Nepal helicopter rescue scam: 32 charged in probe
Several tour guides in Nepal ran a fake helicopter rescue racket to defraud insurance companies in Australia and the UK, the Kathmandu Post has reported. Investigations by the paper revealed that the guides first staged a medical emergency, called in a helicopter, and checked tourists into a hospit»»»
Could a Maidan-style coup happen in Hungary?
Polls ahead of the Hungarian elections point to an opposition victory, but players behind the scenes expect Prime Minister Viktor Orban to come out on top. Others say it’s a scenario ripe for a Kiev-style ‘color revolution’. READ MORE: Battle for Hungary: EU attacks on Orban are a sign of worse thi»»»
Trump’s War Rhetoric Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Contradictions, Casualty Questions Deepen
US President Donald Trump addressed the nation in a speech that resembled political theater more than presidential leadership, offering remarks that reflected less a coherent strategy than a projection of self-crafted illusion. Claiming sweeping military triumphs—including the destruction of Iran’s»»»
Dollar Jumps as Trump Pledges More Iran Strikes
The dollar rose sharply on Thursday after US President Donald Trump's address on Iran shattered hopes for a swift end to the conflict, sending investors towards safe-haven assets as oil prices jumped and stocks tumbled. In a televised speech, Trump vowed more aggressive strikes on Iran in the next »»»
Movement of Socialists proposes binding referendum on Serbia's EU path
BELGRADE - In a statement released after a session of its head committee, the Movement of Socialists proposed an urgent reshuffle of the Serbian government, the passage of a law granting Serbian citizenship to all Serbs in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, as well as a binding referendum on t»»»
Regulator Won't Allow Unjustified Increases in Electricity, Heating Prices
The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) said in a statement on Thursday that it will not allow unjustified increases in electricity and thermal energy prices and that it will continue to apply a balanced and conservative approach in order to protect service consumers. On Thursday, it tran»»»
Nepal holds its first post-poll parliament session
Kathmandu, Nepal: Nepal's newly elected lawmakers met Thursday for the first parliamentary session since an anti-corruption protests toppled the government in September 2025 and left the old parliament building in flames. Lawmakers, elected in March, met within the new parliament building, with man»»»
More questions than answers: What Trump left unsaid on Iran
President Donald Trump used his national address to project confidence in the US campaign against Iran — but left some of the most critical questions unanswered. While he spoke of military progress and suggested that objectives are “nearing completion,” the speech offered little clarity on what com»»»
Iran Conflict is Full-Fledged War on Nature – Expert
Smoke from oil fires from the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran return to the Persian Gulf as acid rain, irreversibly altering the water's chemical balance and destroying flora and fauna, Egyptian expert and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change observer Mustafa Sherbini tells Sputnik. The Gulf’s »»»
Extreme heat linked to low birth weights: Study
Canberra, Australia: Exposure to extreme heat is increasing the risk of babies being born underweight, according to new research led by Australia's Adelaide University. The study analyzed health data from more than 85,000 mothers and babies in Pakistan, combining 10 years of birth records (2008-201»»»
China’s bid to host High Seas Treaty secretariat raises global stakes - UPI.com
Delegates stand and applaud after the adoption of the text of the High Seas Treaty at the United Nations headquarters in New York on June 19, 2023. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA April 2 (UPI) -- Delegates were gathered in the busy corridors at United Nations headquarters in New York this week for a»»»
SpaceX eyes biggest IPO ever as Musk expands tech empire
Dubai: Elon Musk’s SpaceX has taken a key step toward what could become the largest stock market debut in history, after confidentially filing for an initial public offering in the US. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The company submitted draft registration documents t»»»
Rethinking autism – and our role in understanding it
April is World Autism Acceptance Month. It is a moment that has shifted from awareness to acceptance – a distinction worth pausing on. Awareness tells us something exists. Acceptance asks us what we do about it. Walk into almost any school staffroom, workplace, or family gathering and ask what peop»»»
Seoul stocks drop nearly 4.5 pct amid dashed hope for swift end to Middle East war - UPI.com
This photo, taken Thursday, shows the trading room of Hana Bank in central Seoul as U.S. President Donald Trump gives a televised address. South Korean stocks plunged more than 4 percent on Trump's renewed threat of strikes against Iran. Photo by Yonhap Seoul stocks fell sharply Thursday, as U.S. P»»»
LIVE UPDATES: Fuel surcharges, economic fallout deepens across world due to MidEast turmoil
Doha, Qatar: While Australia and Malaysia are taking steps to conserve fuel, several Chinese airlines have raised fuel surcharges on domestic flights. The World Bank has also expressed concern over the impact the war will have on inflation, jobs and food security. Stay tuned for more updates: -----»»»
Buyers are turning to this Saudi city as housing demand grows
Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s housing market is beginning to diverge across cities, with Jeddah recording its strongest year in recent memory while Riyadh shows signs of strain and Dammam gains ground on pricing appeal. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.According to Cavendish Ma»»»
PPC Blue Romania will install 7 hyper-fast charging stations for electric vehicles at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport
The 7 stations of 200 kW each will be installed by June 29th The contract was awarded through a public tender PPC Blue Romania, part of the PPC group of companies in Romania, has won the auction organised by the Bucharest Airports National Company to install 7 hyper-fast charging stations for elect»»»
TotalEnergies and Masdar to form $2.2 billion joint venture
Dubai: A new Abu Dhabi-based energy platform is taking shape to capture Asia’s surging electricity demand, with Masdar and TotalEnergies committing $2.2 billion to a joint venture that will consolidate their renewable energy operations across nine countries. Sign up for our daily business newslette»»»
Australia PM Says Iran War Objectives Met, 'Not Clear' What More to Achieve
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday the original aims of the war in Iran had been met and it was not clear what more remained to be achieved. Albanese called for de-escalation, noting that US-Israeli attacks had degraded Iran's air force, navy and military industrial base, r»»»
Chery breaks six million mark, global expansion continues
Doha, Qatar: Since entering 2026, the global automotive industry has been undergoing a dual cycle of structural adjustment and technological restructuring. In this complex market environment, Chery has demonstrated robust growth resilience and strategic focus. According to the latest data released »»»
Trump Takes a Dig at Macron, Saying Wife Treats Him 'Badly'
US President Donald Trump made fun of the French president and his wife during a private lunch Wednesday, as he lambasted NATO allies for not joining the war against Iran that has roiled the Middle East. "We didn't need them, but I asked anyway," Trump told a private lunch in a video posted briefly»»»
Jurong Island’s output cut triggers $1.64 petrol spike in Australia
Singapore’s reclaimed oil refining region, the 32-square-kilometre Jurong Island, has become the primary driver of record-high petrol prices in Australia as Middle East supply shocks ripple through the Asia-Pacific energy corridor, ABC Australia reports. »»»
Jurong Island’s output cut triggers $1.64 petrol spike in Australia
Singapore’s reclaimed oil refining region, the 32-square-kilometre Jurong Island, has become the primary driver of record-high petrol prices in Australia as Middle East supply shocks ripple through the Asia-Pacific energy corridor, ABC Australia reports. »»»
Jurong Island’s output cut triggers $1.64 petrol spike in Australia
Singapore’s reclaimed oil refining region, the 32-square-kilometre Jurong Island, has become the primary driver of record-high petrol prices in Australia as Middle East supply shocks ripple through the Asia-Pacific energy corridor, ABC Australia reports. »»»
Jurong Island’s output cut triggers $1.64 petrol spike in Australia
Singapore’s reclaimed oil refining region, the 32-square-kilometre Jurong Island, has become the primary driver of record-high petrol prices in Australia as Middle East supply shocks ripple through the Asia-Pacific energy corridor, ABC Australia reports. »»»
Jurong Island’s output cut triggers $1.64 petrol spike in Australia
Singapore’s reclaimed oil refining region, the 32-square-kilometre Jurong Island, has become the primary driver of record-high petrol prices in Australia as Middle East supply shocks ripple through the Asia-Pacific energy corridor, ABC Australia reports. »»»
Jurong Island’s output cut triggers $1.64 petrol spike in Australia
Singapore’s reclaimed oil refining region, the 32-square-kilometre Jurong Island, has become the primary driver of record-high petrol prices in Australia as Middle East supply shocks ripple through the Asia-Pacific energy corridor, ABC Australia reports. »»»
Jurong Island’s output cut triggers $1.64 petrol spike in Australia
Singapore’s reclaimed oil refining region, the 32-square-kilometre Jurong Island, has become the primary driver of record-high petrol prices in Australia as Middle East supply shocks ripple through the Asia-Pacific energy corridor, ABC Australia reports. »»»
Jurong Island’s output cut triggers $1.64 petrol spike in Australia
Singapore’s reclaimed oil refining region, the 32-square-kilometre Jurong Island, has become the primary driver of record-high petrol prices in Australia as Middle East supply shocks ripple through the Asia-Pacific energy corridor, ABC Australia reports. »»»
Dubai gold drops after 3-day rally breaks
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai opened lower on Thursday morning, tracking a sharp shift in global sentiment that pushed bullion off recent highs and triggered fresh selling. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and India.) Sign up for our »»»
Orbán: If we do not want Hungary to be stripped of its resources, we need a national government
At a campaign rally in Szentes, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said the upcoming election will decide whether Hungary keeps a national government or ends up with a pro-Ukrainian one, arguing that the real question is whether Hungarians’ money stays in Hungary or is sent to finance the war. Opening the»»»
Gold is a $31 trillion asset. Why aren’t portfolios catching up?
Dubai: The global gold market is now valued at around $31 trillion, built on nearly 220,000 tonnes of above-ground stock accumulated over centuries, making it one of the largest and most enduring asset classes in the financial system. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.De»»»
It’s time to ban smartphones in schools
By this time, we are all familiar with the image of some harried schoolteacher attempting to maintain control over a classroom where the majority of students are transfixed by their smartphones instead of the dusty chalkboard. The dangers of social media for the minds of young and old alike has alr»»»
BALKAN BLOG: The connection between the Middle East conflict and Slovenia’s closely fought election
Allegations of foreign interference involving an Israeli private intelligence firm cast a shadow over Slovenia’s closely contested parliamentary election, highlighting how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are increasingly impacting domestic politics in Europe. »»»
Armenian PM strikes assertive tone in talks with Putin
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan adopted an assertive tone during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 1, with sharp differences emerging over elections, security ties and Armenia’s geopolitical direction. »»»
Boyko Borissov Is Top-of-the-List Candidate of GERB-UDF for Sofia 25th and Plovdiv City 16th Constituencies
BTA will publish the names of the top-of-the-list candidates of every party/coalition for all constituencies for the April 19 parliamentary elections. The information about the candidates is provided by the respective political entity, the candidates themselves and other official sources. Boyko Bor»»»
Armenian PM strikes assertive tone in talks with Putin
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan adopted an assertive tone during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 1, with sharp differences emerging over elections, security ties and Armenia’s geopolitical direction. »»»
Trump attends birthright citizenship hearing at Supreme Court in historic first
In a historic first, Donald Trump became the first US sitting president to attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court on Wednesday as it weighed his bid to restrict birthright citizenship. During more than two hours of questioning, justices from across the ideological spectrum assessed the policy’s»»»
Iran’s President to US People: Choosing Confrontation Will Affect Future Generations
The Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian sent on Wednesday a message to the American people, stressing that the Iranian people harbor no enmity toward other nations, including the people of America, Europe, or neighboring countries. Continuing along the path of confrontation is more costly and futi»»»
Vazrazhdane Top-of-the-List Candidate in Ruse: Bulgaria Must Ensure Its Territory Is Not Used for Military Action Against Iran
Bulgaria must clearly guarantee that its territory will not be used for military actions against Iran and should work towards de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, said Vazrazhdane top-of-the-list candidate in Ruse Zlatan Zlatanov after a meeting with Iran's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Alireza »»»
Hormuz hangs in balance as Trump eyes quick Iran exit
Dubai: Signs are growing that Donald Trump may be preparing to wind down the war with Iran — even as the fate of the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved — raising the risk that a quick exit could translate into a strategic setback. According to CNN, US officials have indicated Washington may not ta»»»
Bottlenecks and Breakthroughs: Can Pakistan Seize Its Moment As a Logistics Hub?
The surge in volumes was driven by the war; however, as risks escalate in the Gulf region, a sustained opportunity could emerge—provided Pakistan is prepared for it, Ali Khizar, Director of Research at Business Recorder, told Sputnik. Pakistan's ports are handling 10 to 15 times their normal transs»»»
Two convicted in influencer revenge porn case
A Thessaloniki court on Wednesday convicted two men in a revenge porn case involving an influencer that was held behind closed doors due to the nature of the charges. The former partner of influencer Ioanna Touni and a friend of his were given suspended prison sentences after being convicted of mal»»»
Sunny Garden SPA Hotel in Varshets Offers Year-Round Mineral Water Services
Sunny Garden SPA Hotel in Varshets is offering year-round spa services, and guests can enjoy the healing effects of the mineral water, the hotel management told BTA. The hotel has a capacity of 35 rooms with a total of 90 beds. Most of the guests are Bulgarians, but the hotel is highly regarded by »»»
Britain to host summit on managing the Strait of Hormuz - UPI.com
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a news conference on the situation in the Middle East, at Downing Street in London, England, Wednesday. Pool Photo by Betty Laura Zapata/EPA April 1 (UPI) -- Britain will host a virtual summit Thursday to find ways to open the Strait of Hormuz after»»»
US–NATO rift deepens: Is Trump preparing for an exit?
The future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is under renewed scrutiny after US President Donald Trump signalled he is considering pulling Washington out of the alliance, amid growing tensions with European partners over the Iran conflict. Trump’s remarks — coupled with warnings from»»»
What happened to Middle East air travel in just 33 days?
Dubai: The regional aviation map has changed completely in just over a month. Airspace restrictions, temporary closures, and safety-driven rerouting have forced airlines to suspend some flights, reduce schedules, and reroute many services along longer corridors to avoid affected zones. The UAE’s Ge»»»
ADNOC sustains output as UAE reviews energy continuity plans
Dubai: ADNOC has reinforced its business continuity framework to ensure stable energy supply, with senior leadership reviewing preparedness measures amid ongoing regional tensions. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Pri»»»
Is the war ending soon? Investors are convinced it is
Dubai: Global markets have already moved ahead of the facts. Investors are increasingly betting that the conflict between the US and Iran could end within weeks, a shift driven largely by comments from Donald Trump that the military campaign may be wrapped up in “two to three weeks.” That expectati»»»
Iran hits Kuwait airport, tanker off Qatar ahead of Trump speech
Iran hit an oil tanker off the coast of Qatar and Kuwait's airport on Wednesday while airstrikes battered Tehran — an unrelenting tempo hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was nearly ready to wind down the war. Trump, who is scheduled to address the nation later in the day, said he coul»»»