Qatar, Mauritania discuss cooperation
Minister of State for Interior Affairs H E Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al-Thani met with Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to the State H E Mohamed Mohamed Abdullah Bebane. During the meeting, cooperation between the two countries in the security fields were reviewed, an»»»
1,777 building permits issued in Q1 2026
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has released its latest statistics on building permits and technical affairs for the first quarter of 2026, highlighting sustained momentum across the construction and urban development sectors. According to the report, a total of 1,777 building permits wer»»»
Qatari investments support Syria’s economic reforms, says Syrian Minister of Finance
Damascus: Syrian Minister of Finance H E Mohammed Yasser Barnieh affirmed that cooperation with the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) in the project to assess the financial and banking sector represents an important strategic step in a qualitative transformation phase that the Syrian economy is wit»»»
Watch: Therapy animals bring smiles to Gaza children
Dubai: In a small art studio in the Gaza Strip, children are finding comfort and joy through an unusual form of therapy — interacting with animals. Rabbits, dogs, hedgehogs and birds are part of structured psychological support sessions designed to help children cope with stress. Project leader Ras»»»
Community College, Qatar Scientific Club sign MoU to advance expertise and innovation
Doha, Qatar: Reflecting a shared commitment to integrating the roles of academic and scientific institutions across Qatar, the Community College of Qatar (CCQ) and the Qatar Scientific Club (QSC) have signed a memorandum of understanding. It aims to strengthen joint collaboration in technical train»»»
On This Day, April 24: Benedict XVI becomes Roman Catholic pope - UPI.com
On April 24, 2005, Benedict XVI was installed in Rome as the 265th Roman Catholic pope. 1 of 4 | Pope Benedict XVI leads the beatification ceremony of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's square in the Vatican on May 1, 2011. On April 24, 2005, Benedict XVI was officially installed in Rome as the 265th»»»
Almost 400 participants and 55 speakers at first edition of Romanian Cities Summit, held in Iasi
Almost 400 participants and 55 international and local speakers are participating, on Thursday and Friday, at the Romanian Cities Summit TILIA (Today's Ideas and Leadership In Action), an event organized in Iasi, at the Palace of Culture, which aims to bring together leaders from public administrat»»»
Industrial turnover falls 3.3% in first two months
Total industrial turnover (domestic and foreign markets) fell, in nominal terms, by 3.3% in the first two months of this year compared with the same period in 2025, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS) data.The decline was driven by negative developments in the extractive industr»»»
Manufacturers' new orders in Romania down 4.2pct two months into 2026
Manufacturers' new orders in Romania (domestic and foreign markets) decreased in nominal terms by 4.2% in the first two months of 2026, according to data published on Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).The negative trend was a result of decreases in the intermediate goods indust»»»
Sustainable Construction Barometer: 86% of Romanians familiar with sustainable construction concept; EU average 69%
The concept of sustainable construction is familiar to 86% of Romanians, well above the European average of 69%, according to the 2026 edition of the Sustainable Construction Barometer, published on Thursday by the Sustainable Construction Observatory by Saint-Gobain.Globally, awareness of the conc»»»
Gov't amends rules on access for foreign workers - national platform and list of labour shortage
The Government on Thursday adopted an emergency ordinance on access for foreign workers to Romania's labour market, Government spokesperson Ioana Dogioiu announced.The normative act aims to reduce illegal migration, protect foreign workers and safeguard the interests of Romanian workers, she told a»»»
Romanian defense minister, Greek ambassador discuss boosting defense cooperation
Minister of National Defense Radu Miruta met on Thursday with the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Romania, Evangelia Lili Grammatika, for discussions that focused on strengthening defense cooperation, the Ministry of National Defense said in a release.According to the release, the minister h»»»
A "ghost" company funded by the state: Petrotrans SA has not been operational since 2005, but costs tens of thousands of euros annually
Vice premier Oana Gheorghiu considers that the Romanian state continues to pay for destroyed infrastructure and a company which, in reality, has not existed for almost twenty years. She claims that the Romanian government pays nearly 28,000 euros annually for a pipeline that hasn’t carried anything»»»
Crown Custodian receives National Order of Legion of Honor, in rank of Officer, from France
The Custodian of the Crown, Margareta, hosted, on Thursday, in the Hall of Kings, the Elisabeta Palace Evening dedicated to the French Republic, on which occasion Her Majesty was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honor, in the rank of Officer.In his speech, the French Ambassador to Romani»»»
Motreanu: Government has full powers even after the resignation of PSD ministers
The government has "full" powers and can issue emergency ordinances, initiate legislative projects even after the resignation of PSD ministers, declared on Thursday the secretary general of the PNL, Dan Motreanu."The first meeting of the Bolojan Government without PSD ministers: 39 normative acts w»»»
Abrudan: Minority government the most readily available option at present
Senate President Mircea Abrudean said on Thursday that a minority government is "the most readily available option" at present, adding that if MPs from across parties can be found to support the reforms under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), it would not pose "a problem" for Romani»»»
PM Bolojan acknowledges PSD ministers' resignations, will forward replacement proposals to President Dan
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Thursday that he has taken note of the resignations submitted by the PSD-backed ministers and will send President Nicusor Dan the proposals for their replacements."I have taken note of the resignations of the PSD-backed ministers, which were registered around noo»»»
Thai court accepts ethics case against opposition leader, MPs
Bangkok: A Thai court decided on Friday to hear a case against 10 MPs, including the leader of the largest opposition party, for trying to reform the royal insult law, but refrained from suspending them. The progressive People's Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, came second in February's gen»»»
‘Quran Teacher’ programme to be piloted in select schools from Sunday
Doha, Qatar: The Chairman of the Committee for Developing and Enhancing Quran and Arabic Language Education, Professor Dr. Sultan Ibrahim Al-Hashimi, has announced that the “Quran Teacher” programme will officially begin implementation in schools from Sunday as part of a national effort to strength»»»
'Cretaceous Kraken' Prowled the Seas During the Age of Dinosaurs
The Kraken is a huge tentacled sea monster from Norse folklore that drags ships and sailors down into the deep. During the age of dinosaurs, new research shows, there existed a creature as close to a real-life Kraken as you could possibly get - an enormous octopus that prowled the seas as an apex p»»»
Education Ministry honours Ruwwad programme participants
Doha, Qatar: The Higher Education Affairs Sector at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education held a recognition ceremony on Wednesday for participants in the 2026 “Ruwwad” programme, implemented by the British Council in partnership with the British Embassy in Doha and the Ministry. During th»»»
Central Election Commission Deputy Chair: No Vote Rigging Reported
Interviewed on Bulgarian National Television on Friday, Central Election Commission (CEC) Deputy Chair and spokesperson Rositsa Mateva said there were no reports of vote rigging during the April 19 parliamentary elections. She added that she could comment on hypothetical assumptions about manipulat»»»
MoI’s Industrial Security Directorate honours distinguished personnel
Doha, Qatar: As part of its commitment to fostering a culture of professional excellence, the General Directorate of Industrial Security at the Ministry of Interior honoured a number of its personnel from various affiliated departments in recognition of their outstanding performance and dedication »»»
Behind The Scenes: US-Israeli Military Decisions Shaping Iran's War
Although US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have made the ultimate war and ceasefire decisions regarding Iran, The Jerusalem Post revealed the details and extent to which Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, a»»»
What to know if your flight is canceled amid rising jet fuel costs
Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices — but the disruption doesn’t end there. For travelers, it can mean having to navigate a confusing web of passenger protections that vary widely depending on where they’re fly»»»
Akhil Marar sparks outrage over pregnancy remarks; Kerala women, doctors push back
Dubai: Filmmaker and former Bigg Boss Malayalam winner Akhil Marar has come under fire for his recent comments on pregnancy, with women, doctors, and activists in Kerala strongly pushing back against his views. In a recent interview, Marar described pregnancy as a “natural process” that has been tu»»»
5.8-magnitude quake hits Crete
A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Crete on Friday morning. According to the Institute of Geodynamics at the National Observatory of Athens, the quake occurred at 6.18 a.m., approximately 23 km south-southwest of Lasithi, at a depth of 9.7 km. There were no immediate report»»»
Apartment demand surges
Demand for new apartments in Poland’s seven largest cities accelerated in Q1 2026, underlining the sector’s resilience. Developers sold 12,900 units, up 11.1% quarter-on-quarter and 35.2% year-on-year, according to JLL. Aleksandra Gawrońska said sales rose despite the long January-February holiday »»»
Brzoska urges reform
At the European Economic Congress in Katowice, Rafał Brzoska said Poland’s biggest barrier to investment is not access to capital, but slow administrative procedures that delay projects and discourage investors. He argued that projects which can be completed within a year often wait several years f»»»
Apartment demand surges
Poland’s National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) plans a record PLN 37 billion budget in 2026 to finance the energy transition and environmental projects. A major share will support thermal upgrades to public buildings, including schools and hospitals, alongside tr»»»
Hormuz Crisis Throws Spotlight on World's Largest 'Chokepoint' - the Malacca Strait
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced policymakers in Asia to face questions over the security of other maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca, which is the world's busiest waterway for international trade. Importance of The Malacca Strait The 900-km (550-mile) long Malacca »»»
Municipalities step up inspections, record 4,243 violations in Q1
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has released its statistical report on the performance of municipalities across the country during the first quarter of 2026, highlighting extensive efforts in public health oversight, regulatory compliance, and service delivery. According to the report, mu»»»
Number of benefit recipients declines in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
The number of people receiving social benefits in Kyrgyzstan has been decreasing each year. Deputy Minister of Labor, Mirlan Baigonchokov, said today during a meeting of Ishenim parliamentary group. According to him, at year-end 2025, the number of benefit recipients had reduced by nearly 196,000 c»»»
Foot-and-mouth disease mutation reduces vaccine effectiveness in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
Previously used foot-and-mouth disease vaccines in Kyrgyzstan have proven less effective due to a virus mutation. It was announced at a meeting of El Umutu — Ata Zhurt parliamentary group, where MP Saltanat Amanova raised the issue of the quality of the vaccines being used. According to Ishenbek Al»»»
Wildfires spread towards northern Japan town
Tokyo: Flames from raging wildfires in northern Japan were spreading towards the centre of a town Friday, April 24, 2026, with authorities urging more than 2,500 people to evacuate their homes, media reports and the government said. As of Friday morning, fires in the mountainous areas of Iwate regi»»»
A 60-Day Deadline Could Pressure Trump on Ending the Iran War
Washington - Robert Jimison Over nearly eight weeks of war in Iran, Republicans in Congress have turned back repeated efforts by Democrats to halt the operation and force US President Donald Trump, who began the conflict without congressional authorization, to consult with lawmakers on the military»»»
Moldova’s industrial output up 2.4% y/y in January-February
Moldova’s industrial production (chart) increased by 2.4% year-on-year in January-February 2026, supported by strong growth in the energy sector, while a steep contraction in extractive industries weighed on overall performance, the National Bureau of Statistics (BNS) reported. »»»
Gold set for weekly loss on inflation concerns, higher oil prices
Singapore: Gold held near flat in early Asian trade on Friday, April 24, 2026, but was on track for a weekly decline, pressured by rising oil prices and persistent inflation concerns, while ongoing tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz added to market »»»
Hungary’s economic recovery expected to remain sluggish
Hungary’s economy is expected to grow only modestly this year, with consumption remaining the main driver of expansion, while investments are likely to pick up more meaningfully only in 2027, according to the Equilibrium Institute (ESI). For 2026, the Equilibrium Institute (ESI – Institute for Equi»»»
Attack on Leadership of Russian Media Watchdog Thwarted - FSB
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Friday that it had prevented a terrorist attack against the leadership of the Russian media watchdog Roskomnadzor on April 18. The management and employees of Roskomnadzor and their family members are receiving threats of physica»»»
Fidesz prepares for complete renewal after defeat
Chancellery Minister Gergely Gulyás answered journalists’ questions after consultations on preparations for the next legislative term, addressing the causes of the election defeat and what comes next. Asked whether Viktor Orbán would also step down as leader of Fidesz, Gulyás referred to the party »»»
Oil rises on fears of renewed Middle East escalation
Singapore: Oil prices rose on Friday, April 24, 2026, on concerns that renewed Middle East tensions and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could tighten global supply. Brent crude futures rose $1.23, or 1.17%, to $106.30 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.07, or 1.1»»»
Thumbay Healthcare inaugurates Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit and Royale Presidential Suite at Thumbay Medicity, Ajman
Thumbay Healthcare today marked another major milestone in its journey of clinical innovation with the inauguration of two landmark facilities at Thumbay Medicity, Al Jurf, Ajman — a state‑of‑the‑art Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) unit at Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, and »»»
Two teens arrested in plot to attack Houston synagogue - UPI.com
April 24 (UPI) -- Authorities in North Carolina and Texas have arrested two teenagers accused of conspiring to attack a Houston synagogue, according to police and court documents. The two suspects were separately arrested: 18-year-old Angelina Han Hicks of Lexington, N.C., on Wednesday and an unnam»»»
UN concludes global vaccination campaign that delivered 100 million doses to 18.3 million children
Geneva: United Nations agencies announced the success of a large-scale global immunization effort known, which reached around 18.3 million children aged between one and five years across 36 countries, delivering 100 million doses of life-saving vaccines. This was stated in a joint release by Gavi, »»»
South Korea prosecutors seek 30 years for Yoon over drone flights into North
SEOUL: South Korean special prosecutors requested a further 30-year term on Friday for jailed ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol for allegedly sending military drones into North Korea in 2024. Yoon is accused of ordering the incursion to help create the pretext for his failed declaration of martial law tha»»»
Arab artists on display at the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
Etel Adnan ‘Untitled’ The late Lebanese-American artist and writer was renowned for her use of bold colors in her paintings. “(Her) vibrant compositions unfold through rich, geometric fields of color, reflecting a dynamic interplay between abstraction and her deep-rooted engagement with landscapes »»»
Trump threatens Starmer with ‘big tariff’ over tech tax, Telegraph reports
US President Donald Trump said he would impose tariffs on Britain if Prime Minister Keir Starmer does not drop the digital service tax, The Telegraph reported on Friday, citing an interview with the president. Trump told The Telegraph he would “put a big tariff on the UK” if it did not drop its»»»
Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei 'Gravely Wounded' but 'Mentally Sharp'
Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously wounded in the US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei but is mentally sharp, the New York Times reported on Thursday. Citing several Iranian officials which it did not name, the Times said Mojtaba Khamenei ha»»»
Over 3,000 families in Kyrgyzstan sign social contracts in 2025 - | 24.KG
In Kyrgyzstan, over 3,000 families signed social contracts under the state program to support low-income citizens. Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Security, and Migration, Mirlan Baigonchokov, said at a meeting of Ishenim parliamentary group. According to him, the number of recipients has grown fr»»»