US to go after Iran-linked ships worldwide – top general
The US has expanded its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, telling its military to pursue Iran-linked vessels everywhere around the globe, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, has said. Washington announced it would stop ships from accessing Iranian ports on Monday after talks with »»»
Air Canada will suspend flights to JFK for nearly 5 months as jet fuel costs soar
New York: Air Canada will suspend service to New York's JFK International airport over the summer as the war in Iran creates jet fuel shortages that have sent prices soaring. Canada's flag carrier said Friday that service from Toronto and Montreal to JFK will cease June 1 and resume Oct. 25. Servic»»»
Ready to fly? 52 Air Arabia routes are back
Sharjah: Air Arabia said it is operating a limited number of flights to and from the United Arab Emirates, subject to regulatory and operational approvals, as services gradually resume following recent disruptions. The airline said passengers can book available flights through its website, mobile a»»»
Expert outlines U.S. priorities in cooperation with Central Asia - | 24.KG
The United States is building trade relations with Central Asia as a single, unified region with a population of 80 million people. Altynai Asanova, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce, said, speaking on Birinchi Radio. She noted that the priority for cooperation is the region as»»»
Djuric: Serbia part of solution in Balkans, open to cooperation
ANTALYA - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Friday in Antalya, Turkey, where he is attending the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, that Serbia was a part of the solution in the Balkans - rather than a part of the problem - and noted that the goal of Serbia's participation in the forum was to present the regio»»»
EU to reactivate 1978 cooperation agreement with Syria
Brussels, April 17 (SANA) – The European Union plans to enhance cooperation with Syria by resuming official political contacts and reactivating a 1978 cooperation agreement, according to a document from the EU’s diplomatic service cited by Reuters. The document indicates that the EU will launch a h»»»
Bosch strategy 2030: Structural adjustments strengthen competitiveness
During the presentation of the company’s annual results, Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH, stated: “As a global technology leader, we are committed to shaping trends in the fields of automation, digitalization, electrification, and artificial intelligence, as»»»
EU officials arrive in Hungary for talks with incoming prime minister - UPI.com
European Commission officials are due to meet Friday with Peter Magyar, whose Tisza party won a supermajority in Hungary's elections on Sunday. Photo by Tibor Illyes/EPA April 17 (UPI) -- Officials from the European Commission arrived in Budapest for Friday talks with Péter Magyar, who will take of»»»
Bulgaria’s election on Sunday may see a ‘new Orbán’ as prime minister in Sofia
First published in Denik N Former Bulgarian president (2017 to January 2026) Rumen Radev appears to be on his way back — but this time, to the prime minister’s office. The former air force commander with pro-Russian views, who in January stepped down from the presidency in order to run in Sunday’s »»»
AfD leader takes aim at EU’s von der Leyen after Orban election defeat
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen can ignore voters’ opinions as she essentially cannot be voted out like recently defeated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Alice Weidel, co-chair of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has said. The AfD is the most popular par»»»
Oil crashes 10%+ as Iran flips script: Hormuz 'open' after Israel-Lebanon truce
Oil futures tanked on Friday following a statement by Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reflecting trader relief that the immediate risk of a supply shock had receded. The move marks a notable de-escalation by Tehran. Brent crude fell (down 11.26% to $84.03 as of 9.50 Beijing time); US West Tex»»»
Bulgaria's April 19, 2026 Early Parliamentary Elections: Backgrounder
Bulgarians at home and abroad are going to the polls on Sunday to elect their new lawmakers. These will be the country's eighteenth parliamentary elections since the start of democratic changes in 1989 and the seventh snap ones in a row since 2021. The Election Code that regulates the process was a»»»
Oil prices drop more than 10% as Iran declares Hormuz 'open' amid Israel-Lebanon truce
Oil futures tanked on Friday following a statement by Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reflecting trader relief that the immediate risk of a supply shock had receded. The move marks a notable de-escalation by Tehran. Brent crude fell (down 11.26% to $84.03 as of 9.50 Beijing time); US West Tex»»»
Watch: Robbie Collins on why Dubai feels safe, 'I’m just happy to be here'
Dubai: At a time when headlines feel heavy, South African comedian Robby Collins (read the full interview here) chose laughter over fear. In Dubai with The Laughter Factory, he found packed rooms, warm audiences, and a city that feels incredibly safe, despite uncertainty due to ongoing regional ten»»»
Airlines warn of possible European flight disruptions over jet fuel shortages
Montreal: The head of the International Air Transport Association has warned that parts of Europe could begin canceling flights from late May due to potential jet fuel shortages, raising concerns about disruption during the busy summer travel season. Speaking on Friday, Director General Willie Wals»»»
Mali meets with Fitch representatives in Washington
WASHINGTON - Serbian First Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa, Mali, who is in Washington for the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, met with representatives of the Fitch credit agency on Friday. In January, Fitch affirmed Serbia's BB+ long-term credit rating with a positive outlook, confirming the»»»
International tourist train arrives in Bishkek from Balykchy - | 24.KG
An international tourist train operated by Golden Eagle Trains arrived in Bishkek today from Balykchy. The train brought visitors from Western Europe, North America, and East Asia, the state enterprise Kyrgyz Temir Zholu reported. At the railway station, a traditional crafts exhibition was organize»»»
At Sofia Forum, Scholars from Bulgaria, Europe, US Reassess Political, Social, Health Impact of Chernobyl Disaster
New Bulgarian University (NBU) is hosting a two-day international conference in Sofia marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, bringing together leading scholars from Europe, the United States and Bulgaria to reassess the political, social and health impacts of one of the wor»»»
Macut: Serbia committed to regional cooperation, EU path
ANTALYA - Serbian PM Djuro Macut said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Friday that global governance mechanisms had an irreplaceable role but that regional cooperation was becoming increasingly important amid growing global uncertainty. Speaking at a panel titled The Role of Regional Ownership in »»»
Wizz Air says had problems with jet fuel supply in Italy
Milan: Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air has encountered some jet fuel shortages at three airports in Italy, its chief executive said Friday, following warnings about supplies because of the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. "We had problems because of a shortage of jet fuel in three Italian airp»»»
British PM says 'furious' after fresh revelations over sacked US envoy
London: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday he was "furious" after it emerged his sacked US ambassador Peter Mandelson was appointed despite failing security vetting, as the scandal again threatens his hold on power. The beleaguered British leader, who has been dogged for months by the contr»»»
Denis Kitaev: Education, Career and Vesper
Denis Kitaev is a property developer, a co-founder and shareholder of Vesper, a firm specialising in premium residential construction and renovation. Born in Moscow on 3 February 1977, Denis Vladimirovich Kitaev attended Secondary School No. 622, where he developed a marked interest in drawing and »»»
Mandelson files fallout: Why Starmer is under pressure again
A senior UK Foreign Office official has resigned over the growing scandal surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington, intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Olly Robbins, the Foreign Office’s top civil servant, stepped down after it emerged t»»»
Pirin Golf and Country Club Eyes More Golfers From Across Europe
Pirin Golf and Country Club in Razlog expects stronger interest from golfers from across Europe in the coming months as the golf season gets under way at the complex, Sales and Marketing Manager Koicho Koev told BTA. He added that alongside its sports facilities, the hotel complex remains focused o»»»
Media Review: April17
The upcoming April 19 early parliamentary elections and the anticipated results is a major topic for Bulgarian media on Friday. POSSIBLE OUTCOMES – ANALYSIS Capital: “At this stage, we do not have a clear political partner, because all of them, in one way or another, have entered into harmful allia»»»
Planned Rotation of IAEA Inspectors Takes Place at Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant - Plant
SIMFEROPOL (Sputnik) - The planned rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors took place at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, the plant's press service said on Friday. "The planned rotation of observers of the International Atomic Energy Agency took place at the Zaporozhye n»»»
Macron, Starmer Rally Allies to Mull Hormuz Mission
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday chair a meeting of allies to consider sending a multinational force to ensure security and free-flowing trade in the Strait of Hormuz once the current conflict between Iran and the US and Israel ends. Iran imposed the blo»»»
beIN expands motorsport portfolio with WEC deal
Doha, Qatar: beIN Media Group (‘beIN’) has secured a multi-year deal to broadcast all races of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 35 territories across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and Asia Pacific (APAC). Fans will be able to watch all races live via beIN’s flagship sports netw»»»
Doctors start performing heart surgeries in Balykchy - | 24.KG
Heart surgeries have begun to be performed in Balykchy city. At the new KATLAB center, a patient with acute myocardial infarction successfully underwent coronary angiography and stenting. According to local authorities, the first intervention was performed thanks to a team of doctors from the Natio»»»
Protected fuel price to remain in place
Hungarian fuel prices will remain capped, Péter Magyar announced on Thursday evening after consultations with Zsolt Hernádi, CEO of MOL, and his colleagues. In a statement on social media, Magyar said he had held talks with Hernádi and MOL’s top management together with István Kapitány and András K»»»
Kefalonia hospital denies delay in teen’s death
The general hospital on the island of Kefalonia has denied allegations of delayed emergency response in the April 14 death of a 19-year-old woman, dismissing the claims as “false and defamatory.” In a statement, the hospital administration insisted doctors and nurses “performed their duties impecca»»»
Creotech sets EU ambitions
Creotech Instruments will unveil a new development strategy in the coming weeks, aiming to rank among the European Union’s four largest space systems integrators, CEO Grzegorz Brona said. Alongside securing major contracts, the company is exploring acquisitions across Europe to accelerate growth Br»»»
Jet fuel supplies are lagging: What it means for airlines and travellers
A looming jet fuel shortage across Europe and Asia, triggered by the Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, could disrupt global travel within weeks if oil flows are not restored soon. The pressure on supplies risks higher airfares and potential flight cancellations as the peak»»»
Flood control scam: Fugitive Filipino ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co arrested in Prague Philippines moves to extradite him
Manila: Former Zaldy Co, a fugitive at the center of a sprawling corruption scandal, has been detained by Czech authorities in Prague, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Thursday night, ending months on the run. Marcos posted on social media that Co had been arrested, added that th»»»
A propos - France finance minister says Hormuz must open 'but not at any price'
France and Britain will co-host a video conference Friday of countries ready to contribute to a "purely defensive mission" to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Yinka Oyetade, Dr Bamo Nouri, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of West London, says that t»»»
France to reimburse young women for reusable menstrual products
France announced Tuesday that it will expand access to sustainable menstrual products by reimbursing reusable cups and underwear for eligible young women and low-income groups. The move, aimed at tackling period poverty, is expected to benefit millions once implemented through the country’s social »»»
France finance minister says Hormuz must open, 'but not at any price' — G7 ready to mitigate war fallout
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz needs to reopen "but not at any price," adding that G7 leaders stand ready to mitigate the war's economic fallout. Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven advanced economies added i»»»
Ombudsman Pakistan plans engagement with Diaspora
Ashraf Siddiqui Doha Naveed Kamran Baloch, Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan, has stated that his office plans to engage with embassies and consulates worldwide as part of a broader outreach strategy. In his maiden interview since taken over present responsibilities with Qatar Tribune in Islamabad, Bal»»»
France finance minister says Hormuz must open 'but not at any price'
France and Britain will co-host a video conference Friday of countries ready to contribute to a "purely defensive mission" to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Yinka Oyetade, Dr Bamo Nouri, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of West London, says that t»»»
EU chief welcomes Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as 'a relief'
European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen welcomed a 10-day ceasefire declared Thursday between Israel and Lebanon that was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. "This is a relief, as this conflict has already claimed far too many lives," von der Leyen wrote on X, adding that it must l»»»
Arsenal ex-goalkeeper Manninger dies after car struck by train
Vienna: Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who played for Austria at Euro 2008, died on Thursday after his car was hit by a train, his former club Red Bull Salzburg said. The 48-year-old died when a train hit his car while crossing the tracks in the Salzburg region, the Austrian news ag»»»
Agricultural exports hit a record high last year, says minister of agriculture
AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture Saeb Khreissat on Thursday said Jordan’s agricultural sector continues to post strong performance, underpinned by improved supply chains and growing domestic production.Speaking to Al Mamlaka TV, Khreissat described the sector as a "success story" despite limited nat»»»
PM Demands Changes in Regulations to Address Shocking Disparities in Medicine Prices Hospitals Pay
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov Thursday expressed concern over what he described as systemic abuses within Bulgaria’s healthcare financing system, where hospitals exploit legal loopholes in order to maximize their profit and not to improve patient care, and demanded changes in the applicable»»»
European Commission welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon
Brussels: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Thursday the 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and the Israeli occupation, announced by US President Donald Trump. In a statement, von der Leyen affirmed that Europe will continue to demand respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and te»»»
Cabinet Approves Draft of New Counter-Corruption Act
The Council of Ministers on Thursday approved a draft Act on Tackling Corruption of Public Office Holders, the Government Information Service said in a press release. The new bill has been drafted implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and the recommendations of the European »»»
Glimpses of Bush's Iraq debacle appear in Trump's foray into Iran
In a speech in Riyadh in May 2025, US President Donald Trump appeared to criticise his White House predecessors, including fellow Republican President George W. Bush, for invading Iraq in 2003, bringing down Saddam Hussein’s regime, and trying to rebuild the Iraqi state. Trump’s barb was at “so-cal»»»
Bulgaria Opens Consulate in Turkiye's Izmir
The Council of Ministers Thursday adopted a decision to open a Bulgarian consulate in Turkiye, headed by an honorary (non-career) consular officer, with its seat in Izmir and a consular district covering the territories of the provinces of Izmir, Sakarya, Bilesik, Eskisehir, Kocaeli, and Kutahya. T»»»
Press Review - Russia warns drone companies in Europe could be 'potential targets'
PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, April 16: We take a look at the latest coverage from the Russian independent papers. Next: a story about how new technologies are helping the elderly to combat loneliness. Also: a baby elephant has a similar story to that of Punch the monkey. Finally, why did a British»»»
Mali: NIS licence due to be extended by end of day, MOL representatives to visit Belgrade
WASHINGTON - Serbian First Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali, who is on a visit to Washington, said on Thursday he expected the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to extend an operating licence for the Serbian oil company NIS by the end of the day and announced that representatives»»»
S. Korea tourist arrivals hit record high in Q1, up 23% on-year
South Korea recorded a first-quarter record of 4.76 million foreign tourist arrivals, up 23 percent from a year earlier, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Thursday. The figure represents the highest first-quarter total on record, achieved despite geopolitical tensions in the Mid»»»