Oil rallies, stocks drop as Trump dashes hopes fighting will soon end
LONDON — Oil surged and stocks fell on Thursday after Donald Trump threatened more heavy strikes on Iran and offered no solution to reopening the key Strait of Hormuz.Investors found little solace in the US president's address to the nation, in which he again urged countries dependent on the waterw»»»
Vucic: I have invited parties to consultations because Serbia needs serious decisions
BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday he had invited political parties to consultations because he believed that humanity was on the brink of an abyss and because Serbia needed serious decisions. "We need to try to position ourselves responsibly in a situation like this and d»»»
“Second botanical garden” to be created in Bishkek - | 24.KG
Mayor of Bishkek Aibek Dzhunushaliev visited the nursery of the municipal enterprise Bishkekzelenstroy on Botaliev Street and inspected the available planting material. According to the City Hall’s press service, around 50,000 planting units have been delivered to the nursery, and 30,000 saplings o»»»
How UAE community helped raise millions for captains through Careem’s tip-matching campaign
Dubai: In a powerful example of community giving, the UAE public have helped raise nearly Dh6 million for delivery riders, drivers, and taxi captains through a Ramadan campaign launched by Careem. Called "Tip Matching" initiative, the Everything application has maximised customer contributions by m»»»
RBI clears Emirates NBD entry into RBL Bank in landmark deal
Dubai: Emirates NBD has secured green light to move ahead with its planned acquisition of a majority stake in India’s RBL Bank, setting the stage for one of the largest cross-border deals in the country’s banking sector. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Reserve Bank»»»
Aldabaiba and Takala discuss Unified Development Programme
During a meeting last Wednesday (1 April) at his Tripoli Cabinet Office, Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba, discussed with the President of the High State Council, Mohammed Takala, the Unified Development Programme. The meeting also addressed the latest political developmen»»»
Paris police ban annual French Muslim event over ‘major terrorist risk’ from far-right groups
The Annual Gathering of the Muslims of France, which was supposed to run from Friday to Monday, has been banned due to a "major terrorist risk" that it might be targeted by "small far-right groups", Paris police said. The ban order noted that the event was "taking place in a particularly tense»»»
Myanmar’s parliament elects coup-leading general as civilian president
Myanmar's pro-army parliament on Friday elected Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as president days after he relinquished his top military post, as required by the constitution, and passed it to the country's former spymaster. Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the 2021 coup, was elected after an ele»»»
Over 530 kg of Food Banned near Dimitrovgrad Due to Lack of Origin and Expiry Information
More than 530 kilograms of meat, dairy products, semi-processed foods, as well as non-animal-origin foods and additives for meat production have been placed under a ban in the village of Radievo, near Dimitrovgrad (Southern Bulgaria), the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency said on Friday. The products, l»»»
Philippines: Solar loan turns sun's power into a salary deduction — how to apply
Manila: The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the $32.4-billion pension fund for state workers, has introduced the "Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan" (GSEL), which could potentially rewire how millions of Filipinos think about paying for electricity. Under this loan programme, GSIS extends the m»»»
'Dubai is my city' says celebrity pianist Omar Harfouch ahead of UAE concert to spotlight safety and counter fake news
Dubai: Legendary Franco-Lebanese pianist Omar Harfouch, fresh from performing in some of the world’s most powerful rooms, is a man on a mission in Dubai. A few days ago, he had played for Pope Francis at the Vatican, and just before that, his Concerto for Peace was staged at Mar-a-Lago, the estate »»»
No Chance for GERB to Form Coalition with MRF, Leader Borissov Says
Presenting GERB-UDF's governance programme Bulgaria 2030 here on Friday, GERB leader Boyko Borissov said there is no chance for his party to form a coalition with Delyan Peevski's Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF). "We brought down a government over this. How can they even mention our names in»»»
Central Bank of Egypt maintains current interest rates
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) decided in its meeting on Thursday, to keep the key interest rates unchanged. Consequently, the overnight deposit rate, overnight lending rate, and the rate of the main operation remain fixed at 19.00 percent, 20.00 percent, and»»»
Kyrgyz farmers to be supplied with high-quality vaccines - | 24.KG
On the instructions of President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers — Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry Erlist Akunbekov led a delegation to the All-Russian Research Institute for Animal Health, which operates under Rosselkhoznadz»»»
Swedish coast guard boards suspected false-flagged tanker
Stockholm, Sweden: Sweden's coast guard said it boarded a vessel subjected to EU sanctions on Friday April, 3, 2026, suspecting it of an environmental crime after an oil spill in the Baltic Sea. The Flora 1 tanker vessel was boarded after an oil spill stretching 12 kilometres was detected early Thu»»»
'Breathtaking': Artemis Astronauts Blast towards Moon
Four Artemis astronauts were zooming towards the Moon late Thursday after a major engine firing, a milestone that commits NASA to the first crewed lunar flyby in more than half a century. With enough thrust to accelerate a stationary car to highway driving speed in less than three seconds, the Orio»»»
Europe’s reliance on US arms ‘a liability’, defence expert says
Over the past year, European NATO countries have reduced their reliance on the US for weapons imports while significantly boosting their defence spending. Speaking to FRANCE 24’s Sharon Gaffney, Guntram Wolff, Senior Fellow at Bruegel, said: "any weapon we buy as Europeans from the United States is»»»
Aldabaiba instructs CBL to terminate Arkenu Oil Company’s oil sales agreement
The Tripoli based Libyan government, led by Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba, issued a directive yesterday, leaked to local media, instructing the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) to terminate the development agreement signed between the Arabian Gulf Oil Company (AGOCO) and the controversial Arkenu Oil Company. Th»»»
Artemis II leaves Earth orbit for first time in 50 yeas en route to moon - UPI.com
1 of 2 | A view of the Earth's horizon from NASA's Orion spacecraft as it orbits above the planet during the first hours of the Artemis II test flight. Photo by NASA/UPI | License Photo April 3 (UPI) -- NASA's Artemis II crew left Earth orbit Thursday evening en route for the moon, marking a milest»»»
Emirates Environmental Group honours 52 entities as UAE deepens net zero and circular economy drive
Dubai: The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) hosted its 29th Annual Corporate Gala Dinner, a distinguished evening dedicated to recognising sustainability leadership, strengthening partnerships and reaffirming the UAE’s steadfast commitment to environmental progress. Held under the gracious patron»»»
‘Israel’ Backs Down from Disarming Hezbollah: Enemy Army Says Goal “Unrealistic” - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe ‘Israel’ Backs Down from Disarming Hezbollah: Enemy Army Says Goal “Unrealistic” 03-04-2026 12:57 PM Israeli occupation forces at Lebanese »»»
Ukraine Says Russia Fired Hundreds of Drones, Missiles in ‘Massive’ Daytime Attack
Kyiv and its surrounding region on Friday faced pummeling by Russian missiles and drones, officials said, the latest in an increasing number of daytime attacks on Ukraine. "The Kyiv region is once again under a massive enemy missile and drone attack," said regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk. One pe»»»
Media Review: April 3
ECONOMY – ENERGY The media cover the requested price increases by heating utilities. Trud: Bulgarian district heating companies have requested significant price increases for heating and hot water starting July 1, 2026, with Toplofikatsia Sofia seeking a nearly 30% hike and Toplofikatsia Veliko Tar»»»
Caretaker Cabinet Submits Fourth Payment Request under Recovery and Resilience Plan Worth EUR 900 Mln
The caretaker government has submitted to the European Commission the fourth payment request under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), amounting to EUR 900 million, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for European Funding Maria Nedina told a briefing here on Friday. The funds will support»»»
Pakistan fuel prices spike over 50% as oil shock hits households
Dubai: Pakistan has sharply increased petrol and diesel prices, passing on the impact of surging global oil costs linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, in a move that is expected to hit households and transport costs almost immediately. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheque»»»
Ukraine Loses 2,545 Soldiers to Russian Forces Over Past Week - MoD
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine lost over 2,545 soldiers in combat against Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr over the past week, in addition to losses in manpower and equipment on other fronts, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. "In total, the enemy lost over 2,545 servicepeople, four tanks, includi»»»
Good Friday and Easter explained: The meaning behind Christianity’s holiest days
Dubai: Good Friday and Easter are important days in the Christian calendar, observed by millions around the world. They mark two connected events, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, and his resurrection three days later on Easter Sunday. This year, Good Friday falls on April 3 for Cath»»»
Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threat to Iran: A war phrase with a long past
US President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Iran “into the Stone Age” has revived one of the most stark and controversial phrases in the language of modern warfare, drawing sharp reactions from Tehran and renewed scrutiny of what such rhetoric signals. In a televised address, Trump said the US would»»»
Strait of Hormuz won’t return to the pre-war status quo – Iranian official
The Strait of Hormuz will not return to the status quo enjoyed before the US-Israeli war against Iran, a security official has told RT. The waterway, through which around 20% of seaborne crude oil trade passes, remains effectively closed due to the fighting during the past month. The deadlock has c»»»
Trump mocks European leaders over Iran stance
US President Donald Trump has lashed out at NATO and key European leaders, deepening tensions within the bloc over the war against Iran. According to the Financial Times, Washington has also threatened to curb weapons supplies to Ukraine to pressure European countries into involvement in the war in»»»
When will Artemis II reach the Moon?
NASA launched its first crewed lunar flight in more than 50 years on Wednesday, as the Artemis II mission began with liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission comes at the dawning of a new age of competition in space. What is Artemis II?Artemis II is the second mission in NASA’s»»»
Lebanon's displaced face rising hostility as airstrikes fuel fear and evictions
When the Israel- Hezbollah war broke out in early March, Hussein Shuman fled the heavy bombardment of the southern suburbs of Beirut, but he didn't bother trying to rent an apartment elsewhere. In areas deemed "safe" because the Lebanese militant group has no presence, he feels that Shiite Muslims »»»
Bulgarian Vote in the UK Expected to Run Smoothly Despite Fewer Polling Stations
The Bulgarian community in the United Kingdom is preparing for participation in the upcoming general election, with no major disruptions expected on voting day despite concerns linked to the reduced number of polling stations. A total of 28 polling stations will be available across the UK, with 15 »»»
Clash between Libya’s religious and secular authorities regarding the permissibility of surcharging for e-payments
A clash is occurring between Libya’s secular and religious orders as to the permissibility of merchants imposing an extra charge for receiving payments, for goods or services, electronically versus in cash. The religious viewLast Wednesday (1 April), the Libyan Fatwa House in Tripoli (Dar Al-Ifta) »»»
Israel says it has struck over 3,500 targets in Lebanon
The Israeli military said Friday it had struck more than 3,500 targets across Lebanon in the month since fighting with Hezbollah began. Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 after Iran-backed Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge the U.S.-Israeli attack that killed Iran's s»»»
Inside Dubai's work from hotel trend: Why UAE residents are shifting from home offices and why its paying off
For some, it is actually difficult to work at home. There's always something to do, a household errand to run, or a doorbell to answer. And so, the line between work and home has blurred. Perhaps that's why, many prefer to work in a hotel. You're comfortable, but somehow, a lot more productive. And»»»
Ghana’s macro rebound signals coordinated policy success as inflation, rates and currency stabilise
Ghana’s central bank governor says a synchronised improvement in key economic indicators reflects coordinated monetary and fiscal policy, as inflation, interest rates, and the currency stabilise after years of crisis. Bank»»»
Ukraine misses IMF reform targets, putting next tranche at risk
Ukraine has failed to meet key reform commitments under its programme with the International Monetary Fund, raising uncertainty over future disbursements despite continued external support, reported Ukraine Business News. »»»
Putin strengthens food supply ties with Egypt, proposes grain and energy hub
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed his government to work on securing food supplies to Egypt, particularly grain shipments, as part of efforts to strengthen strategic ties between the two countries, a Kremlin statement said. »»»
Putin strengthens food supply ties with Egypt, proposes grain and energy hub
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed his government to work on securing food supplies to Egypt, particularly grain shipments, as part of efforts to strengthen strategic ties between the two countries, a Kremlin statement said. »»»
Hormuz Strait Is a Strategic Bottleneck, US Can’t Pry It Open With Military Force: Expert
It’s effectively impossible for the Pentagon to force the critical waterway open “because Iran has the longest shoreline in the Persian Gulf” and the missile and drone capability to control it, says Ankara-based security analyst Dr. Hasan Selim Ozertem. If the US puts boots on the ground, even in s»»»
Iran's former top diplomat urges deal with US to end war
Iran should make a deal with the United States to end the war by offering to curb its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief, a former Iranian foreign minister said. Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served as foreign minister from 2013-2021, claimed in an op-ed fo»»»
Streaming channel for pets launched in China
Beijing, China: Chinese tech giant Tencent has launched a 24-hour streaming channel for pets, offering content to keep cats and dogs entertained while their owners are away. The service, called “PetTV”, is available on Tencent Video and features curated clips such as ducklings swimming and dogs pat»»»
We reached the Moon — so why did we stop dreaming?
It has been more than 50 years since millions of people huddled around black and white TVs to witness Neil Armstrong take ‘one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind’. Those lunar astronauts had never opened a laptop, they hadn’t logged on to the worldwide web and they definitely didn’t kno»»»
Iran’s Former Top Diplomat Urges Deal with US to End War
Iran should make a deal with the United States to end the war by offering to curb its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief, a former Iranian foreign minister said. Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served as foreign minister from 2013-2021, claimed in an op-ed fo»»»
Iraq in Talks with Gulf States on Pipeline Exports beyond Hormuz
Iraq is in talks with Gulf countries to use their pipeline networks to secure alternative oil export routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz, the state oil marketer SOMO said Thursday. The move is part of an emergency strategy by the oil ministry to tap regional infrastructure and bypass maritime chokep»»»
Ombudsman: Topic of Voting Rights for People with Sensory Disabilities Is Sensitive, Has Been Put Off
The issue of voting rights for people with sensory disabilities is a sensitive one that has long been neglected, Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva said at a forum on the electoral rights of people with visual and hearing impairments, held at the Ombudsman Institution in Sofia on Friday. The event focuse»»»
NHIF Supervisory Board Member Dimitrov Says Bulgaria Has Highest Healthcare Top-Up Payments
Bulgaria has the highest out-of-pocket payments in healthcare, Supervisory Board member Grigor Dimitrov of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) said at the 13th National Health Forum on Friday. He said the philosophy behind the management of the healthcare system needs to change. At the forum,»»»
World Food Prices Rose in March as Iran War Lifted Energy Costs, FAO Says
World food prices climbed in March, due largely to higher energy costs linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said on Friday. The FAO Food Price Index, which measures changes in a basket of globally traded food commodities, av»»»
Slight rise in temperatures
Tunis, April 3 (TAP) — The weather will be heavily cloudy with scattered rain over the north. These rains will locally extend to the center in the afternoon and will temporarily become stormy in the far northwest. Winds will blow from the...»»»