to largely block the vital oil and gas conduit, and drawn international concern including a papal call for peace.
In Sudan's Kordofan region, caught in intense fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, civilians report near-daily drone strikes that have killed hundreds and spread fear, with both sides deploying cheap "kamikaze" drones and advanced strategic weapons supplied by foreign backers. The strikes on markets, hospitals, and homes have driven traders away, caused food shortages, and disrupted aid access in areas already threatened by famine.
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the United States of plotting a ground attack despite diplomatic rhetoric, following the arrival of a US amphibious assault ship carrying 3,500 military personnel in the Middle East. The escalating regional conflict has involved aerial bombardment, Iranian retaliatory strikes on Gulf states, attacks on aluminium plants, and involvement by Houthi forces and Iraq, threatening global energy markets and shipping routes.
Iran has threatened to target desalination plants in the region after claiming damage to its own water and energy infrastructure in conflict with Israel and the US, with experts warning that attacks on such facilities in the Middle East—where desalination supplies most of the region's drinking water—could trigger catastrophic humanitarian and economic consequences.
Namibia will send dancers to the World Dance Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, from 15–17 July, showcasing local talent on an international stage. The event was relocated from Dubai, prompting Namibian participants to quickly readjust travel, visa, and accommodation plans.
Explosions struck Tehran following a night of bombing as US President Trump pressed allies to help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz; the conflict, now in its third week, has spread to Lebanon and Iraq, displaced millions, and driven oil prices up five percent, though major allies including Britain, Germany, Japan, and Australia have refused military involvement.
An Electoral Commission commissioner argues that US and Israeli military strategy targeting Iran's leadership has backfired due to Iran's decentralized command structure and the religious significance of slain leaders as martyrs. He suggests Iran is pursuing a war of attrition, leveraging low-cost drone technology to impose unsustainable defense costs on its adversaries.
The war in the Middle East and closure of the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted global container shipping, with fuel surcharges rising and transit costs nearly doubling as commercial vessels face attacks and alternative routes grow longer. Importers worldwide, including those bringing goods to Namibia via global supply chains, face pressure to absorb costs or pass them to consumers.
Flights at Dubai airport gradually resumed on Monday following a drone-related incident that sparked a fire at a nearby fuel tank, with no injuries reported. The incident occurred amid Iranian drone and missile attacks on the UAE, which has intercepted the majority of projectiles but continues to face disruptions to civil infrastructure and travel.
The US is moving parts of its Thaad anti-missile system from South Korea to the Middle East amid the Israel-Iran conflict, reportedly to bolster defences as Iranian strikes strain weapons inventory. The redeployment has prompted South Korea's president to publicly oppose the move, citing concerns for Seoul's deterrence capability, while China reiterated its longstanding opposition to Thaad's presence in the region.
Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi has proposed a "Commodity Dividend Model" under which Namibia would receive mining and resource dividends in physical commodities like gold, uranium, and lithium rather than fiat currency, arguing this would protect the country against inflation and currency volatility while building a strategic reserve. Aupindi also called for greater industrialisation, more effective taxation of mineral rents, reform of state-owned enterprises, and a shift from passive SACU reliance toward regional value chains and manufacturing.
Iran launched fresh attacks on energy installations across the Gulf, hitting Bahrain's Al Ma'ameer refinery complex and prompting major producers in Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait to declare force majeure, warning of possible export disruptions. Oil prices surged to their highest levels since 2022 as regional conflict sparked market volatility and US embassy staff evacuations from Saudi Arabia.
Iran's Assembly of Experts has voted to choose a new supreme leader following Ayatollah Khamenei's death in recent strikes, though the name has not yet been announced. Israeli forces have continued air strikes on Iranian fuel facilities and targets across the region, with the conflict now in its ninth day and no clear path to resolution.
World champion Tadej Pogacar won the Strade Bianche cycling race for a record fourth time with a dominant long-range attack 80 kilometres from the finish, making a triumphant start to his 2026 season. French teenager Paul Seixas finished second after being dropped by Pogacar on the Monte Sante Marie gravel section.
Namibia's ambassador to Egypt says more than 100 Namibians are in the Middle East as the Iran-US-Israel conflict intensifies, and the embassy is facilitating voluntary evacuation efforts while prioritizing citizen safety. Some evacuees have criticised the Namibian consulate in Dubai for lack of communication and assistance during the crisis.