Dubai: The UAE and China have signed 24 agreements to expand trade, investment and sector collaboration, marking a further step in strengthening economic ties between the two countries. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The agreements were announced during the UAE-China »»»

The Strait of Hormuz has once again returned to the centre of regional and international attention, not only because of the renewed media debate surrounding its legal status, but also due to the broader geopolitical tensions shaping discussions around it. A key point of dispute remains the strait i»»»

Ongoing military escalation in the Middle East puts tens of millions of people at risk of falling into poverty across 162 countries, according to new projections released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). While the impacts are concentrated in countries directly affected by t»»»

Libya’s Ministry of Transport reports that an air transport agreement between Algeria and Libya was agreed during a signing ceremony yesterday at the headquarters of the Algerian National Civil Aviation Agency, along with the signing of a memorandum of understanding regarding arrangements for resum»»»

Tehran: The US military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports Monday, after talks between the warring sides in Pakistan collapsed, and despite the Iranian military warning that it would treat any such action as an act of piracy. Trump had announced on social media he would blockade th»»»

The European Union's member states must coordinate on energy prices amid a 22 billion euro ($25.70 billion) increase in fossil fuel bills since the start of the Iran war, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday. "We're also looking into ... coordination of member states' gas sto»»»

Dubai: The Egyptian Embassy in Algeria has announced the launch of a new long-term entry visa for Algerian citizens, aimed at facilitating travel and strengthening ties between the two countries. According to the announcement, the visa will be valid for up to five years and will allow multiple entr»»»

Dubai: Jet fuel shortages are fast becoming one of the biggest hidden pressures on global aviation, affecting everything from airline profitability to the price travellers pay for tickets. While passengers may only notice the impact when fares suddenly rise, the causes run much deeper — from refine»»»

Dubai: Actor-turned-politician Vijay, founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is intensifying his campaign for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election with high-energy public outreach. As part of his unique campaign style, Vijay has been riding a bicycle through crowded street»»»

Tunis, April 13 (TAP) – The Tunisian pavilion at the “Ottawa Travel & Vacation Show,” held on April 11 and 12, 2026, in the Canadian capital, attracted a large number of English- and French-speaking visitors, according to a statement released Monday...»»»

Dubai: After months of delays, ‘Mera Lyari’ is finally set for its global premiere, stepping into the spotlight as Pakistan’s response to India’s Dhurandhar films and their ‘negative’ portrayal of Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood. The sports drama will debut at the UK Asian Film Festival on May 2 at t»»»

Dubai: UAE residents can now start investing in gold from as little as Dh10, as e& money rolls out a new app-based feature that allows users to buy and sell 24-karat gold instantly. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The offering, launched in partnership with SafeGold, en»»»

Russia is ready to take in Iran's enriched uranium as part of a future peace deal with the United States, the Kremlin said on Monday. Failed talks between Iran and the United States over the weekend dashed hopes of a swift deal to permanently end the war that has killed thousands and thrown the glo»»»

BusinessGermanyLufthansa pilots strike for 2 days, flights severely hitMark Hallam with AFP, dpaPilots who are members of the Vereinigung Cockpit trade union are striking on Monday and Tuesday. It's the fourth strike to hit Lufthansa and some of its subsidiaries this year, just days after cabin cre»»»

Dubai: UAE residents can now obtain their personal credit reports directly from more than 285 Al Ansari Exchange branches across the country, the exchange house announced on Monday after expanding its partnership with UAE's Etihad Credit Bureau. The move, according to a company statement, gives ind»»»

Dubai: Ordering food in the UAE has become second nature. With just a few taps, a meal is on its way a convenience people rely on every day. In a market where this ease is expected, trust is what defines the experience and determines whether it truly works. Sign up for our daily business newsletter»»»

Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi called for accelerating work on the Assiut diesel production complex to help reduce imports and boost local supply. During a virtual meeting of Assiut National Oil Processing Company (ANOPC), the minister said that the project plays an import»»»

Budapest: Congratulations from across Europe poured in Monday for Hungarian political newcomer Peter Magyar, who defeated nationalist Viktor Orban in elections seen as a blow to right-wing populism worldwide. Orban, a self-described "thorn" in the EU's side and defender of "illiberal democracy", lo»»»

Abu Dhabi: The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has announced the appointment of VERMEG, a global provider of mission-critical technology solutions for Market Infrastructures, Collateral Management, and Asset Servicing, as the lead technology partner of a consortium supporting the establishment of a»»»

Dubai: President Donald Trump has escalated the battle for the Strait of Hormuz, ordering a US naval blockade targeting ships linked to Iran — a move that risks sending global oil prices higher even as Washington says it wants the vital artery reopened. The contradiction is only apparent. Trump isn»»»

Egypt is set to introduce a new EGP 2 coin as part of a broader initiative to modernise its circulating currency system and improve the availability of small denominations, according to an official statement by the Ministry of Finance Egypt reported by Arab Finance. The move is designed to facilita»»»

With the support of President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, construction of a new municipal logistics center has begun in Naryn district. The office of Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in Naryn region reported. The center will be designed for the storage, transportation, and sorting of ag»»»

Dubai: The Capital Market Authority has introduced a new regulatory framework for virtual assets, setting out a broader and more structured rulebook for firms operating across the sector as activity continues to expand. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The framework bri»»»

Dubai: Dubai has signed a strategic agreement with HSBC Bank Middle East to attract more international companies, institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals to the emirate, as it steps up efforts to boost foreign capital inflows under its D33 economic agenda. The agreement, signed by th»»»

Kyrgyzstan’s first cosmonaut, Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic Salizhan Sharipov, arrived in the southern capital on a working visit. As the City Hall reported, during his visit, the cosmonaut met with students from Yuri Gagarin and Valentina Tereshkova secondary schools. The honored guest, who is the w»»»

Dubai: The death of Asha Bhosle on April 12, 2026, prompted an outpouring of tributes across India from politicians and industry veterans to a younger generation of actors eager to be seen marking the moment. But amid the grief, one post stood out and not in a way anyone intended. Actor Athiya Shet»»»

Dubai: When Kite Beach Dubai lit up at sunrise on Sunday, it wasn't just the morning light that made it glow. Nearly 1,500 runners, draped in red, white, green and black, moved together along one of the city's most iconic waterfronts in a unique show of unity and gratitude. The community event, Run»»»

The second Home Away Sports Festival, held on Sunday 5 April 2026, was a resounding success, bringing together 196 blue-collar migrant workers for a full day of cricket, badminton, carnival games, music and community. Organised this year by Karam Kandhari and Aarin Taurani, in collaboration with Sm»»»

The highly anticipated Edufair Abu Dhabi will take place from May 16–17 at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche, bringing together more than 25 prestigious universities and career service providers from the UAE and abroad. The event aims to help students and families identify the rig»»»

The president of the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions, Plamen Dimitrov, has warned that inflation in Bulgaria is likely to exceed earlier projections, even if fuel prices begin to decline. Speaking to the Bulgarian National Radio, he stressed that a formal meeting of the Tripartite Council h»»»

Dubai: Companies across the UAE and global markets continue to expect export growth in 2026, even as the Middle East conflict reshapes financial conditions and risk dynamics across global trade. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The latest Allianz Trade Global Survey, wh»»»

Iran's military said a US naval blockade set to begin on Monday would be illegal and amount to piracy, warning that no Gulf ports would be safe if its own were threatened. "The restrictions imposed by criminal America on maritime navigation and transit in international waters are illegal and consti»»»

Military personnel and equipment from units of the Bulgarian Land Forces will move along the national road and rail network on April 14 and 15, 2026, to take part in planned exercises, the Defence Ministry said. On April 14, troops and equipment will travel from Sliven to the Koren Training Area fo»»»

Dubai: Oil prices climbed at the start of the week while global equities and bonds came under pressure, after the US confirmed plans to impose a blockade around Iranian ports, raising concerns over energy supply and market stability. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Bre»»»

President Lee Jae Myung (R) and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk shake hands after a summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Monday. Photo by Yonhap President Lee Jae Myung and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk agreed to upgrade the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and bolster c»»»

Doha, Qatar: The primary wing of Pakistan International School Qatar (PISQ) successfully launched the first day of its Art Festival, marked by vibrant creativity and meaningful collaboration between students and parents. The opening day featured Grade 1 students working closely with their mothers i»»»

Croatia expects a fierce competition for European tourists this summer as war and global instability disrupt travel patterns, even as the Adriatic destination leans on its reputation for safety to sustain visitor numbers. »»»

Serbia’s foreign exchange reserves fell in March, as outflows linked to government debt repayments and central bank interventions outweighed inflows, the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) said on April 9. Gross foreign exchang»»»

When the US and Israel waged war on Iran on 28 February 2026, killing its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, two global powers watched intently from afar: China and Russia. Both had signed a trilateral strategic pact with Tehran just weeks earlier, pledging to deepen economic and defence ties (though off»»»

Doha, Qatar: The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) and the Community College of Qatar (CCQ), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing a strategic framework for academic cooperation and knowledge exchange between the two institutions. The agreement reflects a s»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Embassy of India and IBPC, Qatar, jointly organised a Business Interaction with H E Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Al Daibel Hall, Four Seasons Hotel, Al Corniche / West Bay, Doha. The event featured a n»»»

Doha, Qatar: More than 14,500 building permits were issued in 2025, marking a 6.1 percent increase compared to the previous year. The growth reflects continued momentum in the construction sector, driven by sustained demand and ongoing development initiatives across key segments. The construction s»»»

Gold prices touched a near one-week low on Monday, pressured by a stronger dollar, while a surge in oil prices following failed US-Iran peace talks fueled inflation worries and dampened expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts this year. Spot gold was down 0.7% at $4,716.70 per ounce, as»»»

The US military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports on Monday, after talks between the warring sides in Pakistan collapsed with President Donald Trump blaming Tehran's refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Trump had announced on social media he would blockade the strategic Strai»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar is emerging as a regional leader in strengthening cyber resilience, underpinned by robust national frameworks and a clear strategic vision, according to regional market experts. The country has established comprehensive initiatives, including the National Cyber Security Strategy »»»

Doha, Qatar: Director of the Banking Supervision Department at Qatar Central Bank Ali Hamad Al Marri has underscored the importance of the decision to defer loan instalments and interest payments for three months, describing it as a proactive step to maintain financial stability and support both in»»»

One of my previous employers once recalled a series of interview moments that stuck with them for all the wrong reasons. It’s easy to understand why, interviews can be nerve-wracking, and in that pressure, candidates often swing between two extremes. Some become so overwhelmed that they struggle to»»»

Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots are willing to lie, cheat and steal to “protect their own kind,” according to a new experiment. Researchers at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz asked Google’s digital assistant, Gemini, to clear up space on a computer server. This would involve deleting one of its»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s passport has climbed to 45th place in the latest Henley Passport Index, underscoring the country’s growing diplomatic influence and enhanced global mobility for its citizens. According to the latest official ranking published on its website, Qatari passport holders can now acce»»»

Dubai: Etihad Airways is increasing its presence in China with five new routes and 28 additional weekly flights. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The expansion will lift Etihad’s mainland China operations to 35 weekly flights across six destinations, including its exist»»»