Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to co-chair a gathering of left-wing leaders in Barcelona on Saturday aimed at countering the rise of the far right and strengthening democratic institutions. The meeting brings together figures from acro»»»

Dubai: Filipino workers in parts of the UAE whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the ongoing situation in the Middle East are set to receive temporary financial relief, following a new advisory issued by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Under the programme, q»»»

Damascus, April 18 (SANA) Natural perfume production in Syria is expanding through home-based projects led by women who have turned traditional skills into small businesses, combining heritage craftsmanship with economic necessity. The craft of perfume-making involves extracting and blending scents»»»

Berlin: Bayern Munich moved closer to the Bundesliga title after Borussia Dortmund fell to a 2-1 loss at Hoffenheim on Saturday, while pioneering Union Berlin coach Marie-Louise Eta lost on her debut in the dugout. Second-placed Dortmund's defeat leaves Bayern, who host Stuttgart on Sunday, 12 poin»»»

1 of 3 | President Donald Trump signs an executive order on researching the effects of psychedelic drugs in mental health treatment on Saturday, in the Oval Office. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., podcast host Joe Rogan, Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, and retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell were»»»

Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) short-term state loan to national carrier airBaltic after a dispute that threatened to collapse the ruling coalition, LETA reported on April 16. The loan was approved by 4»»»

Iran has announced tax exemptions for families with three or more children under the country's Family Support and Youth Population Law, state media reported on April 18. The announcement comes as the Islamic Republic's tot»»»

Production of the iconic Poltsamaa strong mustard in Estonia will end this month after more than six decades, ERR News reported on its website ERR.ee on April 16. Parent company Orkla Eesti said mustard production would be»»»

Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) short-term state loan to national carrier airBaltic after a dispute that threatened to collapse the ruling coalition, LETA reported on April 16. The loan was approved by 4»»»

The control of Russia’s internet, including the latest escalation of the war on VPNs, has reportedly shifted to the Federal Security Bureau’s (FSB) Second Service unit, headed by Colonel General Alexei Sedov, according to an investigation by The Bell. »»»

Poczta Polska is expanding into real estate and housing development. On April 9, it filed to amend its statute to include activities such as residential construction, land development, and property projects. The move aims to better utilize its large property portfolio of over 6,000 assets and more »»»

Rex Concepts, the main franchisee of Burger King and Popeyes, is launching an IPO with a maximum share price of PLN 17.50, aiming to raise up to PLN 560 million. The company plans to use the funds to expand its restaurant network, grow internationally, pursue acquisitions, and broaden its brand por»»»

Poland’s parliament has approved a law introducing mandatory electronic identification for dogs and some cats, along with a central animal registry managed by a state agency. The system will eventually cover millions of pets, replacing the current fragmented and largely voluntary approach. With aro»»»

Each year the CEEQA Short List recognizes the outstanding real estate projects, companies, deals and industry leaders of the past year across 11 qualifying markets in Central & Eastern Europe voted by a panel of industry leaders of the 2026 CEEQA Jury. The short list presents 287 candidates for the»»»

Europe is increasingly shifting from a free-market model toward a system where the state sustains industry through massive, long-term funding. With weak private demand and high energy costs, sectors like defense and infrastructure are becoming the main drivers of production and employment. Rising c»»»

Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, Bakyt Sydykov, met with representatives of the U.S. business community during the IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. Companies and organizations including Pangea Global LLC, Concrete Engine, American Councils for Internationa»»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov met with Justin Sun, founder of the Tron blockchain platform. The presidential press service reported. The parties discussed current issues of global financial transformation, development of virtual assets, and blockchain technologies in Kyrgyzstan. Welcoming t»»»

US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Iran not to "blackmail" Washington with its flip-flopping on the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran declared the strategic waterway once again closed. "We're talking to them. They wanted to close up the strait again -- you know, as they've been d»»»

It has become common among analysts to say that the world has entered a new global order, where the logic of “might makes right” has replaced the “power of right,” and the old rules-based international system has faded. International relations are increasingly managed through power and influence ra»»»

The Strait of Hormuz is closed again, this time by Iran. Two ships have reported being fired on in the strait Saturday. File Photo by Divyakant Solanki/EPA April 18 (UPI) -- Just one day after the Strait of Hormuz was declared open, Iran has blocked the passage again, citing "breach of promise" by »»»

Abu Dhabi: More than 25,000 people from across society took part on Saturday in the “Your Nation Is Fortified” race in Abu Dhabi, in a strong show of unity, cohesion and social solidarity across the UAE. The race began at Wahat Al Karama and ended at Erth Abu Dhabi (Armed Forces Officers Club & Hot»»»

PoliticsGlobal issuesRecord fuel prices: How are governments responding?Jan D. WalterIn Germany, a liter of diesel costs up to 40% more than before the Iran war and other countries have seen even bigger price jumps. What are governments around the world doing to combat record fuel prices? https://p»»»

Hamas is facing its strongest pressure yet from mediators and other parties to agree, even in principle, to the “Peace Council” document before negotiating its terms, particularly the plan to disarm factions operating in the Gaza Strip, especially its armed wing, the Qassam Brigades. Two Hamas sour»»»

Muscat, Oman: The main index of Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) posted weekly gains of 174 points on Saturday, April 17, 2026, closing at 8,336, while the market capitalization of listed securities rose to OMR 38.625 billion, marking weekly gains of OMR 657.6 million. The benchmark index saw 48 securit»»»

Seven weeks of war have failed to topple Iran’s theocratic rulers or force them to meet all of President Donald Trump's demands, but for US adversaries and allies it has cast a spotlight on one of his central vulnerabilities: economic pressure. Even with Iran’s announcement on Friday that it was re»»»

Newark, United States: World Cup fans will have to pay $150 -- more than 10 times the normal price -- for the quick round-trip train between New York and Meadowlands stadium when it hosts the tournament's final and seven earlier matches, local officials said Friday, drawing outrage. The 36 miles (5»»»

Governance, ESG Compliance and Risk Priorities for Qatar's Private Sector," which brought together more than 200 participants from across the business and professional community. The webinar brought together a distinguished group of participants representing banks, law firms, embassies, real estate»»»

Melbourne, Australia: A car ploughed into a group of pedestrians outside Melbourne Showgrounds on Saturday evening, leaving at least one dead and one seriously injured, Victoria Police of Australia said. "It is believed a grey Toyota mounted a kerb on Langs Road and struck two pedestrians just befo»»»

Ankara, April 18 (SANA) Türkiye ‘s Ambassador in Damascus, Nuh Yılmaz, said on Saturday that Turkiye and Syria are before historic opportunity to enhance their energy market position following the seven-week closure of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy F»»»

New York: The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) participated in the 2026 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Convened under the theme "Innovate, Unite and Transform: Youth Shaping the Road to 2030," the Forum brought together youth, Membe»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Bank (QNB) expects the Indian economy to maintain robust growth despite global challenges and geopolitical volatility, projecting that strong domestic fundamentals will keep expansion above 6%, reinforcing its position among the world's fastest-growing major economies. I»»»

A man has been arrested in Melbourne after a car mounted a kerb and struck two pedestrians, killing one and leaving another with life-threatening injuries, according to Victoria Police. According to the BBC, the incident occurred on Saturday in the suburb of Ascot Vale, when a grey Toyota struck th»»»

Doha, Qatar: Media City Qatar and Es'hailSat have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding satellite broadcasting capabilities and strengthening digital media infrastructure for licensed companies operating within Media City Qatar. Under the agreement, Es'hailSat will explore l»»»

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said that there are no reforms without challenges, and that Egypt’s economic reform has went through its most difficult phase, and that the government is committed to continue its reform through, backed by the political leadership’s will and support, towards achieving i»»»

Shtip, 16 April 2026 (MIA) — Agricultural experts, professors and students from seven countries convened Thursday at Goce Delchev University for the 5th annual Agroscience and Practice international conference. At the conference, local attendees as well as participants from the Czech Republic, Croa»»»

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the global economy’s ability to withstand crises depends on adopting a “unified strategic vision and swift reforms,” warning that excessive market optimism may be masking serious geopolitical risks, particularly conflicts that threaten supply security.»»»

Dubai: The UAE’s drive to develop homegrown tax expertise has gained momentum with the rollout of the first phase of the Emirati Tax Agent Programme, as authorities move to strengthen national capabilities in the sector supporting the country’s economy. The initiative, announced at the Emaar Square»»»

Speaking to Tunisian media last Tuesday (14 April), Mohamed Habib Sassi, Chargé d’affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Tunisia in Tripoli highlighted the strategic importance of the Ras Jedir crossing, as a pivotal crossing point as a transit corridor for transit towards the depth of landlocked Africa. »»»

Global markets moved sharply on Friday after Iran said it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels, prompting investors to rapidly reassess geopolitical supply risks. Iran’s foreign minister said the strait was fully open to all commercial shipping for the duration of the ceasefi»»»

The Ministry of Economy and Trade announced last Thursday (16 April) that its Minister, Suhail Abushiha, had approved the decisions for the formation of four foreign and joint venture (JV) companies to support the investment climate in several vital sectors. The Ministry said this comes within the »»»

Las Vegas: Paramount Skydance was on a charm offensive at CinemaCon this week, trying to convince theater owners that its megabucks deal to swallow Warner Bros. would be good for the industry. A glitzy promotional film narrated by Tom Cruise ended with the world's most bankable movie star sitting a»»»

The International Monetary Fund will likely provide Venezuela with a financial support program as part of its re-engagement with the South American oil exporter provided that certain conditions can be met, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday. Georgieva told a press conference »»»

On April 18, 1775, U.S. patriot Paul Revere began his famous ride through the Massachusetts countryside, crying out "The British are coming!" to rally the minutemen. 1 of 5 | On April 18, 1775, U.S. patriot Paul Revere began his famous ride through the Massachusetts countryside, crying out "The Bri»»»

As part of its ongoing efforts to advance a sustainable mobility ecosystem in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, announced that its green bus fleet has exceeded 1.3 million environmentally friendly kilomet»»»

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) marked World Public Transport Day with a special tribute, illuminating Burj Khalifa to highlight the role of public transport in building sustainable, connected cities. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.In»»»

A new report by Cisco shows wireless networks in Saudi Arabia are no longer just a connectivity layer. They are a direct driver of performance and growth. The study draws on responses from 6,098 decision-makers and technical specialists across 30 markets, including 106 organizations in the Kingdom,»»»

Livestock farmers and cheese producers from the island of Lesvos walked out of an emergency government meeting on Friday, furious over vague assurances as a foot-and-mouth disease crisis entered its second month with no clear resolution. Representatives of both groups had traveled to Athens to meet»»»

Kuwait has stripped more than 50,000 people of their citizenship since September 2024, with campaigners saying the total could be as high as 250,000, as the government continues its sweeping nationality crackdown under a new decree published this week. »»»

The Kazakh-based brokerage-turned-fintech company Freedom Holding Corp is building an app, which is not just a banking service, it is supposed to organise your whole life. Freedom Holding Corp has emerged as one of central»»»

A holiday trip from Kerala turned into tragedy on Friday after a tourist van carrying a 12-member group plunged off a ghat road in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district, killing nine people and injuring four others. According to media reports, the accident occurred around 5.15 pm (local time) on the Val»»»