Boris Azarenko: profile of a Vesper co-founder
Boris Azarenko is an entrepreneur whose professional background lies in banking and finance and who later founded major property development businesses. Boris Azarenko biography: educational path and early career Born in Moscow on 21 April 1977, Boris Nikolayevich Azarenko studied Finance at the Fi»»»
Border guard shoots himself at Irkeshtam post - | 24.KG
A contract serviceman shot himself at Irkeshtam border post in Alay district of Osh region, the Military Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the information. The incident occurred the previous day. The serviceman is 22 years old. Following the incident, he underwent surgery and is currently in critical c»»»
President Iotova Stresses Importance of Fair and Transparent Elections
“It is extremely important to see whether we have fulfilled our promise to conduct fair and transparent elections,” President Iliana Iotova said during a meeting with the institutions responsible for organizing the early parliamentary elections. “It is crucial to assess how far we have come in prep»»»
Sarkozy denies Libyan funding in presidential campaign
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has claimed that “not a single cent” from Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya found its way into his 2007 election campaign, at an appearance before a Paris appeals court on Tuesday. He is appealing a five-year prison sentence handed down in 2025 after being found guilty»»»
Trump reportedly acknowledges Canadian annexation unlikely
US President Donald Trump allegedly conceded in private that Canada is unlikely to become part of the US, despite previously hinting at annexing the neighboring country, a snippet from an upcoming book by British journalist Robert Hardman has indicated. Over the past year, Trump has on multiple occ»»»
Hezbollah MP warns of response if Israel does not adhere to ceasefire
Hezbollah legislator Ibrahim Al-Moussawi has warned of a response from Iran and its allies if Israel "does not adhere to a ceasefire." His comment to local television channel Al-Jadeed is the first from the militant group in Lebanon after the U.S. and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement mediated by »»»
Pakistan, France and Egypt say ceasefire 'includes Lebanon'
French President Emmanuel Macron said the ceasefire agreement between the U.S., Israel and Iran "fully includes Lebanon," which is in opposition to the stance taken by Israel as it continues an offensive there. Macron said the inclusion of Lebanon in the deal is "a good and even essential thing." "»»»
EUR 6.8 Million Allocated for Organizing Elections Abroad, Foreign Minister Says
A total of EUR 6,835,500 have been allocated for organizing the elections abroad, which is sufficient to cover all planned activities, caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky said during a meeting between President Iliana Iotova and representatives of institutions responsible for ensuring the i»»»
Rahber Global opens Afghanistan's first international-standard visa facilitation centre in Kabul
Rahber Global, a Dubai-based mobility infrastructure and consular services company, has established its flagship visa facilitation and application support center in Kabul, Afghanistan - the first international-standard facility of its kind in the country. The center is scheduled for formal inaugura»»»
Zenith Multi Trading bets on next-gen aerospace technology
Zenith Multi Trading DMCC has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Singular Aircraft S.L., a Barcelona-based aerospace technology company specialising in light aircraft and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The agreement marks a decisive and deliberate entry by the Dubai-based investment platform into»»»
Nutella in Space: Artemis II crew accidentally creates viral moment
Dubai: NASA’s Artemis II crew made history by flying farther from Earth than any humans since Apollo 13, and along the way, they gave the internet something unexpected to snack on: a jar of Nutella floating in zero gravity. Probably the only jar in the entire universe to be a part of a mission like»»»
All eyes on Hormuz Strait: Marine traffic starting to move as two-week ceasefire kicks in
Major shipping companies and tanker operators have began moving vessels more freely once the risk of attack diminished following the two-week ceasefire declared by Iran-US ceasefire. While the ceasefire remains fragile, marine traffic has started moving, though it remains far below pre-crisis level»»»
Bulgaria to Open 493 Polling Stations in 55 Countries for Parliamentary Vote
President Iliana Yotova convened a meeting of institutions responsible for the conduct of the early parliamentary elections on April 19, with a focus on assessing preparedness and ensuring that every vote is properly safeguarded. She stressed that it is essential to evaluate whether the country has»»»
UAE air defences intercept 17 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Defence announced that on 8th April 2026, UAE air defence systems successfully engaged 17 ballistic missile and 35 UAVs launched from Iran. Since the onset of these blatant Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have engaged a total of 537 ballistic missiles, 26 cruise missile»»»
Spain, France, Germany call for Lebanon's inclusion in ceasefire
President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, calling the agreement a "very good thing," but said he wishes it will include Lebanon. "We expect, in the coming days and weeks, that it will be fully respected throughout the region and will allow negotiations»»»
Hezbollah tells displaced not to return home before ceasefire in Lebanon
Hezbollah on Wednesday told people displaced by war with Israel to refrain from returning to their homes before a ceasefire is announced in Lebanon, while claiming to be nearing a "historic victory". "Today, we stand on the threshold of a great and historic victory," the Iran-backed group said in a»»»
Trump’s Iran playbook: Apocalyptic threats deliver short-term results — but a strategic mess remains
Dubai: US President Donald Trump’s strategy was simple: Escalate to the extreme, force a crisis, then step back. It worked — tactically. But strategically, little appears to have changed. Iran’s leadership remains in place, its security apparatus led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps remains»»»
Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Lebanon Included in Ceasefire Deal
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday that the US-Iran-Israel deal to reach a ceasefire also covered the fighting in Lebanon. He said, however, that Israel did not abide by the two-week ceasefire, in violation of the agreement. Berri said the deal clearly include»»»
Voting Machines to Be Available in 130 Polling Stations Across 20 Countries, CEC Chair Says
Voting machines will be available in 130 polling stations across 20 countries, Central Election Commission (CEC) Chair Kameliya Neykova said during a meeting between President Iliana Iotova and the institutions responsible for organizing the early parliamentary elections. Neykova explained that the»»»
Man fined $300 for entering hippo Moo Deng's pen: Thai zoo
Bangkok: A Thai court has fined a man $300 after he broke into the enclosure of Moo Deng, an endangered baby pygmy hippo and internet sensation, the zoo director said Wednesday. Moo Deng has gained global attention thanks to social media videos showing her adorable antics, drawing tens of thousands»»»
India mulls reptile river guards on Bangladesh border
Kolkata, India: India is considering releasing snakes and crocodiles along its frontier with Bangladesh, the Border Security Force said Wednesday, as New Delhi seeks to stave off unauthorised crossings. Senior Border Security Force officer Manoj Barnwal told AFP that "the use of reptiles" was discu»»»
Towards a greener canal
by Mahmoud Bayoumi A recent report on the environmental status of the new Suez Canal project published in consultation with the Suez Canal Authority and other relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies shows the impact will be minimal. The report is based on scientific studies of the Suez »»»
Change fatigue eroding employee wellbeing amid accelerating business shifts – Deloitte study
Change fatigue is becoming a significant challenge for employees at the global level, with one in three reporting that they have gone through more than 15 major changes in the past year alone, driven either by evolving customer expectations or shifts in business strategy and operating models, accor»»»
Russia Hopes US Will Have More Opportunities to Engage in Dialogue on Ukraine - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia hopes that US negotiators will have more opportunities to participate in trilateral negotiations on Ukraine in the foreseeable future, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. "We hope that in the foreseeable future they [the US negotiators] will have more time a»»»
Qatar welcomes US-Iran ceasefire agreement
DOHA: The State of Qatar has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, considering it an initial step towards de-escalation, and stressing the need to build on it urgently to prevent the spread of tension in the region.»»»
Livestock checks stepped up ahead of Easter amid pox epidemic
Ahead of the annual slaughter of thousands of lambs for traditional Easter Sunday meals, authorities are stepping up policing of measures to contain a highly contagious livestock disease that’s decimated herds in much of the country, officials said Wednesday. The Rural Development Ministry said spe»»»
'Pinprick of Light': Artemis Crew Witnesses Meteorite Impacts on Moon
During their historic lunar flyby, astronauts on NASA's Artemis II mission witnessed meteorites striking the rugged surface of the Moon, a sight that has piqued scientists' curiosity. "That was definitely impact flashes on the moon. And Jeremy (Hansen) just saw another one," mission commander Reid »»»
Deputy Justice Minister Radulovska: Prosecutors Chamber Shows No Intention to Elect New Acting Prosecutor General
The Supreme Judicial Council’s Prosecutors Chamber has shown that it has no intention of electing a new acting Prosecutor General voluntarily, Deputy Justice Minister Tanya Radulovska said after the Chamber’s sitting on Wednesday. “Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov does not need to be dism»»»
Now you can buy gold in Dubai and get it delivered home
Dubai: Now, you can even get gold delivered home to you. The Dubai Gold District rolled out a new home-delivery service on Wednesday, allowing buyers to browse, select, and purchase gold without visiting the market. Under the new service, buyers can arrange private consultations with participating »»»
Tired of bank calls? UAE Central Bank Just Issued a warning to financial institutions
The Central Bank of the UAE has issued a warning to licensed financial institutions in the country—including banks, insurance companies, reinsurance firms, and other financial entities—granting them a 90-day period to comply with the newly introduced “Telemarketing Regulation.” The Central Bank cir»»»
Ex-Trump official predicts Trump-Kim summit could take place this fall - UPI.com
Fred Fleitz, former chief of staff of the NSC, predicted Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump could meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for a summit sometime this fall. Fleitz made the comment at the Asan Plenum in Seoul. Photo courtesy of Asan Institute of Policy Studies A former Trump»»»
How UAE families are saving money and cutting back in uncertain times
Times have been a bit tough, of late. But chin up, chin up, as Dubai-based Shraddha Mishra, a homemaker insists on telling her children. "There's always a way forward, and that's what we do." Indeed, in the past one month, she along with other residents have looked to make changes in their lives, c»»»
Medical Association Insists on Updated Pay for All Medical Activities by at Least 25%
The Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA) calls for immediate talks and the signing of an annex to the National Framework Agreement between the BMA and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) that would urgently increase the reimbursement rates for all medical services by at least 25%. At a news co»»»
Media Review: April 8
OVERVIEW No single topic dominates all media on Wednesday. POLITICS An op-ed by economist Boyan Durankev published by Trud lists the strategies implemented by the various political forces that have nominated candidates for the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for April 19. The text reads: "Th»»»
Seoul stocks jump nearly 7 pct as U.S., Iran agree on 2-week ceasefire - UPI.com
This photo, taken Wednesday, shows the trading room of Hana Bank in central Seoul as South Korean stocks jumped nearly 7 percent after the United States and Iran agreed on a two-week ceasefire. Photo by Yonhap South Korean stocks spiked nearly 7 percent after the United States and Iran agreed on a »»»
How small businesses are boosting the UAE’s kindness economy
Dubai: In the UAE, a new kind of economy is flourishing, one powered not just by money, but by generosity. Small businesses have been turning their success into support for local communities, who have been both their customers and partners in giving. What started as simple forms of assistance have »»»
Pope Leo Praises Iran War Ceasefire After Criticizing Trump Threat
Pope Leo on Wednesday praised the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war, hours after calling US President Donald Trump's threat against the population of Iran "unacceptable". The pope, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of the war in recent weeks, said he welcomed the announcement of the cease»»»
Berri urges Pakistan to alert international parties to Israeli breach in Lebanon
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri held a phone call Wednesday with Pakistan's Ambassador to Lebanon to hail his country's efforts that led to a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Israel said the ceasefire with Iran does not apply to Lebanon, while Pakistan said Lebanon is included. Hezbollah MP Ibra»»»
Qatar sends 2 identical letters to UN, Security Council regarding latest developments of Iranian attacks on its territories
New York, USA: The State of Qatar sent two identical letters (the 12th and 13th) to HE Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres, and HE Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of April Jamal Fa»»»
Airlines under pressure, but no collapse yet: What it means for UAE travel
Dubai: Airlines are facing rising fuel costs, supply risks and operational pressure, but the global aviation sector is holding steady for now, with strong travel demand helping offset the crisis, said IATA Director General Willie Walsh. Carriers are increasing fares and cutting capacity as oil pric»»»
U.S. Sen Wicker criticizes ‘burden shifting’ in Korea defense policy - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., on Wednesday criticized a Pentagon strategy that shifts responsibility for deterring North Korea onto Seoul. Wicker, seen here at the U.S. Capitol in September 2025, made the comments during a pre-recorded speech at the Asan Plenum policy forum in Seoul. File Ph»»»
Britain's Starmer heads to Gulf after U.S.-Iran cease-fire - UPI.com
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, seen here leaving No. 10 Downing Street in London in January, is leaving for the Gulf on Wednesday following the announcement of a cease-fire in the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo April 8 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Keir S»»»
French Pair Back in Paris After Iran ‘Terrible Ordeal’
Two French nationals arrived in Paris on Wednesday after spending more than three years in an Iranian prison on espionage charges, with President Emmanuel Macron hailing "the end of a terrible ordeal." Cecile Kohler, 41, and Jacques Paris, 72, arrived on a commercial flight, landing at Charles de G»»»
Romania keeps policy rate, signals higher inflation in Q2 on Middle East effects
Romania’s central bank, the National Bank of Romania (BNR), decided to keep the monetary policy rate unchanged at 6.5% at its April 7 board meeting, opting for caution amid a rapidly shifting macroeconomic environment shaped by both domestic fiscal uncertainties and external shocks stemming from th»»»
Man Remanded in Custody After Fatal Stabbing in Bulgarian Village
A premeditated murder investigation is underway after a violent incident in the village of Kokalyane near Sofia, where a man is accused of fatally stabbing another person inside a garage that had been adapted for living. According to the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office, the attack took place on Apri»»»
Leonardo Badea (BNR): On the macroprudential role of international reserves
In the current context in Romania, it is becoming increasingly clear that we need strong anchors. These strategic directions have a common element: the need to strengthen the economy’s resilience in the face of external shocks and structural uncertainties. Opinion by Leonardo Badea, First Deputy Go»»»
Vance arrives in Hungary to back Viktor Orban’s re-election bid
US Vice President J.D. Vance has met with Viktor Orban in Budapest in a high-profile visit ahead of a critical parliamentary election. The Hungarian prime minister’s party is trailing that of his pro-EU opponent in the polls, and he has accused Brussels of interfering in the vote. Vance touched dow»»»
Human rights activist reports suicide of schoolboy in Naryn - | 24.KG
A 14-year-old boy died in Naryn district on April 1. Nazgul Turdubekova, Director of the League of Defenders of the Rights of the Child, reported. According to her, the boy committed suicide. In his suicide note, he named the school’s deputy principal. The human rights activist noted that despite t»»»
Fuller wins Greene's House seat; Taylor wins Wis. Supreme Court - UPI.com
The office of former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is seen in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. On Tuesday, voters in Georgia elected her replacement, Republican Clay Fuller. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 8 (UPI) -- Republic»»»
Why oil prices are expected to stay high even after temporary Iran-US ceasefire
Dubai: Oil markets are signalling that prices will remain elevated despite a sharp pullback recorded on Wednesday, as a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran eases immediate fears but leaves deeper supply risks unresolved. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - si»»»