Nepal tunnel survivor wants to help post-flood rebuild
Kirtipur, Nepal: Pulled alive 10 days after catastrophic floods trapped him in a tunnel, Nepali hydropower worker Kabir Maharjan is determined to help rebuild his country despite his own harrowing ordeal. Traditional music and tearful relatives welcomed the 45-year-old when he returned home on Frid»»»
Radev's Party Appreciates Ukraine’s Recognition of Bulgarian Diplomacy; Kuleba Thanks Bulgaria
Bulgaria joined a declaration backed by 51 UN member states calling for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine and substantive peace talks, with ruling Progressive Bulgaria saying it appreciated Ukraine’s recognition of Bulgarian diplomacy. The declaration was adopted during the a»»»
Bulgaria Records Sharp Freight Decline as EU Road Transport GrowsOpinions
Road freight transport across the European Union increased in 2025, while Bulgaria recorded a 28% decline in the volume of hazardous goods transported over the year, although the country's dangerous goods transport grew by an average of 5.2% annually between 2021 and 2025. The contrasting results c»»»
Fitch Raises Bulgaria Outlook to Positive, Keeps BBB+ RatingOpinions
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Bulgaria’s credit rating at ‘BBB+’ and upgraded the outlook from stable to positive, citing lower political uncertainty after the formation of a government supported by a single-party parliamentary majority. The agency said the more stable political environment could prov»»»
Abu Dhabi property draws record foreign investment in H1
Off-plan sales made up 89% of H1 value, while Saadiyat and Yas led property price gains Abu Dhabi's residential market has spent 2026 defying the usual script. The city posted its strongest first half on record, with direct foreign investment surging 309 per cent year on year to Dh13,8 billion and »»»
Hooves, dust and cheers: Horse racing returns to a Palestinian village after two-year halt
The annual horse race in the Israeli-occupied West Bank had been suspended for two years Dubai: The thunder of hooves and clouds of dust returned to the hills west of Hebron as Palestinian riders raced Arabian horses through Al-Majd village, drawing cheers from residents. The annual race in the Isr»»»
‘Strangers became like family’: Dubai community raises Dh405,000 in less than a week for 2-year-old battling leukaemia
Dubai community rallies online to fund life-saving transplant for toddler Ayaan Dubai: On September 10, Abbie Kadom posted a message on the Hope Amel Instagram page about a two-year-old boy named Ayaan and his urgent need for a bone marrow transplant. Within three days, Dh390,000 had been pledged. »»»
‘We just want our families to be happy’: Filipinos in Dubai face losses as balikbayan boxes remain undelivered
Undelivered balikbayan boxes leave families in limbo and savings at risk Dubai: For overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), a balikbayan box is more than a package. It is often a collection of carefully chosen gifts, household essentials, and items bought with months of hard-earned savings for families b»»»
Trump wants to ‘colonize’ Brazil and seize its resources, Lula campaign says
US President Donald Trump wants to “colonize” Brazil and gain control of its natural resources by interfering in the country’s upcoming presidential election, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s campaign has said. Meta blocked the advertising account used by Lula’s campaign on Facebook just days »»»
‘I hope France wakes up’: Young Catholics flood the streets for Pope Leo's Paris visit
Armed with paper fortune-tellers and pop worship songs, young French Catholics from the Anuncio movement fanned out into the crowds awaiting Pope Leo XIV's arrival in Paris on Friday, hoping to bring strangers closer to God in one of Europe's most secular countries. A group gathers aro»»»
Over 1,300 young Muslims explore faith, identity, and leadership as QF’s Second QIYADA conference opens
Doha, Qatar, 25 September 2026: Faith, identity, leadership, and the challenges of today’s ever-shifting world have been explored by over 1,300 young Muslims from across Qatar alongside scholars, educators, thought leaders, and other inspiring voices, as the second edition of Qatar Foundation’s QIY»»»
US Supreme Court allows Trump to use controversial voter 'verification' system
The US Supreme Court on Friday ruled the Trump administration can use a controversial new federal database that would ostensibly verify voter citizenship in November’s elections. Critics argue the administration is exaggerating the threat of non-citizen voters – an extreme rarity in US el»»»
Ivan Hristanov Kicks Off Presidential Campaign in Gotse Delchev on Friday
Presidential candidate Ivan Hristanov and his running mate Stoyanka Cherkezova kicked off their campaign here on Friday. Hristanov and Cherkezova were put forward by a nomination committee. At the event, Hristanov said that Bulgaria needs a presidential institution that is close to the people and i»»»
Vazrazhdane Presidential Candidate Kicks Off Campaign in Pliska
Vazrazhdane's presidential candidate Kostadin Kostadinov said here on Friday that his goal as president would be to restore the prosperity, independence, well-being and strength of the Bulgarian State. He said that one of the campaign's goals is to remind the Bulgarian people that they can be indep»»»
France: Pope Leo XIV keeps visit focused on faith over politics
Pope Leo XIV has declined a state dinner, the Legion of Honour and a private meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, keeping his four-day France visit centred on its apostolic mission despite official talks at the Élysée. While the Vatican cited scheduling reasons, some observers see a desire to em»»»
Hungary-Ukraine thaw? Budapest signs major declaration
Hungary has joined a major international declaration expressing solidarity with Ukraine and calling on Russia to accept a ceasefire and enter meaningful peace negotiations. The move comes after a turbulent period in Hungary-Ukraine relations and shortly after Budapest and Kyiv became embroiled in a»»»
The Radev Cabinet Targets 3% Budget Deficit by 2027Opinions
The Bulgarian government has set a target of keeping the budget deficit at no more than 3% by 2027, alongside restoring a sustainable financial system and maintaining predictable tax policy, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said at a conference organized by the Ministry of Finance and the European Stabil»»»
Saudi Arabia’s Bet on Trump Leaves Riyadh Exposed as Regional War Escalates
Saudi Arabia is facing mounting security and economic pressures as the conflict in the Middle East threatens its oil infrastructure and shipping routes, while its longtime security partner, the United States, appears increasingly unwilling or unable to provide the protection Riyadh has historically»»»
Culture Can Build Bridges Despite Political And Economic Divisions - Putin
Culture can build bridges across any disagreements, even amid sanctions and restrictions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the 12th St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures. “Culture is capable of building bridges between people through any contradictions. It serves as an essen»»»
Parliament Approves Temporary Zero Excise Duty on Natural Gas, LPG for Motor Fuel
Parliament has given final approval to a zero excise duty rate on natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used as motor fuel for the period from October 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. The amendments to the Excise Duties and Tax Warehouses Act were adopted at first and second reading in a sing»»»
British tourists take on India’s Spiti Valley in an auto-rickshaw
Viral video shows adventurous pair tackling rugged Himalayan roads in three-wheeler Forget the SUV or adventure motorcycle. Two British tourists exploring one of India’s most spectacular mountain regions have chosen a rather more unconventional ride — an auto-rickshaw. The pair have attracted atten»»»
US-Iran war: Tehran sets Hormuz deadline as truce hopes grow — what UAE residents need to know
Iran seeks return to earlier deal as Hormuz deadline, Saudi attacks keep tensions high The US-Iran conflict is entering another critical diplomatic window, with Tehran calling on Washington to return to an earlier agreement before the US midterm elections and setting a four-to-five-day deadline for»»»
Bulgaria’s Battery Boom Shields Power Sector From Drought ShockOpinions
Bulgaria is benefiting from a rapid expansion of battery energy storage systems as record drought hits electricity generation across Eastern Europe, according to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) analysis from Sofia. Around 100 battery energy storage sites are currently operating in Bulgaria, most of t»»»
82% of UAE investors expect local stock market to rise in next 12 months
New survey finds confidence growing as fewer investors cut exposure to UAE equities UAE retail investors are becoming increasingly bullish on their home market despite six months of geopolitical uncertainty, according to etoro’s latest UAE Retail Investor Beat, a survey of 1,000 retail investors re»»»
US tech titans attend Trump-Xi dinner. Who wasn’t invited?
Virtually all of America’s most powerful technology executives joined US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a lavish White House state dinner on Thursday, as AI emerged as a major theme of the Chinese leader’s visit. The black-tie dinner in the White House East Room brought to»»»
Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to hold talks after Houthi attacks
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan will hold chief of staff talks to support the kingdom, Riyadh said in a statement on Friday, as Yemen's Houthis ramp up attacks on the world's top crude exporter. The Iran-backed group has escalated its attacks on the kingdom since July, ending a years-long truce a»»»
Argentina's poverty rate rises above 30% under President Milei, reversing recent decline
Argentina's poverty rate jumped to 32.3% in the first half of 2026, official data showed Thursday, as incomes failed to keep pace with the rising cost of basic goods, a setback for libertarian President Javier Milei little more than a year before he seeks reelection. The national statistics agency,»»»
Qatar participates in high-level ministerial meeting of Global Alliance for Implementation of Two-State Solution
New York: The State of Qatar participated today in the high-level ministerial meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign A»»»
South Lebanon children return to school destroyed by Israel strike
In southern Lebanon, eight-year-old Yara Ajami started the academic year this week in a doorless, windowless classroom after her school was destroyed by an Israeli strike. Well known in the area for its excellence, Ajami's elementary school in Burj Qalaway was struck by Israel in May. "We are happy»»»
Qatar, in partnership with Jordan, UK, hosts 'Call to Action' meeting on humanitarian situation in Gaza
New York: The State of Qatar, in partnership with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Kingdom, hosted Friday a "Call to Action" meeting on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Minister of State at the M»»»
Two UAE cities rank among the world’s top 15 for artificial intelligence
Dubai ranks 14th globally, with both UAE cities among world's top 15 AI hubs in new index Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi has been ranked the leading city for artificial intelligence in the Middle East and North Africa and 11th worldwide in a new global index measuring cities’ ability to develop, finance and »»»
The Houthis: Iran’s bargaining chip with Washington
As Washington scrambled to contain the consequences of the Houthis' dramatic advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast last week, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed US media reports that the Trump administration was "engaged in direct conversations with the Houthis." Days earlier, Reuters reported that»»»
Revisited - From 'Jungle' to jungles, migrants in Calais continue to dream of UK
October 2026 marks 10 years since the Calais "Jungle" in northern France was dismantled by French police. The camp was home to thousands of migrants who wanted to cross the Channel and reach the UK. A decade on, migrants continue to dream of reaching British shores and the "Jungle" has been replace»»»
U.S. and Central Asia: Economic partnership to be discussed in Samarkand - | 24.KG
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Uzbekistan in October at the head of a large business delegation. In Samarkand, he will take part in a C5+1 meeting and hold talks on trade, investment and economic cooperation. According to Podrobno.uz, the upcoming visit was announced by Sergio Gor, »»»
Fadlallah says Hezbollah and Amal not against 'political solution' in south
MP Hassan Fadlallah on Friday announced that Hezbollah and the Amal Movement are not opposed to a “political solution” for south Lebanon. "We are not warmongers; rather, these wars were imposed upon us because our destiny -- especially as the people of the South -- is to live next to this Zionist e»»»
Argentina's poverty rate climbs to nearly one in three under Milei
Argentina’s poverty rate rose to 32.3% in the first half of 2026 from 28.2% in the previous six months, official data showed on Thursday, as incomes lagged rising prices. Extreme poverty climbed to 7.5% from 6.3%. Among children aged 14 and under, 44.5% were poor. Argentina's poverty rate increased»»»
Radev: Bulgaria Must Turn Eurozone Membership Into Investment; Donev: Inflation Not Caused by Euro
Bulgaria must use its membership in the Eurozone and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) to attract investment, strengthen competitiveness and build a more resilient economy, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said at a high-level conference in Sofia organized by the Ministry of Finance and the ESM. The»»»
Bulgaria Urges North Macedonia to Fulfill EU Commitments
Bulgaria expects North Macedonia to fulfill its commitments and make the necessary changes to advance its path toward EU membership, states a position by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statement came after North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski said the EU should take par»»»
Iraq’s Najaf Airport Suspends Iranian Flights
Najaf International Airport has suspended all inbound and outbound flights with Iran until further notice, following instructions from what airport management described as the relevant authorities. An urgent official letter addressed to terminal managers and airlines said the suspension took effect»»»
Russia and Kazakhstan account for 90.3 % of Kyrgyzstan’s oil product imports - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan imported $499,889.4 million worth of oil products in the first seven months of 2026. The value of imports increased by 11.4 percent, while volumes fell by 17.3 percent, data from the National Statistical Committee say. The country also resumed imports of crude oil. From January to July, »»»
Housing promised to all in need by 2030 — Sadyr Japarov - | 24.KG
President Sadyr Japarov said more than 20,000 apartments are planned to be completed across the country by the end of the year. According to him, around 20,000 families will receive homes, the presidential press service reported. The president made the statement at the opening of Asman Residence-1 »»»
Netanyahu brings ‘killer pager’ to UN (VIDEO)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held up a pager at the UN General Assembly, invoking the deadly 2024 covert sabotage operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which killed dozens and severely wounded thousands, including women and children. Thousands of pagers carried by Hezbollah members e»»»
Revolut Hungary ATMs are coming - here are the details
Revolut Hungary could soon become a much more visible part of the country’s banking infrastructure, as the fintech company is expected to join Hungary’s ATM deployment programme. The change could eventually bring hundreds of new cash machines, although customers should not expect an immediate trans»»»
Injury-time goal gives Greece UEFA Nations League win over Serbia in Belgrade
BELGRADE - The Serbia men's national football team lost 2-1 to Greece at home in a UEFA Nations League Group A2 Match Day 1 game on Thursday evening. In front of some 4,000 spectators at Belgrade's Rajko Mitic Stadium, Serbia took the lead in the fourth minute through an Andrija Zivkovic goal, but »»»
Bulgaria Set on Bringing 2027 Government Deficit Within 3%
The Ministry of Finance plans and expects to accelerate the reduction of Bulgaria's government deficit towards the Maastricht criterion of 3% of GDP as part of the country's state budget procedure for 2027, which has already begun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Galab Donev said on F»»»
Yemen tells UN that Houthi rebels' moves on key strait threaten global economy
Yemen's internationally recognized government pressed world leaders anew Thursday for help defeating the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, saying that their new perch along one of the world's busiest waterways presents an international economic risk. The Houthis — who have controlled Yemen's capital, Sana»»»
Media Review: September 25
The beginning of the campaign to elect Bulgaria’s seventh president as well as the proposed package of tax changes by the Finance Ministry dominate Friday's news media. ELECTION CAMPAIGN Dnevnik carries an article dedicated to the beginning of the presidential campaign in Bulgaria that officially g»»»
Gargash: Iran war needs lasting peace, not a temporary fix
UAE presidential adviser calls for substantive Gulf-Iran talks to prevent another outbreak Dubai: Any settlement of the Iran war must deliver lasting peace rather than a temporary pause before fighting erupts again, Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, has said, calling for su»»»
France's Catholic influencers take faith from social media to real life
Catholic influencers gathered hundreds of young people for an evening of prayer at Paris's Saint-Sulpice church ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit, highlighting how social media is becoming a new tool for evangelisation. As youth baptisms rise in France, creators say their goal is to turn online engagem»»»
PM: Bulgaria Aims to Become Important Link in EU Stability and Future
The government’s goal is to turn Bulgaria into an important pillar of the stability and future of the European Union, with a developed industrial sector and sustainable public finances, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said at the opening of a high-level conference “Building Resilience Together: Bulgaria»»»