Rappler's latest stories on Gulf
Gulf economies to shrink 7.6% over virus, oil slump – IMF
The International Monetary Fund's 2020 projection for the 6-nation Gulf Cooperation Council dramatically worsens
Gulf stocks battered by coronavirus, oil price war in Q1 2020
The 5 major bourses in the Gulf region plummet in the first 3 months of the year, with Dubai's market losing more than a third of its value
Gulf shares slump after OPEC fails to agree on virus action plan
All the 7 bourses in the Gulf close in the red on Sunday, March 8, amid a panic sell-off over fears that energy prices could collapse
Coronavirus compounds Gulf economic woes as oil prices slump
Capital Economics estimates the 6 Gulf Cooperation Council states will lose some $40 billion of oil revenues in 2020
Gulf bourses dive as coronavirus hits oil price
(3rd UPDATE) The Gulf region's stock markets are badly hit on Sunday, March 1, with oil prices sagging below $50 a barrel amid novel coronavirus fears
China virus threatens to hobble Gulf economies
The 6 Gulf states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates – count China as their main trading partner and crude buyer
Without reforms, Gulf oil wealth could vanish by 2034 – IMF
The International Monetary Fund says Gulf states have no choice but to accelerate and widen economic reforms
Prospect of U.S.-Iran conflict threatens Gulf economies
Saudi economist Fadhl al-Bouenain says a US-Iran war would further dampen economic growth in Gulf Cooperation Council states, just as many of them are attempting to diversify towards a post-oil future
Qatar emir skips summit but warm words point to thaw with Saudi
In a sign of the changing mood, the Doha delegation receives a warm welcome in Riyadh, with Saudi Arabia's King Salman and the Qatari prime minister exchanging smiles and pleasantries
Iran downs unidentified drone near Gulf coast – reports
The unmanned aircraft is downed over Iranian territory with a domestically manufactured Mersad surface-to-air missile
[ANALYSIS] 75 years after MacArthur's return, WW2 combatants face common threat
Why were the US and Japan forces in the Philippines for joint 'warrior' exercises? Because China desires regional and global domination, and the Philippines is standing in its way.
FAST FACTS: The destructive earthquakes that hit Mindanao
(UPDATED) Since the 1900s, Mindanao has been hit by at least 35 earthquakes. Here are the 3 earthquakes classified by Phivolcs as ‘destructive.’
Spanish falcons feed Arab passion for raptor hunting
Spain is the world's number one exporter of falcons in 2018, exporting some 2,800 specimens, almost all of them to Gulf countries
Duterte on 75th anniversary of Leyte landing: Filipinos still at war vs illegal drugs
President Rodrigo Duterte connects the events of the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese occupation to the need to be free from social ills like illegal drugs
Israeli minister seeks 'non-aggression' pacts with Arab nations
It is the latest sign of Israel's push to improve ties with Gulf Arab nations with whom it has no formal diplomatic relations
Foreign forces raise Gulf 'insecurity' – Iran's Rouhani
President Hassan Rouhani adds that Iran would present to the United Nations a regional cooperation plan for peace
Iran says U.S. Gulf mission will 'increase insecurity'
The US has been seeking to form a coalition whose mission – dubbed Operation Sentinel – it says is to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Gulf
U.S. urges Germany to 'help secure' Strait of Hormuz
'Members of the German government have been clear that freedom of navigation should be protected... Our question is, protected by whom?' says the US Embassy in Berlin
UK warship arrives in Gulf to escort tankers
HMS Duncan will help accompany vessels through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran seized a British-flagged tanker there earlier in July
Swedish owner of tanker seized by Iran says crew 'safe'
Aside from a Filipino seafarer, the rest of the 23 detained crew of the oil tanker Stena Impero hail from India, Russia, and Latvia
Iran 'does not seek confrontation,' says foreign minister after tanker seizure
Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says, it 'is very important for Boris Johnson as he enters 10 Downing Street to understand that Iran does not seek confrontation, that Iran wants normal relations based on mutual respect'
Manila asks Iran to free Filipino on seized British-flagged tanker
(UPDATED) The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs says one of the crew members of the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero is a Filipino citizen
Gulf tensions rise as U.S. shoots down Iranian drone
It is the first US military engagement with Iran following a series of increasingly serious incidents
Britain sends second warship to the Gulf after Iran tanker standoff
(UPDATED) British officials say the naval deployment is part of a pre-planned rotation and meant to ensure a continued British naval presence in one of the most important but volatile oil shipment routes in the world
[ANALYSIS] Is Duterte ready to handle a looming Middle East crisis?
The attack on two cargo ships in the Gulf of Oman on June 13 poses a grave problem for President Duterte, as the country risks getting entangled in a larger power play that could result in a major regional conflict
Iran 'categorically rejects' U.S. tanker attack allegations
'Accusations levelled against Iran's armed forces and the published film with regards to the incident [that] happened to the vessels...are unsubstantiated,' says Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami
Saudi urges world powers to secure waterways after twin attacks
Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih has also urged world powers to cooperate on keeping shipping lanes open for oil and other energy supplies
Iraq looking at options in case Gulf oil route cut – spokesman
Lawmakers have also called for an emergency session with Iraq's ministers of oil, trade, planning and transport to 'prepare to confront the possible dangers'
Damaged tankers reach safe waters after Gulf attacks
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says he would not hesitate to tackle any threats to the oil-rich kingdom
Iran hints U.S. could be behind 'suspicious' tanker attacks
Iran's Ali Larijani says the attacks 'seem to complement the economic sanctions against Iran considering that (the US) has not achieved any results from them'
British envoy denies Iran summons over tanker attacks claim
'I asked for an urgent meeting with the Foreign Ministry yesterday and it was granted. No 'summons',' says Britain's ambassador to Iran Rob Macaire
2 tankers catch fire after suspected Gulf of Oman attacks
The mystery incident comes amid spiralling tensions between Tehran and Washington, which has pointed the finger at Iran over tanker attacks in May
Riyadh rallies allies against Tehran at Mecca summits
Tehran expresses disappointment that Riyadh plans to level the same 'baseless accusations' at a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
Saudi king calls on Gulf states to tackle Iran's 'criminal' acts
Saudi Arabia, a staunch US ally, is hosting leaders from across the Arab and Muslim world for emergency Gulf and Arab summits and a meeting of heads of state from Islamic nations
Iran 'almost certainly' behind ship attacks off UAE – Bolton
The new war of words comes on the eve of emergency Arab and Gulf summits called by Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia to discuss the standoff and ways to isolate Tehran
U.S. fingers Iran on Gulf attacks but eases tone
Top Trump officials appeared to be toning down weeks of fiery warnings to Iran before delivering a classified briefing to the full Congress
Saudi Arabia calls urgent Gulf, Arab League meetings over tensions
The Saudi Press Agency says King Salman had invited Gulf leaders and Arab states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30
Iran wants 'good' relations with Saudi Arabia, UAE
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says his country hopes to improve relations with its regional archrival
Against the tide: Thailand 'floating temple' defies coastal erosion
In Thailand, a quarter of the country's shores – or about 700 kilometers – are eroding, some 'severely', according to data by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources
Pompeo to push for end to Gulf dispute during Qatar visit
'It is time for old rivalries to end for the sake of the greater good of the region,' says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Qatar says Gulf alliance needs replacing
The Gulf Cooperation Council 'has been undermined by the crisis' between the emirate and its neighbors, says Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani
Qatar emir skips Saudi-hosted summit with Gulf rivals
Qatar is represented by its minister of state for foreign affairs, Sultan al-Muraikhi
Gulf economy recovering but faces oil volatility – IMF
The International Monetary Fund urges Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to expand reforms
10 Filipino seafarers kidnapped in Gulf of Guinea
The 10 Filipino seafarers were kidnapped in two separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, says the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs
Hurricane Michael death toll hits 17
Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, warns that he expects the toll to rise
1 dead as monstrous Hurricane Michael tears into Florida
Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Brock Long says Michael is the most intense hurricane to strike the Florida Panhandle since 1851
Tropical Storm Gordon makes landfall on US Gulf Coast, one death reported
The fatality came in Pensacola, Florida when a tree fell on a mobile home and killed a child, the National Weather Service says
Iran conducts naval exercise in Gulf – U.S. official
The timing of the exercise is unusual, as it appears to be similar in scale and nature to a drill that ordinarily happens later in the autumn
BBL's hot issue: Who gets to control rich Sulu Sea, Moro Gulf?
It's a deadlock at the bicameral conference committee
Qatar says 'stronger' despite year-long Gulf dispute
'One year on and Qatar and its people are stronger,' says Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, one of the most prominent voices in the region's worst diplomatic crisis for years,
