Passing clouds, local fog expected Wednesday night
TUNIS, March 18 (TAP) – Weather conditions on Wednesday night will be marked by passing clouds across most regions, with the possibility of local fog forming late at night in the northwestern areas and in the central regions, according the National...»»»
Healthcare System Fails to Deliver Health Outcomes, Says Health Committee Chair
After years of discussion, reforms and policy shifts, the healthcare system has completely lost its direction and is not delivering its most important outcome – health, Parliamentary Health Committee Chair Kostadin Angelov said on Wednesday. He was speaking at a forum on health from public attitude»»»
'Happened so fast': UK students panicked by meningitis outbreak
Canterbury, United Kingdom: Hundreds of masked-up students queued Wednesday to get vaccinated at the UK university campus at the heart of a deadly meningitis outbreak, as the number of cases rose to 20. "It's quite a concerning thing. It all happened so fast," said Jack Jordan, a 19-year-old studen»»»
Storms, warm seas drove sudden drop in Antarctic ice: study
Paris, France: Unusually strong winds and warm ocean water likely drove a rapid plunge in Antarctic sea ice in recent years, scientists said on Wednesday, shedding new light on a puzzling event. While the Arctic sea ice area has been steadily declining, the story has been very different in Antarcti»»»
Health Insurance Fund Governor Says Fund Coverage Depends on Political Decisions
The activities paid for by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is a matter of political decision, said NHIF Governor Petko Stefanovski on Wednesday. He participated in the discussion on "Priority: Health - from public attitudes to political decisions," organized by the Bulgarian Medical Assoc»»»
Investments Required to Have Innovations, Higher Level of Prevention, Medical Union Chair Says
In order for innovations and a higher level of prevention to enter, investments are required, said Dr. Nikolay Branzalov, Chair of the Bulgarian Medical Union, at the "Priority: Health - from public attitudes to political decisions" discussion on Wednesday, organized by the Bulgarian Medical Union »»»
Parliament Mandates Government to Ask for Temporary Suspension of EU Emissions Trading Scheme
The National Assembly unanimously voted, 145-0 with no abstentions, to mandate the caretaker government to state Bulgaria's position at the March 19-20 European Council on the need to temporarily suspend the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) until its ongoing review at EU level is co»»»
Saudi Ministry of Defense intercept two ballistic missiles targeting country's east
Riyadh: The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday the interception and destruction of two ballistic missiles. Major General Turki Al Maliki, the ministry's official spokesperson, said in a press release that two ballistic missiles launched toward the Eastern Province were intercepted and de»»»
Pulse Nightclub in Orlando demolished decade after mass shooting - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Emergency response and command vehicles surround the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 16, 2016. Pulse Nightclub, the site of a mass shooting that killed 49 people in Orlando in 2016, was demolished on Wednesday. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo March 18 (UPI) »»»
Dubai and Oman activate green corridor to speed up cargo movement
Dubai: Dubai Customs has announced the activation of a “green corridor” between the emirate and the Sultanate of Oman for sea and air shipments, in cooperation with Oman’s General Administration of Customs. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The initiative is designed to »»»
ISIE: Toward establishment of communication strategy outside electoral periods
Tunis, March 18 (TAP) - President of the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE), Farouk Bouasker, stressed during a working session held on Wednesday the importance of defining a communication strategy outside electoral periods.Quoted in an...»»»
Iran's intelligence minister Esmail Khatib killed in air strike
Iran's intelligence minister Esmail Khatib has been killed, the country's president has confirmed. Masoud Pezeshkian said the "cowardly assassination" had left Iran "in deep mourning", after Israel said on Wednesday it had killed Khatib in an air strike. It comes a day after Israel announced it had»»»
UAE rolls out up to 50% tax credit for businesses
Dubai: The UAE has launched the first phase of its Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentives Programme, offering businesses tax credits to encourage investment in innovation and technology. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Under Phase 1, companies can claim a non-re»»»
Greece among 10 EU states pressing Brussels to keep giving industry free carbon permits
Ten European Union member states, including Greece, have called on the bloc to keep handing out free carbon permits to industry to help curb costs as the US-Israeli war on Iran sends energy prices soaring. European Union leaders, who meet for a summit in Brussels on Thursday, are debating proposal»»»
Fiscal Council Expresses Position on Parliamentary Groups' Proposed Revisions to Budget Extension Act
Bulgaria’s Fiscal Council Wednesday issued a statement to the media regarding the amendment proposals submitted by three parliamentary groups between the first and second readings of the 2025 Budget Extension Act. According to the Fiscal Council, the amendments proposed by GERB-UDF, MRF - New Begin»»»
Qatari Businessmen Association affirms investor confidence in Qatar’s economy
Doha, Qatar: The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) yesterday organized a roundtable meeting with heads of foreign chamber of commerce and international business councils operating in Qatar, in the presence of representatives from several affiliated companies. The meeting comes as part of QBA’s c»»»
UAE warns targeting energy facilities threatens global energy security
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has warned that targeting energy facilities linked to the South Pars gas field constitutes a serious escalation and poses a direct threat to global energy security. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said attacks on energy infrastructure associate»»»
Foreign Press Group Slams Israeli Police for Breaking Journalist’s Wrist
An international media association on Wednesday criticized an "unprovoked assault" by Israeli police on journalists in Jerusalem, which it said left a CNN producer with a fractured wrist. The Foreign Press Association (FPA) said police officers on Tuesday night "unnecessarily and aggressively repel»»»
Biker who posted video of himself breaking the law faces charges
A biker who allegedly posted on social media incriminating videos of himself performing dangerous stunts in the Greater Athens region has been identified and faces reckless driving charges, police said Wednesday. A dedicated unit that scans social media for similar footage of dangerous driving iden»»»
At 16:15 on Wednesday, 18/03/2026, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli enemy army soldiers in the Kiryat Shmona settlement with a swarm of attack drones: statement 8 - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe At 16:15 on Wednesday, 18/03/2026, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli enemy army soldiers in the Kiryat Shmona set»»»
Tunisia’s new ambassador to Rwanda presents credentials to President Paul Kagame
Tunis, March 18 (TAP) – Anouar Ben Youssef, the newly appointed Tunisian ambassador to Rwanda with residence in Nairobi, Kenya, presented his credentials to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, marking the official start of his diplomatic mission. This...»»»
Katz says Israel struck two Litani bridges in 'message' to Lebanese state
Israel's defense minister said the Israeli military had destroyed two bridges spanning the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, alleging they were being used by Hezbollah. "The IDF (Israeli army) today struck and destroyed two additional bridges over the Litani River that were used for sm»»»
Qatar welcomes temporary truce between Afghanistan and Pakistan on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr
DOHA: The State of Qatar welcomed the announcement of a temporary truce between Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, considering it a positive step that contributes to de-escalation and fosters a more conciliatory atmosphere between the two sides. In a st»»»
Amir receives phone call from Sri Lanka's President
Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a telephone call today from the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka HE Anura Kumara Dissanayake. At the beginning of the call, HE the President inquired about the situation in the State of Qatar, expressing hi»»»
Russian archaeologist can be sent to Ukraine for trial, Polish judge rules
A judge in Poland has ruled that Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin can be extradited to Ukraine, although his defence says he will appeal. Butyagin is being held in a Warsaw prison for allegedly conducting illegal excavations and plundering artefacts from the ancient city of Myrmekion in Cri»»»
Report: Netanyahu offered a ceasefire, Hezbollah responded with shelling operation
The Lebanese state has no option left but to seek a humanitarian truce for Eid al-Fitr, after the failure of efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel is insistsling on Hezbollah's complete "surrender" before halting its operations in Lebanon, while the »»»
U.S. eyes Chile’s dominant global rhenium supply - UPI.com
Used primarily in the aerospace, energy and petrochemical industries, rhenium plays a key role in high-performance applications. Photo by cottonbro studio/pexels SANTIAGO, Chile, March 18 (UPI) -- The United States is continuing efforts to secure supplies of critical minerals deemed vital to nation»»»
Which countries will celebrate Eid Al Fitr 2026 on Friday?
Several countries have confirmed Friday, March 20, 2026, as the first day of Eid Al Fitr, following the completion of 30 days of Ramadan and the unsuccessful sighting of the Shawwal crescent. Countries confirming Eid on Friday include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, and Australia»»»
Chechen-led National Guard Spetsnaz deploys kamikaze drones in Arctic drills
Special operations forces from Russia’s National Guard (Rosgvardia) recently conducted military exercises on the Kola Peninsula, using FPV kamikaze drones to neutralise “armed saboteurs” in a simulated combat scenario. The drills, held in the Khibiny Mountains, involved Rosgvardia’s elite units wor»»»
Albanian Opposition Figure Calls for Berisha’s Exit Ahead of Party Leadership Vote
Ervin Salianji has publicly called for the departure of Sali Berisha from the leadership of the Democratic Party of Albania, ahead of the party’s internal election scheduled for May 23. Speaking for the media, Salianji argued that the party has weakened in recent years, attributing its decline to t»»»
Suspect remanded over fatal Thessaloniki stabbing
A 23-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing a 20-year-old in Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, was remanded in custody after his testimony, authorities said Wednesday. He faces charges of intentional homicide and illegal weapon possession and use. During his testimony, he allegedly said he stabbed the vic»»»
Qatar welcomes temporary truce between Afghanistan, Pakistan on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr
Doha, Qatar: The State of Qatar expressed its welcome for the announcement of the temporary truce between Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on the occasion of the upcoming blessed Eid al-Fitr, and considers this step a positive initiative that contributes to de-escalation and streng»»»
Qatar Stock Exchange index closes lower
Doha: The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index closed lower on Wednesday, shedding 101.13 points, or 0.97%, to settle at 10,292.16 points. During the session, a total of 274,928,869 shares were traded in 32,707 transactions across all sectors, with a value of QR 1,270,254,674.465. Shares of 35 companie»»»
Trump administration temporarily waives Jones Act to ease pressure on gas prices - UPI.com
Gas prices were up in Walnut Creek, Calif., on March 10. To help ease the surge of gas prices in the United States, President Donald Trump temporarily waived the Jones Act, allowing more foreign shipments of oil to travel between U.S. ports. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo March 18 (UPI)»»»
Convictions of Kosovo.Metohija Serbs a continuation of Pristina's institutional terror - gov't Office
BELGRADE - The Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija said on Wednesday a first-instance ruling by a so-called court in Pristina under which Kosovo-Metohija Serbs Zoran Kostic and Dragan Milovic had been convicted to 15 and seven years in prison, respectively, for alleged war crimes represen»»»
NATO Allies in Talks on 'Best Way' to Re-open Hormuz Strait
NATO chief Mark Rutte said Wednesday that allies of the military alliance were in discussions on the "best way" to open the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large chunk of the world's oil supply normally passes, AFP reported. "I have been in contact with many allies. We all agree, of course, that »»»
'Very difficult to stop': BBC visits scene of Iran cluster bomb strike on Israel
It was late at night when an Iranian cluster bomb flew through the ceiling of an elderly couple's apartment in central Israel and exploded in their tiny living room, killing them both. The path of the bomb was still clearly mapped onto the ash-covered debris left behind. A large hole in the ceiling»»»
One killed as cable car plunges down Swiss mountainside
Geneva: One person was killed Wednesday morning when a cable car suddenly detached amid strong winds and plunged down a snowy slope at a Swiss Alpine ski resort, police said. The dramatic incident happened at the Engelberg ski resort, high up in the Alps in central Switzerland. Videos from witnesse»»»
lbania Says Fuel Supply Unaffected by Hormuz Tensions, Plans 90-Day State Reserves
Minister Enea Karakaçi said Albania’s fuel supply has not been impacted by tensions in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, despite concerns over global energy disruptions. Karakaçi outlined the government’s long-term strategy to strengthen energy security. He announced that a new law on strat»»»
Fed to make interest rate decision amid Iran war, poor inflation report - UPI.com
The Federal Reserve will announce its next move on interest rates, or if it will make a move at all, on Wednesday. File Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo March 18 (UPI) -- The Federal Reserve will announce its next move on interest rates, or if it will make a move at all, on Wednesday. »»»
UAE announces first day of Eid Al Fitr 2026
Abu Dhabi: The UAE announced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, that the first day of Eid Al Fitr will be observed on March 20, after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted. Earier this month, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation h»»»
Eid Al Fitr: Park timings across Dubai
In the mood for some outdoorsy time with the kiddos over the Eid break? That’s perfect – there’s just about that lovely nip in the air that makes the shade perfect for some down time as you kid watch. Dubai Municipality has put out the timings of the parks and other recreational areas within those »»»
PM Rama Urges Fuel Suppliers to Lower Profit Margins Amid Global Crisis
Prime Minister, Edi Rama held a meeting with with fuel suppliers on Wednesday, calling for cooperation to reduce the impact of the ongoing global crisis while protecting consumers from rising prices. Rama emphasized that the government will not establish a fuel monitoring board for now, signaling a»»»
In photos: Iranians rally in Tehran in war protest - All Photos - UPI.com
By Wade SheridanIranians gather at Enqelab Square in Tehran to commemorate the victims of the warship Dina and to protest the United States and Israel on Tuesday. Israel said Tuesday it had killed a second top Iranian military commander, security chief Ali Larijani, in an airstrike on Tehran hours »»»
Iran President Confirms 'Assassination' of Intelligence Minister
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed on Wednesday that Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib had been killed in the war with the US and Israel, blasting a "cowardly assassination". In a post on X, Pezeshkian did not say who had carried out the attack but earlier Israel's defence minister anno»»»
Tunisia launches 5th Cohort of Green Growth Accelerator to support 25 companies
Tunis, March 18 (TAP) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tunisia, in partnership with Flat6Labs, has launched the fifth cohort of the Green Growth and Employment Accelerator Project, an initiative aimed at supporting 25...»»»
Qatar confirms March 20 as first day of Eid Al Fitr
Doha, Qatar: The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs has announced that the crescent moon of Shawwal was not sighted this evening and that Friday, March 20, 2025, will be the first day of the blessed Eid Al Fitr in Qatar. This came in an announcemen»»»
Phone scammers made €70,000 in five days
Two people who allegedly pulled off successful phone scams on vulnerable people, stealing about €70,000 in five days, have been arrested in northern Greece, police said Wednesday. A police statement said the men were detained Tuesday near the town of Drama on suspicion of having defrauded seven eld»»»
Health Minister Launches Expanded Neonatal Screening in Bulgaria
Caretaker Health Minister Michail Okoliyski announced the launch of expanded neonatal screening in Bulgaria, the Health Ministry said on Facebook on Wednesday. Together with Deputy Minister Petar Gribnev, he visited the specialized obstetrics and gynaecology hospital Maichin Dom in Sofia, where one»»»
Amir exchanges greetings with Sultan of Oman on the occasion of approaching Eid Al Fitr
DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has exchanged congratulations and blessings with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of the sisterly Sultanate of Oman, on the occasion of the approaching Eid Al Fitr, in a telephone call received by His High»»»