An Australian former soldier charged with committing war crimes in Afghanistan vowed on Sunday to clear his name, saying he had never "run from a fight" in his first public comments since his arrest. "For the past 10 years, my family and I have been subject to a campaign to convince Australians tha»»»

Dubai: Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department has expanded the emirate’s religious infrastructure in the first quarter of 2026, with the opening of 13 new mosques at a total cost of Dh162 million, in an effortto meet growing demand in newly developed communities. The new mosques»»»

Dubai: The Strait of Hormuz is no longer a shipping lane — it is now a gunboat-enforced negotiating table. What unfolded over the past 36 hours has stripped away any lingering illusion that the waterway is returning to normal. A brief window of optimism — sparked by Iran’s signal that the strait wa»»»

Jumhouria Bank, Libya’s biggest bank, has announced its Palm-scan Payment service. The launch was announced during the bank’s participation at the 52 Tripoli International Fair, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Jumhouria bank said the launch comes as part of its wider policy and the Cent»»»

•• Malawi Minister of Health: A new phase of cooperation with EIPICO has now begun, because what we saw in the company exceeds any expectation or perception. •• Dr. Olfat Ghorab: Acdima companies are the strong arm of the state in providing medicine to Africa as well. •• Dr. Ahmed Kilani: An import»»»

Routine maintenance work at Islam’s holiest site has been completed to the highest international standards, Saudi authorities said, as the Kingdom simultaneously began welcoming the first wave of pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj season. The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the P»»»

Lebanon's president and prime minister have discussed preparations for the first direct negotiations with Israel in decades. In a statement, the office of President Joseph Aoun said he and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam conducted "an assessment of the post-ceasefire phase and the ongoing efforts to con»»»

Doha, Qatar: Al Ahli and Al Sadd secured their places in the semifinals of the Amir Cup basketball competition for the 2025–2026 season after quarterfinal wins over Al Wakrah and Al Shamal at Al Gharafa Hall yesterday. Al Ahli defeated Al Wakrah 85-72 in a tightly contested game. Al Ahli led 18–10 »»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation organised Survival 1, the opening round of the 2026 Qatar Off Road Championship (QORC), in the challenging dunes of Sealine. The event featured a strong entry list of 42 competitors representing Qatar and several other nationalities, delivering»»»

A skydiver ‌trailing a large American flag drifted off course and became tangled in the video board at a US college football game on Saturday, leaving him suspended above the field by his parachute until he was rescued. Viral videos from inside ‌Virginia Tech's ‌Lane Stadium, confirmed ‌by ⁠Reuters»»»

Having cast his ballot in Sofia, Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev said: "Today Bulgaria has a historic chance to break once and for all with the Peevski-Borissov oligarchic model, and this is an opportunity we must not miss." He was referring to Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Delyan»»»

Doha, Qatar: India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and rapidly transforming into an engine of global growth. During the 2000-2025, which includes the volatile years of the Global Financial Crisis and the Covid-pandemic, the average growth rate for the South-Asian giant was 6.3»»»

Doha, Qatar: The FEI Regional Group VII Finals for Juniors, Cadets, and Young Riders, featuring qualifiers from the 2025-2026 equestrian season, concluded with thrilling action at the Longines Arena in Al Shaqab after four days of competition. The event brought together more than 100 riders represe»»»

Israeli occupation army announced on Sunday a reservist was killed and nine others were wounded, including one seriously, after being hit by an explosive device in southern Lebanon a day earlier. The slain soldier was named as a sergeant first class reservist of the 769th “Hiram” Regional Brigade’s»»»

On contaminated land that is too dangerous for human life, the world’s wildest horses roam free. Across the Chernobyl exclusion zone, Przewalski’s horses — stocky, sand-colored and almost toy-like in appearance — graze in a radioactive landscape larger than Luxembourg. On April 26, 1986, an explosi»»»

Doha, Qatar: The rental market in Qatar witnessed a positive performance, supported by increased activity and continued demand, reflecting the sector’s vitality and stability. The rental market continued its upward trajectory last year with contract volumes rising across all quarters compared to 20»»»

Lebanon's military said Sunday it had reopened a road and bridge damaged by Israeli strikes in the country's south, as a 10-day truce holds between Hezbollah and Israel. In a statement, the military said it "fully reopened" a road linking the city of Nabatieh with the Khardali area, and had "partia»»»

Beirut, Lebanon: Lebanon's military announced on Sunday, April 19, 2026, it had reopened a road and bridge damaged by Israeli strikes in the country's south, as a 10-day truce holds between Hezbollah and Israel. In a statement, the military said it "fully reopened" a road linking the city of Nabati»»»

As the master developer behind The Pearl and Gewan Islands, United Development Company (UDC) is shaping one of Qatar’s most distinctive urban destinations—where premium living, environmental responsibility, and community engagement are fully integrated. Across these flagship developments, UDC is ad»»»

Tehran: Iran is preparing to reopen its national airspace in a phased, four-stage plan following significant disruptions caused by recent regional conflicts, as reported by the Tasnim News Agency. Citing the deputy director of Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation, the report indicates that flight ope»»»

The View Hospital Reinforces Its Standing Through Innovation and Human-Centered Care Doha, Qatar: In light of recent regional developments and the challenges faced across the region, Apex Health, the fastest-growing healthcare groups in the region, continues to reinforce its readiness and ability t»»»

Ministry of youth has held a national dialogue forum, entitled “With the power of its youth, Long Live Egypt”, chaired by Minister Khalid Abdel Aziz and under the auspices of President El-Sisi. Its second phase saw holding 61 forums in universities and institutes across different governorates to gi»»»

Beirut: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem asserted on Saturday that the current 10-day truce with Israel cannot be a unilateral arrangement. According to a report by Al Jazeera, Qassem vowed that his fighters are prepared to retaliate against any Israeli strikes targeting Lebanese territory. In his init»»»

Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially opened the completed Hessa Street Development Project, a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at easing congestion and improving traffic flow across one of the city’s key arterial corridors. The project covers a 4.5-kilometre stretch b»»»

Washington: The US Central Command has said that the dock landing ship USS Rushmore is conducting blockade operations in the Arabian Sea. Earlier Saturday (local time), it was said on social media that a guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney is patrolling regional waters in support of the blockade »»»

Doha, Qatar: Al Rayyan return to action just three days after lifting the QSL Cup, taking on Kuwait’s Al Qadsia in the semi-final of the Gulf Club Champions League (GCCL) with a second title in their sights. Al Rayyan defeated Muaither 2-0 in Wednesday’s final, securing their first trophy since 201»»»

Aesthetic medicine in the United Arab Emirates is one of the most competitive and strictly regulated markets in the world. Becoming a leader in Dubai requires not only impeccable skills but also extensive international experience. This is precisely the path taken by Gulzhan Saipova, a cosmetologist»»»

On April 19, 2021, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter flew for 39 seconds on the surface Mars, the first powered aircraft to take flight on another planet. 1 of 6 | On April 19, 2021, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter flew for 39 seconds on the surface Mars, the first powered aircraft to take flight on another »»»

Pope Leo sought to downplay his feud with US President Donald Trump on Saturday, saying reporting about comments he has made so far during his Africa tour "has not been accurate in all its aspects". Speaking to reporters in English aboard his flight to Angola for the third leg of his ambitious 10-d»»»

Britain's royal family said Sunday that historian Anna Keay would write an official biography of queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022 after over 70 years on the throne. King Charles III had wanted a woman to write the definitive account of his mother's life, according to British media. Ke»»»

Iranian warships sunk by US and Israeli attacks litter naval harbors along the Gulf coast, but what is sometimes called a “mosquito fleet” lurks in the shadows. It is a flotilla of small, fast, agile boats designed to harass shipping, and it forms the heart of the naval forces deployed by the Irani»»»

Istanbul: The 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has continued in its second day in Istanbul, with participation from the State of Qatar’s Shura Council. The Qatari delegation, led by Speaker H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, joined parliamentary leaders from around the »»»

Ahmed Dogan, honorary chairman of the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, said he voted for a fairer Bulgaria with more statehood. He cast a paper ballot in Sunday's snap parliamentary elections. Dogan said that when it comes to the rule of law, effective state institutions come first, adding that st»»»

Jakarta: Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) announced Sunday that it has opened an investigation into reports that 12 civilians, including women and children, were killed during a military operation in the restive Papua region. The commission, abbreviated as Komnas HAM, sa»»»

Antalya: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi participated in a high-level session on the sidelines of the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) titled, “Emerging Partnerships in International Mediation for Peace.” In remarks delive»»»

Israel’s killings of Ali Larijani and Kamal Kharazi were meant to do more than remove two senior figures from the Islamic Republic’s political landscape. Within Tehran’s political and analytical circles, they were interpreted as an attempt to erase something less visible but more consequential: the»»»

In a 2020 survey of Americans, just over one in five could locate Iran on a map. With such a poor result for a Middle Eastern country that is roughly the size of the state of Alaska and twice the size of Texas, it is a safe wager that an even lower percentage of Americans would have ever heard of t»»»

Several thousand people gathered in Milan on Saturday for a large rally attended by several European far-right leaders who spoke on immigration, security, and against EU regulations. Far-right leaders from Europe gathered in Milan Saturday for a rally attended by thousands against irregular immigra»»»

Doha, Qatar: Officials and members of the Shura Council stated that the adoption of Qatar’s emergency item at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reflects the growing impact of Qatari parliamentary diplomacy and its role in supporting national, Arab, and Islamic positions. They noted in statements »»»

Doha, Qatar: The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) announced yesterday a digital privacy initiative designed to clarify the specific rights individuals hold under the Personal Data Privacy Protection Law. In a post on X, NCSA stated that the campaign emphasises that under Law Number 13 of 2016,»»»

Former US President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared a light-hearted moment on Saturday during a visit to a child care centre in Bronx, where they read to children and joined a singalong. The pair met for the first time at the Learning Through Play Pre-K Center, engaging w»»»

Bulgarians at home and abroad Sunday are voting to elect a new Parliament in what is the country's seventh snap vote since 2021. It is also the country’s 18th parliamentary elections since the start of democratic changes in 1989. Elections are held under the Election Code adopted in 2014 and last a»»»

Voting abroad for Bulgaria's 52nd National Assembly began at 10 pm Bulgarian time on Saturday and will conclude on the morning of April 20, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Due to the nine-hour time difference, Bulgarian citizens in Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand, were the first to cas»»»

Share: A French contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrols the area as displaced residents waving Hezbollah flags make their way back to their homes on a makeshift road on April 18, 2026.(photo credit: Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty Images). French president Macron b»»»

The FAA is considering bids to develop an artificial intelligence system that could help air traffic controllers predict and correct potential issues hours earlier than they currently can. File Photo by Caroline Brehman/EPA April 18 (UPI) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is working with three»»»

The United States has opted to extend a waiver permitting limited transactions involving Russian oil, despite sustained political opposition from within Washington, Russia’s special presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries says. »»»

A life jacket from a survivor of the Titanic tragedy sold at auction on Saturday for $906,000, and was among a collection of other artifacts from the doomed ocean liner. Photo courtesy Henry Aldridge & Sons April 18 (UPI) -- The only life jacket worn by a person who survived the sinking of the Tita»»»

In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»

In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»

In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»