Rain likely to continue until end of week: QMD
DOHA: The chances of rain in Qatar will continue until the end of the week, the Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD) has said. In a social media update, QMD said forecasts indicate continued partly cloudy to cloudy conditions, with chances of rain persisting through the end of the week. Rainfall is e»»»
Family involvement key to enhancing well-being of older persons: Official
Doha, Qatar: Engaging older family members in the daily life of households plays a vital role in strengthening their sense of value, belonging, and overall well-being, according to an official from the Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan). Omar Shaheen Al-Kaabi, Director of the In»»»
Bulgaria Notifies US It Will Delay Trump's Board of Peace Implementation
The Bulgarian authorities have informed U.S. President Donald Trump that Sofia will temporarily refrain from implementing the statute of the Gaza Board of Peace. The decision stems from constitutional requirements, according to which the document cannot be put into effect before receiving formal ap»»»
Russian Drone Strike in Ukraine’s Kharkiv Kills Two, Officials Say
A Russian drone hit a civilian business in Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv, killing two people and injuring five, local officials said. "Unfortunately, there is preliminary information about two people killed," Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on the Telegram messaging app. Kharkiv Regional G»»»
High school students explore careers in medicine at WCM-Q
Doha, Qatar: Twenty-four high school students had the opportunity to experience campus life at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) when they spent a week participating in the college’s weeklong Qatar Medical Explorer Program (QMEP). The program, which forms part of WCM-Q’s series of enrichment pro»»»
Thousands of new homes planned in Abu Dhabi after record property boom
Dubai: There are 15,900 residential units scheduled for completion in Abu Dhabi this year, following a record-breaking year for the capital’s property market, with total sales reaching Dh73.2 billion in 2025. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Residential transactions sur»»»
Professional Zakat collection and distribution system strengthens social solidarity
Doha, Qatar: The Zakat Affairs Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing a professional and integrated system for the collection and distribution of Zakat funds, ensuring that contributions reach eligible beneficiaries in accordance with I»»»
Nine Filipinos from Iran safely return to Philippines amid ongoing conflict
Dubai: Nine overseas Filipinos have safely returned to the Philippines after being evacuated from Iran amid the ongoing situation in the region. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have noted that the group is the first batch of Filipino nationals repatriated from Iran since the US a»»»
Oil shortage, not removal of sanctions, will boost Russia's energy exports, expert says
US President Donald Trump says he's weighing lifting oil sanctions in an effort to keep energy prices down, in a move that is seen benefiting Russia and its financing of the war in Ukraine. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Sergey Vakulenko, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre, e»»»
Iran Keeps up Pressure on Oil Infrastructure as Concerns of Global Energy Crisis Grow
Israel and Iran exchanged fire early Wednesday, with Tehran keeping up pressure on the region's oil industry and targeting infrastructure as global energy concerns mounted and the war in the Middle East showed no signs of abating. Early Wednesday, a projectile hit a container ship off the coast of »»»
Distance learning ensures academic continuity amid regional crisis
Doha, Qatar: As the ongoing crisis in the Middle East continues to affect individuals, entities, and travellers across the region, educational institutions in Qatar are turning to digital platforms to ensure that students can continue their academic journey without disruption. The Ministry of Educa»»»
Two drones fall near Dubai airport, four injured
Dubai authorities have confirmed that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) on Wednesday morning, resulting in minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national, and moderate injuries to one Indian national. Air traffic is operating as normal. Also»»»
Thousands of Authors Publish ‘Empty’ Book to Protest AI Using their Work
Thousands of authors including Kazuo Ishiguro, Philippa Gregory and Richard Osman have published an “empty” book to protest against AI firms using their work without permission. About 10,000 writers have contributed to Don’t Steal This Book, in which the only content is a list of their names. Copie»»»
CFA Romania:Budget spending should not rise; fiscal space used for tax cuts
Budget spending should not rise, while the fiscal space created by higher revenues should be used for tax cuts, said Adrian Codirlasu, president of CFA Romania."The economy is changing as the emerging conflict will alter the outlook. I would say it will do so in two ways. We will have higher inflat»»»
Oil and pharmaceutical industries among those producing trade balance deficit
Romania has a 33-billion-euro trade balance deficit, with oil and pharmaceuticals among the industries contributing to it, Daniel Constantin, president of the Romanian Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade (ARICE), said on Tuesday at a specialist debate.'Romania is facing the issue of the trade b»»»
Ministry of Finance: Share of public investments increases to 8% of GDP in 2026 budget
The total volume of public investments amounts to approximately 163.8 billion lei in the 2026 budget, almost 25.6 billion lei more than in 2025, which raises their share to over 8% of GDP, compared to 7.2% in the previous year, the Ministry of Finance announced on Tuesday."The 2026 budget puts inve»»»
ESA budget deficit to comply with European regulations from 2031
The ESA [European System of Accounts] budget deficit in 2026 is estimated at 6% of GDP, with it set to reach 3.2% of GDP in 2029 and comply with European regulations in 2031, according to the Report on the macroeconomic situation for 2026 and its projection for 2027 - 2029."Romania has proposed a b»»»
Finance Ministry publishes 2026 draft budget; deficit estimated at 6.2% of GDP
The 2026 draft budget is built on an estimated deficit of 6.2 percent of GDP, or 127.7 billion lei, a level expected to fall to 5.1 percent of GDP in 2027, according to the document published by the Finance Ministry.Gross Domestic Product is projected to grow by 1 percent, reaching 2,045 billion le»»»
DefMin Miruta: Defence investments are meant to deter
Defence Minister Radu Miruta has contradicted the narratives that investments in the national defence industry would aim to bring Romania into the war.The increase in production capacity is aimed at deterrence Miruta told the second edition of the Defence Romania Security Dialogue.The minister also»»»
IntMin Predoiu, Hungarian counterpart Pinter discuss protecting shared border as a priority objective
Protecting the shared border remains a priority objective for the Romanian and Hungarian interior ministries, Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu said on Tuesday during a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart, Sandor Pinter, while visiting Hungary to attend the ministerial meeting of the Salzburg Fo»»»
MAE: About 5,500 Romanians returned from conflict zone
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) spokesperson Andrei Tarnea said on Tuesday that 5,500 Romanian citizens have returned to the country from the conflict zone in the Middle East."At this moment about 5,500 Romanian citizens have returned to the country from the conflict zone. Of these, 3,000 are Rom»»»
Speaker Grindeanu meets new US Ambassador Nirenberg: We discussed our shared interests and values
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Sorin Grindeanu met on Tuesday with the new US Ambassador to Romania, Darryl Nirenberg, occasion on which the two officials discussed about the shared interests and values."I was pleased to meet today, at the Chamber of Deputies, His Excellency Darryl Nirenberg, t»»»
Presidential Adviser Vlad Ionescu: For us there is no dichotomy between Europe and the USA
Presidential Adviser Vlad Ionescu said on Tuesday that for Romania there is no "dichotomy" between Europe and the United States of America, stressing that they must work together.Romania's security posture depends directly on the strength of the transatlantic relationship, Vlad Ionescu said at the »»»
Senate's Abrudean and US Ambassador Nirenberg discuss cooperation to strengthen Strategic Partnership
Senate President Mircea Abrudean met on Tuesday with the new US Ambassador to Romania, Darryl Nirenberg, with discussions aimed at the collaboration for strengthening the Strategic Partnership between the US and Romania."An ambassador of dialogue and strategic cooperation. This is what I felt His E»»»
British Ambassador to Romania Portman pleads for de-escalation of Iran conflict and a peace deal in Ukraine
The British ambassador to Bucharest, Giles Matthew Portman, expressed confidence that a diplomatic solution would be reached in order to ease tensions in Iran at the second edition of the Defence Romania Security Dialogue in which he participated in Bucharest.'We weren't involved in the strikes, bu»»»
President Nicusor Dan convened a meeting of CSAT on Wednesday at Cotroceni Palace
The United States has requested Romania to host fighter jets and troops at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Constanta County, in the context of the war with Iran, Digi24 reports. President Nicusor Dan convened a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) on Wednesday at Cotroceni Pala»»»
Fuel Tourism: Romanians and Greeks Cross into Bulgaria for Cheaper Petrol and Diesel
Bulgaria is increasingly turning into a destination for motorists from neighboring countries seeking cheaper fuel, as turbulence on global oil markets linked to tensions in the Middle East continues to influence prices across the region. Drivers from Romania and Greece have been crossing the border»»»
UDST Iftar initiative supports campus workers across departments
Doha, Qatar : Reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility and community care, the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) partnered with Qatar Charity during the holy month of Ramadan to deliver a dedicated Iftar meal initiative supporting campus workers. Through this year’s in»»»
Endowment of one-third of estate to support charitable waqf fund
Doha, Qatar: The General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has registered a will in which a generous benefactress dedicated one-third of her estate as a charitable endowment (waqf). The endowment includes a diverse range of assets such as real estate, shares, fi»»»
Bulgarian Military Explained the F-16 Training Flights Seen Over Sofia
Training flights involving Bulgaria’s F-16 fighter jets were carried out over Sofia yesterday, with several of the aircraft seen flying above the capital. Images circulating on social media indicate that four of the eight F-16s delivered to Bulgaria last year took part in the exercise. According to»»»
Iran’s New Supreme Leader ‘Safe and Sound’ Despite War Injury Reports, Says President’s Son
Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "safe and sound" despite reports of an injury during the war with Israel and the United States, said the son of the Iranian president on Wednesday. "I heard news that Mar Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections. »»»
Authorities step up efforts to combat misinformation
Doha, Qatar: Authorities in Qatar have intensified efforts to combat the spread of misinformation on all media platforms as the country navigates the challenges posed by the ongoing regional crisis, urging citizens and residents to rely only on verified and official sources of information. Governme»»»
G7 Energy Ministers Confirm Readiness to Release Oil Stockpiles
Energy ministers from the Group of Seven nations confirmed readiness to take necessary steps to support global energy supplies, including possible joint release of strategic oil stockpiles, Japan's Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa told a briefing on Tuesday. The International Energy Agency (IE»»»
SJC resumes work at Govt Service Centres
Doha: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) announced the resumption of work at Government Service Centres dedicated to court services and family documentation. The council said in a statement on X that visitors will be received from 9am to 1pm every day at the centres in Rayan, Al Hilal, and Rawdet A»»»
Education Ministry expresses sorrow over teacher’s death, urges restraint as probe continues
The Education Ministry on Wednesday expressed “deep sorrow” over the death of a Thessaloniki teacher whose passing has sparked allegations she was bullied by students, urging restraint in public discussion while authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the case. In a statement, the ministr»»»
North Korean Leader Kim Watches Cruise Missile Tests with His Daughter
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter observed tests of strategic cruise missiles fired from a warship, state media reported Wednesday, as North Korea threatened responses to US-South Korean military drills. Images sent by the Korean Central News Agency showed the two in a confer»»»
Philippines: Mining expansion pushed amid spike in global demand for critical minerals
Manila: The Philippine government is stepping up efforts to expand the mining sector as it signs agreements with several countries to develop critical minerals needed for the global shift to renewable energy, newly-appointed acting Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said. Cuna said the administ»»»
State hospital doctors on three-hour strike
State hospital doctors will go on strike from noon to 3 pm Wednesday to protest work conditions for resident doctors. The umbrella OENGE union is also planning a protest in Athens outside the Ministry of Health at 1:30 pm. An OENGE statement said resident doctors – medical school graduates doing sp»»»
On This Day, March 11: China's legislature gets rid of presidential term limits - UPI.com
On March 11, 2018, China's legislature nearly unanimously endorsed a change to the Constitution formally removing term limits to enable Xi Jinping to stay on as president for life. 1 of 7 | Chinese President Xi Jinping casts his vote during the third plenary session of the first session of the 13th»»»
Cargo Ship Hit in Strait of Hormuz, Crew Evacuating
A projectile hit a cargo ship Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz, setting the vessel ablaze after the United States targeted Iranian minelaying vessels that could target the narrow mouth of the Arabian Gulf. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, run by the British military, said the v»»»
Attacks on infrastructure by any party danger for people of region: Al Ansari
Doha, Qatar: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari has said that targeting vital infrastructures—whether it be water desalination facilities, water tanks, food reserves, medicine reserves or medicine production f»»»
Expert Warns: Bulgaria’s Airports Lack Anti-Drone Systems, Raising Risk of Accidents
Engineer Stoyko Topalov, president of the International Association for Combating Drones, has warned that Bulgaria currently lacks anti-drone systems at its airports, a gap that could lead to serious accidents. His comments came after reports of drones near Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia forced the »»»
6 Killed in Swiss Bus Blaze after Person Reportedly Sets Themselves on Fire
At least six people died and three others were injured in a bus fire on Tuesday in a small town in western Switzerland, in what police said may have been a deliberate act following reports that a person on board set fire to themselves. Police said the bus became engulfed in flames on a road in Kerz»»»
Volkswagen says to cut 50,000 jobs as profit slides
WOLFSBURG, Germany — Volkswagen said Tuesday that it would cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 as its profit slid to its lowest level since 2016."In total, around 50,000 jobs are due to be cut by 2030 across the Volkswagen Group in Germany," Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said in a letter to shareholde»»»
Iraq seeking new oil export routes after Hormuz disruption: ministry
BAGHDAD — Iraqi authorities are exploring alternative routes to export oil after transit through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted by the Middle East war, an oil ministry spokesperson told AFP on Tuesday.Saheb Bazoun said that "much like other countries in the region, oil production and marketing »»»
Saudi Aramco CEO says war could have 'catastrophic consequences' on oil markets
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The head of energy giant Saudi Aramco on Tuesday warned the Middle East war could have "catastrophic consequences" on oil markets, describing the crisis as unprecedented.CEO and President Amin H. Nasser said it was vital to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries »»»
Minister Al-Kaabi, European Commission Director General for Energy discuss impact of regional conflict on global energy industry
Doha, Qatar: The Minister of State for Energy Affairs, H E Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, met yesterday with the Director General for Energy at the European Commission, H E Ditte Juul-Jorgensen. Discussions during the meeting, which was held virtually, dealt with the impact of the ongoing regional conflict»»»
Qatar maintains strategic stockpile of essential goods for long period: Official
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has reassured the public that Qatar’s markets are experiencing a healthy abundance of essential goods, supported by a secure strategic stockpile that can cover demand for six months or more. Director of Quality Licences and Market Control at MoCI D»»»
QSE index jumps 260 points as all seven sector indices turn green
Doha, Qatar: The shares in Qatar’s stock market saw gain in yesterday’s trading as the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index surged around 260.07 points or 2.50 percent to close at 10,670.23 points helped by strong interest from investors. The index concluded Monday’s trading at 10,410.16 points. During»»»
CEO: Exxon Evacuated Non-essential Middle East Staff
Exxon Mobil has evacuated non-essential employees from its operations in the Middle East, CEO Darren Woods said in an interview on Tuesday, as the US-Israel war on Iran continues. Some operations have been scaled back to manage oil inventory levels as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been c»»»