Air Freight Rates Soar as Middle East Conflict Blocks Trade Routes
Air freight rates have risen by as much as 70% on some routes since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, data shows, as the conflict limits flights, blocks some ocean shipments and pushes up jet fuel costs. Rates on routes between South Asia and Europe have been the most affected by Middle East»»»
On This Day, March 13: Trump declares national emergency over COVID-19 - UPI.com
On March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 1 of 4 | President Donald Trump, joined by members of his administration, declares a national emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic during a news conference at the White House in Washingto»»»
El Salvador may have committed crimes against humanity under state of emergency, experts say
An international panel of legal experts has concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe that El Salvador's government committed crimes against humanity under a state of emergency that has been in force since March 2022, drawing an irate response from President Nayib Bukele, who blamed a »»»
El Salvador may have committed crimes against humanity under state of emergency, experts say
An international panel of legal experts has concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe that El Salvador's government committed crimes against humanity under a state of emergency that has been in force since March 2022, drawing an irate response from President Nayib Bukele, who blamed a »»»
TEHRAN BLOG: Permits-for-passage system emerges as the US heads towards a strategic defeat in Iran
An informal system of “permits-for-passage” through the Straits of Hormuz is emerging after Tehran has started to grant navigation permission to oil tankers headed to “friendly countries" with cargos of oil and gas. A tank»»»
Czech ruling coalition drafts Russian-style NGO bill
The Czech ruling coalition has drafted a bill aimed at curtailing non-governmental organisation (NGO) activities in the country. Critics of the bill say it imitates Russian legislation aimed at restricting the activities o»»»
Czech ruling coalition drafts Russian-style NGO bill
The Czech ruling coalition has drafted a bill aimed at curtailing non-governmental organisation (NGO) activities in the country. Critics of the bill say it imitates Russian legislation aimed at restricting the activities o»»»
Czech ruling coalition drafts Russian-style NGO bill
The Czech ruling coalition has drafted a bill aimed at curtailing non-governmental organisation (NGO) activities in the country. Critics of the bill say it imitates Russian legislation aimed at restricting the activities o»»»
US Lost KC-135 Aerial Refueling Tanker Aircraft During Operation Against Iran - CENTCOM
The United States has lost a KC-135 aerial refueling tanker aircraft during the operation against Iran, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. "US Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and res»»»
US Navy May Escort Ships in Strait of Hormuz as Part of International Coalition - Bessent
US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said on Thursday that the US Navy may escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz as part of an international coalition. "My belief that as soon as it is militarily possible, the US Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels t»»»
US lawmakers probe Epstein’s wealth as ex-accountant testifies on finances and ties
US House lawmakers on Wednesday examined Jeffrey Epstein’s financial empire as a committee questioned his former accountant in a closed-door deposition. Richard Kahn, an executor of Epstein’s estate, told lawmakers he had not seen evidence of abuse but described how the financier accumulated hundre»»»
The race for Paris: Will more armed police and more cameras make the city safer?
With France preparing to vote in the first round of municipal elections on Sunday, Paris has become a battleground between left- and right-wing forces fighting to shape the capital’s future. And as Parisians increasingly place public safety at the top of their concerns, candidates from across the s»»»
French connections - Thinking à la française: How French intellectuals shaped the world
Nerd Alert! This week we focus on France’s contribution to knowledge and ideas. If French philosopher René Descartes famously said, “I think, therefore I am,” then “we think, therefore we are” could be said of the French. Over the years, France has produced a wide array of world-leading thinkers at»»»
Train connecting China and North Korea arrives in Pyongyang after 6-year hiatus
A passenger that departed from Dandong in China arrived in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Thursday evening, state media said, after a six-year hiatus following strict border closures enforced in 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid. China is North Korea's largest trading partner and a »»»
Trump's immigration comments may incite hate crimes, UN watchdog says
A United Nations watchdog has warned that "racist hate speech" used by President Donald Trump and other US politicians has fuelled human rights violations. A report by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), a UN-backed panel of independent experts, urged the US to respect»»»
UAE flight status March 13: Latest schedules as Emirates, Etihad warn of rising ticket scams
As UAE airlines gradually resume operations amid ongoing regional airspace restrictions, passengers are urged to stay informed about flight schedules, booking options, and potential scams. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia are all operating limited flights, with updated timetables and safe»»»
UAE to see clouds, rising temperatures and chance of rain this week
Dubai: The UAE is expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions on Friday, with a probability of rainfall in some coastal and inland areas as a surface low-pressure system combined with an upper-air system continues to influence the country’s weather, according to the National Center of»»»
Oil prices decline slightly as Mideast war enters Day 14 amid Iran's Hormuz threats: Diplomacy to show a way out?
Oil prices experienced slight declines on Friday (March 13, 2026) following extreme volatility that saw crude rates to skyrockets. West Texas Intermediate (WTI), a key US crude oil benchmark, was a trading at around $95.11 per barrel (down -0.62 or -0.65%) and Brent crude at approximately $100.1 pe»»»
French vote tests polarised electorate with right hoping to win control of Paris
France is preparing to vote in town council elections, whose results will be closely analysed for trends ahead of next year's presidential votes. A strong showing for Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) would be a boost for the nationalist right - even as she awaits a judicial decision on whether s»»»
Senate passes bipartisan housing bill, sends it to the House - UPI.com
The effort is expected to meet some opposition from the House GOP. A housing affordability bill sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., easily passed the Senate on an 89 to 10 vote, but it may face a tough time in the House of Representatives. File Photo by Jemal Count»»»
Winners, Sinners and record breakers: 17 fun facts about this year's Oscars
When Sinners director Ryan Coogler went to the movies as a child, he would smuggle in some snacks - and get particularly creative with the cinema's drinks machine. "I'm not a big soda person, but when they started to let you mix and match the drinks, I got involved with that," he told Amy Poehler's»»»
Indian PM Modi talks to Iranian President Pezeshkian
In a significant diplomatic outreach, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian amid rising conflicts in the Middle East. Modi expressed profound concern over the surge in hostilities, highlighting the tragic loss of civilian lives an»»»
UFC fighters to train FBI agents at Quantico
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) athletes will be training agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) this week, the UFC and FBI say. Current and former UFC fighters will visit the FBI Special Agent Academy in Quantico, Virginia, this weekend for a "training seminar" for senior FBI sta»»»
PM, Canadian, Spanish ministers call for regional tension de-escalation
QNA Doha Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received phone calls from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Anita Anand and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain Jose Manuel Alvarez. Discussions during»»»
Israeli military drops charges against soldiers accused of abusing Palestinian detainee
Israel's most senior military lawyer has said all charges against five soldiers accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee from Gaza have been dropped. The alleged incident at Sde Teiman military prison in July 2024, which was partially caught on CCTV, left the detainee needing hospital tre»»»
Fog expected overnight and Friday morning
Tunis, March 12 (TAP) – Weather on Thursday night and on Friday morning will be conducive to the formation of fog in the north and locally in central and southern regions, according to the National Institute of Meteorology.The fog is expected to be...»»»
Active shooter reported at Michigan synagogue; no confirmed injuries - UPI.com
An active shooter was reported at a synagogue in suburban Detroit Thursday. No injuries have been reported yet. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo March 12 (UPI) -- Law enforcement responded Thursday to a suspected active shooter at a synagogue in a Detroit suburb, the FBI said. FBI Dire»»»
Police respond to active shooter at Michigan synagogue
Police officers and federal agents responded to a shooting at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, on Thursday. The FBI has said that the shooter used a vehicle in the attack. FBI Director Kash Patel described the incident as an “apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter»»»
France's ghost car scandal that allowed one million illegal vehicles onto the roads
A million illegally-registered cars are being driven in France in a fraud scandal that has cost hundreds of millions of euros in lost taxes and fines, according to the state auditor. The fraud – in which fake dealerships manipulate the records of the state vehicle licensing agency (SIV) – is also e»»»
Rep. Jim Clyburn, 85, to seek re-election - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Rep. James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., speaks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Clyburn, 85, announced Thursday that he will run for re-election. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo March 12 (UPI) -- Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., announced Thursday that he will run for »»»
FBI opens permanent office in Ecuador as U.S. boosts security ties - UPI.com
Ecuador formalized the opening of the first permanent FBI office in Quito, a step that strengthens cooperation with the United States. File Photo courtesy U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation March 12 (UPI) -- Ecuador formalized the opening of the first permanent FBI office in Quito, a step that st»»»
UFC fighters to train FBI agents at Quantico - UPI.com
1 of 2 | UFC CEO Dana White speaks to supporters of President-elect Donald Trump during the Make America Great Again Victory Rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on January 19, 2025. White praised the work of the FBI in announcing plans for UFC fighters to train the agency. File Photo by»»»
Prime minister, Canadian FM call for de-escalation
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada HE Anita Anand. Discussion during the call dealt with the developments of the military escalation in the region and its seriou»»»
Prime Minister receives phone call from Canadian Foreign Minister
Doha, Qatar: HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a phone call from HE Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada. During the call, they reviewed the developments of the military escalation in the region and its ser»»»
Prime minister, Spanish FM emphasise need for immediate cessation of all escalatory actions
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain HE Jose Manuel Alvarez. Discussion during the call focused on the developments o»»»
CICh Năvodari obtains the Integrated Environmental Permit and launches innovative fertilizers for specialty crops
Combinatul de Îngrășăminte Chimice Năvodari (CICh), the only Romanian producer of niche technological fertilizers and professional biostimulants, has obtained the updated Integrated Environmental Permit for its fertilizer and nitrogen-based product manufacturing operations. In this context, the com»»»
Prime Minister receives phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, Cooperation in Spain
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation in the Kingdom of Spain, HE José Manuel Albares. During the call, they reviewed the develop»»»
Sofia Municipal Council Approves Request for Transfer of State Properties to City Hall
The Sofia Municipal Council Thursday approved six proposals by Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev and Council Chair Tsvetomir Petrov for the transfer of state-owned properties to the municipality. The properties include several landmark buildings in the capital, land for the construction of kindergartens a»»»
Former DHS lawyer Julie Le to run for Rep. Ilhan Omar's seat - UPI.com
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., will face challenger attorney Julie T. Le in her primary. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo March 12 (UPI) -- A lawyer who was fired after she complained to a Minnesota judge about her job representing Immigration and Customs Enforcement is challenging Rep. Ilhan Om»»»
Sofia Municipal Council Approves Transfer of State Properties to City Hall
The Sofia Municipal Council Thursday approved six proposals by Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev and Council Chair Tsvetomir Petrov for the transfer of state-owned properties to the municipality. The properties include several landmark buildings in the capital, land for the construction of kindergartens a»»»
Aldabaiba reveals his new ministerial appointments – top posts of Interior, Oil and Gas, Foreign Affairs and Defence remain unchanged: Report and analysis
Having secured the political of the President of the High State Council, Mohamed Takala, and the President of the Presidency Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, for his new ministerial appointments and reshuffles, Aldabaiba’s new-look cabinet emerged at the first 2026 Cabinet meeting at the Cabinet Office i»»»
Written Off Too Soon: Hezbollah Returns to Exact Revenge
Israel’s Iron Dome reportedly intercepted only half of the 100 rockets launched by Hezbollah at the Jewish state on March 11. The Lebanese militant group earlier refrained from conducting guerrilla-style operations in southern Lebanon despite 10,000 Israeli ceasefire violations recorded since the O»»»
TSA to miss first paychecks as Senate stuck in debate for DHS funding - UPI.com
Passengers wait to go through TSA while traveling during the holiday season at Ronald Reagan National Airport in December. TSA agents will miss their first paychecks Saturday if Congress doesn't pass a resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License P»»»
One United Properties enters US real estate market with land acquisition in Nashville metropolitan area
One United Properties (BVB: ONE), the leading green investor and developer of residential, mixed-use, and office real estate in Romania, announces that its Board of Directors has approved a strategic framework for a phased entry into the United States residential real estate market. The initiative »»»
Day 13 of U.S.- Israeli war with Iran: regional escalation widens conflict fronts
CAPITALS, March 12 (SANA) The U.S.–Israeli conflict with Iran entered its 13th day Thursday, with military operations expanding across multiple fronts in the Middle East and raising fears the fighting could evolve into a broader regional war. U.S. and Israeli forces continued conducting intensive a»»»
Persian Gulf States Cut Oil Production by 10Mln Bpd Due to Hormuz Strait Closure – IEA Report
The Persian Gulf countries have reduced oil production by at least 10 million barrels per day due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a fresh report on Thursday. "With crude and oil product flows through the Strait of Hormuz plunging from around 20 »»»
China’s walking a tightrope in the Pakistan-Afghanistan war
The outbreak of open hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan marks the most serious confrontation between the two neighbors since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. After weeks of escalating cross-border clashes and retaliatory strikes, Islamabad declared it was in a state of “open war” wi»»»
Aldabaiba receives support from Presidency Council and High State Council for new ministerial appointments
Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, has succeeded in obtaining the political backing from the Presidency Council and the High State Council (HSC) for his new ministerial appointments made earlier this month. This approval came in the form of a jointly signed declaration yest»»»
MRF - New Beginning, Sofia Mayor Trade Barbs over Intended Transfer of State Assets to Sofia Municipality
Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev and MRF - New Beginning led by Delyan Peevski Thursday traded barbs over the Mayor's idea to have state-owned properties in Sofia transferred to the local authorities. The bone of contention are dozens of state-owned properties that are currently lying unused, and which t»»»
Social enterprise accelerator launched along Via Transilvanica
A new initiative designed to support local entrepreneurship along the iconic hiking route Via Transilvanica has been launched by Asociația Tășuleasa Social in partnership with ADV România. The program, titled “Acceleratorul de întreprinderi sociale pe Via Transilvanica”, aims to support the creatio»»»