EU divided on Iran war: Energy fears and security risks escalate across Europe
The EU is facing a dilemma that could define its role in the escalating confrontation with Iran. Supporting Washington’s military campaign may strengthen transatlantic unity, but it also risks dragging the continent into a conflict that could trigger severe economic and energy consequences for the »»»
International Observers Launch Mission to Monitor Bulgaria’s April 19 Snap Elections
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has opened an election observation mission for the upcoming snap parliamentary elections on April 19, ODIHR said. The mission is headed by Dunja Mijatovic and consist»»»
Serbian patriarch to world leaders: Do not let Serbs be expelled from Kosovo-Metohija
BELGRADE - In a letter sent on Friday, Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church called on Pope Leo XIV, Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump and other major European and world leaders to use their authority to get Pristina to halt the enforcement of an extremely dis»»»
UAE-India flights to get pricier: IndiGo to also add fuel charge from March 14
Dubai: India’s largest airline by market size, IndiGo, will introduce a fuel charge on domestic and international routes starting March 14. The airline has cited the additional charge due to a sharp rise in jet fuel prices linked to geopolitical issues in the Middle East. Stay updated: Get the late»»»
U.S. targets high oil price by allowing Moscow to sell sanctioned oil - UPI.com
The Trump administration doubled down on efforts to prevent the rising cost of oil becoming a full blown oil price shock by temporarily relaxing sanctions prohibiting the sale of Russian oil. Under a 30-day waiver, countries will now be able to buy oil currently aboard tankers, provided it was load»»»
Hundreds of Palestinians perform Friday prayers around Al Aqsa Mosque as occupation continues to close it
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Hundreds of Palestinians performed the fourth and final Friday prayer of Ramadan near the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, which has been completely closed for the 14th consecutive day by Israeli occupation authorities under the pretext of a "state of emergency during wartime and instru»»»
Games with loot boxes to get minimum 16 age rating across Europe
Games which feature loot boxes will soon be given an age rating of 16 across Europe, including in the UK, under a host of changes by the European video game ratings organisation. The Pan-European Game Information body (PEGI)'s age ratings are displayed on games sold in the UK and other countries in»»»
stock.estate surpasses €6 million in funded projects and launches its first campaign in Italy
Real estate investment platform stock.estate announces it has surpassed €6 million in total funded capital, after investors contributed more than €2 million over the past two months through projects listed on the platform. This accelerated funding pace marks the strongest start to a year in the com»»»
Who holds the biggest strategic oil reserves?
BusinessGlobal issuesWho holds the biggest strategic oil reserves?Nik MartinIran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed dozens of countries to tap their emergency oil stockpiles. But what exactly are strategic reserves and who holds the world's biggest crisis-ready supplies? https:»»»
All But 2 of Austria's 96 Glaciers Have Retreated Over Last 2 Years
All but two of Austria’s 96 glaciers have retreated over the last two years, monitors in the Alpine country reported Friday, saying the “dramatic development” highlights the impact of climate change. The latest report from the Austrian Alpine Club shows the Alpeiner Ferner in the western Tyrol regi»»»
Russian Missile Kills Three on Bus in East Ukraine
A Russian strike in eastern Ukraine on Friday killed three people on a bus near the embattled town of Kupiansk, which Moscow's army is battling to recapture, investigators said. The wider Kharkiv region, which borders Russia, was partly occupied when Russian forces invaded in February 2022, but was»»»
Vucic: Serbia has long-range air-to-ground missiles, Zagreb will not decide about what we will have
BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday evening Serbia had long-range air-to-ground missiles and would continue to acquire them. In an interview for the RTS, Vucic said Serbia also had other military capabilities that had still not been revealed. He said Serbian military engi»»»
MPs Adopt Amendments to Budget Extension at First Reading
MPs on Friday adopted at first reading amendments to the budget extension bill with 174 votes in favour and 23 against, with no abstentions. All parliamentary groups supported the proposal except Vazrazhdane. The deadline for proposals between the first and second readings was shortened to three da»»»
OMV Petrom Enters Bulgarian Black Sea with 25% Stake in Khan Tervel Gas Block
OMV Petrom has announced that it will join the consortium exploring the offshore Khan Tervel gas block in the Bulgarian sector of the Black Sea, marking a significant expansion of its footprint in a region of growing strategic importance for Europe’s energy security. The Romanian oil and gas compan»»»
Vienna Insurance Group announces a profit before taxes of EUR 1.16 billion in 2026, up 31.7%
Hartwig Löger, CEO and Chairman of the Managing Board of Vienna Insurance Group, on the Group’s performance: “VIG achieved an outstanding Group result in 2025, once again driven by strong growth and high levels of profitability in all countries. Based on this result and our strong capital position,»»»
Dh5,000 rooms for Dh600? UAE hotels roll out surprising Eid staycation deals
Dubai: Luxury hotel rooms that often sell for thousands of dirhams during peak seasons are now appearing on booking platforms for a lower price — as UAE hotels pivot toward residents with sharply discounted Eid staycation offers. Stay updated: Get the latest faster by downloading the Gulf News app »»»
Bulgarian Ombudsman at CoE Forum in Strasbourg
Bulgarian Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva took part in a Council of Europe forum for ombudspersons and national human rights institutions (NHRI), held on March 12 and 13, 2026, in Strasbourg, France, said Delcheva's office Friday. The high-level conference brings together ombudspersons, representative»»»
‘The UAE is my only home’: Why residents fought to return during flight disruptions
We rarely articulate our love for home, not unless someone asks. Most of the time, the feeling resides in the background of our lives, built from years of routine and small, ordinary moments: Greeting the familiar faces at the grocery store, wandering through the neighbourhood park, stopping to pla»»»
Colliers facilitates the opening of first Piata 9 concept in Bucharest at Victoria Center
Located in a prime position within the capital’s Central Business District, Victoria Center comprises approximately 8,600 square metres of Class A office space and holds a BREEAM In-Use certification with an Excellent rating. The integration of this concept further strengthens the building’s positi»»»
16 kidney transplants performed in Kyrgyzstan in 2025 - | 24.KG
In 2025, doctors at the National Center for Maternal and Child Welfare in Kyrgyzstan performed 16 kidney transplant operations. First Deputy Minister of Health Tilek Mamadaliev said at a joint meeting of two deputy groups. According to him, the figure represents an important achievement for the cou»»»
US Wants to 'Divide Europe', EU's Kallas Tells FT
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the US wants to "divide Europe" and doesn't "like the European Union" in an interview published by the Financial Times on Friday, after more than a year of turmoil in transatlantic relations. "What I think is actually important for everybody to u»»»
Zelensky: US and over ten other countries ask Ukraine for support in shooting down drones
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Bucharest on Thursday, said the United States as well as more than ten other countries in Europe and the Middle East have asked Ukraine for assistance in shooting down drones after the war in the Middle East began."Now, after the start of a new war in the»»»
Australia orders all ‘non-essential’ officials to leave Lebanon
Sydney: Australia has ordered all non-essential officials in Lebanon to leave, Canberra’s foreign minister said Friday, after issuing the same command to diplomats in Israel and the United Arab Emirates. In a post on X, top diplomat Penny Wong said they had been ordered to depart due to the “deteri»»»
‘The UAE is my only home’: Why residents fought to return during flight disruptions
We rarely articulate our love for home, not unless someone asks. Most of the time, the feeling resides in the background of our lives, built from years of routine and small, ordinary moments: Greeting the familiar faces at the grocery store, wandering through the neighbourhood park, stopping to pla»»»
Air Freight Rates Soar as Middle East Conflict Blocks Trade Routes
Air freight rates have risen by as much as 70% on some routes since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, data shows, as the conflict limits flights, blocks some ocean shipments and pushes up jet fuel costs. Rates on routes between South Asia and Europe have been the most affected by Middle East»»»
Iran War and Rising Fuel Costs Could Boost Panama Canal Traffic, Administrator Says
Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said Thursday that the conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel costs could ultimately benefit the interoceanic waterway as global shippers adjust routes. In an interview with The Associated Press, Vásquez said that higher energy, fuel and navigation c»»»
Middle East conflict drains $600mn a day from regional tourism
Escalating hostilities across the Middle East are stripping about $600mn a day from the region’s tourism economy as flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel anxiety trigger mass cancellations, Emerging Travel reported. »»»
Middle East conflict drains $600mn a day from regional tourism
Escalating hostilities across the Middle East are stripping about $600mn a day from the region’s tourism economy as flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel anxiety trigger mass cancellations, Emerging Travel reported. »»»
Middle East conflict drains $600mn a day from regional tourism
Escalating hostilities across the Middle East are stripping about $600mn a day from the region’s tourism economy as flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel anxiety trigger mass cancellations, Emerging Travel reported. »»»
Middle East conflict drains $600mn a day from regional tourism
Escalating hostilities across the Middle East are stripping about $600mn a day from the region’s tourism economy as flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel anxiety trigger mass cancellations, Emerging Travel reported. »»»
TEHRAN BLOG: Permits-for-passage system emerges as the US heads towards a strategic defeat in Iran
An informal system of “permits-for-passage” through the Straits of Hormuz is emerging after Tehran has started to grant navigation permission to oil tankers headed to “friendly countries" with cargos of oil and gas. A tank»»»
Middle East conflict drains $600mn a day from regional tourism
Escalating hostilities across the Middle East are stripping about $600mn a day from the region’s tourism economy as flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel anxiety trigger mass cancellations, Emerging Travel reported. »»»
Middle East conflict drains $600mn a day from regional tourism
Escalating hostilities across the Middle East are stripping about $600mn a day from the region’s tourism economy as flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel anxiety trigger mass cancellations, Emerging Travel reported. »»»
Czech ruling coalition drafts Russian-style NGO bill
The Czech ruling coalition has drafted a bill aimed at curtailing non-governmental organisation (NGO) activities in the country. Critics of the bill say it imitates Russian legislation aimed at restricting the activities o»»»
Czech ruling coalition drafts Russian-style NGO bill
The Czech ruling coalition has drafted a bill aimed at curtailing non-governmental organisation (NGO) activities in the country. Critics of the bill say it imitates Russian legislation aimed at restricting the activities o»»»
Poland's central bank ready to use gold gains for defence
The National Bank of Poland (NBP) is prepared to begin active management of its gold reserves and to direct an unrealised revaluation gain of about PLN197bn (€46.3bn) to defence spending over several years, Adam Glapiński said on March 11. »»»
Czech ruling coalition drafts Russian-style NGO bill
The Czech ruling coalition has drafted a bill aimed at curtailing non-governmental organisation (NGO) activities in the country. Critics of the bill say it imitates Russian legislation aimed at restricting the activities o»»»
Gulyás: Threats from Ukraine and President Zelensky against Hungary, and PM Orbán and even his family are unacceptable
At the latest Government Info press conference, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office Gergely Gulyás addressed tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, energy security concerns, and recent threats directed at Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The minister emphasized that Hungary will defend its national »»»
Russia’s oligarch wealth overtakes the entire population’s bank savings, doubles over four years
The combined wealth of Russia’s billionaires is now $696.5bn, more than the combined savings of the entire Russian population and almost»»»
Hungarian parliament approves resolution rejecting EU membership, military support for Ukraine
The Hungarian parliament passed a resolution on March 10 rejecting Ukraine’s EU membership, military support for Ukraine, the transformation of the EU into a military alliance, and measures that "undermine the sovereignty of member states," state news agency MTI reports. »»»
Air India, Air India Express operate 78 special flights to the UAE and West Asia on March 13
Air India and Air India Express will operate 78 flights to and from the UAE and West Asia on Friday, March 13. The carriers continue their scheduled services to key destinations, including Jeddah and Muscat, while also operating multiple non-scheduled flights across the UAE and Saudi Arabia to acco»»»
Thiel brings his 'Antichrist' lectures to the Vatican’s doorstep, and Catholic institutions back away
ROME: One of the hottest tickets in the Vatican's backyard these days is for a four-lecture series on the Antichrist being given by Silicon Valley tech billionaire Peter Thiel. The invitation-only conference in Rome, from Sunday to Wednesday, has proven so controversial that the Catholic universiti»»»
French vote tests polarised electorate with right hoping to win control of Paris
France is preparing to vote in town council elections, whose results will be closely analysed for trends ahead of next year's presidential votes. A strong showing for Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) would be a boost for the nationalist right - even as she awaits a judicial decision on whether s»»»
Winners, Sinners and record breakers: 17 fun facts about this year's Oscars
When Sinners director Ryan Coogler went to the movies as a child, he would smuggle in some snacks - and get particularly creative with the cinema's drinks machine. "I'm not a big soda person, but when they started to let you mix and match the drinks, I got involved with that," he told Amy Poehler's»»»
QA transports 300 tonnes of vital goods to Qatar since beginning of March
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Airways (QA) has made the necessary arrangements to ensure the arrival of essential goods to Qatar since the beginning of March, transporting nearly 300 tonnes of vital supplies to the country. The shipments include medicines, baby milk, fresh food such as meat, fish»»»
EU ‘held hostage’ by Trump over Iran war – Spanish deputy PM
Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz has accused EU leaders of weakness over the US-Israeli war on Iran, warning that Brussels’ “servile” attitude toward US President Donald Trump risks fueling Euroskeptic sentiment. In an interview with Politico published on Thursday, Diaz described the EU a»»»
What crude oil the world produces — why some barrels are more valuable
Dubai: Crude oil is often discussed as a single commodity. In reality, the oil traded in global markets exists in dozens of different grades, each with distinct physical characteristics that determine how easily it can be refined and what fuels it ultimately produces. Sign up for our daily business»»»
Italy’s Meloni breaks with Trump over Iran war
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, has criticized the US-Israeli war on Iran, branding it part of a dangerous trend “outside international law.” She also condemned a deadly strike on an Iranian school widely attributed to the US. Meloni delivered the r»»»
Greece's Defence Minister Discusses Middle East Conflict with Bulgarian PM, Defence Minister
Greece's National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias was on a one-day visit to Sofia on Thursday at the invitation of Bulgaria's caretaker Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov. During his visit, Dendias met with members of the cabinet to discuss the military conflict in the Middle East and its potentia»»»