UAE-China ties deepen with 24 agreements signed in Beijing
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 »»»
Ukraine Targets Russian Merchant Fleet With NATO Intel Support - Presidential Aide
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian special services are targeting the Russian merchant fleet with coordination and intelligence support of NATO, Russian presidential aide and chairman of the Russian Marine Board Nikolai Patrushev said on Monday. "The risks of illegal actions and terrorist attacks aga»»»
Sharjah Islamic Bank posts 19.4% profit growth in Q1
Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) reported a strong financial and operational performance for the first quarter of 2026, posting a net profit after tax of Dh380.7 million, up 19.4 per cent from Dh318.9 million in the same period last year. Income from investments in Islamic financing and Sukuk rose by Dh1»»»
US says to begin blockade of Iranian ports
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»»»
Iran in Touch with India on Ships Passage through Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Envoy Says
Iran has "good contact" with the Indian government on passage of the South Asian nation's ships through the Strait of Hormuz and wants to help New Delhi, Iranian Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali said on Monday, Reuters reported. The US-Israeli war on Iran, which began in February, has restricte»»»
U.S. Navy to blockade Iranian ports on both sides of Hormuz Strait - UPI.com
U.S. warships were due to begin blocking vessels of all nations from leaving or entering Iran's ports on Monday in line with a blockade ordered by President Donald Trump in response to failed peace talks in Pakistan at the weekend. File Photo by MC3 Amber Smalley/U.S. Navy/UPI | License Photo April»»»
Nusuk card for Hajj 2026: What it is and why every pilgrim must have it
Dubai: Hajj 2026 is weeks away, and for the millions of pilgrims converging on Mecca, one document is non-negotiable - the Nusuk card. Issued by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, it is the mandatory smart ID every registered pilgrim must carry from arrival to departure, granting access to »»»
UAE exporters stay confident as growth outlook holds steady
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»»»
Lee, Polish PM agree to upgrade bilateral ties to comprehensive strategic partnership - UPI.com
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»»»
Qatar's envoy attends meeting of Nepal PM with accredited Ambassadors
Ambassador of Qatar to Nepal H E Mishaal bin Mohammad Ali Al Ansari participated yesterday in the meeting of Prime Minister of Nepal H E Balendra Shah with Their Excellencies Ambassador accredited to Nepal. During the meeting, the foreign policy features of the new government in Nepal were explaine»»»
Al Muraikhi receives copy of credentials of Portugal’s Ambassador
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received yesterday a copy of the credentials of Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic to the State of Qatar, H E Ana Filomena da Costa Rocha. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs wished the Ambassador success in fulfilling h»»»
World Bank Chief Sounds Alarm about Looming Jobs Crisis Even after War Ends
The Middle East war will dominate global finance officials' talks this week in Washington, but World Bank President Ajay Banga is sounding the alarm about a bigger, looming crisis: a huge gap in jobs for the 1.2 billion people who will reach working age in developing countries in the next 10 to 15 »»»
EV makers eye Philippines as Manila sets ₱60-billion incentives, ends ICE subsidy amid global oil shock
Manila: With the Philippine government discontinuing its multi-billion-peso support programme for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle manufacturing, electric vehicle (EV) makers are stepping up interest in the country’s new ₱60-billion ($1 billion) Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS). T»»»
How two women turned Kite Beach into a love letter to Dubai and bought 10,000 people together
Dubai: There are ideas that take years to develop and there are ideas that arrive fully formed, urgent and impossible to ignore. The We Love Dubai initiative was the second kind. It started with a conversation. Marta Paniagua, Creative Director at Multilem Middle East, turned to her colleague Dorot»»»
Gold Drops as Inflation Worries Linger on Failed US-Iran Talks
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»»»
US Military to Begin Blockade of Iranian Ports on Monday
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»»»
EV makers eye Philippines after government sets ₱60-billion incentives, ends ICE subsidy
Manila: With the Philippine government discontinuing its multi-billion-peso support programme for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle manufacturing, electric vehicle (EV) makers are stepping up interest in the country’s new ₱60-billion ($1 billion) Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS). T»»»
DWTC Free Zone partners Wio to speed up business banking
Dubai: Companies across the UAE and global markets continue to expect export growth in 2026, even as the Middle East conflict begins to tighten financial conditions and raise concerns around payments and counterparty risk. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The agreement »»»
Millions of People in Sudan Surviving on One Meal a Day, NGOs Say
Millions of people in Sudan are surviving on just one meal a day, as the country's food crisis deepens and threatens to spread, according to a report published on Monday by a group of non-governmental organizations. Sudan's war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which enters it»»»
Gold dropped 12% in March, early April flows hint at a shift
Dubai: Gold’s sharp March decline has caught investors off guard, coming at a time when geopolitical tensions and inflation risks would typically support prices, yet the move was driven less by fundamentals and more by a rapid unwind of leveraged positions across markets. (Check latest UAE gold pri»»»
US CENTCOM Vows to Begin Naval Blockade of Iran on April 13
US Central Command has vowed to begin a blockade of "all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports" at 5:00 PM Moscow time on April 13. "US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m.»»»
US begins naval blockade of Iran: What it means
For centuries, naval blockades have shaped wars, trade, and geopolitics. They’re a powerful form of economic warfare — choking off commerce without a land invasion, but still sending shockwaves through food supplies, fuel markets, and national security. After weeks of Tehran's threat to commercial »»»
Trump orders naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz after failed US-Iran talks
President Donald Trump said the US Navy will begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz Monday morning after US-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan collapsed without agreement. This announcement fuelled fears of further disruption to global energy supplies and shipping routes. President Donald Trump on »»»
COMMENT: Iran and the US, where maximalism meets survival and peace cannot follow
The scene in Pakistan’s capital this weekend carried the weight of history. For the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, senior American and Iranian officials sat in the same city, and very nearly the same room, to negotiate an end to a war that has already consumed the calculus of several»»»
COMMENT: Iran and the US, where maximalism meets survival and peace cannot follow
The scene in Pakistan’s capital this weekend carried the weight of history. For the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, senior American and Iranian officials sat in the same city, and very nearly the same room, to negotiate an end to a war that has already consumed the calculus of several»»»
Lebanese govt politically present, operationally absent': PM accuses Israel of violating int'l law'
François Picard is pleased to welcome Jad Shahrour, journalist and Spokesperson at the Samir Kassir Foundation. Amid Israeli military operations across Lebanon, international negotiations and a ceasefire with Iran does not extend to Lebanon. The Lebanese territory remains an active battlefield. He »»»
Leo XIV to make history with first-ever papal visit to Algeria
No pope has ever set foot in Algeria. That changes on Monday, when Pope Leo XIV opens an African tour with a two-day visit to the Muslim-majority country. The Vatican frames it as a milestone for interfaith dialogue. Algiers, increasingly isolated on the world stage, has its own reasons to welcome »»»
US to begin blockade of Iranian ports Monday: military
The US military said Sunday it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports within hours, after peace talks in Pakistan collapsed with Washington blaming the Islamic republic's refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The announcement came despite a ceasefire agreed on Wednesday aimed at pausing th»»»
Nahyan bin Mubarak attends Easter celebrations at Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended Easter celebrations at St Anthony Cathedral of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Essam Ashour, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the UAE, alongside members of»»»
Shura speaker meets ambassadors of Senegal and Sudan, stresses Qatar’s rejection of Iranian attacks
QNA Doha Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim on Sunday met separately with Ambassador of the Republic of The Sudan to the State of Qatar, HE Badr Al Din Abdullah Mohammed Ahmed and Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to the State of Qatar, HE Cheikh Tidiane Sall. During »»»
AL MURAIKHI RECEIVES CREDENTIALS OF PORTUGAL’S AMBASSADOR
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi on Sunday received a copy of the credentials of Ambassador of Portugal to Qatar HE Ana Filomena da Costa Rocha. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs wished the ambassador success in fulfilling her duties, affirming commitment»»»
Pentagon announces ‘blockade’ of Iranian ports
The US Department of War has announced that American forces will begin enforcing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports from 10 am ET (2 pm GMT) on April 13, after US-Iran talks in Pakistan ended without a deal. The US Central Command said the blockade would apply to »»»
Who is Péter Magyar – the ex-regime insider who crushed Orbán?
Just over two years ago, he was an unknown figure in Hungarian public life. Out of nothing, he built the largest opposition party, which, after 16 years, defeated Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz, long considered unbeatable.Magyar had always aspired to wield significant influence, but it took a long time befo»»»
UAE launches the national program to train surgeons
The UAE National Program for Readiness and Response, Jahiziyah, on Saturday launched the country’s first specialised national program to train surgeons in emergency management and disaster preparedness. This strategic initiative reflects the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to strengthening nationa»»»
[Interview] Hungarian journalist on life in Orbán’s media: ‘The moment they told me what I couldn’t ask, I knew it wouldn’t last’
Alinda Veiszer is a Hungarian television editor, presenter, journalist, and author. She became known at a time when she was working in Hungarian public media. In recent years, she has run her own channel on Patreon, where she publishes conversations with some of the best-known figures in Hungarian »»»
Kuwait adds 25 names to terror list, bringing total to 219
Dubai: Kuwait has added 25 new names to its national terrorism list, including 24 citizens and one non-Kuwaiti, bringing the total number of individuals and entities designated to 219. According to Al Rai Arabic daily, the move was announced by the Special Committee tasked with the implementation o»»»
Shura Council speaker meets ambassadors of Sudan, Senegal
DOHA: Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, on Sunday, met separately with Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to the State of Qatar HE Badr Al Din Abdullah Mohammed Ahmed, and Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to the State of Qatar HE Cheikh Tidiane Sall. During th»»»
Shura Council speaker meets ambassadors of Sudan, Senegal
Doha, Qatar: Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, on Sunday April 12, 2026, met separately with Ambassador of the Republic of The Sudan to the State of Qatar, HE Badr Al Din Abdullah Mohammed Ahmed and Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to the State of Qatar, HE Cheikh »»»
MoPH sets minimum shelf life for medicine imports in Qatar
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health recently issued a circular requiring imported medicines to have at least two-thirds of their remaining shelf life upon entry into Qatar. The directive, issued by the Ministry's Department of Pharmacy and Drug Control, aims to strengthen the quality standar»»»
RT’s essential guide to the Hungarian election
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is facing the most serious threat to his power in decades, in an election that’s drawn in the EU, US, and Ukraine. RT explores the players, the stakes, and the dirty tricks shaping the Hungarian election. We’ve delved into the election in our ‘Battle for Hungar»»»
How Pakistan’s solar boom became a geopolitical buffer
Driven by spiralling electricity tariffs, erratic supply, and policy uncertainty, Pakistan citizens — particularly the urban middle and upper classes — opted out of a failing electricity grid. What began as a private coping mechanism has, quite unexpectedly, evolved into a strategic national buffer»»»
Qatar, Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture marks 100 days
Doha, Qatar: In just over three months, the Years of Culture partnership with Canada and Mexico has already begun to demonstrate the value of sustained cultural dialogue, setting the tone for a year rooted in discovery, mutual understanding, and human connection. Years of Culture Adviser on Latin A»»»
Al Gharafa secure third straight Women’s Basketball League title
Doha, Qatar: Al Gharafa Club sealed their dominance in Qatari women’s basketball, clinching the 2025-2026 Qatar Basketball League title for a third consecutive season. The champions lifted the trophy despite a narrow 68-72 defeat to Al Shamal in their final match, the only loss in an otherwise domi»»»
Fitch downgrades outlook on Turkey as war impacts drain FX reserves
Fitch Ratings late on April 10 downgraded its rating outlook on Turkey to Stable from Positive in response to a marked decline in central bank FX reserves in the face of economic impacts caused by the conflict in the Middle East. »»»
Fitch downgrades outlook on Turkey as war impacts drain FX reserves
Fitch Ratings late on April 10 downgraded its rating outlook on Turkey to Stable from Positive in response to a marked decline in central bank FX reserves in the face of economic impacts caused by the conflict in the Middle East. »»»
Who is Iran's Chief negotiator Ghalibaf?
The 70-member Iranian delegation taking part in negotiations in Pakistan today is being led by one of Tehran’s most prominent non-clerical figures, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Caroline Baum takes a look at the man Iran has entrusted with securing an end to the war on terms »»»
Qatar, Canada and Mexico 2026Year of Culture marks 100 days
Tribune News Network Doha In just over three months, the Years of Culture’s (YoC) partnership with Canada and Mexico has already begun to demonstrate the value of sustained cultural dialogue, setting the tone for a year rooted in discovery, mutual understanding and human connection. Mohammed Al Kuw»»»
‘Global efforts needed to eliminate former Syrian regime’s chemical weapons programme remnants’
QNA The Hague The State of Qatar stressed the importance of coordinated international efforts to eliminate the remnants of the former Syrian regime’s chemical weapons programme, praising the cooperation of the fraternal Syrian Arab Republic with the organisation and international partners. This cam»»»
Man attacks 3 with machete, killed by police in Grand Central Station - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Blood and a machete lie on the platform after a man was shot by New York Police Department officers inside Grand Central Station in New York City Saturday. Three victims were hospitalized in stable condition with knife wounds and the suspect is dead, according to police. Photo by Olga Fedo»»»
Over 6.57 Million Bulgarians Eligible to Vote on April 19
The Central Election Commission (CEC) in Bulgaria has confirmed that a total of 6,575,151 citizens are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections on April 19. The update was provided by Deputy Chairperson and spokesperson Rositsa Mateva, who said preparations are continuing on schedule. Mateva stat»»»