US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on the Iran war has undergone a striking shift — from threats of overwhelming destruction to projecting a “Golden Age of the Middle East” following a fragile ceasefire agreement. As Washington and Tehran enter a two-week truce aimed at paving the way for negotia»»»

France is to ramp up explosive drone stocks by up to 400 percent by 2030, draft legislation showed Wednesday, as the country seeks to accelerate rearmament to face an aggressive Russia. The military spending bill was presented after France's top commanders said the country must be ready in the next»»»

Iraqi authorities on Wednesday condemned Israeli strikes that killed dozens in Lebanon, saying they indicated that Israel was seeking to scupper the two-week ceasefire agreed by Iran and the United States. "The government expresses its condemnation of the brutal attacks that the Zionist occupation »»»

Damascus, April 8 (SANA) Director General of the Syrian Development Fund, Safwat Raslan, discussed with representatives of Istanbul Development Agency (IDA) means of enhancing joint cooperation, supporting development projects and expanding economic partnerships. During a meeting held in Istanbul, »»»

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani received several messages and cables from Their Highnesses and Excellencies, Ministers of Interior and security officials from fraternal and friendly countries,»»»

China's government said that Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed not to escalate their conflict and to "explore a comprehensive solution” after several weeks of cross-border fighting between the two countries that has left hundreds of people killed. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Wedn»»»

In Hungarian society, the rules of baseness have taken root: be ruthless, be selfish, lick upwards, kick downwards, despise the weak. We spoke with psychiatrist and writer Péter Hunčík about how society and political power have changed over the past 16 years of prime minister Viktor Orbán’s rule. F»»»

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights issued a formal warning over serious labor and human rights violations in Cuba's overseas medical brigades, saying some cases may amount to forced labor or "contemporary forms of slavery." File Photo by Jose Valle/EPA April 8 (UPI) -- The Inter-American»»»

How Pakistan managed to succeed in mediating between the US and Iran and what this means for the country's image, explained to Sputnik Dr. Zahid Shahab Ahmed. What enabled Pakistan to step into a successful mediation role between the US and Iran—and how durable could that success prove to be? Dr. Z»»»

Dubai: A fragile ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran has brought a sense of relief to the UAE’s travel and hospitality sector. Now, industry leaders are pointing to cautious optimism, steady operations and a steadfast focus on recovery. While businesses say confidence is slowly returning, mos»»»

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) announced the establishment of a Currency Swap Agreement between the UAE Dirham (AED) and the Bahraini Dinar (BHD) during a virtual signing ceremony. The agreement has a nominal value of Dh20 billion; BHD2 bi»»»

Argentina reached record oil production levels, with output climbing to 874,000 barrels per day, a 15.9% increase from a year earlier. File Photo by Juan Macri/EPA April 8 (UPI) -- Argentina reached record oil production levels, with output climbing to 874,000 barrels per day, a 15.9% increase from»»»

Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon on Wednesday, damaging a vehicle but causing no injuries, the Italian government said. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said the incident was "unacceptable" while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the government »»»

Tunis, April 8 (TAP) - An information day on the exceptional measures announced by the Spanish government to regularise the residence status of irregular migrants in Spain was organised by Tunisia's Embassy in Madrid. The participants were briefed...»»»

Cairo — Moody’s Ratings has affirmed Egypt’s sovereign credit rating at Caa1 for both foreign and local currency, maintaining a Positive Outlook, reflecting cautious confidence in the country’s ongoing economic reform program. The agency cited continued primary fiscal surpluses since FY2023/24 and »»»

Lebanon's government said Wednesday Israeli strikes killed dozens and wounded hundreds across the country, with the capital Beirut hit by the most violent bombardment since the start of the war with militant group Hezbollah. AFPTV's live broadcast showed plumes of smoke rising over Beirut and the s»»»

Doha, Qatar: QNB Group, a leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, announced its results for the three months ended 31 March 2026. Net profit for the three months ended 31 March 2026 reached QAR4.33 billion (USD1.19 billion), an increase of 2% compared to same perio»»»

There is little doubt that the influence of Hezbollah in Lebanon, or more precisely, Iranian influence, represents one of the most dangerous consequences of Iran’s expansion beyond its borders. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Tehran has persistently sought to export instability and conflict thro»»»

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke with US President Donald Trump by telephone on Wednesday afternoon after the latter's ceasefire with Iran, two German government source told Reuters. According to Germany's Bild newspaper, whichfirst reported the call, the conversation was brief and friendly, »»»

Regional Development and Public Works Minister Nikolay Naydenov Wednesday presented to the press a new interactive road map that, for the first time ever, makes public details about road repairs in Bulgaria. The aim is to improve transparency about how taxpayer money is spent by the Road Infrastruc»»»

Doha, Qatar: Chairman of the Qatar Chamber (QC) HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani met on Wednesday with Ambassador of Malaysia to the State of Qatar HE Mohammad Faizal Razali. The meeting discussed economic and trade cooperation between both countries, as well as ways to enhance th»»»

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, seen here in 2025, is set to visit Washington to soothe tensions with the cornerstone of the defensive pact after amid threats by Trump to pull out. File Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo April 8 (UPI) -- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was set to kick»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut received Swiss Ambassador to Belgrade Anne Lugon-Moulin on Wednesday to discuss further development of bilateral cooperation and, in particular, investments and new projects. Macut and Lugon-Moulin noted that successful operations of Swiss companies in Serbia were »»»

India has withdrawn its offer to host the United Nations annual climate Conference Of the Parties (COP33) in 2028, two government officials familiar with the matter told Reuters. India communicated its decision to not host the conference this month, the officials said, but it was not immediately cl»»»

Caretaker Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski said he expects fuel prices at gas stations to ease in the coming period, pointing to a sharp decline in international oil markets. He noted that crude prices have already dropped by around 15% to 20% following what he described as a two-week ceasefire ag»»»

Dubai: A ceasefire in the region is prompting cautious optimism among UAE business leaders, who say the development could help stabilise markets, restore investor confidence and ease pressure on trade flows after a period of uncertainty. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app n»»»

Skopje, 7 April 2026 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said the second session of the Strategic Dialogue between North Macedonia and the U.S., held Tuesday in Washington, will be a productive day and is expected to end with a joint statement. He expects an investment in a major antimony pro»»»

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»»»

Bulgaria's caretaker government has decided to endorse the Partnership Agreement between the EU and four Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), the government information service said. Relations between the EU and Mercosur countries have so far been governed by the 1995 Inter»»»

Siyanie (Radiance) coalition leader Nikolay Popov said on Wednesday that he will face a slander accusations without invoking parliamentary immunity as a candidate in the April 19 parliamentary elections. Popov was speaking during a protest in his support in front of the Pleven District Court. Popov»»»

Damascus, April 8 (SANA) Syria is stepping up efforts to promote rainwater harvesting as part of broader measures to improve water management and strengthen agricultural resilience amid growing climate pressures. At a two-day workshop organized by the General Commission for Agricultural Scientific »»»

Bangkok: Nearly 70 young Thai men sat on flimsy plastic chairs, faces tense as they waited to draw their fate from a jar -- an annual ritual deciding whether they will serve in the military. The conscription lottery, held across Thailand each April, has taken on added weight this year following sev»»»

The US, UK, and other Western powers with colonial pasts have repeatedly refused to consider reparations for the slave trade and other colonial crimes—yet have set precedents that could allow such claims to be enforced. The West "has been guided by a sense of moral superiority and legal exceptional»»»

Bulgaria is intensifying preparations for the early parliamentary elections on April 19, with authorities emphasizing fairness, technical readiness, and the prevention of electoral violations both domestically and abroad. “It is extremely important to see whether we have fulfilled our promise to co»»»

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force 'Lekhwiya', HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, received several messages and cables from Their Highnesses and Excellencies, Ministers of Interior and security officials from brotherly and friendly countrie»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) announced the addition of more than 800 new firms to its business platform from January to March 2026, thus recording an annual growth of 57% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2025. The QFC said in a statement Wednesday th»»»

The Employer’s Association of Labor Importers (PIFM), a member of the National Council of SMEs in Romania, is raising a critical alarm regarding the latest version of the Draft Emergency Ordinance (OUG) concerning the registration and obligations of foreign employers, released today for public cons»»»

The caretaker Government approved EUR 1,190,761 for compensation to families whose children were not admitted to state or municipal kindergartens due to lack of available places, the press service of the Council of Ministers reported on Wednesday. The funds will cover 2,029 children in four municip»»»

The caretaker government revoked the Council of Ministers’ January 21, 2026 decision approving three Bulgarian candidates for European prosecutor, the government press service said here Wednesday. The move withdrew the nominations of Dimitar Belichev, Mihaela Raidovska and Plamen Petkov and ordered»»»

After the close of polls on April 19, section election commissions (SECs) will be checked to ensure that the live online video broadcast of ballot counting and tally sheet completion has been activated, caretaker Minister of e-Government George Sharkov said during a meeting with President Iliana Io»»»

TradeIranIs Iran cashing in millions from Strait of Hormuz blockade?Nik MartinAn Iranian lawmaker claims Tehran is quietly charging tankers up to $2 million for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The move threatens to turn the key waterway into a high-stakes toll booth. https://p.dw.com/p/5»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut met with the UK's special Western Balkans envoy Karen Pierce in Belgrade on Wednesday to discuss current political and economic topics, as well as further strengthening of Serbia-UK bilateral relations. "Macut underlined that Serbia attaches great importance to coo»»»

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. Rosen Zhe»»»

After the close of polls on April 19, section election commissions (SECs) will be checked to ensure that the live online video broadcast of ballot counting and tally sheet completion has been activated, caretaker Minister of e-Government George Sharkov said during a meeting with President Iliana Io»»»

The government Wednesday approved EUR 5.77 million in funding to secure the operation of the Traffic Safety Fund, the government press office reported. The Fund is overseen by the Interior Ministry. It collects receipts from fines for violations related to equipment, as well as donations and other »»»

New York: The UAE has expressed its deep disappointment at the UN Security Council’s failure to take decisive action to address the global repercussions caused by Iran’s illegal closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and failure to adopt a resolution put forward by Bahrain on behalf of the UAE, Kuwait, Q»»»

Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, chaired Wednesday the regular Cabinet meeting. Following the meeting, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi stated the followi»»»

Giuseppe Carella, with more than 25 years of international business experience, assumes the position of Country Manager of Nestlé Romania on April 1, 2026. Over the course of his career, Giuseppe has built a strong track record in bringing Nestlé’s mission to life, driving innovations for local con»»»

Dubai: In the end, the deal was not decided in Washington — but in Tehran, where Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei quietly gave the green light, a decisive intervention that broke weeks of deadlock, according to Axios. The ceasefire that followed brought a sudden halt to weeks of escalating confronta»»»

The caretaker Government approved EUR 1,190,761 for compensation to families whose children were not admitted to state or municipal kindergartens due to lack of available places, the press service of the Council of Ministers reported on Wednesday. The funds will cover 2,029 children in four municip»»»