BREAKING: Bulgaria's Defense Minister Orders Security Review After Iranian Missile Fired Toward NATO Airspace
Bulgaria is reassessing its position regarding the risks posed by the conflict in the Middle East. Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov announced that the Ministry of Defense will conduct an urgent analysis of threats and risks following recent developments in the region. According to Zaprya»»»
Nearly 150 missing after Iranian warship sinks off Sri Lanka
Nearly 150 people were missing and several dead after an Iranian warship sank Wednesday off Sri Lanka following what crew members reported as an explosion, officials said. Sri Lanka's navy rescued 32 sailors from the frigate IRIS Dena but hopes were fading for 148 other sailors, the island's Foreig»»»
Stranded in Tanzania: Dubai travel creator Kaunain Fatima awaits flight home amid conflict
Dubai: The irony isn’t lost on Dubai-based travel content creator Kaunain Fatima, 29, who finds herself stranded in Tanzania after what was meant to be a carefree girls’ trip to Zanzibar. “Most of the stranded tourists are hoping to fly out, but my friend and I just want to get home to the UAE,” sh»»»
FM Araghchi: Trump Betrayed Diplomacy, Americans by Attacking Iran
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said US President Donald Trump betrayed both the indirect negotiations with Tehran and the American people by launching unprovoked aggression against Iran. In a post published on social media platform X on Wednesday, Araghchi said, “When complex nuclear negoti»»»
Thousands gather in Iran to mourn schoolgirls killed during US-Israeli strikes
Thousands of mourners have filled the streets of the southern Iranian city of Minab for the funeral of 168 schoolgirls and staff killed in an attack on an elementary school on the opening day of the US-Israeli strikes. Images from the funeral show row upon row of small, shallow graves – the final r»»»
Germany’s Merz said Spain should spend more on defense amid row with Trump
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz refused to back Spain while US President Donald Trump trashed Madrid over its refusal to host American planes for the ongoing war in the Middle East. Instead, Merz fell into NATO talking points, criticizing Madrid for not committing to the military bloc’s target of »»»
Syria and Saudi Arabia sign agreement to revive textile industry
Damascus, March 4 (SANA) Syria and Saudi Arabia signed Wednesday a memorandum of understanding aimed at rehabilitating and operating state-owned textile facilities as part of Syria’s efforts to revive its cotton and textile industry. The memorandum was signed in the presence of Syrian Economy and I»»»
Peace Homes Development pledges Dh5m to Edge of Life campaign
Peace Homes Development joined a growing list of contributors to the Edge of Life campaign to rescue five million children from hunger, with a contribution of Dh5 million. The campaign was launched in Ramadan by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister o»»»
Europe wary as Iran war deepens, divisions emerge over US-Israel strikes
Europe has reacted cautiously — and in some cases critically — to the escalating conflict with Iran, as several leaders express concern over the widening war and the continent struggles to present a united response. When the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Saturday, “very fe»»»
Media Review: March 4
MIDDLE EAST CRISIS Former Bulgarian deputy defence minister Rumen Kanchev described the situation in the Middle East as a “regional conflict” in an interview with Bulgarian National Radio on Wednesday. “America has concentrated colossal power in the area,” Kanchev said. He quoted statements in Wash»»»
Israel strikes hotel in Hazmieh, buildings in Aramoun, Saadiyat and Baalbek
Israeli strikes hit a Beirut hotel and residential complex in Lebanon's east, Lebanese state media said Wednesday, as Israel announced broad strikes in response to Hezbollah missile and drone launches. Lebanese state media said the Israeli attacks targeted a building in Baalbek, in Lebanon's east f»»»
Israel Orders Evacuation of Swathe of South Lebanon as Katz Authorizes Military to Advance
The Israeli military ordered the evacuation of a swathe of southern Lebanon on Wednesday, telling residents to move north of the Litani River on a third day of full-blown hostilities with Hezbollah. While Israel has already warned residents to leave dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, Wednesda»»»
Flights cancelled and rerouting for days: Residents fly back to the UAE because Dubai is home
Dubai: When the Gulf airspace was disrupted and flights began cancelling one after another, many residents found themselves stuck abroad, far from the city they had built their lives in. For some, that meant days of uncertainty, rerouting through multiple countries, and scrambling for any flight th»»»
Qatar says Iran strikes across Gulf have crossed ‘all red lines’
Dubai: Iran’s expanding missile and drone campaign across the Gulf is testing the patience of Arab states, with Qatar warning that “all red lines have already been crossed” as Tehran’s retaliation against US-Israeli strikes begins spilling across the region. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed»»»
Saudi Arabia condemns blatant Iranian aggression, warns Iran attacks will not go unanswered
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has warned it reserves the “full right” to respond to blatant Iranian aggression after a series of drone and missile strikes targeted Riyadh and the Kingdom’s Eastern Province. The warning came during a late-night Cabinet meeting on Tuesday chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Mini»»»
Bulgarian Authorities Revise Assessment of Situation, Emergency Meeting of Security Council to Be Held
Caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said Wednesday that the latest developments in the Middle East call for a re-assessment of the situation by Bulgaria and an emergency meeting of the Security Council with the Council of Ministers. "The events of this morning fundamentally change our asses»»»
Children Must Not Be ‘Collateral Damage’ in Middle East War, Urge UN Experts
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child insisted Wednesday that children must be protected during the war in the Middle East, highlighting an alleged air strike on an Iranian school. Iran has blamed Israel and the United States for the strike on the school in the Iranian city of Minab on the fi»»»
From rivals to co-builders: Why the Philippines needs a shared national vision
Manila: The Philippines does not lack leaders. It lacks alignment. In a nation of 7,641 islands — fragmented by geography, up to 187 languages, history and politics — no single party, alliance, or strongman can carry the weight of national transformation alone. Also In This Package Philippine passp»»»
Visa update in UAE: What VFS just announced
Dubai: Visa services are slowly resuming at the Dubai centre of VFS Global, but only for some countries. VFS Global said it has restarted partial operations amid ongoing regional disruptions. Some applicants can submit fresh visa applications. However, all countries are returning passports to appli»»»
United and unshaken: How the UAE stands together in the face of blatant Iranian aggression
Dubai: In moments of crisis, the true character of a nation reveals itself not only in the strength of its defences, but in the steadiness of its people. As the United Arab Emirates confronts what officials have described as blatant Iranian aggression, the country’s response has not been defined by»»»
Prime Minister, Japanese Foreign Minister discuss regional developments
Doha, Qatar: The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, received a telephone call today from HE Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan. During the call, the developments of the military escalation in the region and its»»»
First 360 Kyrgyzstanis to be evacuated from UAE on March 5 - | 24.KG
The first 360 citizens of Kyrgyzstan currently staying in the United Arab Emirates will be evacuated by two repatriation flights via Oman on the night of March 5 and the morning of the same day. Deputy Foreign Minister Almaz Imangaziev made the announcement at a session of the Zhogorku Kenesh. Acco»»»
No Increased Migration Pressure on Bulgaria over Middle East Conflict, Deputy Interior Minister Says
There is no increased migration pressure on Bulgaria in connection with the conflict in the Middle East, Deputy Interior Minister Ivan Anchev said here on Wednesday. “There is no reason for us as a state to worry about any increased immigration pressure in connection with the conflict in the Middle»»»
Defence Minister Authorized Passage and Stay of Allied Forces and Equipment
Заповедите са издадени на основание на Закона за преминаването през и пребиваването на територията на Република България на съюзнически и чужди въоръжени сили. The caretaker Minister of Defense, Atanas Zapryanov, has informed the National Assembly of orders he issued authorizing the passage through»»»
Discussions With Board of Peace ‘On Hold’ Due to Iran War, Indonesia Says
Indonesia's foreign minister said talks on US President Donald Trump's Gaza "Board of Peace," of which the Southeast Asian nation is a key troop-contributing member, were on hold due to the Middle East war. The US and Israeli air war against Iran has killed scores of civilians, thrown global air t»»»
ASEAN ready to extend aid to Southeast Asians if crisis deepens
Dubai: As the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines has noted that it is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, particularly its impact on millions of Southeast Asians living and working across the Gulf. Officials have mentioned that assis»»»
Borislav Bankov Appointed Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth
Borislav Bankov has been appointed Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, the Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday. Bankov is an established expert in innovation and international security. Since 2022, he has headed a NATO test centre for dual-use technologies at the GATE Institute at S»»»
US and Ecuador forces launch operation to fight drug trafficking
Ecuadorean and US forces have launched operations against what it said were designated terrorist organisations in the South American country, the US military's Southern Command said on Tuesday. The Southern Command said the action was aimed at tackling illicit drug trafficking, but did not provide »»»
Nuclear Deterrence Remains Cornerstone of Global Security - Kremlin
The negotiations on strategic stability should include the participation of Europe's nuclear powers, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "Indeed, nuclear deterrence remains the cornerstone of global security. This is very important," Peskov told reporters, commenting on the issue of nuclear d»»»
Bulgaria: Defense Ministry Authorizes Allied Forces’ Transit and Presence on National Territory
Parliament Speaker Raya Nazaryan announced that Acting Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov has informed the National Assembly of his decision to authorize the transit through Bulgarian airspace and the temporary presence of allied and foreign military forces on the country’s territory. The notificati»»»
Canada PM: Israel-US strikes on Iran ‘inconsistent with international law’
Sydney: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday that US-Israeli strikes on Iran had been “inconsistent with international law”, calling for a rapid de-escalation of the conflict. Speaking at a gathering of the Lowy Institute think tank in Sydney, Carney said Canada welcomed steps to chan»»»
120-megawatt combined heat and power plant to be built in Karakol - | 24.KG
A 120-megawatt combined heat and power plant is planned to be built in the city of Karakol. The Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan reported. According to the ministry, Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev visited the site of the future energy facility during a working trip to Issyk-Kul region. It is note»»»
Russia Blames Ukrainian Drones for Attack on LNG Ship in Mediterranean
Russia's transport ministry on Wednesday accused Ukrainian naval drones of attacking a Russian liquefied natural gas carrier, the Arctic Metagaz, which caught fire in the Mediterranean a day earlier. If confirmed, it would be the first time that Ukraine has attacked a Russian LNG carrier. The Sec»»»
Prime minister, Japanese foreign minister discuss latest developments in the region
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani hasreceived a phone call from Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. During the call, they reviewed the developments of the military escalation in the region and its serious repercussio»»»
Trump to cut all trade with Spain over military base ban
The US will suspend all trade with Spain over Madrid’s decision to deny the US permission to use its joint military bases to attack Iran, President Donald Trump has announced. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has condemned Trump’s “unjustified and dangerous” intervention against Iran. Speaking »»»
Iran claims 'complete control' of strait: Latest developments in Middle East war
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had "complete control" of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and Israel launched fresh strikes on Iranian and Lebanese targets as the Middle East war continued into its fifth day. Here are the latest developments: - More Israeli strikes in Tehran - The Isra»»»
Five takeaways from Texas primaries, as march to US midterms gets going
The march to the US midterm elections, which will determine which party controls both chambers of Congress for the second half of Donald Trump's presidency, is officially under way. Voters in a handful of states headed to the polls on Tuesday to pick the Democratic and Republican candidates for the»»»
‘No to war,’ Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez tells Trump
Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hit back on Wednesday at US President Donald Trump’s criticisms of Madrid’s refusal to let US planes use its bases to attack Iran. “The position of the government of Spain can be summed up in four words: no to war,” he said in a televised address, a day »»»
Making cold visible: How Mediascope redefined thermo communication for Coors
Mediascope, one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading trade-marketing and retail innovation agencies, has developed the Coors Thermo Regional Retail Toolkit, a comprehensive retail communication ecosystem designed to unlock the full power of one of the beer industry’s most iconic assets: the Cold»»»
TISP Calls for Resignation of Caretaker Agriculture Minister, Cites Moral and Political Concerns
There Is Such a People (TISP) called from the parliamentary rostrum on Wednesday for the immediate resignation of the caretaker Minister of Agriculture and Food, Ivan Hristanov, as well as members of his team. In a declaration read by MP Stanislav Balabanov, TISP presented the reasons for its deman»»»
France Says Planning G7 Finance Meeting on Middle East
France is planning a meeting of G7 finance ministers on the Middle East crisis, with central bankers also in attendance, the country's Economy and Finance Minister, Roland Lescure, said on Wednesday. "I have spoken with various counterparts, in particular Scott Bessent, who is the US Treasury Secre»»»
Former President Lists 7 Urgent Measures as Gulf Conflict Escalates Near Bulgaria
Bulgaria faces heightened risks from the escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly the strikes on Iran, which former President Rumen Radev has described as a direct threat to national security. In a post on his Facebook page, Radev criticized the caretaker government under Prime Minister»»»
Socialist MP Gutsanov Criticizes Cabinet over Response to Middle East Situation
“I believe the Government is failing the state and its citizens because at this stage it is acting more like a tour operator company,” said Borislav Gutsanov, MP from the parliamentary group of BSP – United Left, commenting on the caretaker Cabinet’s actions regarding the situation in the Middle Ea»»»
‘No to War,’ Spanish PM Tells Trump
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hit back on Wednesday at US President Donald Trump's criticisms of Madrid's refusal to let US planes use its bases to attack Iran. "The position of the government of Spain can be summed up in four words: no to war," he said in a televised address, a day after Tr»»»
Ovidiu Mihailă, fundingloop: Five priority areas targeted by €630 million EIC Accelerator funding for deep tech businesses in 2026
Approximately €630 million will be available in 2026 for those applying to the EIC Accelerator, a Horizon Europe funding program that provides support to startups and SMEs, says Ovidiu Mihăilă, founder of fundingloop, a consulting company for deep-tech businesses interested in accelerating innovati»»»
Bulgaria Assures Citizens: Fuel Supplies Stable as First Evacuees Return from the Middle East
Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov stated at the start of the government meeting that Bulgaria’s fuel deliveries remain uninterrupted despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The country imports oil and petroleum products from regions not currently affected by hostilities, and there is no phys»»»
TISP Urges President Iotova to Convene National Security Consultative Council over Middle East Tensions
It would be a good idea for President Iliana Iotova to convene a Consultative Council for National Security, There Is Such a People (TISP) MP Stanislav Balabanov told journalists in Parliament here on Wednesday. His comment was prompted by the situation in the Middle East. As a conservative party, »»»
Bulgaria Has Sufficient Fuel Reserves, Any Price Rise Would Be Due to Non-Market Behaviour, Says Caretaker PM
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov told the media before the start of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday that Bulgaria has sufficient fuel reserves in the State Reserve, and fuel station owners have also confirmed that they have adequate supplies and that the market remains calm. According to»»»
Israel Defense Minister Says Any Successor to Iran’s Khamenei ‘Target for Assassination’
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened on Wednesday to assassinate any Iranian leader picked to succeed supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. "Any leader selected by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan for Israel's destruction, thr»»»
How deeply have Trump’s Iran strikes split America?
US President Donald Trump’s order to attack Iran has drawn mixed reactions among Americans, with polls showing a clear public split and statements from lawmakers exposing divisions within both the Republican and Democratic parties. Trump claimed the joint US-Israeli military campaign, launched on S»»»