New rule: Saudi Arabia reverses restriction, allows foreign companies in government projects
Saudi Arabia has reversed its previous restriction and now permits government entities to contract with international companies and institutions that do not have a regional headquarters in the Kingdom. The move is designed to maintain spending efficiency while ensuring timely execution of strategic»»»
Trump administration fires Virginia prosecutor hours after judges appointed him
The Trump administration has fired a top prosecutor in Virginia just hours after judges hired him. A panel of judges announced on Friday that they had unanimously voted to appoint James W Hundley as the interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Hours later, Deputy Attorney General T»»»
Senate Bill 1776 , filed by Senator Bong Go, proposes “National Reintegration Bill"
Senate Bill 1776, filed by Senator Christopher "Bong Go", seeks to institutionalise a comprehensive support system for Filipinos coming home after working abroad. The measure aims to ensure that government assistance does not stop when an OFW’s contract ends. Manila: Opposition Senator Christopher »»»
Trump Vows to Raise Global Tariff Rate to 15%
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he will raise the global tariff rate on goods imported from all countries in response to what he sees as trading with the United States in bad faith to 15% from 10%. "I, as President of the United States of America, will be, ef»»»
Juventus end bad week with 2-0 loss against Como
Milan, Italy: Juventus blew their chance of climbing into the Champions League places in Serie A as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Como on Saturday. A win would have lifted Juve above fourth-placed Napoli but, Juventus, thrashed 5-2 at Galatasary in the first leg of the Champions League pl»»»
UAE tops Oman’s non-oil exports and re-exports in 2025
The United Arab Emirates ranked first among Oman’s trading partners in 2025 for non-oil exports, re-export activities, and merchandise imports, according to Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information. Data from the Oman News Agency (ONA) showed that UAE-bound non-oil exports exceeded RO »»»
Budapest pizzeria serves ancient Rome-style pizza without tomatoes
Budapest: In Hungary's capital, a city best known for its goulash, a pizzeria is inviting diners to travel back two millennia to a time before tomatoes, mozzarella or even the word "pizza" were known in Europe. At Neverland Pizzeria in central Budapest, founder Josep Zara and his team have created »»»
Trump Says He Will Raise US Global Tariff Rate from 10% to 15%
President Donald Trump said on Saturday he will raise temporary tariffs on almost all US imports from 10% to 15%, the maximum level allowed under the law, after the US Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program as invalid. Trump had immediately announced a 10% across-the-board tariff on »»»
PIE: €7.7 billion trade deficit in 2025; imports grew faster than exports
Poland recorded its first foreign trade deficit in two years in 2025, totaling 7.7 billion euro, according to the Polish Economic Institute. Exports rose by nearly 4 percent after a previous slowdown, but imports grew faster, by over 6 percent, driven by stronger domestic demand and rising deliveri»»»
Saudi Arabia Joins Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence
Saudi Arabia has officially joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), an initiative hosted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and originating from the G7, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday. Represented by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intel»»»
Divers recover bodies of seven Chinese tourists from bottom of Lake Baikal
Russian authorities say divers have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver who died after their mini-bus plunged under the ice to the bottom of Lake Baikal in Siberia. Irkutsk regional Governor Igor Kobzev offered his "deepest condolences to the families and friends of »»»
Budapest pizzeria serves ancient Rome-style pizza without tomatoes
Budapest: In Hungary's capital, a city best known for its goulash, a pizzeria is inviting diners to travel back two millennia to a time before tomatoes, mozzarella or even the word "pizza" were known in Europe. At Neverland Pizzeria in central Budapest, founder Josep Zara and his team have created »»»
Egypt-Saudi electricity interconnection enters final testing phase, launch expected within weeks
Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, has announced that the Egypt-Saudi electricity interconnection project has entered its final testing stage, with close coordination under way with Saudi counterparts to complete trial operations and begin grid connection within th»»»
Ukraine Strikes Ballistic Missile Producer Deep Inside Russia, Kyiv Says
Ukraine hit a Russian plant manufacturing ballistic missiles in a missile strike in the remote Udmurtia region, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Saturday. Ukraine said its forces attacked the plant manufacturing Russian missiles, including the short-range Iskander and intercontinental Topol-M, i»»»
Iranian Students Chant Anti-Government Slogans, as US Threats Loom
Iranian students chanted anti-government slogans and scuffled with counter-protesters on Saturday in the latest display of anger at the country's clerical leaders, who also face a US military build-up aimed at pressuring them into a nuclear deal. The gatherings at universities, which were reported »»»
Humidity levels set to rise tonight: Qatar Meteorology Department
Doha, Qatar: Qatar will experience a rise in relative humidity levels tonight, with chances of mist and fog forming over some areas during the night and tomorrow morning. The Qatar Meteorology Department shared this update in a social media post, advising motorists to exercise caution. Meanwhile in»»»
Man arrested for pushing wife to death from first floor
New Delhi: A 35-year-old woman from Delhi’s Tahirpur area died after allegedly being pushed from the first floor of her residence by her husband following an argument, police said on Saturday. According to officials, the woman was brought to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital on Friday, February 21, where d»»»
Parliament Chair Expresses Confidence in Good Cooperation between Legislative Branch, Representatives of Legal Profession
In a congratulatory address to the General Assembly of Attorneys in Bulgaria on Saturday, Parliament Chair Raya Nazaryan expressed confidence in the good cooperation between the legislative branch and representatives of the Bar, which, in her words, will continue in the interest of Bulgarian citize»»»
Libya’s Ramadan Celebrations Tempered by Economic Woes
Libyans have been enjoying Ramadan with feasts and fireworks -- but soaring prices, a devalued currency and political divisions have left many with little to celebrate. Fifteen years on from the fall of longtime leader Moammar al-Gaddafi, the country remains split between east and west, while short»»»
Trump announces US global tariff hike from 10% to 15%
Donald Trump has announced that he is raising the 10% global tariff, imposed after the Supreme Court judgment, to 15%. The increase takes effect immediately. “I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately, raising the 10% Worldwide Tariff on Countries, many of whic»»»
Bulgarian Social Democracy – EuroLeft to Run in April 19 Elections as Part of Coalition with BSP-United Left
The Bulgarian Social Democracy – EuroLeft party has decided to take part in the April 19 snap parliamentary elections in coalition with BSP – United Left. The decision was adopted at the party’s national conference held in Sofia on Saturday. The party also resolved that it “highly values” the parti»»»
Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon kill 8 Hezbollah members, officials say
Lebanon: An Israeli strike on Lebanon killed eight members of Hezbollah, an official from the group told AFP on Saturday, saying the attack hit a meeting the militants were holding far from Israel's border. The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah in the area, hours after it had announced st»»»
U.S. citizen in Texas shot, killed last year by federal immigration agent - UPI.com
The involvement of a federal agent in the shooting was confirmed this week. Protests in the United States surged in late January after the shooting death of a second U.S. citizen at the hands of immigration officials. This week, internal documents from the Department of Homeland Security show that »»»
Werder Bremen cancel US tour citing 'political reasons'
Berlin: Bundesliga club Werder Bremen have cancelled plans for a US tour, including a match in protest-hit Minneapolis, due in part to "political reasons", a spokesperson told AFP on Saturday. Bremen were in the process of planning a summer tour which was set to take place in May, with friendlies i»»»
Toddler with faulty transplant that shocked Italy dies
An Italian toddler who received a faulty heart transplant died on Saturday, in a case that has caused outrage in Italy over alleged medical malpractice. The two-year-old had received a transplant in December reportedly with a heart that was damaged during transit by coming into direct contact with »»»
BSP Leader: Bulgarian Society Lives with Sense of Having No Alternative
Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Krum Zarkov Saturday said that Bulgarian society "lives with a sense of having no alternative." He addressed a national conference of Bulgarian Social Democracy – EuroLeft, a partner in the BSP–United Left coalition. "Bulgarian society lives with a sense of having no»»»
Ramadan 2026: New guidelines announced for Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has rolled out comprehensive guidelines to preserve safety, security, and smooth movement of Umrah performers during Ramadan 1447AH, as visitor numbers surge at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The measures form part of an operational plan to regulate crowds, enhance emergency readiness, and»»»
Bulgarian Socialist Party on Path to Restore Its Relevance - BSP Leader Zarkov
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Krum Zarkov said that they had given "a clear signal that the prophecies about the Bulgarian Socialist Party will not come true." "On the contrary, it is embarking on a path to restore its relevance," he noted, addin»»»
Special licensure exam for Overseas Filipino Workers to be held in GCC countries
Doha, Qatar: Overseas Filipino Workers in the GCC countries will no longer need to travel back to the Philippines to take their board exams. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has announced that the Special Professional Licensure Examinations (SPLE) will be conducted in the GCC countries »»»
Trump to remove Vietnam from restricted tech list: Hanoi
Hanoi, Vietnam: US President Donald Trump told Vietnam's top leader To Lam he would "instruct the relevant agencies" to remove the country from a list restricted from accessing advanced US technologies, Vietnam's government announced Saturday. The two leaders met in person for the first time at the»»»
Ramadan 2026: How Muslims fast in countries where sun does not set
Doha, Qatar: At the far reaches of the northern hemisphere, where seasons overlap and conventional measures of time are disrupted, Muslims face a unique test each year when the month of Ramadan falls during the summer. In cities such as Kiruna in Sweden, Tromso in Norway, and parts of Canada and Al»»»
BTA Director General Valchev Salutes Attorneys' Role in Defending the Right to Information
Director General Kiril Valchev thanked Bulgarian attorneys for their support and defence of journalists and the media at the Annual General Assembly of Attorneys in Bulgaria in Sofia on Saturday. Valchev also said he expected cooperation between the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) and the Bulgarian Bar»»»
French volunteer bakes for Ukraine amid frosts and power outages
Borodyanka, Ukraine: In a truck parked in the Kyiv region, Loic Nervi kneaded the dough vigorously before sliding dozens of tins into the oven -- loaves that will later be handed out to Ukrainians. By making bread, the French volunteer, who calls himself a "baker without borders", wants to help the»»»
US President Donald Trump has announced a new 10% global tariff
US President Donald Trump has announced a new 10% global tariff after the Supreme Court struck down most of the earlier tariffs he had implemented. In a 6–3 decision on Friday, the highest court ruled that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not give Trump the authority to imp»»»
The US is considering the option of pursuing regime change in Iran, Reuters reports
The US plans for possible strikes on Iran are at an advanced stage, with options including targeting individual leaders and pursuing regime change, Reuters reported on Friday, citing unnamed American officials. The plans are being drawn up in case ongoing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program fail»»»
Protesters have attacked the prime minister’s office in Albania
Protesters hurled Molotov cocktails and launched fireworks at the prime minister’s office in the Albanian capital of Tirana during an anti-corruption rally on Friday. The protesters, led by members of the main opposition force, the Democratic Party, gathered in the small Balkan country’s capital, d»»»
Legal battles continue for Bliska Wola Tower complex in Warsaw
Three years after completion of the Bliska Wola Tower complex in Warsaw, about 1,500 buyers still cannot sign notarial deeds for their units. The apartments were built under a hotel construction permit as investment “aparthotel” units, and city authorities classify them as part of a single hotel, r»»»
PB: Poland will catch up with UK as AI threatens services
Poland’s GDP per capita could reach UK levels by 2031–2032 and soon after catch up with Germany, reflecting strong domestic growth and Britain’s stagnation. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Finance Minister Andrzej Domański promised this convergence within 5–6 years. However, commentators from the “»»»
US Appeals Court Backs Display of Bible's 10 Commandments in Louisiana Schools – Ruling
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Fifth US Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the mandatory display of the Bible's Ten Commandments in Louisiana public schools, scraping a preliminary injunction issued by a lower court. "Louisiana House Bill 71 (H.B. 71) requires public schools to display the Ten Commandment»»»
Technical glitch triggers early Maghrib adhan, prompting iftar in Jordan
Dubai: A technical fault at a radio station responsible for broadcasting the call to prayer caused the Maghrib adhan to be announced about a minute early in the southern Jordanian district of Al Mazar, officials said on Friday. (Click here for UAE Ramadan Prayer Timings 2026) The Directorate of Awq»»»
Anonymous donor contributes Dh35 million to Edge of Life campaign
Dubai: An anonymous philanthropist has contributed DhD35 million in support of 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, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, with t»»»
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee Backs “Greater Israel” Expansion to “Whole Middle East”
Sitting across from commentator Tucker Carlson, United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee was presented with a map defined not by the 1967 borders, but by the ancient boundaries of the Old Testament. When asked if Israel maintains a divine right to territory stretching from the River Nile in»»»
Hamad International Airport curates a reflective Ramadan experience for travellers
Doha, Qatar: Hamad International Airport (HIA) anticipates over four million passengers from around the world in its award-winning terminal during the month of Ramadan, and it has announced a variety of unique experiences, designed to create moments of reflection and connection throughout the holy »»»
Hyundai faces pressure in Canada submarine bid - UPI.com
South Korea's first 3,600-ton-class naval submarine is unveiled during a ceremony held at the Hanwha Ocean dockyard, in Geoje, South Korea, 22 October 2025. This submarine is the first of three planned Changbogo-III Batch-II class submersibles being built under the military's KSS-III program for ad»»»
Amid War Propaganda, Washington Post Says Trump Has Not Made a Final Decision on Iran
Amid the rapidly rising tensions in the Middle East over the directions of the Iranian nuclear file, and anti-Iran propaganda has been promoting an inevitable US military action against the Islamic Republic in the context of escalating pressures on Tehran drafting a potential deal. The split screen»»»
Serbia, Sweden urge citizens to quit Iran as Trump mulls strike
Belgrade: Serbia and Sweden have urged their citizens in Iran to leave the country after US President Donald Trump threatened military action over the Islamic republic's nuclear programme. The Balkan nation had already invited Serbian nationals in mid-January to leave Iran and not to travel there, »»»
Paid Dh93,000 for residency abroad, wins refund in Dubai court
Dubai: A man who paid nearly Dh93,000 in the hope of securing residency abroad has won a legal battle after a court ordered an immigration services company to return the full amount and pay additional compensation, following a failure to deliver the promised services. The Dubai Court of First Insta»»»
UK should send troops to Ukraine now, former PM Johnson tells BBC
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that the UK and its allies should deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine right now, to "flip a switch" in Russian President Vladimir Putin's head. Speaking exclusively to Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg alongside the former head of the military, Adm Sir Tony Radak»»»
Ministry of Public Health advises diabetic patients to take necessary precautions for safe fasting
Doha, Qatar: Doctors and healthcare specialists at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) urged diabetic patients to take necessary precautions during the holy month of Ramadan to ensure safe fasting and effectively manage their condition. Health experts emphasize that consulting healthcare providers»»»
Trump imposes 10% global tariff after stinging court rebuke
Washington, United States: President Donald Trump imposed Friday an additional 10 percent tariff on imports into the United States after the Supreme Court struck down many of his sweeping and often arbitrary duties, delivering a stinging rebuke on his signature economic policy. Trump signed the tar»»»