Pope Leo visits Angola’s diamond-rich northeast
LUANDA: Pope Leo XIV heads to Angola’s remote and diamond-rich northeast on Monday in the latest stop on an Africa tour during which he has spoken out against the country’s glaring poverty. On the eighth day of a trip to four African nations, Leo will fly to the town of Saurimo, 800 kilometers east»»»
In photos: Feria de Abril continues with horse and carriages exhibition - All Photos - UPI.com
By Wade SheridanFeria de Abril celebrations continue in Spain with a horse and carriages exhibition at the Real Maestranza de Caballería bullring in Seville on Sunday. Feria de Abril, or April Fair, is a week-long cultural celebration. Horsemen perform using horse-drawn carriages at the Real Maestr»»»
Superbrands Romania launches the 2026–2027 edition, dedicated to architects of progress in branding
The new Superbrands Honorary Council has also been established, bringing together 30 leaders from the business environment and specialists from the marketing and communication industry, whose mission, as in every edition, is to evaluate the reputational performance of the brands listed in the progr»»»
$200 million World Bank grant allocated for Syria railway projects
Damascus, April 20 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of Transport announced that around $200 million has been allocated through a World Bank grant to finance a number of railway infrastructure projects aimed at accelerating the country’s economic recovery. Ali Asbar, Director of Land Transport Affairs at the»»»
Syria’s return as a regional transport hub gains momentum
Damascus, April 20 (SANA) A series of recent diplomatic and economic developments is refocusing attention on Syria’s strategic location, as regional and international actors increasingly view the country not only through the lens of politics and reconstruction, but also as a potential hub for trans»»»
ING Bank Romania in 2025: revenue of over RON 4 billion and more than 260,000 new customers
Our performance in 2025 was marked by sustained growth in our loan and deposit portfolio. The gross loan portfolio grew by 12%, bringing our market share to 11%, while deposits reached 72.4 billion lei, up 4% from the previous year, securing a market share of 10.7%. Operating expenses increased by »»»
Brunei showcases diverse tourism experiences
Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei highlighted its rich and diverse tourism offerings at the recent NATAS Travel Fair in neighboring Singapore, according to a press release issued by the Brunei Tourism Development Department on Monday. The showcase featured a wide range of experiences, from rainforest adv»»»
French fund Epsicap Nano buys logistics facility in Olsztyn
Epsicap REIM has entered the Polish market through its fund Epsicap Nano by acquiring a logistics property in Olsztyn for €5.3 million from Redkom Development. The facility, completed in 2025, offers 2,328 m² and operates as a last mile cross dock hub for urban logistics. This marks the fund’s firs»»»
Nearly 70,000 sq m of new retail space handed over in Q1 ‘26
Poland’s total stock of modern retail space exceeded 13.9 million m² by the end of March 2026, with 733 operating properties, according to Colliers. Market saturation rose to 371 m² per 1,000 residents. In the first quarter, nearly 70,000 m² of new space was delivered through five new projects and »»»
Intermodal transport increased by 4.9% y/y to 1.83 mln units in ‘25
Rail intermodal transport in Poland grew moderately in 2025, showing resilience despite broader declines in freight. According to the Urząd Transportu Kolejowego, volumes reached 1.83 million units, up 4.9 percent year on year, with total cargo at 28.4 million tons. Growth accelerated in the second»»»
Chinese brands taking over Polish auto market
Chinese car brands are rapidly gaining popularity in Poland, especially in the 7 seat family car segment, where they now account for about 25% of sales. In March 2026, registrations reached a record 2,280 vehicles, up 29% y/y, with strong seasonal demand ahead of summer holidays. In the first quart»»»
Whale stranded on German coast swims off, gets stuck again
Berlin: Efforts to rescue a humpback whale stranded for weeks on Germany's Baltic Sea coast were complicated Monday when the animal unexpectedly swam away but then appeared to have got stuck again. The 13.5-metre (44-foot) whale and its struggle for survival have captured the hearts of the German p»»»
Venezuela in talks with Siemens, GE over power crisis - UPI.com
Avilio Troconiz (C), regional president of the Primero Justicia party in Zulia, speaks at a press conference in front of the Las Tarabas electrical substation in Maracaibo, Zulia state, Venezuela, on March 26. The party denounced the the electricity crisis, which has worsened in recent months. Phot»»»
UNIMOT: fuel market in Europe under pressure of limited supply
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Journalists urge WHCA not to 'normalize' Trump ahead at press dinner - UPI.com
1 of 3 | A coalition of journalists are calling on the White House Correspondents’ Association to push back on President Donald Trump’s attacks on the press ahead of his attendance at Saturday’s correspondents’ dinner. Photo by Graeme Sloan/UPI | License Photo April 20 (UPI) -- A coalition of journ»»»
Exhibition Dedicated to 150th Anniversary of April Uprising Opens at National Library
An exhibition “For the Freedom of a People”, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising, opened at the National Library on Monday. President Iliana Iotova attended the event. She said the venue is symbolic and that it would be difficult to find a more suitable space for such an exhibi»»»
US to host more G20 talks on food, fertilizer as war fallout bites
Washington, United States: The United States said Monday it is committed to hosting further talks among G20 economies on how the Middle East conflict is impacting food and fertilizer supplies and prices. The United States is the current rotating chair of the Group of 20, which represents 85 percent»»»
A Top Paramilitary Commander Defects to Sudan’s Military as War Enters 4th Year
A high-profile paramilitary commander in Sudan has changed sides and joined the country’s army in a move welcomed by army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan shortly after the war entered its fourth year. Burhan on Sunday welcomed Maj. Gen. al-Nour Ahmed Adam, who defected earlier this month from the Ra»»»
Saudi Venture Capital backs Growth Catalyst Fund to boost mid-market growth
RIYADH: Saudi Venture Capital has announced an investment in the Growth Catalyst Fund, marking a continued push to expand private equity activity in Saudi Arabia’s mid-market segment. The fund, managed by Growth Catalyst Investment Co., will target growth-stage businesses across the Kingdom and the»»»
Mother, 6 children die in Pennsylvania house explosion - UPI.com
A mother and her six children, ranging from 3- to 11-years-old, died in a fire in Clinton County, Pa., when their home exploded. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 20 (UPI) -- A mother and her six children, ranging from 3- to 11-years-old, died in a fire in Clinton County, Pa., whe»»»
Libya’s agricultural sector is moving from planning to execution: Ahmed Ghazali at the Paris Libya-France Business Forum 2026
During the “Promoting Food Sovereignty” panel of the Libya France Business Forum held in Paris on 16 April, organised by Business France and the National Development Agency (NDA), Ahmed Al-Ghazali emphasised the fact that Libya’s agricultural sector is gaining momentum, underscoring growing coopera»»»
Chairman of the Authority conducts inspection tour at Abu Samra Border Crossing
Doha, Qatar: Chairman of the General Authority of Customs HE Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Jamal, and a number of officials from the Authority, conducted an inspection visit yesterday morning at the Abu Samra Border Crossing, as part of following up on the implementation of work systems and inspection and »»»
Egypt to Launch Listings of Banque du Caire and Misr Life Insurance by Mid-2026
Cairo — Egypt is moving forward with its state asset offering programme, with plans to initiate listings of stakes in Banque du Caire and Misr Life Insurance between May and June, according to Investment Minister Mohamed Farid. Speaking at an investor roundtable hosted by HSBC, the minister stated »»»
US Navy fires at and boards Iranian-flagged cargo ship (VIDEOS)
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has released a video showing a US warship firing at an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel that was later seized by US Marines. According to CENTCOM, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the M/V Touska in the Gulf of Oman as it attempted to breach the US naval»»»
Durov backs Musk in French criminal probe, accuses Paris of free speech suppression
France is weaponizing criminal prosecution in an attempt to suppress free speech, Telegram founder Pavel Durov has said, as he backed X owner Elon Musk in the social media platform’s legal case in the country. Durov made the remarks on Sunday after the Wall Street Journal reported that the US Depar»»»
20 startups launched through university accelerator program
RIYADH: Some 20 startups launched into the Saudi market at the conclusion of the University Startup Accelerator Program, organized by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, also known as Monshaat. A special event was held at the University of Business and Technology in Jeddah, mark»»»
Rhodes man gets 10 years for incest against daughter
A court on the Dodecanese island of Kos has jailed a 56-year-old man from Rhodes to ten years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of multiple counts raping his daughter and committing incest. As a result of the rape and incest, the daughter, now aged 31, gave birth to a child three-and-a-half ye»»»
Qatar Stock Market edges lower as trading closes in Doha
Doha: Qatar's stock market ended Monday's session in negative territory, with the main index slipping by 0.43%, according to official figures. The benchmark index of the Qatar Stock Exchange fell by 46.03 points to close at 10,672.20 points, reflecting modest selling pressure across sectors. During»»»
How Global Village is keeping you safe
After a month-long closure triggered by the Iran–Israel–US conflict, Global Village has reopened with renewed energy, and a sharpened focus on safety. As we are told by security, the priority is clear: Keep calm, stay alert, and protect every visitor who walks through the gates. We have to be calm.»»»
IMI appoints Nakhle Elhage as chief transformation officer
LONDON: IMI has appointed Nakhle Elhage as chief transformation officer as the UAE-based media group pushes ahead with efforts to sharpen its news brands and deepen its digital reach. Elhage, who helped build some of the Arab world’s best-known news operations, will oversee the transformation of IM»»»
Qatar real estate forum highlights vision to modernize brokerage sector
Doha, Qatar: Officials in Qatar have outlined plans to transform the country's real estate brokerage sector, focusing on stronger regulation, digital innovation and improved professional standards. The proposals were discussed during the second Real Estate Brokers' Forum in Doha, organized by the R»»»
Peru to confirm Keiko Fujimori runoff rival by mid-May - UPI.com
Peru’s Fuerza Popular party's Keiko Fujimori reacts after casting her vote in Lima on April 12. She now awaits finding out who her opponent will be in the June 7 presidential runoff. Photo by Renato Pajuelo/EPA April 20 (UPI) -- Peru's National Jury of Elections, known as Jurado Nacional de Eleccio»»»
Bulgaria's Progressive Party wins election amid fears of Russia meddling - UPI.com
Bulgarian Prime Minister-elect, Rumen Radev (C), leader of the Progressive Bulgaria coalition, addresses the media on Sunday night after the first exit polls indicated he was on track to win. Photo by Borislav Troshev/EPA April 20 (UPI) -- Former president Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria Party h»»»
Global Village Season 30 reopening: New attractions, expanded spaces, and upgraded experiences
Global Village has officially reopened its door today continuing its milestone 30th season, and it's bringing more than just nostalgia. Since first welcoming visitors in 1997, the beloved shopper's attraction has grown into one of the UAE's most beloved destinations, drawing a record-breaking 10.5 »»»
One in 11 Greater Athens motorists stopped by police gets fined
Greater Athens traffic police have stopped more than 44,000 motorists in the past five days under an unprecedentedly long and effective road safety campaign, fining roughly one in eleven for breaching the beefed-up new driving code. A police statement said 4,132 fines were issued between Thursday a»»»
Residents return to ravaged homes months after Hong Kong fire
Hong Kong: Hong Kong residents who lost their homes in a massive fire at an apartment complex last year began returning on Monday for the first time to collect what is left of their belongings. The city's deadliest fire in decades killed 168 people when it ripped through seven of the eight apartmen»»»
Lucic: Telekom Srbija's 2025 revenues at record-high 2.3 bln euros, profit at 1.3 bln
BELGRADE - Telekom Srbija registered record-breaking business results in 2025, with revenues totalling 2.3 bln euros and an operating profit of 1.3 bln euros, the company's CEO Vladimir Lucic said on Monday, adding that a full abolition of mobile roaming charges with the EU was possible as early as»»»
IFAD to Asharq Al-Awsat: Repercussions of Hormuz Closure Trigger Global Food Security Shock
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said the repercussions of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a global food security shock, warning that disruptions to fertilizer and fuel supplies, rising input costs, and declining purchasing power are threatening producti»»»
Closing Bell: Saudi main market holds steady in Monday trading
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s benchmark Tadawul All Share Index held steady on Monday, seeing a neglible fall off 97.75 points, or 0.85 percent, to close at 11,366.79. The parallel market Nomu declined 205.04 points, or 0.89 percent, to 22,863.75, while the MT30 index dropped 13.28 points, or 0.86 percent»»»
Tunisia to play host to CTF7 on July 1-3
Tunis, April 20 (TAP) - Tunisia will play host next July 1- 3 to the CTF7 or the 7th COMESA Women in Business Trade Fair and Business Conference.More than 500 delegations representing 21 member countries are expected at this continental event...»»»
Transport minister highlights seamless Hajj travel as Makkah Route flights arrive
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser visited the dedicated terminal for the Makkah Route initiative at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, where he welcomed a flight of beneficiaries arriving from Bangladesh. The minister was briefed on proc»»»
MWL chief launches global Qur’an science council in Malaysia
RIYADH: The head of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars inaugurated a new body, the Global Council for Scientific Miracles in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur. MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa took part in the even»»»
Civil Defense urges caution as thunderstorms sweep Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s General Directorate of Civil Defense has urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid flood-prone areas as thunderstorms are forecast to continue affecting much of the country through Friday, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Citing projections from the National Center for»»»
Graphic storytelling gains attention in Saudi creative scene
DAMMAM: Saudi comic writer Abdullah Al-Otaibi outlined the fundamental differences between graphic novels and traditional fiction during a public discussion hosted at the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam on Sunday. The session, part of the Literary Partner initiative launched by»»»
OCA President Sheikh Joaan meets with His Majesty the King of Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Olympic Council of Malaysia President Dr. Norza Zakaria warmly welcomed HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, President of OCA and President of NOC Qatar, on a one-day working visit to Malaysia on Monday, April 20. Dr. Norza, Vice President of the OCA for the Southeast Asia Zo»»»
adidas and Saudia roll travel wear line across MENA
Dubai: Airlines are no longer just flying passengers — they’re now dressing them too. Sports apparel giant Adidas and Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia have launched a new travel-focused clothing line across the Middle East and North Africa, starting April 20. The aim, according to the airline»»»
Dubai Police welcome students with UAE flags as schools reopen
Dubai: Dubai Police marked the return of in-person learning with a series of field events aimed at welcoming students and fostering national pride. Through the “School Security” initiative, officers distributed UAE flags to students across schools, reinforcing a sense of belonging and identity from»»»
Romania’s real estate investment volume reached approximately EUR 152 million in Q1 2026
A distant second place was taken by the retail sector, with 8% of the total, followed by hotels (2%) and the industrial segment, with just 1%. The investment volume in the first three months of 2026 is approximately 7% above the quarterly average of 2025 but remains 2.5% below the level recorded in»»»
India, South Korea to cooperate on energy supply chains amid Iran war
NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced on Monday new partnerships in energy supply chains and critical technologies to address global trade fallout from the US–Israeli war on Iran. Lee arrived in India as the war, which started on Feb. 28, »»»
ALA releases list of 'Top 11 Most Challenged Books List of 2025' - UPI.com
The American Library Association's list of the "Top 11 Most Challenged Books List of 2025" includes titles by John Green, Sarah J. Maas and Anthony Burgess. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo April 20 (UPI) -- The American Library Association released its list of the "Top 11 Most Challeng»»»