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»»»
School safety in focus as Sharjah classes restart
Sharjah: Sharjah Civil Defence calls for strict safety compliance as students return to classrooms Officials urge schools, students and staff to build a culture of prevention and emergency readiness As students across Sharjah return to in-person classes, the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority has unde»»»
Did the Pope change — or did the world finally listen?
Luanda: And in Africa, the lion roared. There is a case to be made that Pope Leo XIV, the careful, reserved, Midwestern Augustinian, found his voice on his epic trip through Africa, blasting the “handful of tyrants” and “chains of corruption” that have held the continent hostage for centuries. But »»»
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»»»
Who will make up Magyar’s new Hungarian government? Meet the team shaping up to be Tisza’s first cabinet
Originally published at Napunk The soon-to-be-formed Tisza government in Budapest will differ from Viktor Orbán’s governments not only in personnel but also in structure. Over the four terms since 2010, Viktor Orbán has repeatedly reshaped his governments, abolishing traditional ministries and fold»»»
Real Madrid coach Arbeloa launches stout defence of Mbappe
Madrid: Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa mounted a strong defence of French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who was criticised for what some perceived as ignoring his defensive responsibilities in last week's Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich. Arbeloa, who himself is under fire with Real all but ce»»»
Kosovo deadly attack trial nears end, defence rejects charges
Pristina: The trial in Pristina over an alleged secession attempt in northern Kosovo entered its final phase Monday, April 20, 2026, with the defence rejecting charges against three Serbs accused of "terrorist acts". In September 2023, a group of dozens of heavily armed men led by Serb Milan Radoic»»»
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»»»
RAKBANK posts record Q1 profit of Dh1 billion on strong lending, one-off gains
Dubai: The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK) reported a record quarterly profit after tax of Dh1 billion for the first quarter of 2026, marking a 43% increase year-on-year, driven by strong balance sheet growth and a one-off gain from a business divestment. Get updated faster and for FREE: »»»
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 »»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
First ‘Itmam’ centre for judicial services opens Sharjah
Sharjah :The Sharjah Judicial Department has launched the first centre under its “Itmam” judicial services initiative, marking a key step in enhancing service delivery and improving access to judicial processes in the emirate. Announcing the launch, Judge Dr Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi, Chairman of the»»»
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»»»
Laguna Medical SPA in St. Vlas Revives Traditions of Climatotherapy
The unique maritime climate of the St. Vlas resort can help treat chronic pulmonary diseases. This was established in the 1960s, when St. Vlas was recognized as one of Bulgaria's most favourable locations for climatotherapy and rehabilitation, Daniela Dineva of hotel owner Dinevi Group told BTA. Th»»»
New programme to turn 1,000 UAE families into entrepreneurs over 5 years
Dubai: The UAE is aiming to turn 1,000 Emirati families into entrepreneurs over the next five years, as part of a wider push to reduce reliance on state support and build a more self-sufficient economy. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Announced under the national campa»»»
UAE forecast for Tuesday: Wind, dust and rain
Dubai: The UAE is set for a stretch of cooler and unsettled weather beginning Tuesday and continuing through the end of the week, with dusty conditions, shifting winds and intermittent chances of light rainfall, according to the latest forecast, according to the National Center of Meteorology (NCM)»»»
fydubai expands Thailand network with second destination
Dubai: UAE carrier flydubai has announced it will start daily flights to Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok from 1 July 2026, marking its second destination in Thailand after Krabi. The service will operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport and will strengthen travel links bet»»»
How Bahrain is supporting private-sector workers as Gulf businesses feel Iran war strain
LONDON: Reverberations of the conflict in the Middle East are being felt across the region both physically and metaphorically. The booms and jolts of missile interceptions over Gulf cities and industrial sites may have halted since President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire on April 8, b»»»
UNIFIL chief leads tribute to slain French peacekeeper in Beirut
BEIRUT: The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon on Monday led a solemn tribute to a French soldier killed in a shooting incident in the country’s south, praising his “service and sacrifice” and urging an investigation into the attack. Major General Diodato Abagnara, commander of the Unit»»»
UK foreign minister to end tour early amid Iran ceasefire push
TOKYO/LONDON: British foreign minister Yvette Cooper will cut short an intensive diplomatic tour designed to build consensus around making a ceasefire in the Iran war permanent and on the next steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Cooper's department is at the centre of a new crisis over Peter Ma»»»
Nora Attal stars in Dolce&Gabbana Beauty campaign
DUBAI: British Moroccan model Nora Attal stars in a new campaign for Italian label Dolce&Gabbana Beauty, showcasing a new lip product by the Italian luxury label. In the advert, which Attal shared on social media, the model can be seen posing with a red, glossy lip courtesy of the new Rose Dew Lip »»»
Startup wrap — Funding momentum continues amid Iran conflict
RIYADH: Startups in the Middle East and North Africa region secured multiple funding rounds across different sectors across the beginning of April, despite ongoing market uncertainty caused by the conflict in Iran. This positive momentum continues from the record $7.5 billion raised by MENA startup»»»
Startups secure fresh funding as regional momentum builds
RIYADH: Global and regional startups continued to attract capital across fintech, healthtech, e-commerce, and proptech, as investors backed platforms focused on financial infrastructure, consumer services, and data-driven solutions. Saudi Arabia-based fintech Lean Technologies has received a major »»»
Riyadh Air adds Jeddah, Madrid and Manchester to expanding network
RIYADH: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newly launched national carrier backed by the Public Investment Fund, is set to add three new destinations — Jeddah, Madrid and Manchester — as it expands its network. The move signals the airline’s continued efforts to establish a global footprint ahead of its pl»»»
Saudi Arabia backs stronger global action on illicit finance: SAMA governor
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia supports stronger global cooperation to combat illicit finance, central bank governor Ayman Al-Sayari said, highlighting the financial sector’s resilience at global financial gatherings in Washington. The comments came during the Financial Action Task Force ministerial meeting »»»
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 kilometres east»»»
Macron and Tusk meet in Poland to discuss European defence
Poland: French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are meeting Monday in the north of Poland to strengthen defence cooperation in the face of Russian threats and weakening US commitment to Europe. The meeting is the first since the two countries signed a treaty of friend»»»
UK’s Starmer to face grilling from MPs over Mandelson scandal
London: Embattled UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will face lawmakers in parliament on Monday as he bids to quell anger over an unrelenting scandal involving long-time Jeffrey Epstein associate Peter Mandelson. Starmer, already widely unpopular with the public and many Labour MPs, is struggling to e»»»
Klass Wagen opens its 12th local office in Romania at Târgu Mureș Airport
Klass Wagen continues its expansion strategy in the Romanian market by opening a new office in Târgu Mureș, near Transylvania International Airport, the investment being part of the company’s broader regional development plan. The decision comes at a favourable time for the local market, marked by »»»
Oil prices jump and Wall Street slides with US, Iran clashing in Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices climbed more than 5% and Wall Street veered toward losses before the opening bell Monday as a standoff between Iran and the U.S. prevented tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz. Futures for the S&P 500 also fell 0.5% while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.6%. Nasdaq »»»
Drivers urged visit Mushrif Mall to benefit from black point reduction initiative
Abu Dhabi Police have invited motorists to visit a dedicated service platform at Mushrif Mall to benefit from the black points reduction initiative over a one-month period. The initiative will run from April 20 to May 20, 2026, operating daily from 4pm to 10pm on the mall’s first floor, offering co»»»
Sharjah warns drivers to follow rules as schools reopen
Sharjah :Sharjah Traffic Prosecution has urged motorists and pedestrians to strictly follow traffic laws and road protocol, describing compliance as the first line of defence in protecting lives and property, particularly as students return to school. Focus on school rush hoursDr Saeed Abdullah Al »»»
EFSD raises Kyrgyzstan’s economic growth forecast for 2026 - | 24.KG
Analysts at the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD) have revised upward their macroeconomic outlook for Kyrgyzstan. The country’s GDP is now expected to grow by 8.3 percent in 2026, reaching approximately 2,334.8 trillion soms. Economic growth and fiscal stimulus The main driver »»»
Progressive Bulgaria Wins Most Votes in Greece Voting Sections
Progressive Bulgaria received the most votes in the Bulgarian snap parliamentary elections at voting sections in Greece, according to 100% of processed tally sheets as of 13:00 Monday afternoon, data published on the website of the Central Election Commission show. According to the data, 2,061 Bulg»»»
BR Analysis | Stagflation risk prompting investor caution in Romania
Stagflation is considered to be a growing risk for the Romanian economy this year, as the country has already entered a technical recession while facing additional challenges on the energy front, as prices could soar over the ongoing Middle East conflict. By Ovidiu Poșircă Iulian Lolea, chief econo»»»
Investment minister, IFAD head discuss food security, agriculture
Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid Saleh said that Egypt is working to turn agriculture into a competitive export sector. During a meeting in Washington with President of the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD), the two sides discussed cooperation to support fo»»»
Trump says US team heading to Pakistan for Iran talks, warns of strikes if no deal
The US negotiating team is heading to Pakistan for the next round of Iran peace talks on Monday, President Donald Trump has announced, while renewing his threat to strike Iran’s infrastructure if no deal is reached.In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump accused Tehran of violating the temporary ce»»»
Cost of war, case for peace: Why US-Iran deal is urgent
The confrontation between the United States and Iran is no longer a conventional political dispute; it has evolved into a multidimensional crisis with military, economic, security, and environmental ramifications that threaten not only the stability of the Arabian Gulf but also the broader internat»»»
Sustainability in crisis: The UAE’s blueprint in uncertain times
In a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, sustainability is no longer a theoretical construct or a distant set of development goals. It has become a practical framework for national resilience. And although I have spent years teaching the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in universities and s»»»
Burj Al Arab to Armani, Dubai hotels move into upgrade cycle
Dubai: A wave of hotel refurbishments is sweeping across Dubai this summer, with several high-profile properties either scaling back access or pausing key venues as operators move to upgrade assets during the quieter season. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The current »»»
International flights resume operations to Qatar
International airlines have resumed operations to Qatar, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) announced, signalling the restoration of regular international air services following recent disruptions. The authority said the decision came after “a comprehensive assessment of the situation, condu»»»
IMF Signals Structural Economic Shift Across MENA
The latest assessments from the International Monetary Fund signal that the ongoing Middle East conflict has evolved into a systemic economic shock, disrupting energy markets, trade corridors, and financial stability across multiple regions. Presenting the Fund’s regional outlook at the 2026 Spring»»»
Briton in Russia Revives Soviet-Era Watches for Luxury Market
When David Henderson-Stewart first visited Russia's Raketa watch factory, its few remaining watchmakers were huddled in winter coats over vintage equipment. The British former lawyer knew nothing about watches, but his love of Soviet design led him to see potential in the ailing enterprise, which o»»»
Atlantis Dubai pauses select dining venues to refine offerings
Dubai: Atlantis Dubai has temporarily paused a number of venues across Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, while maintaining strong visitor demand across its core dining portfolio. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The move comes as part of what the operator descri»»»
Russian Army Launches Retaliatory Strike on Ukraine Military-Industrial Targets - MoD
The Russia Army carried out a retaliatory group strike on facilities of Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex, as well as transport and airfield infrastructure used in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. “Over the past 24 hours, in response to Ukra»»»