EU Farmland Prices Climb in 2024, Bulgaria Records Near-6% Increase
Agricultural land prices across the European Union continued to rise in 2024, with Eurostat data showing a clear upward trend both in sales values and rental costs, although developments varied significantly by country. On average, one hectare of arable land in the EU was priced at about 15,224 eur»»»
Hezbollah Signals Refusal to Work with Lebanese Authorities to Disarm North of Litani
Hezbollah announced on Saturday that it will not cooperate with authorities in disarming its weapons north of the Litani River. Hezbollah MP Hussein al-Hajj Hassan said: “Lebanon did everything asked of it. We have absolutely nothing else to offer or speak about north of the Litani.” Army Commander»»»
Snowstorm Disrupts Travel in Southern US as Blast of Icy Weather Widens
Travel misery was set to continue Sunday as a powerful snowstorm blasted southern US states, bringing subzero temperatures to regions not accustomed to the deadly winter conditions. The latest bout of extreme weather came about a week after a monster storm pummeled a wide swath of the United States»»»
Will Ramadan begin on Wednesday or Thursday this year?
Dubai: Most Muslim countries are expected to attempt to sight the crescent moon marking the start of Ramadan on Tuesday, February 17, but astronomers say the sighting will be astronomically impossible or unfeasible across the Arab and Islamic world, making Thursday, February 19, the most likely fir»»»
Curtain falls on 8th Katara Boxing Championship
Doha: Amid an incredible attendance of spectators marked by epic success, the curtain fell on the 8th Katara Boxing Championship in Doha yesterday. The three-day competition, organised by the Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation (QBWF), was held in both the amateur and professional categories. The»»»
Draw held for GCC Women’s University Sports Tournament
Doha, Qatar: The draw ceremony for the Second GCC Women’s University Sports Tournament was held last Wednesday at Education City Stadium. The event will be hosted by the Qatari capital, Doha, from February 6 to 11, with wide participation from female students representing universities across the Gu»»»
Iran Says It Now Considers EU Militaries to Be Terrorist Groups
The speaker of Iran's parliament said Sunday that his country now considers all European Union militaries to be terrorist groups, lashing out after the bloc declared the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard a terror group over its bloody crackdown on nationwide protests. The announcement by M»»»
Israel to Partially Reopen Gaza's Rafah Crossing
Israel is set to partially reopen the Rafah crossing between the war-devastated Gaza Strip and Egypt on Sunday, following months of urging from humanitarian organizations, though access will be limited to the movement of people. The reopening comes amid ongoing violence in the Palestinian territory»»»
Maysara storms to Marmi Cup triumph
Doha, Qatar: Maysara provided a fitting conclusion to yesterday’s Al Uqda Race Meeting, producing an authoritative performance to land the Marmi Cup, the Local Thoroughbred Open Race over 1200m. The six-year-old mare, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani for Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri, returned to winning f»»»
Bitcoin Falls Below $80,000, Continuing Decline as Liquidity Worries Mount
Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency by market value, was down by 6.53% at $78,719.63 at 12:48 p.m. ET (1748 GMT) on Saturday, continuing its decline from the previous session. On Friday, bitcoin fell to as low as $81,104, the lowest since November 21, while the US dollar gained after former»»»
Report: US Special Envoy for Iraq Mark Savaya No Longer in the Post
Mark Savaya, named by US President Donald Trump as special envoy for Iraq in October, is no longer in that role, sources familiar with the move said. The move comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Baghdad over Washington's push to curb Iranian influence in Iraqi politics. Savaya, a Chr»»»
CALIM360: A unique, AI-blockchain driven intelligent contracts management and administration platform, beta launched in GCC
Doha, Qatar: In boardrooms worldwide, contracts are signed with optimism, yet value often slips away unnoticed. Studies show that enterprises lose 8% to 10% of contract value annually amounting to millions on major projects through weak contract management, lack of understanding of all clauses, mis»»»
India Budget 2026: What NRIs in UAE need to know about investing, property sales, tax filings
Dubai: India Budget 2026 announced several tax-related measures that affect NRIs. Taxpayers will be allowed to update income tax returns even after reassessment by paying an additional 10% tax. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The time limit for revising returns has bee»»»
National Assembly Chair Pays Homage to Victims of Communist Regime
On February 1, Bulgaria marks the Day of Gratitude and Homage to the Victims of the Communist Regime. The largest single spate of executions in Bulgarian history was carried out on this date 81 years ago. February 1 bears a tragic mark in Bulgarian history, National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan wro»»»
Germany's National Debt Hits Record High Amid EU Sanctions Against Russia
Germany's national debt has increased by almost a fifth since the first quarter of 2021. Germany's national debt hit a record high in the third quarter of 2025, against the background of the European Union's sanctions policy against Russia, according to Sputnik's calculations based on data publishe»»»
Russia Cannot Accept NATO Troops in Ukraine Under Security Guarantees - Foreign Ministry
Russia will not accept the deployment of the European Union or NATO forces on Ukrainian territory as part of security guarantees for Kiev, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Sputnik. "We have said that this is unacceptable, there will be no NATO membership and no foreign militar»»»
QICCA to implement updated conciliation rules in February
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) of the Qatar Chamber, announced that it has approved its updated conciliation rules, which will take effect on February 1. This step is part of QICCA’s ongoing extensive efforts to enhance dispute resolution mechan»»»
Trump Says India Will Buy Oil from Venezuela, Not Iran
US President Donald Trump on Saturday said India will buy Venezuelan oil, as opposed to purchasing oil from Iran. "We've already made that deal, the concept of the deal," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled to his vacation home in Florida from Washington. Reuters reported on Fr»»»
Al Ahli beat leaders Al Gharafa
Doha, Qatar: Al Sadd tightened the Qatar Stars League title race with a 3-1 victory over leaders Al Gharafa in a top-of-the-table clash at Thani bin Jassim Stadium yesterday, closing the gap at the summit of the standings. The Round 14 encounter saw both sides share possession in a goalless first h»»»
POS, e-commerce transactions hit QR14.667bn in Dec 2025
Doha, Qatar: The point of sale and e-commerce transactions in Qatar witnessed impressive growth in December last year. The total value of transactions registered in Qatar through point of sale (POS) terminals and e-commerce platforms saw a surge of around 7.4 percent in December 2025 compared to sa»»»
Al Attiyah wins Hail Baja
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah delivered another commanding performance in international rally-raid competition by winning the Hail Baja, the opening round of the FIA Baja World Cup, in Saudi Arabia, yesterday. Representing Nasser Racing and partnered by French co-driver Max Delfino i»»»
Brash steals spotlight again in thrilling finish to H H The Father Amir’s Prix
Doha, Qatar: Britain’s Scott Brash claimed his third straight CSI5* Grand Prix triumph as the inaugural H H The Father Amir’s Prix came to a thrilling close at the packed Longines Outdoor Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. Brash, riding 17-year-old gelding Hello Jefferson, clocked a fast 52.97 seconds i»»»
Smart lighting enhances bridges in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi City Municipality, affiliated with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), has completed lighting upgrades on a number of key bridges, covering both vehicular and pedestrian structures. The project utilises advanced smart lighting systems that incorporate the latest remote m»»»
Kuwait, Switzerland .. six decades of distinguished relations, close partnerships
By Amna Al-Shemmeri (report) KUWAIT, Feb 1 (KUNA) -- President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, begins an official visit to Kuwait Sunday aimed at strengthening nearly 60 years of bilateral relations and opening broader horizons for joint cooperation between the two countries in various fi»»»
India Budget 2026: 10 takeaways so far you should know
Dubai: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1, outlining targeted steps to sustain economic growth amid global uncertainty. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Budget focuses on manufacturing, infrastructure, stra»»»
‘Endowment advancing sustainability and community development’
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s endowment (waqf) sector is witnessing a qualitative transformation in its tools and management approaches, as part of the General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs’ efforts to respond to growing community needs and achieve sustainable develo»»»
US Special Envoy for Iraq Mark Savaya No Longer in the Post
Mark Savaya, named by US President Donald Trump as special envoy for Iraq in October, is no longer in that role, sources familiar with the move said. The move comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Baghdad over Washington's push to curb Iranian influence in Iraqi politics. Savaya, a Chr»»»
Farewell to the Bulgarian Lev
The Bulgarian lev passed peacefully in the first minute of Sunday, just months short of its 146th birthday. After circulating alongside the euro for cash payments in January, the lev ceased to be legal tender exactly one month after the euro officially became Bulgaria's currency on January 1, 2026.»»»
Negotiations on Greenland Began, Many Issues Agreed Upon - Trump
US President Donald Trump stated that negotiations on US control of Greenland had begun and had already resulted in agreement on many issues. "We have started a negotiation, and I think it's pretty well agreed to," Trump told reporters when asked whether he had discussed Greenland with European lea»»»
QNL launches Qatar Research Collection ‘MANARA’ with nearly 70,000 records
Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Library (QNL) has launched the Qatar Research Collection, a comprehensive national database designed to document and preserve research and knowledge production related to the State of Qatar for future generations. The launch coincides with the Manara platform for Qatari »»»
NATO's Whitaker Upbeat About Prospects for Peaceful Settlement in Ukraine
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker expressed optimism about the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. "I continue to be optimistic that there will be a peace deal in place, but it's going to take both sides to agree to it, and we have to see what both sides want to ask»»»
Open debate on AI key to preparing next generation, says Doha Debates MD
Doha, Qatar: Open and inclusive discussions on the safety and legitimacy of artificial intelligence are essential to preparing young people for a rapidly changing future, according to Managing Director of Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates, Amjad Atallah. Atallah said that one of the biggest challenge»»»
Web Summit Qatar 2026 kicks off today
Doha, Qatar: The third edition of Web Summit Qatar opens today at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, drawing a capacity crowd of global tech leaders and innovators. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will address the opening night, an»»»
Nafis 2026 introduces 5 AI-enabled priorities to measure the quality of Emiratisation in the private sector
The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) has announced a comprehensive shift in its strategy for supporting future careers and advancing Emiratisation in the private sector. The programme is moving beyond a focus on the number of Emiratis employed in private companies to prioritising the »»»
Are the West's tightening oil sanctions finally taking their toll on Russia’s economy?
Russian oil and gas revenue fell by a fifth in 2025 to their lowest point in five years. But while Western sanctions have no doubt played a role, experts remain unconvinced that Moscow's growing budget problems will change its determination to continue its grinding advance across Ukraine. Across th»»»
'Creeping fascism': Milan protesters slam ICE deployment at Winter Olympics
Protesters on Saturday gathered at Milan's Piazza XXV Aprile, a square named for the date of Italy’s liberation from Nazi fascism in 1945, to protest the deployment of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during the upcoming Winter Olympics there. Demonstrators in the Italian city de»»»
'Technical malfunction' causes mass power outages in Ukraine
Ukraine reported mass power outages across its power grid on Saturday due to a "technical malfunction" affecting international power lines. The power cuts come as Ukraine faces a particularly harsh winter and increased Russian attacks on energy infrastructure that have caused major disruption to he»»»
The Horn of Africa is being targeted for fragmentation
Along both shores of the Red Sea and the adjoining Gulf of Aden, several littoral states are in crisis. On the North African side, Sudan and Somalia both have huge problems, while on the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen is faring no better. These crises are not separate. They amount to one much bigger cris»»»
In the Horn of Africa, the state itself is on the line
The Red Sea has long been a strategic maritime artery sustaining global commerce, but today it is far more than that. It has evolved into an arena shaping the contours of an emerging regional order. Across this vital corridor, stability-seeking sovereigns vie with non-state forces that flourish ami»»»
Germany bars airlines from Iranian airspace as airport official in Tehran claims no disruptions
Germany advised its airlines to avoid Iranian airspace due to potential danger, as Iran's main airport denied rumours that international flights had been disrupted, regional media reported on January 31, citing Berlin's flight information district dispatch service. »»»
Germany bars airlines from Iranian airspace as airport official in Tehran claims no disruptions
Germany advised its airlines to avoid Iranian airspace due to potential danger, as Iran's main airport denied rumours that international flights had been disrupted, regional media reported on January 31, citing Berlin's flight information district dispatch service. »»»
Israel strikes both Gaza and Lebanon in double strikes
Israeli military forces have conducted multiple strikes against alleged Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, as well as a suspected Hezbollah site in Lebanon, on January 31, killing at least 26 people according to initial estimates. »»»
Israel strikes both Gaza and Lebanon in double strikes
Israeli military forces have conducted multiple strikes against alleged Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, as well as a suspected Hezbollah site in Lebanon, on January 31, killing at least 26 people according to initial estimates. »»»
Israel strikes both Gaza and Lebanon in double strikes
Israeli military forces have conducted multiple strikes against alleged Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, as well as a suspected Hezbollah site in Lebanon, on January 31, killing at least 26 people according to initial estimates. »»»
OSMAN: Somaliland meets Israel on recognition and opportunity amid a shifting security landscape
The recent mutual recognition between the Republic of Somaliland and the State of Israel marks a decisive moment in Somaliland’s long but oftentime frustrating pursuit of international legitimacy. After over three decades of de-facto independence, democratic governance and relative stabil»»»
Crisis looms at Tehran dams as 14 reservoirs fall below 10% capacity
Fourteen dams across Iran's most densely populated provinces remain below 10% capacity, with reservoirs supplying Tehran continuing to decline despite recent rainfall and heavy snow around the capital city, data from Iran's Water Resources Management Company as of January 30 showed. »»»
Israel strikes both Gaza and Lebanon in double strikes
Israeli military forces have conducted multiple strikes against alleged Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, as well as a suspected Hezbollah site in Lebanon, on January 31, killing at least 26 people according to initial estimates. »»»
MARINS: Trump has much to lose and little to gain in Iran
It is extremely difficult to claim that a country with a military budget as modest as Iran's can make Washington's hawks think twice or thrice. However, it would be the most prudent course of action given the current situation. »»»
Iran's foreign minister hits out at US military presence near Persian Gulf in social media post
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States of hypocrisy over its military buildup near Iran, posting on X on January 31 that the US was attempting to dictate how Iran's armed forces conducted exercises in their own waters. »»»
OSMAN: Somaliland meets Israel on recognition and opportunity amid a shifting security landscape
The recent mutual recognition between the Republic of Somaliland and the State of Israel marks a decisive moment in Somaliland’s long but oftentime frustrating pursuit of international legitimacy. After over three decades of de-facto independence, democratic governance and relative stabil»»»