Center hosts Ramadan Forum for English speakers
Doha, Qatar: The Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center organised a lecture for English speakers titled “Ramadan: The Month of Mercy and Forgiveness.” The lecture was held on February 27, 2026, and was attended by more than 160 participants from non-Arab communities. The lecture»»»
Vital sectors of Romanian economy affected by lack of foreign workers blocked in transit
Vital sectors of the Romanian economy such as construction, manufacturing and the hospitality industry are being directly hit by the massive air traffic disruption caused by the escalation of the conflict in the Gulf area, representatives of the Employers' Association of Labour Importers (PIFM) sai»»»
Analyst: Romania has taken almost no real measures against the rising fuel prices crisis
Romania has taken almost no real measures against the crisis generated by rising fuel prices, although it has the highest diesel fuel prices and the second highest gasoline prices in relation to the local purchasing power, according to chairman of the Smart Energy Association (AEI) Dumitru Chisalit»»»
The President of Hungary , in Targu Secuiesc, to mark the Day of Hungarians Everywhere
Some thousand of people took part, on Sunday, to the events organized in Targu Secuiesc , Covasna county , on the occasion of the Day of Hungarians Everywhere, event whose guest of honour was the president of Hungary, Sulyok Tamas.In front of the people gathered in the central park, president Sulyo»»»
Her Majesty Margareta meets new US Ambassador Nirenberg; talks focus on Romania-US cooperation
Romania's Custodian of the Crown, Her Majesty Margareta, met on Friday with the new US Ambassador to Bucharest, Darryl Nirenberg, with whom she discussed Romanian-American cooperation in the areas of defence, economy, education, science and arts.The meeting, which took place at the Elisabeta Palace»»»
Parliament: 2026 draft budget to be submitted for final vote on Thursday
The 2026 draft budget will be submitted for a final vote in the joint plenary sitting of Parliament next Thursday.The joint Standing Bureaus of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate approved on Friday the schedule for the debate and adoption of the draft laws on the state budget and social securit»»»
Romania, Ukraine commit to 'highest level of protection' for Romanian and Ukrainian minorities
Romania and Ukraine commit, through their bilateral strategic partnership, to enhance cooperation to ensure "the highest level of protection" of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities in both countries, with full guarantees of linguistic rights and the "full exercise of rights relat»»»
GASTAT: Saudi Consumer Inflation Eased to 1.7% in February
Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate edged down to 1.7 percent in February, the lowest level since January 2025, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The consumer price index eased from 1.8 percent in January to 1.7 percent, GASTAT said Sunday. The data further show»»»
Over 100 non-Arab Muslims attend Itikaf activities
Doha, Qatar: The activities of the last ten nights Itikaf during Ramadan commenced at the Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center, with the participation of more than 120 non-Arabic speaking Muslims representing eight different communities. The Itikaf aims to educate and raise aw»»»
Ministry of Awqaf receives QR400,000 endowment to support charity
Doha, Qatar: The General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has announced the receipt of a new investment cash endowment valued at QR400,000, donated by a generous benefactor under the supervision of the Directorate. The initiative reflects the deep-rooted cultur»»»
Syria says Turkey will temporarily close border crossings during Eid al-Fitr holiday
Damascus, March 16 (SANA) Turkey will temporarily close all border crossings with Syria to passenger and commercial traffic during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, a Syrian border authority official said Sunday. Mazen Alloush, director of relations at Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, said »»»
Thani Humanitarian distributes food baskets at several places
Doha, Qatar: The Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services continues its charitable initiative, “Iftar for the Fasting”, distributing food baskets and nutritious meals at multiple locations across Qatar. The project targets low-income workers as well as needy families, benefiting tens»»»
Qatar Press Centre condoles death of journalist Jamal Rayyan
Doha, Qatar: With deep sorrow and grief, the Qatar Press Centre (QPC) mourns the prominent journalist Jamal Rayyan, who passed away yesterday at the age of 73, after a distinguished media career spanning more than five decades, during which he left a lasting mark on the history of Arab television j»»»
Government Service Centres deliver over 38,000 services in February
Doha, Qatar: Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB) on X announced that government entities operating through Qatar’s government service centres has completed 38,260 transactions in February 2026, highlighting continued efforts to improve service delivery and operational efficiency. »»»
Weather expected overall warm with scattered rain
The weather will begin to break up Monday, with cloud cover gradually building up and scattered rain mostly in the west, while winds will pick up and temperatures will remain warm for the time of year. In the Greater Athens region, the temperature will range from 5 to 17 degrees Celsius, and from 4»»»
Dubai gold prices slip to monthly low amid global market swings
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai slipped to their lowest level this month on Monday morning, giving buyers a brief window of relief after several weeks of elevated prices driven by global market turmoil. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, »»»
London Boasts 12 of Top 100 Cinemas in the World
The cinema might feel like a relic to some – a moment from before films were available at the press of a button at home – but those interested in cinemas never turn their back on an afternoon spent sitting in complete darkness with total strangers in front of a booming big screen. According to METR»»»
Rafah crossing to reopen from March 18
Gaza: Israeli occupation authorities announced yesterday the reopening of the Rafah land crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt in both directions, starting next Wednesday, for limited movement of people. The crossing will operate according to the mechanism in place before its closure. Traveller»»»
On This Day, March 16: Congress establishes West Point - UPI.com
On March 16, 1802, the U.S. Congress authorized the establishment of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. 1 of 5 | President George W. Bush watches the graduates throw up their hats at Michie Stadium for the 2006 Graduation Ceremony of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., on May »»»
Drone strike temporarily suspends flights at Dubai International Airport - UPI.com
March 16 (UPI) -- Dubai officials temporarily suspended all flights at the city's international airport Monday morning, as the United Arab Emirates was defending itself against a barrage of Iranian drone and missile strikes. A drone fired by Iran caused a fire to erupt from a fuel tank in the vicin»»»
QRCS improves access to food for vulnerable Syrian families
Doha, Qatar: As part of its relentless efforts to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Syria, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has launched a humanitarian project to improve access to food for the most vulnerable Syrian families, amidst the ongoing food insecurit»»»
Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation distributes 1,150 food baskets on advent of Ramadan
Doha, Qatar: As part of its ongoing efforts to support the local community and promote the spirit of social solidarity, the Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation launched a charitable initiative marking the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, distributing 1,150 food baskets to benefici»»»
WCM-Q students study biodiversity on Purple Island
Doha, Qatar: First-year pre-medical students at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) in February explored Qatar’s rich biodiversity during a field trip to the mangrove forest at Jazirat Bin Ghannam, also known as Purple Island. Divided into three groups, the students visited the island on three sep»»»
Oil Hovers around $100, Stocks Mixed as Iran War Rages
Oil prices hovered around $100 a barrel Monday and stocks fluctuated as the Iran war moved into a third week with both sides showing no sign of backing down and diplomats trying to ensure safe passage for tankers through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Crude shot up in the opening minutes after the U»»»
Israel Army Says Begun 'Limited Targeted Ground Operations' against Hezbollah in South Lebanon
The Israeli military said on Monday it had begun what it described as "limited ground operations" against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The military said in a statement that in recent days, Israeli army “troops from the 91st division have begun limited and targeted ground operations against key He»»»
Fidesz and Tisza flex muscles, mobilise hundreds of thousands in last big rallies before election
Hungary’s two leading political blocs, Fidesz and the Tisza Party, held mass rallies on March 15 in a prominent display of power, widely seen as a measure of their capacity to rally voters ahead of the April 12 elections. Prime Minister Viktor Orban vowed to keep Hungary "an island of security and »»»
Bahrain Starts to Cut Production at World’s Largest Aluminium Smelter
Aluminium Bahrain, known as Alba, said on Sunday it had initiated a shutdown of three aluminium smelting lines accounting for 19% of its capacity to preserve business continuity amid ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The closures are the latest impact on the Middle East aluminium sector, »»»
Doha Equestrian Tour wraps up local competitions at Al Shaqab
Doha, Qatar: The Doha Equestrian Tour wrapped up its three-day local show jumping competitions at the Longines Arena in Al Shaqab on Saturday night, showcasing top-level performances from more than 120 riders and 240 horses. Total prize money for the tour exceeded QR490,000. The tour opened with th»»»
MFA clarifies number of Kyrgyzstanis injured in road accident in New Moscow - | 24.KG
Six citizens of Kyrgyzstan were injured in a road accident on Kaluzhskoye highway in New Moscow, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan reported. According to the ministry, the accident occurred on March 14 at the 45th kilometer of Kaluzhskoye highway and involved a sightseeing bus and a Vol»»»
Estithmar Holding pays third semi-annual coupon of 8.75% Sukuk tranche
Doha, Qatar: Estithmar Holding has paid the third semi-annual coupon of its Qatari Riyal-denominated Sukuk (first tranche), at an annual profit rate of 8.75%. The first tranche, part of the company’s broader Sukuk program valued at QR3.4bn and listed on the London Stock Exchange’s International Sec»»»
Qatar bolsters market stability with adequate supplies, continuous inspections
Doha, Qatar: Qatar has maintained a robust stockpile of essential food and consumer goods to ensure market stability. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has affirmed that sufficient stock is available in the country to ensure the availability of goods and prevent monopolistic practices. T»»»
AlRayan Bank shareholders meeting endorses agenda items
Doha, Qatar: AlRayan Bank successfully held the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of Shareholders yesterday. At the AGM, the shareholders endorsed the financial statements for the fiscal year ended at 31 December 2025 that reflect a Net Profit after Tax of QR1350m. H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Qas»»»
Peso hits record low against UAE dirham as oil shock rattles currency
Dubai: The Philippine peso fell to a record low against the UAE dirham on Monday morning, reflecting mounting pressure on emerging market currencies amid volatile energy markets and growing global uncertainty. (Check live forex rates here) Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balanc»»»
THIS WEEK: EU summit on Iran war and support for Kyiv, plus Slovenia election and ‘EU Inc’ top agenda
THIS WEEK offers a weekly snapshot of the key developments in Brussels and across Europe over the next seven days, published every Monday morning. EU leaders are meeting on Thursday (19 March) for a busy and timely European Council in Brussels, where support for Ukraine, energy security, Middle Eas»»»
Romanian-American Director Natalie Musteata wins Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film
The 2026 Academy Awards delivered a rare moment in the history of the Academy when the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film was awarded in a tie, with both The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva receiving the prize. For Romanian audiences, the news carries particular significance: one of the»»»
How Ukraine's drone defence model can help Gulf states
As Iranian Shahed drones continue to strike targets across the Middle East amidst the raging war with Israel and the US that has stretched regional air defences to their limits, Ukraine has quietly emerged as an unlikely but highly relevant source of expertise. President Volodymyr Zelensky has anno»»»
Slight decline in viral hepatitis prevalence rate reported in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
A slight decline in the prevalence rate of viral hepatitis has been recorded in Kyrgyzstan compared with 2019, a study published in the journal Healthcare of Kyrgyzstan says. At the same time, researchers emphasize that the overall level of the disease remains high, and the country continues to be »»»
UK Resists Sending Warships to Hormuz Mission Sought by Trump — Reports
Britain is not prepared to send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump’s call for allies to join a naval effort, The Telegraph reported. UK ministers said they are still considering other options, including mine-hunting drones, but have not committed naval v»»»
Oscars 2026: Here are all the moments you didn't see on TV
It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. While movie magic plays a role in the show itself (the ceremony, after all, is actually hosted at the Dolby Theatre in a shopping centre), there is a lot you don't see on»»»
Arab Maritime transport sector attracts $4b in foreign investment in 23 years
AMMAN — The Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman) revealed that the maritime transport sector in the Arab region attracted 146 foreign projects with a total investment value of nearly $4 billion over the past 23 years.In its fourth sectoral report for 2025 on maritime tra»»»
Myktybek Orolbai enters UFC top 3 for most takedowns in single fight - | 24.KG
Kyrgyz fighter Myktybek Orolbai has entered the top three in Ultimate Fighting Championship history for the highest number of takedowns in a single fight. During his bout against American fighter Chris Curtis at UFC Fight Night 269 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, the Kyrgyz athlete set a welte»»»
UAE responds to possible Iranian missile, drone threat
The UAE has activated air defense systems in response to a possible missile and drone threat from Iran. Authorities have urged residents to remain in safe locations and to follow official channels for updates and warnings as the situation develops.»»»
Iran taking steps to prevent anti-establishment protests, Tehran residents tell BBC
Iran is taking steps to prevent anti-establishment protests, with checkpoints appearing across the streets of the capital, internet access restricted, and mass text warnings sent to residents. In Tehran, people have been telling the BBC about new security checkpoints around the city, where they say»»»
Trump’s call for allies to secure Strait of Hormuz brings no promises
US President Donald Trump's call to world powers to send their warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint received tepid responses on Sunday as Gulf Arab states reported new missile and drone attacks. Iran's foreign minister denied Trump's claim that Tehran wan»»»
Israel pounds Beirut, deepening the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon
Overnight strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least four people, Lebanese state media and the government said on Sunday. Israel is fighting a second front in the war in the Middle East in southern Lebanon, against Hezbollah, alongside the air campaign against Iran it launched with the United Stat»»»
Qatar, Kuwait, UAE... Iranian reprisals disrupt daily life across the Gulf
Missiles intercepted in Qatar; two drones causing damage at an airbase near a major US military site in Kuwait; an oil facility hit and ports threatened in the UAE... Gulf countries continue to pay the price of war every day, more than two weeks after the start of Operation Epic Fury launched by th»»»
Could Nigeria become an alternative oil supplier to the Middle East?
As the conflict in the Middle East continues to take a significant toll on the world's oil supply, Nigeria's foreign minister has invited the Gulf countries and oil producers to look at Nigeria as a partner in supplying the global market. Story by Clémence Waller and Gabrielle Nadler.»»»
Are Iran's retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region affecting the US' war strategy?
Israel's military said it began a broad wave of strikes on western Iran on Sunday. As the war progresses into the third week, further retaliatory strikes from Iran are likely to occur. So far, Iran has launched strikes across nine countries in the Gulf region. Most of these attacks have been interc»»»
The humanitarian crisis worsens in Lebanon, with over 850,000 displaced
In just 10 days, more than 800,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced by war, just over a year since the last conflict uprooted over a million Lebanese from their homes. Israeli strikes have killed 826 people, including 106 children and 65 women, since the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel r»»»