Iraq to Keep Crude Output at 1.4 million bpd amid Hormuz Tensions, Oil Minister Says
Iraq will keep crude oil production at around 1.4 million barrels per day, Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani was quoted as saying on Thursday, less than a third of the level before the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. According to the state news agency, the minister said that 200,000 bpd is being trans»»»
FBI opens permanent office in Ecuador as U.S. boosts security ties - UPI.com
Ecuador formalized the opening of the first permanent FBI office in Quito, a step that strengthens cooperation with the United States. File Photo courtesy U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation March 12 (UPI) -- Ecuador formalized the opening of the first permanent FBI office in Quito, a step that st»»»
Aleksic, members of parliamentary friendship group with Egypt meet with Egyptian ambassador
BELGRADE - The head of Serbia's parliamentary friendship group with Egypt Zagorka Aleksic and group members Stasa Stojanovic and Zivota Starcevic met with Egyptian Ambassador to Belgrade Ahmed Salama Soliman on Thursday. The meeting took place in the National Assembly building. "Aleksic recounted t»»»
Abu Dhabi urban indicators record 75 million square metres of development in 2025
Urban indicators recorded in Abu Dhabi during 2025 reflect a notable acceleration in the pace of urban development, with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) approving nearly 75 million square metres of total gross floor area for development projects. This figure is equivalent to bu»»»
Iraq to maintain crude oil production at 1.4 Million barrels per day
Baghdad: Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani announced that Iraq will continue producing crude oil at a level of approximately 1.4 million barrels per day. In a press statement, the minister said Iraq's oil transport fleet is prepared to handle the shipment of around 200,000 barrels per day by tan»»»
12 Arab and foreign companies apply to invest in Syrian cement plants
Damascus, March 12 (SANA) – Mahmoud Fadila, Director of the General Company for Cement and Building Materials Industry and Marketing (OMRAN), said that 12 Arab and foreign companies have applied to invest in the Al-Muslimiyah cement plant in Aleppo and the Adra cement plant in the Damascus countrys»»»
Caretaker Government Prepares Targeted Measures to Offset Fuel Price Rise
The caretaker government is preparing targeted measures to support vulnerable households and businesses in response to rising fuel prices, it was announced at a briefing at the Council of Ministers on Thursday. Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said the government has been working intensively o»»»
Israeli army chief: Battle in Lebanon won't be short
Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir noted Thursday that "the Lebanese government is not imposing its authority" against Hezbollah and that his army "will do so.' "The battle in Lebanon will not be short," he said. "The war against Hezbollah is an additional main front," he added.»»»
OMNIYAT Group contributes Dh5 million to Edge of Life
OMNIYAT Group announced it has contributed Dh5 million to support the Edge of Life campaign to rescue five million children from hunger. The campaign was launched in Ramadan by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with »»»
Prime minister, Canadian FM call for de-escalation
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada HE Anita Anand. Discussion during the call dealt with the developments of the military escalation in the region and its seriou»»»
No: 43, 12 March 2026, Regarding Israel’s Attacks on Lebanon
We strongly condemn Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, which have resulted in the displacement of approximately one million people. These attacks constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law. It is evident that expansionist Israel seeks to further deepen instability across the region. T»»»
Rajji summons Iran envoy after govt. slams joint Guards-Hezbollah operation
Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji on Thursday summoned the Iranian charge d'affaires in Lebanon, after the Lebanese government decided to protest a declaration by Iran's Revolutionary Guard about a joint operation with Hezbollah against Israel. A statement said Rajji tasked the Ministry's secretary-ge»»»
UAE affirms safety and unity of citizens and residents
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has reaffirmed the safety of all citizens, expatriate residents and visitors, underscoring the solidarity that unites the country under the guidance of its wise leadership. The Ministry of Interior shared a video message emphasising that the UAE remains safe and secure, and that »»»
Infosan reports 20 million RON turnover for 2025 and targets up to 20% growth in 2026, driven by a new clinic in Bucharest
Infosan, the only private ophthalmopediatric hospital in Romania, recorded a turnover of approximately 20 million RON (approx. €3.9 million) in 2025, generated entirely from medical services. These results reflect a steady increase compared to the previous year, when medical revenues stood at appro»»»
Prime Minister receives phone call from Canadian Foreign Minister
Doha, Qatar: HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a phone call from HE Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada. During the call, they reviewed the developments of the military escalation in the region and its ser»»»
Amir receives telephone call from President of Uganda
Doha, Qatar: The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call today from HE Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda. At the beginning of the call, HE the Ugandan President inquired about the situation in the State of Qatar in light of the recent unjust Iranian attacks»»»
A small US grocer is calling out the lower prices at big chains
Walking through the aisles of his grocery store in Brooklyn, New York, Alap Vora points to a box of breakfast cereal. He says he paid roughly $5 (£3.75) to his distributor to get the pack of Honey Bunches of Oats onto the shelf. But his much larger rivals, the big US supermarket chains, can sell th»»»
Epstein used modelling agent to recruit girls, Brazilian women tell BBC
Warning: This story contains graphic sexual descriptions. "If I had disobeyed my mother and gone to New York, what might have happened to me?" asks Gláucia Fekete. In 2004, as a 16-year-old living in the Brazilian countryside, she was taking her first steps in the modelling world. She says French m»»»
Prime minister, Spanish FM emphasise need for immediate cessation of all escalatory actions
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain HE Jose Manuel Alvarez. Discussion during the call focused on the developments o»»»
Economic Power Increasingly Built on Intellectual Property, Says WIPO’s Habip Asan
Economic power is increasingly built on ideas protected by intellectual property, said Habip Asan, Director of the Division for Transition and Developed Countries at the World Intellectual Property Organization. He stated this during the high-level intellectual property conference "Innovation Empow»»»
Lula, Flávio Bolsonaro tied in Brazil presidential runoff poll - UPI.com
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (pictured) and right-wing Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro are each polling 41% in a potential runoff election. Photo by Sebastiao Moreira/EPA March 12 (UPI) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro are tied for the fir»»»
Prime Minister receives phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, Cooperation in Spain
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation in the Kingdom of Spain, HE José Manuel Albares. During the call, they reviewed the develop»»»
Sofia Municipal Council Approves Request for Transfer of State Properties to City Hall
The Sofia Municipal Council Thursday approved six proposals by Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev and Council Chair Tsvetomir Petrov for the transfer of state-owned properties to the municipality. The properties include several landmark buildings in the capital, land for the construction of kindergartens a»»»
31 days to election: Orbán claims Ukrainians are threatening his children and grandchildren
In our ongoing weekly digest, award-winning journalist Veronika Munk summarises and explains the most important political developments in Hungary. We guide readers on the route to the crunch 12 April 2026 election — a poll without precedent in the region over the past 15 years. This week, we cover:»»»
Sofia Municipal Council Approves Transfer of State Properties to City Hall
The Sofia Municipal Council Thursday approved six proposals by Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev and Council Chair Tsvetomir Petrov for the transfer of state-owned properties to the municipality. The properties include several landmark buildings in the capital, land for the construction of kindergartens a»»»
Israel drops charges against soldiers who sodomized Palestinian with knife
The Israeli military says it is dropping charges against five soldiers who were accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee in a purported assault partially caught on camera. It's a bombshell development in a case that has divided Israel ever since the country moved to arrest the soldiers at»»»
Italy Won't Join War Against Iran, Meloni Affirms
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni has voiced opposition to the ongoing US-Israeli hostilities against Iran. Addressing Parliament in Rome ahead of the EU Council, Meloni weighed in on the escalating crisis in the Middle East, making it very clear that Italy will not join US and Israeli military»»»
Bulgaria Prepares Support for Households and Businesses as Fuel Prices Rise
Bulgaria’s caretaker government is preparing measures aimed at easing the impact of rising fuel prices on both households and businesses. Speaking at a briefing at the Council of Ministers on Thursday, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said the planned actions are designed to provide targeted s»»»
Saudi Arabia Named Top 10 Global Mining Investment Destination
Saudi Arabia has been named among the world’s top ten mining investment destinations in the Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2025, one of the most respected global benchmarks for assessing mining investment environments and a key reference for international investors. The report»»»
Why the US war with Iran looks more like Yugoslavia 1999 than Iraq 2003
The White House says it is not currently considering a ground operation in Iran. At least that is what Donald Trump has suggested, assuring reporters that he is not preparing to send American special forces to Isfahan, home to one of the Islamic Republic’s key nuclear facilities. His remarks were q»»»
Patents Protect and Encourage Investment in New Products and Technologies, Says EPO President Antonio Campinos
Patents protect and stimulate investment in new products and technologies by turning ideas into assets and creating legal certainty for innovators, European Patent Office (EPO) President Antonio Campinos said on Thursday during an industrial property conference held at the Hyatt Regency hotel in So»»»
Tesla wins approval to supply power to U.K. households and businesses - UPI.com
U.K. energy regulator Ofgem on Thursday greenlit Tesla's bid to enter Britain's domestic and commercial electricity market withthe firm expected to offer a version of its "virtual power plant" where Tesla owners get low rates to charge their vehicles and "Powerwall" batteries and can return any sur»»»
Qatar Airways announces limited flight schedule, offers support for disrupted passengers
DOHA: Qatar Airways has announced continued support for passengers affected by recent operational disruptions beyond the airline’s control, providing assistance to travellers stranded in Doha and facilitating limited flight operations. The airline said passengers stranded in Doha have been provided»»»
Over 816,000 displaced persons in Lebanon: UNHCR
Geneva: The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced on Thursday that the number of registered displaced persons in Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes has risen to over 816,700. The UN agency, via its X account, stated that many families remain without safe shelter, noting that collective she»»»
Fear, boredom for Philippine sailors stuck in Hormuz strait
Manila: Filipino sailor George Miranda was racing to help a stricken vessel aboard the tugboat Mussafah 2 when he last spoke to his wife and young daughter. The 46-year-old, whose small ship was struck by a pair of missiles this week in the Strait of Hormuz, is the only seafarer from the Philippine»»»
Anca Nicolița & Mihai Chipirliu (Allianz Trade): In business nothing is certain except risk & taxes
Risks never disappear in business. They just change their form, frequency, and intensity. But one thing remains unchanged: companies need clarity, speed in decision-making, and a reliable partner. Paraphrasing a famous quote by the American founding father Benjamin Franklin, “in this world nothing »»»
‘We know where he lives, where he sleeps’: Ex-Ukrainian general threatens Orban
A former Ukrainian Secret Service (SBU) general and MP has issued an open public threat against the family of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, days after Vladimir Zelensky suggested his military could be despatched to speak with him “in its own language.” Speaking to Pryamy TV, Ukrainian poli»»»
War disrupts fertiliser supplies, puts food security at risk
Paris: With production in the Gulf countries at a standstill and gas prices rising, the war in the Middle East is disrupting the supply of fertilisers and posing risks for food security. A third of fertiliser shipped by sea comes from the region and cannot make it to the global market as Iran has e»»»
Latest moon program delay comes as NASA faces barrage of challenges - UPI.com
1 of 5 | The Artemis II Space Launch System rocket is shown rolling to the Vehicle Assembly Building from Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on February 25. NASA decided to bring the rocket back to repair and check the faulty helium system, postponing the launch into a "no earlier than"»»»
Israel pounds Beirut suburbs after Hezbollah launches rocket barrage
The Israeli military has carried out a wave of air strikes across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, after the Iranian-backed armed group Hezbollah launched about 200 rockets into northern Israel. Loud explosions were heard overnight coming from Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold»»»
'One war too many': Lebanese angry with Hezbollah for attacking Israel
When an air strike hit their Beirut neighborhood, people were angry with Israel, but they reserved their deepest rage for Hezbollah, for dragging Lebanon into the Middle East war. Israel and the United States launched huge strikes on Iran on February 28, killing its supreme leader and sparking a ma»»»
At the first 2026 Cabinet meeting: Aldabaiba calls for unified state institutions, freezes development spending and calls for elections
Addressing broader political matters at the first Cabinet meeting of 2026 at the Cabinet Office in Tripoli last night, Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba called for the unification of state institutions and legitimate elections as he his new-look cabinet. Unifying Libyan state institutions and ho»»»
Dubai issues new law regulating outsourcing of government services
Dubai: A new law now regulates how government services can be outsourced to private companies in Dubai, to improve the efficiency and quality of government services while making them easier for residents and businesses to access. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.In his »»»
Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee Fails to Reach Quorum to Discuss Bulgaria’s Accession to Board of Peace
On Thursday, the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs failed to reach a quorum to review a bill on Bulgaria’s accession to the Board of Peace. Two attempts to establish a quorum were unsuccessful, after which the Committee Chair, Yordanka Fandakova of GERB-UDF, announced that the session woul»»»
Digital Sovereignty Is Key for Economic Resilience, Innovation Minister Says
Bulgaria's Innovation and Growth Minister Irena Mladenova said digital sovereignty is no longer an abstract concept, it has become a key factor for the economic resilience and strategic autonomy of states. She addressed a conference on "Digital Sovereignty: The strategic issue for businesses and in»»»
Aldabaiba reveals his new ministerial appointments – top posts of Interior, Oil and Gas, Foreign Affairs and Defence remain unchanged: Report and analysis
Having secured the political of the President of the High State Council, Mohamed Takala, and the President of the Presidency Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, for his new ministerial appointments and reshuffles, Aldabaiba’s new-look cabinet emerged at the first 2026 Cabinet meeting at the Cabinet Office i»»»
Iran supreme leader calls on Gulf states to close US bases, vows revenge
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Thursday that the leverage of closing the Strait of Hormuz should be used and that Iran's attacks on Gulf Arab neighbors will continue. His first statement since his appointment was read on state television by a news anchor. Khamenei did not app»»»
Over 120 entrepreneurs and specialists gather at Install Efficiency 2026 conference
Formula for Resilience: Efficiency + Adaptability = Sustainability The theme of this year’s edition is “The Formula for Resilience: Efficiency + Adaptability = Sustainability,” a concept based on the idea that competitive advantage in the construction and installation industry is built on companies»»»
Iran steps up attacks on energy targets as tankers hit
Iran has stepped up attacks on energy targets in the Gulf, as two fuel tankers were hit by explosions and burst into flames. Fires are burning around the region with fuel and oil storage tanks hit in Bahrain and Oman. Tehran said the world should be ready for oil at $200 per barrel and warned that »»»
How Iran war laid bare the world's reliance on Gulf oil and gas
The US-Israel war with Iran has made startlingly clear how much the world relies on energy from the Gulf region. Since the conflict began, the price of oil has soared and is currently trading at over a third higher at $100 a barrel, pushed up by air strikes on shipping and energy infrastructure, an»»»