Al Awsat 5m

Spain’s Sanchez Says Venezuela’s Machado Declined to Meet Him

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was offered a meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his government during her visit to Spain but she declined because she did not consider it "opportune", Sanchez said on Friday. Machado's lack of contact with any members of Spain's leftist »»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 5m

Trump Says ‘No Sticking Points’ for Iran Deal

US President Donald Trump told AFP on Friday there were "no sticking points" left for a peace deal with Iran, adding that an agreement was "very close." Trump's comments came after a series of social media posts in which he touted progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran's nuclear»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 5m

Strikes Kill 3 Iranian Kurds in Northern Iraq, Says Opposition Group

Drone and rocket strikes in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region on Friday killed three Iranian Kurds, including two women fighters, an exiled opposition group said, blaming the attack on Iran. "Iran launched a new wave of missile and drone strikes today targeting... civilian camps of the PDKI," killin»»»

english.aawsat.com
24 News Agency 12m

Kyrgyzstan and USA discuss expansion of trade and economic cooperation - | 24.KG

Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bakyt Sydykov, met in Washington, D.C. with Brendan Lynch, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. Expressing gratitu»»»

24.kg
Kathimerini 18m

Heinz Kounio, one of Greece’s last Holocaust survivors, dies aged 98

One of Thessaloniki’s last Holocaust survivors, Heinz Kounio, has died aged 98, an association representing Greece’s Jewish communities said Friday. The Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, or KIS, described Kounio as an “emblematic figure” who was among the first Greek Jews to write abou»»»

ekathimerini.com
Naharnet 20m

Al-Rahi: True hero not one who wages wars, but one who builds peace

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Friday that "war does not build a future, but rather destroys the present and steals tomorrow," calling for "rejecting the logic of violence and adhering to the logic of dialogue." He added, in the southern city of Jezzine, that "the Lebanese are tired of war»»»

Tanjug 21m

Mali: US to sign EXPO 2027 contract in May

WASHINGTON - Serbian First Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali announced on Friday US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers would visit Belgrade in May to sign a contract on her country's participation in EXPO 2027, and noted that this would turn a new page in Serbia-US »»»

tanjug.rs
Naharnet 23m

Trump says 'no sticking points' left for Iran deal

U.S. President Donald Trump told AFP on Friday there were "no sticking points" left for a peace deal with Iran, adding that an agreement was "very close." Trump's comments came after a series of social media posts in which he touted progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran's nucle»»»

Naharnet 23m

Trump say Iran blockade continues despite Hormuz reopening

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed Iran's announcement that the crucial Strait of Hormuz will reopen to shipping, but said a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a peace deal is signed. "THANK YOU!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, saying that Iran had announced »»»

Bulgarian News Agency 30m

CC Only Party Offering Concrete Support for Families and Young People, CC Chair Vassilev Says

Continue the Change (CC) is the only party offering concrete measures to support families with children and young people in its election programme, Assen Vassilev, CC chair and top-of-the-list candidate of the Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria coalition for Haskovo’s 29th and Plovdiv City’s»»»

bta.bg
RT 41m

Hegseth compares press to Pharisees over Iran war coverage

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has once again attacked the press, accusing journalists of producing an “endless stream of garbage” in their coverage of the Iran conflict and comparing the Pentagon media pool to the Pharisees, a Jewish group in the Bible who often clashed with Jesus. Hegseth, a fo»»»

rt.com
Gulf News 52m

Etihad Airways announces significant expansion of its Africa network

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways today announced a significant expansion of its Africa network, adding new routes to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe from Abu Dhabi, as part of its continued global growth strategy. The new services reflect investment in high-growt»»»

gulfnews.com
Al Awsat 53m

Oil Falls by 13% After Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Open

Oil prices plunged by about 13% on Friday after Iran's foreign minister said passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz was open for the remaining ceasefire period and US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to never close the strait again. Brent crude futures fell $12.8»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 53m

Kosovo Lawmakers Approve Proposed Gaza Troop Deployment

Kosovo's parliament on Friday passed a law authorizing the potential deployment of a small number of troops to Gaza as part of a peacekeeping force proposed by US President Donald Trump. According to local media, the government intends to send 22 members of the Kosovo Security Force if the plan goe»»»

english.aawsat.com
Gulf News 54m

UAE President meets Ruler of Fujairah and conducts inspection of Fujairah Port

Fujairah: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today met with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah. During the meeting, Their Highnesses discussed a number of national issues in light of the UAE’s continued developme»»»

gulfnews.com
The Peninsula 57m

EU updates age-check app after vulnerabilities found

Brussels, Belgium: The European Union said Friday that it was updating an age verification app unveiled this week after independent developers pointed to vulnerabilities. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday that the app, which aims to better protect children from online harm, was "technica»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
24 News Agency 1h

Expert outlines U.S. priorities in cooperation with Central Asia - | 24.KG

The United States is building trade relations with Central Asia as a single, unified region with a population of 80 million people. Altynai Asanova, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce, said, speaking on Birinchi Radio. She noted that the priority for cooperation is the region as»»»

24.kg
Al Awsat 1h

Lebanon Says Israeli Strike in South Kills One Despite Truce

Lebanese state media said an Israeli strike on a motorcycle in the south killed one person on Friday, despite the start of a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. The truce, announced by US President Donald Trump, went into force at midnight (Thursday 2100 GMT), seeking to end more than six»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 1h

UN: Average of 47 Women and Girls Killed Daily During Gaza War

An average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in Gaza, according to figures published by UN Women on Friday, and the agency warned that deaths have continued six months into a fragile ceasefire. More than 38,000 women and girls were killed in Gaza between October 202»»»

english.aawsat.com
UPI 1h

Pope Leo XIV holds mass with estimated 120,000 in Cameroon - UPI.com

1 of 2 | A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV and Cameroonian President Paul Biya shaking hands during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Wednesday. Pope Leo XIV held a mass Friday in Douala, Cameroon in a stadium with an estimated 120,000 pe»»»

upi.com
Bulgarian News Agency 1h

Police Act Nationwide Against Vote-Buying, Seizing Cash and Evidence, Interior Ministry Secretary General Says

Law enforcement authorities are operating nationwide and will not allow vote-buyers to distort the free choice of citizens, the Interior Ministry's acting Secretary General Georgi Kandev said on Friday on Facebook. “Across the country, large-scale police operations are being carried out. Police off»»»

bta.bg
Tanjug 1h

Djuric: Serbia part of solution in Balkans, open to cooperation

ANTALYA - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Friday in Antalya, Turkey, where he is attending the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, that Serbia was a part of the solution in the Balkans - rather than a part of the problem - and noted that the goal of Serbia's participation in the forum was to present the regio»»»

tanjug.rs
Al Awsat 1h

Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz, but Trump Says Blockade on Iranian Ships and Ports Will Stay in Force

Iran said Friday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but President Donald Trump said the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragh»»»

english.aawsat.com
Sana 1h

EU to reactivate 1978 cooperation agreement with Syria

Brussels, April 17 (SANA) – The European Union plans to enhance cooperation with Syria by resuming official political contacts and reactivating a 1978 cooperation agreement, according to a document from the EU’s diplomatic service cited by Reuters. The document indicates that the EU will launch a h»»»

sana.sy
Bulgarian News Agency 1h

Association Rejects "Misinterpretation" of Data on Supply of Unregistered Medicines

The Association of Importers of Unregistered Medicinal Products for Rare Diseases Treatment has issued a statement objecting to what it describes as a misinterpretation of data on the supply of unregistered medicines. The statement was sent to the media in response to information presented by Deput»»»

bta.bg
The Peninsula 1h

Illegal oil transfers in Malacca Strait increasing: Malaysian official says

Kuala Lumpur: The illegal transfer of crude oil in the Malacca Strait is increasing, with syndicates refining their tactics of ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to avoid detection, the head of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the country's coastguard, said on Thursday. These syndicates, which »»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Bulgarian News Agency 1h

Korneliya Ninova Calls for “Defiant” Vote, Criticizes Campaign and Outlines Economic, Foreign Policy Proposals

Closing her election campaign in Haskovo on Friday, the leader of the Defiant Bulgaria National Movement party, Korneliya Ninova, called on all citizens to vote rationally rather than emotionally, and to remain defiant to the end, refusing to surrender or “sell out”. “We have proven over the years »»»

bta.bg
Naharnet 1h

'Enough is enough': Trump says Israel 'prohibited' by US from bombing Lebanon

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday the United States had "prohibited" Israel from bombing Lebanon following a ceasefire deal, adding that Washington would work with Lebanon to "deal with" Hezbollah. "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A.»»»

Sputnik 1h

Mediation as a Lifeline: Can Pakistan Use the Strait of Hormuz Crisis to Save Its Economy?

For Pakistan, it's critically important not only to serve as a peacemaker, but also to succeed as a peacemaker, economic policy analyst Syed Ali Ehsan told Sputnik. As the world watches the US-Iran conflict de-escalate, Pakistan finds itself trapped in a paradox. It is both one of the crisis' most »»»

sputniknews.com
Gulf News 1h

Dubai court sets strict rules for WhatsApp chats in divorce cases

Dubai: Court of Cassation in Dubai has ruled that WhatsApp messages must be carefully examined in divorce disputes when presented as evidence, underscoring their potential legal weight in family law proceedings. Appeal overturned over unexamined digital evidenceIn a significant judgment, the Dubai »»»

gulfnews.com
Bulgarian News Agency 1h

SPA Complex Alexander Expands Services with Signature Therapy and Summer Packages in Greece

SPA Complex Alexander in Zlatograd, Southern Bulgaria, is expanding its spa and tourism services by combining balneotherapy, signature treatments, and cultural-historical tourism, the owner and manager Alexander Mitushev told BTA. The complex is located in the heart of the Zlatograd Ethnographic Co»»»

bta.bg
Business-review 1h

Bosch strategy 2030: Structural adjustments strengthen competitiveness

During the presentation of the company’s annual results, Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH, stated: “As a global technology leader, we are committed to shaping trends in the fields of automation, digitalization, electrification, and artificial intelligence, as»»»

business-review.eu
Gulf News 2h

Hormuz reopens: What Iran’s move means for oil and war

Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial shipping, marking a significant shift after weeks of disruption during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The move comes as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to be holding, raising cautious hop»»»

gulfnews.com
Sputnik 2h

Beirut Residents Return to Southern Suburbs After Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire Takes Effect

BEIRUT (Sputnik) - Residents of Beirut's heavily populated southern suburb were returning to their homes on Friday following the entry into force of a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a Sputnik correspondent said. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun a»»»

sputniknews.com
UPI 2h

Iran says Strait of Hormuz is open; oil prices fall 10% - UPI.com

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi welcoming Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir upon his arrival at the airport in Tehran, on Wednesday. Araghchi announced Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is open. Photo by Iranian Foreign Ministry/UPI. | License Photo April 17 (UPI) -- Iranian Foreign Mini»»»

upi.com
Bulgarian News Agency 2h

Bulgaria’s New Government Faces Critical Task of Reassessing Fiscal Policy, IMF Official Recommends

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slightly lowered its growth forecast for the Bulgarian economy by 0.3 percentage points to 2.8% amid the crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East, which in this regard has no greater impact than in other countries. However, the Fund has expressed conc»»»

bta.bg
The Peninsula 2h

Monet paintings sell for €16M

Paris: Sotheby's Paris announced the sale of two rare paintings by French artist Claude Monet for over €16 million at a major auction attended by international collectors. One work, Vetheuil, Morning Effect (1901), valued between €6-8 million, reflects key elements of Impressionism, particularly th»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Sputnik 2h

Trump Prohibits Israel From Bombing Lebanon

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Israel will end its bombardment campaign against Lebanon after being prohibited from doing so by the United States, President Donald Trump said on Friday. "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!! Thank»»»

sputniknews.com
Sputnik 2h

US Mulls Unlocking $20Bln in Iranian Funds in Exchange for Enriched Uranium - Reports

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The Trump administration is considering unfreezing $20 billion worth of Iranian financial assets in exchange for the Islamic Republic abandoning its stockpile of enriched uranium, Axios reported on Friday, citing four sources. As part of the ongoing negotiations, Washington a»»»

sputniknews.com
Sputnik 2h

Putin Says Russia Has Special Relations With CIS Countries

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia has had special relations with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries for decades. "We have always had, and I am sure will continue to have, a special attitude toward this, if only for historical reasons,»»»

sputniknews.com
EU Observer 2h

Bulgaria’s election on Sunday may see a ‘new Orbán’ as prime minister in Sofia

First published in Denik N Former Bulgarian president (2017 to January 2026) Rumen Radev appears to be on his way back — but this time, to the prime minister’s office. The former air force commander with pro-Russian views, who in January stepped down from the presidency in order to run in Sunday’s »»»

euobserver.com
Bulgarian News Agency 2h

Prosecution Service Is Probing PM, Ministers, Interior Ministry Secretary General - Gurov

The prosecution service has opened a probe against the Prime Minister, government ministers and the Interior Ministry Secretary General. That was announced by caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov in a Facebook post. He said the prosecutors "have acted on tipoffs from the bludgeons" without providi»»»

bta.bg
The Peninsula 2h

One killed, several injured in Northern Gaza as ceasefire strains persist

Gaza: A Palestinian has been killed and several others injured following Israeli fire in the north of the Gaza Strip, according to local media reports on Friday, April 17, 2026. The Palestinian news agency WAFA said Israeli forces opened machine-gun fire towards tents sheltering displaced people in»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
UPI 2h

Analilia Meijia keeps New Jersey House seat for Democrats - UPI.com

1 of 2 | Analilia Mejia won the vacant U.S. House seat in New Jersey in a special election on Thursday, maintaining control of the seat for the Democratic Party. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 17 (UPI) -- Analilia Mejia won the vacant U.S. House seat in New Jersey in a special »»»

upi.com
The Peninsula 2h

UN: More than 38,000 women, girls killed in Gaza war by end of 2025

Geneva: Over 38,000 women and girls were killed in the Gaza war by the end of 2025, the UN estimated Friday, amounting to over half of the 71,000 deaths recorded by the territory's health ministry. "Between October 2023 and December 2025, more than 38,000 women and girls were killed in Gaza -- the »»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Gulf News 2h

Oil crashes 10%+ as Iran flips script: Hormuz 'open' after Israel-Lebanon truce

Oil futures tanked on Friday following a statement by Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reflecting trader relief that the immediate risk of a supply shock had receded. The move marks a notable de-escalation by Tehran. Brent crude fell (down 11.26% to $84.03 as of 9.50 Beijing time); US West Tex»»»

gulfnews.com
UPI 2h

Australian soldier granted bail in war crimes case - UPI.com

Ben Roberts-Smith pictured in March 2022 outside federal court in Sydney during a defamation trial in which he unsuccessfully sued three former Fairfax group newspapers for carrying articles implicating him in war crimes in the Afghanistan war. File photo by Dan Himbrechts/EPA April 17 (UPI) -- Aus»»»

upi.com
UPI 2h

GOP wins temporary extension of FISA surveillance powers in House - UPI.com

House Speaker Mike Johnson failed to shepherd an 18-month reauthorization of a key part of FISA through Congress after struggling to find enough votes early Friday, but managed to secure a 10-day extension to allow more time for negotiations. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 17 (UPI) »»»

upi.com
Bulgarian News Agency 2h

Bulgaria's April 19, 2026 Early Parliamentary Elections: Backgrounder

Bulgarians at home and abroad are going to the polls on Sunday to elect their new lawmakers. These will be the country's eighteenth parliamentary elections since the start of democratic changes in 1989 and the seventh snap ones in a row since 2021. The Election Code that regulates the process was a»»»

bta.bg