Massive Asteroid Set to Pass ‘Close’ to Earth
An asteroid named after a god of chaos is heading toward Earth — but there is no need to panic just yet, according to The Independent. The massive rock is arriving for a historic flyby rather than a disaster, according to NASA. The encounter is still a few years away, but when it finally arrives, i»»»
Trump Says Iran War Should End 'Soon', Both Sides May Meet at Weekend
US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that an agreement could soon be reached to end the Iran war and urged the Tehran-aligned Hezbollah group to hold its fire as a 10-day truce went into effect between Lebanon and Israel. Trump said the next meeting between the United States and Iran coul»»»
The 30th edition of the European Film Festival to take place in Bucharest and 12 other cities
The 30th edition of the European Film Festival (FFE) started from Thursday, April 16, until June 1 in 12 cities across the country and in the capital city Bucharest, with film producer Ada Solomon and filmmaker Igor Cobileanski serving as honorary ambassadors.The President of the Romanian Cultural »»»
Eurostat:Romania population projected to drop 24% by 2100
The population of Romania is expected to decline by approximately one quarter (24.3%), from 19.04 million inhabitants on January 1, 2025, to 14.40 million on January 1, 2100, according to the latest population projections published on Thursday by Eurostat. In the same period, the EU population is e»»»
The head of ANSVSA, at a meeting with the Chinese ambassador: The main objective is to open new export markets
Romania has a real potential for opening new export markets and the institutional dialogue and technical cooperation are essential for the Romanian producers stated the chairman of the National Sanitary Veterinary Authority and for Food Safety (ANSVSA), Alexandru Bociu after a meeting with Chen Fen»»»
Annual inflation rate in Romania three times higher than EU average
The annual inflation rate in EU grew up to 2.8% in March, from 2.1% in February, and Romania continues to be the country with the highest inflation rate, with an annual price advance of 9%, according to data released by the EU Statistics Office (Eurostat) on Thursday. Last month, EU member states w»»»
FinMin Nazare: Romania has the best relationship with the US at present
The Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare, on Thursday discussed financing opportunities, infrastructure development and the involvement of American capital in major energy projects, as well as the importance of the partnership with the United States of America, with the Executive Director of the N»»»
Government: Maximum ceiling for contracting loans by local authorities set at 3 billion lei
The Government approved, on Thursday, a draft decision that stipulates that, for 2026, the maximum ceiling for contracting loans by local authorities is set at 3 billion lei both for the financing that can be contracted and for the related withdrawals.According to a press release from the Executive»»»
EC opens in-depth investigation into Romanian state aid to support refurbishment of Cernavoda 1 nuclear reactor
The European Commission (EC) has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether public support that Romania plans to grant for the refurbishment and lifetime extension of Unit 1 of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant is in line with EU state aid rules.In January 2026, Romania notified the EC of i»»»
PSD categorically opposes sale of strategic companies
The Social Democratic Party (PSD) announced on Thursday that it opposes the steps initiated by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu for the sale of "profitable state-owned companies", companies that have an essential role in the country's security architecture. It sa»»»
Deputy PM Gheorghiu presents Gov't exploratory list of state-owned companies with potential for stock-exchange listing
Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu said that during Thursday's government meeting she presented an exploratory list of state-owned companies with potential for stock-exchange listing.She clarified this after being asked whether CEC Bank and Bucharest Airports National Corporation are being consid»»»
Penalty heartbreak for Al Sadd as Vissel Kobe reach ACL Elite semis
Doha, Qatar: Al Sadd SC suffered a heartbreaking exit from the AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite, going down 5-4 on penalties to Vissel Kobe after a pulsating 3-3 draw in the quarter-final at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah yesterday. Substitute Jean Patric scored the winning»»»
Kyrgyzstan and India discuss integration of national payment systems - | 24.KG
Bankers from Kyrgyzstan and India discussed the integration of their national payment systems. Chairman of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almaz Baketaev, held talks in Washington, D.C. with the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Sanjay Malhotra. The parties also focused on prospects »»»
President Dan: A minority gov't is possible, but its parliamentary support is questionable
President Nicusor Dan said on Thursday that it is possible for Romania to get a minority government, but the essential question remains whether or not such an executive would enjoy parliamentary support.He said that "all options are on the table at the moment" and that, currently, he can see "the d»»»
Nicusor Dan: We are at the beginning of a political crisis; I am trying to maintain my role as mediator
President Nicusor Dan declared on Thursday that, at this moment, there is a conflict within the governing coalition between PSD and PNL, and he is trying to maintain his role as a mediator.Nicusor Dan was asked if he is taking the side of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan in his dispute with PSD, which i»»»
New Russian attack in Ukraine near Romanian border; drone enters national airspace
The Russian Federation launched a new air attack in Ukraine during the night from Thursday to Friday, near the Romanian border, and a drone entered Romanian airspace, the Ministry of National Defence reports on Friday.According to the same source, the attack targeted civilian and infrastructure obj»»»
Macron, Starmer Rally Allies to Mull Hormuz Mission
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday chair a meeting of allies to consider sending a multinational force to ensure security and free-flowing trade in the Strait of Hormuz once the current conflict between Iran and the US and Israel ends. Iran imposed the blo»»»
Senate Republicans Again Block Bid to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers
Washington: Robert Jimison, Megan Mineiro Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked the latest Democratic-led effort to curb President Trump’s authority to wage war on Iran, as a fragile ceasefire frays, dueling blockades choke traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and failed talks leave the next phas»»»
Helicopter Crash on Indonesia's Borneo Island Kills 8
A helicopter flying between palm oil plantations on Borneo Island crashed, killing the eight people on board, Indonesian officials said Friday. The Airbus H130 owned by PT Matthew Air Nusantara lost contact Thursday, five minutes after it took off from Melawi district in West Kalimantan province. I»»»
Myara Poll: Five Parties Certain to Enter Parliament, Three Near Threshold
Five parties are certain to enter the next parliament, while three remain close to the 4% electoral threshold, according to a survey by the Myara polling agency. The data were collected for Bulgarian National Radio. The nationally representative survey was conducted between April 4 and 13 among 1,0»»»
FEI Group VII Finals: Team Qatar tops Children Team event at Al Shaqab
Doha, Qatar: Team Qatar delivered a standout performance to claim top honours in the CSISCH-A Children’s Team competition at the FEI Group VII Finals at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. The hosts finished ahead of the United Arab Emirates, who took second place, while Saudi Arabia complet»»»
Al Arabi claim fifth Qatar Basketball Cup title
Doha, Qatar: Al Arabi were crowned champions of the 13th Qatar Basketball Cup (2025–2026) after defeating Al Shamal 77-71 at Al Gharafa Hall yesterday, sealing their fifth title and third consecutive triumph. Al Arabi took early control, dominating the first quarter 24–13 with strong defensive pres»»»
Elusive Wolf in South Korea Captured, Returned to zoo after 9 Days on the Run
A wolf that escaped from a zoo in the South Korean city of Daejeon was recaptured on Friday after nine days on the run, bringing to a close a saga that gripped the public as the elusive animal evaded earlier capture attempts. After a number of sightings following the escape of the 2-year-old male w»»»
QC Gold Committee briefs Ministry of Commerce on sector obstacles
Doha, Qatar: The Gold and Jewelry Committee of the Qatar Chamber (QC) recently held a joint meeting with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) to discuss key challenges facing the sector under current circumstances, along with proposed solutions. The meeting was chaired by Nasser bin Sulaima»»»
Total earnings for Qatari-listed companies rise 3.7% in Q4 2025
Doha, Qatar: The total earnings for Qatari-listed companies witnessed a gain of 3.7% during fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025 to reach $3.1bn as compared to $3bn in Q4-2024. The surge in earnings was primarily driven by earnings growth in the Telecom, Capital Goods and F&B sectors. In terms of FY-2025, n»»»
Singer D4vd arrested on suspicion of murdering missing teen - UPI.com
Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested Thursday for the murder of a girl whose body was found in the trunk of his Tesla in September. File Photo by Cyril Zingaro/EPA April 17 (UPI) -- Authorities in Los Angeles said Thursday that police have arrested singer D4vd for the m»»»
EUR 200,000 Seized in Vote-Buying Probe in Varna, Four Arrested
Nearly EUR 200,000 intended for vote buying was discovered during searches at four addresses in Varna, along with envelopes containing lists of citizens' personal data, the Interior Ministry's acting Secretary General Georgi Kandev said on Facebook. He said the case involves an organized group and »»»
Awqaf Ministry expands Da’wah outreach in 2025, reaching millions through community programmes
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has reported a significant expansion in its da’wah (religious outreach) ecosystem in 2025, underscoring its growing role in strengthening societal values, promoting intellectual security, and supporting family cohesion across Qatar. According t»»»
Indonesia, US forge defence partnership
With the geopolitical architecture of Southeast Asia going through a shift of late, Indonesia and the US have taken a further, and important step in their security relationship by way of a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) signed at the Pentagon on April 13, Antara News reports. For Pres»»»
Indonesia, US forge defence partnership
With the geopolitical architecture of Southeast Asia going through a shift of late, Indonesia and the US have taken a further, and important step in their security relationship by way of a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) signed at the Pentagon on April 13, Antara News reports. For Pres»»»
Indonesia, US forge defence partnership
With the geopolitical architecture of Southeast Asia going through a shift of late, Indonesia and the US have taken a further, and important step in their security relationship by way of a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) signed at the Pentagon on April 13, Antara News reports. For Pres»»»
Indonesia, US forge defence partnership
With the geopolitical architecture of Southeast Asia going through a shift of late, Indonesia and the US have taken a further, and important step in their security relationship by way of a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) signed at the Pentagon on April 13, Antara News reports. For Pres»»»
GU-Q applications nearly double for class of 2030
Doha, Qatar: Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) has reached a new level of selectivity for the Class of 2030, with applications rising 92 percent. The surge marks the most competitive admissions cycle in the university’s history and brings the admit rate to a record low. The admitted class refle»»»
Cabinet Chairman discusses scaling infrastructure for state language development - | 24.KG
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, as part of the Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group in Washington, held a series of meetings with the management of leading U.S. technology corporations to discuss prospects for Kyrgyzstan’s digital development. »»»
Section of Frunze Street in Bishkek to be closed - | 24.KG
Section of Frunze Street in Bishkek will be temporarily closed today, April 17, from Panfilov Street to Orozbekov Street due to repair work. In this regard, the capital’s Department of the Patrol Police Service recommends that citizens choose alternative routes in advance, observe traffic regulatio»»»
Doctors start performing heart surgeries in Balykchy - | 24.KG
Heart surgeries have begun to be performed in Balykchy city. At the new KATLAB center, a patient with acute myocardial infarction successfully underwent coronary angiography and stenting. According to local authorities, the first intervention was performed thanks to a team of doctors from the Natio»»»
Who actually qualifies for Nafis child allowance?
Dubai: Emirati women working in the private sector will be eligible for child allowance benefits under the Nafis programme only under specific conditions, as authorities expand support for families while tightening eligibility criteria. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app no»»»
Right-wing community needs complete renewal, says Orbán
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, also the leader of Fidesz, spoke about the need for a complete renewal of the right-wing community in an interview broadcast on the Patrióta YouTube channel on Thursday. He described the election outcome as a clear defeat for the governing parties and took full responsi»»»
Protected fuel price to remain in place
Hungarian fuel prices will remain capped, Péter Magyar announced on Thursday evening after consultations with Zsolt Hernádi, CEO of MOL, and his colleagues. In a statement on social media, Magyar said he had held talks with Hernádi and MOL’s top management together with István Kapitány and András K»»»
NCSA honours entities achieving highest scores in 12th National Cyber Drill
Doha, Qatar: President of the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), H E Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki, honoured yesterday the entities that passed the cyber drill with the highest evaluative scores across the participating sectors during the 12th edition, which was held in November »»»
Chief of Staff meets Commander of GCC Unified Military Command
Doha, Qatar: Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces H E Lieutenant General (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai met with Commander of the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) H E Major General Abdulaziz Ahmed Salem Al Balawi. The meeting discussed aspects of cooperation and j»»»
Cabinet decision to update architectural requirements, technical specifications hailed
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Society of Engineers has praised the Cabinet’s approval of the draft decision of the Minister of Municipality to amend some provisions of Decision No. 7 of 1989 regarding architectural conditions and technical specifications for buildings, which came in the context of a compr»»»
Four new lawyers take oath before lawyers admission committee
Doha, Qatar: The Lawyers Admission Committee convened yesterday under the chairmanship of Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, and Chairman of the Committee H E Ibrahim bin Ali Al-Mohannadi at its permanent headquarters in the Ministry of Justice building. During the meeti»»»
White House Refuses to Disclose Iran War Costs to Senators – Reports
White House budget director Russell Vought declined to provide lawmakers with an estimate of the cost of US aggression against Iran, saying the figures “fluctuate” and are difficult to assess, American media reported. “I wouldn’t [want] to make a characterization of that at this point,” he said whe»»»
Research Center Trend: Five Parties Certain to Enter Next Parliament, Three Hover near Threshold
Five parties and coalitions are certain to enter the next National Assembly, while three are hovering around the 4% electoral threshold, according to a survey by Research Center Trend released to the media. The Trend poll, commissioned by 24 Chasa, examines voter attitudes ahead of the April 19 sna»»»
40-day test of resilience shows strength of UAE's defence and stability
Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s armed forces are on constant readiness to defend the country under all circumstances, a senior defence official said, pointing to the military’s performance during recent attacks as evidence of a system built for sustained resilience rather than short-term response. Get updated»»»
Qatar cements status as pivotal stabiliser in global supply chains
Doha, Qatar: Qatar is emerging as a critical stabilising force in global supply chains amid geopolitical tensions, with helium and sulphur helping to underpin the semiconductor and electric vehicle (EV) sectors, according to a recent report by Fitch Solutions. As concerns grow over potential disrup»»»
Oil edges lower amid hopes of easing Middle East tensions
Singapore: Oil prices edged lower in early trading on Friday amid cautious optimism that the United States and Iran may be nearing an agreement, a development that could help ease regional tensions. Brent crude futures fell $1.34, or 1.35%, to $98.05 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude»»»
More ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz despite blockade, tracking data shows
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor for oil and gas exports, has shown signs of increased vessel movement in recent days despite ongoing military tensions and a US naval blockade targeting Iranian ports. Maritime tracking data and reporting indicate that a growi»»»
Syria welcomes Lebanon ceasefire, reaffirms support for regional stability
Damascus, April 17 (SANA) Syria welcomed on Friday the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, describing it as an important step toward preventing further escalation in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said in a statement that Syria continues to support all efforts aimed at pres»»»