The volume of construction works decreased, as an unadjusted series, by 2.4% in January this year compared with the same period in 2025, and by 0.9% as a series adjusted depending on the number of business days and seasonality, according to data published on Thursday by the National Institute of St»»»

The government on Thursday analysed, in a first reading, a bill on criteria that will be the basis for the designation of essential companies for national defence, economic, energy, food and social security, as well as for the functioning of critical infrastructures."The Executive analysed, in a fi»»»

The construction of the first cross-border interconnection quantum communication infrastructure between Bulgaria and Romania was officially launched at a ceremony held at the Institute of Robotics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia on Thursday, Bulgaria's Innovation and Growth Ministry a»»»

Populism is flourishing, as if they were not seeing that there is a global economic crisis, as if it had been forgotten that Romania is at a time of excessive deficit procedure and not even half of the path of budgetary correction has been made, according to aid Valentin Lazea, chief economist of t»»»

Romania's budget deficit could drop by tens of billion lei annually if the two big taxes, VAT and income tax were collected more efficiently and could reach the European average on that segment, said Alex Milcev, partner and leader of the Fiscal and Juridical Assistance department at EY Romania. Th»»»

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Romanian President Nicusor Dan to NATO Headquarters in Brussels Thursday (19 March 2026) for his first official visit, praising Romania's steadfast role as an Ally since joining in 2004, https://www.nato.int/ ...»»»

When oil begins flowing again through the Druzhba pipeline, the loan for Ukraine will be unblocked, President Nicusor Dan said on Friday at the end of the European Council meeting."Yes, I stand by what I said, and many others said today in the debate on Ukraine: it is unacceptable for a decision th»»»

Europe must remain focused on Ukraine, even though we are affected by the crisis generated by the war in Iran, President Nicusor Dan said on Friday after the European Council meeting.He stated that one of the topics discussed at the meeting in Brussels was the situation in the Middle East, 'with al»»»

Mumbai: A deluge of weight loss drugs is set to transform the global fight against obesity as India prepares to unleash low cost generic versions of injections like Ozempic after a key patent expired Friday. The move will dramatically widen access to treatments that have long been considered a luxu»»»

The digital age has fundamentally reshaped how we consume news and entertainment, creating a dynamic interplay between different platforms. What begins as a headline on a desktop monitor might evolve into a viral video viewed on a smartphone, illustrating the fluid consumption habits of today's aud»»»

The digital age has fundamentally reshaped nearly every industry, and the gambling sector is certainly no exception. What was once the exclusive domain of opulent brick-and-mortar establishments has transitioned into a sprawling online universe, accessible with a few clicks. This transformation, wh»»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and economic measures are becoming a key foreign policy tool, sanctions continue to shape global trade and diplomacy, Statista reports. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine»»»

As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and economic measures are becoming a key foreign policy tool, sanctions continue to shape global trade and diplomacy, Statista reports. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine»»»

As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and economic measures are becoming a key foreign policy tool, sanctions continue to shape global trade and diplomacy, Statista reports. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine»»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and economic measures are becoming a key foreign policy tool, sanctions continue to shape global trade and diplomacy, Statista reports. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine»»»

Released on March 19, the latest Freedom in the World 2026 report finds that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries experiencing deterioration in political rights and civil liberties than improvements, Statista reports. »»»

As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and economic measures are becoming a key foreign policy tool, sanctions continue to shape global trade and diplomacy, Statista reports. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine»»»

Drone and missile strikes linked to Iran sparked fires at key refineries in Kuwait and Bahrain on Friday, while air defence systems in Saudi Arabia and Qatar intercepted multiple drones and missiles, raising tensions across the Gulf. Authorities confirmed that emergency teams contained the blazes a»»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - The Iranian military struck targets in West Jerusalem and Haifa on Friday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said. "During the 66th phase of Operation True Promise 4, targets in West Jerusalem, Haifa in the region were successfully hit," the IRGC said in a statement qu»»»

Beneath the powder snow at internationally popular Japanese ski resort Niseko, anxiety is mounting among residents over soaring prices and a massive influx of overseas workers. At a time when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is talking tough on immigration, upscale Niseko has never been more popular w»»»

Giggles and songs ripple across a field in rural eastern Uganda where elderly women swing cricket bats as a way to reshape what ageing, health and sports can look like in later life. The so-called "cricket grannies" are bound together by a growing love of a game they initially knew nothing about bu»»»

1 of 8 | Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi of Japan makes remarks as she stands with President Donald Trump during a dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo March 20 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump hosted Prime Mini»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Europe will not survive without Russian oil when a global fuel shortage is at the door, and this will become obvious to everyone within a couple of weeks, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday. "The fact is, at this moment that it just knocking on the door the shor»»»

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Friday the 2026 budget was set at around $10.5 billion, nearly triple last year's level, state TV reported. He said GDP is estimated to reach $60 billion-$65 billion this year, adding the economy could return to 2010 levels and improve services. Speaking af»»»

The election campaign, in Bulgaria, for the early parliamentary vote scheduled for April 19 officially began at midnight on March 20 and will continue until April 17, followed by a day of reflection on April 18. At the same time, members of parliament have entered a pre-election recess. This will b»»»

Eastern Mediterranean-focused gas producer Energean on Thursday suspended its 2026 outlook for Israel, citing the ongoing Middle East conflict that has forced the shutdown of its production vessel serving multiple Israeli fields. Growing regional tensions have triggered precautionary shutdowns of k»»»

China will be in a stronger position to extract concessions from Donald Trump when the US president finally visits Beijing after becoming entangled in his Middle East war, analysts say. Trump had been due in the Chinese capital at the end of this month for talks with President Xi Jinping, but has d»»»

On March 20, 1995, 12 people were killed, and more than 5,000 made ill in a nerve-gas attack on the Tokyo subway system. A 13th victim died a day later and a 14th in 2008. 1 of 7 | A photo taken on June 16, 1995, shows Aum Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara (C, back), born Chizuo Matsumoto, being»»»

Dubai: Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE have been urged to remain vigilant after authorities have found a rise in scams linked to travel assistance programmes amid the current regional tensions. In an advisory, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai and the Northern Emirates has warne»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Pantsir air defense systems are capable of intercepting not only drones but also HARM and HIMARS projectiles, ATACMS ballistic missiles and cruise missiles including Storm Shadows and Flamingos, Russian state tech corporation Rostec said on Friday. "Pantsir systems have »»»

Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Friday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated", and as Gulf nations faced a fresh set of attacks. The Iranian capital, under near daily bombardment since a joint US-Israeli attack started the war on February 28, was »»»

Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai edged higher on Friday morning, reversing the sharp declines seen earlier this week, even as markets remain surprisingly muted to escalating geopolitical tensions from the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia»»»

President Iliana Iotova extended her greetings to Bulgarian Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the President’s press office announced on Friday. “In today’s divided and conflict-ridden world, the tradition of Eid al-Fitr reminds us of the power of sharing, compassion, and a helping hand. It re»»»

As the clock struck midnight and Eid Al-Fitr began, celebrations took on a deeply personal meaning for Pakistani couple Saqib Rauf and Farah Diba Sakib. Inside Burjeel Hospital, the couple welcomed their newborn son, an arrival that felt nothing short of poetic on a day defined by joy, gratitude an»»»

Iranian attacks ‌have knocked out 17% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy's CEO and state minister for energy affairs told Reuters on Thursday. Saad al-Kaabi said two»»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and daughter Ju Ae tried out the country's new battle tank in large-scale military drills, state media reported on Friday, in the latest sign that she was being groomed as his heir. Photos released by state media showed a chuffed-looking Kim sitting on top of the mov»»»

Protesters heckled and booed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday during a visit to Australia's largest mosque for Eid al-Fitr prayers, voicing anger over his stance on ally Israel's offensive in Gaza. Some in Australia's Muslim and Jewish communities are angry over a fine line walked by the c»»»

A US F-35 stealth warplane was hit by suspected Iranian fire and made an emergency landing at an American air base in the Middle East, US media reported on Thursday. “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesman for US Central Command, said in a »»»

Syria’s defense ministry said border guard forces in the outskirts of Flita area west of Damascus had foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons across the Syrian-Lebanese border after what it described as a tightly executed ambush. The ministry’s media and communications office said the operation led to»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani expressed his wishes of a Blessed Eid Al Fitr to the people, residents of Qatar, and all Muslims in the world with goodness, prosperity, and blessings. HH the Amir, in a post on X, HH the Amir said in a post on his official account on the soc»»»

As the clock struck midnight and Eid Al-Fitr began, celebrations took on a deeply personal meaning for Pakistani couple Saqib Rauf and Farah Diba Sakib. Inside Burjeel Hospital, the couple welcomed their newborn son, an arrival that felt nothing short of poetic on a day defined by joy, gratitude an»»»

Abu Dhabi: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, extended warm Eid Al Fitr greetings to all residents and citizens of the UAE on Friday. The SMS, sent to mobile users nationwide, underscored the UAE’s unity, resilience, and community spirit during Eid. Residents welcomed th»»»

KUWAIT: Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery, operated by Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), came under drone attacks in the early hours of Friday, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said in a statement. Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported that the attacks resulted in a fire in several units within the re»»»

Israel has stepped up its operations against Hezbollah in recent days, escalating on multiple fronts in response to the group’s intensified attacks into Israeli territory and its use of precision and ballistic missiles that have reshaped the battlefield. Tel Aviv has widened its targets to include »»»

Global energy markets are sending mixed signals as oil prices diverge sharply across regions, highlighting the growing impact of geopolitical tensions on supply flows. Benchmark crudes West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude and Brent crude both declined in the latest trading session, with WTI falling »»»

Leadership decapitation has long appealed to outside powers as a shortcut to regime collapse. Remove the figure at the top, the theory goes, and an authoritarian system will fracture under the weight of its own rivalries. That is not what has happened in Iran, at least not so far. Following the kil»»»