Iran Guards recruit children to ‘defend the homeland’, placing them in line of fire
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps has launched a campaign aimed at recruiting children as young as 12 for the “defence of the homeland”. More than a month into the war triggered by the US and Israel, rights groups highlight the life-threatening risks&nbs»»»
UK is invited to open universities in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan Marlen Mamataliev met with British Ambassador Nicholas Bowler. The two sides discussed the development of political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation, as well as strengthening interparliamentary ties. Mamataliev proposed intensifying work»»»
Artemis II astronauts rocket toward the moon after spending a day around Earth
Cape Canaveral: NASA's Artemis II astronauts fired their engines and blazed toward the moon Thursday night, breaking free of the chains that have trapped humanity in shallow laps around Earth in the decades since Apollo. The so-called translunar ignition came 25 hours after liftoff, putting the thr»»»
Blue Bulgaria Stands for Strong Bulgarian Agriculture, Clean Food, Top-of-the-List Candidate in Haskovo Says
The Blue Bulgaria coalition stands for strong Bulgarian agriculture and clean food, Tsveta Kirilova, the coalition's top-of-the-list candidate in Haskovo, said during a meeting with voters, as quoted by her campaign headquarters. “Agriculture is not just a sector of the economy; it is the foundatio»»»
Industrial production drops 4.2 percent in February: statistics
Skopje, 1 April 2026 (MIA) - Industrial production dropped by 4.2 percent in February 2026, compared to February 2025, the State Statistical Office said on Wednesday. According to the State Statistical Office, the biggest impact on the decreasing of industrial production in February 2026, was the d»»»
Reţele Electrice România invested RON 1.4 billion in 2025 in electric distribution networks
Key projects were implemented in Muntenia, Banat and Dobrogea regions and involved the modernization of existing primary stations and secondary stations, along with works for the modernization and extension of underground and overhead power lines. In 2026, the company will continue its investment p»»»
Minister Yankulov Stresses Need for Receptiveness in Parliament to Advance Fight against Corruption
The most important thing is to have receptiveness in Parliament so that progress can be made in the fight against corruption and the investigation of crimes in Bulgaria, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov said during a news briefing at the Council of Ministers buil»»»
‘Disturbing trend’ of US-Israeli strikes hitting non-military targets in Iran
Reporting from Tehran early Friday, FRANCE 24’s Reza Sayah says there’s been a “disturbing trend” in recent days of US-Israeli strikes hitting non-military targets across Iran. A strike on Iran’s tallest bridge last night killed eight people and wounded 90 others, said Sayah. The war has seen »»»
Over 530 kg of Food Banned near Dimitrovgrad Due to Lack of Origin and Expiry Information
More than 530 kilograms of meat, dairy products, semi-processed foods, as well as non-animal-origin foods and additives for meat production have been placed under a ban in the village of Radievo, near Dimitrovgrad (Southern Bulgaria), the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency said on Friday. The products, l»»»
'Breathtaking': Artemis Astronauts Blast towards Moon
Four Artemis astronauts were zooming towards the Moon late Thursday after a major engine firing, a milestone that commits NASA to the first crewed lunar flyby in more than half a century. With enough thrust to accelerate a stationary car to highway driving speed in less than three seconds, the Orio»»»
Media Review: April 3
ECONOMY – ENERGY The media cover the requested price increases by heating utilities. Trud: Bulgarian district heating companies have requested significant price increases for heating and hot water starting July 1, 2026, with Toplofikatsia Sofia seeking a nearly 30% hike and Toplofikatsia Veliko Tar»»»
Good Friday and Easter explained: The meaning behind Christianity’s holiest days
Dubai: Good Friday and Easter are important days in the Christian calendar, observed by millions around the world. They mark two connected events, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, and his resurrection three days later on Easter Sunday. This year, Good Friday falls on April 3 for Cath»»»
When will Artemis II reach the Moon?
NASA launched its first crewed lunar flight in more than 50 years on Wednesday, as the Artemis II mission began with liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission comes at the dawning of a new age of competition in space. What is Artemis II?Artemis II is the second mission in NASA’s»»»
Cash in circulation in Kyrgyzstan totals about 280 billion soms - | 24.KG
The volume of cash in circulation in Kyrgyzstan amounts to approximately 280 billion soms. Kumushai Artykova, chief expert of the Cash Management Department at the National Bank, told journalists. According to her, the ratio of cash to non-cash money in the country currently remains roughly balance»»»
Lebanon's displaced face rising hostility as airstrikes fuel fear and evictions
When the Israel- Hezbollah war broke out in early March, Hussein Shuman fled the heavy bombardment of the southern suburbs of Beirut, but he didn't bother trying to rent an apartment elsewhere. In areas deemed "safe" because the Lebanese militant group has no presence, he feels that Shiite Muslims »»»
Clash between Libya’s religious and secular authorities regarding the permissibility of surcharging for e-payments
A clash is occurring between Libya’s secular and religious orders as to the permissibility of merchants imposing an extra charge for receiving payments, for goods or services, electronically versus in cash. The religious viewLast Wednesday (1 April), the Libyan Fatwa House in Tripoli (Dar Al-Ifta) »»»
Ghana’s macro rebound signals coordinated policy success as inflation, rates and currency stabilise
Ghana’s central bank governor says a synchronised improvement in key economic indicators reflects coordinated monetary and fiscal policy, as inflation, interest rates, and the currency stabilise after years of crisis. Bank»»»
Bulgaria Moves to Long-Term Euro Monitoring as Price Controls Continue Until August 8
With the initial months following the introduction of the euro, institutional oversight in Bulgaria is gradually shifting from intensive inspections to a more systematic and long-term monitoring framework. Authorities, including the National Revenue Agency (NRA) and the Consumer Protection Commissi»»»
Inside Iran’s Hormuz strategy: Who can pass - and who can’t
Iran has begun selectively allowing oil and cargo vessels from certain countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, offering rare relief to a handful of import-dependent nations even as it maintains an effective chokehold on one of the world’s most critical energy routes. The latest to secure pa»»»
Bangladesh Cuts Working Hours to Save Energy Amid Middle East Crisis
Bangladesh has launched fresh measures to curb energy consumption, cutting office hours and trimming public spending as conflict in the Middle East disrupts global fuel markets and strains power supply in the South Asian nation. Officials said the steps approved by cabinet on Thursday aim to stabi»»»
UAE, Philippines reaffirm commitment to protect Filipino workers
Dubai: The UAE and the Philippines have reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the welfare and rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Emirates, reinforcing a long-standing partnership built on trust and cooperation. Senior officials from both countries have emphasised the importance»»»
Russia Warns Citizens Against Travel to Bulgaria Over Risk of US Arrests
The Russian Embassy in Sofia has circulated a warning issued by the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, cautioning its citizens about what it describes as a heightened risk of detention abroad at the request of US authorities. Among the countries mentioned as posing such a risk is Bulgaria, alongside a bro»»»
Finance Ministry intends to borrow 3.9 billion lei from banks in April 2026
The Finance Ministry planned, in April 2026, to borrow from commercial banks 3.9 billion lei, to which could be added 15% of the nominal value adjudicated at reference tenders, within additional sessions of non-competitive offers organized exclusively for benchmark instruments. The total amount of »»»
Ambassador: Romania represents a direct gateway to EU, having particular importance for Uzbekistan
Romania represents a direct gateway to the European Union, having a special importance for Uzbekistan, stated on Thursday, Amirsaid Agzamhodjaev, the ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Romania with residence in Warsaw, at an event organized by the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry»»»
UN Security Council Delays Vote on Authorizing Force to Protect Hormuz
The UN Security Council has postponed a vote scheduled for Friday on authorizing the use of "defensive" force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks, according to the official program. The 15-member body was set to vote Friday morning on a draft resolution brought by Bahra»»»
Trump’s Anger Over Iran Thrusts NATO into Fresh Crisis
The NATO alliance has in recent years survived existential challenges - ranging from the war in Ukraine to multiple bouts of pressure and insults from US President Donald Trump, who has questioned its core mission and threatened to seize Greenland. But it is the US-Israeli war with Iran, thousands »»»
Traditional Crafts Center opened in Bishkek - | 24.KG
The official opening ceremony of a Traditional Crafts Center was held at the Gapar Aitiev Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts. This event was made possible through cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Korea. The initiative aims to modernize production and introduce digital ma»»»
South Korea, France Agree to Deepen Defense Cooperation Amid Middle East Conflict
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday they planned to boost defense cooperation and work together to address the economic and energy crises triggered by the war in Iran. Macron arrived in South Korea on Thursday for a two-day state visit after also»»»
Kyrgyzstan launches national exchange trading mechanism for precious metals - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan has officially launched a national digital exchange trading mechanism for precious metals on the platform of the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange (KSE). The KSE, Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC, and Central Depository CJSC have signed a trilateral agreement enabling the free buying and selling of precious metals »»»
'He wasn't convincing to the world and to the American people', former US ambassador to NATO says
Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Ivo Daalder, Former US Ambassador to NATO and Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center at Harvard University, says that US President Donald Trump's address to the nation failed to convince, stressing that communication about the war "is almost a repeat of Vietnam. We'»»»
The Observers - Members of Iran’s Basij militia mount online intimidation campaign to deter protests
Heavily armed and dressed in camouflage, members of Iran's Basij paramilitary force have been circulating photos of themselves patrolling the streets of Tehran with portraits of the new supreme leader since early March. The aim: to dissuade Iranians from restarting protests against the regime. Mask»»»
US and Israel 'again bombing what were clearly non-military sites' in Iran
Reporting from Tehran for FRANCE 24, Reza Sayah says that "today again US and Israeli forces bombed what were clearly non-military sites in broad daylight and later in the day US president Donald Trump seemed to boast about it"»»»
Kyrgyzstan sends humanitarian aid to Iran - | 24.KG
The Ministry of Emergency Situations, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, is sending 129 tons of humanitarian aid to Iran. The initiative was organized on the instructions of the country’s president. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the shipment includes 6»»»
Burkina Faso army, jihadists have killed more than 1,800 civilians since 2023, HRW says
More than 1,800 civilians have been killed in violence-wracked Burkina Faso since 2023, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Thursday that accuses the army and civilian militias of killing more civilians than jihadists do. The NGO called on prosecutors at the International Criminal Court»»»
France in focus - The invisible victims: Why workplace deaths persist in France
Every day in France, two to three people die at work. Why are workplace fatalities still occurring in 2026? Which sectors are most affected? And what can be done to reduce the toll? We met the families of victims and the labour inspectors who, despite limited resources, are working to prevent these»»»
German police arrest man after alleged train threat; 12 injured - UPI.com
April 3 (UPI) -- Police in western Germany on Thursday night arrested a man armed with knives and pyrotechnic devices after he allegedly threatened to commit violence aboard a high-speed train, according to local authorities, who said a dozen passengers were injured. The suspect, identified as a 20»»»
Cost of living shock deepens as energy crisis hits G7 spending – Oxford Economics
A surge in energy prices following the escalation of the Iran conflict is intensifying the cost-of-living crisis across the G7, dragging consumer spending growth to its weakest level since 2022, according to a note by Ryan Sweet, Chief Global Economist at Oxford Economics. »»»
Cost of living shock deepens as energy crisis hits G7 spending – Oxford Economics
A surge in energy prices following the escalation of the Iran conflict is intensifying the cost-of-living crisis across the G7, dragging consumer spending growth to its weakest level since 2022, according to a note by Ryan Sweet, Chief Global Economist at Oxford Economics. »»»
A long Iran war will lead to severe shortages, says Oxford Economics
A sustained escalation of the US/Israel–Iran conflict could push global oil markets beyond a price shock into severe physical shortages, with rationing, supply chain disruption and recessionary pressures becoming increasingly likely, according to a note from Oxford Economics. »»»
Cost of living shock deepens as energy crisis hits G7 spending – Oxford Economics
A surge in energy prices following the escalation of the Iran conflict is intensifying the cost-of-living crisis across the G7, dragging consumer spending growth to its weakest level since 2022, according to a note by Ryan Sweet, Chief Global Economist at Oxford Economics. »»»
Cost of living shock deepens as energy crisis hits G7 spending – Oxford Economics
A surge in energy prices following the escalation of the Iran conflict is intensifying the cost-of-living crisis across the G7, dragging consumer spending growth to its weakest level since 2022, according to a note by Ryan Sweet, Chief Global Economist at Oxford Economics. »»»
A long Iran war will lead to severe shortages, says Oxford Economics
A sustained escalation of the US/Israel–Iran conflict could push global oil markets beyond a price shock into severe physical shortages, with rationing, supply chain disruption and recessionary pressures becoming increasingly likely, according to a note from Oxford Economics. »»»
Cost of living shock deepens as energy crisis hits G7 spending – Oxford Economics
A surge in energy prices following the escalation of the Iran conflict is intensifying the cost-of-living crisis across the G7, dragging consumer spending growth to its weakest level since 2022, according to a note by Ryan Sweet, Chief Global Economist at Oxford Economics. »»»
A long Iran war will lead to severe shortages, says Oxford Economics
A sustained escalation of the US/Israel–Iran conflict could push global oil markets beyond a price shock into severe physical shortages, with rationing, supply chain disruption and recessionary pressures becoming increasingly likely, according to a note from Oxford Economics. »»»
Cost of living shock deepens as energy crisis hits G7 spending – Oxford Economics
A surge in energy prices following the escalation of the Iran conflict is intensifying the cost-of-living crisis across the G7, dragging consumer spending growth to its weakest level since 2022, according to a note by Ryan Sweet, Chief Global Economist at Oxford Economics. »»»
A long Iran war will lead to severe shortages, says Oxford Economics
A sustained escalation of the US/Israel–Iran conflict could push global oil markets beyond a price shock into severe physical shortages, with rationing, supply chain disruption and recessionary pressures becoming increasingly likely, according to a note from Oxford Economics. »»»
A long Iran war will lead to severe shortages, says Oxford Economics
A sustained escalation of the US/Israel–Iran conflict could push global oil markets beyond a price shock into severe physical shortages, with rationing, supply chain disruption and recessionary pressures becoming increasingly likely, according to a note from Oxford Economics. »»»
A long Iran war will lead to severe shortages, says Oxford Economics
A sustained escalation of the US/Israel–Iran conflict could push global oil markets beyond a price shock into severe physical shortages, with rationing, supply chain disruption and recessionary pressures becoming increasingly likely, according to a note from Oxford Economics. »»»
Cost of living shock deepens as energy crisis hits G7 spending – Oxford Economics
A surge in energy prices following the escalation of the Iran conflict is intensifying the cost-of-living crisis across the G7, dragging consumer spending growth to its weakest level since 2022, according to a note by Ryan Sweet, Chief Global Economist at Oxford Economics. »»»
Cost of living shock deepens as energy crisis hits G7 spending – Oxford Economics
A surge in energy prices following the escalation of the Iran conflict is intensifying the cost-of-living crisis across the G7, dragging consumer spending growth to its weakest level since 2022, according to a note by Ryan Sweet, Chief Global Economist at Oxford Economics. »»»