Highs ranging between 11 and 21°C
Tunis, Feb 20 (TAP) - The weather on Friday is very cloudy at times over northern regions, with scattered showers expected along northern coastal areas. Passing clouds will prevail across remaining regions.The wind is blowing north-west strong over...»»»
Sheikha Alya attends meeting with UN Secretary-General
New York: Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, participated in a meeting of Their Excellencies the Permanent Representatives of the Expanded Troika of the Arab Group with Secretary-General of the United Nations H E António Gu»»»
Sheikha Alya joins press briefing on Israeli West Bank measures
New York: Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, has participated in a press briefing held by Arab countries at the UN headquarters, highlighting Israeli occupation’s illegal practices in the West Bank. The group strongly conde»»»
Swedish Parliament Speaker meets Qatari Ambassador
Speaker of the Swedish Parliament H E Andreas Norlen met yesterday with Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Sweden H E Nadia bint Ahmed Al Shaibi. The meeting discussed cooperation between the two countries.»»»
QRDI Council hosts Demo Day for the Industry-led Innovation Quest
DOHA: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council hosted the Industry-Led Innovation Quest Demo Day and Awards Ceremony, bringing together academic leadership, industry partners, and key ecosystem stakeholders to spotlight innovative, industry-driven solutions developed by emerging t»»»
Florida Airport to be Renamed after US President Donald Trump
An airport in Florida will soon be renamed after US President Donald Trump, after a bill proposing the change was approved by the state's legislature on Thursday. Trump, a real estate mogul who has plastered his name on buildings around the world, has sought to leave his mark on the country in an u»»»
Al Wakra Hospital awarded Planetree Gold Certification for person-centered care
DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation’s Al Wakra Hospital (AWH) has been awarded Gold Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care (PCC) by Planetree International. This certification recognises the organisation’s achievement and innovation in delivering person-centered care. AWH is one of only 1»»»
AgriteQ 2026 attracts over 150,000 visitors
DOHA: The 13th edition of AgriteQ 2026 has drawn more than 150,000 visitors, setting a new benchmark for attendance and reaffirming its status as the region’s leading platform for agricultural innovation and food security. The landmark event underscored Qatar’s growing role as a regional hub for su»»»
UAE Ramadan 2026 weekend weather forecast: Warm days, cool nights and foggy mornings
Dubai: As the UAE marks the first weekend of the holy month of Ramadan, the skies are set to cooperate with a calm, largely fair stretch of weather warm enough for comfortable evenings yet cool enough to ease the hours of fasting. (Click here for UAE Ramadan Prayer Timings 2026) According to the la»»»
Khoms Port receives five new Ferrari and Kone Crane 45-ton cranes
The Khoms Port branch of the Libyan Ports Company reported last Sunday (15 February) that five Ferrari and Kone Crane 45-ton cranes arrived on the same day at Khoms Port. These cranes, it added, will join the existing fleet of 45-ton cranes currently operating at the port. The Libyan Ports Company »»»
Minister of Social Development to chair board of Mada Assistive Technology Center
Doha: The formation of the Board of Directors of Mada Assistive Technology Center - Qatar has been announced, chaired by Minister of Social Development and Family H E Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, underscoring high-level support for the Center’s role in empowering persons with disabilities a»»»
Venezuela: Amnesty Law Excludes those who Promoted Military Action
Venezuela's parliament unanimously approved an amnesty law on Thursday that could free political prisoners, almost two months after President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces. “The law on democratic coexistence has been approved. It has been forwarded to acting president Delcy Rodriguez for»»»
Obeidat to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Left Saddam Meeting Sensing he Misread Threat
In the final part of his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, former Jordanian prime minister Ahmad Obeidat, who died earlier this month, recounted in detail his meetings with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, and disclosed an alleged attempt by Rifaat al-Assad to assas»»»
Trump sets deadline for Iran deal
US President Donald Trump has set a ten-day deadline for Iran to reach a nuclear deal with Washington, saying that failure to comply could trigger decisive measures. The warning comes as the US accelerated its troop buildup in the Middle East. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of his Gaza ‘Board of»»»
Two die in Utah avalanches as weather halts recovery of Northern California victims - UPI.com
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A man and a girl were killed in two separate avalanches in Utah in the past 24 hours, authorities said, as search teams in Northern California reported dangerous weather conditions are preventing them from recovering the bodies of recent backcountry victims. The three separate inci»»»
On This Day, Feb. 20: Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison - UPI.com
On Feb. 20, 2020, a federal judge sentenced Republican strategist and former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone to 40 months in prison for his conviction on seven criminal counts stemming from the Justice Department's Russia investigation. 1 of 4 | On February 20, 2020, a federal judge sentenced Re»»»
Israeli occupation forces arrest four paramedics and obstruct the work of press crews at the Qalandiya checkpoint north of occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem) - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli occupation forces arrest four paramedics and obstruct the work of press crews at the Qalandiya checkpoint north of occupied Al-Quds»»»
Dubai advances tokenised property trading with launch of resale phase
Dubai: Dubai’s push to digitise property ownership has moved into its next operational stage with the rollout of controlled resale trading for tokenised real estate assets, marking a shift from pilot testing to real-market functionality. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances»»»
Qatar’s AI ambitions rapidly transforming from vision to execution: Expert
Doha: Qatar’s artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions are rapidly transitioning from vision to execution, as the country deepens investments, strengthens governance frameworks, and expands cross-sector adoption of emerging technologies, Lara Gureje, an industry expert, has said. Speaking to The Peni»»»
Iran warns US bases, assets ‘legitimate targets’ if it attacks
Washington: Iran on Thursday warned that US bases, facilities and assets would be “legitimate targets” if the United States follows through on its military threats and attacks. Amir Saeid Iravani, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, made the remarks in a letter to UN Secretary General Ant»»»
Al Dhafra launches subsidised food program for Ramadan to support families
Abu Dhabi: Authorities in the Al Dhafra region have introduced a wide-ranging programme of subsidised food items for Ramadan, offering more than 800 discounted products to ease household costs and supporting family stability. The Al Dhafra Municipality said 823 food items would be made available at»»»
Venezuela approves amnesty law that could free hundreds of political prisoners
Venezuela’s National Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved an amnesty law expected to free hundreds of political prisoners, marking a major shift after years of socialist rule. The measure now heads to interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who proposed it following the removal of former leader Nic»»»
Venezuela: Amnesty Law that Excludes those who Promoted Military Action Approved Unanimously
Venezuela's parliament unanimously approved an amnesty law on Thursday that could free political prisoners, almost two months after President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces. “The law on democratic coexistence has been approved. It has been forwarded to acting president Delcy Rodriguez for»»»
Türkiye’s Approval of Peace Roadmap is Important Step, PKK Source Says
A Turkish parliamentary commission's approval of a report setting out a roadmap for legal reforms alongside the disbandment of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) group is an important step and the beginning of a fundamental change in Turkish policy, a PKK source told Reuters on Thursday. The commiss»»»
iSupplier portal launched to enhance govt service efficiency
DOHA: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has unveiled the iSupplier e-portal, marking a pivotal step in Qatar’s digital transformation strategy to modernise government procurement and enhance service delivery for the business community. On its X platform, MoCI stated that this new unified»»»
Fasting and abstinence explained: A simple, practical guide to observing Lent 2026
Dubai: Lent is a 40-day period of prayer, sacrifice and reflection observed by Catholics worldwide. For many faithful in the UAE, particularly from expatriate communities, this season is marked by two main forms of penance: fasting and abstinence. The Catholic Church has described Lent as a time of»»»
The night shift: Why life in the UAE truly begins at 9pm during Ramadan
Dubai: For one month every year, the UAE quietly rewrites its daily schedule. Lunch hours fade, mornings slow down, and by the time most cities elsewhere are winding down, life here is only just beginning. During Ramadan, night becomes the main event. After iftar, streets gradually fill again. Café»»»
New global deal to protect OFWs against online scams, expand access to work opportunities
Dubai: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has formalised a strategic partnership with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) to strengthen protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families against online scams. The memorandum has been signed by DMW secretary Hans Cacdac and GASA»»»
Fossils of New Species of Huge Dinosaur Unearthed in Niger
At a remote and barren Sahara desert site in Niger, scientists have unearthed fossils of a new species of Spinosaurus, among the biggest of the meat-eating dinosaurs, notable for its large blade-shaped head crest and jaws bearing interlocking teeth for snaring slippery fish. It prowled a forested i»»»
Israel Keen to Attack Iran’s Regional Proxies before they Can Join the War
The Israeli army is preparing to carry out “massive and unprecedented” strikes against groups backed by Iran, including the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and armed factions in Iraq, should they join a potential war in the region, revealed Israeli military sources. Iran is applying great pr»»»
Military Industrialization Organisation delivers 7,000 cooking gas cylinders it has manufactured locally to Brega Oil Marketing Company
The Military Industrialization Organisation reported last Wednesday (18 February) that it had delivered through the second batch, 7,000 cooking gas cylinders to Brega Oil Marketing Company. These cylinders were locally manufactured according to approved standard specifications at Al-Bunyan Company »»»
Qatar advances social responsibility culture through strategic initiatives
DOHA: Qatar has launched a series of initiatives and legislative measures aimed at strengthening a culture of social responsibility, both within the country and internationally, according to Nasser Al-Mughaisib, Director of the Social Development Department at the Ministry of Social Development and»»»
Epstein reckoning: Europe acts as US accountability lags
Washington: The arrest of former prince Andrew has underlined the striking contrast between Europe, where high-profile, powerful people are being held to account over their links to Jeffrey Epstein, and the United States, where the fallout has been limited. Only one person has been arrested or conv»»»
Abu Dhabi court orders woman to pay Dh20,000 over social media insults
Abu Dhabi: A woman did not realise that a few insulting words posted on social media would end up costing her thousands of dirhams in compensation. But a court in Abu Dhabi has now ordered her to pay Dh20,000 to two women after ruling that her online remarks damaged their honour and reputation. The»»»
Sending love home: What’s inside your balikbayan box and why it matters
Dubai: Have you ever heard of a balikbayan box? For countries like the UAE, where millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) reside, these boxes are not simply a large cardboard but rather a symbol of love, sacrifice, and years of hard work, miles away from home. For OFWs, sending balikbayan boxe»»»
Dubai court awards Dh57,500 to employee after job offer falls through
Dubai: A job offer that never materialised has cost an employer in Dubai more than Dh57,000, after a civil court ruled that the company breached its contractual obligations and left an employee without work. The Dubai Civil Court ordered the firm to pay Dh57,500 in compensation to the claimant, fin»»»
US Renews Threat to Leave IEA
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright renewed his threat Thursday to pull out of the International Energy Agency, saying Washington would press the organization to abandon a net-zero agenda “in the next year or so.” Speaking on the last day of an IEA ministerial meeting in Paris, Wright said the 52-year»»»
North Korea opens key party congress as Kim touts ‘radical successes’ - UPI.com
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed the "radical successes" of the past five years in his speech at the opening of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, state media reported Friday. Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- North Korea kicked off its ruling Workers' Party's Ninth Co»»»
Abu Dhabi’s Etihad flight to Vienna diverted amid heavy snowfall
Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways flight EY153 from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) to Vienna International Airport (VIE) was diverted to Munich International Airport on 20 February 2026 due to adverse weather conditions in Vienna. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.T»»»
Over 4 kg of drugs, grenades seized from crime group members in Osh city - | 24.KG
Officers from the State Service on Drug Control disrupted the activities of an organized crime group in Osh city, engaged in the distribution of Afghan-origin narcotics on an especially large scale. During a search of a Daewoo Nexia belonging to citizen S.O.B., 31, 101 grams of hashish and 155,000 »»»
UAE Tour stage five: Key Dubai roads to face temporary closures
Dubai: Several major roads across the emirate will face rolling closures and traffic diversions on Saturday as stage five of the UAE Tour passes through the city, with motorists urged to plan journeys in advance and use alternative routes where possible. The 166-kilometre stage will begin from Al M»»»
“Batog de sturion/Sturgeon Batog” is the new Romanian Product Added to EU Protected GI List
The European Commission has approved the addition of the Romanian product “Batog de sturion/Sturgeon Batog” to its register of protected geographical indications (PGI). Batog is a food product prepared from fish spines, generally sturgeon.“Batog de sturion” from Romania is a food product made from »»»
Number of job vacancies down by 3,300 in Q4 2025 against Q3
The number of job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2025 stood at 28,400, down by 3,300 compared with the previous quarter and by 5,900 compared with the same period in 2024, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) on Thursday.The job vacancy rate was estimated at»»»
Construction works up 8% in 2025
The volume of construction works increased by 8% in 2025 compared with the previous year, largely due to the capital repairs segment, which rose by 45.6%, according to data published on Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).According to the same source, as of December 31, 2025, alo»»»
IRSOP Survey: Economic Pessimism Deepens in Romania
Economic pessimism among Romania’s population has reached alarmingly high levels, according to the latest Monthly Economic Survey (SEL) conducted by IRSOP in February 2026. The findings point to declining living standards, widespread inflation fears, and growing concerns about job security and the »»»
PM Bolojan meets Moody's delegation; discussions focus on budget draft and economic outlook
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan met with representatives of the international credit rating agency Moody's, at the Victoria Palace, on Thursday, in the context of the periodic review of Romania's macroeconomic and fiscal developments.The Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare, and the Director General o»»»
Romania's 10-year bonds adjust by approximately 10 basis points in a single day, following CCR's decision
Romania's 10-year bonds adjusted by approximately 10 basis points in a single day and are about 40 basis points below the level at the beginning of the year, following Wednesday's decision by the Constitutional Court (CCR) on the special pension reform, Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare announced o»»»
Minister Pislaru: In March, EC is expected to approve payment for request no. 4 from PNRR
The Minister of Investment and European Projects, Dragos Pislaru, stated on Thursday that, regarding payment request no. 4 from the PNRR, the European Commission would most likely approve the payment in March."Only after reviewing this PNRR and publishing the Council's decision were we able to subm»»»
Ambassador Pawel Soloch: More than 700 Romanian-owned companies were operating in Poland in 2025
More than 700 Romanian-owned companies were operating in Poland in 2025, mainly in the industrial, commercial and food sectors, Poland's ambassador to Romania Pawel Soloch declared on Thursday at a business event.In recent years, we have witnessed steady growth in trade between our countries. Polan»»»
Gov't approves Romania's participation in EastInvest facility
The government approved on Thursday, through a memorandum, Romania's participation in the EastInvest facility and the signing of the Declaration of Intent on supporting EU eastern border regions through this financing instrument, scheduled for February 26, 2026.According to a government release, th»»»