Ethiopia's Tigray forces launch offensive, take over airports, PM advisor says
Addis Ababa: The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces launched an all-out offensive against Ethiopian government positions in Afar and Amhara regions, and have taken over federal-controlled airports in Tigray, according to Getachew Reda, advisor minister to the Ethiopian Prime Minister on»»»
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania ask the EU for extra money for drone defense – media
The Baltic states have secretly asked the European Commission for hundreds of millions of euros to boost their defense against drones, citing an alleged Russian threat, Lithuania’s Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas told to Reuters on Wednesday. Moscow has repeatedly rejected claims that it has aggr»»»
Stocks dip, oil soars despite Trump hailing ‘productive’ Iran talks
LONDON — Stock markets fell on Wednesday while oil rose sharply as investors weighed the chances of a deal to end the Mideast war, after US President Donald Trump had hailed "very good" talks at the United Nations between US and Iranian representatives.Trump added that a three-hour meeting Tuesday »»»
Egypt’s PM champions two-state solution and Security Council reform at UN General Assembly
NEW YORK, September 23 (Reuters) – Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly addressed high-level UN General Assembly summits on Wednesday, warning that the two-state solution faces “unprecedented challenges” and demanding urgent reform of the UN Security Council to expand African representation. Sp»»»
What lies in store for Xi Jinping in Washington?
During his visit to Beijing last May, US President Donald Trump could not resist asking Xi Jinping whether he had received other presidents there, as the Chinese leader escorted him through Zhongnanhai, a former imperial garden adjacent to the Forbidden City in Beijing. “We very rarely receive pres»»»
Hungarian police raid Fidesz-linked think tank over suspected misuse of public funds
Hungarian police raided a company linked to the pro-Fidesz Centre for Fundamental Rights as part of an investigation into suspected financial mismanagement. The operation has sparked a strong reaction from opposition party Fidesz, which has condemned the investigation as politically motivated. Hung»»»
Golan Heights will 'remain Syrian', President Ahmed al-Sharaa vows at UN
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa told the UN Wednesday that the contested Golan Heights region would "remain Syrian" despite ongoing military occupation by Israel. The Syrian leader also used his second turn at the UN rostrum to denounce repeated Israeli strikes on his country. Syrian Pr»»»
Hungarian ambulance service apologises after celebrating rescue of man buried that same day
Hungary’s National Ambulance Service (OMSZ) has publicly apologised after sharing a Facebook post celebrating the resuscitation of a man who had subsequently died. His wife revealed that her husband’s funeral was taking place on the very day the organisation published the story. Hungary’s National »»»
Pope Leo XIV to trace back French ancestry, spiritual roots on visit to France
Pope Leo’s four-day visit to France, which kicks off on Friday, is something of a homecoming for the Chicago-born pontiff, a grandson of European immigrants with family roots in Normandy. His spiritual roots in French Catholicism run deeper still. The first American pope arrives in Paris on Friday »»»
European Week of Sport #BeActive 2026 Opens in Sofia
The European Week of Sport #BeActive 2026 was launched by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Encho Keryazov in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia on Wednesday. Also participating were Health Minister Katya Ivkova, Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission's Representation in»»»
Why are Hungary and Ukraine fighting again?
After months of getting the diplomatic run-around from Kiev, Hungary has just backed out of Ukraine’s ‘Carpathian Eight’ initiative, leaving egg all over Vladimir Zelensky’s face, who only announced the group on Friday. The first summit of the Carpathian Eight, where we launched the Carpathian Inte»»»
Stocks dip, oil rises as traders eye chances of Iran deal
London: Stock markets fell on Wednesday and oil prices rose as investors weighed the chances of a deal to end the Mideast war, after US President Donald Trump said US and Iranian representatives held "very good" talks at the United Nations. Trump added that a three-hour meeting Tuesday was "very pr»»»
Syria targets 2 million homes by 2035 to tackle 1.9 million-unit housing gap
Damascus, Sept. 23 (SANA) Syria plans to build or rehabilitate about 2 million homes by 2035 to cut its housing deficit by more than 70%, as authorities seek to address a shortage estimated at 1.9 million units in 2025. The housing gap could widen to 2.5 million units by 2030 unless supply increase»»»
Nigeria signs $800 mn offshore gas project with TotalEnergies
Lagos: Nigeria and the French firm TotalEnergies announced Wednesday a deal to invest $800 million in an offshore natural gas field to advance the country's hydrocarbon ambitions. Since his election in 2023 President Bola Tinubu has promised to boost Nigeria's oil and gas production, which despite »»»
Qatar Chamber hosts dialogue session for Women Entrepreneurs
Doha: Qatar Chamber hosted a dialogue session organized by the Women Entrepreneurs Community (WEC), an initiative of the Youth Initiatives Incubator under the Ministry of Sports and Youth, in cooperation with the Young Entrepreneurs Club, women entrepreneurs to exchange experiences. The Chamber's h»»»
US-Iran war: First talks in months raise hopes of deal — what UAE residents need to know tonight
Trump sees momentum after indirect Iran talks as oil falls and aviation sanctions bite The US-Iran conflict has entered a potentially significant diplomatic phase, with the two sides holding their first indirect talks in months on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. US President D»»»
Israel denounces Macron's UN remarks
Israeli officials have hit back at French President Emmanuel Macron after he criticised Israel’s conduct in the occupied West Bank during his address to the UN General Assembly. But while Macron used strong words against Israel, France allowed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane to fly throug»»»
Bulgaria to Raise Defense Funding in 2027 Budget
Defense funding will rise in Bulgaria’s 2027 budget, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said, although he did not give a specific percentage for the increase. Radev said the higher allocation is both necessary and required under the coalition agreement. "This is not merely a necessity dictated by the secur»»»
Who chooses India’s election commissioners — and why is the Supreme Court divided?
Papers on constitutional battle over Election Commission to be placed before Chief Justice Who should choose the officials entrusted with overseeing elections in the world’s largest democracy? That question is at the heart of an important constitutional battle before India’s Supreme Court, where tw»»»
Raad says Hezbollah kept fighting in Ali al-Taher in order to foil framework implementation
The head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, has said that Hezbollah has conducted a deep review of the course adopted since October 8, 2023, objectively identifying any flaws or shortcomings in its performance. In an interview with the al-Modon news portal, Raad noted that Hezboll»»»
Over 550,000 Low-Income People to Receive One-Off EUR 50 Fuel-Cost Compensation
More than 550,000 low-income people will receive a one-off payment of EUR 50 to help offset higher consumption costs resulting from increased fuel prices, under a new government measure adopted by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. Eligible recipients include people and families with incomes be»»»
Two suspects arrested over fatal Budapest stabbing
A Budapest court has ordered the detention of two men suspected of involvement in a fatal stabbing in the city’s popular nightlife district. Both men have previous criminal convictions and allegedly attempted to hide the weapon and their clothing after the attack. The Buda Central District Court ha»»»
PM Radev Says Armed Forces Budget to Be Increased in 2027 Despite Financial Difficulties
The armed forces budget will increase in 2027 despite the difficult budgetary situation and the need to reduce the deficit, Prime Minister Rumen Radev told journalists on Wednesday at the Slivnitsa Training Centre. He was attending a demonstration of capabilities and combat skills following the con»»»
Gulf-backed Paramount clears key hurdle in $110 billion Warner Bros deal
US settlement sets film and worker commitments in deal backed by Gulf investors Dubai: Paramount Skydance has moved closer to buying Warner Bros. Discovery after settling lawsuits brought by 12 US states and the Writers Guild of America. The deal also has approval from the US Federal Communications»»»
Apple delays OLED screens in iPhones
Washington: Apple announced that it has postponed the launch of advanced OLED screen technology in iPhones for several years, previously expected to be used on the company's 20th anniversary phone. The new technology is called Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) OLED; a key feature of it is elimina»»»
IMF warns Sri Lanka recovery at risk from El Nino, Mideast crisis
Colombo: Sri Lanka's recovery from the worst economic crisis in its history could be upended by the El Nino climate phenomenon and fallout from the Middle East crisis, the IMF warned Wednesday. The South Asian nation's economic collapse of 2022 was triggered by a severe foreign exchange shortage th»»»
Indian expat storekeeper in Abu Dhabi, businessman in Dubai win $1m each in Dubai Duty Free draw
Will own a mall, says storekeeper, while businessman shares property and charity plans Dubai: Two Indian expatriates in the UAE have become the latest US$1 million winners in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws, held at Concourse C of Dubai International Airport. Th»»»
From insurance to credit and travel: Alfred Holding expands its bootstrapped empire
Alfred Holding launches Creditmarket.ae and Holidaymarket.ae, for finance and travel Alfred Holding, the parent company behind Insurancemarket.ae, has launched two new consumer platforms, Creditmarket.ae and Holidaymarket.ae. This marks the group's first major expansion beyond insurance in its 16-y»»»
Israeli artillery shells outskirts of Maifadoun in Nabatieh district: Al-Manar correspondent in southern Lebanon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli artillery shells outskirts of Maifadoun in Nabatieh district: Al-Manar correspondent in southern Lebanon 23-09-2026 14:13 PM Latest»»»
Air Serbia named airline market leader by ATW
BELGRADE - Air Serbia has been named Airline Market Leader as part of the 52nd edition of the ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards, one of the most prestigious and longest-running award programmes in the global aviation industry, organised by Air Transport World (ATW), the leading international »»»
Texas is set to execute a second man convicted in 2005 triple homicide
Ramey faces lethal injection a week after co-defendant executed for same killings A man found guilty of fatally shooting three people during a 2005 attempted robbery at a rural Texas home is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, a week after the other man convicted in the killings was put to death»»»
Union Survey Asks Teachers about Changes Needed in Education System
Julian Petrov, President of the Education Union at the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour, Wednesday said the voice of Bulgarian teachers must be at the centre of future education policies. He was speaking at the presentation of the results of a national survey conducted by the union on Education 202»»»
Global economy proves more resilient than expected despite Middle East conflict, OECD says
The global economy has weathered the energy shock caused by the conflict in the Middle East better than expected, helped by adjustments in energy markets, government support and continued investment in artificial intelligence, according to the OECD’s latest Interim Economic Outlook. The OECD now ex»»»
Raad on Ali al-Taher: Hezbollah wrote an epic of martyrdom
The head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, has said that Hezbollah has conducted a deep review of the course adopted since October 8, 2023, objectively identifying any flaws or shortcomings in its performance. In an interview with the al-Modon news portal, Raad noted that Hezboll»»»
Fintech festival highlights role of smarter regulation in digital finance
AMMAN — Jordan’s financial sector is accelerating its digital transformation as regulators, banks, fintech companies and investors explore how innovation can expand while maintaining financial stability, cybersecurity and consumer protection.The second Jordan Fintech Festival opened at the Dead Sea»»»
Middle East airlines will need 3,830 new jets by 2045, Airbus says
Passenger traffic is forecast to more than double as carriers expand and renew fleets Dubai: Middle East airlines will need 3,830 new passenger aircraft over the next 20 years as travel demand grows and carriers replace older jets, Airbus said on Wednesday. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download»»»
UAE leads Middle East private capital boom as investment appetite grows
Sovereign wealth funds allocate 43% of investments to private capital Dubai: The UAE has emerged as the leading private capital market in the Middle East, driven by economic transformation programmes, rising infrastructure investment and increasingly sophisticated investment institutions, according»»»
Mahan Air Flight Lands in China Despite US Threat against Iranian Airlines
A Mahan Air commercial flight from Tehran landed in southern China today, a tracking data website says, despite the US threatening to “shut down” Tehran’s carriers and punish anyone doing business with them starting today. Flight IRM093 landed in Guangzhou at 4:39 pm local time on Wednesday, accord»»»
Shipping through Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab remains below 10-day average
Singapore, Sept. 23 (SANA) Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained sharply below recent levels on Tuesday, while traffic through Bab al-Mandab also stayed below its 10-day average, preliminary shipping data showed Wednesday. Three commodity-carrying vessels crossed Hormuz, down from four a d»»»
IDSC: Egypt tourism revenues, arrivals rise in 2026 amid regional tensions
The Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) has published infographics highlighting developments in Egypt’s tourism and travel sector, including growth in hotels and rooms under construction, tourist arrivals and tourism revenues, as well as international forecasts for the sector’s»»»
US President Trump threatens "annihilation" of Iran despite successful talks
The day began with Donald Trump threatening to annihilate Iran but ended with a three-hour meeting between US and Iranian mediators, which Trump described as “very good.” Trump also held a high-level meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with both sides saying they wanted the war in »»»
Macron Offers French Role in ‘Defensive’ Hormuz Mission
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - French President Emmanuel Macron said France was ready to participate in a "defensive" operation in the Strait of Hormuz but would stay clear of confrontation with Iran. "We are ready to be part of an international operation with a clear framework and a pure defensive framework. »»»
Media Review: September 23
The October 25 presidential election is the dominant topic in Wednesday’s news coverage, with media outlets focusing on the presidential tickets and the candidates’ positions. POLITICS The Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reports that Vazrazhdane announced its presidential ticket on Tuesday, wit»»»
Bulgaria's Prime Minister Moves to Ban Gambling Ads
Prime Minister Rumen Radev said at the start of the cabinet meeting that Bulgaria is introducing a total ban on gambling advertising and changes to criminalize customs violations. Radev said the government does not want gambling to remain constantly visible to citizens or aggressive advertising to »»»
Diplomats congratulate Kyrgyzstanis on State Language Day - | 24.KG
Every year on September 23, Kyrgyzstan marks an important date — State Language Day. It is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a deeply symbolic occasion highlighting the country’s identity, cultural heritage and national unity. On this day, particular attention is focused on the Kyrgyz la»»»
Anthropic, OpenAI launch cheaper AI models despite mounting safety concerns
Washington, USA: Anthropic and OpenAI have launched new, less costly models of artificial intelligence just hours apart, days after officials from both companies called for a slowdown in AI development. Anthropic said its Opus 5.5 comes close to the performance of its flagship model at a significan»»»
Romania becomes Eastern Europe’s largest e-commerce market
Romania’s e-commerce market reached EUR 12.9 billion in 2025, up 10% from the previous year, making it the largest e-commerce market in Eastern Europe, according to the European E-Commerce Report 2026, cited by Agerpres. The research, conducted for Ecommerce Europe and EuroCommerce by the Centre fo»»»
You still don’t have the cards: The bluff Zelensky is taking to Trump
“You don’t have the cards.” That was the message US President Donald Trump famously delivered to Vladimir Zelensky during their fiery Oval Office showdown in February 2025. Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of “gambling with World War III” and showing ingratitude for US aid, while pointing out tha»»»
2036 Olympic Games bid reflects Qatar’s sporting ambitions: Al Kuwari
Doha, Qatar: CEO of Qatar’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari has expressed confidence in Doha’s ability to present a strong bid and deliver an exceptional Games experience. Speaking during a dialogue session with Qatari media representatives at Bayt Qatar, o»»»
‘I had never heard of Eswatini’: Deported by the US to a country that rejects them
From our southern Africa correspondent – Migrants previously convicted by US courts have been imprisoned in Africa’s last absolute monarchy, Eswatini, over the past several months. Since being deported from the US, they have found themselves in a country about which they know no»»»