Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

United Arab Emirates

Also known as: UAE · Emiratis

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.

2023-08-202026-06-08
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. March 2026

  2. The Namibian

    United Arab Emirates denies supplying weapons to the RSF

    Source

    “There is widely documented evidence that the United Arab Emirates supplies weapons to the RSF – something Abu Dhabi officially denies.”

    The devastating conflict where both sides have reasons to keep fighting

  3. The Namibian

    United Arab Emirates is a major Gulf producer linked to global markets through the Strait of Hormuz

    Source

    “The strait, positioned between Oman and Iran, is a critical port linking major Gulf producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, to global markets through the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.”

    Namibia fuel price alert: Iran blocks Strait of Hormuz oil as global supply fears mount

  4. The Namibian

    United Arab Emirates authorities fired missiles aimed at intercepting incoming Iranian projectiles

    Source

    “"I probably saw about 15 missiles being launched from behind my house yesterday," Dubai resident Becky Williams told the BBC, referring to missiles fired by United Arab Emirates authorities aimed at intercepting incoming Iranian projectiles.”

    One killed, 11 injured at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports as Iran strikes region
  5. February 2026

  6. The Namibian

    United Arab Emirates denies supplying Chinese long-range CH-95 drones to paramilitaries

    Source

    “They are widely reported to deploy Chinese long-range CH-95 drones that are supplied by the United Arab Emirates, which the UAE denies.”

    Drones hammer Sudan's gold and oil zone – the pivotal new front line

  7. New Era

    United Arab Emirates is ready to explore and sign trade agreements with Namibia

    Source

    “Oil-rich United Arab Emirates (UAE) is ready to explore new business opportunities in and sign trade agreements with Namibia.”

    UAE, Nam boost trade, investment ties

  8. The Namibian

    United Arab Emirates was restricted to 122-6 by South Africa

    Source

    “After restricting the Emiratis to 122-6 on a pitch enlivened by morning rain, South Africa raced to 123-4 in just 13.2 overs to complete a perfect group phase with four wins out of four.”

    SA fire Super Eights warning to India with UAE romp

  9. The Namibian

    United Arab Emirates scored 160-9 in their innings

    Source

    “Azmatullah Omarzai was the hero for Afghanistan, taking 4-15 in the UAE's 160-9 and scoring an unbeaten 40 to steer his side to a five-wicket win after a tense chase in New Delhi.”

    SA into Super Eights without playing as Afghanistan beat UAE

  10. The Namibian

    United Arab Emirates retain an outside chance of advancing through Group D

    Source

    “South Africa and New Zealand are still favourites to advance as the top two in Group D, though United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan both retain an outside chance of going through.”

    Markram, Jansen lead SA to brink of T20 Super Eights

  11. The Namibian

    United Arab Emirates achieved five-wicket victory over Canada in T20 World Cup chase

    Source

    “Half-centuries from Aryansh Sharma and Sohaib Khan rescued United Arab Emirates from a slippery chase to post a thrilling five-wicket over Canada in the T20 World Cup on Friday.”

    Sharma, Sohaib fifties rescue UAE victory chase against Canada

  12. New Era

    The UAE is widely accused of arming Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries in Sudan

    Source

    “The UAE is widely accused of arming the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries in Sudan, who have been fighting the regular military since 2023 and are accused of massacres against the civilian population.”

    Somalia, Saudi Arabia sign defence agreement
Sport

FIFA and Iran discuss 2026 World Cup participation arrangements

The News

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.

18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 18 May

  1. FIFA and Iran discuss 2026 World Cup participation arrangements

    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.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 11 May

  1. Businessman calls for Parliament backing of oil sector reforms

    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.

    11 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Vingegaard begins Giro d'Italia debut bid for tour double

    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.

    7 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Iran considers US nuclear proposal as Trump predicts quick resolution

    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.

    7 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Trump pauses Strait of Hormuz shipping initiative after Iran tensions

    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.

    6 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 4 May

  1. Strait of Hormuz tensions affect Namibia's shipping

    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.

    4 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia must choose to stop preventable road deaths

    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.

    4 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 3 May

  1. Pogacar dominates Tour of Romandie for fourth stage win

    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.

    3 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 2 May

  1. Pogacar wins third stage in four days at Tour of Romandie

    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.

    2 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 28 April

  1. UAE quits Opec and Opec+ to focus on national interests

    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."

    28 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Trapped Sudanese journalist breaks silence after three years in besieged city

    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.

    15 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Namibia Eagles slip to fifth in World Cup Division 2

    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.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Italy PM urges EU to suspend spending rules amid Iran crisis

    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.

    10 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 9 April

  1. Djibouti's 27-year leader Guelleh expected to win sixth term

    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."

    9 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Iran-US tensions escalate as Trump deadline expires on strait

    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.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

Monday 6 April

  1. Trump threatens Iran strikes over Strait of Hormuz blockade

    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.

    6 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 31 March

  1. Sudanese civilians describe relentless drone strikes in ongoing conflict

    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.

    31 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 30 March

  1. Iran parliament speaker accuses US of planning ground assault

    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.

    30 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 24 March

  1. Iran threatens desalination plants as water emerges war target

    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.

    24 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 20 March

  1. Namibian dance crew to compete at Bangkok world championship

    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.

    20 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Middle East war widens as Trump seeks allied support

    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.

    18 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Analysis: US decapitation strategy against Iran faces mounting challenges

    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.

    18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 March

  1. Middle East conflict disrupts global shipping costs

    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.

    16 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Dubai airport resumes flights after drone-sparked fuel tank fire

    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.

    16 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. US relocates missile defence system from South Korea to Middle East

    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.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Aupindi proposes commodity dividends to hedge currency volatility

    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.

    12 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Iran strikes Gulf energy sites as oil prices climb sharply

    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.

    10 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 9 March

  1. Iran names new supreme leader as war continues

    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.

    9 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 8 March

  1. Pogacar wins record fourth Strade Bianche title

    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.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 March

  1. Namibian embassy confirms evacuation of 100+ citizens from Middle East

    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.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

United Arab Emirates — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute