Bulgaria’s Tourism Industry Adapts to a Digital-First Traveller
Bulgaria’s tourism sector has never been stronger and has been achieving steady growth for the past few years. The industry has been adjusting to new changes in the market, that of the digital traveller. It is nothing new to say that tourism is shaped by technology, but its influence has grown even»»»
Germany grants new $234mn climate loan to South Africa amid grid strain
Germany has agreed to extend a new €200mn ($234mn) concessional climate loan to South Africa to help finance grid upgrades and renewable energy investment, foreign minister Ronald Lamola said on April 13 after talks with German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Berlin. »»»
Dukhan Bank announces QR1,000,000 Thara’a grand prize winner
Doha, Qatar: Dukhan Bank is pleased to announce that Ahmed AlFateh Mohamed has won QR1,000,000 in the first million‑riyal draw of the 2026 Thara’a campaign. The winner was selected through an electronic draw, conducted under the supervision and in the presence of a representative from the Ministry »»»
Hegseth Announces 'Major' Defense Partnership with Indonesia
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday a "major" defense partnership with Indonesia following a meeting with the Southeast Asian nation's defense minister at the Pentagon. "We are elevating our relationship to a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership, in recognition of the strength and p»»»
Prime Minister receives phone call from Jordan Foreign Minister
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, received a phone call from His Excellency Dr. Ayman Al Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Du»»»
Commercial Bank reports Q1 2026 net profit before Pillar Two Tax of QR538.3m
Doha, Qatar: The Commercial Bank and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) announced yesterday its financial results for the three months ended 31 March 2026. The Group reported Net Profit before Pillar Two Tax of QR538.3m for Q1 2026. The year-on-year movement in profit was supported by resilient operati»»»
EU chief touts electric power strategy as energy crisis bites
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Brussels next week will present plans to tackle high energy costs caused by the Iran war and before the summer will unveil a broader package to boost Europe's electrification, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Monday.The energy crisis has already cost the 27-nation bloc more th»»»
Oil surges, stocks drop as Trump threatens to block Hormuz
LONDON — Oil prices surged and stock markets broadly fell Monday after US-Iran peace talks broke down and President Donald Trump announced a plan to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, ratcheting up fears for Middle East energy supplies.The news dealt a blow to hopes for an end to the six-week co»»»
Kim Jong Un oversees cruise, anti-ship missile tests from warship - UPI.com
North Korea test-fired strategic cruise missiles and anti-warship missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon, state media reported Tuesday. The missile test, as seen in this image, took place Sunday from an undisclosed location. Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL, April 14 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un »»»
DICID roundtable highlights social cohesion as key to crisis resilience
Doha, Qatar: The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) organised a roundtable on strengthening social cohesion and building community resilience in times of crisis, in partnership with the Cultural Village Foundation - Katara and in cooperation with the “Qatar Minna wa Nahnu Min»»»
Middle East war live: US-sanctioned tanker passes Strait of Hormuz despite Trump's blockade
A Chinese tanker sanctioned by the United States passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, shipping data showed, hours after US President Donald Trump vowed to block the chokepoint entirely. Earlier, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah urged Lebanon to pull out of direct »»»
Construction down slightly
Construction output volume, based on both raw and working day adjusted data, was 0.4% lower than a year earlier. Among the main construction groups the construction of buildings increased by 2.2%, that of civil engineering lessened by 6.3%. Based on seasonally and working day adjusted indices const»»»
Al Rayyan fight back to clinch fifth Amir Cup handball title
Doha, Qatar: Al Rayyan were crowned Amir Cup handball champions for the 2025–2026 season after a dramatic 28-26 victory over Al Arabi at Duhail Sports Hall, in a final marked by a stunning comeback. The final was attended by senior dignitaries, including Olympic Council of Asia and Qatar Olympic Co»»»
Al Shamal’s protest after defeat to Qatar SC adds twist to QSL title race
Doha, Qatar: Following a 0-2 defeat to 10-man Qatar SC in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) yesterday, Al Shamal lodged a formal complaint with the Qatar Football Association (QFA), alleging that the opposition fielded an ineligible player. The result at Al Bayt Stadium dealt a major blow to Al Shamal’s»»»
Qatar University webinar highlights ethical use of laboratory animals
Doha: Qatar University (QU), represented by its Laboratory Animal Research Center (LARC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, organised a specialised research webinar on the ethical use of laboratory animals as part of its Animal Research Seminar Series. The event brought together »»»
Philippines: Explosive testimony of Duterte's ex-aide Ramil Madriaga points to misuse of millions of 'intel' funds, money laundering, POGO, drug links
Manila: An explosive testimony of anti-corruption whistleblower and self-proclaimed Duterte "bagman" Ramil Madriaga was heard on Tuesday exposing alleged misuse of hundreds of millions of pesos of "intelligence" funds by the Dutertes via dummy bank accounts, campaign funds from people linked overpr»»»
Driver's license non-recognition rumors spread by corrupt groups — President - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said that reports claiming Kyrgyz driver’s licenses are not recognized abroad are the result of actions by corrupt groups. He made the statement during a meeting with residents of Alai district. According to him, the new-format driver’s licenses are recognized »»»
Crans-Montana mayor says unaware of six-year safety lapse before Swiss bar fire that killed 41
Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud said on Monday he was unaware safety checks had not been conducted for six years at a Swiss ski resort bar where a fire during New Year celebrations killed 41 people. Prosecutors are investigating the blaze, with nine people, including Feraud, under criminal inves»»»
US Says Ball in Iran’s Court as Push Grows to End War
The United States said "the ball is in the Iranian court" on ending the Middle East war, as diplomats accelerated efforts on Tuesday towards a new round of peace talks after weekend negotiations failed to produce a deal. US Vice President JD Vance had left talks hosted by Pakistan on Sunday, saying»»»
France reaffirms Qatar as ‘trusted partner’, pledges continued support
Doha, Qatar: France has reaffirmed Qatar’s position as a “trusted partner” and pledged to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the country, while highlighting the importance of continued mediation and diplomacy to ensure lasting regional stability. Director General for Political and Security Affairs a»»»
Fuel Prices Rise in Bulgaria: Diesel Nears 1.80 Euros, Petrol Also Up
Fuel prices in Bulgaria have continued to edge upward, with diesel and gasoline both registering increases in the days following the Easter holiday. According to market data, the average price of A95 petrol currently stands at around 1.48 euros per liter, while diesel has reached approximately 1.78»»»
Dubai announces major 1 million sq ft Al Jaddaf mixed-use community near Etihad Rail hub
Dubai: Dubai is set to add a major new urban district to its skyline, with Al Ghurair Development unveiling plans for a one-million-square-foot mixed-use masterplan community in Al Jaddaf. The new development, located in Dubai Creek Harbour, will combine homes, offices, hospitality, retail and cult»»»
Russia warns of danger of war resuming as US blockade of Iranian ports takes effect
The Kremlin has warned that the danger of war resuming in the Middle East has not been averted after US-Iran negotiations ended without result, as a US naval blockade of Iranian ports came into effect on April 13. "The dan»»»
South Korean industry faces crisis over critical material shortages
South Korea’s semiconductor and pharmaceutical sectors face critical supply disruptions as uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint deepens, the Korea JoongAng Daily reports. The economic consequences of a blockade could prove more debilitating than surging energy prices, as the coun»»»
Russia warns of danger of war resuming as US blockade of Iranian ports takes effect
The Kremlin has warned that the danger of war resuming in the Middle East has not been averted after US-Iran negotiations ended without result, as a US naval blockade of Iranian ports came into effect on April 13. "The dan»»»