ADCMC, Abu Dhabi Youth Council launch new initiative
The Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi (ADCMC), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Youth Council, has launched the “Abu Dhabi Youth in Emergency Response” initiative. It aims to strengthen preparedness and reinforce the role of society as an active partner in the respons»»»
UAE and US Presidents discuss regional developments in phone call
Abu Dhabi: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today held a phone call with Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, during which they discussed developments in the region and their serious implications for regional and international peace and security, as »»»
Caretaker Government Drafting Regular Budget for 2026
The caretaker government is drafting a regular budget proposal to be submitted if the next parliament fails to form a governing majority, caretaker Minister of Finance Georgi Klisurski said on Wednesday. Speaking in a television interview, Klisurski said the draft had not yet been completed, but wo»»»
Houthi Red Sea attacks could drive oil to $140, Bloomberg Economics says
Global oil prices could surge to $140 per barrel if Houthi rebels target shipping in the Red Sea, potentially worsening what is already considered the largest energy disruption in history, according to a report by Bloomberg Economics. Analysts Dina Esfandiary, Ziad Daoud, and Becca Wasser estimate »»»
UK to host 35-nation meeting on Hormuz as Starmer vows Britain will not be ‘dragged’ into war
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that the Middle East conflict is “not our war” and announced that the United Kingdom will host a 35-nation meeting this week to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at Downing Street, Starmer confirmed that Foreign Sec»»»
Japan, France agree to coordinate on reopening Strait of Hormuz as Trump says US will have ‘no role’
Japan and France agreed on Wednesday to coordinate closely on efforts to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas tankers, as US President Donald Trump said Washington would play no role in securing the vital waterway. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said after talk»»»
Russia says it has full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region
The Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday its forces have seized full control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, as Kyiv continues a campaign of drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure. Russia has long held more than 99% of Luhansk, one of four Ukrainian regions Moscow said »»»
Egypt targets $1bn in annual marble, granite exports
Egypt’s Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem has held a high-level meeting to discuss mechanisms to boost marble and granite exports and address challenges facing quarry operators. He affirmed the government’s strong commitment to the sector, describing marble and granite as a priority industry with »»»
FRA chair meets mortgage finance firms to boost activity, efficiency
Islam Azzam, Chairperson of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), held a meeting with representatives of the Egyptian Mortgage Federation and companies operating in the sector, as part of the Authority’s ongoing engagement with non-banking financial activities. The meeting reflects FRA’s commit»»»
Al-Sisi underscores commitment to economic reforms, market stability
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi affirmed on Wednesday that the government will press ahead with fiscal reforms aimed at safeguarding economic stability and accelerating private sector growth, amid the continued impact of regional conflict on markets and global supply chains. During a meetin»»»
Progressive Bulgaria Leader: "Since Joining the 'Club of the Rich', Shop Debts in Villages Are Now in Euro"
"For ten years I have been travelling across Bulgaria, stopping in villages and visiting small shops. What has changed in the last three months is that debts in shopkeepers' notebooks are now in euro," Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev said at a meeting in Dupnitsa, quoted by the party. He cr»»»
How ghost robotic kamikaze boats broke the back of Iran's 'swarm' tactics in Hormuz: What happens next
For decades, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) built a strategy around one narrow stretch of water — the Strait of Hormuz, just 33km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point, yet carrying nearly a fifth of the world’s oil every day. It was designed as a trap. Mines seeded beneath the surfa»»»
Restaurants and Hotels in Bulgaria Seek Tax Relief to Curb Price Hikes and Protect Business
Representatives of the hotel and restaurant sector in Bulgaria are calling for a reduced VAT rate of 9%, arguing that rising fuel prices are putting serious pressure on their businesses. According to industry organizations, such a measure is necessary to avoid closures and stabilize the sector duri»»»
What Bulgaria and Ukraine Actually Signed in Kyiv
The political noise around the agreement signed by Acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov and President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 30 in Kyiv has largely drowned out what the document actually says. The caretaker government has since published the full text, and the picture it paints is considerably »»»
UAE responds to Iranian missiles and drones, residents alerted safe
UAE residents have received a mobile alert from the Ministry of Defence confirming that the situation in the country is currently safe, following earlier warnings about potential missile threats. The message, sent across the UAE, thanked residents for their cooperation and reassured the public that»»»
How ghost robotic kamikaze boats broke the back of Iran's 'swarm' tactics in Hormuz: What happens next
For decades, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) built a strategy around one narrow stretch of water — the Strait of Hormuz, just 33km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point, yet carrying nearly a fifth of the world’s oil every day. It was designed as a trap. Mines seeded beneath the surfa»»»
IEA, IMF and World Bank to Coordinate Response to Middle East War's Impact
The heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank on Wednesday said they will form a coordination group to maximize their response to the significant economic and energy impacts of the war in the Middle East. In a joint statement, the three global bodies note»»»
Tunisia, BADEA to host workshop to boost Tunisian firms’ participation in African projects
Tunis, April 1 (TAP) – Tunisia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) agreed to organise a joint workshop in Tunisia as soon as possible. The aim is to inform Tunisian institutions and companies about the Bank’s programmes,...»»»
Egypt to extend retail opening hours for upcoming Christian holidays
Egypt will extend the opening hours for shops, malls, and restaurants until 11 PM between April 10 and April 13 to mark upcoming Christian holidays, the cabinet announced on Wednesday. The decision, approved during a weekly meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, shifts the closing time»»»
Egypt pledges to finance Nile water infrastructure in Uganda
Egypt has pledged to finance and mobilise funding for water-related infrastructure on the Nile basin in Uganda, according to a joint communiqué issued on Wednesday following high-level ministerial talks in Cairo. The Egyptian side reaffirmed its readiness to provide the funding through the Nile Dev»»»
Egypt Finance Minister says prioritising essential supplies and investor needs key to mitigating economic risks
Egypt’s Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said on Wednesday that prioritising essential supplies for citizens and production requirements for investors is key to mitigating economic risks. Speaking during a meeting of the Crisis Management and Risk Reduction Committee at the Ministry of Finance, Kouc»»»
UAE responds to Iranian missiles and drones; residents receive emergency alerts
The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that air defence systems are actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran, amid ongoing regional hostilities. Authorities have urged residents to stay in safe locations, follow verified government updates, and remain alert as the»»»
Wujek mine closes after 127 years
Wujek Coal Mine has symbolically ended operations after 127 years, entering a four-year decommissioning phase starting April 1. Of around 700 employees, over 300 will work on closure processes, while others will transfer to different mines or receive support packages. The site holds strong historic»»»
How many times has the EU screwed itself over in the past year?
Hey, good news! The EU has found a new source of desperately needed gas amid the current energy crunch. The bad news? It’s in the US. So it will serve America, first. With Europe getting any sloppy seconds that Daddy Trump feels like overcharging it for when he isn’t threatening to invade. It’ll be»»»
Bulgarian Central Bank Warns Geopolitics Now Shapes Inflation Outlook
Bulgarian National Bank Governor Dimitar Radev has warned that inflation risks are increasingly driven by geopolitical developments, stressing that Bulgaria remains firmly anchored within the European institutional and political framework. He made the remarks during a meeting with heads of diplomat»»»
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»»»
Caretaker PM Gurov Meets Head of OSCE Election Observation Mission
The caretaker government's commitments to organizing fair elections were the focus of a meeting between Prime Minister Andrey Gurov and Dunja Mijatovic, head of the election observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the government press servic»»»
Gaza genocide brings orphan figures up from 17,000 to 64,000: Palestinian official
Gaza: Assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development in the Gaza Strip Riyad Al Bitar said that Israel's genocidal war against the Strip, which began on October 7, 2023, led to a sharp rise in the number of orphans, hitting around 64,000. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Bita»»»
Caretaker Finance Minister Klisurski Says State Is Preparing Regular Budget Draft
The caretaker government is drafting a regular budget proposal to be submitted if the next parliament fails to form a governing majority, caretaker Minister of Finance Georgi Klisurski said on Wednesday. Speaking in a television interview, Klisurski said the draft had not yet been completed, but wo»»»
Sheikh Hamdan directs Dubai government entities to integrate all services
In a landmark step in Dubai’s digital transformation journey, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, announced that the emirate has entered a new era in which »»»
Arche removing alcohol from hotels
Arche Group is launching a campaign to limit alcohol availability in its hotels, aligning with NoLo (no/low alcohol) trends and wellness tourism. From April, alcohol will disappear from bar displays, and two hotels in Łódź will stop serving it entirely once contracts expire. In others, it will only»»»
Polish deficit greater than during pandemic
Poland has entered a fiscal shock with a public finance deficit exceeding pandemic levels despite solid economic growth. In 2025, the deficit reached 7.2% of GDP and public debt rose to 59.7%, nearing the critical 60% threshold. Unlike during COVID-19, the deficit is not driven by crisis support bu»»»
Sofronijevic meets with Czech ambassador to Belgrade
BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Aleksandra Sofronijevic met with Czech Ambassador to Belgrade Jan Bondi on Wednesday to discuss possibilities for advancement of bilateral cooperation, with special focus on development of railway infrastructure. The possibil»»»
PM Edi Rama Announces Social Support Boost for Caregivers and Pension Increases
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a new set of social support measures during his address at the Socialist Party Assembly, signaling upcoming changes in a forthcoming normative act expected in June. Rama revealed that the government will begin paying social security contributions for family mem»»»
Bolivia alleges fuel sabotage tied to international criminal network - UPI.com
Bilivan consumers have felt the impact of contaminated gasoline. More than 10,000 vehicle owners, including long-distance transport operators and private drivers, have reported severe engine damage. File Photo by Luis Gandarilas/EPA April 1 (UPI) -- Bolivia's government, led by President Rodrigo Pa»»»
Socialist Party Leader Says Parliament Sitting Failed to Address Fuel Prices
Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Chairman Krum Zarkov described Wednesday's sitting of the National Assembly as a failure in its primary task of addressing the key concern for Bulgarian citizens: fuel prices. Speaking at a briefing with journalists in Ruse, Zarkov said the BSP had taken the initiati»»»
Gulf fishermen impacted by oil spill face heavy economic losses - UPI.com
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the investigation into the oil spill is ongoing. Authorities reported retrieving more than 800 tons of waste across more than 373 miles of coastline. Photo by Mario Guzman/EPA April 1 (UPI) -- Fishing communities in the Gulf of Mexico are facing heavy econom»»»
King Charles invited to address Congress during visit - UPI.com
Queen Camilla, King Charles III, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pose at Windsor Castle during the Trumps' state visit to England in September. Charles and Camilla will come to the United States for a state visit in late April, and Charles has been invited to address a joint mee»»»
President Iotova, US Ambassador to Greece Guilfoyle Discuss Bulgaria’s Role in Region’s Energy Security
Bulgaria has the potential and ambition to play an active role in the energy security of Southeastern Europe, President Iliana Iotova said after meeting US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, the President's press secretariat said here Wednesday. The talks focused on regional energy diversific»»»
Bulgarian PM, US Ambassador to Greece Discuss Opportunities for Accelerated Development of Vertical Gas Corridor
Bulgarian Prime Minister Andrey Gurov and US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle met on Wednesday to discuss opportunities for the accelerated development of the Vertical Gas Corridor as a key element of energy and economic security in Southeastern Europe, the government information service sai»»»
France expects green light for €70bn nuclear expansion despite EU probe
France expects its plans for a €70bn expansion of its nuclear energy industry will be a “major contributor” to the EU’s electricity production, Paris said after the EU Commission announced a state aid probe into the project on Tuesday (31 March). “France’s new nuclear energy sector will, in the com»»»
Agricover announces a net profit of RON 103.9 million, up 12% from 2024
This performance reflects the group’s ability to anticipate farmers’ needs and adapt its business model accordingly, in an increasingly volatile economic environment where access to liquidity and cost control have become essential for the continuity of agricultural operations. After two difficult y»»»
Social development ministry launches unified digital platform for public services
DOHA: The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) announced the launch of a unified digital platform for all its public services, as part of its efforts towards digital transformation and enhancing efficient, easy access to its services. During a press conference held on Wednesday, the min»»»
Malaysian tourism sector remains resilient despite Mideast conflict: official
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia recorded 2,835,724 international visitor arrivals between March 1 and 26 this year, a 2.4-percent increase from the same period last year and demonstrating the tourism sector's resilience despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tion»»»
India’s IndiGo hikes airfares with revised fuel surcharge from April 2
Dubai: Airfares between the UAE and India are likely to come under upward pressure after Indian carrier IndiGo announced a revision in fuel charges, driven by a sharp rise in jet fuel prices. The airline confirmed that updated fuel surcharges will apply to all new bookings made from 1 am on April 2»»»
K-Sure provides $1 billion in pre-emptive financing to Romania - UPI.com
Hyundai Rotem is seeking to export its K2 battle tanks to Romania. To support such efforts, Korea Trade Insurance Corp. will provide about $1 billion in pre-emptive financing to Romania. Photo by Hyundai Rotem SEOUL, April 1 (UPI) -- Korea Trade Insurance Corp., or K-Sure, said it would provide abo»»»
Cyberattacks Surge, Exposing Public Sector Weaknesses
A sharp rise in cyberattacks is turning the security of public institutions into one of the most urgent challenges facing governments and local authorities. From hospitals to schools and administrative offices, the public sector is increasingly reliant on digital systems—while simultaneously becomi»»»
Germany Growth Forecasts Slashed as Mideast War Hits Economy
Leading economic institutes more than halved their growth forecast for Germany on Wednesday, warning that the energy shock caused by the Middle East war would hit Europe's top economy hard. A group of leading institutes slashed their joint GDP growth forecast for 2026 to 0.6 percent, down from a Se»»»
Huge Fire after Drone Attack Hits Engine Oil Warehouse in Iraqi Kurdistan
A drone strike caused a massive fire at the storage facilities of an engine oil firm in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan on Wednesday, the regional government and the company said. Iraq has been increasingly and unwillingly drawn into the war started by Israel and the US on February 28, with strikes tar»»»
Israel rejects French defense ties amid dispute over blocked ammo flight
Israel’s Defense Ministry has announced retaliatory steps against France after US President Donald Trump openly criticized the European NATO member for refusing to allow access to its airspace for arms shipments being delivered to the Middle East. Posting on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump described»»»