Despite Drop in 2025, Russian Oil Exports Exceed Pre-war Volumes
While Russian oil exports dropped last year, Russia is still exporting higher volumes than before its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, researchers said Tuesday, calling for stricter sanctions enforcement. The volume of Russian crude oil exports remained six percent above pre-invasion levels in the four»»»
Ukraine Marks Four Years Since Russian Invasion
Ukraine marked the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion on Tuesday with a show of solidarity from its staunchest allies, but with no end in sight to Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost since the Kremlin ordered troops into Ukraine »»»
QIIB launches competitive financing offer in celebration of holy month of Ramadan
Doha, Qatar: QIIB has announced the launch of its dedicated financing campaign for the Holy Month of Ramadan, as part of the Bank’s ongoing commitment to providing integrated banking solutions that meet the needs and financing aspirations of its customers. This year’s offer features a range of dist»»»
QNB Group announces launch of Annual Report
Doha, Qatar: QNB Group, a leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, announced the launch of its Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025, highlighting another year of strong performance, strategic progress and continued commitment to sustainable value creation. Despite a»»»
National Bank of Kyrgyzstan raises discount rate to 12 percent - | 24.KG
The Board of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic raised the discount rate by 1 percent to 12 percent. The decision took effect today, February 24. The press service of the bank reported. Prices and reasons for the rate increase It was noted that «the external economic environment remains uneve»»»
Global Islamic fintech market projected to grow to $341bn by 2029
Doha, Qatar: DinarStandard, a US-based research and advisory firm, and Elipses, a leading ethical digital finance advisory and investment firm, jointly released the Global Islamic Fintech (GIFT) Report 2025/26. The report was produced in partnership with SalaamGateway.com, the largest Islamic econo»»»
Win up to Dh100,000 by decorating your home for Ramadan 2026 in Dubai
Dubai residents have a golden opportunity this Ramadan, quite literally. A citywide home decoration competition is now open for entries, with a top cash prize of Dh100,000 up for grabs and a total of 15 winners set to be rewarded for bringing the spirit of the Holy Month to life on their doorsteps.»»»
Bulgaria Surges in Wealth Rankings: Ahead of Romania, Czech Republic, and Poland
Bulgaria is no longer Europe’s poorest nation, according to the latest Global Wealth Report from Swiss bank UBS. The study shows that in terms of average wealth, Bulgaria has overtaken Romania and Turkey, while its median wealth places it ahead of some traditionally wealthier Eastern European count»»»
Mexico's Jalisco Cautiously Tries Returning to Normal after Cartel Violence
Residents of Jalisco cautiously peeked their heads out Monday after waves of retaliatory cartel violence rocked the Mexican state over the weekend following the death of a major drug kingpin. Schools were closed in state capital Guadalajara, as were many businesses, said AFP. Public transportation »»»
Maliki Says Has ‘Absolutely No Intention’ to Withdraw PM Candidacy as Barrack Visits Iraq
The leading candidate to become Iraq's next prime minister, former premier Nouri al-Maliki, told AFP on Monday that he will not withdraw his nomination after pressure from the US, while also seeking to allay Washington's concerns. Since the US-led invasion that overthrew former ruler Saddam Hussein»»»
QatarEnergy celebrates new group of graduates
Doha, Qatar: QatarEnergy celebrated the graduation of a new group of Qatari nationals who have successfully completed their academic studies and vocational programs and have joined QatarEnergy and other energy sector companies. The energy sector graduates have commenced working with QatarEnergy, Qa»»»
MoCI launches 36 e-services to accelerate digital transformation
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) launched 36 new electronic services through its official website, as part of its ongoing efforts to advance digital transformation and enhance service efficiency, in line with the Ministry’s Strategy (2024–2030). In a post on its X platform,»»»
Chinese corporation to reconstruct Lebedinovskaya HPP - | 24.KG
Chakan HPP OJSC signed a contract with the general contractor for the reconstruction of Lebedinovskaya Hydropower Plant (HPP) — China National Heavy Machinery Corporation. The company’s press service reported. According to the statement, specialists have already begun preparing the design and cost »»»
Kerr to launch Diamond League campaign in Doha
Doha, Qatar: Olympic, world and Commonwealth high jump champion Hamish Kerr (NZL) will return to Qatar for the Mazzraty Doha Meeting – the opening meeting of the 2026 Wanda Diamond league series – on May 8. A proven championship performer, the 29-year-old national record holder has a best of 2.36m,»»»
Azerbaijan’s Vugar wins Ramadan Blitz Chess Championship
Doha, Qatar: The second Ramadan Blitz Chess Championship concluded at the Friends of the Environment Center, hosted in cooperation with the Doha Youth Center and organized by the Qatar Chess Association. The internationally rated event attracted 70 players and was staged at the Friends of the Envir»»»
Al Wajba, Al Zaeem record big wins at Al Thumama tourney
Doha, Qatar: Al Wajba claimed a resounding 5-0 victory over Doha in the third Al Thumama Ramadan Tournament at Al Furjan Stadium on Sunday night. Mansour Khalid Al Ruwaili starred in the dominant performance and was named Man of the Match after leading his side with an impressive display. The tourn»»»
Commission Opens Party Registration for April 19 Snap Elections
From Tuesday, February 24, the Central Election Commission (CEC) is beginning to accept documents for the registration of parties and coalitions wishing to take part in the Bulgarian early parliamentary elections on April 19, the commission said on its website. The deadline for submitting applicati»»»
Just Days Before Cesar Awards, French Movie Stars Warn AI Plundering Industry
Just days before France’s version of the Oscars, thousands of French actors and filmmakers have warned that AI tools are “plundering” talent across the industry. “We are facing a profound upheaval in our profession with the arrival of artificial intelligence,” said the op-ed in Le Parisien, which w»»»
Legend Radja to visit Doha for FIBA Asian Qualifiers Window 2
Doha, Qatar: Croatian Basketball legend Dino Radja is set to visit Qatar at the invitation of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Local Organizing Committee and Qatar Basketball Federation. The 58-year-old former World Cup bronze medalist will be in Doha from February 26 to 3 March and will at»»»
China targets Japanese companies over 'remilitarization'
TradeJapanChina targets Japanese companies over 'remilitarization' Mahima Kapoor with AFP and ReutersFirst seafood, then pandas and now Japan's heavyweights. China's commerce ministry has banned selling "dual-use" goods to a list of Japanese companies over worries of military use. https://p.dw.com/»»»
Kyrgyzstan bans export of catalytic converters and precious metal waste - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers imposed a temporary ban on the export of used catalytic converters and waste containing precious metals from Kyrgyzstan. The corresponding resolution was adopted to prevent the illegal export of valuable materials and preserve strategic raw materials within the country. Acc»»»
From game night to electric drive: Virtuocity guest wins brand-new Tesla
Doha, Qatar: Virtuocity, Qatar’s largest purpose-built esports arena located in Doha Festival City, has marked a significant milestone with one of the most notable prize moments ever seen at the venue. One lucky guest, Mr Weam Mersel Daaibess from Lebanon, has driven away in a brand-new Tesla, turn»»»
MoI urges residents to take precautions against cooking oil fires at home
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has urged all residents to be more vigilant in the kitchen and implement crucial safety measures to avert cooking oil fires, which are among the most frequent causes of household accidents, particularly during this holy month of Ramadan. In an awareness c»»»
Ministry of Municipality launches 2026 Ramadan Football Tournament
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality officially inaugurated its 2026 Ramadan Football Tournament on Sunday, at the Al Sadd Sports Club fields. Featuring teams representing various sectors of the Ministry and different municipalities, the event opened in a highly competitive atmosphere reflecti»»»
Al Sadd staying ‘focused’ in QSL title race
Doha, Qatar: Al Sadd have opened a four-point lead in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) following a strong run of results, but forward Rafa Mujica insists the defending champions are staying grounded as the season enters a crucial phase. After a difficult start to their title defence, Al Sadd have respo»»»
Qatar Tourism hosts QT Awards Alumni Network Ghabga
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Tourism hosted the second edition of QT Awards Alumni Network gathering on Sunday, bringing together winners from all editions of the Qatar Tourism Awards, alongside sector stakeholders. Held during Ghabga in the holy month of Ramadan, the gathering strengthened sector engagement»»»
Trump Organization launches 91-storey luxury hotel and apartments in Australia
Dubai: The Trump Organization has unveiled plans to develop a landmark luxury hotel and residential tower on Australia’s Gold Coast, marking its first official project in the country. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The proposed Trump International Hotel & Tower, Gold »»»
Ukraine's Violation of Friendship Treaty With Russia Led to Start of Special Operation - MFA
Ukraine's violation of the treaty of friendship, cooperation and partnership with Russia led to Moscow's decision to launch the special military operation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik. "For a number of years, the Ukrainian leadership has pursued a policy of gro»»»
EU Diplomats Meet Board of Peace Director over Gaza's Future
The European Union's top diplomats met Monday in Brussels with the director of the Board of Peace after a shaky and controversial embrace of US President Donald Trump's efforts to secure and rebuild the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. Nikolay Mladenov, a former Bulgarian politician and UN diplomat chosen b»»»
Live: EU chief von der Leyen arrives in Ukraine to mark four years since Russian invasion
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost, cities and infrastructure remain devastated, and Kyiv faces the monumental t»»»
U.S. Coast Guard investigating swastika found at training center - UPI.com
Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday held a mandatory meeting with all nearly 900 recruits and staff at Training Center Cape May about the recent discovery of a swastika on the premises. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard has launched an internal»»»
Legal training programmes launched to strengthen national workforce
Doha, Qatar: The Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB) unveiled two major national initiatives aimed at reinforcing the country’s human capital in priority sectors, including legal professions and nuclear engineering. In a statement yesterday on X, CGB stated that it has launched th»»»
Qatar reaffirms support to UN work for refugees
Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for International Cooperation H E Dr. Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad met yesterday with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees H E Dr. Barham Salih, on the sidelines of the High-Level Segment of the 61st session of the Human Rights Council held in Gen»»»
Russia soldiers tell BBC they saw fellow troops executed on commanders' orders
Warning: This story contains details of extreme violence and reference to suicide. Four Russian soldiers have exposed the horror and brutality of conditions on their side of the front lines in Ukraine, with two men telling the BBC they saw soldiers being executed on the spot for refusing orders. On»»»
Key Dates and Deadlines Set for Bulgaria’s April 19 Parliamentary Elections
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has finalized the official schedule for organizing and conducting the parliamentary elections on April 19, following the presidential decree issued on February 19. The chronogram outlines all key deadlines and the responsibilities of various institutions involv»»»
Municipality Ministry delivers nearly one million services
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has recorded a remarkable year in customer service performance, delivering a total of 984,787 services in 2025 through its Customer Service and Unified Call Center Department. The achievement reflects the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to faster response tim»»»
Kyrgyzstan introduces banking support for large procurement by state enterprises - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved new regulations on mandatory banking support for contracts concluded by state and municipal enterprises, as well as companies in which the state holds a 50 percent or greater share in the authorized capital, including their subsidiaries. The docum»»»
Muscat to Tashkent: Your new direct gateway to Central Asia starts soon
Dubai: Oman Air has announced the launch of direct flights between Muscat and Tashkent, marking its entry into the Central Asian market as part of its ongoing international expansion. The new service will begin on 1 June 2026 and operate twice weekly, linking the capitals of Oman and Uzbekistan. Th»»»
Man convicted of killing a grocery store owner set to be executed in Florida
STARKE, Florida: A man convicted of killing a grocery store owner during a robbery is set Tuesday evening to become the second person executed in Florida this year. Melvin Trotter, 65, is scheduled to receive a three-drug injection starting at 6 pm at Florida State Prison near Starke. Trotter was i»»»
Dubai rental contracts reach Dh126 billion amid strong demand
Dubai: Dubai’s rental sector recorded solid growth through 2025. According to the data released by the Dubai Land Department, registered tenancy contracts rose 6% in volume and 17% in value compared with the previous year, reaching 1.38 million contracts worth Dh126.4 billion. The increase points t»»»
Archaeologists just found a lost 18th-century city hidden beneath the Egyptian sand
Dubai: The remains of an 18th-century mudbrick residential city, and a Coptic necropolis dating to the Byzantine period, have been uncovered by a joint Egyptian–French archaeological mission, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said. The discovery was made at the Sheikh Al Arab Hammam site »»»
Bulgaria Has Supplied 13 Aid Packages to Ukraine Since War Started Four Years Ago
On the fourth anniversary of Russia's war on Ukraine, the Bulgarian government said that the Defence Ministry has provided 13 aid packages to Ukraine since the outbreak of the conflict. The information is available on the Council of Ministers’ Public Access to Information Platform. The Defence Mini»»»
Energy Ministry introduces ban on hazardous autonomous power sources - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has amended the rules on electricity use in force since 2012. The primary objective of the changes is to adapt legislation to the rapid development of renewable energy and microgeneration, as well as to strengthen the safety of the national power system. The p»»»
Kyrgyzstan to introduce new mandatory livestock marking - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan approved amendments to Resolution No. 105, dated March 3, 2025, concerning the identification of animals and animal products. The updates are aimed at aligning the regulations with the law and clarifying the procedure for visual livestock identification. Accor»»»
New US tariffs take effect after Supreme Court ruling
Washington, United States: Fresh US tariffs on imported goods came into effect Tuesday, as President Donald Trump moved to rebuild his trade agenda after the Supreme Court ruled against a swath of his global duties. The new tariffs, initially set at 10 percent, are justified as a means "to deal wit»»»
Why this new Abu Dhabi guide could be a game-changer for mangrove conservation across the Arabian Gulf region
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group, has launched a monitoring guide for mangrove ecosystems in the Arabian Gulf region—marking the first initiative of its kind in the region to advance scientific knowledge and conservation practices for mang»»»
Kyrgyzstan temporarily bans mineral fertilizer exports outside EAEU - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers has imposed a temporary ban on the export of mineral fertilizers from Kyrgyzstan outside the Eurasian Economic Union. The ban will be in effect for six months and will come into effect in five days. The ban applies to all types of mineral fertilizers, except those previousl»»»
Saudi Arabia braces for dust storms and strong winds through Saturday
Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Meteorology has warned of increased dust storms, strong winds and rising wave heights from today through Saturday, February 28, as unstable weather conditions affect large parts of the Kingdom. The centre said the regions most exposed to the weather system »»»
Paris court to review Nicolas Sarkozy's request to merge sentences in graft case
A Paris criminal court will on Monday review former president Nicolas Sarkozy’s request to combine sentences handed down in separate convictions for corruption and illegal campaign financing. Sarkozy, who served from 2007 to 2012, has faced multiple legal cases since leaving office. His lawyer said»»»
Ukraine war reconstruction will cost $588 billion, World Bank says
Ukraine will need $588 billion to rebuild from the destruction caused by Russia's full-scale invasion, a World Bank report said on Monday – a figure almost three times the country's annual economic output. Russian strikes killed three people and wounded several others overnight, regional authoritie»»»