Central Election Commission Announces Seat Distribution in 52nd National Assembly
The Central Election Commission (CEC) announced the distribution of parliamentary seats among parties and coalitions in the 52nd National Assembly on Thursday. The Progressive Bulgaria coalition will have a majority with 131 MPs (54.58% of the total number of 240), said CEC Chair Kamelia Neykova. T»»»
One month phone-free: Young Americans try digital detox
Washington, United States: Getting around without Google Maps. No longer scrolling Instagram at the bus stop. Ditching your headphones to hear the birds sing. In March, a group of 20- and 30-somethings in the US capital swapped their smartphones for basic flip phones and embarked on a one-month dig»»»
Iran’s Hormuz Toll Offers SWIFT-Free Dollar Fiscal Endurance Lifeline
Iran has the justification for its Hormuz tolls, as it can cite “severe constraint” from US sanctions and war, Professor Azmi Hassan, senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research in Malaysia, tells Sputnik. It also has unique leverage in that it effectively controls the waterway, he»»»
Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei ‘gravely wounded’ but ‘mentally sharp’: NYT
WASHINGTON: Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously wounded in the US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei but is mentally sharp, the New York Times reported on Thursday. Citing several Iranian officials which it did not name, the Times said Mojtaba»»»
UK health data of 500,000 people listed for sale in China
London, United Kingdom: Anonymised medical data of half a million members of UK health database Biobank was temporarily listed for sale on a popular Chinese website, the government said on Thursday. Data minister Ian Murray told parliament that the breach involved the information of all 500,000 Bio»»»
500-Plus Hectares of State Forest Will Be Re-Designated to Build Parking Facility Near Zemen Monsatery
More than 500 hectares of state forest land will be re-designated in order to build a parking area near the Zemen Monastery. This decision was made by municipal councilors at a meeting held on Thursday, the Chair of the Zemen Municipal Council, Iva Borisova, told BTA. Mayor Mihail Zlatanov submitte»»»
‘No time frame’ for ending US-Israeli war against Iran – Trump
The US is not setting any deadlines for concluding the war against Iran, President Donald Trump has said. The remarks contrast with Trump’s earlier claim, made shortly after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, that the fighting would last “four to five weeks.” He also repeate»»»
London landlords caught advertising ‘Muslim only’ flats
Landlords across London and the south-east of the UK have been illegally advertising properties exclusively for Muslim tenants, in an apparent breach of Britain’s equality laws, according to an investigation published by The Telegraph on Wednesday. Listings on Facebook and Telegram posted across mu»»»
Aspropyrgos escape attempt ends in arrest; drugs, fake IDs found
A 63-year-old man has been arrested in Aspropyrgos, on the western outskirts of Athens, after attempting to flee a police check. Authorities said he was found in possession of cocaine and forged documents. According to police, motorcycle patrol officers identified the man’s vehicle as suspicious du»»»
'Free Timmy!': Beached whale grips and divides Germany
Berlin: The sad saga of a humpback whale stranded a month ago on the German coast has sparked a flood of compassion but also a media frenzy, angry spats, conspiracy theories and death threats. As Germans have followed the travails of the sea mammal, dubbed "Timmy" by a newspaper, on their live news»»»
Iran government says men’s soccer team is preparing for ‘proud participation’ at World Cup in US
GENEVA: An Iranian government spokesperson says the men’s national team are preparing for “proud and successful participation” in their World Cup games in the United States. Iran’s ability and willingness to go to the World Cup across north America starting June 11 has been unclear since the US and»»»
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approve merger with Paramount - UPI.com
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved the merger with Paramount Skydance Thursday morning. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo April 23 (UPI) -- Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders voted to give their preliminary blessing to the long-debated merger with Paramount Skydance Wednesday »»»
Flights from Doha and Jeddah resume to Syria in May
LONDON: Syrian authorities announced on Thursday the resumption of flights to Damascus International Airport from Doha and Jeddah, beginning May 1, following weeks of stoppage amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport said that Qatar Ai»»»
Qatar to face El Salvador in pre-World Cup friendly in LA
DOHA: Qatar will take on El Salvador in an international friendly at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on June 6, the Qatar Football Association announced on Thursday, as Al Annabi continue their build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match forms part of a crucial overseas training camp designed to fine»»»
Sabalenka fights rust to reach third round of Madrid Open
Madrid: Aryna Sabalenka shook off some rust to post her first victory of the season on clay and extend her winning streak to 13 matches on Thursday in Madrid. The world number one, who was playing her first match since she completed the Sunshine Double by winning Indian Wells and Miami last month, »»»
From Ukraine to Taiwan: Drone warfare lessons meet Indo-Pacific reality - UPI.com
A C-230 Overkill (Striker)) one-way attack drone is on display during a press tour in Taichung, Taiwan, on Tuesday. Thunder Tiger Corp. is a Taiwanese company that designs and manufactures defense-oriented unmanned vehicles, including UAVs, unmanned surface vessels, underwater ROVs and all-terrain »»»
Veliko Tarnovo Grand Hotel Attracts Guests with Mineralized Water at Renovated Spa Centre
The spa centre with mineralized water at the Grand Hotel Veliko Tarnovo spans 2,000 sq. m. The renovated hotel has once again become an attractive site for congress tourism, international events, team-building activities, and individual visits. Construction of the hotel began in 1967 and finished i»»»
Peanut butter and honey add grown-up flair to nostalgic crispy rice treats
Crunchy, gooey, sweet and easy to make, crispy rice treats are a dessert that delivers joy and invites creativity. The recipe as we know it first appeared on a box of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal in 1940 and is a simple combination of the cereal, marshmallows, butter and vanilla. It has not only »»»
Trump reposts rant decrying India, China as ‘hellholes’
US President Donald Trump has shared a letter deriding India and China as “hellholes.” Trump reposted the letter from former radio host Michael Savage’s podcast Savage Nation on Truth Social on Wednesday. The post was a criticism of the US birthright citizenship laws, which referred to India, China»»»
US pushes FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup
Italian officials have rebuked a US proposal for their national football team to replace Iran at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Italy lost the chance to participate at the World Cup for a third successive time after a humiliating penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff last mon»»»
Russia to Seek Recognition of Nazi Crimes Against Soviet People as Genocide – Lavrov
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia will continue seeking recognition of Nazi crimes against Soviet people as genocide, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday. "Our diplomacy will consistently strive to ensure that the crimes of the Nazis and their collaborators against Soviet citizens of al»»»
Kuwait to resume social activities
Kuwait: Kuwait Ministry of Interior announced the reinstatement of permission to hold social activities in the country effective from Friday April 24, 2026. In a statement by the ministry “With reference to Statement No. (11) regarding the prohibition of holding weddings, parties, and theatrical pe»»»
Qatar Customs, Qatar Aviation Services sign MoU to facilitate clearance of personal imports
DOHA: The General Authority of Customs and Qatar Aviation Services signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday to enhance cooperation in the field of general customs clearance for personal imports, aiming to improve service quality, simplify procedures, expedite transactions, and enhance the e»»»
Saudi oil and gas expertise under study for lunar exploration
RIYADH: A pact between a Saudi Arabia university and Japanese space exploration company has raised hopes of using the Kingdom’s expertise in oil and gas infrastructure for a lunar economy. Dr. Julien-Alexandre Lamamy, CEO of ispace-Europe, told Arab News recently that the company envisages tangible»»»
Wartime exit: Why the US Navy chief’s departure matters now
The abrupt departure of US Navy Secretary John Phelan has come at a particularly sensitive moment — with American naval forces deeply engaged in operations linked to the Iran conflict and a fragile ceasefire still holding. The Pentagon announced that Phelan was leaving “effective immediately,” offe»»»
Turkiye trying to revive Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Erdogan tells NATO chief
ANKARA: Turkiye is making efforts to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and bring together the leaders of the warring sides, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in a meeting in Ankara, the Turkish presidency said on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, Ky»»»
“Demand is strong”: Emirates chief signals recovery despite war
Dubai: Dubai's flagship Emirates is confident it will rebound quickly from disruptions caused by the Iran conflict, with President Tim Clark saying strong demand will help the airline recover lost ground and fend off competition. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Speakin»»»
Trump administration reclassifying cannabis to Schedule III substance - UPI.com
1 of 2 | The Justice Department announced that it is immediately seeking to reschedule FDA-approved cannabis products including state-licensed medical marijuana, to Schedule III. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said this open the door for research into the substance. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI |»»»
Former partner main suspect in apparent murder-suicide
Authorities investigating the death of a 43-year-old woman in Crete are focusing on her former partner, a 40-year-old man, as the main suspect, after he was found dead on Tuesday from a gunshot wound in what is believed to have been suicide. The woman was discovered on Wednesday in the back seat of»»»
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders back sale to Paramount Skydance
New York: Warner Bros. Discovery on Thursday said shareholders approved its sale to Paramount Skydance, giving a green light to a hostile takeover bid valuing the combined company at $110 billion. The agreement ends a lengthy takeover saga and creates an entertainment behemoth whose impact on a str»»»
Saudi stock market index closes lower
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia's main stock index closed lower on Thursday, falling by 135.40 points to settle at 11,109.59, with total trading value reaching SAR 6 billion. A total of 331 million shares were traded, with 45 companies posting gains, while 212 stocks declined. Meanwhile, the par»»»
UN 'working on' keeping presence in Lebanon in 2027
The United Nations said Thursday it was "working on" maintaining a presence in Lebanon once the mandate for its UNIFIL peacekeeping force expires at the end of the year. "In terms of the post-UNIFIL, we're currently in the process of working on these options," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the U.N. Und»»»
Yamal to miss rest of Barcelona season but be fit for World Cup with Spain
BARCELONA: Lamine Yamal will miss the rest of Barcelona’s season but should be healed from a leg injury in time to play for Spain at the World Cup, the club said on Thursday. Barcelona said 18-year-old Yamal will miss the remaining six La Liga games for the leaders as he follows a “conservative tre»»»
Malta’s notorious gambling laws ‘incompatible’ with single market: EU court top lawyer
Malta is on collision course for another legal dispute with the European Commission over its online gambling industry, after the European Court of Justice’s top advisor said that its law which forbids Maltese courts from recognising rulings from other member states breaks EU law. In a legal opinion»»»
German Chancellor Congratulates Rumen Radev on Election Victory
Germany’s Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated Rumen Radev in a phone call on Thursday on the overwhelming victory of Progressive Bulgaria in the parliamentary elections and expressed the German government’s readiness to work with Bulgaria’s future regular government, the press office of»»»
Tesla says to add 1,000 jobs in Germany
Frankfurt, Germany: Elon Musk's automotive and robotics company Tesla said Thursday that it would hire more than 1,000 people in Germany, a rare bright spot in the country's struggling auto industry. A thousand employees will be added at Tesla's factory outside Berlin by the end of June, a company »»»
MoPH recognized as an outstanding entity at the 12th National Cyber Drill
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), represented by the Information Systems Department, was recognized as an outstanding entity at the 12th National Cyber Drill 2025, organized by the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) under the theme “Cross-Border Attacks.” The Ministry attained c»»»
Son of former Shah of Iran appeals to Western countries for support
BERLIN: The son of the former Shah appealed to Western countries to join the war against Iran and criticised the decision of the German government not to meet him during his visit to Berlin on Thursday. Reza Pahlavi, whose father was deposed in the revolution that brought Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomei»»»
Aquarabia, Middle East’s largest water park, opens to public
RIYADH: Aquarabia, the Middle East’s largest water park, opened on Thursday at the Qiddiya City entertainment complex on the outskirts of Riyadh. The park features 22 rides and attractions with eight themed zones spread across 250,000 sq. meters. There are also an additional seven dry rides and att»»»
Sulzer Enters Libya with New JV to Localize Energy Services
Tripoli — Sulzer has launched a joint venture with Jawaby Services & Investments Ltd, a subsidiary of the National Oil Corporation, marking a significant step toward rebuilding and localizing Libya’s industrial and energy services sector. The new entity, Jawaby Sulzer Services, will operate from th»»»
Pharco Expands Ophthalmic Production Capacity with $5.8mn Line in Alexandria
Alexandria — Pharco Pharmaceuticals has inaugurated a new ophthalmic drops production line at its Al Amreya facility, with investments of approximately $5.8 million (EGP 300 million), as part of a broader expansion programme valued at EGP 500 million. The company stated that the new line will produ»»»
LVMH's Arnault says to talk of retirement in '7-8 years'
Paris, France: Bernard Arnault, chief executive of the world's biggest luxury conglomerate LVMH, brushed off speculation of his retirement on Thursday, telling shareholders that "we'll talk about all this again in seven to eight years". The 77-year-old founder of the French group whose brands inclu»»»
Pope wraps up an Africa visit for the history books with a Mass in Equatorial Guinea
MALABO, Equatorial Guinea: Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his African odyssey on Thursday with a final Mass in Equatorial Guinea, bringing to an end one of the newsiest papal trips in the history of popes on the road, thanks to his extraordinary back-and-forth with President Donald Trump. A powerful rains»»»
Lebanon to press Israel to halt attacks on journalists, medics during Washington talks
BEIRUT: Lebanon will formally urge Israel to immediately halt attacks on journalists and paramedics during US-sponsored talks in Washington, a day after an Israeli strike killed a Lebanese reporter and wounded another in southern Lebanon. An official source told Arab News that the demand was added »»»
Milaha announces strategic restructuring of its business sectors
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Navigation (Milaha) - Qatari public shareholding company - announced a strategic reorganization of its business sectors aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and supporting its future direction. In a statement published on the Qatar Stock Exchange website, the company said th»»»
Pentagon denies clearing Hormuz Strait mines will take six months
The Pentagon blasted as cherry picking and false on Thursday a news report saying that the department assessed it could take six months to completely clear the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian-laid mines. The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the Pentagon shared the six-month estimate during a »»»
Senate passes resolution to begin budget reconciliation to fund DHS - UPI.com
Senate Republican Leader John Thune, R-S.D., helped the Senate pass a bill to begin the budget reconciliation process early Thursday Morning. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 23 (UPI) -- Senate Republicans were up all night voting, eventually adopting a budget reconciliation pack»»»
Wadi Al Qarha declared protected nature reserve in Sharjah
Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree on the establishment of “Wadi Al Qarha” Nature Reserve in the Emirate of Sharjah. The decree stipulates that a natural reserve named “Wadi Al Qarha Nature Reserve”»»»
SPA Hotel Devin Aims to Position Rhodope Area Among Leaders in Health Tourism
SPA Hotel Devin aims to turn the Rhodope area into a leader in health tourism by continuing its balneotherapy traditions, the hotel manager Dzheylyan Kokalova told BTA. Even before the mass development of tourism, the area was known as a natural sanatorium for respiratory problems, bone diseases, a»»»
Russia to Respond to New EU Sanctions After Reviewing Them - Russian Diplomat
NOVI SAD, Serbia (Sputnik) - Russia's response to the latest round of EU sanctions will follow a careful review of its contents, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Sputnik on Thursday. European Union countries adopted the 20th round of sanctions against Russia on Thursday. "Our »»»