EU divided on Iran war: Energy fears and security risks escalate across Europe
The EU is facing a dilemma that could define its role in the escalating confrontation with Iran. Supporting Washington’s military campaign may strengthen transatlantic unity, but it also risks dragging the continent into a conflict that could trigger severe economic and energy consequences for the »»»
Oil at $120: What Economic Risks Does Pakistan Face From Iran War?
If oil prices hang around $120, it increases the chance of default going down the line, financial analyst Syed Javed Hassan says. Pakistan is heavily dependent on energy imports, but that is not the whole problem, Pakistani financial analyst and former chairman of the Economic Advisory Group, Syed »»»
Florida legislature passes new voter ID law similar to SAVE Act - UPI.com
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is likely to sign a voter ID law passed by the state's legislature that could disenfranchise thousands in the state. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo March 13 (UPI) -- Florida's legislature has passed a voter registration law similar to the Safeguard American V»»»
Aoun says no Israeli reply on offer to negotiate in Hezbollah war
President Joseph Aoun said Friday he had not received a response to his offer to negotiate directly with Israel to try to halt its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war last week when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian sup»»»
Michigan synagogue attack was 'hate, plain and simple', says governor
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said an incident where a vehicle was rammed into the Temple Israel synagogue near Detroit on Thursday was antisemitism and "hate, plain and simple". The FBI is investigating the incident as a "targeted act of violence against the Jewish community" but a motive for»»»
Washington's decision to lift restrictions on Russian oil as 'very concerning' : EU
Brussels: The European Union described the United States' decision to lift some restrictions on Russian oil as "unilateral and very worrying," given the sharp rise in oil prices due to the crisis in the Middle East. European Council President Antonio Costa said in a post on the X platform that this»»»
Hegseth on Strait of Hormuz: ‘Don’t need to worry about it’ - UPI.com
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth downplayed the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz during a press briefing Friday and claimed 15,000 Iranian targets have been struck. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo March 13 (UPI) -- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth downplayed the shutdown of the Strait »»»
Time for President Trump to Declare Victory and End the War – Ya Libnan
Share: Iran has been badly weakened, its ambitions exposed, and its proxies further discredited. Prolonging the conflict now risks turning a limited campaign into another costly Middle East quagmire. President Trump should declare victory now and bring this war to an end. By: Ya Libnan Editorial Bo»»»
Why has Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil - and will it help Putin?
The Trump administration's decision to ease sanctions on countries buying Russian oil has been welcomed by the Kremlin and has sparked deep concern among pro-Ukraine campaigners. The US waiver, active for one month, will let countries buy up Russian oil which, under current sanctions, has been floa»»»
Kaufland Bulgaria to Cut Food Waste by Half by End-2030
The corporate objective of German hypermarket chain Kaufland in Bulgaria is to reduce food waste by half by the end of 2030 compared to 2018. The company commented on the issue of food waste in connection with a new EU directive, which requires Member States to reduce food waste generated by househ»»»
Thaad missile system move: Why the US is shifting defences from Korea to the Middle East
The United States is relocating parts of its advanced Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (Thaad) missile defence system from South Korea to the Middle East, according to officials cited by The Washington Post and South Korean media. The reported move comes nearly two weeks into the escalating US-I»»»
U.S. to probe 60 economies for allowing import of forced labor goods - UPI.com
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the 2026 budget for the Office of the Trade Representative in December. His department just announced investigations into 60 economies for allowing trade from countries with forced labor. File Photo »»»
Bulgaria’s Exports to EU Decline in 2025 as Imports Continue to Rise
Bulgaria recorded a decline in exports to European Union countries in 2025, while imports from the bloc continued to rise, according to data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI). Over the year, Bulgarian exports to EU member states fell by 3.8 percent compared to 2024, reaching a total val»»»
Peevski Push Prevails: Bulgarian Parliament Backs Move Toward Trump’s Board of Peace
A decision obliging the Bulgarian Council of Ministers to submit a law for the ratification of the country’s accession to Donald Trump’s so-called "Board of Peace" was adopted in parliament after a vote marked by significant absences and abstentions among MPs. The resolution passed with 100 votes i»»»
U.S. targets high oil price by allowing Moscow to sell sanctioned oil - UPI.com
The Trump administration doubled down on efforts to prevent the rising cost of oil becoming a full blown oil price shock by temporarily relaxing sanctions prohibiting the sale of Russian oil. Under a 30-day waiver, countries will now be able to buy oil currently aboard tankers, provided it was load»»»
Bulgarian Farm Output Rises Amid Falling EU Prices in Late 2025
In the final quarter of 2025, farm gate prices for agricultural products across the European Union declined by nearly 1.9% compared to the same period in 2024, according to Eurostat. This follows a period of steady increases in the first three quarters of the year. Bulgaria, however, saw a slight r»»»
CBP argues it can't comply with court order on tariff refunds - UPI.com
Cargo shipping containers sit at Port Jersey container terminal in Jersey City, N.J., in April. Customs and Border Protection argued that it can't comply with a court order to refund illegal tariffs. File Photo by Angelina Katsanis/UPI | License Photo March 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protec»»»
Games with loot boxes to get minimum 16 age rating across Europe
Games which feature loot boxes will soon be given an age rating of 16 across Europe, including in the UK, under a host of changes by the European video game ratings organisation. The Pan-European Game Information body (PEGI)'s age ratings are displayed on games sold in the UK and other countries in»»»
ASEAN calls for restraint anew as Middle East conflict continues
Dubai: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has convened a virtual special meeting to discuss the evolving situation in the Middle East and its impact in the region. During the conference, foreign ministers have exchanged views on the recent escalation of conflict and have expressed "»»»
Paid parking coming to Jumeirah Village Circle on March 16: Rates, payment methods, and what drivers need to know
Dubai: Drivers parking in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) will need to start paying from Monday, March 16, 2026, when PARKONIC officially activates on-street paid parking across the popular residential community. The rollout marks the latest expansion of Dubai's growing cashless, ticketless parking n»»»
Dubai mandates official registration for shared housing tenancy contracts
Dubai: Dubai has introduced new regulations requiring tenancy contracts for shared accommodation to be officially registered in a dedicated government registry, a move aimed at strengthening tenant protection and improving transparency in the housing sector. The legislation, issued on February 27, »»»
Bulgaria Bolsters Arsenal with 12 Advanced MARS 3 Rocket Launchers from German-Israeli Deal
Bulgaria is set to purchase 12 MARS 3 multiple rocket launcher systems as part of a broader European procurement initiative. The acquisition falls under a German-Israeli deal, which plans to produce a total of 500 rocket launchers for the German Bundeswehr, with half of these systems designated for»»»
Foreign Ministry Constantly Monitors Global Developments in View of Conflicts, Minister Says
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is constantly monitoring global developments with regard to international military conflicts, said Minister Nadezhda Neynski at a briefing with caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov on Friday. Neynski assured that appropriate measures are taken when necessary. She sa»»»
Iran conflict: Key updates for UAE residents right now
UAE authorities have introduced several measures to ensure public safety amid regional unrest. Dubai and Sharjah have issued detailed guides. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi has stressed the importance of responding immediately to emergency alerts. In a move to bolster security, Ras Al Khaimah has implemented»»»
US Accuses Allies & China of Economic ‘Overcapacity’ to Justify New Trade Barriers — Expert
On March 12, the US launched two trade investigations against 16 major trade partners, including China and the EU. The US president was authorized to take any actions to combat "unfair trade" practices. The US views China as an economic rival that is stronger in key manufacturing sectors, so Americ»»»
stock.estate surpasses €6 million in funded projects and launches its first campaign in Italy
Real estate investment platform stock.estate announces it has surpassed €6 million in total funded capital, after investors contributed more than €2 million over the past two months through projects listed on the platform. This accelerated funding pace marks the strongest start to a year in the com»»»
Who holds the biggest strategic oil reserves?
BusinessGlobal issuesWho holds the biggest strategic oil reserves?Nik MartinIran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed dozens of countries to tap their emergency oil stockpiles. But what exactly are strategic reserves and who holds the world's biggest crisis-ready supplies? https:»»»
Zelensky plotting suspending elections for years – media
Vladimir Zelensky has ordered his advisers to plot out a scenario where elections in Ukraine are suspended and the country commits to years of war, Ukrainskaya Pravda has reported, citing government sources. The tenure of Zelensky and of the Ukrainian parliament has long expired, but the Ukrainian »»»
Watch: Mario Day event in New York draws 270 people dressed as Mario - UPI.com
March 12 (UPI) -- A GameStop store in New York gathered 270 people in Mario costumes to attempt a world record and celebrate the Nintendo character's holiday. The GameStop store located in Manhattan's Union Square counted 270 participants at its event on Tuesday, which was known as Mario Day due to»»»
Turkey confirms third ballistic missile from Iran shot down
Ankara: Turkey’s defence ministry on Friday said a ballistic missile from Iran had been shot down in Turkish airspace by NATO forces in the third such incident of the Middle East war. “A ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralised by NATO air and missile defe»»»
UAE's energy supplies stable after Fujairah oil zone fire, says energy Minister
Fujairah: UAE energy supplies remain stable, and the country’s national energy system is operating normally, Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei said after visiting the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) on Friday. Stay updated: Get the latest faster by downloading the Gulf»»»
Katz says 'Lebanon sate will pay price', bridge strike 'just the beginning'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Friday the strikes on Lebanon so far were "just the beginning" and warned that Lebanon’s government "will pay an increasing price for the damage to Lebanese national infrastructure used by Hezbollah." "This is only the start, the Lebanese state will lose te»»»
Israel says academic killed in university strike was Hezbollah operative
The Israeli military said an academic who was killed in a drone strike Thursday in Beirut was a Hezbollah operative. Prof. Mortada Srour was an expert in the field of weapons manufacturing within the organization, the military said Friday. Srour, one of two academics killed in the strike, was emplo»»»
Israeli Evacuation Orders Affect 14% of Lebanon, NGO Says
Over an eighth of Lebanon's territory is under Israeli orders for people to leave their homes, an aid group said on Friday, while the United Nations peacekeeping mission said Israeli ground troops were making incursions and erecting roadblocks. Israel has been carrying out daily strikes on Lebanon »»»
Total Energies announces restart of production at the Mabruk Field
Total Energies announced yesterday the restart of production at the Mabruk oil field in Libya, in which the Company holds an interest of 37.5%. The Mabruk field is located onshore, in concession C17, around 130 km south of Sirte. Production from the field was stopped in 2015 during Libya’s civil wa»»»
Qatar Tourism extends hotel stays for stranded visitors until March 14
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Tourism has announced that the temporary hotel stay extensions provided to visitors affected by recent travel disruptions will remain in place until March 14, 2026. In a post on social media, Qatar Tourism said the extension will allow guests additional time to make the necessary»»»
HoR Speaker Saleh cancels new import tax having previously claimed he had never agreed such a tax. Is Saleh’s position weakening? Report and analysis
Several reliable Arabic language Libyan media sites reported last Wednesday (11 March) that the Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Ageela Saleh, has now reversed his decision to impose the controversial import tax on some goods. The media sources say Saleh has now communicated the rever»»»
Snow Geese Take Off for the Arctic in Mesmerizing Sunrise Display
A few dozen birdwatchers gathered in the predawn darkness to wait for the moment when thousands of migrating snow geese stopped honking and preening to suddenly take flight from a Pennsylvania reservoir. The mesmerizing display, about an hour after sunrise, was over almost as soon as it began. The »»»
Caretaker Cabinet Has All Submitted Documents Regarding US President Trump’s Board of Peace, FM Neynsky Says
Caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky said at a news conference on Friday that the government has all documents submitted to the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria regarding US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, commenting on Bulgaria’s potential accession to the body. Neynsky said that f»»»
4 American servicemen killed after U.S. refueling jet crashes in Iraq - UPI.com
A row of U.S. Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft lined up at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport on February 27, the day before Israel and United States launched their airborne offensive against Iran. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI | License Photo March 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. military »»»
Britons should not take photos of strikes in UAE, embassy warns
The British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has warned Britons in the region against breaking the country's laws by taking pictures or sharing images of the impact of Iranian missiles. It comes after a 60-year-old British man was charged under cyber crime laws in Dubai after allegedly fil»»»
Al Rayyan coach Jorge welcomes resumption
Doha, Qatar: Al Rayyan head coach Artur Jorge has welcomed the resumption of the Qatar Stars League (QSL), expressing relief as football returns despite the challenging circumstances in the Middle East. Fourth-placed Al Rayyan will take on Al Shahania in their Round 18 clash at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadiu»»»
OMV Petrom Enters Bulgarian Black Sea with 25% Stake in Khan Tervel Gas Block
OMV Petrom has announced that it will join the consortium exploring the offshore Khan Tervel gas block in the Bulgarian sector of the Black Sea, marking a significant expansion of its footprint in a region of growing strategic importance for Europe’s energy security. The Romanian oil and gas compan»»»
Laos adjusts fuel pricing mechanism amid Mideast tensions
Vientiane: Laos' Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced an adjustment to the country's fuel pricing mechanism, shifting from weekly price reviews to more frequent updates in response to volatility in the global oil market linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. In an official statem»»»
Caretaker PM Gurov Says Government Will Refer ‘Board of Peace’ Ratification to Constitutional Court if Adopted
Commenting on the possibility that Parliament might adopt a bill ratifying an agreement on Bulgaria’s accession to the Board of Peace, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said at a news conference on Friday that, if such a decision is adopted, the government will refer the matter to the Constitut»»»
UN chief in Beirut for Lebanon 'solidarity' visit
U.N. chief Antonio Guterres said he had arrived in Beirut on Friday for a "solidarity" visit to Lebanon, where the Middle East war has claimed more than 687 lives since March 2. "I have just landed in Beirut for a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon. They did not choose this war. They we»»»
University in Dubai announces distance learning after spring break
Dubai: A university in Dubai on Friday announced it will shift to remote learning after the spring break, making it one of the first higher educational institutions in the country to spell out what happens to classes post the break. Middlesex University Dubai made the announcement in a social media»»»
Bulgaria Tops List for Evacuations from Middle East Conflict Zone, Caretaker PM Says
Bulgaria ranks first in the number of people evacuated from the conflict zone in the Middle East, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said on Friday at a ceremony honouring Foreign Ministry officials for their contribution to the successful evacuation of Bulgarian citizens from the Middle East an»»»