Putin, Erdogan Urge Immediate Middle East Ceasefire
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East war during a phone call on Friday, the Kremlin said. The war started over a month ago with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, triggering a conflict throughout the Middle East »»»
Belchin Garden Hotel Offers Four Mineral Water Pools and Year-Round Spa Services
SPA Hotel Belchin Garden offers year-round spa services to its guests, hotel manager Petar Ivanov told BTA. The entire centre uses mineral water and features four pools, both indoor and outdoor. The children’s pool, located outdoors, is heated at 35C. The spa centre also includes a Finnish sauna an»»»
State Policy Must Support Citizens, Says BSP - United Left's Top Candidate in Ruse
The state must support its citizens with solidarity, justice and real solutions, Denitsa Ivanova, top-of-the-list candidate of the BSP - United Left coalition in Ruse, said on Friday. She, together with MP candidate Emil Georgiev, met with representatives of the Union of the Blind in Bulgaria and w»»»
Photo Exhibition of Ukrainian Sculptor's Works Opens on Sofia’s Capital Day
A photo exhibition titled "In the Footsteps of Mykhailo Parashchuk," dedicated to the 147th anniversary since Sofia was declared Bulgaria’s capital, was opened on St Nedelya Square on Friday. Mykhailo Parashchuk was a Ukrainian sculptor and the author of sculptural facades and decorations on buildi»»»
Environment Minister, French Ambassador Discuss Current Topics on Environmental Protection
Caretaker Minister of Environment and Water Julian Popov discussed current topics on environmental protection with the Ambassador of France to Bulgaria Marie Dumoulin, the Ministry's press centre reported on Friday. A topic raised by the French side was the import of batteries and solar panels. Pop»»»
Finance Ministry Revises Inflation, GDP Projections for 2026 Due to Middle East Conflict
The average annual inflation in Bulgaria is expected to reach 4.3% this year, while the annual increase in consumer prices is projected to amount to 5.2% by the end of 2026, according to the spring macroeconomic forecast of the Finance Ministry, published on its website. At the same time, the real »»»
Rising energy prices deepen economic strain in Turkiye: Turkish economists
Istanbul: Turkiye's economy is facing mounting pressure from persistently high global energy prices, as the country relies heavily on imports of oil and gas to meet domestic demand. This dependence has exposed it to global market volatility, driving up production costs, increasing the burden on bus»»»
Ukraine uncovers alleged $17.7 million grain embezzlement scheme, investigators say
An alleged corruption scheme involving the embezzlement of $17.7 million worth of grain has been uncovered in Ukraine, implicating senior officials of a state grain corporation and an unnamed foreign company. The US-backed National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-C»»»
Iranians Urged to Hunt for Crew of Downed US Fighter Jet
Iran authorities urged people living in the rugged southwest of the country to search for the crew of a downed US fighter jet on Friday as state TV broadcast images of what was said to be the mangled remains of the plane. The US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for military operations in the »»»
US Fighter Shot Down Over Iran as Trump Threatens to Hit More Infrastructure
Iran shot down a US warplane on Friday, setting off a search by both sides for surviving crew as the war looked set to intensify with President Donald Trump threatening more attacks on civilian infrastructure. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was combing an area near where the plane came do»»»
Security forces intensify measures to safeguard oil supply routes
Deir Ezzor, Apr. 3 (SANA) Internal security forces have reinforced measures to secure and protect oil tanker trucks convoys departing from al-Omar oil field in Deir Ezzor province and heading toward the city of Banyas, as part of a comprehensive plan to safeguard oil infrastructure and ensure the s»»»
White House Requests Giant $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Amid Iran War
The White House sent a spending proposal to lawmakers Friday calling for a massive $1.5 trillion US defense budget next year as it faces increased costs due to the war in Iran. The total year-on-year increase in Pentagon spending would be the largest since World War II, US media reported, although »»»
10 Dead as Russia Launches New Daytime Attacks on Ukraine
Russian strikes killed at least 10 people in Ukraine on Friday, officials said, as Moscow launched the latest in an increasing number of daytime barrages. Moscow has been firing aerial broadsides at Ukraine throughout its more than four-year invasion, mostly at night, but in recent weeks it has ste»»»
Iran Leaders Join Crowds on Tehran’s Streets to Project Control in Wartime
After more than a month of being stalked by targeted assassinations, Iran's leadership has adopted a new tactic to show it is still in control - with senior officials walking openly in the streets among small crowds who have gathered in support of the regime. In recent days, Iran's president and fo»»»
Madagascar thwarts alleged plot to assassinate president
Antananarivo: Authorities in Madagascar have foiled an alleged assassination plot targeting President Col. Michael Randrianirina. In a televised statement, Madagascar's Attorney General Narindra Navalona Rakotoniaina said preliminary investigations have led to the arrest of 13 individuals, 11 of wh»»»
Serbia's January-February external trade at 11.5 bln euros
BELGRADE - Serbia's January-February 2026 external goods trade totalled 11.5 bln euros, which is a 1.3 pct decline y-o-y, according to figures released by the national statistical office this week. Goods exports were worth 5,291.6 mln euros, rising by 1.6 pct y-o-y, while imports totalled 6,227.9 m»»»
Hegseth’s Pentagon Purge Designed to Prevent a Mutiny: Karen Kwiatkowski
The secretary of war’s dismissal of Army Chief of Staff General Randy George and two other top generals signals intensifying rot in the Department amid the Iran war, former senior DoD insider-turned whistleblower Karen Kwiatkowski says. General George represented “experience in Army battlefield ope»»»
UN Force Says 3 Peacekeepers Wounded in Blast Inside South Lebanon Position
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said a blast hit one of its positions and wounded three peacekeepers on Friday, the third such incident in a week. "This afternoon, an explosion inside a UN position... injured three peacekeepers, two seriously. They are all currently being evacuated to h»»»
Ethiopia secures $13.1bn in deals led by $10bn Ming Yang investment into green ammonia project
Ethiopia has signed investment agreements and memoranda of understanding worth $13.1bn at the Invest in Ethiopia 2026 forum, with the Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia describing the outcome as a boost to investor sentiment, although most commitments remain at an early stage. »»»
Ethiopia secures $13.1bn in deals led by $10bn Ming Yang investment into green ammonia project
Ethiopia has signed investment agreements and memoranda of understanding worth $13.1bn at the Invest in Ethiopia 2026 forum, with the Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia describing the outcome as a boost to investor sentiment, although most commitments remain at an early stage. »»»
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»»»
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. »»»
Nigeria exports 950,000 barrels of new Cawthorne blend crude in first lifting from FSO terminal
State oil company Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has exported 950,000 barrels of a new Cawthorne blend crude, marking the first lifting from the FSO Cawthorne facility — Nigeria’s first new crude oil terminal in 50 years, The Punch reported. »»»
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. »»»
Iran denies US helicopter assault on Kharg Island
Iran denied on April 3 that US forces had carried out a helicopter-borne assault on Kharg Island, the country's main crude oil export hub in the Persian Gulf, Tasnim News Agency reported from the island. Tasnim's correspon»»»
UPDATE: Iranian tribesmen hunt downed US f-15 pilot as Black Hawk allegedly shot down
Armed tribal groups in Iran's Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province have fanned out across mountains and plains searching for the pilot of a US fighter jet Iran claims to have shot down, as American forces launched what appears to be a large-scale search and rescue operation, Tasnim News Agency repor»»»
Iran denies US helicopter assault on Kharg Island
Iran denied on April 3 that US forces had carried out a helicopter-borne assault on Kharg Island, the country's main crude oil export hub in the Persian Gulf, Tasnim News Agency reported from the island. Tasnim's correspon»»»
UPDATE: Iranian tribesmen hunt downed US f-15 pilot as Black Hawk allegedly shot down
Armed tribal groups in Iran's Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province have fanned out across mountains and plains searching for the pilot of a US fighter jet Iran claims to have shot down, as American forces launched what appears to be a large-scale search and rescue operation, Tasnim News Agency repor»»»
Iran denies US helicopter assault on Kharg Island
Iran denied on April 3 that US forces had carried out a helicopter-borne assault on Kharg Island, the country's main crude oil export hub in the Persian Gulf, Tasnim News Agency reported from the island. Tasnim's correspon»»»
UPDATE: Iranian tribesmen hunt downed US f-15 pilot as Black Hawk allegedly shot down
Armed tribal groups in Iran's Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province have fanned out across mountains and plains searching for the pilot of a US fighter jet Iran claims to have shot down, as American forces launched what appears to be a large-scale search and rescue operation, Tasnim News Agency repor»»»
Sweden seizes ship accused of oil spill in the Baltic Sea - UPI.com
Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin speaks during the Swedish-Polish Total Defense Forum at the Museum of the Polish Army in Warsaw, Poland, on March 11. Bohlin said the Swedish coast guard had seized an oil tanker believed to be responsible for a recet oil spill. Photo by Piotr Nowak/»»»
Death exposes theft of psychotropic drugs in Argentine hospitals - UPI.com
The death of an anesthesiologist in Argentina revealed the alleged misuse of hospital medications and triggered an investigation of health professionals for suspected theft of drugs. Photo by Marta Branco/Pexels BUENOS AIRES, April 3 (UPI) -- The death of a young anesthesiologist in Buenos Aires th»»»
Trump requests $1.5 trillion increase in Pentagon budget - UPI.com
1 of 2 | President Donald Trump has requested that Congress increase the Pentagon’s budget by $1.5 trillion while cutting funding to domestic programs for fiscal year 2027 on Friday. Pool Photo by Alex Brandon/UPI | License Photo April 3 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump has requested that Congress i»»»
NATO Chief to Meet Trump Amid Iran Tensions
NATO chief Mark Rutte will meet Donald Trump next week on a visit to Washington, as the US president lashes out at the alliance over the Iran war, NATO said Friday. Trump has suggested he is considering quitting the 77-year-old military alliance due to the response by European nations to his war. T»»»
Guests at Casa Carina Favour Spring and Autumn for Wellness Tourism
Bansko has the potential to become a year-round spa and wellness destination, said Hristina Mihaylova, manager of the Casa Karina hotel complex in the mountain resort, in an interview for BTA. Hotels that operate throughout all seasons are focusing on investment and development outside the peak sea»»»
Russia and Turkiye to Boost Joint Work on Black Sea Security
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed on Friday the implementation of joint strategic energy projects between the two countries, the Kremlin said. "Further steps to expand Russian-Turkish political, trade, and economic ties were also discussed, in par»»»
Beyond Oil: How the Iran Conflict Is Disrupting Pakistan's Critical Labor Exports to the Gulf
Pakistan's economy depends heavily on labor exports to the Gulf, where millions of its citizens work. The Iran war has complicated this, prompting the government to devise a new strategy. In recent years, Pakistan has significantly increased both its labor exports and the volume of remittances that»»»
Qatar and China hold talks on regional tensions, Strait of Hormuz risks
DOHA: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi has discussed escalating regional tensions with Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Qatar HE Cao Xiaolin. Friday's talks in Doha focused on developments related to the ongoing military es»»»
Air quality in Qatar within safe limits: MoECC
DOHA: Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) said air quality levels across the country remain within normal and safe limits, based on continuous monitoring. On its X account, the ministry noted that a nationwide network of monitoring stations tracks air conditions around the clock. Aut»»»
US Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran, Search Underway for Crew, US Official Says
A US fighter jet was shot down over Iran and a search and rescue operation was underway for any survivors, a US official told Reuters on Friday, in the first such known incident since the US launched its war with Iran on February 28. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not o»»»
RSF in Sudan Kill at Least 10 People in Hospital Drone Attack, Medical Group Says
Sudan ’s paramilitary forces killed at least 10 people on Thursday in a drone attack that hit a hospital in the south-central part of the country, said a medical group. Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, said the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, RSF, launched two drone strikes o»»»
Egypt to set up first commodities exchange in 2016
Egypt will set up the Middle East’s first commodities exchange this year as Amman-based Sigma Investments has completed the feasability study at a cost of LE1.3 million, announced Supplies and Internal Trade minister, Khaled Hanafy, on Monday. The plan is to trade eight commodities through 2 millio»»»
Drone and Drone Wing Found in Black Sea Defused by Navy Personnel
A drone and a drone wing found in the Black Sea were defused by servicemen from the Bulgarian Navy, the press center of the Ministry of Defence announced on Friday. The tasks of defusing them were completed on Thursday and Friday. A module from the Naval Base - Burgas conducted reconnaissance and t»»»
Iranian media says US jet shot down, bounty offered for pilot
Tehran: Iran deployed troops and offered a bounty as it launched a hunt for a US pilot whose jet Iranian media said had been downed by the Islamic republic's air defence systems Friday. US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for military operations in the Middle East, did not immediately respond»»»
UAE temperatures to rise up to 5°C in April, NCM says
Abu Dhabi: The UAE is set to see rapidly changing weather conditions throughout April, with temperatures expected to rise gradually across most parts of the country by between three and five degrees compared with March, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). In its monthly outlook, »»»
Qatar and China hold talks on regional tensions, Strait of Hormuz risks
Doha: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi has discussed escalating regional tensions with Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Qatar HE Cao Xiaolin. Friday's talks in Doha focused on developments related to the ongoing military es»»»
President Iotova, Bulgarian MEPs Discuss Need to Actively Uphold Bulgarian Position on North Macedonia's EU Accession
Bulgarian institutions should make more efforts to uphold the national position on the European Union membership of the Republic of North Macedonia. President Iliana iotova and Bulgarian MEPs rallied around the idea during a meeting on Friday, the press office of the head of state said. The meeting»»»
Predictability Is Key in Applying Measures Linked to Mideast Crisis Impact on Bulgaria, PM Says
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said predictability and a clear time horizon are essential in applying measures related to the impact of the Middle East crisis on Bulgaria. He was speaking at a meeting of the task force monitoring and controlling the prices of goods and fuels in response to t»»»
Dubai-born hotel group expands to Morocco with Casablanca launch
Dubai: Dubai-born Leva Hotels has announced its entry into North Africa with a new project in Casablanca. The brand will launch Leva Casablanca this summer through a management agreement with Ismail Oukrid, COO of the Group, Ares Invest, Oukrid Family Office. The property, formerly known as the Was»»»