Medieval alchemists dreamed of transmuting lead into gold. Today, we know that lead and gold are different elements, and no amount of chemistry can turn one into the other, according to The Independent. But our modern knowledge tells us the basic difference between an atom of lead and an atom of go»»»

A broker for US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attempted to make a big investment in major defense companies in the weeks leading up to the US-Israeli attack on Iran, the Financial Times reported on Monday, citing three people familiar with the matter. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on »»»

John Ismay and Christiaan Triebert Washington: On the first day of the war with Iran, a weapon bearing the hallmarks of a newly developed US-made ballistic missile was used in an attack that struck a sports hall and adjacent elementary school near a military facility in southern Iran, according to »»»

Palestinian armed factions in Gaza are intensifying their operations in search of Israeli espionage devices that were planted in the enclave during the latest war. Sources from the factions told Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel managed to plant them through field agents or when its military was active i»»»

Doha, Qatar: Al Arabi moved a step closer to the Qatar Men’s Basketball League title after defeating Al Rayyan in the opening final at Al Gharafa Hall yesterday, while Al Sadd claimed third place after overcoming Al Ahli. Al Arabi made a strong start and controlled the first quarter 23-11. Al Rayya»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the Gulf Health Council, marked Gulf Vaccination Day yesterday (March 30) by reaffirming the importance of immunisation in protecting public health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. In a statement shared on social med»»»

Manila: For days now, a 53-year-old woman has quietly waited at the Victory Liner Terminal in Quezon City — not for a ride home, but for something far more uncertain: a job. “I am just here to look for a job as a house helper,” Carmen Pepito dela Cruz said, told the Inquirer. She arrived in Manila »»»

London, March 31 (SANA) President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in the British capital on Tuesday for an official visit to the United Kingdom, accompanied by a ministerial delegation, following the conclusion of his trip to Germany. According to the presidential media office, President al-Sharaa is expec»»»

The State Customs Service of Kyrgyzstan warned about the dissemination of fake information online. The agency’s press service reported. The State Customs Service does not sell goods from temporary storage warehouses or other customs infrastructure facilities to individuals or legal entities. The vi»»»

LONDON — Oil prices rose as the Middle East crisis escalated with the entry of Houthi rebels into the war and as US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran's main export terminal.However European and US stocks rose as markets focused on Trump's comments on negotiations to end the fighting»»»

LONDON — Here are the latest key facts and figures about the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route virtually paralysed by the Middle East war.Around a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the waterway in peacetime.The war erupted on February 28 whe»»»

In 2025 against 2024: the average number of pensioners was 4917 thousand persons, decreasing by 42 thousand persons as against the previous year; the average number of state social insurance pensioners was 4563 thousand persons, decreasing by 27 thousand persons as against the previous year; the av»»»

The unemployment rate in the capital stood at 0.45% at the end of February, down from 0.46% in the previous month, with 5,923 unemployed persons registered with the Bucharest Municipal Employment Agency (AMOFM), including 3,650 women, the institution said on Monday.Of the total number of unemployed»»»

The unemployment rate recorded at national level fell to 3.34 percent at the end of February 2026, 0.01 percentage points lower than in the previous month and compared with February 2025, the National Employment Agency (ANOFM) announced on Monday.The total number of registered unemployed was 267,54»»»

The average annual number of job vacancies in Romania stood at 31,000 in 2025, down by 5,000 from the previous year, while the average annual vacancy rate was 0.60%, 0.10 percentage points lower, according to data published on Monday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).According to offici»»»

The 6.2% deficit target of GDP for this year has all the chances to be met, if the growth of revenues and budget expenses check-in are kept, considers the economic consultant Adrian Negrescu.'I reviewed the budget execution figures for the first two months this morning, and the outlook is quite pos»»»

Arrears of the general consolidated budget rose by 4.06% in February 2026 compared with the previous month, reaching 734.8 million lei, up from 706.1 million lei, according to data published on the Ministry of Finance (MF) website.Arrears overdue by more than 90 days decreased by 3.85%, from 207.9 »»»

The simple motion against the Minister of Environment, Diana Buzoianu, was rejected, on Monday, by the Senate's plenary session.There were 41 votes in favor, 45 against and one abstention. The document, entitled 'Diana Buzoianu, the red-green commissioner of thirst and darkness. As the Bolshevik of»»»

The Alliance for Romanians' Union (AUR) would receive 33 percent of the vote if parliamentary elections were held next Sunday, followed by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) with 24 percent and the National Liberal Party (PNL) with 16 percent, according to a survey conducted by the Centre for Urban »»»

More than half of Romanians (55%) believe that the military actions of the United States and Israel against Iran are rather unjustified, while 32% consider them justified and 13% cannot say, according to a survey conducted by the Centre for Urban and Regional Sociology (CURS).According to CURS, the»»»

A large majority of Romanians (89%) are dissatisfied with how the government has handled the fuel crisis, while only 8% say they are satisfied and 3% have no opinion, according to a survey conducted by the Centre for Urban and Regional Sociology (CURS).According to the research, rising fuel prices »»»

The Bank of Greece supported the National Bank of Romania in the first years of the post-communist period, offering technical assistance in the institutional transformation process, in the context of the transition to a market economy, declared on Monday the Governor of the National Bank of Romania»»»

The ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East is a new adverse supply shock for the global economy and for that of the eurozone, with a potentially significant macroeconomic impact if the conflict persists or spreads to other countries, the governor of the Bank of Greece, Yannis Stournaras, »»»

The Minister of National Defence, Radu Miruta, had a meeting on Monday with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bucharest, Willemijn van Haaften, during which they discussed, among other things, the progress of joint projects in the defence industry.According to a press release from»»»

The situation of fuel prices, transport interconnection projects, military mobility and the dialogue on the development of the future European strategy for sustainable tourism were the main topics discussed on Monday, at Victoria Palace, during the meeting between Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and Ap»»»

The European project must focus, above all, on people, on quality jobs, on investments in education, in health and on protecting the rights of every citizen, says President Nicusor Dan."These are essential issues on which the social stability of our continent depends, especially in the difficult pe»»»

President Nicusor Dan expressed his hope on Monday that, in the next multiannual budget of the European Union, nuclear energy will be recognized and supported through European financing mechanisms."We support the completion of a single European market, because, in the economy, you are more competit»»»

President Nicusor Dan declared on Monday that Romania is "on schedule" regarding OECD accession, expressing his hope that this will happen in 2026."We are on schedule and we hope that Romania will become an OECD member this year. I want to welcome the harmony and unusual collaboration between polit»»»

The prime-minister of the Republic of Moldova, Alexandru Munteanu pays on Tuesday an official visit to Bucharest, informs on Monday, in a press release the Communication Directive of the executive in Kishinev.During the visit, Munteanu will take part in the Conference ‘Romanian Government Roundtabl»»»

Doha, Qatar: In a strong reflection of sustained charitable efforts and community solidarity, Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services has announced that approximately 86,000 beneficiaries were reached through its humanitarian projects during the holy month of Ramadan. The achievemen»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Qalibaf Rejects Trump’s Reckless Ultimatums, Says Any Strike on Iran Will Trigger Decisive Retaliation 31-03-2026 09:07 AM Iran’s Parliamen»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Trump Signals Shift on Iran as Hormuz Standoff Exposes Limits of US Strategy 31-03-2026 09:29 AM US President Donald trump in an image from»»»

Iran fired new missiles across the Middle East Tuesday, defying US President Donald Trump, who threatened to destroy the country's energy infrastructure unless Tehran accepts a deal to immediately end the war. In southern Lebanon, four Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah, the Isr»»»

Jennie Shin is pleased to welcome Nadim Houry. According to Houry, the current conflict in Lebanon reflects not only an immediate military escalation but a deeper structural impasse shaped by decades of unresolved tensions. What we are witnessing is not simply a confrontation between Israel and Hez»»»

Doha, Qatar: Muaither head into uncharted territory brimming with belief after storming into their maiden QSL Cup final, with the ambitious Second Division side now targeting a historic title in the revamped competition next month. Impressive from the beginning, Muaither finished level on points wi»»»

Dubai: The closing moments of the Dubai World Cup 2026 weren’t filled with drones, fireworks or pop spectacle. Instead, the Meydan racecourse on Saturday fell into a rare moment of stillness as Lebanese singer Amanda Maalouf delivered a powerful orchestral rendition of a beloved Emirati song. Backe»»»

The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) in Bulgaria has set the price of natural gas for April 2026 at 34.27 euros per megawatt-hour, excluding access, transmission, excise duties and VAT. At this level, Bulgargaz EAD will supply gas both to end suppliers and to licensed companies involve»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality affirmed its commitment to transforming waste into opportunities and building a more sustainable future, on the occasion of International Zero Waste Day, which falls on March 30th of each year, by promoting source segregation, advancing the circular economy»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Enemy media: The army used air power, tanks, and artillery to target militants who attacked the Israeli force 31-03-2026 08:37 AM Latest Ne»»»

Singapore: Gold prices edged higher on Tuesday, helped by a softer dollar, but were poised for their worst month in more than 17 years as higher energy prices dimmed hopes for a US interest rate cut this year. Spot gold rose 0.8% to $4,544.19 per ounce. US gold futures ‌for April delivery ⁠gained ⁠»»»

The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new regulation on the accreditation of boarding schools for children, as well as social organizations providing services to people with disabilities and senior citizens. The document applies to all institutions, regardless of ownership—both publ»»»

A cache of weapons and ammunition believed to belong to members of the organized crime group of the late crime boss Kamchy Kolbaev (K. Asanbek) has been discovered in the city of Tokmok, the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan (SCNS) reported. According to the SCNS, the find was mad»»»

Dubai: The Philippine peso weakened again on Tuesday morning, pushing past 16.5 against the UAE dirham and extending a steady decline seen in recent sessions. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.At 9.35 am, Dh1 fetched 16.53 pesos, near the upper end of its recent trading »»»

Dubai: Dubai has launched a new regulatory framework for trading derivatives linked to virtual assets, marking one of the first attempts globally to bring such products under a dedicated and enforceable rulebook. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.Th»»»

Showers hit parts of the UAE, including Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, with authorities urging drivers to remain cautious. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) issued a rain alert for scattered areas across the country, warning of convective cloud formation bringing light to moderate rainfall, h»»»

Israel is helping the United States manage the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz through intelligence, a senior Israeli security official told the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Monday, without addressing the issue of an Israeli involvement in any possible ground operations in Iran. The official sa»»»

China’s emergence as a dominant force in industrial metals is increasingly being driven not only by its access to raw materials, but by the scale and structure of its electricity system as it emerges as the world’s leading “electrostate”. »»»

China’s leading international broadcaster, CGTN, aired an interview on March 24 with Turkmenistan’s paramount leader, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, touting how “mutual trust and centuries-old exchanges” shape present-day bilateral relations. But such messaging struck a discordant note during the »»»

Sales of EVs overtook standard petrol cars in the EU for the first time in December 2025, marking a milestone in the bloc’s transition to cleaner transport and reducing its reliance on oil imports, according to data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. »»»

Air cargo rates from India to the United States have risen between 200% and 350% since the outbreak of the third Gulf war on February 28, as capacity constraints rather than demand drive pricing, according to industry estimates. »»»