Fact-checking Trump's longest ever State of the Union
President Donald Trump delivered his longest speech to Congress - lasting one hour 47 minutes - and told US lawmakers that the "country is winning again" as he touted his administration's achievements. The US economy and affordability were key themes in the address - which was the longest in decade»»»
Things to do this weekend in Qatar (February 26-28, 2026)
Doha, Qatar: This Ramadan, a vibrant lineup of activities is set to enrich both your health and spiritual wellbeing. As the weekend approaches, there is something for everyone to experience the essence of the holy month of Ramadan such as engaging community gatherings and energising wellness sessio»»»
Capital.com reports strong 2025 growth, trading volume reaches $3.42 trillion
Dubai: Capital.com, a global fintech group operating in the regulated online trading sector, today published its 2025 trading platform activity summary, reporting $3.42 trillion in client trading volume for the year. The group reported that the Middle East accounted for approximately 50% of total a»»»
Brega starts second phase of cooking gas cylinder distribution with two million cylinders ordered - recent fuel shortage due to bad weather
The Chairman of Brega Oil Marketing Company, Fouad Balrahim, announced the resumption of registration for the second phase of the cooking gas cylinder distribution system. Citizens can register for a new gas cylinder after they register using their National ID Number which must be linked to their m»»»
Al Ansari Exchange celebrates 60 years of growth and innovation
Dubai: Al Ansari Exchange, a leading outward personal remittance and foreign exchange company in the UAE and a subsidiary of Al Ansari Financial Services, marked its 60th anniversary during Ramadan, celebrating six decades of financial leadership and regional expansion. The milestone was commemorat»»»
Vucic, Sorensen discuss course, resumption of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue
BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met on Wednesday in Belgrade with the EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Peter Sorensen to discuss the current course of the dialogue and its resumption with more active EU engagement, with special focus on the position of Kosovo-Metohi»»»
Russian Intel’s Exposure of Plans to Give Ukraine Nuclear Arms Prevented Catastrophe — Expert
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said that the UK and France are preparing to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine. The release of information by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) regarding the potential transfer of nuclear weapons to Ukraine should nullify even the very i»»»
Bath kits, dry fruits, bedsheets: Scindia calls BSNL director visit arrangements ‘unacceptable’, orders action
Dubai: Indian federal Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has ordered action against a Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Director after an internal office order detailing elaborate protocol arrangements for his proposed visit to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh triggered a controversy. Governm»»»
‘My brain is full of chaos’: Fear and fatigue grip Iranians ahead of crunch talks
DUBAI As Washington amasses formidable military firepower across the Middle East and a crucial round of nuclear talks in Geneva, anxiety is once again threading through daily life in Iran — not only in political corridors, but around kitchen tables, shop counters and sleepless bedrooms.\ Iran and t»»»
Zelensky Announces Ukraine-US Talks in Geneva Thursday
Lead Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov will meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva on Thursday, Kyiv has announced, ahead of fresh trilateral talks with Russia expected in early March. The meetings are the latest round of negotiations spearheaded by US President Donald Trump that so far have f»»»
Aston Martin to cut 20% of workforce, sell F1 branding rights amid tariff hit
Dubai: Aston Martin Lagonda said on Wednesday it will cut up to 20% of its workforce and has agreed to sell the branding rights to its Formula One team, as the British luxury carmaker grapples with mounting losses, US import tariffs and weak demand in China. Sign up for our daily business newslette»»»
Media Review: February 25
HOME SCENE Bulgarian National TV (BNT) reported on Tuesday that the Sofia City Prosecution Office has ordered a preliminary check into the actions of caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev following three reports alleging pressure on investigators working on the Petrohan–Okolchitsa case, the prose»»»
Egypt’s Launch of Futures Trading Signals Structural Shift — But Liquidity Will Be the Real Test
Egypt will enter the derivatives arena on 1 March 2026, as the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) begins trading futures contracts tied initially to the EGX30 index. The move marks the most significant structural reform of the country’s capital markets in years, expanding beyond cash equities into leveraged, »»»
Western Troops Won't Step Into Ukraine Without Russia's Approval - Report
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that the presence of NATO allies' troops on Ukrainian soil would be a threat to Russia, and that Moscow would not accept it under any circumstances. President Vladimir Putin warned that foreign forces in Ukraine would become legitimate targets for»»»
Modi's Israel visit to test India's priorities in the Middle East
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Israel for a two-day visit, his first since the war in Gaza began. Modi is expected to address Israel's parliament, the Knesset, and hold meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. There is no meeting with Palestinian »»»
Entrepreneur Raul Țărnaru acquires 80% stake in Novarion DMX Construction, eyes listing on Bucharest Stock Exchange
Novarion DMX Construction, a Sibiu-based company with over 11 years of experience in construction and general contracting and a portfolio of 150,000 square meters built, announces the entry of Novarion Holding SRL into its shareholding structure. The company, controlled by entrepreneur Raul Țărnaru»»»
UAE Central Bank launches world’s first sovereign financial cloud platform
Dubai: The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has partnered with Core42, a G42 company, to develop what it describes as the world’s first sovereign financial cloud services infrastructure dedicated to the financial sector. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The new platform,»»»
UAE Lottery announces Indian expat as first Dh5 million winner
Dubai: The UAE Lottery on Wednesday revealed the full identity of its first-ever winner of the Dh5 million second prize in the new format of the Lucky Day draw launched in December 2025 with a Dh30 million jackpot. Indian expat Murugananth Govinthan was announced as the winner of the life changing »»»
Industrial AI: Germany's best chance to take on US, China?
TradeGermanyIndustrial AI: Germany's best chance to take on US, China?Nik MartinGermany is already harnessing AI for smarter production — with virtual factories, robot fleets and its newly launched Industrial AI Cloud. Can this edge overcome stagnation and let the country truly take on its rivals? »»»
GERB-UDF Says Support for Ukraine Is Investment in Europe’s Security
According to a declaration by GERB-UDF, presented by MP Georg Georgiev on Wednesday, support for Ukraine is not an act of momentary solidarity but a strategic investment in Europe’s security and in preserving the international order. Georgiev marked four years since the start of the Russian Federat»»»
This new Spotify product promises music beyond the grave
Dubai: Music may follow you everywhere in life. Spotify now wants it to follow you into the afterlife. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The streaming giant has partnered with beverage brand Liquid Death to launch what they describe as the world’s first music-streaming u»»»
UAE cracks down on illegal domestic worker recruitment, shuts 12 offices
Dubai: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has shut down 12 offices found to be illegally recruiting domestic workers without the required licences and referred their cases to the Public Prosecution in coordination with economic development authorities nationwide. Also Read: UAE shuts»»»
Dh2 books, 95% off: Big Bad Wolf Ramadan sale returns to Dubai this Thursday
On the ninth day of Ramadan, the Big Bad Wolf (BBW) Books sale is set to open in Dubai Studio City’s Sound Stage, offering readers and families an extensive selection of books at affordable prices. The 11-day sale, starting Thursday and held in partnership with the Sharjah Book Authority and Dubai »»»
From picking tomatoes to neurosurgery: The Mexican-American migrant farm worker who became a world-class surgeon
Dubai: Beneath the cold blaze of surgical lights, a patient lies open-eyed and conscious whilst a surgeon navigates the most complex structure known to science - the human brain. Electrodes map neural pathways in real time, a theatre of clinicians works in near-silence and the patient, feels nothin»»»
Israel Commends Bulgaria’s Role in Gaza Peace and Reconstruction
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar praised Bulgaria’s proactive role in promoting peace and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip during a phone call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski. The discussion covered ways to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic and »»»
German leader arrives in China to press for fair trade and help ending Ukraine war
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is meeting China's top leaders Wednesday at the start of a whirlwind two-day visit to press for a fair economic playing field for German companies, and China's assistance in bringing about an end to Russia's four-year-old war in Ukraine. The German leader's plane to»»»
Community spirit shines at Bab Al Shams Ramadan gathering
Dubai: A new day filled with mercy and forgiveness unfolded during the Holy Month of Ramadan at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, where community and collaboration took centre stage. The gathering brought together teams from Dubai Police General Headquarters, represented by the General Department of Comm»»»
Quint meets in Cairo in preparation for Paris' army support conference
Egypt on Tuesday urged the international community to better support Lebanon's armed forces to ensure that all weapons in the country come under the exclusive authority of the state. Speaking at a preparatory meeting in Cairo ahead of next month's Paris conference in support of the Lebanese Army, E»»»
Ramadan in UAE: Can fasting without phones boost focus? – ‘scrolling isn’t restful’
Late-night prayers, suhoor alarms and shifting sleep routines are already testing residents’ energy levels this Ramadan. Now, doctors told Gulf News that excessive smartphone use after iftar may be quietly worsening fatigue, irritability and poor concentration during fasting hours. Blue light disru»»»
Interim PM Reaffirms Bulgaria’s Backing for Ukraine at “Coalition of the Willing” Talks
Bulgarian Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov joined a videoconference of leaders from the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” marking his first appearance in this format since taking office. The meeting was co-hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. During the tal»»»
Ellington Properties contributes Dh5m in support of Edge of Life campaign
Ellington Properties announced a contribution of Dh5 million in support of the Edge of Life campaign to rescue five million children from hunger, launched in Ramadan by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with the aim »»»
Etihad Rail reveals new UAE passenger train experience
Dubai: Etihad Rail has revealed new details on what passengers can expect when services start operating later this year. The passenger experience has been shaped around how people actually live, work and travel across the UAE today, offering a modern, comfortable and reliable alternative to interci»»»
Trump’s State of the Union: Key highlights
US President Donald Trump has delivered his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, using the primetime speech to defend his administration’s record and outline political and economic priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The address on Tuesday, the first State of the U»»»
ForMin Toiu: Romania chose right side of history and will continue
Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu said Romania chose in 2022 to stand on the right side of history by supporting Ukraine and will continue along that path.'A peace imposed by force is not peace,' she wrote on Facebook on Tuesday, describing it instead as merely a pause in the face of aggression th»»»
PM Bolojan: Ukraine's resistance is essential for the security of the entire Europe
Romania's Government expresses its support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom, sovereignty and peace, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan conveyed on Tuesday."Today, four years have passed since Russia launched its brutal and unprovoked war and large-scale invasion of Ukrai»»»
Bulgaria Reaffirms Support for Ukraine at Commemorative Gathering in Sofia
A commemorative gathering was held in central Sofia to honor the resilience of the Ukrainian people four years after the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The event took place near the Church of St. Sophia and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, drawing dozens of Bulgarian and Ukrainian citi»»»
Four Years On: How Bulgaria Has Backed Ukraine Since the Start of the War
February 24 marked four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, triggering the most severe and destructive armed conflict in Europe since the Second World War. The attack in 2022 sent shockwaves globally and set off a prolonged war that continues to reshape the continent’s s»»»
UN Secretary-General appoints new personal envoy for Sudan
New York: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the appointment of Pekka Haavisto of Finland as his new Personal Envoy for Sudan. Haavisto brings over forty years of experience in politics and international affairs, having held several ministerial positions in the Government o»»»
‘Qatar a neutral and trusted mediator in regional, global conflicts’
Geneva: Qatar participated in the high-level segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), currently convening in Geneva. Qatar was represented at the event by Minister of State for International Cooperation H E Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad. In her address, t»»»
OFWs advised to stay alert against rogue shipping firms
Dubai: Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been alerted anew against dealing with unscrupulous cargo forwarders after reports of mishandled and abandoned balikbayan boxes in the Philippines. The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has issued the warning in coordination with the Nationa»»»
UK, France Plan to Help Ukraine With Nuclear Arms is Manipulation - MFA
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The plans of London and Paris to help Ukraine with nuclear weapons is a manipulation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday. "The UK and France are preparing and are already in the process of manipulating, not rhetorically, but practically, the is»»»
Paris Seeks Roadmap for Lebanese Army, Security Forces Needs
Paris is pinning high hopes on a preparatory meeting held in Cairo on Tuesday under Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, seen as a key step toward the conference France will host in Paris on March 5, to rally support for the Lebanese army and the Internal Security Forces. French diplomatic sou»»»
Lebanon Fears Being Dragged to War as US-Iran Tensions Spike
Concern is mounting in Lebanon as tensions between the United States and Iran intensify, stoking fears that any direct military clash could spill onto Lebanese soil. The evacuation of non-essential staff from the US embassy in Beirut has deepened unease, especially as it coincided with official Leb»»»
Coach Lopetegui eyes redemption with Qatar
Doha, Qatar: Despite his extensive experience in international football with Spain, Julen Lopetegui (pictured) has never coached at a FIFA World Cup. He came close to leading La Roja in Russia in 2018, only for fate to deny him that moment at the final hurdle. Now, the opportunity returns – this ti»»»
Aspetar’s ‘Healthy Ramadan’ campaign begins
Doha, Qatar: Aspetar has launched a series of initiatives under the 16th edition of its annual Ramadan campaign, “Healthy Ramadan”, as part of the hospital’s ongoing efforts to enhance health and fitness awareness throughout the holy month. The yearly campaign aims to provide the community with rel»»»
Homes r Us launches Ramadan Collection designed for apartment and townhouse living
Homes r Us has launched its Ramadan Collection, introducing a curated range of furniture and decor designed to meet the changing needs of homes across the UAE during the holy month. With Ramadan traditionally centred around gathering, reflection and hospitality, the new collection responds to how p»»»
Dubai court orders medical centre to refund Dh159,000 after failed surgery agreement
Dubai: The Dubai Civil Court has ordered a medical centre to refund Dh159,000 to a patient after ruling that the facility failed to carry out an agreed surgical procedure despite receiving full payment. Also Read: Client wins case against immigration consultancy in Dubai courtThe court cancelled th»»»
Chronic pain needs timely care to protect physical and mental health, says expert
Doha, Qatar: Persistent pain is often dismissed as something to “push through,” but specialists warn that waiting too long can allow a manageable condition to become debilitating. According to Attending Physician at the Adult Pain Clinic at Sidra Medicine, Dr. Mohammed Al-Hejji early intervention p»»»
MoL invites entities, individuals to guidance workshop for Qatar Private Sector Nationalisation Award
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Labour (MoL) yesterday invited all entities and individuals wishing to apply for the prestigious Qatar Private Sector Nationalisation Award to attend a dedicated guidance workshop that will offer full clarity on every aspect of the programme. The session, set for Sunday»»»
Astronomers in Oman forecast March 20 as first day of Eid Al Fitr
Dubai: Astronomical calculations in Oman indicate that Friday, March 20, is likely to mark the first day of Eid Al Fitr, subject to the official moon sighting, local media reported. According to estimates, the crescent moon of Shawwal is expected to be born before sunset on Thursday, March 19, maki»»»