De Croo: Syria at “Pivotal Moment” as focus shifts from aid to reconstruction
Damascus, April 3 (SANA) UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo said Syria is at a pivotal moment, with improved stability and the end of the war and violence opening the door for long-term development and investment. In an interview with SANA at the conclusion of his visit to Syria on Thursday, De C»»»
Mohammed bin Rashid: 40 million students join Arab Reading Challenge
Dubai: More than 40 million students from 138,000 schools across 60 countries took part in the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, one of the world’s largest literacy initiatives, it was announced on Friday. In a post on X, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President,»»»
Iran Guards recruit children to ‘defend the homeland’, placing them in line of fire
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps has launched a campaign aimed at recruiting children as young as 12 for the “defence of the homeland”. More than a month into the war triggered by the US and Israel, rights groups highlight the life-threatening risks&nbs»»»
Cabinet Submits Fourth Payment Request under Recovery and Resilience Plan, Warns Part of Funds at Risk
The caretaker government has submitted to the European Commission the fourth payment request under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), amounting to EUR 900 million, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for European Funding Maria Nedina told a briefing here on Friday. Caretaker Finance Mini»»»
Tunindex posts 5.72% gain in February
Tunis, April 3 (TAP) – “The Tunindex closed the month of February at 15,174.64 points, posting a gain of 5.72% following a 6.72% increase in January 2026,” according to the “Monthly Stock Exchange Bulletin” published Friday by the Tunis Stock...»»»
Pakistan announces free public transport as energy crisis bites
Islamabad, Pakistan: State-run public transport in Pakistan's capital and most populous province will be free for the coming month, officials said on Friday, after the government drastically raised fuel prices due to spiking global energy prices caused by the Middle East conflict. The announcement »»»
Serbia registering stable macroeconomic results, March inflation at 2.8 pct - council
BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut chaired on Friday a session of a council coordinating activities and measures for GDP growth, at which it was noted that Serbia continued to register stable macroeconomic results and that March inflation had been at 2.8 pct. The council assessed macroeconomic and o»»»
Government approves the ordinance on temporary reduction of excise tax on diesel fuel
“First item—the emergency ordinance on the temporary reduction of the excise tax rate applicable to standard diesel fuel and the establishment of a solidarity contribution on revenues from the sale of crude oil and energy products derived from the processing of crude oil extracted from Romanian ter»»»
Progressive Bulgaria Leader Says Forming Coalition with Peevski, Borissov "Absolutely Impossible"
Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev said on Friday that “it is absolutely impossible” for his political force to form a coalition with Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Delyan Peevski and GERB leader Boyko Borissov. Radev spoke at a meeting with citizens in Zlatograd (Southern Bulgaria) a»»»
BT Direct expands retail partneships with a collaboration with JYSK for home financing
This collaboration continues BT Direct’s strategy of building partnerships with leading brands, offering customers simpler and faster shopping experiences. Customers can obtain up to 40,000 lei for purchases at JYSK stores, using a QR code to apply for financing for the products they want. “We are »»»
Abu Dhabi: 12 injured after missile debris falls in Ajban
Abu Dhabi: Twelve people have been injured after debris fell in Abu Dhabi’s Ajban area following the interception of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles by the UAE’s air defence systems, authorities said on Friday. According to Abu Dhabi Media Office, six Nepali nationals and five Indian national»»»
Italy's public deficit falls but still above EU ceiling: official
Milan, Italy: Italy’s budget deficit declined in 2025 but remained slightly above the European Union’s 3 percent threshold, national statistics agency Istat said on Friday. April, 3, 2026. The deficit stood at 3.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to €70bn ($81bn), down from 3.4 p»»»
UAE launches unified platform with 121 digital services under zero bureaucracy drive
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has upgraded its electronic platform into a single government portal offering 121 digital services and bundled solutions, as part of efforts to support the UAE’s zero bureaucracy drive. The platform is supported by systems that monitor performance in real t»»»
Sadyr Japarov instructs Dastan plant to begin production of drones - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov today inspected the operations of Dastan Transnational Corporation OJSC, the presidential press service reported. The president inspected the plant’s production facilities, including specialized product lines. The production of torpedoes remains one of the plan»»»
UAE ramps up food production, 140 new products set for launch
Dubai: The UAE plans to introduce 140 new locally produced food items over this year and next, in a push to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imports. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The move forms part of a broader strategy to scale up food prod»»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
US influence in the Gulf fades as Qatar, Oman strike deals with Tehran
The US influence in the Gulf is fading as the war goes into its fifth week with no sign of ending and regional players are starting to cut deals with Tehran to end the attacks on their territories. Oman and Qatar are both »»»
UAE air defense intercepted 18 ballistic missiles, 4 cruise missiles and 47 drones from Iran on April 3, 2026
Dubai: The UAE Ministry of Defence said on Friday that air defenses engaged 18 ballistic missiles, 4 cruise missiles and 47 drones originating from Iran. Since the start of Iran's brazen attacks, the UAE air defenses have engaged 475 ballistic missiles, 23 cruise missiles, and 2,085 drones. The att»»»
Russia’s services sector slips back into contraction posting 49.5 as demand softens
Russia’s services sector returned to contraction in March, as weaker demand weighed on activity despite a modest improvement in business confidence, according to data published by S&P Global on April 3. (chart) »»»
Bahrain intercepts 188 missiles, 445 drones since start of Iranian attacks
The air defence systems of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) have intercepted and destroyed 188 ballistic missiles and 445 drones targeting Bahrain since the onset of the Iranian aggression. In a statement carried by the Bahrain News Agency, the BDF's General Command emphasised that the use of ballis»»»
Libya to host for first time part of Flintlock 2026 multinational military exercises in mid-April
Libya’s Tripoli-based Libyan government announced yesterday that the multinational military exercise “Flintlock” will begin in the middle of this month, with Libya hosting part of it for the first time The military exercise is under the supervision of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), and with the p»»»
How Does US Exercise ‘Predatory Hegemony,’ Extract Resources, Money and Influence?
Weeks have passed since the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran on February 28. The US government, although it had told US media on March 11 that the military operation would end "soon," later announced air raids on multiple Iranian targets, including its oil hub Kharg Island, repor»»»
Dubai announces EV supercharging stations across 600 parking spaces in parks, beaches
Dubai: Dubai Municipality has launched a new initiative to install electric vehicle (EV) supercharging stations across 600 parking spaces in public parks, beaches, and recreational facilities, with a planned investment of Dh150 million. The project is being implemented in partnership with Emarat EV»»»
Part of Fourth Recovery and Resilience Plan Payment at Risk, Caretaker Finance Minister Says
Caretaker Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski said here Friday that part of the funds under fourth National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) payment request are at risk. Speaking at a briefing at the Council of Ministers, Klisurski said that the caretaker Cabinet submitted on Thursday the fourth N»»»
CC-DB Can Put End to "Borissov-Peevski" Model, MP Mirchev Says
Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) MP Ivaylo Mirchev said on Friday that the coalition can put an end to the "Borissov-Peevski" model (named after GERB leader Boyko Borissov and MRF leader Delyan Peevski). Mirchev was speaking at a BTA press club in Targovishte during a campaign visi»»»
Oil rallies, stocks drop as Trump dashes hopes fighting will soon end
LONDON — Oil surged and stocks fell on Thursday after Donald Trump threatened more heavy strikes on Iran and offered no solution to reopening the key Strait of Hormuz.Investors found little solace in the US president's address to the nation, in which he again urged countries dependent on the waterw»»»
Egypt signs lifeline million-barrel Libyan oil deal to defy Hormuz blockade
AI-Generated image/ Egypt signs lifeline million-barrel Libyan oil deal to defy Hormuz blockade Egypt is planning to import at least one million barrels of Libyan crude oil per month, Bloomberg reported. This strategic shift is designed to compensate for the total suspension of Kuwaiti oil supplies»»»
‘Disturbing trend’ of US-Israeli strikes hitting non-military targets in Iran
Reporting from Tehran early Friday, FRANCE 24’s Reza Sayah says there’s been a “disturbing trend” in recent days of US-Israeli strikes hitting non-military targets across Iran. A strike on Iran’s tallest bridge last night killed eight people and wounded 90 others, said Sayah. The war has seen »»»
RBI clears Emirates NBD entry into RBL Bank in landmark deal
Dubai: Emirates NBD has secured green light to move ahead with its planned acquisition of a majority stake in India’s RBL Bank, setting the stage for one of the largest cross-border deals in the country’s banking sector. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Reserve Bank»»»
Aldabaiba and Takala discuss Unified Development Programme
During a meeting last Wednesday (1 April) at his Tripoli Cabinet Office, Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba, discussed with the President of the High State Council, Mohammed Takala, the Unified Development Programme. The meeting also addressed the latest political developmen»»»
Bangladesh cuts office hours, turns off wedding lights to save energy
Dhaka: Bangladesh cut office, shop hours and banned decorative lighting at weddings starting on Friday as it seeks to conserve energy stocks after global price hikes due to the Middle East war. Bangladesh imports 95 percent of its oil and gas needs, mostly from the Middle East and said that, while »»»
Paris police ban annual French Muslim event over ‘major terrorist risk’ from far-right groups
The Annual Gathering of the Muslims of France, which was supposed to run from Friday to Monday, has been banned due to a "major terrorist risk" that it might be targeted by "small far-right groups", Paris police said. The ban order noted that the event was "taking place in a particularly tense»»»
Myanmar’s parliament elects coup-leading general as civilian president
Myanmar's pro-army parliament on Friday elected Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as president days after he relinquished his top military post, as required by the constitution, and passed it to the country's former spymaster. Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the 2021 coup, was elected after an ele»»»
Vulin: This is no time to call elections, gov't reshuffle necessary
BELGRADE - Speaking to reporters after his party's consultations with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Movement of Socialists leader Aleksandar Vulin said the discussion had been serious and substantial and that the Movement of Socialists had expressed the position that elections should not be c»»»
Philippines: Solar loan turns sun's power into a salary deduction — how to apply
Manila: The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the $32.4-billion pension fund for state workers, has introduced the "Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan" (GSEL), which could potentially rewire how millions of Filipinos think about paying for electricity. Under this loan programme, GSIS extends the m»»»
No Chance for GERB to Form Coalition with MRF, Leader Borissov Says
Presenting GERB-UDF's governance programme Bulgaria 2030 here on Friday, GERB leader Boyko Borissov said there is no chance for his party to form a coalition with Delyan Peevski's Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF). "We brought down a government over this. How can they even mention our names in»»»
Central Bank of Egypt maintains current interest rates
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) decided in its meeting on Thursday, to keep the key interest rates unchanged. Consequently, the overnight deposit rate, overnight lending rate, and the rate of the main operation remain fixed at 19.00 percent, 20.00 percent, and»»»
Kyrgyz farmers to be supplied with high-quality vaccines - | 24.KG
On the instructions of President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers — Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry Erlist Akunbekov led a delegation to the All-Russian Research Institute for Animal Health, which operates under Rosselkhoznadz»»»
Swedish coast guard boards suspected false-flagged tanker
Stockholm, Sweden: Sweden's coast guard said it boarded a vessel subjected to EU sanctions on Friday April, 3, 2026, suspecting it of an environmental crime after an oil spill in the Baltic Sea. The Flora 1 tanker vessel was boarded after an oil spill stretching 12 kilometres was detected early Thu»»»
Greece announces government reshuffle
Athens: Greece on Friday staged a government reshuffle after three cabinet members resigned amid a burgeoning EU farm subsidy scandal that has piled pressure on the country's conservative government. The changes include a former European Commission vice president, Margaritis Schinas, being named th»»»