Spain's Pedro Sánchez hits back at Trump threat to sever trade saying 'no to war'
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has delivered a strong rebuttal to US President Donald Trump's threat to end trade with Spain by declaring his opposition to war and what he called the "breakdown of international law". In a 10-minute televised address Sánchez reflected on the wars in Ukraine an»»»
US Embassy and Consulate in UAE closed until further notice
Abu Dhabi: The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate in Dubai have been closed, and services cannot be provided in those facilities until further notice, the US Embassy announced in a social media post on Wednesday. The announcement comes amid the blatant Iranian aggression on the country. F»»»
Yash’s Toxic postponed to June: Hyper-masculine Yash's action film vs Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2 clash averted
Dubai: Kannada actor Yash has postponed the release of his upcoming film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The movie, which was earlier scheduled to hit theatres on March 19 clashing with Bollywood blockbuster Dhurandhar 2, will now be released worldwide on June 4, 2026. The makers said the decisi»»»
Kyrgyzstan joins international Green Cities project - | 24.KG
Green Cities project, which unites Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, has been officially launched in the Fergana Valley. The German Embassy in Bishkek reported. According to the Embassy, the project will be implemented in Osh and Manas, Kyrgyzstan. The initiative aims to reduce environmenta»»»
Cultural figures ask Sadyr Japarov to support film about Frunze and USSR - | 24.KG
A group of prominent cultural figures from Kyrgyzstan and the CIS countries sent a letter to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, asking him to support the production of a historical documentary film about the city of Frunze and the Soviet era. The letter was signed by People’s and »»»
Interior ministry warns against gathering, filming at accident sites
DOHA: The Ministry of Interior has warned against gathering or being present at accident sites, filming them, or sharing videos related to ongoing developments, in compliance with regulations and laws and to avoid legal repercussions. The Ministry also stressed that all pieces of information must b»»»
Israel Expands Lebanon Strikes, Killing 11
Israel expanded its air strikes in Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting the area around the presidential palace near Beirut and other areas south of the capital as well as strongholds of the Iran-backed Hezbollah party, killing at least 11 people. Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on Monday whe»»»
DP World confirms Jebel Ali Port terminals operating without disruption
Dubai: Operations at Jebel Ali Port, the Middle East’s largest maritime hub, continue without disruption despite heightened geopolitical tensions across the region, according to DP World. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The global ports and logistics operator said all »»»
UAE markets reopen after suspension. Traders brace for volatile session
Dubai: Trading across the UAE’s main stock exchanges resumes today after regulators imposed a two day suspension designed to shield markets from sharp volatility during a period of escalating geopolitical tensions across the Middle East. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances»»»
UAE warns public about misleading AI-generated videos
Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cyber Security Council has warned the public about the growing spread of artificial intelligence-generated videos that may appear highly realistic and potentially misleading. In a statement shared on its official social media accounts, the council urged individuals to verify the »»»
Agricultural census to begin in Kyrgyzstan on March 20 - | 24.KG
An agricultural census will be conducted in Kyrgyzstan from March 20 to April 10. Elmira Alymkulova, chief of staff of the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic, announced on Birinchi Radio. According to her, such an event is held once every ten years and is nationwide. However, a c»»»
Body of 20-year-old found hanged in Nookat district - | 24.KG
The body of a young man was discovered in Nookat district of Osh region, law enforcement agency reported. According to the police, on February 20, 2026, the district police department received a report via the 112 emergency service. The information indicated that a resident of Kok-Bel village, 20, »»»
First Group of Bulgarian Citizens to Return From Middle East on Wednesday, PM Says
The first group of Bulgarian citizens evacuated from the Middle East is expected to land at Varna Airport later on Wednesday, Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said before a regular meeting of the Cabinet. Gurov thanked the ministers of foreign affairs, transport, and tourism, along with their teams and »»»
Pakistan Seeks Saudi Oil Supplies Via Yanbu Port
Pakistan has asked Saudi Arabia to route oil supplies through the Red Sea port of Yanbu after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted shipping, the petroleum ministry said in a press release on Wednesday. The request comes as war in the Middle East has disrupted shipping through the Strait of»»»
Saudi Arabia intercepts nine drones, two cruise missiles
Dubai: Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence of Saudi Arabia Major General Turki Al Maliki announced early Wednesday that nine drones were intercepted and destroyed immediately upon entering the Kingdom's airspace. The announcement was made in a statement issued by Major General Al Mali»»»
Nepal Embassy in Doha urges citizens to register on Emergency portal
Doha, Qatar: In light of the evolving situation in the Middle East, the Nepal Embassy has urged its nationals currently in Qatar to register their details through a dedicated online portal. In a statement, the Nepal Embassy said the data collection aims to collate essential information to enhance p»»»
Bishkek City Hall proposes introducing zonal and hourly parking fees - | 24.KG
The Bishkek City Hall has developed a draft resolution «On the Regulation of Municipal Parking and Parking Lots in the City.» The document has been submitted to the City Council for consideration. Key points of the draft: According to the City Hall, a differentiated (zonal) pricing system is propos»»»
Drone Downed Near Baghdad Airport
A drone was shot down on Wednesday near Baghdad's international airport, a day after a similar attack on the facility, two security sources told AFP. "A drone was downed near Baghdad airport, with no casualties or material damage reported," an Iraqi security source said. Another security source in »»»
Trump wants to purge US history of ‘woke’ agenda – media
The administration of US President Donald Trump is seeking to purge “anti-American” narratives from the country’s national parks and museums, several media outlets have reported, citing a leaked government database. Among the themes reportedly identified for removal are racism and climate change. A»»»
Abu Dhabi advances pension payments ahead of Eid holidays
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Pension Fund has announced that pension payments will be brought forward over the next three months to coincide with the approaching Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha holidays. In a statement, the fund said pensions for March will be disbursed on March 16. Payments for April will»»»
Malayalam actress Swasika back in Kerala after being stuck in Abu Dhabi : ‘UAE authorities are doing an excellent job'
Dubai: Malayalam actress Swasika, who had travelled to Abu Dhabi for a dance workshop, has landed in Kerala after taking the repatriation flight. She told local reporters that there was no 'heavy panic situation', as reported by several Malayalam news channels. Everyone was alert and understandably»»»
PSG, strikers Dembele and Doue among Laureus World Sports Awards nominees
Doha: Paris Saint-Germain and two of its strikers, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, have been nominated across three categories of the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, an event that honours the previous year’s greatest and most inspirational sporting triumphs. Following the Ballon d’Or, the Golden»»»
12 Parties, 10 Coalitions Have Submitted Documents to Register for Upcoming Elections, Says Central Election Commission Deputy Chair
So far, 12 parties and 10 coalitions have submitted registration documents, said Rositsa Mateva, spokesperson and deputy chair of the Central Election Commission (CEC), speaking on Bulgarian National Television (BNT) on Wednesday. A total of eight parties and five coalitions have so far been regist»»»
Hormuz Strait Puts Global Economy in ‘Intensive Care’
The Strait of Hormuz is no longer merely an international waterway. In a decisive moment, it has turned into a tightly sealed bottleneck choking the global economy. As plumes of smoke rise from critical energy facilities following military confrontations between Iran on one side and Israel and the »»»
On This Day, March 4: Martha Stewart released from prison - UPI.com
On March 4, 2005, homemaking guru Martha Stewart returned home after serving five months in a federal prison for conspiracy, obstruction of an agency proceeding and making false statements to federal investigators. 1 of 7 | Martha Stewart shows on March 7, 2005, a poncho that was crocheted and give»»»
Two active alerts regarding Romania posted on CoE's Safety of Journalists Platform
Two alerts regarding Romania have been issued this year on Safety of Journalists Platform ,the Council of Europe (CoE) platform promoting the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists, which on Tuesday released its annual Europe press freedom report.The two active alerts were filed on »»»
Presidential adviser Burnete: Romania must build a rainy-day fund
Romania must build a rainy-day fund, as the state needs resources it can mobilise very quickly, presidential adviser Radu Burnete said on Tuesday.Burnete participated, at the Victoria Governmental Palace, in the debate ?Romania: economic growth based on competitiveness,' organised by the Government»»»
FinMin Nazare: Economic growth can no longer be bought with deficit, it must be earned through productivity
Our growth model has relied for too long on consumption fuelled by ever-increasing external fiscal deficits, eroding the economic fundamentals, and what Romania is experiencing today is not a crisis, but the anticipated consequence of a deliberate paradigm shift, Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare s»»»
WB's Bassani: World Bank Group prepared to support Romania's next phase of growth
Romania has what it takes to succeed and the World Bank Group is ready to support the country's next phase of growth so as to secure its place among the world's most advanced economies, World Bank Vice President for the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Antonella Bassani said on Tuesday.Speaking at the»»»
Fuel prices could reach RON 10 psychological threshold if oil barrel prices exceed USD 120
Fuel prices in Romania could reach RON 10 per litre if the barrel of oil exceeds USD 120 and if the price per tonne of diesel increases further, Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said on Tuesday.He was asked about what can be expected now in terms of fuel prices, given that some days ago it was claimed t»»»
Iranian Charge d'Affaires called to MAE: Protest over attacks on neighbouring states in Middle East
The Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bucharest, Javad Karimi, was called on Tuesday to the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) headquarters "to be presented with Romania's profound concerns regarding the conduct of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the context of the current»»»
Romania in talks over France's proposed nuclear umbrella
Romania is taking part in talks regarding France's nuclear umbrella, but it is too early to draw any conclusions at this stage, official sources said on Tuesday.According to the cited sources, talks on the issue have been underway for some time and have also taken place at NATO level.On Monday, Pre»»»
New WCM-Q course addresses evolving healthcare landscape
Doha, Qatar: The Institute for Population Health (IPH) at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) recently launched a certificate course to support healthcare professionals in adapting to the evolving health and wellbeing landscape. Titled “Smart Health for a Changing World: Trends and Tools,” the thr»»»
Thani Humanitarian launches initiative to support loan defaulters
Doha, Qatar: Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services has reaffirmed that its “Al-Gharimeen” (debtors) Project aims to relieve financially distressed individuals burdened by debt due to circumstances beyond their control, such as job loss, sudden health or social crises, or financial»»»
AD Ports says UAE terminals operating normally amid tensions
Abu Dhabi: AD Ports Group said its operations across all business sectors continue as normal despite ongoing regional developments, stressing that precautionary measures have been activated to ensure the continuity of services and the safety of its workforce and partners. In a statement, the group »»»
Global Village closed for fourth consecutive day
Dubai: Global Village will remain closed on Wednesday, March 4, as regional tensions continue. In a statement, Global Village said the closure is a precautionary safety measure taken in line with official guidance. Visitors have been advised to check the attraction’s official website and social med»»»
Ramadan inside a Filipino-Pakistani household: A time for reflection, family, and the comfort of home in the UAE
Dubai: As Muslims around the world observe Ramadan, homes are once again filled with the warmth of prayer, the aroma of traditional dishes, and the quiet joy of togetherness. For UAE-based Bhatti family, the holy month is not just about fasting, but rather a season of reflection, gratitude, and nur»»»
Awqaf Ministry sets Zakat Al-Fitr at QR15 per person
Doha, Qatar: The Zakat Fund Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has officially announced the value of Zakat Al-Fitr for the year 2026, setting it at QR15 per person. This decision aligns with the Department’s ongoing efforts to organise the collection and distribution of Zakat a»»»
Awqaf receives QR400,000 endowment for mosque construction
Doha, Qatar: The General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has announced the receipt of a new cash endowment valued at 400,000 Qatari Riyals. The donation was made by a benefactor under the management of the General Directorate, with the proceeds explicitly dedi»»»
Aspetar’s scientific roadmap to keep athletes at peak performance
Doha, Qatar: Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, continues its support for athletes by launching a series of comprehensive scientific guidelines designed to assist them throughout the holy month of Ramadan, a period that coincides this year with the postponement or cancellation of se»»»
Gold Climbs Over 1% as Expanding War Fuels Safe haven Demand
Gold prices rose over 1% on Wednesday, rebounding from a more than one-week low hit in the previous session, as a widening Middle East conflict sent global markets tumbling and supported safe-haven demand. Spot gold gained 1.5% to $5,164.42 per ounce by 0701 GMT. US gold futures for April delivery »»»
Hormuz blockade unlikely to last, analysis says - UPI.com
Map of the Strait of Hormuz. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons March 3 (Asia Today) -- Concerns about a potential "second oil shock" are spreading as tensions rise around the Strait of Hormuz, but Japanese analysts say a prolonged blockade is structurally unlikely because China and Iran would suf»»»
Irish government to charter flight for citizens stranded in Middle East
The Irish government has said it will charter a flight from Oman in the coming days for Irish citizens to return from the Middle East. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, said her department will be contacting Irish citizens in the Middle East on Wednesday to travel home on a charter f»»»
Inside Etihad Rail’s mission: How over 350 UAE passengers returned from Saudi Arabia in 3 trains
Dubai: Etihad Rail, in coordination with the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi (ADCMC), operated three exceptional passenger train services between Al Ghuwaifat Station (Al Dhafra) and Al Faya Station (Abu Dhabi City). These trips safely transported over 350 passengers a»»»
Israel Targets Iran’s Security Forces and Leadership as Iran Presses Attacks Across the Region
Explosions sounded in Iran's capital on Wednesday as the war with the United States and Israel entered its fifth day, with Israel targeting the Iranian leadership and security forces and the country responding with missile barrages and drone attacks on Israel and across the Gulf region. The blasts »»»
Student Solves Mystery of Icy ‘Snowmen’ in Solar System’s Outer Reaches
A student has unraveled a long-standing cosmic enigma concerning some of our solar system’s most peculiar objects: icy “snowmen” that populate its outer reaches, according to The Independent. Astronomers have long debated the origins of these 'contact binaries' – objects comprising two connected sp»»»
Gulf Navigation confirms tankers and Fujairah storage running normally
Dubai: Shipping and maritime logistics firm Gulf Navigation Holding said its operations continue without disruption despite heightened tensions across the Middle East, confirming that petroleum storage facilities and tanker fleets remain fully operational. Sign up for our daily business newsletter,»»»
QRCS enhances livelihoods for refugee families in Bangladesh
Doha, Qatar: As part of its efforts to support livelihoods and enhance self-dependence for refugee families in Bangladesh, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has distributed agricultural kits to 400 vulnerable and female-headed households. Implemented in cooperation with Bangladesh Red Crescent Soci»»»
MoPH: Health sector takes necessary measures to deal with emergencies
Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reaffirmed yesterday that all health facilities and institutions in the State of Qatar are continuing to provide their services and are at the highest level of readiness to deal with emergencies. Assistant Undersecretary for Healthcare Regulatory Affairs a»»»
Faith in UAE government: Filipino group leaders assure community
Dubai: In a strong show of solidarity, the Filipino Social Club (FILSOC) has convened an online coordination meeting, bringing together Filipino community leaders from accredited organisations across the UAE, along with business partners, and church representatives. The meeting has tackled on reinf»»»