Lufthansa scales back operations, canceling 20,000 flights amid fuel shortages
Berlin, April 22 (SANA) Lufthansa announced it will cancel around 20,000 flights from its schedule amid a sharp rise in fuel costs and growing concerns over jet fuel (kerosene) supplies, highlighting mounting pressure on Europe’s aviation sector. According to Germany’s Bild magazine, the airline sa»»»
Putin: Russia Provides Full Assistance to Africa to Ensure Biological Security
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in his greeting to participants and guests of the second Russian-African international conference on combating infectious diseases that Russian agencies are providing full assistance to their African counterparts in biological security. "Ru»»»
Dinar-to-euro exchange rate at RSD 117.4045
BELGRADE - The Serbian dinar's official median exchange rate against the euro is 117.4045 dinars for one euro on Wednesday, which is a slight change relative to Tuesday, the National Bank of Serbia said. The dinar is steady against the euro m-o-m, down by 0.1 pct y-o-y and down by 0.1 pct relative »»»
China Has Developed Into Indispensable Nation for Green Transition in World
In an era marked by ecological challenges, development dilemmas and geopolitical dynamics are increasingly intertwined. Through a series of innovative practices, Chinese modernization offers a "green solution" to some of humanity's pressing questions of survival and development. Rooted in the wisdo»»»
Defeat to Barcelona ends Red Star's EuroLeague campaign
BARCELONA - Red Star Belgrade have failed to qualify for the final of the basketball EuroLeague play-in by losing 80-72 (29-21, 18-12, 16-18, 17-21) to Barcelona on the road on Tuesday evening. The defeat ended Red Star's campaign in European basketball's top-tier competition this season. Codi Mill»»»
IMF mission to begin official visit to Serbia Thursday
BELGRADE - An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission will begin an official visit to Belgrade on Thursday, with the opening meeting to be held at the National Bank of Serbia (NBS). A plenary meeting of the IMF mission and a Serbian delegation at the NBS is scheduled for 10 am, the central bank h»»»
Iran Detains Two Unauthorized Vessels Trying to Transit Strait of Hormuz
TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran's military has detained two unauthorized vessels that tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the naval forces of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday. "The IRGC naval forces detained and escorted to the coast of Iran two violating vesse»»»
Homestay horror: US tourist alleges spiked drink, rape, WiFi cut off
Dubai A woman tourist from the United States has alleged that she was sexually assaulted at a homestay in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, with police arresting two men, including the property owner and a staff member, following a complaint, according to multiple media reports. The incident took place »»»
Planning child travel? Philippines names pages to avoid fake travel clearance services
Dubai: Parents planning to send children to travel have been advised to avoid relying on unverified social media services, as Philippine authorities have officially named Facebook pages offering fake travel clearance assistance. The Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), th»»»
Vista Bank makes debut on Bucharest Stock Exchange with bond issue worth EUR 17 million
The bonds listed today are part of a broader Medium‑Term Notes (MTN) Programme, under which the Bank may issue bonds in several tranches. The maximum nominal value of all tranches under the programme amounts to EUR 100 million. Key features of the bond issue VISTA36E: “We welcome Vista Bank to the »»»
ING Bank launches 3-year fixed-rate mortgage, with promotional interest rate starting at 4.79%
Customers can apply for the offer 100% online via Home’Bank and benefit from a transparent discount structure that helps them customize their interest rate. With these offers, ING Bank Romania ranks among the top three most competitive mortgage solutions on the local market, according to an analysi»»»
China denies US-detained ship in Middle East contained ‘gift’ for Iran
BEIJING: China on Wednesday denied again that a ship intercepted by the United States contained a “gift” from Beijing for Iran, a day after US President Donald Trump made the accusation. Trump had said that an Iranian-flagged ship seized by US forces in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday contained “a gift »»»
Dubai Basketball clinch top-seed position with dominant win in Sarajevo
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball secured first place in the ABA League Top 8 stage with a commanding 92-64 victory over Bosna BH Telecom in Sarajevo on Tuesday, locking in pole position ahead of the 2026 playoffs. The result ensures Dubai will carry home-court advantage into the quarterfinals in May, with t»»»
Riyadh and Beirut coordinate to extend truce ahead of Washington talks
Coordination is ongoing between Riyadh and the Lebanese state to extend the 10-day truce and ensure the success of direct negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv, informed Gulf sources told Nidaa al-Watan newspaper. Lebanese President's Advisor Andre Rahal had visited Saudi Arabia in the past hour»»»
Romanian companies expect stable hiring levels but shift in skill requirements as a result of AI integration
The implementation of artificial intelligence solutions in companies is still in its infancy, as 47.4% of employers participating in the most recent survey by eJobs Romania stated they use such solutions sporadically. This usage is often individual, at the employees’ initiative, rather than a resul»»»
Old Doha Port marks Earth Day with continued focus on marine protection and sustainable operations
Doha, Qatar: In recognition of Earth Day, Old Doha Port is showcasing its sustainability work across marine protection, waste management, and seabed conservation. The destination’s environmental initiatives reflect its responsibility to protect the marine environment that supports its operations, h»»»
Vasile Țiple, TechAngels: Defence tech becoming key investment vertical
Vasile Țiple, Board Member of TechAngels and Defence Angels European Network (DAEN), talked to BR about Romanian investors’ strategic transition into the pan-European defence sector. He mentioned that AI-driven technologies are redefining security resilience and highlighted the critical importance »»»
Timișoreana celebrates its 20th anniversary alongside the Romanian Football Cup
Over the past 20 years, the Romanian Cup has offered Romanians some of the most intense and memorable moments in local soccer: spectacular comebacks, dramatic finals, first-time trophy wins, and editions that have gone down in history for the intensity with which they were played. From the remarkab»»»
Everything you need to know about the NBE’s 2026 Platinum triple savings certificate
The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) announced a new adjustment to interest rates on its three-year Platinum Certificate – one of the most prominent savings instruments in Egypt. This move reflects the banking sector’s efforts to keep pace with economic changes. The new rate adjustment offers customers»»»
Will Iran war reshape global trade more than COVID?
TradeGlobal issuesWill Iran war reshape global trade more than COVID?Nik MartinAs the Iran war simmers, trade experts wonder if this conflict will reshape supply chains more than the pandemic. Companies are already rethinking strategies to future-proof revenues from other geopolitical risks. https:»»»
Morocco’s Inflation Rises to 0.9% in March
Morocco's annual inflation, measured by the consumer price index, rose to 0.9% in March from -0.6% a month earlier, the statistics agency said on Wednesday. Food prices, the main driver of inflation, rose 0.6% from a year earlier, while non-food inflation increased 1.1%. Core inflation, which »»»
PIF Anchors State Street’s Newly Launched Saudi Equity ETF
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and State Street Investment Management (State Street IM), one of the world’s largest asset managers, launched on Thursday the State Street Saudi Arabia Enhanced Active Equity (SAQL) with PIF as anchor investor. The fund actively invests in equities of companie»»»
NATO ‘Will Always Defend’ Türkiye, Says Rutte
NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Wednesday the alliance would do "what's necessary to defend" its members including Türkiye after intercepting four missiles fired from Iran and head into Turkish air space over the past weeks. A member of the US-led defense alliance, Türkiye, which borders Iran, has be»»»
Report Says US Blocked $500M Cash Shipment to Iraq Over Pro-Iran Attacks
The United States blocked a plane carrying nearly $500 million in banknotes from delivering the cash to Iraq, US media reported on Tuesday, piling pressure on Baghdad to fight Iran-backed armed factions. The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has suspended cash shipments to Iraq and froze»»»
US‑Iran ceasefire nears expiry as Islamabad talks cast into doubt
US President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran. The move happened just hours before the fragile two-week truce had been set to expire on Wednesday. However, he has vowed to maintain the naval blockade, touting it as leverage to force Tehran to make a deal. “I have directed our Milit»»»
USFK commander says THAAD remains in Korea, 'munitions' await move - UPI.com
The United States has not moved its THAAD missile defense system to the Middle East, USFK Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson said Tuesday. In this March photo, Brunson speaks to reporters during a combined military exercise in Yeoncheon. File Photo by Yonhap The United States has not moved its THAAD mis»»»
Childbirths grow at record high pace in Feb.: data - UPI.com
The number of babies born in South Korea rose at a record high pace in February of this year, government data showed Wednesday. In this photo, taken Wednesday, a nurse looks after newborns at a hospital in Goyang. Photo by Yonhap The number of babies born rose at a record high pace in February of t»»»
Saudi cabinet backs PIF strategy, approves tax pact and cross-border deals
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s cabinet backed the Public Investment Fund’s 2026–2030 strategy and approved a tax pact and cross-border deals, as non-oil exports rose 15 percent and digital readiness ranked first globally. The cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on April 21 on beh»»»
InRento enters Romania with a new financing solution for real estate project owners
InRento is a pan-European investment platform launched in 2020 in Lithuania, to provide financing for real estate developers who need speed, simplicity, and certainty. The FinTech company has already financed more than €90 million in investments and has returned over €28 million to more than 4.400 »»»
Measles Cases Registered in Bulgaria Reach 153
A total of 153 measles cases have been registered in Bulgaria, according to data as of April 21 published on the website of the Ministry of Health. Four new cases were reported on Tuesday. The regions of Vratsa, Lovech, Pleven, and Sofia-city have each registered one infected individual. The newly »»»
GERB: Sarafov's Resignation Is Dignified But Belated
The resignation of Borislav Sarafov is a dignified but belated personal act, according to a statement by GERB published on Facebook. The party said that institutions have always been their top priority. “The most important thing now is for the new National Assembly to begin work immediately so that»»»
Deputy Prosecutor General Stefanova Designated New Acting Prosecutor General
Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council Prosecutors Chamber unanimously decided on Wednesday to designate Deputy Prosecutor General Vanya Stefanova acting prosecutor general. The decision comes in the wake of Borislav Sarafov's resignation as acting prosecutor general earlier today. The Prosecutors Cha»»»
Yes, Bulgaria Co-chairs on Prosecutor General's Resignation: "Heart of Peevski-Borissov Model Has Been Ripped Out"
Speaking at a briefing after the resignation of acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov was announced, Yes, Bulgaria co-chairs Ivaylo Mirchev and Bozhidar Bozhanov said that "the heart of the Peevski-Borissov model has been ripped out, this is an achievement of the people who came out to protest»»»
Legality in Prosecutor’s Office's Governance Restored - Caretaker Justice Minister Yankulov
“What happened was the restoration of legality in the governance of the Prosecutor’s Office, and I believe that everyone is a winner as a result,” caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Andrey Yankulov commented to the media on the decision of the Prosecutors’ Chamber of the Suprem»»»
Pakistan's capital holds its breath with US-Iran talks in limbo
Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan's capital was still locked in gear on Wednesday to host high-stakes US-Iran talks that were pushed back at the last minute overnight, but many residents began to tire of the heavy personal and economic toll of tight security restrictions. Markets were quiet, government»»»
Governor of Qatar Central Bank meets German Ambassador
Doha, Qatar: Governor of Qatar Central Bank HE Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani met today, April 22, 2026, with HE Oliver Owcza, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the State of Qatar. During the meeting, they discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation between the two co»»»
Sakib Hussain: IPL quick whose mum sold her jewellery to fund cricket dream
New Delhi: Sakib Hussain's father is a labourer from India's poorest state and his mother sold her jewellery to buy him bowling boots. Their sacrifices -- and his tears -- paid off after the 21-year-old fast bowler made an instant impact in the Indian Premier League. He claimed 4-24 for Sunrisers H»»»
Lufthansa cuts 20,000 summer flights to save jet fuel costs – What's next for European airlines
Dubai: Lufthansa Group has slashed 20,000 flights from its summer schedule in a bid to cut jet fuel costs as the Iran conflict pushes jet fuel prices sharply higher, the airline announced late Tuesday. The move by the German aviation giant is now setting the tone for what could be a turbulent seaso»»»
North Korean hackers tied to $290M crypto heist, firm says - UPI.com
North Korean-linked hackers were likely behind the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency over the weekend, a blockchain technology firm said. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo SEOUL, April 22 (UPI) -- North Korean-linked hackers were likely behind the theft of hu»»»
Authorities Shut Down Two More Slaughterhouses
The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has shut down two slaughterhouses—one registered in the village of Gergevets near Sliven and an illegal one in Byala Slatina, the Agency said on Wednesday. At the slaughterhouse in Gergevets, inspectors from the BFSA Central Office and the Regional Directorat»»»
Media Review: April 22
The topic of how the new parliament will look like after the elections dominates Wednesday’s news media. POLITICS 24 Chasa’s front-page article presents the governance programme of Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria, which won the April 19 elections under the headline, “Life according to Radev: Sta»»»
Saudi Arabia ramps up preparations as Hajj pilgrims begin arriving
Saudi Arabia has stepped up preparations for the 2026 Hajj season, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directing authorities to deploy all capabilities to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage as arrivals begin from around the world. Speaking on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of»»»
Iran ceasefire: Why the US hit pause instead of push
The United States’ decision to extend its ceasefire with Iran is less a sign of breakthrough than a reflection of a complex moment — one where diplomacy, pressure and uncertainty are all unfolding at once. President Donald Trump pushed back the end of the two-week truce to allow more time for negot»»»
NASA unveils new space telescope to give 'atlas of the universe'
United States: NASA unveiled a new telescope on Tuesday to scan vast swathes of the universe for planets outside our solar system and probe the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy. The Roman space telescope is expected to discover tens of thousands of planets, possibly offering clarity abut ho»»»
Schools shut in Swedish town after 'threat': officials
Stockholm: Authorities ordered 16 public schools to shut in the central Swedish town of Borlange on Wednesday after receiving a threat of violence, officials said. Private schools also kept their doors closed after being told of the threat. "The decision is a precautionary measure due to a potentia»»»
Strait of Hormuz Blockade Drives up Costs at Panama Canal
The war in the Middle East has boosted demand to move vital cargo through the Panama Canal to such an extent that one vessel carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) paid $4 million to skip the line and avoid a wait that can take up to five days, according to an official report. A surge in such payment»»»
Report: US Blocks Iraq’s Dollar Shipments to Squeeze Iran-Backed Factions
US President Donald Trump's administration has halted US dollar shipments to Iraq and frozen security cooperation programs with its military, as it presses Baghdad to dismantle Iranian-backed factions operating in the country, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing Iraqi and US offic»»»
UAE fuel prices for May 2026: Will you see a sharp drop next month with Iran ceasefire?
Dubai: UAE motorists are unlikely to see a sharp drop in fuel prices in May, even as global oil markets ease from March’s peak. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.Crude has pulled back—but not enough to signal a full correction. Brent crude is now tr»»»
Saudi Arabia has strong financial buffers to confront Iran war impact: IMF Middle East director
RIYADH: “This is a multidimensional shock.” That is how Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund, summed up the bleak outlook gripping the region, describing the current war as an earthquake not seen in geopolitics and economics for fiv»»»
UAE astronomers reveal likely date for Eid Al Adha
Sharjah: The Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub (SSAH) at the University of Sharjah has released its astronomical calculations regarding crescent moon visibility conditions for the opening of Dhu al-Hijja 1447 AH. Based on its findings, the center projects Wednesday, May 27, 2026, as the likely first »»»