Nepal's 'Icefall Doctors' Fix Everest Route for Spring Season
Highly skilled mountaineers known in Nepal as "icefall doctors" have begun fixing ropes and ladders on Mount Everest to prepare for the coming spring climbing season, officials said Wednesday. The team has reached the base camp before starting work on the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, a constantly sh»»»
India mandates 60% seats without extra charges on flights
Dubai: India has moved to curb rising passenger complaints over airline seat fees, directing carriers to make at least 60% of seats on every flight available at no additional cost, in a step aimed at improving fairness and transparency for flyers. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques »»»
Five Political Formations to Enter Next Parliament, Market Links Poll Says
According to a poll, commissioned by bTV and conducted by Market Links, five political formations will gain the necessary 4% of the vote to enter Parliament after the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for April 19. Those are the Progressive Bulgaria coalition with 21.1%, GERB-UDF with 18.6%, C»»»
Türkiye Says NATO Deploying More Defenses to Guard Southern Base
NATO is deploying another US Patriot missile defense system to the southern Turkish province of Adana, where personnel from the United States and other countries are located in the Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. Türkiye, which has NATO's second-largest army and ne»»»
Macau woman hospitalised after being startled by humanoid robot
Hong Kong: A woman on an evening walk in Macau was briefly hospitalised after a humanoid robot startled her and left her feeling unwell, police told AFP on Wednesday. Police said they had received a call for assistance for the woman, who "was startled when she suddenly noticed a robot behind her wh»»»
Cesar Chavez Day events canceled following sexual abuse allegations - UPI.com
Cesar Chavez, the late labor and civil rights activist seen here in February 1979 talking to a crowd in Calexico, Calif., has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior, prompting events to be held later this month in his honor to be canceled. File Photo by Mark Loundy/UPI | License Photo March »»»
Israeli strikes hit car in Sidon, killing at least one person
Three Israeli strikes on Wednesday hit a car in the center of Sidon, southern Lebanon's largest city, state media reported. An AFP correspondent at the scene said the strike hit near the city's civil defense headquarters and the seaside road, where many displaced people are sleeping in their cars. »»»
Aoun calls for unity, warns against sectarian incitement
President Joseph Aoun called Wednesday for unity and solidarity and the rejection of division and sectarian provocation, hours after Israel flattened an apartment building in central Beirut and killed ten people in other neighborhoods of the city. Israel's military claimed the building in Bashoura »»»
At least 10 killed in Israeli strikes on Beirut's Zoqaq al-Blat, Basta, Bashoura
Lebanon said Israel struck central Beirut early Wednesday without warning, killing at least ten people, as the Israeli military announced it was targeting the country's south. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said two strikes in the early hours of Wednesday hit an apartment in the cent»»»
What to Know About Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant After Report of Projectile Hitting Its Complex
Iran and Russia both allege a projectile struck the grounds of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the country, raising the specter of a radiological incident as Tehran's war with Israel and the United States rages. Neither Iran nor Russia say there was any release of nuclear material in the inciden»»»
Senior EU official rebukes Zelensky over Orban threat
European Council President Antonio Costa has rebuked Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky over a recent threat directed at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Zelensky suggested earlier this month that he could dispatch the Ukrainian military to “speak” with a “certain person” in the EU – widely understo»»»
Nazis honored in EU country’s capital
Hundreds of people marched in the Latvian capital Riga on Monday to commemorate Latvians who served in a Waffen SS unit for Nazi Germany during World War II. While the country’s law bans the public display of Nazi symbols and glorification of Nazism, the annual march is permitted to proceed under t»»»
Production at the Sharara field continues despite pipeline fire – production diverted via other pipelines: NOC
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced in the early hours of this morning that production at the Sharara oilfield is continuing despite the pipeline fire that broke yesterday. It refutes some media speculation that production at Sharara has been completely shut down. The NOC explained that th»»»
Dubai property services served over 560,000 customers in 2025
Dubai: Dubai’s real estate services sector is seeing sustained growth, with new data indicating rising activity in permits, valuations, and customer transactions, reinforcing the market’s operational depth and transparency. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The number of»»»
UAE's Red Rock Technology invests $10M in AI 'Brain' for global food security
Dubai: Red Rock Technology has committed a $10 million investment to develop Seedelligence, an artificial intelligence architecture designed to power the National Food & Seed Sovereignty Institute and its future global locations. Unlike conventional agritech systems, where artificial intelligence m»»»
BTS light stick prices surge ahead of comeback concert
Seoul: Second-hand BTS light sticks were selling for up to six times the original price ahead of the K-pop megagroup's huge comeback concert this weekend, an online reseller showed Wednesday. The world's biggest boy band reunites on Saturday for their first show in nearly four years, taking over ce»»»
Seoul stocks jump over 5 pct on chip rally - UPI.com
This photo, taken Wednesday, shows the trading room of Hana Bank in central Seoul as South Korean stocks surged more than 5 percent on a semiconductor rally. Photo by Yonhap South Korean stocks surged more than 5 percent Wednesday, on a semiconductor rally boosted by the ongoing U.S. chip giant Nvi»»»
About 90 Ships Cross the Strait of Hormuz Despite the War
About 90 ships including oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the outset of the war with Iran and it is still exporting millions of barrels of oil at a time when the waterway has been effectively closed, according to maritime and trade data platforms. Many of the vessels that passed »»»
China Makes Energy Security ‘Reunification’ Offer to Taiwan Amid Middle East War
China offered on Wednesday what it said would be energy stability to Taiwan if it agreed to Beijing's rule, part of a campaign by China to convince the island of the benefits of "reunification", which it has long rejected. Governments around the world are scrambling for alternative energy supplies»»»
Vazrazhdane Calls for Parliamentary Position on Carbon Emissions Trading Ahead of EU Summit
At the start of Wednesday’s plenary sitting, the Vazrazhdane party called in a declaration for the National Assembly of Bulgaria to formulate Bulgaria’s position on carbon emissions trading ahead of the upcoming European Council meeting on March 19, 2026. Speaking from the parliamentary rostrum, MP»»»
Electronic Governance Minister Sharkov Meets OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Representatives
Caretaker Electronic Governance Minister George Sharkov and his political cabinet held a meeting with representatives of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission regarding the early parliamentary elections on April 19, 2026, the Ministry of Electronic Governance said in a press release on Wednes»»»
Eid Al Fitr 2026 in UAE: Dubai announces family-only beaches, live performances at parks
Dubai: Dubai Municipality has designated several public beaches as family-only zones for the Eid Al Fitr holiday. The designated beaches are: Jumeirah 1, Jumeirah 2 (including the night beach), Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1 (including the night beach), and Umm Suqeim 2 beaches. As part of the Season of »»»
Iran lashes out with attacks on Israel and Gulf neighbors
Iran lashed out following the killing of one of its top leaders in an airstrike with attacks on its Persian Gulf neighbors and Israel on Wednesday, using some of its latest missiles to evade air defenses and killing two people near Tel Aviv as the war in the Middle East showed no signs of slowing. »»»
Bulgaria's Caretaker PM Calls on Citizens to Defend Democracy Through High Voter Turnout
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov emphasized on Wednesday, before the Council of Ministers meeting, that the most powerful safeguard for democracy is active citizen participation. He called on all Bulgarians to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections. “The message I want to send»»»
South Korea Says it Secures Priority UAE Crude
South Korea has secured a pledge from the United Arab Emirates to supply 24 million barrels of crude oil, its presidential office said on Wednesday, as authorities roll out measures to cushion the economy from fallout from the Middle East conflict. Kang Hoon-sik, President Lee Jae Myung's chief of »»»
Taiwan changes 'Korea' to 'S. Korea' in immigration system in protest over Seoul's labeling of it as China - UPI.com
Taiwan said Wednesday it changed South Korea's name in its immigration systems in response to being identified as part of China. In this 2023 photo, a Taiwanese flag flies over Liberty Square Arch in Taipei. File Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo Taiwan said Wednesday it has changed South»»»
Dubai Ruler approves $1.4bn housing land allocation for Emirati citizens
Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the allocation of 4,631 residential land plots for Emirati citizens in Dubai, valued at Dh5.3 billion. The land allocations cover more than 71 million square feet»»»
Eid shopping in 2026: What's changed this year
Dubai: As Eid Al Fitr fast approaches, residents and expatriates in the UAE have started their Eid shopping ahead, balancing great anticipation with practical planning to avoid last-minute crowds. From malls to neighbourhood markets, the spirit of the season remains visible amid ongoing development»»»
Payment Innovation and Consumer Trust in Real-Money Casinos
In the fast-paced world of digital news, we constantly track advancements that impact daily life – from political shifts to technological breakthroughs. One area where innovation and consumer confidence are inextricably linked is online payments, particularly within the real-money casino sector. As»»»
Israel Military Says Its Tank Fire Hit UN Lebanon Base, Regrets Incident
Israel's military on Wednesday acknowledged that its tank fire hit a UN position in southern Lebanon on March 6, wounding Ghanaian peacekeepers, an incident that underscores the growing risks as Israeli operations expand. Initial findings by an internal UN inquiry had suggested Israel was behind th»»»
Iran Says Nuclear Doctrine Unlikely to Change, Hormuz Strait Needs New Protocol
Iran's stance against the development of nuclear weapons will not significantly change, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Al Jazeera in remarks relayed by Iranian media on Wednesday, cautioning that the new supreme leader is yet to publicly express his view on the matter. Former Supreme Leader Al»»»
Remittances surge past $3b in January as Filipinos abroad send more money home
Dubai: Overseas Filipinos (OFs) have continued to contribute greatly to the Philippine economy, with cash remittances rising to $3.02 billion in January this year, a 3.5 percent increase from $2.92 billion recorded in the same month last year. The growth has highlighted the resilience of Filipinos »»»
LIVE UPDATES: Gulf countries continue intercepting missiles as regional tension enters 19th day
Doha, Qatar: Some Gulf countries have reportedly been attacked today morning, March 18, 2026. In Qatar, the Ministry of Defense announced interception of missile attack targeting the country. Similar reports of interception and destroying drones came from UAE and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Iran will »»»
Israeli strikes hit car in Sidon, killing at least one person
Three Israeli strikes on Wednesday hit a car in the center of Sidon, southern Lebanon's largest city, state media reported. An AFP correspondent at the scene said the strike hit near the city's civil defense headquarters and the seaside road, where many displaced people are sleeping in their cars. »»»
At least 6 killed in Israeli strikes on Beirut's Zoqaq al-Blat, Basta, Bashoura
Lebanon said Israel struck central Beirut early Wednesday without warning, killing at least six people, as the Israeli military announced it was targeting the country's south. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said two strikes in the early hours of Wednesday hit an apartment in the cent»»»
UN Watchdog Says Projectile Struck Iran Nuclear Power Plant
The UN nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that Iranian authorities had reported projectile impact at the country's only operational nuclear power plant that caused no damage. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "has been informed by Iran that a projectile hit the premises of the Bushehr NPP »»»
Disneyland Abu Dhabi stays on course: Miral
Dubai: Plans to bring Disneyland to Abu Dhabi are moving forward, with Miral Group’s chief reaffirming commitment to the project in a public message that signals continued momentum on one of the region’s most closely watched developments. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balance»»»
Over 2,000 Coal Jobs Vanish in Bulgaria as Low-Carbon Transition Hits Hard
Over 2,000 jobs in Bulgaria’s coal sector have been lost amid the ongoing shift toward a low-carbon economy, CITUB President Plamen Dimitrov reported at a labor market forum focused on the energy transition. He noted that roughly 1,000 jobs disappeared in the Maritsa Basin alone, while other region»»»
Cuba Vows ‘Unbreakable Resistance’ as US Pressure Mounts
Cuba's leader on Tuesday said the US would face "unbreakable resistance" if it tries to take over the impoverished island nation, as communist authorities scrambled to fix a nationwide electricity blackout. Cuba's government is under increasingly crushing pressure, with Washington enforcing an oil »»»
Iran Executes Man it Accused of Spying for Mossad
Iran’s judiciary said Wednesday it executed a man it accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. The judiciary’s Mizan news agency identified the man as Kourosh Keyvani. It alleged he “provided images and information on sensitive locations” to the Mossad. Keyvani was the first public»»»
Iran Missile Fire Kills Two in Central Israel
An Iranian missile barrage killed two people near Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv, medics said Wednesday, with the national railway company announcing shrapnel impact disrupted train services. Authorities reported that falling munitions had hit multiple sites in central Israel in the overnight bar»»»
Israel strikes and destroys building in heart of Beirut
An Israeli strike has destroyed a building in central Beirut, as missiles continue to hit areas far from where the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group has its strongest presence. A BBC team was jolted awake around 05:00 (03:00 GMT) by the sound of the blast. The Israeli military had issued a warning at »»»
US oil exports explode: Top buyers revealed
The US has emerged as the world's biggest oil supplier months before the war with Iran started. The United States has officially become one of the planet’s top oil exporters, shipping a staggering 3.9 billion barrels of crude and petroleum products in 2025 alone, according to fresh US Energy Inform»»»
Citizen Participation Is Democracy’s Strongest Safeguard, Caretaker PM Gurov Says Ahead of Elections
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said citizen participation is the strongest safeguard of democracy, speaking before the start of the Council of Ministers’ meeting on Wednesday. He urged Bulgarian citizens to vote in the upcoming elections. “That is why my appeal to all Bulgarians is: ‘Vote!’,»»»
Watch: Building collapses after Israeli strike in Beirut
Dubai: A residential building collapsed in central Beirut early Wednesday after an Israeli airstrike struck the densely populated Zuqaq al-Blat neighbourhood, Lebanese officials said. The attack reportedly killed at least six people and caused significant damage in an area located near government o»»»
Eid Al Fitr 2026: Where to go and what to do across UAE
The United Arab Emirates welcomes the blessed occasion of Eid Al-Fitr with a festive atmosphere filled with artistic shows, cultural festivals, and family-oriented activities across public spaces, shopping malls, and entertainment destinations. These venues have been beautifully adorned with lights»»»
In defense of Lebanon and its people, at 00:10 on Wednesday, 03/18/2026, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli enemy army soldiers in the Khanouq area of the border village of Aitaroun with a rocket salvo: statement 1 - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe In defense of Lebanon and its people, at 00:10 on Wednesday, 03/18/2026, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli en»»»
Iraq Resumes Limited Oil Exports via Türkiye
Iraq announced on Wednesday it had resumed limited oil exports of 250,000 bpd through the Turkish port of Ceyhan after the country's output plunged due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. A founding member of the OPEC cartel, crude oil sales make up 90 percent of Iraq's budget revenues. Before »»»
Iraqi Security Official Says Drone Hits US Embassy in Baghdad
An explosion was heard in Baghdad early Wednesday, an AFP journalist said, as Iraqi officials reported a drone and rocket attack targeting the US embassy. The latest explosion came hours after multiple blasts were heard across the Iraqi capital, where a witness told AFP he saw detonations likely ca»»»
ANNHRI discusses Iranian attacks on Arab nations
Doha, Qatar: The Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI) convened yesterday its urgent General Assembly at its headquarters in Doha on the Iranian attacks on the Arab nations: human rights reading in violating the absolute ban on the use of force. The meeting, held virtually, c»»»