Confederation calls for fiscal responsibility, optimised public spending, stable investment climate
The most dangerous thing Romania can do in a context of unprecedented global and regional turbulence is to adopt unsustainable measures, delay necessary reforms or send inconsistent signals to markets and international partners, the Concordia Employers' Confederation said."We are living through a p»»»
Budget2026/ Grindeanu calls coalition meeting on Thursday at Parliament
Social-Democrat (PSD) president Sorin Grindeanu has called a meeting of the governing coalition for Thursday morning, at 10:00 am, in his office at the Chamber of Deputies.According to some social-democratic sources, Sorin Grindeanu invited the leaders of the other parties in the governing coalitio»»»
Patriarch Daniel welcomes new U.S. ambassador
Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church received on Wednesday, on an introductory visit at the Patriarchal Residence, the new ambassador of the United States of America in Bucharest Darryl Nirenberg. On this occasion, the Patriarch highlighted the involvement of the Romanian Orthodox Churc»»»
President Dan to attend the meeting of the European Council and the Euro Summit in Brussels
President Nicusor Dan is set to attend the meeting of the European Council and the Euro Summit in an expanded format, in Brussels, on Thursday and Friday.According to the Presidential Administration, the agenda includes major topics for the European Union, largely interconnected and reflecting the »»»
President Nicusor Dan to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
President Nicusor Dan will have a meeting with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance Mark Rutte, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday.The two officials will subsequently hold a joint press conference.According to the Presidential Administration, the agenda of the discussions »»»
Trump threatens to destroy Iran's largest gas field
Doha, Qatar: US President Donald Trump threatened to "massively blow up" a vast Iranian gas field unless Tehran stops striking Qatari energy facilities, which sustained extensive damage Thursday. Crude oil prices surged five percent as the latest strikes fed fears that the nearly three-week-old Mid»»»
Indian basmati rice exports likely to remain steady despite Middle East tensions
Indian basmati rice export volume is likely to remain steady in fiscal year 2025–2026 and fiscal year 2026–2027, with an increase of up to 2% over the export volume of 6.06mn tonnes (MT) recorded in fiscal year 2024–2025, despite the prevailing conflict in the Middle East, according to a report by »»»
Indian basmati rice exports likely to remain steady despite Middle East tensions
Indian basmati rice export volume is likely to remain steady in fiscal year 2025–2026 and fiscal year 2026–2027, with an increase of up to 2% over the export volume of 6.06mn tonnes (MT) recorded in fiscal year 2024–2025, despite the prevailing conflict in the Middle East, according to a report by »»»
T-Technologies announces IFRS financial results for 4Q25 and FY 2025
MOSCOW — 19 March 2026. IPJSC T-Technologies (MOEX: T), a technology company developing a financial and lifestyle ecosystem, announces its consolidated IFRS financial results for the three months and twelve months ended 31 December 2025. »»»
Israel Tests Lebanon’s Internal Cohesion
Israel has widened its campaign in Lebanon to include central Beirut, launching a series of pre-dawn airstrikes on Wednesday, followed hours later by a strike on a residential apartment in the Zoqaq al-Blat district. The attacks mark a clear expansion of targets within the capital. Lebanon’s Minist»»»
T-Technologies announces IFRS financial results for 4Q25 and FY 2025
MOSCOW — 19 March 2026. IPJSC T-Technologies (MOEX: T), a technology company developing a financial and lifestyle ecosystem, announces its consolidated IFRS financial results for the three months and twelve months ended 31 December 2025. »»»
On This Day, March 19: 1935 Harlem Riot breaks out - UPI.com
On March 19, 1935, the so-called Harlem Riot broke out after a crowd of onlookers mistakenly believed that a white business owner had beaten -- and possibly killed -- a 12-year-old Black boy accused of stealing candy. 1 of 4 | The historic Apollo Theater is in the Harlem section of New York City on»»»
Kyrgyzstani wins World Quran Recitation Competition again - | 24.KG
Kyrgyz Quran reciter Mukhamadali kary Umarov has once again taken first place at the International Quran Recitation Competition. The press service of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (SDMK) reported. According to it, the competition took place on March 17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. »»»
Live: Iran intensifies strikes on Gulf energy plants after 'extensive' damage at Qatari gas hub
Iran intensified its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbours' energy infrastructure Thursday, setting Qatari liquified natural gas facilities ablaze as it hit back following an Israeli attack on its main natural gas field, a major escalation in the Middle East war that has sent global fuel prices soari»»»
Crude Prices Surge, Stocks Sink as Iran Warns of Regional Energy Strikes
Oil surged more than five percent Thursday and stocks sank as Iran carried out a series of attacks on Gulf energy facilities and warned of more following a strike on one of its key gas fields, while warnings of higher US inflation also soured the mood. After spending much of Wednesday hovering arou»»»
GCC, Arab, Islamic countries issue joint statement following consultative ministerial meeting on Iranian aggression
Riyadh: Their Highnesses, and Excellencies Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Kuwait, the Republic of Lebanon, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom»»»
Saudi Arabia reserves 'right to take military actions' over Iran attacks: Foreign Minister
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia has not ruled out military action in response to repeated missile and drone attacks from Iran, Foreign Minister HE Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters following a meeting in Riyadh of foreign ministers from the region, Prince Faisal sa»»»
Japan petrol prices hit record level
Japan’s average retail petrol price has reached a record JPY190.80 ($1.19) per litre, reflecting higher crude costs linked to the Iran conflict, according to data released on March 18 by the nation’s industry ministry. Acc»»»
'There’s nothing like family': Inside heartwarming Eid celebrations across UAE homes
“There’s eight of us, and we’re a fun bunch,” says a cheerful Tazeen Jafri. She's excited, and for good reason. It's Eid: A time of family, love and joy. Eid can’t ever postponed, as Jafri and many others would agree. And this time, Jafri already knows exactly what’s in store: A table overflowing w»»»
Corn from Kyrgyzstan exported to China for the first time - | 24.KG
The Department of Chemicalization, Plant Protection, and Quarantine under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan announces the start of corn exports to China. The first batch of 25 tons of corn was shipped on March 16. The exporter was Ziyabidin Ata farm»»»
Interior Ministry: Any provocations during holidays will be stopped on the spot - | 24.KG
In Kyrgyzstan, public order measures will be strengthened during upcoming holiday events, Interior Minister Ulan Niyazbekov said during an online meeting. Heads of regional internal affairs bodies participated in the session. Participants reviewed the results of law enforcement activities for the f»»»
Eid gold rush begins in Dubai after prices fall from monthly peak
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai have dropped sharply from their March highs, opening a window for last-minute Eid shoppers looking to buy jewellery at relatively lower rates after weeks of elevated pricing. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwa»»»
Amir receives telephone call from French President
Doha, Qatar: The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a telephone call from HE Emmanuel Macron, President of the friendly French Republic. During the call, they discussed developments in the region, following the attack targeting Ras Laffan Industrial City, and its implication»»»
1973 oil crisis pushed consumers to fuel-efficient Japanese cars — 2026 price spike could push them to Chinese EVs: Report
Global EV uptake expected is expected to accelerate as Iran war causes petrol price hikes. Since late February 2026, US-Israel strikes on Iran, in particular the Kharg Island export hub and Pars oil facility has been met with Iranian retaliation, i.e. blocking the Strait of Hormuz (20% of global oi»»»
Global solar power tops 2,000 TWh (terawatt-hours), equal to entire annual electricity demand of India
Global solar generation has now crossed a historic threshold. In 2024, it surpassed 2,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) and reaching 2,131 TWh according to data from London-based think-tank Ember. This single milestone equals the entire annual electricity demand of India — one of the world’s largest and fas»»»
1973 oil crisis pushed consumers to fuel-efficient Japanese cars — 2026 crisis could push them to Chinese EVs: Report
Global EV uptake expected is expected to accelerate as Iran war causes petrol price hikes. Since late February 2026, US-Israel strikes on Iran, in particular the Kharg Island export hub and Pars oil facility has been met with Iranian retaliation, i.e. blocking the Strait of Hormuz (20% of global oi»»»
Funding defense strategy
Economist Ludwik Dudek warns that Poland lacks a comprehensive long-term strategy for financing defense, despite proposals to raise military spending to 5% of GDP and create new off-budget funds at Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego. Measures under the SAFE Act and the proposed Polish Defence Investment F»»»
Poland’s trillion-zloty energy push
Poland plans to invest PLN 1 trillion in energy over the next decade, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced at the PowerConnect conference in Gdańsk, calling energy security central to national security amid global conflicts. The spending will cover renewable energy, storage, nuclear power, and grid»»»
Justice Ministry to Hold Discussion on Criteria for Nominating Candidates for Key Positions in Judiciary
The Ministry of Justice will hold an expert discussion on Thursday to develop transparent criteria for nominating candidates for key positions in the judiciary, the Ministry's press service reported. Developing a standard in the justice sector is among the priorities of the current caretaker govern»»»
Flying from the UAE today? Check flight updates, advisories
Dubai: Flights in the UAE are operating at a steady but limited pace, as airlines continue to adjust schedules following regional disruptions. While airline operations in the UAE and wider Middle East remain heavily disrupted, there are clear signs of improvement. Data from Cirium, an aviation data»»»
Send money now? Peso crash gives UAE expats bigger returns
Dubai: Filipino expats in the UAE are seeing stronger returns on every dirham sent home after the Philippine peso weakened to fresh lows, pushing remittance value higher at a time when global energy costs continue to rise. (Check live forex rates here) Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Che»»»
GCC, Arab, Islamic countries issue joint statement following ministerial consultative meeting on Iranian attacks
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Kuwait, the Lebanese Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic, t»»»
Pentagon Seeks $200B+ for Iran War as Costs Surge — Reports
The Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a funding request exceeding $200 billion to support the war in Iran, according to The Washington Post, a figure that could face strong resistance in Congress. The request would go far beyond current spending levels and aims to replenish weapons stoc»»»
SAS cancels flights after fuel prices surge
OSLO — Scandinavian airline SAS said Tuesday it will cancel at least a thousand flights in April after the war in the Middle East sent fuel prices surging."The price of jet fuel has doubled in ten days. Even if we try to absorb cost increases as much as possible, this is a shock that directly hits »»»
Stocks extend gains and oil dips as US, Israel, Iran continue strikes
HONG KONG — Oil prices sank Wednesday after Iraq said it had resumed exports through Turkey, avoiding the effectively closed Strait of Hormuz, while equities rose following another tech-led advance on Wall Street.The drop in crude, which saw WTI sink more than four per cent, came even as the United»»»
Trump administration takes steps to curb energy cost hikes
WASHINGTON, United States — US President Donald Trump's administration scrambled Wednesday to rein in surging energy costs from war in the Middle East, temporarily waiving a century-old shipping law and easing Venezuela sanctions.The moves came after oil prices rocketed following US-Israeli strikes»»»
Petrofac Abu Dhabi sale: What the deal means for UAE projects, jobs, growth
Dubai: Petrofac’s agreement to sell its Abu Dhabi-based engineering and construction business, Petrofac Emirates, comes as part of a wider restructuring, with the group continuing to keep its existing contracts. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The deal, announced on Tu»»»
Judge orders Trump admin to restore 1,000 Voice of America jobs and resume broadcasts
A US judge on Tuesday ruled that more than 1,000 Voice of America workers should be reinstated and the government should plan to resume international broadcasts following an earlier ruling that President Donald Trump's pick to oversee mass layoffs at the VOA was unlawfully appointed, making the job»»»
'Not a one-person regime': Why Iran's Islamic Republic is so hard to topple
Since the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, US and Israeli strikes have decimated the regime's top ranks, from the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, to the country's security and intelligence chiefs. But even as the heads of the Ir»»»
Both sides in Iran war ratchet up attacks on energy facilities, as oil prices surge
Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles that were launched toward Riyadh on Wednesday, the Defence Ministry said, just ahead of a meeting of regional and Islamic foreign ministers in the Saudi capital. FRANCE 24's Hoda Abdel-Hamid reports from Doha.»»»
Israel kills Iran’s intel chief as both sides ratchet up attacks on energy facilities
Iran suffered major blows on Wednesday with the killing of its intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, in an Israeli strike and an attack on the South Pars natural gas field, one of the world's largest gas resources and a pillar of the country's energy supplies. Tehran vowed retaliation for the attac»»»
A propos - International shipping 'chaos' as Strait of Hormuz closure sends ripple effects across the globe
Around 90% of global goods are transported by sea. And while just approximately 5% of that travels directly through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's effective closure of the key passage is having a ripple effect, disrupting trade routes world wide. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Ebru Surucu-Bal»»»
Fidesz’ political community is ready for victory, PM says
In a special edition of the Bayer-show on Hír TV, Prime Minister Orbán delivered an assessment of the political landscape, arguing that the governing parties have entered the final phase of the campaign with renewed strength and unity. Reflecting on recent events, global tensions, and Hungary’s str»»»
KOICA enhances traceability of livestock products in the Kyrgyz Republic - | 24.KG
On March 18, 2026, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic officially launched the pilot operation of a modernized Animal Identification and Traceability System. This initiative is part of a b»»»
'Shield for Europe: We protect not only Ukraine, but the whole of Europe', says Dr Iryna Mudra
As Volodymyr Zelensky meets with European leaders to strengthen Ukraine's alliances, Mark Owen is pleased to welcome Dr. Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. According to Dr. Mudra, Ukraine’s struggle goes beyond defending its own territory; it remains a frontline of »»»
Starmer says 'focus must remain on Ukraine' despite war in Iran after talks with Zelensky
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that international attention must remain on Ukraine's fight against Russia despite the US-Israeli war with Iran. The two leaders met in London and signed a new defence partnership focused on countering drones. UK Prime »»»
Business - Indian tankers carrying LPG arrive at port after safe passage through Strait of Hormuz
Two Indian-flagged tankers together carrying over 92,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas have arrived at ports in Gujarat state after safely passing through the Strait of Hormuz. New Delhi has been negotiating with Iran, but the government denies discussing the possible release of Ira»»»
Iran strikes Persian Gulf energy infrastructure after Israeli gas-field attack - UPI.com
The logo of state-owned petroleum company QatarEnergy in front of the headquarters, in Doha, Qatar, March 3. QatarEnergy has halted production of liquefied natural gas and related products due to military attacks on its facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City. Photo by»»»