Moldova carves out niche in growing medical tourism sector
In the last few years, Moldova has emerged as an unexpected new destination for medical tourists, attracting patients from across Europe and beyond. Over 36,000 international patients come to the country every year, 60% of»»»
Moldova’s GDP up 2.4% y/y in 2025 after robust growth in H2
Moldova’s economy expanded by 2.4% y/y in 2025, supported by a strong recovery in the second half of the year after a weak start (chart), according to national statistics data. In Q4 alone, GDP increased by 3.6% y/y, altho»»»
EXCLUSIVE: Cyprus acts as a “third force” in EU sanctions extension vote
EU presidency chair Cyprus has changed its stance on lifting EU sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and now opposes it due to historical disputes with Turkey, a bne IntelliNews source familiar with the Coreper discussions in the EU on March 13. »»»
EXCLUSIVE: Cyprus acts as a “third force” in EU sanctions extension vote
EU presidency chair Cyprus has changed its stance on lifting EU sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and now opposes it due to historical disputes with Turkey, a bne IntelliNews source familiar with the Coreper discussions in the EU on March 13. »»»
Russia’s nuclear exports a flourishing geopolitical asset, after four years of Ukraine war
Four years after the invasion of Ukraine triggered sweeping Western sanctions, Russia has managed to preserve one of its most important channels of global influence: civil nuclear exports. Russia’s nuclear exports are boom»»»
EXCLUSIVE: Cyprus acts as a “third force” in EU sanctions extension vote
EU presidency chair Cyprus has changed its stance on lifting EU sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and now opposes it due to historical disputes with Turkey, a bne IntelliNews source familiar with the Coreper discussions in the EU on March 13. »»»
Fake Images, Videos in Wartime: How to Tell Fact from Deepfakes
As tensions escalate across several fronts in the Middle East, information is spreading almost as quickly as the events themselves. Social media platforms are often the first place where images, videos, and reports of alleged attacks or military developments appear. But alongside legitimate informa»»»
Global shipping industry caught in storm of war
PARIS, France — For anyone in the import business, the economic risks from the war in the Middle East arrive by sea -- and that goes for everyone who buys their products, too.As the war rages into its third week, the effective closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz has upended not just the oil »»»
FBI opens terrorism investigation after deadly shooting at Virginia university
The FBI opened a terrorism investigation after a gunman opened fire Thursday at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, killing one person and wounding two US Army personnel, officials said. The suspect, previously convicted of aiding terrorists, was subdued by ROTC students after entering a »»»
Cuba says it held recent talks with US aimed at resolving 'differences'
Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel said on Friday that officials held recent talks with the US aiming to resolve "differences" between the two countries. The US is currently maintaining an energy blockade on Cuba which has affected communications, education and transportation and seen millions»»»
Macron says officer killed in Iraq as pro-Iran group vows to target French interests
A French officer was killed in a Shahed drone attack in Iraq, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Earlier the Iran-backed Iraqi group, Ashab Alkahf, warned that French interests in the region were now targets after the arrival of a French air»»»
Israel pounds Lebanon as US deploys more Marines to Middle East
US media reported on Friday that roughly 2,500 Marines and at least one amphibious assault ship are headed for the Middle East. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said on Friday it had carried out around 7,600 strikes in Iran and 1,100 in Lebanon since launching its joint operation with the US a»»»
Israel widens Lebanon bombing campaign to target north and central Beirut
Israel continued its bombing campaign in Lebanon early Friday, expanding attacks on the capital Beirut beyond the southern suburbs and into the north and centre of the city. FRANCE 24's senior reporter Catherine Norris-Trent reports from Beirut.»»»
Spotlight - 'Mental, subjective impact': Iran taking on 'American might' with cyberterrorism
François Picard is pleased to welcome Farad Khajkvar, Director of Studies at the School of Higher Studies, EHESS, author of the forthcoming book in French, Iran: The End of Totalitarianism. He sees today’s Iran as a system in which religion has become subordinate to politics, and politics itself is»»»
Iran's new supreme leader 'likely disfigured', US defence chief says
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded and "likely disfigured", casting doubt on his ability to lead after nearly two weeks of conflict. Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is wounded and likely disfigured, US De»»»
Mideast war puts Lebanon's patients and hospitals at risk
Beirut – As Israel steps up its bombing campaign on Lebanon, many hospitals have had to close, leaving only a handful of healthcare facilities still operating. For patients with chronic illnesses — and the doctors and nurses treating them — every trip to the hospital now carries»»»
As 800,000 flee, half of Lebanon lives in war zones without markets, supplies or healthcare
Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Hassan Al-Sayed. Field Coordinator for the NGO Solidarités International, joining us from Saida in southern Lebanon, a city that has rapidly transformed into a refuge for hundreds of thousands displaced. A significant proportion of the population remains trapped i»»»
'Unacceptable': Drone strike kills French soldier in Iraq's Kurdistan region
France’s armed forces ministry on Friday said a drone strike killed a French soldier and wounded six others in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region. President Emmanuel Macron described the attack as "unacceptable" and insisted Paris’s role in the Middle East war remained strictly defensive. A drone s»»»
The World This Week - Iran: A 'Nepo-Ayatollah', the 'Hubris trap" & the costs of a "very complete war"
It’s been a week that’s seen a new Ayatollah proclaimed in Iran. Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, has not been seen in public and is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being injured in the same strike that killed his father. State television showed crowd»»»
Eye on Africa - Cocaine bound for Europe increasingly routed through West Africa
In tonight’s edition: a new report warns that trafficking routes from Latin America to Europe are increasingly passing through West Africa. The new US ambassador to South Africa has backtracked on his criticism of the "Kill the Boer" chant. And more than a month after Cyclone Gezani devastated east»»»
Focus - Housing crisis at heart of local elections: Residents squeezed in Biarritz
Housing is always a key issue in political campaigns, and it’s no different in these local elections – it may be the top concern on voters’ minds. For this edition, we head to the Basque Country in south-west France, where the picturesque coast has become a tourist hotspot. While tourism bring»»»
The race for Paris: Why France’s capital has likely gone green for good
With France preparing to vote in the first round of the municipal elections on Sunday, Paris has become a battleground between left- and right-wing forces fighting to shape the capital’s future. But while conservatives once fought tooth and nail against the left’s dream of a city of more trees and »»»
Pakistan air strikes hit Kabul and Afghan border provinces, killing several
Afghan authorities said Friday that Pakistani air strikes hit Kabul and border provinces overnight, killing six people in the capital. A Pakistani security official confirmed the operation, saying it targeted the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). Islamabad has stepped up strikes in Afghanistan amid rising m»»»
Revisited - South Korea: The forgotten Jeju uprising and massacre
Nearly 80 years ago, a brutal crackdown on Jeju Island in southern Korea claimed tens of thousands of lives. In the aftermath of World War II, the Korean peninsula was drawn into the Cold War and divided in two: a Soviet-backed regime in the North, and a US-supported nationalist government in the S»»»
'Hate-watch classic' War of the Worlds sweeps Razzie Awards
Last year's War of the Worlds – starring Ice Cube as a man who must save humanity from an alien invasion without leaving his desk – has swept the board at this year's Razzie Awards, for the worst films of 2025. As Hollywood gears up to honour the year's best films at the Oscars on Sunday, the Prime»»»
Russia is wrong to think Iran war will offer respite on Ukraine, Macron says
Russia is wrong to think the war in Iran will give it respite in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. The leaders were meeting for talks on ways to increase pressure on Russia, including increasi»»»
US allows sale of Russian oil at sea as Middle East war sends energy prices soaring
The United States will temporarily allow the sale of Russian oil already at sea, the Treasury Department said on Thursday, as energy prices surged after US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered war in the Middle East. The license permits cargoes loaded by March 12 to be delivered and sold until April 1»»»
EU backs ban on AI-generated sexualised deepfakes after Grok backlash
EU states on Friday supported new rules banning AI tools that generate sexualised deepfakes, following a backlash over images made with Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok. EU nations on Friday backed a ban on AI systems generating sexualised deepfakes, after an outcry over such images produced by Elon Mus»»»
Talking Europe - Iran conflict: EU walks diplomatic tightrope between rule of law and support for democracy
The EU is in a bind. EU institutions and many member states have condemned the Iranian government’s waves of repression against its own population. At the same time, the EU has said it would welcome a more democratic form of government in Iran. At the same time, it does not want to appear too close»»»
Talking Europe - Middle East war having 'huge impact' on EU economy: Commissioner Christophe Hansen
It’s no secret that farmers across the EU have grown increasingly frustrated with the state of their industry. Profitability is falling, competition from abroad is fierce, and worries about paperwork and bureaucracy continue to mount. Fewer young people are taking over the family farm, opting for o»»»
Russia summons UK, French envoys over Ukraine Storm Shadow missile strike
Russia on Friday said it summoned the United Kingdom and France ambassadors to protest a Ukrainian strike using Storm Shadow missiles on a factory in Bryansk, calling it a provocation that could undermine peace efforts. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that it had summoned the British »»»
People & Profit - Ireland’s deputy PM warns of ‘near-existential moment’ for EU amid global turmoil
The European Union is facing an “almost existential moment” as it seeks to weather global turmoil. That is the warning from Ireland’s Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris. He says the current conflict in the Middle East serves as “a stark reminder of how Europe must become much more ener»»»
K&H focuses on digitalisation, AI as digital banking grows in Hungary
Hungarian lender K&H Group is deepening its push into integrated digital services and artificial intelligence (AI) as customers increasingly expect banking to match the speed and simplicity of major online platforms. D»»»
Viktor Orban claims Ukraine plotted attacks on his family but experts say latest video is likely AI-generated
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused Ukrainians of plotting to attack his family, but security analysts say the footage showing a former Ukrainian military person is likely manipulated and part of a broader disinformation campaign ahead of Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary elections. »»»
EXCLUSIVE: Cyprus acts as a “third force” in EU sanctions extension vote
EU presidency chair Cyprus has changed its stance on lifting EU sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and now opposes it due to historical disputes with Turkey, a bne IntelliNews source familiar with the Coreper discussions in the EU on March 13. »»»
UAE flight status March 14: Updated schedules, destinations and travel advisory
UAE carriers are running reduced flight schedules due to regional airspace limitations. Passengers are advised to check flight status before travelling and to only go to the airport with a confirmed booking. Emirates, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, and Air Arabia have all updated their operations, provi»»»
Cabinet amends procedure for exempting goods from FEZ from VAT - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan amended Resolution No. 23 of January 17, 2025, regulating measures to implement Article 430 of the Tax Code. The corresponding document was signed by Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev. The amendments concern the procedure for including go»»»
US‑Israel war with Iran Day 15: What you need to know
Debris from a missile interception struck the facade of a building in central Dubai, though authorities confirmed no injuries or fire. Officials warned residents to avoid fallen debris and arrested dozens for filming incidents or sharing misleading videos online. Meanwhile, UAE aviation is graduall»»»
Adylbek Kasymaliev visits several social facilities in Tyup district - | 24.KG
During a working visit to Issyk-Kul region, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev visited several social facilities in Tyup district. The Cabinet of Ministers’ press service reported. In the village of Tyup, he visited a secondary school, which has been recently reno»»»
Debris from missile interception hits Dubai building, no injuries reported
Dubai: Debris from a missile successfully intercepted by air defence systems struck the facade of a building in central Dubai on Saturday morning, authorities confirmed. The Dubai Media Office said the incident was fully contained, with no fire or injuries reported. Stay updated: Get the latest fas»»»
Philippines: Coal dominates power generation, while oil is only at 1% — so why are electricity rates rising?
Manila: Following the massive jump in oil prices due to the tanker squeeze in the Strait of Hormuz, the Philippines' power distribution giant Meralco has announced an additional electricity charge. And this does not yet include the effect of the current crisis in the Middle East. Where does the ele»»»
Los Angeles asks for investigation into LA28 Olympics chief over Epstein ties
The Los Angeles City Council has unanimously approved a measure urging the Olympics committee to investigate LA 2028 chief Casey Wasserman over ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Wasserman is facing mounting calls to leave the post after disclosures surfaced showing that he flew on Epstein's jet a»»»
UAE weekend weather: Temperatures rise, chance of rain midweek
Dubai: Fair to partly cloudy conditions are expected across the UAE on Saturday, with humid weather forecast overnight and into Sunday morning in some coastal areas, where fog or mist may form, according to the National Centre of Meteorology. Light to moderate winds are expected, occasionally fresh»»»
UAE arrests 10 for posting interception videos and fake AI clips targeting national security
UAE Attorney-General Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has ordered the arrest of 10 defendants of various nationalities for publishing misleading and fabricated video clips on social media platforms. The accused have been referred to urgent trial following investigations into content circulated online amid o»»»
World’s richest nations ranked by natural resources — where Iran, US, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, China, India, Congo and the Philippines stand
In an era where energy security and mineral dominance shape international alliances, a fresh compilation of data has unveiled the world's wealthiest nations — not by GDP, but by the staggering value of their untapped natural resources. Drawing from authoritative sources like the World Bank, IMF, an»»»
Explosion shakes Tehran amid state-organized rally after Israeli warning – Ya Libnan
Share: PHOTO – Smoke rises following an explosion during a protest marking the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, on March 13, 2026. © Mohammad Mahdi Dehghani, Reuters A blast rocked a major pr»»»
Trump advisor banned by Lula from visiting Brazil - UPI.com
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had a Trump administration advisor's visa canceled over a planned visit to jailed former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after losing his re-election race. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo »»»
PM Netanyahu appoints Dermer to lead peace talks with US and Lebanon – Ya Libnan
Share: By Ali Hussein, Lebanese Political Analyst Israeli Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tapped former minister and longtime aide Ron Dermer to handle the Lebanon file for the duration of the ongoing Mideast war. Dermer will reportedly be leading the talks with the U»»»
African Growth Could Drop 3% Due to Fuel Shortages from US-Israeli War on Iran
Nairobi, March 14 (SANA) The CEO of the Regional Association of Energy Regulators in East and Southern Africa, Geoffrey Aori, warned that continued fuel shortages caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran could reduce economic growth in Africa by up to three percentage points. AFP reported Aori as sayin»»»
Is Dubai's glossy image under threat? Not everyone thinks so
Stephanie Baker had been celebrating her birthday with friends at a bar on Palm Jumeirah - Dubai's iconic man-made palm-shaped island lined with luxury hotels and beach clubs. But as the group stepped outside to head to another nearby venue, something unusual streaked across the night sky. Moments »»»