72 hours to Hungary’s election: a crushing Tisza victory — or downfall of the pollsters?
In our ongoing weekly digest, award-winning journalist Veronika Munk summarises and explains the most important political developments in Hungary. This is our final edition of this series before the election. We guide readers on the route to the crunch Sunday (12 April) election — a poll without pr»»»
Pyrgos teenagers arrested for battering their baby
A teenage couple has been arrested in southwestern Greece on suspicion of abusing its months-old baby to the extent that it needed urgent hospitalization, authorities said Thursday. A police statement said the two 18-year-olds are being held in the town of Pyrgos in the Peloponnese for alleged inte»»»
GCC banks get lifeline as central banks step in amid crisis
Dubai: Gulf central banks have rolled out targeted support measures to help banks navigate ongoing geopolitical turbulence, S&P Global Ratings said in a report. Authorities in the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar introduced packages focused on liquidity, capital and asset quality, aimed at ensuring banks can »»»
Visa opens the door to AI-Driven shopping for businesses worldwide
As consumers increasingly rely on AI agents to make purchases, businesses – whether they are building agents, selling to them, or processing transactions – need a simple way to get started. Intelligent Commerce Connect, part of the Visa Intelligent Commerce portfolio, meets that need. Through a sin»»»
April 9, 1938: The Day Tunisians Paved the Road to Freedom with Their Blood
Tunis, April 9, 2026 (TAP / Mohamed Salah Laabidi) – Some dates defy the passage of time, remaining etched in collective memory like embers no wind can extinguish. April 9, 1938, is one such day. On that day, Tunisia ceased to be merely a land...»»»
Ministry of Transport warns against unjustified surcharges
Doha, Qatar: The Maritime Transport Affairs of Ministry of Transport urged all entities licensed for maritime activities to follow and adhere to the principles of fairness and transparency when it comes to providing their maritime services. The statement stressed on compliance with the provisions o»»»
When to seek mental health support: PHCC on recognizing the signs
Doha, Qatar: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) is offering comprehensive mental health support services, making it easier for individuals to access the care they need. With virtual consultations, specialized clinics, and a dedicated helpline, PHCC ensures timely access to appropriate care.»»»
How a routine store opening in Dubai turned into a pop cultural moment: Inside Primark UAE opening craze
Dubai: In a city used to big launches, it’s not often that a retail opening morphs into something more shared and communal. But in recent weeks, across Dubai, something has shifted -- with crowds, conversations and social media turning what might have been a routine shopping experience into somethi»»»
Up to 90% of Construction and Renovation Workers in Bulgaria Work Illegally
Up to 90 percent of construction and renovation workers in Bulgaria are operating outside the legal framework, according to entrepreneur Lozan Lozanov, who raised concerns about the lack of regulation in construction and installation services, particularly in the interior renovation sector. Speakin»»»
OCI Sells Global Methanol Business to Methanex for $2 Billion
In a significant move within the chemicals industry, OCI N.V., backed by Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris, has announced the sale of its global methanol business to Canadian company Methanex Corporation for a total of $2 billion. This strategic transaction is expected to create substantial value»»»
Egyptian stocks recover from Monday slump before late profit-taking resumes
FacebookTwitterWhatsAppLinkedinCopy URL Cairo — Egypt’s stock market closed the 29 March–2 April 2026 trading week with a mixed but volatile performance, as a steep foreign-led sell-off at the start of the period was followed by a strong mid-week rebound before profit-taking resumed on Thursday. By»»»
4 Dead, 38 Rescued during Attempted Channel Crossing from France to UK
French authorities said that at least four people, two men and two women, died on Thursday as they were trying to get onboard an inflatable boat to attempt the perilous sea crossing from northern France to the UK. The prefect of the Pas-de-Calais region in northern France, François-Xavier Lauch, sa»»»
The Best Mobiles for Slot Gaming: What to Look For and Why It Matters
Mobile slot gaming has exploded in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. Today’s smartphones are powerful enough to deliver console quality graphics, lightning fast loading times, and silky smooth gameplay all from the palm of your hand. But not every device is created equal. If you’re serious abou»»»
Bulgaria Publishes 7,000 Public Contracts Worth Over €30 Billion in Transparency Push
The Ministry of Finance has released a broad public dataset covering more than 7,000 public procurement contracts with a combined value exceeding 30 billion euros, Acting Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski announced during a briefing. The initiative is presented as a transparency measure intended to»»»
Iran’s grip on Strait of Hormuz alarms Gulf states as shipping remains disrupted despite ceasefire
Dubai: Within hours of President Donald Trump announcing a halt to fighting with Iran, confusion over its terms, violations on the ground, and conflicting claims over the Strait of Hormuz cast doubt on whether the ceasefire existed at all. The uncertainty was immediate and multi-layered. The United»»»
Kerala elections 2026: Mohanlal queues up like any voter as Mammootty and Prithviraj lead star turnout at polls
Dubai: As Kerala headed to the polls for the 2026 Assembly elections, it wasn’t just political heavyweights drawing attention, some of Malayalam cinema’s biggest names turned up early, quietly making their voices count. Among them, Mohanlal stood out for all the right reasons. The superstar was spo»»»
Minus three meters: Northern part of Issyk-Kul may turn into marshland - | 24.KG
President of the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan, Kanatbek Abdrakhmatov, warned of risks facing Issyk-Kul Lake amid declining water levels. According to him, the lakebed relief is uneven: the northern part has a gentle slope, while the southern side drops off sharply. In the central part»»»
Mubadala scales to Dh1.4 trillion with UAE portfolio at core of growth
Dubai: Mubadala Investment Company's assets under management rose 17% to Dh1.4 trillion in 2025, supported by strong domestic investments and steady returns across its global portfolio. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The sovereign investor reported five-year and ten-y»»»
Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040 - UPI.com
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, seen here in a plenary session at the National Assembly, said Thursday that his ministry plans to reduce the number of troops deployed to border units "gradually" by 2040. Photo by Yonhap Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Thursday that his ministry plans to reduce th»»»
French Military Chief Says Possible War with Russia His 'Primary Concern'
France's top general on Thursday said the possibility of a war with Russia in the next few years remained his "primary concern" as he defended efforts to ramp up defense spending. The chief of the defense staff General Fabien Mandon spoke in parliament as he presented France's draft legislation to »»»
Food Safety Agency Says Operation Clean Food Shuts 27 Outlets, Stops 260 Tonnes of Unsafe Food
Operation Clean Food shut 27 outlets and stopped more than 260 tonnes of potentially dangerous food, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) Executive Director Angel Mavrovski said at a press conference on Thursday. Nearly 80% of the seized food, more than 208 tonnes, was products of animal origin carr»»»
Finance Ministry Provides Public Access to All Active Public Procurement Procedures
The Ministry of Finance has provided public access via its website to all more than 7,000 active public procurement procedures in the country, with a total value exceeding EUR 30 billion, caretaker Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski announced at a briefing at the Ministry of Finance building in Sofi»»»
Third of March Lead Candidate Ivan Kolev Hands Out Easter Sweet Breads in Yambol
Third of March coalition lead candidate Ivan Kolev handed out hundreds of Easter sweet breads baked in his own bakery to residents of Yambol, the coalition’s regional campaign headquarters said on Thursday. The giveaway took place at three locations in the city, where Kolev also spoke with local pe»»»
The smart habit: 5 tiny inconveniences that improve your brain
Doha, Qatar: Thanks to modern technology, writing an email, ordering a meal or looking up that random actor's name you can't remember has never been easier. But some are starting to wonder whether the quicker, frictionless path isn't always the best. Do we lose something by not engaging our brains »»»
5 unanswered questions on the US-Iran ceasefire
The United States and Iran suddenly announced a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, and there are myriad open questions about what happens next. Israel has also agreed to the truce, though it reportedly did so reluctantly. Both Washington and Tehran have claimed victory, but it’s too early to declare th»»»
North Korea tests electronic warfare systems, cluster-bomb missile - UPI.com
North Korea said Thursday it conducted a series of weapons tests this week, including missiles tipped with a cluster-bomb warhead and electronic warfare systems. This January file photo shows the North's test-fire of a multiple-rocket launcher system. File Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL, April 9 (UPI) -- »»»
Taipei slams Cheng Li-wun's Beijing trip
Legislators from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and various government representatives claimed on April 8, 2026, that the recent actions of KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun in China have compromised the sovereignty of the nation, Taipei Times reports. These accusations emerged as the »»»
Taipei slams Cheng Li-wun's Beijing trip
Legislators from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and various government representatives claimed on April 8, 2026, that the recent actions of KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun in China have compromised the sovereignty of the nation, Taipei Times reports. These accusations emerged as the »»»
Taipei slams Cheng Li-wun's Beijing trip
Legislators from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and various government representatives claimed on April 8, 2026, that the recent actions of KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun in China have compromised the sovereignty of the nation, Taipei Times reports. These accusations emerged as the »»»
Russia emerges as 'strategic energy partner' for Global South thanks to Iran
Russian energy exports have surged in value and demand since the Iran war began on February 28, with Moscow moving to lock in new buyers across Asia and the Global South as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf infrastructure trigger the worst energy supply shock in decades, state»»»
Russia emerges as 'strategic energy partner' for Global South thanks to Iran
Russian energy exports have surged in value and demand since the Iran war began on February 28, with Moscow moving to lock in new buyers across Asia and the Global South as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf infrastructure trigger the worst energy supply shock in decades, state»»»
Russia emerges as 'strategic energy partner' for Global South thanks to Iran
Russian energy exports have surged in value and demand since the Iran war began on February 28, with Moscow moving to lock in new buyers across Asia and the Global South as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf infrastructure trigger the worst energy supply shock in decades, state»»»
Russia emerges as 'strategic energy partner' for Global South thanks to Iran
Russian energy exports have surged in value and demand since the Iran war began on February 28, with Moscow moving to lock in new buyers across Asia and the Global South as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf infrastructure trigger the worst energy supply shock in decades, state»»»
Russia emerges as 'strategic energy partner' for Global South thanks to Iran
Russian energy exports have surged in value and demand since the Iran war began on February 28, with Moscow moving to lock in new buyers across Asia and the Global South as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf infrastructure trigger the worst energy supply shock in decades, state»»»
Putin Made No Decisions on Easter Truce as to Date - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has not made any decisions on an Easter truce as to date, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. "As of today, the Supreme Commander has not made any decisions," Peskov told reporters, answering a question about a possible Easter truce.»»»
EU Says Strikes on Lebanon Endangering US-Iran Ceasefire
The European Union on Thursday called on Israel to halt its strikes on Lebanon which it said were endangering the US-Iran ceasefire, AFP reported. "Israeli actions are putting the US-Iran ceasefire under severe strain. The Iran truce should extend to Lebanon," the European Union's top diplomate Kaj»»»
Solar push helps Pakistan temper Gulf energy shock
LAHORE, Pakistan — Pakistan's solar power push has cushioned the full impact of the war in the Middle East, analysts said, despite lingering concerns over fuel supplies and rising prices.A study published last month assessed that the uptake of solar around 2018 helped the country avoid more than $1»»»
Pakistani man pleads guilty in plot targeting NYC Jewish center - UPI.com
Federal prosecutors said Wednesday that 21-year-old Muhammad Shahzeb Khan pleaded guilty to plotting to kill Jews in a mass shooting in New York City. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 9 (UPI) -- A 21-year-old Pakistani citizen has pleaded guilty to plotting an Islamic State-inspi»»»
How Dubai kept supermarket shelves full despite global shipping chaos
Dubai: The city has managed to maintain a steady flow of fresh food and perishable goods despite global shipping pressures, according to several traders. Members of the Fruit and Vegetable Traders Business Group, under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, say that strong infrastructure, efficient global »»»
UK 'strongly' wants ceasefire extended to Lebanon
Britain's foreign minister said Thursday the UK "strongly" wants Lebanon included in the Middle East ceasefire as Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in the United Arab Emirates. "We do want to see the ceasefire extended to Lebanon. I'm deeply troubled about the escalating attacks that we saw from »»»
Rescuers search for survivors in Lebanese capital as new Israeli strikes hit south
Rescuers searched for survivors under the rubble of destroyed buildings in Beirut on Thursday as Lebanon observed a day of mourning after Israeli strikes across the country killed more than 200. The Israeli military carried out further strikes in southern Lebanon, killing at least five people in Ab»»»
Argentine MPs Approve Bill to Allow Mining in Glaciers
Argentine MPs approved a bill early Thursday promoted by President Javier Milei that authorizes mining in ecologically sensitive areas of glaciers and permafrost, and has outraged environmentalists. The amendment to the so-called Glacier Law, which was already approved by the Senate in February, wo»»»
Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC net profit amounted to 18.7 billion soms in 2025 - | 24.KG
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration Adylbek Kasymaliev familiarized himself with the operations of Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC. The company’s Chairman of the Board, Kubat Abdraimov, presented information on the operations of the company’s gold bar store. »»»
Media Review: April 9
ENERGY - ECONOMY 24 Chasa reports in an extensive article that the Bulgarian caretaker Government is actively managing the impact of global energy tensions on domestic prices, monitoring goods and fuel, and providing targeted support to transport and vulnerable sectors. Ceasefire developments in th»»»
Augusta SPA Hotel in Hisarya Is Renovating 180 Rooms and Expanding Medical Services
Augusta SPA Hotel in Hisarya is renovating a significant part of its facilities, hotel manager Daniela Raykova told BTA. Renovations cover the complex's second wing and include 180 rooms – doubles and suites. Work began at the start of the year and involves complete modernization of the interior, f»»»
Qatar, France review ceasefire implications for energy markets, navigation
Doha, April 9 (SANA) — Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed on Wednesday, in a phone call, the latest regional and international developments, particularly the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran. According to Qatar»»»
Regé-Jean Page on why You, Me & Tuscany made him believe in love again
Dubai: There’s a refreshing lack of cynicism when Regé-Jean Page talks about his love for a good romantic comedy and and that’s exactly what drew him to it You, Me & Tuscany, out in UAE cinemas today on April 9. “My initial reaction was relief at reading a romantic comedy that cared about the roman»»»
Euro Adoption in Bulgaria Has Limited Impact on Consumer Prices, ECB Analysis Shows
Bulgaria’s transition from the lev to the euro has so far had a limited and largely one-off impact on consumer prices, said experts from the European Central Bank (ECB) in an analysis published on the institution’s blog on Thursday. According to the calculations, inflation in Bulgaria would have be»»»
Binance joins “One Nation. One People.” initiative with Design Commission Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: Binance, the global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users, today announced its participation in the UAE’s national civic initiative, “One Nation. One People. Together, We Protect What We Love.” in partnership with t»»»
DOJ indicts Army veteran for leaking information to journalist - UPI.com
A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted a Army veteran will leaking classified information to a journalist. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 9 (UPI) -- Federal authorities have arrested and charged an Army veteran with top secret clearance on accusations of sharing classified »»»