30 Prosecutorial Case Files Opened against MP Candidates, Cabinet Urges Prosecutors to Act
Thirty prosecutorial case files have been opened against MP candidates for election-related offences, caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev said here Wednesday. He was speaking at a news conference in the Council of Ministers' headquarters, held jointly with Prime Minister Andrey Gurov and Justic»»»
Speaker Mike Johnson struggles to gather GOP votes on FISA extension - UPI.com
President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., are trying to gather support from Republican hardliners to renew the FISA bill for another 18 months. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 15 (UPI) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., delayed a vote Wednesday to r»»»
Egypt’s economy grows 5.3% in first half, finance minister tells investors in Washington
Egypt’s economy expanded by 5.3% in the first half of the current fiscal year, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk told international investors during a meeting in Washington, attributing the growth to private sector investments. Speaking at an open dialogue organised by Jefferies International and Soc»»»
30 Prosecutorial Case Files Opened against MP Candidates, Government Urges Prosecutors to Act
Thirty prosecutorial case files have been opened against MP candidates for election-related offences, caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev said here Wednesday. He was speaking at a news conference in the Council of Ministers' headquarters, held jointly with Prime Minister Andrey Gurov and Justic»»»
Mounting Pressure on Iran Revives the Specter of the 2000 Aden Attack
US author Anne-Marie Slaughter argues in The Chessboard and the Web: Strategies of Connection in a Networked World that the world no longer operates or interacts according to the logic of a traditional chessboard. The old model was linear and two-dimensional, centered on a single objective: topplin»»»
Milei’s approval falls in Argentina as inflation picks up again - UPI.com
Argentine President Javier Milei has to deal with rising inflation as many people say they have yet to feel the benefits of the government's economic reforms. Photo by Matias Martin Campaya/EPA BUENOS AIRES, April 15 (UPI) -- Public discontent with Argentine President Javier Milei is rising as infl»»»
Sharjah to welcome students back to school on Monday
The Sharjah Private Education Authority has announced the resumption of in-person education for all educational institutions in Sharjah from April 20. The authority has also announced that nurseries located in government facilities and commercial buildings in Sharjah will be ready to receive childr»»»
Merz praises Lufthansa on centenary as strikes ruin party
Frankfurt, Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday praised "the strategic importance" of Lufthansa as the German airline giant marked its centenary, but the celebrations were marred by a wave of recent strikes. "Lufthansa provides technical and logistical support for the German government f»»»
Pakistani Delegation Arrives in Tehran in Move to Ease Tensions and Arrange More US-Iran Talks
Pakistan’s army chief arrived Wednesday for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move to ease tensions in the Middle East and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran after almost seven weeks of war. The Pakistani military said the delegation also included the c»»»
Iran Can Go up to Two Months without Oil Exports Before Cutting Output, Analysts Say
Iran can withstand a complete halt in oil exports of up to two months before being forced to curb production, analysts said, after the US began blocking shipping in and out of the country's ports on April 13. The blockade could prevent roughly 2 million barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian crude from r»»»
Mixed feelings in Lebanon over talks with Israel
Lebanese were divided on Wednesday over their government’s decision to pursue rare, direct negotiations with Israel in hopes of ending the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. Some forced to flee their homes and communities in southern Lebanon say they believe Israel’s ground invasion can »»»
30 Prosecutorial Case Files Opened against MP Candidates, It Is Prosecutors' Turn to Act, Government Says
Thirty prosecutorial case files have been opened against MP candidates for election-related offences, caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev said here Wednesday. He was speaking at a news conference in the Council of Ministers' headquarters, held jointly with Prime Minister Andrey Gurov and Justic»»»
Leftist gains in race to presidential runoff in Peru; count continues - UPI.com
Roberto Sanchez, presidential candidate for the Juntos por el Peru party, speaks during a press conference in Lima, Peru, on Monday. Sanchez has moved into second place in the voting, which continues and will lead to a runoff June 7. Photo by John Reyes Mejia/EPA April 15 (UPI) -- Leftist candidate»»»
Maine passes ban on new data centers for 1.5 years, adds study options - UPI.com
Maine Gov. Janet Mills could sign a law that would put a moratorium on new, large data centers in the state for 1.5 years. File Photo by CJ Gunther April 15 (UPI) -- Maine became the first state to pass a ban on new, large data centers on Tuesday. The bill passed both state houses and now must be s»»»
Trump says he has list of candidates for Supreme Court - UPI.com
1 of 4 | Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito attend a private ceremony for retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor before public repose in the Great Hall at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 18, 2023. File Pool pho»»»
Orbán’s Patriots group try but fail to block rule-of-law crackdown in new EU budget
Viktor Orbán’s far-right Patriots for Europe (PfE) bloc in the European Parliament opposed measures aimed at tackling rule-of-law breaches in the EU’s forthcoming long-term budget. “We cannot agree to the conditionality mechanism which is used for political purposes,” said Tomasz Buczek, a Polish P»»»
Bain Capital sets up Abu Dhabi base for regional deals
Dubai: Bain Capital has opened an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market, expanding its presence in the Middle East and strengthening access to regional investors and deal opportunities. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The office will support capital raising from regional i»»»
Getting the best out of distance learning
Distance learning has, in recent times, become an essential means of ensuring continuity in education. While it can never fully replicate the richness of face-to-face classroom experiences, it has demonstrated that meaningful learning can continue even in challenging circumstances when schools, stu»»»
Trump again threatens to fire Powell if he doesn't step down - UPI.com
Chair of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference at the Federal Reserve on March 18. Trump has once again threatened to fire Powell. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 15 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump again threatened to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerom»»»
The Iran war is causing a fertilizer crisis for India's farm
Danish Pandit in HaryanaIndia's small farmers are facing fertilizer shortages tied to the war in Iran and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. What could delayed deliveries mean for farmers and their livelihoods? https://p.dw.com/p/5CEKXAdvertisementIndia’s small-scale farmers are facing a growing »»»
Trump says Iran war 'very close to being over'
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated peace talks with Tehran could resume this week, as the United States turned the screws Wednesday with a naval blockade it said had cut off maritime trade with Iran. Trump's hint came as Israel and Lebanon agreed to open direct negotiations after a rare face»»»
Hezbollah Escalates Politically and Militarily Over Lebanon-Israel Talks
Hezbollah is responding to direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, under US sponsorship, on two tracks: political and military. Politically, it is disavowing the talks and calling on the state to “reconsider its decision to negotiate with Israel,” describing the move as one that “will deepe»»»
Justice Department officials turned away in visit to the Fed - UPI.com
1 of 3 | U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro sent Justice Department prosecutors to the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday but they were turned away from entering to inspect renovations. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 15 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro se»»»
World Bank to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Plays a Central Role in Stabilizing Energy Markets
At a time when waves of geopolitical tensions disrupt the stability of vital maritime corridors, fundamental questions are emerging about the ability of major economic ambitions in the Gulf to withstand the test of the Strait of Hormuz, which represents an indispensable “lifeline” for the global ec»»»
Chaired by Saudi Crown Prince, PIF Board of Directors Approves PIF 2026-2030 Strategy
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) Board of Directors, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has approved PIF’s 2026-2030 strategy, a continuation of the fund’s long-term strategy that will focus on delivering competitive domestic ecosystems to »»»
Centre for Analysis and Marketing: Three Million People to Vote in April 19 Elections, Five Parties Set to Enter Parliament
Around three million Bulgarians are expected to vote in the snap parliamentary elections on April 19, with five political formations set to cross the 4% electoral threshold and one hovering on it. Compared with the last election in October 2024, between 200,000 and 300,000 more people are likely to»»»
Ghost ships, spoofing tactics test US in Strait of Hormuz
Dubai: Ships linked to Iran are increasingly adopting “ghost” tactics — going dark, spoofing identities and masking movements — in a bid to evade the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a shift toward more cautious and covert operations at sea. Maritime intelligence experts say a »»»
Non-Communicable Diseases - Major Public Health Challenge for Bulgaria, Causing Economic and Social Damage
In Bulgaria, 52% of all premature deaths (i.e. deaths before the age of 75) are attributable to four non-communicable diseases (NCDs), shows a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published here on Wednesday. This includes 20% due to cancer, 28% due to cardiov»»»
US-Iran war ‘very close to being over’ – Donald Trump
The conflict between the US and Iran is close to being settled, President Donald Trump has claimed, adding that the second round of peace talks between the two sides could take place in the next few days. The US president gave interviews to several outlets on Tuesday, where he detailed Washington’s»»»
Ex-Defense Minister: Bulgaria's MiG-29s Not in Good Condition, F-16s Still Not Combat Ready
Former Defense Minister Prof. Todor Tagarev has commented on Bulgaria’s military aviation situation, noting concerns about the condition of the country’s current fighter fleet and the pace at which new aircraft are being integrated. In an interview with News.bg, Tagarev said it would be “very stran»»»
Iran Warns US Naval Blockade Could Trigger Ceasefire Collapse
Commander of Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Air Defense Base Major General Ali Abdollahi warned on Tuesday that the continued US naval blockade and threats against Iranian vessels would amount to a prelude to breaching the ceasefire, raising the risk of renewed escalation. In remarks carried by Iranian me»»»
Iran’s Top General Warns US over Illegal Naval Blockade in Persian Gulf
Iran’s top military commander, Major General Ali Abdollahi, has issued a stern warning to the United States, stating that any attempt to block maritime trade in the Persian Gulf or Sea of Oman would be met with decisive action. In remarks made on Wednesday, Abdollahi, the commander of Khatam al-Anb»»»
Bulgarian PM: “Huge Amount of Counterfeit Euros” Planned for Election Interference
Acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov has warned that authorities have received intelligence about a significant volume of counterfeit euros allegedly intended for use in vote-buying schemes ahead of the elections. At a briefing of the Coordination Council on election preparations, Gyurov said the In»»»
Bulgarian PM: “Huge Amount of Counterfeit Euros” Planned for Election Interference
Acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov has warned that authorities have received intelligence about a significant volume of counterfeit euros allegedly intended for use in vote-buying schemes ahead of the elections. At a briefing of the Coordination Council on election preparations, Gyurov said the In»»»
In Dearborn, a large Lebanese American population lives in constant worry
Eighteen months after the nation's largest Arab American community helped propel Donald Trump to a second term as president, the prayers have not stopped. In Dearborn, just outside of Detroit, families wait restlessly for word from relatives abroad, hoping they are safe, and mourning those already »»»
EU set to roll out age-check app as global push to protect children grows
Brussels: The European Union is set to roll out a new age-verification app for online platforms, as governments worldwide step up efforts to shield children from harmful content and curb access to social media. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the app is “technically ready” a»»»
Children killed in Lebanon as Israel strikes homes far from front lines of war
Jawad Younes, 11, and his cousins were playing soccer in the lot between their houses, as they often did. His little brother, 4-year-old Mehdi, had joined them but grew tired, so Jawad took him home and handed him off to their mother before returning to the game. Minutes later, an Israeli strike ca»»»
CBSE class 10 results declared: Here’s how to check scores
India’s Central Board of Secondary Education declared the Class 10 board examination 2026 (Session 1) results on Wednesday. Students can check their results on the official websites - cbse.gov.in and results.cbse.nic.in - as well as on the UMANG app and DigiLocker. More than 13,600 students in UAE »»»
Iran military warns will block Red Sea if US naval blockade continues
Iran's military warned on Wednesday it would block trade through the Red Sea, along with the Gulf and Sea of Oman, if the U.S. naval blockade continues. In a statement carried by Iranian state television, the head of Iran's military central command center said if the U.S. continues with its blockad»»»
[Interview] Ivan Krastev: The ‘West’ of the Cold War-era will not return
First published in Respekt. Defending the status quo cannot be exciting for anyone. Europe must be able to imagine a society that is better than ours and see opportunities even where there are objectively many risks. Where do you think the world is heading? In 1643, an English Protestant priest tol»»»
New UAE tax law changes come into effect, fines slashed
New provisions on administrative penalties imposed for violations of tax laws in the UAE have come into effect. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) announced that Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025 amending certain provisions of Cabinet Decision No. 40 of 2017 had entered into force on April 14. The deci»»»
Vucic: I proposed adoption of robotisation strategy for Serbian Armed Forces
BELGRADE - Speaking to reporters after a meeting with top-ranking Ministry of Defence and army officials, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday he had proposed the preparation and adoption of a robotisation strategy for the Serbian Armed Forces and the establishment of a unit equippe»»»
GERB Presents Education Development Programme in Plovdiv
MP candidates of GERB-UDF Yordanka Fandakova and Krasimir Valchev, alongside Plovdiv Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, Deputy Mayor Vladimir Temelkov, and educational institutions representatives attended a roundtable discussion on education in Plovdiv, the coalition’s press centre reported Wednesday. Openi»»»
Media Review: April 15
Wednesday’s Bulgarian media coverage is dominated by the April 19 parliamentary elections, with outlets focusing on coalition arithmetic, vote-buying and the possibility that the Hemus Motorway tunnel blockage was a political provocation. Energy security also remains high on the agenda after Washin»»»
'The UAE dream': How Indian expat built an eyewear label in Dubai doubling as a community space
Dubai: Tucked away in one of Alserkal Avenue’s lanes, Swey Collective doesn’t look like your typical retail space. Housed inside a repurposed container, the store leans into an edgy, stripped-back aesthetic, metallic, clean lines, and a steady flow of creatives filtering in and out. Gulf News talke»»»
Iran War Promises Green Edge for Asia as Plastic Packaging Runs Short
An "eco-friendly" range of paper tubes and pouches touted by Yonwoo, a South Korean maker of packaging for cosmetics, has reaped unexpected benefit from the Iran war, which has disrupted supplies of the plastic needed to turn out single-use wrapping. While the conflict has sent prices of plastic so»»»
Investing in Gold in Times of Conflict: Safe Haven or Risky Bet?
Why did gold suffer its sharpest fall since 2008? Investors saw the Middle East conflict not as a normal geopolitical event, but as the start of a new inflation shock, increasing expectations that central banks would keep interest rates higher for longer. That was negative for gold. As US Treasury »»»
UAE Central Bank to develop e-KYC platform
Abu Dhabi: The UAE Central Bank is developing a nationwide unified Know Your Customer (eKYC) platform, following the signing of a technical partnership agreement with the global technology company Norbloc AB. The platform will address challenges arising from the duplication of customer due diligenc»»»
China's Gordian knot: why it has no good options in Iran
Since the US and Israel waged war on Iran on 28 February, China has issued a cascade of diplomatic communiqués condemning the strikes, calling for a ceasefire, invoking UN Charter principles, and proposing a joint five-point peace initiative with Pakistan. Not a single weapon has followed. Not a wa»»»
Saudi Arabia Leads Gulf Growth at 3.1%
The International Monetary Fund cut its 2026 growth forecasts for Gulf economies, citing uneven exposure to energy markets and trade disruptions, as well as differing access to alternative oil export routes. Saudi Arabia is expected to lead regional growth at about 3.1 percent this year, supported »»»