Bulgaria’s Tourism Industry Adapts to a Digital-First Traveller
Bulgaria’s tourism sector has never been stronger and has been achieving steady growth for the past few years. The industry has been adjusting to new changes in the market, that of the digital traveller. It is nothing new to say that tourism is shaped by technology, but its influence has grown even»»»
Germany grants new $234mn climate loan to South Africa amid grid strain
Germany has agreed to extend a new €200mn ($234mn) concessional climate loan to South Africa to help finance grid upgrades and renewable energy investment, foreign minister Ronald Lamola said on April 13 after talks with German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Berlin. »»»
Hegseth Announces 'Major' Defense Partnership with Indonesia
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday a "major" defense partnership with Indonesia following a meeting with the Southeast Asian nation's defense minister at the Pentagon. "We are elevating our relationship to a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership, in recognition of the strength and p»»»
Commercial Bank reports Q1 2026 net profit before Pillar Two Tax of QR538.3m
Doha, Qatar: The Commercial Bank and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) announced yesterday its financial results for the three months ended 31 March 2026. The Group reported Net Profit before Pillar Two Tax of QR538.3m for Q1 2026. The year-on-year movement in profit was supported by resilient operati»»»
EU chief touts electric power strategy as energy crisis bites
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Brussels next week will present plans to tackle high energy costs caused by the Iran war and before the summer will unveil a broader package to boost Europe's electrification, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Monday.The energy crisis has already cost the 27-nation bloc more th»»»
Kim Jong Un oversees cruise, anti-ship missile tests from warship - UPI.com
North Korea test-fired strategic cruise missiles and anti-warship missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon, state media reported Tuesday. The missile test, as seen in this image, took place Sunday from an undisclosed location. Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL, April 14 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un »»»
Construction down slightly
Construction output volume, based on both raw and working day adjusted data, was 0.4% lower than a year earlier. Among the main construction groups the construction of buildings increased by 2.2%, that of civil engineering lessened by 6.3%. Based on seasonally and working day adjusted indices const»»»
Driver's license non-recognition rumors spread by corrupt groups — President - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said that reports claiming Kyrgyz driver’s licenses are not recognized abroad are the result of actions by corrupt groups. He made the statement during a meeting with residents of Alai district. According to him, the new-format driver’s licenses are recognized »»»
Crans-Montana mayor says unaware of six-year safety lapse before Swiss bar fire that killed 41
Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud said on Monday he was unaware safety checks had not been conducted for six years at a Swiss ski resort bar where a fire during New Year celebrations killed 41 people. Prosecutors are investigating the blaze, with nine people, including Feraud, under criminal inves»»»
US Says Ball in Iran’s Court as Push Grows to End War
The United States said "the ball is in the Iranian court" on ending the Middle East war, as diplomats accelerated efforts on Tuesday towards a new round of peace talks after weekend negotiations failed to produce a deal. US Vice President JD Vance had left talks hosted by Pakistan on Sunday, saying»»»
Dubai announces major 1 million sq ft Al Jaddaf mixed-use community near Etihad Rail hub
Dubai: Dubai is set to add a major new urban district to its skyline, with Al Ghurair Development unveiling plans for a one-million-square-foot mixed-use masterplan community in Al Jaddaf. The new development, located in Dubai Creek Harbour, will combine homes, offices, hospitality, retail and cult»»»
Russia warns of danger of war resuming as US blockade of Iranian ports takes effect
The Kremlin has warned that the danger of war resuming in the Middle East has not been averted after US-Iran negotiations ended without result, as a US naval blockade of Iranian ports came into effect on April 13. "The dan»»»
South Korean industry faces crisis over critical material shortages
South Korea’s semiconductor and pharmaceutical sectors face critical supply disruptions as uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint deepens, the Korea JoongAng Daily reports. The economic consequences of a blockade could prove more debilitating than surging energy prices, as the coun»»»
Russia warns of danger of war resuming as US blockade of Iranian ports takes effect
The Kremlin has warned that the danger of war resuming in the Middle East has not been averted after US-Iran negotiations ended without result, as a US naval blockade of Iranian ports came into effect on April 13. "The dan»»»
Iraq's Coordination Framework Close to Naming Candidate for PM's Post
Iraq's pro-Iran Coordination Framework is leaning towards nominating Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for a second term days after the election of Nizar Amedi as president. This would mean abandoning the nomination of former PM Nouri al-Maliki, whose chances of becoming premier are nil after »»»
Military Technology Museum in Germany bars entry to citizens of Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
A military technology museum in Germany has banned entry to citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, and 21 other countries. «Due to military security requirements, access to the collection is currently prohibited for citizens of states included in the list defined in Section 13 (17) of»»»
Bulgarian Fund for Women Campaign Raises EUR 49,087 for Domestic Violence Survivors
A campaign by the Bulgarian Fund for Women (BFW) raised EUR 49,087 for women and children affected by domestic violence, the organization said on Tuesday. Funds were already channelled to three crisis centres in Kardzhali, Silistra and Kazanlak, and more recipient organizations would be named soon.»»»
Awqaf Ministry highlights shift from strategic planning to measurable societal impact
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has unveiled its 2025 annual outcomes, highlighting a decisive shift from strategic planning to delivering measurable societal impact, in line with its 2025–2030 strategy and the Qatar National Vision 2030. The Ministry described 2025 as a land»»»
Fewer tourists, fuller local crowds: How Dubai hospitality is riding out the crisis
Dubai: Even as flight disruptions and jet fuel shortages unsettle travel across the region, Dubai’s community-driven hospitality venues are proving unexpectedly resilient — a sign, says McGettigan’s owner Dennis McGettigan, that the emirate’s strong resident customer base is helping steady the food»»»
How Would a Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz Work?
Washington: Ephrat Livni After weekend peace talks in Pakistan between the United States and Iran ended with no agreement, President Trump on Sunday said the US Navy would impose a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping waterway that Iran has mostly choked off since the war began in lat»»»
Kahramaa enhances digital fault reporting to boost efficiency
Doha, Qatar: Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) continues to strengthen its digital services to ensure faster response to technical faults and improve overall customer satisfaction, according to Mohammed Salem Al Shammari, Head of Contact Center and Customer Care. Speaking i»»»
Another boat strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean leaves 2 dead, US military says
WASHINGTON: The U.S. military said it carried out another strike Monday (April 13, 2026) on a boat accused of trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people. The campaign of attacks on vessels that the Trump administration says are trafficking drugs in Latin American waters has »»»
Tech 24 - Why Anthropic’s new AI model is too powerful to release
One of the world's leading AI companies has built a model so powerful that it refuses to fully release it publicly just yet, prompting urgent talks from Wall Street to financial regulators in the UK. Anthropic says its new AI model, Claude Mythos Preview, is so advanced at finding software weakness»»»
Business - Oil prices surge as Trump vows to block the Strait of Hormuz
US crude oil prices surged nearly 8%, reaching US$104 per barrel, as concerns grow over a potential US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. In March, Iran exported around 1.85 million barrels of crude per day through the strait. Meanwhile, Hungarians are eyeing a new economic future as Peter Magyar pr»»»
Democracy in Decline: Bulgaria Lands on Troubling “Autocracy Watch” List
A leading global research center on democratic systems has issued a stark warning about political trends in several countries, concluding in its latest annual report that Bulgaria is now among those showing clear signs of democratic backsliding. The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute argues t»»»
Urban plan targets Athens’ densification
A new urban plan for Athens warns that the city, densely built and lacking public and green spaces, cannot sustain further construction. The study proposes lowering building coefficients and increasing minimum plot sizes to gradually reduce pressure on the urban fabric. Prepared by a consortium of »»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
Quality matters: how the Hormuz crisis tests refinery flexibility
The disruption highlights a key reality often overlooked in the oil market: while volumes may be globally fungible, crude quality is not. WHAT: The disruption to Hormuz flows has left many refiners struggling to replace lo»»»
UPDATE: Pakistan launches Iran transit corridor with first shipment to Central Asia
Pakistan has formally launched a new overland trade corridor to Central Asia via Iran, dispatching its first export consignment from Karachi to Tashkent, customs officials told The Express Tribune on April 13. The move ope»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
Iran war is pushing the CRINK alliance closer together, turning it into a military alliance
One of the upsets of the war in Iran has been to drive the members of the CRINK alliance (China, Russia, Iran and North Korea) into a closer military cooperation that is not in the West's interests. In the same way that th»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
Quality matters: how the Hormuz crisis tests refinery flexibility
The disruption highlights a key reality often overlooked in the oil market: while volumes may be globally fungible, crude quality is not. WHAT: The disruption to Hormuz flows has left many refiners struggling to replace lo»»»
Quality matters: how the Hormuz crisis tests refinery flexibility
The disruption highlights a key reality often overlooked in the oil market: while volumes may be globally fungible, crude quality is not. WHAT: The disruption to Hormuz flows has left many refiners struggling to replace lo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
ADB projects slower growth in all of Asia
For decades after globalisation and interconnected digitally enhanced international commerce, Asia has been the world's most reliable source of economic momentum. According to an outlook forecast report by the Asian Develo»»»
Quality matters: how the Hormuz crisis tests refinery flexibility
The disruption highlights a key reality often overlooked in the oil market: while volumes may be globally fungible, crude quality is not. WHAT: The disruption to Hormuz flows has left many refiners struggling to replace lo»»»