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»»»
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»»»
“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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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 »»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
Food prices in Kyrgyzstan fall amid rising prices in Kazakhstan and Russia - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan recorded a decline in prices for most basic food products amid rising prices in neighboring countries. The press service of the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic reported. Situation on the Kyrgyz market On April 22, 2026, ministry em»»»
China —Kyrgyzstan —Uzbekistan railway to become part of corridor to Europe - | 24.KG
The 9th meeting of the Transport Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States was held in Bishkek. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Transport of Kyrgyzstan, Talantbek Soltobaev. During the meeting, the parties noted the active development of cooperation in the transport sector and ident»»»
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»»»
WWE ‘Night of Champions’ event to return to Riyadh in June
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to host another major international wrestling event this summer, with WWE confirming the return of its “Night of Champions” showcase to Riyadh. The event will take place at Kingdom Arena on June 27, as part of the Kingdom’s expanding entertainment calendar under Riyadh S»»»
Star power at polling stations: Tamil Nadu sees Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith Kumar, Dhanush and others vote
1/11Kamal Haasan, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president and actor, along with his daughter, actress Shruti Haasan, shows his inked finger after casting his vote during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 in Chennai district, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday, April 23, 2026.IANS2/11Superstar Rajinikanth arr»»»
Amsterdam airport offers airline discounts over fuel costs
The Hague: Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport said Thursday it would offer airlines a 10-percent discount on airport charges due to the high price of jet fuel caused by the current Middle East geopolitical situation. The discount is a temporary measure that applies to daytime flights only from April 27, »»»
Ithra takes ‘Beyond the Ordinary’ to Milan Design Week 2026
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, is off to Europe for Milan Design Week, on until April 26. Ithra is showcasing key features of the newly-rebranded Ithra Design Week, formerly known as Tanween, its annual flagship design event, now in its ninth year. As a part o»»»
US Stocks Dip on Mixed Earnings as Markets Monitor Iran
Wall Street stocks retreated from records early Thursday as markets digested a trove of mixed earnings reports and monitored the latest dynamics between the United States and Iran. Analysts cited profit-taking after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq shrugged off a jump in oil prices to finish at records »»»
Trump Orders Military to ‘Shoot and Kill’ Iranian Small Boats Choking Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has ordered the US military to “shoot and kill” Iranian small boats choking the Strait of Hormuz.In a social media post Thursday morning, he said the military is intensifying its mine clearing efforts in the critical waterway. The move intensified the US-Iran standoff in t»»»
Britain, France sign $894M deal to stop migrant boats crossing Channel - UPI.com
Britain and France inked a new $894 million agreement Thursday to tackle small boats carrying asylum seekers attempting to get to England that will see the number of police patrolling French beaches rise from 700 to nearly 1,100. File photo by Mohammed Badra/EPA-EFE April 23 (UPI) -- Britain and Fr»»»
Are Damascus and Hezbollah headed for confrontation?
Since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria on 8 December 2024, the country’s border with Lebanon has been subject to an unprecedented mobilisation, with Damascus ramping things up in recent weeks by sending heavy reinforcements to the frontier to confront Hezbollah’s smuggling operations. Under As»»»
Kremlin says Putin can meet Zelensky only to agree final conflict arrangements
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin can only meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the purpose of finalizing agreements on the conflict, Russian news agencies quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Wednesday. Peskov’s comments on state television, reported by Russian new»»»
Dubai Lynx, MCN launch regional program to lift women into creative leadership
LONDON: Dubai Lynx and Middle East Communications Network, or MCN, are bringing the global “See It Be It” program to the MENA region, in a move aimed at widening the pipeline of women into leadership roles across advertising, media and marketing. The regional version, called “See It Be It: Connects»»»
Al Dhaid bust: 13 tonnes stored in poor conditions
Al Dhaid: More than 13 tonnes of food unfit for human consumption have been seized and destroyed by Al Dhaid Municipality in a major crackdown on unsafe storage practices, authorities said. The operation was carried out by the municipality’s Food Control Section under the Public Health Department, »»»
Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,109
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Thursday, losing 135.40 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 11,109.59. The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.02 billion ($1.6 billion), as 45 of the stocks advanced and 212 retreated. Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel mar»»»
Therapists from Thailand and Indonesia Apply Expertise at Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko Spa Centre
Located on a 1,200 sq. m. area, the spa centre at Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko offers a wide range of treatments performed by professionals, manager of Kempinski The Spa Kostadinka Vishanina told BTA. Hotel guests and visitors to the spa centre are attracted by the high level of services, in »»»
UK production costs hit record high amid Middle East conflict
London, April 22 (SANA) British companies reported a record rise in production costs this month, according to a new economic survey, highlighting renewed inflationary pressures that could feed into prices amid global energy disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Data from S&P Global showed»»»
Aldar acquires KEZAD logistics assets for Dh650m to expand portfolio
Dubai: Aldar Properties has acquired an industrial and logistics portfolio from a subsidiary of AD Ports Group for Dh650 million, expanding its presence in Abu Dhabi’s key economic zone. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.The transaction involves the»»»
Thermal SPA Hotel Roman Bath Boasts Stable Year-round Occupancy, Plans Renovation in May
Thermal SPA Hotel Roman Bath in the village of Banya reports a steady average annual occupancy rate of between 75% and 80%, the management of the complex said. The hotel operates year-round, with the only planned interruption scheduled for May, when routine maintenance, servicing, and facility upgr»»»
US military says it seizes another oil tanker associated with Iran
The U.S. military on Thursday seized another tanker associated with the smuggling of Iranian oil, ratcheting up a standoff with Iran a day after its paramilitary Revolutionary Guards took control of two vessels in the crucial Strait of Hormuz. The Defense Department released video footage of U.S. f»»»
What Does the Inclusion of Saudi Bonds in the J.P. Morgan Index Mean?
Saudi Arabia’s debt market is set for a strategic shift in early 2027, following J.P. Morgan’s announcement that local-currency bonds will be included in its global emerging markets bond index. The move represents a vote of confidence in the Kingdom’s structural reforms and is expected to open the »»»
Gold Eases Near $4,700 as Dollar and Oil Press Markets Amid Hormuz Tensions
Global — Gold prices retreated toward $4,700 per ounce, declining by nearly 1%, as a stronger US dollar and rising oil prices weighed on the metal, according to data reported by Bloomberg. The pullback follows the extension of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which has shifted market»»»
"Tunisian travel market" to kick off May 7 to promote domestic, neighbouring tourism
TUNIS, April 23, 2026 (TAP) – Tunisia is set to launch, on May 7, 8 and 9, 2026, at the City of Culture in Tunis, the first edition of the “Tunisian Travel Market,” a new professional conference focused on domestic and neighbouring tourism....»»»
Egypt Expands IPO Programme with Six State Firms to Deepen Market Activity
Cairo — Egypt is advancing its state IPO programme with the addition of six new government-owned companies to the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), in a move aimed at strengthening market depth and broadening investor participation. According to official EGX statements, and as confirmed by Deputy Chairman M»»»
Gold Eases Near $4,700 as Dollar and Oil Press Markets Amid Hormuz Tensions
Global — Gold prices retreated toward $4,700 per ounce, declining by nearly 1%, as a stronger US dollar and rising oil prices weighed on the metal, according to data reported by Bloomberg. The pullback follows the extension of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which has shifted market»»»
England nature festival organizers clarify it is not a nudist event - UPI.com
Organizers of the Cumbria Nature Festival in England issued an "important clarification" about the upcoming event: it is not for nudists. File Photo by Friedemann Vogel/EPA April 22 (UPI) -- Organizers of the Cumbria Nature Festival in England issued an "important clarification" about the upcoming »»»
Microsoft faces $2.3 bn cloud computing lawsuit in UK
London, United Kingdom: Microsoft is facing a £1.7-billion ($2.3 billion) class action lawsuit in Britain alleging that it abused its dominant market position to overcharge businesses, claimants said Thursday. The case was brought by digital markets regulation expert Maria Luisa Stasi on behalf of »»»
58-year-old woman killed in bear attack in Poland
Warsaw: A 58-year-old woman was killed by a bear in Southeastern Poland on Thursday, Pawel Giba, press officer for the District State Fire Service Headquarters in Sanok, told AFP. A report received by the fire department "indicated that in the village of Plonna a woman was allegedly attacked by a b»»»
Sophos appoints Hussain Salman as Enterprise Services Director for the Gulf region
Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced the appointment of Hussain Salman as Enterprise Services Director for the Gulf Region, where he will lead across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. With the region consistently ranking among »»»
Syria’s economic prospects: priorities and challenges
Damascus, April 23 (SANA) After one year in power, Syria’s government is focusing on reintegrating the country into the global political and economic system, seeking to end decades of sanctions and isolation. While officials say the most difficult phase has passed, the country still faces deep stru»»»
UAE flights disrupted: Where you can still travel today
Dubai: Air travel across the UAE continues to operate under strain nearly two months after the US-Israel-Iran conflict that erupted on February 28, with airlines relying on restricted air corridors, longer flight paths, and reduced schedules to maintain connectivity. The aviation sector has been am»»»
UAE crisis resilience sets global standard for stability
There is a unique sense of pride that comes from witnessing a nation transform challenges into a masterclass in stability. Over the past 50 days, as regional uncertainty dominated global headlines, I have watched the UAE once again demonstrate why it stands as a global standard for crisis managemen»»»
UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008
London: Both chambers of Britain's parliament have approved a bill that would ban children aged 17 and under from buying cigarettes during their lifetime. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to stop anyone born after January 1, 2009 (now aged 17) from taking up smoking. Health minister Wes Streeting ca»»»
Gold Slips on Inflation Concerns as High Oil Prices and Stronger Dollar Weigh
Gold prices fell on Thursday, pressured by a stronger dollar and elevated oil prices that stoked inflation worries, as investors tried to assess the conflict direction from stalled US-Iran talks. Spot gold was down 0.9% at $4,696.71 per ounce, as of 1135 GMT. US gold futures for June delivery fell »»»
Why viewers can’t ignore Anubhav Sinha’s disturbing thriller Assi out on Zee5
Dubai: Indian filmmaker Anubhav Sinha’s latest Hindi-language rape trial drama Assi is not an easy watch and it’s not meant to be. Starring Kani Kusruti, Tapsee Pannu, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, and Mohammed Zeeshan, the compelling and visceral courtroom procedural out on Zee5 now delves into sexua»»»
Cricket’s battle not to be overshadowed by the IPL
On April 25, the Indian Premier League will be halfway through its 19th edition. Coverage of it dominates the Indian-owned and based cricket media. Last week, Harsha Bhogle, one of its long-serving commentators and journalists, declared that the IPL “has to be one of the greatest sporting phenomena»»»
Iran war pushing more than 30 million back into poverty, UN development chief says
BANGKOK: More than 30 million people will be pushed back into poverty by the impacts of the Iran war including disruptions to fuel and fertilizer supplies just as farmers are planting crops, UN development chief Alexander De Croo said on Thursday. Fertilizer shortages — worsened by the blocking o»»»
Syria unveils plan for Damascus foreign exchange, gold market to boost monetary stability
JEDDAH: Syria has announced plans to launch the Damascus Market for Foreign Exchange and Gold, aiming to strengthen monetary policy and enhance financial stability. Governor of the Central Bank of Syria Abdulkader Husrieh said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to create a balanced and tr»»»
Why trust in media matters most during times of crisis
At a forum celebrating powerful women, it was a man who chose to talk about the kind of leadership that rarely makes headlines. Speaking at the session Beyond the Headlines: A Trusted Voice in Times of Crisis, Mark Thompson, Editor-in-Chief of Gulf News, traced his understanding of leadership back »»»