Korneliya Ninova Calls for “Defiant” Vote, Criticizes Campaign and Outlines Economic, Foreign Policy Proposals
Closing her election campaign in Haskovo on Friday, the leader of the Defiant Bulgaria National Movement party, Korneliya Ninova, called on all citizens to vote rationally rather than emotionally, and to remain defiant to the end, refusing to surrender or “sell out”. “We have proven over the years »»»
Hezbollah Parliamentary Bloc Warns Lebanese Authority against Dangers of Direct Talks with Israeli Enemy
Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc issued on Friday a statement that underlined how the authorities in Lebanon endangered the nation and its integrity by holding direct negotiations with the the Israeli enemy. The Lebanese authority has involved the nation in a stage that endangers its existence as a s»»»
Netanyahu says Israel has 'not yet finished the job' against Hezbollah
Israel has not yet finished dealing with Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday, vowing to press on with the Lebanese militant group's "dismantling" just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into effect. "Today’s Hezbollah is a shadow of its former self compared to the heyd»»»
CEPEX launches “Start Export” Accelerator to boost Tunisian firms’ international expansion
Tunis, April 17 (TAP) – The Export Promotion Centre (CEPEX) has officially launched its new accelerator "Start Export by CEPEX," a pilot programme designed to provide intensive support to Tunisian enterprises seeking to enter international markets...»»»
SPA Complex Alexander Expands Services with Signature Therapy and Summer Packages in Greece
SPA Complex Alexander in Zlatograd, Southern Bulgaria, is expanding its spa and tourism services by combining balneotherapy, signature treatments, and cultural-historical tourism, the owner and manager Alexander Mitushev told BTA. The complex is located in the heart of the Zlatograd Ethnographic Co»»»
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»»»
Hormuz reopens: What Iran’s move means for oil and war
Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial shipping, marking a significant shift after weeks of disruption during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The move comes as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to be holding, raising cautious hop»»»
Beirut Residents Return to Southern Suburbs After Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire Takes Effect
BEIRUT (Sputnik) - Residents of Beirut's heavily populated southern suburb were returning to their homes on Friday following the entry into force of a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a Sputnik correspondent said. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun a»»»
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 New Government Faces Critical Task of Reassessing Fiscal Policy, IMF Official Recommends
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slightly lowered its growth forecast for the Bulgarian economy by 0.3 percentage points to 2.8% amid the crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East, which in this regard has no greater impact than in other countries. However, the Fund has expressed conc»»»
Trump Prohibits Israel From Bombing Lebanon
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Israel will end its bombardment campaign against Lebanon after being prohibited from doing so by the United States, President Donald Trump said on Friday. "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!! Thank»»»
Putin Says Russia Has Special Relations With CIS Countries
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia has had special relations with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries for decades. "We have always had, and I am sure will continue to have, a special attitude toward this, if only for historical reasons,»»»
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 »»»
No more 'anting-anting' politics: Why the Philippines urgently needs a Whistleblower Protection Law
MANILA: In Philippine folklore, the agimat or anting-anting is a talisman believed to make its bearer bulletproof, invisible to enemies — or mysteriously protected from harm. In modern Philippine politics, some officials seem to wear a different kind of anting-anting: impunity. Also Read: Flood con»»»
Berri says national unity and civil peace are red lines
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri stressed Friday that "national unity and civil peace are red lines that will not be crossed under any circumstances." He emphasized that "any attack on these two pillars, from any side, is an attack on Lebanon's very existence and a free gift to the Israeli enemy a»»»
One killed, several injured in Northern Gaza as ceasefire strains persist
Gaza: A Palestinian has been killed and several others injured following Israeli fire in the north of the Gaza Strip, according to local media reports on Friday, April 17, 2026. The Palestinian news agency WAFA said Israeli forces opened machine-gun fire towards tents sheltering displaced people in»»»
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»»»
Analilia Meijia keeps New Jersey House seat for Democrats - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Analilia Mejia won the vacant U.S. House seat in New Jersey in a special election on Thursday, maintaining control of the seat for the Democratic Party. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 17 (UPI) -- Analilia Mejia won the vacant U.S. House seat in New Jersey in a special »»»
Philippines pushes Oman to drop HIV certificate rule for Filipino travellers
Dubai: The Philippines has formally raised concerns with the Omani embassy in Manila over a requirement for a negative HIV medical certificate imposed on certain Filipino travellers heading to Oman. In a statement, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has noted that it made “strong re»»»
UN: More than 38,000 women, girls killed in Gaza war by end of 2025
Geneva: Over 38,000 women and girls were killed in the Gaza war by the end of 2025, the UN estimated Friday, amounting to over half of the 71,000 deaths recorded by the territory's health ministry. "Between October 2023 and December 2025, more than 38,000 women and girls were killed in Gaza -- the »»»
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»»»
Australia's Most Decorated Veteran Walks Free on Bail on War Crimes Charges
Australia’s most decorated living veteran, Ben Roberts-Smith, walked free on bail from a Sydney prison on Friday, 10 days after he was charged with war crimes in the killings of five people while serving in Afghanistan. Judge Greg Grogin granted Roberts-Smith bail in a Sydney court around five hour»»»
1st SKorean Tanker Transits Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu in Alternative Red Sea Route
A South Korean oil tanker has transited the Red Sea for the first time since the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Seoul's oceans ministry said on Friday. Import-dependent South Korea has taken steps to mitigate the risks to its energy supplies since US-Israeli attacks on Iran in late Febr»»»
Beirut Conference Sees Wide Consensus Over Weapons-free Capital
Beirut MPs representing most of Lebanon’s political parties met in the capital to support a government move declaring the city “safe and weapons-free,” following recent security incidents and Israeli strikes. The conference brought together most factions, except MPs from Hezbollah, the Amal Movemen»»»
Israel Says Military Operation Against Hezbollah 'Still Not Complete'
Israel's defense minister said on Friday that the campaign against Hezbollah was not yet complete, just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into force in Lebanon. He also warned that if the fighting resumed, displaced residents returning to the country's war-torn south would have to evacuate again.»»»
Cuban envoy to India cites Russia’s huge message to the world amid US blockade
Russia has sent an important message to the world by sending a ship with oil to Cuba last month as the US blockades the island, Havana’s envoy to New Delhi has said. Moscow shipped 100,000 tons of oil required for Cuba’s normal functioning after the US imposed restrictions, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguil»»»
Lebanon: Speaker Berri Says Civil Peace Red Line, Rejects Direct Talks with ‘Israel’ - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanon: Speaker Berri Says Civil Peace Red Line, Rejects Direct Talks with ‘Israel’ 17-04-2026 16:06 PM Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri in an»»»
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»»»
Belchinski Izvor SPA Complex with Nearly 40,000 Guests in 2025, Some 93% Bulgarians
Belchinski Izvor SPA Complex, located near the village of Belchin, hosted 39,486 guests in 2025. Some 93% were from Bulgaria, while the rest were foreigners, the complex told BTA. The Gala Placidia spa centre features a large indoor mineral pool, an indoor children’s pool, outdoor hot tubs and jacu»»»
Lebanese president says talks with Israel at 'Critical' stage as ceasefire efforts continue
Beirut, Leabnon: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has described ongoing direct negotiations with Israel as "delicate and pivotal", urging national unity as Lebanon navigates a crucial phase under international scrutiny on Friday, April 17, 2026. In remarks released by the Lebanese presidency on Frida»»»
Dubai: Is distance learning still an option? KHDA explains flexible return to schools
Dubai: Most schools across the UAE are set to welcome students back to classrooms from Monday, ending more than 40 days of distance learning introduced in response to regional conflict linked to the US-Israel Iran war. However, while campuses reopen, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said school tran»»»
Israeli Channel 14: Six Israeli soldiers were injured, two seriously, by an IED explosion in southern Lebanon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli Channel 14: Six Israeli soldiers were injured, two seriously, by an IED explosion in southern Lebanon 17-04-2026 15:32 PM Latest Ne»»»
“PM and I don’t have wife issues”: Rahul Gandhi’s jibe draws laughter in India's Lok Sabha
New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi struck a light-hearted note in the Lok Sabha on Friday during a debate on the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill and delimitation, drawing laughter when he remarked that both he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi do not have “wife issues”. The Leader of the Opposit»»»
Iran Opens Strait of Hormuz for Duration of Lebanon Ceasefire
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that, in connection with the Lebanon ceasefire, passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is fully open for the duration of the truce. "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of »»»
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»»»
Teodora Tompea: From breaking news to storytelling, sustainability, and entrepreneurship
After 17 years in journalism, spanning local newsrooms, radio, and national television, Teodora Tompea is stepping into a new rhythm at Observator 16, where speed meets meaning and news reporting blends with storytelling. On March 16, she also hosted the 21st edition of the Business Review Awards G»»»
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation warns over Palestinian prisoners
Jeddah: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed deep concern over the worsening conditions of more than 9,500 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, including women and children, in addition to detainees from Gaza whose numbers remain unknown. In a statement, the OIC warned of se»»»
Hisense unveils 2026 RGB MiniLED TV range at FIFA Headquarters, highlighting the depth of its FIFA World Cup 2026™ partnership
Hisense, a leading global brand in consumer electronics and home appliances, has unveiled its new 2026 RGB MiniLED TV range at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, underlining not only its latest advances in display technology but also the strength and maturity of its long-standing partnership with FIFA ahe»»»
Global waterways must never be controlled or weaponised: UAE
The UAE has called for firm international action to safeguard sovereignty and protect global trade routes, warning that threats to maritime security and regional stability cannot be addressed through rhetoric alone. Speaking at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, Saqr G»»»
Royal Grand Hotel and Spa Introduces Sea Mud Therapies with Calcium and Magnesium
Royal Grand Hotel and Spa in Kavarna has introduced therapies using sea mud enriched with calcium and magnesium, which have anti-stress and restorative effects, the hotel’s marketing manager Teodora Chaneva told BTA. "We offer combined packages for relaxation and recovery, weekend programmes, and t»»»
‘Proud of the UAE’ patrols roll out across Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah: In line with the nationwide ‘Proud of the UAE’ initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the General Command of Ras Al Khaimah Police has introduced a new community-focused campaign featuring specially branded patrol vehicles. A number of police patr»»»
London insurers launch $1 bn war cover for Hormuz shipping
London: London shipping insurers have agreed to provide $1 billion in extra coverage for vessels sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route paralysed by the Middle East war, in a statement seen by AFP on Friday April 17, 2026. Insurance firm Beazley said it would lead a "marine war»»»
Israel says troops will remain in buffer zone extending 10 km from border
Israel's defense minister said on Friday that the campaign against the militant group Hezbollah was not yet complete, just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into force in Lebanon. "The ground maneuver into Lebanon and the strikes on Hezbollah have achieved many gains, but they are still not compl»»»
Iran informed Hezbollah leadership about truce hours before Trump calls, MP says
Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah praised Friday Iran as he spoke to reporters in the battered Beirut southern suburb of Haret Hreik. “Yesterday, before the ceasefire, Hezbollah’s leadership was formally informed around 4am from the Iranian ambassador that there will be a ceasefire at nigh»»»
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»»»
Alliance for Rights and Freedoms MP Candidate Duganov: "We Have Chance to End Oligarchic State"
Borislav Duganov, MP candidate from the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF) in Smolyan, told voters in his hometown of Nedelino, Smolyan Region, that "with our vote on April 19, we have the chance to change the government and put an end to this oligarchic state," the coalition announced in a sta»»»
Lula says Trump policy creates problems for Americans
US President Donald Trump’s policy has ended up creating problems for Americans, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said, citing soaring energy prices linked to the war on Iran. Lula made the remarks in an interview with El Pais published on Thursday. “[Trump] is playing a very dange»»»