Ombudsman To Host Forum on Accessible Voting
A forum on the electoral rights of people with visual and hearing impairments will be held at the Ombudsman Institution in Sofia on Friday, the institution said. Organized by Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria Velislava Delcheva, the event will focus on accessible information, technological solu»»»
Spain cuts the link between gas and power and has Europe’s cheapest power
A year ago this week, Spain’s grid ran entirely on renewable power for a full day for the first time ever. Wind, solar, and hydro met all the peninsula’s electricity demand on April 16. Five days later, solar set a new record, generating 20,120 MW of instantaneous power – covering 78.6% of demand a»»»
Trump mocks Macron, wife: France pushes back
Seoul: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday Donald Trump’s mocking comments about his marriage did not merit a response, calling them “neither elegant nor up to standard”. But after days of tensions over US-Israeli strikes on Iran and over NATO, an apparently irritated Macron launched »»»
Lee says S. Korea, France agree to cooperate on safe passage through Strait of Hormuz - UPI.com
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) enter a welcome luncheon at the presidential Blue House in Seoul Friday. Photo by Yonhap President Lee Jae Myung said Friday he and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to work together to secure the safe passage t»»»
Spain Rethinks How to Turn Tide against Beach Erosion
Every winter, storms wipe out swathes of the picturesque Spanish coast, undoing summer reconstruction work and threatening the foundations of the country's vital tourism industry. Faced with a futile cycle of damage followed by reparations of artificial material, some beach holiday destinations are»»»
World Autism Awareness Day: Expert advice helps parents support children during stressful moments
Doha, Qatar: As the world marked World Autism Awareness Day yesterday, parents and caregivers are being encouraged to better support children with autism, particularly during times of stress and uncertainty. Consultant Developmental Pediatrician at Sidra Medicine, Dr. Aboud Babiker Ali Eltom says s»»»
No Sign of War Winding Down in Mideast as Friday Dawns with Attacks across Region
There was little sign Friday of the war in the Mideast winding down as Israel said it faced incoming fire from Iran, Kuwait and Bahrain reported being under attack, and Iran said eight people were killed while celebrating the close of Persian new year near a major bridge hit by a US strike. Tehran »»»
A Look at the UK’s Royal Navy, Which Has Faced Jibe After Jibe from Trump and Hegseth
US President Donald Trump and his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have been damning of the UK's naval capabilities. Their jibes may have stung in a country with a long and proud maritime history, but they do carry some substance. The UK has been at the forefront of Trump’s ire since the onset of the»»»
Trump pledges to 'finish the job' in Iran in national address but offers no exit plan
President Donald Trump said US forces would keep hitting Iran "very hard" in the next two or three weeks and bring the country "back to the Stone Ages" in a televised address on Wednesday night, even as he argued that Washington had accomplished its goals but offered no clear timeline for ending th»»»
Trump fires loyalist Pam Bondi as US attorney general
US President Donald Trump has fired Pam Bondi, a loyalist who oversaw Justice Department upheaval during her role as US attorney general, replacing her with his former personal attorney Todd Blanche. US President Donald Trump on Thursday fired his attorney&nb»»»
The Debate - No longer so mighty? Iran war tests US strength and resolve
Might is right... until it's not. 2026 began with US commandos grabbing Venezuela’s president with zero casualties, an operation that put the rest of the world was on notice. But now, Donald Trump's first prime time address in nearly five weeks of war worrying markets instead of reassuring the»»»
Dubai’s Dh1bn support plan eases costs, boosts business confidence
Dubai: Dubai’s Dh1 billion economic support package is being interpreted by business leaders and economists as a pre-emptive move to protect growth momentum, with authorities stepping in early to ease pressure on companies facing tighter liquidity and rising operating costs. Sign up for our daily b»»»
Macron says 'unrealistic' to open Hormuz Strait by force, urges Trump to 'be serious'
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump challenged allies to work towards reopening it. In unusually strong criticism, Macron accused Trump of constantly con»»»
'An eye for an eye': Israel’s death penalty law is retaliatory and electorally motivated
The Israeli parliament's adoption of a law establishing "the death penalty for terrorists" – which in practice will only apply to Palestinians – has provoked an international outcry. The reasons for it passing are not just retaliatory, but politically motivated. "This is historic! With Go»»»
Three minors among four charged over foiled attack at Bank of America Paris branch
French authorities have charged four people, including three minors, over an apparent bid to ignite a homemade explosive device outside the Paris headquarters of Bank of America. Anti-terror prosecutors said the incident could be linked to a little-known Islamist group with possible links to I»»»
Trump’s dig at Macron that his ‘wife treats him badly’ sparks anger in France
Footage of US President Donald Trump making fun of his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte during a private lunch has sparked anger in France, prompting even some of Macron's fiercest critics at home to rally in his defence. The French president said the disparaging comments we»»»
Black mayor faces abuse as France confronts racism in public life
France’s hard-left France Unbowed party said several Black lawmakers received racist letters, condemning what it called entrenched discrimination. The incident follows a surge of abuse targeting recently elected Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko, underscoring concerns about rising racism in French p»»»
India’s new digital rules tighten the noose on freedom of speech
Journalists, news outlets, satirists and cartoonists are among the spate of citizens targeted by India’s increasingly strict laws on digital censorship. Critics say that a new set of rules will further expand executive power over the internet and signal a growing digital authoritaria»»»
Eight Saudi Cities in IMD Smart City Index 2026; Riyadh Advances to 24th Globally
Eight Saudi cities made a notable showing in the IMD Smart City Index 2026, published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the Saudi Press Agency said on Friday. The result reflects faster development and improving quality of life across the Kingdom’s cities, in line wit»»»
Thomas Pesquet on space exploration: 'We’re all on the same boat, we have to take care of the ship'
François Picard is pleased to welcome from Toulouse in southwest France, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet. As an astronaut who has experienced spaceflight firsthand, Pesquet sees the Artemis II mission not simply as a technological milestone, but as part of a broader human narrative o»»»
Shairbek Tashiev remanded in custody until May 16 in Kyrgyzneftegaz case - | 24.KG
The Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek has ordered the pretrial detention of Shairbek Tashiev, the court’s press service reported. Under the court’s decision, he has been placed in pre-trial detention until May 16. He also noted that Tashiev has provided testimony and answered all investigators’»»»
IOM Warns of 'Alarming' Risk of Long-term Mass Displacement in Lebanon
International Organization for Migration chief Amy Pope told AFP on Thursday in Beirut that the prospects for prolonged mass displacement in Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah are at war, were "very alarming". "I think those prospects are very alarming because you look right now at the level of de»»»
COMMENT: Taiwan’s worship of America could be its downfall
In Taiwan’s ever pugnacious political debate, few orthodoxies are quite as deeply embedded by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as the conviction that alignment with the United States is both natural and the only real way to counter Chinese takeover threats. »»»
COMMENT: Taiwan’s worship of America could be its downfall
In Taiwan’s ever pugnacious political debate, few orthodoxies are quite as deeply embedded by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as the conviction that alignment with the United States is both natural and the only real way to counter Chinese takeover threats. »»»
COMMENT: Win or lose, Orban has broken Hungary’s democracy
Hungary’s parliamentary elections on April 12 would, under normal democratic conditions, point towards a change of government, but the country’s political system no longer operates on conventional terms, Zsuzsanna Szelényi, a Research Fellow at Central European University’s Democracy Institute. »»»
MOSCOW BLOG: Pax Americana exposed as a paper tiger
Superficially the war in Iran has dealt Ukraine a huge blow. The White House is now completely distracted, and the Trump administration seems to have abandoned, or at least paused, the ceasefire negotiations with Russia. Trump is in a rush and told Zelenskiy: give up Donbas and we can do the deal. »»»
ICE arrests head of Wisconsin's largest Islamic group, drawing condemnation - UPI.com
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Monday arrested Salah Salem Sarsour, 53, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Photo courtesy Department oof Homeland Security/Release April 3 (UPI) -- Federal immigration authorities have arrested the head of Wisconsin's largest Islamic organi»»»
Bulgaria says no immediate threat from Iran after warning over US military presence
Bulgarian authorities have said there is no imminent threat to national security following concerns linked to US military operations against Iran, with officials stressing that no combat activity is taking place over the country. »»»
Paris police ban French Muslim gathering
The Paris police on Thursday banned an annual gathering of French Muslims north of the capital, citing a "major terrorist risk" that it might be targeted. The Annual Gathering of the Muslims of France had been due to take place at Bourget, just north of Paris, from Friday until Monday. The order ba»»»
Pray from home: Dubai churches announce temporary closures
Dubai: Several churches across Dubai have announced the suspension of in-person services starting April 3, following directives from UAE authorities to ensure public safety and community well-being. Parishes across denominations have moved quickly to comply, with many shifting to online worship whi»»»
Iran vows 'crushing' attacks as strikes hit regional infrastructure
Iran and its allies traded fire with Israel and the United States, as Washington-linked assets across the Middle East were targeted alongside energy and civilian infrastructure -- with the month-long war on Friday showing little sign of easing. Strikes have increasingly targeted economic and indust»»»
Starmer and Albanese warn citizens the worst is yet to come
The leaders of the UK and Australia have told their citizens to cut fuel consumption and prepare for months of hardship as a result of the US-Israeli war with Iran. But Keir Starmer and Anthony Albanese couldn’t bring themselves to name who’s responsible. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Aust»»»
Oil price: Urals crude surges to $123.45, Brent crude at $109.03
The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz — amid the US-Israel war with Iran — is fast turning into a windfall for Russia, blunting Washington’s sanctions strategy and forcing a quiet recalibration of pressure on Moscow. As strikes ripple across the Gulf and threatening passage through the world’s most »»»
Qatar sends letters to UN, Security Council on Iranian aggression
QNA New York The State of Qatar has sent a 10th identical letter to Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of April, Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, regarding t»»»
Trump mocks Macron over ‘slap’ from wife Brigitte, ridicules his marriage
US President Donald Trump has publicly mocked his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron’s relationship with his wife, Brigitte, sparking outrage in France. Trump made the remarks during a private White House lunch on Wednesday, the feed from which may have been accidentally posted online. Trump was he»»»
US war on Iran is investment in children’s future – Trump
US President Donald Trump has called the war on Iran an investment in the future of American children as he delivered his first address to the nation since the start of the conflict a month ago. In his speech on Wednesday, Trump claimed that Washington was never looking for regime change in Tehran,»»»
European nations say Israel-Hezbollah fighting 'must cease'
Eighteen European countries on Thursday urged Israel and Hezbollah to stop fighting as their latest conflict reached one month and with fears over Israeli plans to control part of southern Lebanon post-war. "Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah's attacks must cease," the foreign min»»»
UN aid chief worried about lengthy Israel-Hezbollah conflict
U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher on Thursday expressed concern that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon could be long-lasting, potentially resulting in a "fresh occupation." "One depressing impression I had, and I think it's shared by so many people in Lebanon -- there was a se»»»
IOM warns of 'alarming' risk of long-term mass displacement in Lebanon
International Organization for Migration chief Amy Pope told AFP on Thursday in Beirut that the prospects for prolonged mass displacement in Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah are at war, were "very alarming". "I think those prospects are very alarming because you look right now at the level of de»»»
Appeals court tosses sentence of Colorado elections clerk Tina Peters - UPI.com
An appeals court overturned the sentence of Tina Peters, convicted for stealing elections data in Colorado. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo April 2 (UPI) -- A Colorado appeals court on Thursday threw out the sentence of Tina Peters, a former elections clerk, who was convicted in an e»»»
Scattered showers expected Thursday night in some regions
Tunis, April 2 (TAP) - The weather will be sometimes cloudy on Thusday night, with scattered showers expected in the north, getting sometimes stormy in northern coadtal regions and heavy in the far north-west with local hailstorms, and partly cloudy...»»»
Back to Israeli Occupation of South Lebanon?
A month into Israel's war against Hezbollah, invading Israeli troops are gradually advancing in south Lebanon, raising fears for the area's fate following the last Israeli occupation that lasted nearly two decades. Since war erupted last month, Israeli officials have said Israel intends to establis»»»
Danish warship sunk by Nelson's British fleet discovered after 225 years
Copenhagen: More than 200 years after being sunk by Adm. Horatio Nelson and the British fleet, a Danish warship has been discovered on the seabed of Copenhagen Harbor by marine archaeologists. Working in thick sediment and almost zero visibility 15 meters (49 feet) beneath the waves, divers are in »»»
Austria Denies US Use of Airspace for Iran Military Operations
Austria has denied the United States use of its airspace for military operations against Iran due to Austria's neutrality law, the country's defense ministry said on Thursday. A spokesperson for the ministry confirmed a report from Austrian news agency APA that the US had made "several" flyove»»»
Iran Fires on Israel as Trump Claims Threat from Tehran Nearly Eliminated
Iran fired more missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab states Thursday, demonstrating Tehran’s continued ability to strike its neighbors even as US President Donald Trump claimed the threat from the country was nearly eliminated. Iran’s attacks on Gulf states along with its chokehold on the Strait of Hor»»»
Syria’s al-Sharaa pushes back on German Chancellor Merz’s 80% refugee repatriation claim
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has denied claims that he told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that up to 80% of Syrians living in Germany could be convinced to return home within three years. Merz cited the figure and timeline on Monday during a joint press conference with al-Sharaa, a former jihad»»»
Radev: Progressive Bulgaria Will Not Coalesce with GERB or MRF - New Beginning Leaders
The Progressive Bulgaria coalition leader, Rumen Radev, told residents of Krumovgrad and Momchilgrad, Southern Bulgaria, that Progressive Bulgaria will not coalesce with GERB leader Boyko Borissov or with MRF - New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski, the coalition press service reported on Thursday. R»»»
Macron Says it is Unrealistic to Open Hormuz Strait by Force
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump challenged US allies to work towards reopening it. Thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since February »»»
Artemis II astronauts complete first burn, head back to sleep - UPI.com
1 of 6 | The Earth is seen from NASA’s Orion spacecraft as it orbits above the planet during the Artemis II test flight. NASA astronauts launched at 6:35 p.m. EDT on Wednesday for a 10-day mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Image courtesy of NASA April 2 (UPI) -- The Artemis II astronauts h»»»
10 days to election: Campaign in Hungary resembles political spy movie
In our ongoing weekly digest, award-winning journalist Veronika Munk summarises and explains the most important political developments in Hungary. We guide readers on the route to the crunch 12 April 2026 election — a poll without precedent in the region over the past 15 years. This week, we cover:»»»