Qatar announces gradual return to in-person learning after Eid; full school attendance from March 29
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has announced the gradual resumption of in-person learning across educational institutions, starting tomorrow, March 24, 2026. Full in-person attendance for all students in schools and kindergartens will resume on Sunday, March 29, 2026. I»»»
France ex-PM Lionel Jospin, architect of 35-hour week, dies aged 88
Paris: Former French prime minister Lionel Jospin, a Socialist who introduced the 35-hour work week and civil partnerships for gay couples, has died aged 88, his family said on Monday. Jospin - who was head of government from 1997 to 2002 before being overtaken by the far right in presidential poll»»»
Dubai Miracle Garden brings back free entry for UAE families
Dubai: Dubai Miracle Garden has resumed its complimentary entry offer for UAE resident families following the Eid Al Fitr break, allowing more visitors to plan outings before the end of the season. The popular attraction announced that families can enter for free by presenting a valid Emirates ID, »»»
Interior Ministry Reports 80,348 Registered Crimes in 2025, Rise in Phone Frauds
In 2025, Bulgaria recorded 80,348 crimes, 86.7% of which were against the person and property of citizens, and 13.3% were economic, according to the annual report of the Interior Ministry, published on Monday. The data shows a 6.6% decline in recorded crimes compared with 2024. Crime detection rate»»»
Greece accused of deploying Afghan paramilitaries to attack asylum seekers
Allegations Greece deployed an armed Afghan paramilitary unit to violently assault a group of 61 mostly-Turkish nationals seeking political asylum have raised alarm within the EU’s border agency, Frontex. A report by the agency’s fundamental rights officer, Jonas Grimheden, alleges that an Afghan u»»»
Media Review: March 23
The April 19 parliamentary elections and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its effect on fuel prices are the dominant topics in the news media on Monday. POLITICS 24 Chasa daily runs an interview with Trend polling agency head Dimitar Ganev about the upcoming parliamentary elections. In t»»»
Three killed as flash floods hit Oman’s Barka region
Dubai: Search teams in Oman have recovered the body of a woman who went missing after a vehicle was swept away by flash floods in the Wilayat of Barka, as severe weather continues to affect several parts of the Sultanate. The Search and Rescue Sector confirmed the discovery following intensive oper»»»
Pakistan Vows to 'Eradicate Terrorism' as Afghan Truce Nears End
Pakistan's foreign minister said Monday that the country remains committed to "eradicating the menace of terrorism", as the clock ticked down to the end of a temporary ceasefire with Afghanistan. Both countries last Wednesday announced a halt to weeks of hostilities for the Eid al-Fitr holiday mark»»»
Eid demand fuels surge in restaurant bookings
Doha, Qatar: Eateries across Doha are experiencing an overwhelming surge in demand during the extended Eid holidays, with dining venues operating at maximum capacity from afternoon well into late evening hours. Amidst the ongoing regional challenges, the festive period has sparked a citywide appeti»»»
Leisure destinations witness large turnouts during Eid
Doha: Popular leisure destinations across Qatar are witnessing a surge in visitors as families and residents make the most of the ongoing Eid holiday, with iconic locations such as Souq Waqif and the Doha Corniche continuing to draw people well into the evenings. The festive atmosphere has transfor»»»
On 10th anniversary of Brussels terror attacks, authorities vow to have learnt the 'right lessons'
Ten years after Islamic State (IS) group terrorists staged Belgium’s deadliest attack in peacetime, killing 32 people and wounding more than 300, authorities vow to have learnt the right security lessons. Since the 2016 massacre, a coordinated extremist profile database has been set up, and the num»»»
Emmanuel Grégoire elected Paris mayor, succeeding fellow left-winger Anne Hidalgo
Socialist frontrunner Emmanuel Grégoire comfortably defeated veteran conservative Rachida Dati in a second-round runoff for Paris mayor on Sunday, defying forecasts of a close race to extend the left's quarter-century rule in the French capital. Socialist frontrunner Emmanuel Grégoire was elected P»»»
WHO chief says at least 64 killed in Sudan hospital strike - UPI.com
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Sunday that at least 64 people were killed in a recent attack on a hospital in Sudan. File Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/EPA-EFE March 22 (UPI) -- An airstrike on a Sudanese hospital over the weekend has killed at least 64 peopl»»»
Eid Al Fitr: Tradition meets modern celebration
Khaled Al Hameidi Doha As the third day of Eid Al Fitr unfolded across Qatar, the spirit of vibrant celebration, reflecting a seamless blend of deeply rooted traditions and contemporary expressions of joy was witnessed. While the initial days of Eid are often marked by family gatherings and formal »»»
Israel to expand ground and air attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon
The Israeli military says plans for the expansion of ground and air attacks against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah have been approved, amid fears in Lebanon that Israel is preparing a large-scale ground invasion of the country. Israel has intensified its campaign against Hezbollah, an Iranian-b»»»
Role of Institutions Is to Stand by Everyone Who Works for Bulgaria - President Iotova
The role of the institutions is to stand by everyone who works for Bulgaria, President Iliana Iotova said Sunday in her address to the students and administration of Plovdiv’s Chernorizets Hrabar Secondary School, where a concert was held to mark the Feast of the Annunciation of the Mother of God. »»»
Video: Eid joy for Gaza patients at UAE floating hospital
Al Arish: Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 marked Eid Al Fitr at the UAE Floating Hospital in Al Arish, in the presence of Palestinian patients from the Gaza Strip and their companions, in a humanitarian atmosphere reflecting values of solidarity and compassion, and aimed at bringing joy to patients a»»»
TISP Identifies Preservation of Traditional Values, Reduction of Energy Costs for Citizens as Priorities, Deputy Leader Yordanov Says in Blagoevgrad
A focus of the election campaign and a main goal of There Is Such a People is the preservation of traditional values which primarily include the family and the protection of children, as well as protecting Bulgarians from illegal immigration, TISP deputy leader Toshko Yordanov said during the launc»»»
Rustaq tragedy: Four children die in building collapse
Dubai: Four children were killed and three others seriously injured after an abandoned building collapsed while they were playing inside it in Oman’s Wilayat of Rustaq, security authorities said on Sunday. According to the Royal Oman Police (ROP), the incident occurred in the Al Haimli area, where »»»
Education Above All Foundation concludes ‘Eid Gifts’ campaign
Doha, Qatar: On the initiative of Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation, the foundation, in partnership with Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), announced the distribution of brand-new Eid clothing to children in the Gaza Strip on the first day of Eid A»»»
From Gaza to Lebanon, doctor races against time to treat war-wounded children
During almost three weeks of war in Lebanon, British-Palestinian doctor Ghassan Abu-Sittah has had no respite, telling AFP he has been working "against the clock" to save children wounded in Israeli bombardment. At the American University of Beirut Medical Center, one of the capital's main hospital»»»
Education Minister Calls for April Uprising Commemoration Day, Addresses Elections, School Oversight, Tuition Fees
Caretaker Education Minister Sergei Ignatov said in an interview on Nova TV on Sunday morning, “We want to make April 20 a permanent school-attendance day without classes, dedicated to commemorating the April Uprising.” “The day after elections is usually problematic, some schools cannot reopen bec»»»
Veliko Tarnovo Honours Its Past on March 22, Says Mayor
March 22 is much more than a town holiday, it is a day when we honor the glorious past of Veliko Tarnovo, Mayor Daniel Panov said on the occasion of the town's holiday on Sunday. Panov recalled that Tsar Ivan Asen II wrote some of the most glorious pages in Bulgarian history, telling about the grea»»»
'It's been bittersweet': The Iranian-Iraqi cafe drawing crowds to Hackney
A queue stretches down a street in east London. It is for Logma, a newly opened Iranian-Iraqi cafe in Hackney that has gone viral for its sandwiches - which sell out within an hour or two. Many are drawn in by pictures they have seen on Instagram and start queuing around noon at the weekend. Despit»»»
Caretaker Health Minister: Measles Hits Mostly Unvaccinated Children in Byala Slatina
The measles outbreak in Byala Slatina has so far been contained, but most of the infected children have not been vaccinated, caretaker Minister of Health Mihail Okoliyski said in a television interview on Sunday. A few days earlier, the Ministry of Health said there were eight confirmed measles cas»»»
Eid tragedy in Oman: Two Keralites killed, one missing after car swept away in flash floods
Two Keralites have died and one remains missing after their vehicle was swept away by flash floods during Eid Al Fitr celebrations in Oman, media reports say. The deceased have been named as Yusuf (38) from Kootanad, Thrithala, and Shamla (32) from Kotappadam, Thrithala, according to Mathrubhumi. Y»»»
WHO: Strike on Sudan Hospital killed at Least 64 People
At least 64 people were killed, including at least 13 children, in a strike on a hospital in Sudan's western Darfur region last week, the World Health Organization said Saturday. The strike on the Al Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur on Friday also injured at least 89 people and rendered the h»»»
Iranians Celebrate Nowruz in Iraq’s Kurdistan Despite War
In Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, women perform a traditional dance, their long dresses spinning, gold tassels and heavy necklaces catching the firelight, as smaller crowds than usual celebrate Nowruz, overshadowed by the Middle East conflict. Among them were Iranian Kurds Sirwa Mustafazada and »»»
Eid lessons: Smart spending and balance for children
Doha, Qatar: As families celebrate Eid and children receive their traditional “Eidiya,” experts are encouraging parents to turn the festive moment into an opportunity for teaching valuable life skills, particularly financial responsibility and healthy habits. Salha Abdullah Al-Hitmi, an expert from»»»
People all praise for ‘Joy of Eid’ initiative
Doha, Qatar: The “Joy of Eid” initiative launched by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has drawn widespread praise from families and community members across Doha and beyond, with many describing it as a meaningful gesture that added warmth and inclusivity to this year’s Eid Al-Fitr celebra»»»
Public flock to museums on second day of Eid Al Fitr
Doha, Qatar: Citizens and residents flocked to museums across the country on the second day of Eid Al-Fitr, welcoming the reopening of cultural institutions under Qatar Museums after a brief closure. Following the closure of museums, doors swung open yesterday, welcoming visitors back to world-clas»»»
Families turn to malls amid restricted outdoor Eid celebrations
Doha, Qatar: The second day of Eid al-Fitr in Qatar this year saw a noticeable shift in how families chose to celebrate, with malls across Qatar becoming the main hubs of activity. Ongoing regional tensions led to tighter safety measures and a general preference for indoor gatherings, limiting the »»»
Sidra Medicine ensures uninterrupted services
Doha, Qatar: Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, continues to play a vital role in Qatar’s national healthcare system, maintaining uninterrupted services for women and children during the current situation. As the country’s main tertiary pediatric hospital, the institution has reaffirmed »»»
Defiant Bulgaria Leader Ninova Pledges Economic Relief Measures, Targets Rising Prices
Korneliya Ninova, leader of the Defiant Bulgaria National Movement party, during a visit to Kyustendil on Saturday, said, “We stand firmly, consistently, and unwaveringly against the existing model of governance represented by GERB and MRF.” “I have fought this model for ten years and I will not gi»»»
Rain clouds to spread across UAE today as temperatures drop
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast partly cloudy to cloudy weather across the UAE on Sunday, with a chance of rainfall in some areas and a drop in temperatures inland. Convective cloud formation is expected, bringing scattered showers to parts of the country, while internal regio»»»
US senator urges Congress to stop funding the war on Lebanon, says Israel killed over 1000, 20 % children – Ya Libnan
Share: U.S. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who represents the state of Massachusetts called for “attention to Lebanon,” noting that “U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have started a regional war in the Middle East, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe.»»»
Awqaf distributes 5,000 Eid gifts to children
The General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs launched the Joy of Eid initiative to celebrate Eid Al Fitr by distributing 5,000 gifts to children across 20 major Eid prayer mosques in different areas of Qatar. The initiative aims to spread happiness among c»»»
Trump: Send ICE to do TSA work; Musk offers to pay salaries - UPI.com
Transportation Security Administration employees have been working without pay for more than a month. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo March 21 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump threatened to send U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents to airports to cover for the Transportatio»»»
Trump cheers death of Russiagate special counsel
US President Donald Trump has gloated over the death of Robert Mueller, a key figure behind the Russiagate probe, stating he will no longer be able to “hurt innocent people.” Mueller, who led the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 2001 to 2013, passed away on Saturday, aged 81. Between 2017»»»
European Nations Decry ‘Increasing Settler Terror’ in West Bank
Diplomats from 13 European countries and Canada on Saturday slammed growing "terror" by settlers against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, after a surge in deadly attacks. Since the start of March, six Palestinians have been shot dead in settler attacks in the West Bank, according to »»»
Dh30 million UAE Lottery: Winning numbers out – check if you’re a winner
Dubai: In the Dh30 million UAE Lottery’s Lucky Day draw held on Saturday, participants saw multiple winners take home cash prizes, although the top jackpot has remained unclaimed. During Draw No. 260321, the winning numbers from the Days section were 11, 19, 2, 25, 18, and 15, while the winning num»»»
From Gaza to Lebanon, Doctor Races Against Time to Treat War-Wounded Children
During almost three weeks of war in Lebanon, British-Palestinian doctor Ghassan Abu-Sittah has had no respite, telling AFP he has been working "against the clock" to save children wounded in Israeli bombardment. At the American University of Beirut Medical Center, one of the capital's main hospital»»»
Barefoot and beaming: Cricket unites Uganda’s grandmothers
Jinja: 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 a»»»
Syrian Kurds return home to celebrate Nowruz for the first time since exile
Nowruz, the Farsi-language word for “new year,” is an ancient Persian festival that is also celebrate by Kurds in Syria, Turkey and Iraq as well as Iran. It is »»»
Cabinet Chairman congratulates people of Kyrgyzstan on Nooruz - | 24.KG
A festive celebration of Nooruz was held on the country’s main Ala-Too Square in Bishkek. The Cabinet of Ministers’ press service reported. On behalf of the President, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev congratulated the people of Kyrgyzstan and visitors to the capital on the s»»»
Southeast England sees surge in nightclub-linked meningitis
London: The number of meningitis cases reported in a deadly outbreak linked to a nightclub in southeast England rose from 29 to 34, including 23 confirmed cases, UK health officials announced Saturday. Hundreds of students queued for meningitis B vaccines at the University of Kent - where several o»»»
UK meningitis outbreak cases rise to 34: official
London: The number of meningitis cases reported in a deadly outbreak linked to a nightclub in southeast England rose from 29 to 34, including 23 confirmed cases, UK health officials announced Saturday. Hundreds of students queued for meningitis B vaccines at the University of Kent -- where several »»»
TISP Launches Election Campaign Pledging Traditional Values, Lower Energy Costs
Toshko Yordanov, deputy chair of There Is Such a People (TISP), arrived in Kyustendil on Saturday to launch the party’s campaign in the city. He commented that the Petrohan case has shown how vulnerable normal human relationships, and attitudes toward children, can be. According to him, the issue o»»»
Record-breaking heat wave grips western US
Los Angeles, United States: A record early heat wave striking the west of the United States on Friday is a one-in-500-years type event and all but certainly the result of human-caused climate change, experts say. The heat has been toppling records this week and was set to continue into the weekend »»»
President Iotova Visits Kyustendil for Spring Festival
President Iliana Iotova visited Kyustendil for the city’s official holiday, the Kyustendil Spring Festival, on Saturday. She was welcomed by Mayor Ognyan Atanasov outside the Kyustendil Municipality building and greeted residents and visitors during the celebration in Velbazhd Square. President Iot»»»