ING Bank Romania in 2025: revenue of over RON 4 billion and more than 260,000 new customers
Our performance in 2025 was marked by sustained growth in our loan and deposit portfolio. The gross loan portfolio grew by 12%, bringing our market share to 11%, while deposits reached 72.4 billion lei, up 4% from the previous year, securing a market share of 10.7%. Operating expenses increased by »»»
Israeli drone strike targets south Lebanon town despite truce
Lebanese official media said an Israeli strike hit a town in the country's south on Monday despite a 10-day ceasefire in force between Israel and Hezbollah. The state-run National News Agency said that "an enemy drone targeted the vicinity of the Litani River in the town of Qaqaiyat al-Jisr," witho»»»
Over $71 Bn Needed Over Next Decade to Rebuild Gaza, Say UN and EU
More than $71 billion will be needed over the next decade for recovery and reconstruction in war-ravaged Gaza, according to an EU-UN assessment published Monday. In their final Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA), the United Nations and the European Union said that more than two years of »»»
Hormuz Crisis’ Spread to Bab al-Mandab, Strait of Malacca Would Wipe Out the World Economy
The three strategic chokepoints are “critical passageways where a lot of trade, a lot of energy flows take place,” and prolonged closure would have a “huge impact in terms of energy prices…GDP growth, employment,” and could trigger a global recession or depression, says financial analyst Syed Javed»»»
French fund Epsicap Nano buys logistics facility in Olsztyn
Epsicap REIM has entered the Polish market through its fund Epsicap Nano by acquiring a logistics property in Olsztyn for €5.3 million from Redkom Development. The facility, completed in 2025, offers 2,328 m² and operates as a last mile cross dock hub for urban logistics. This marks the fund’s firs»»»
Nearly 70,000 sq m of new retail space handed over in Q1 ‘26
Poland’s total stock of modern retail space exceeded 13.9 million m² by the end of March 2026, with 733 operating properties, according to Colliers. Market saturation rose to 371 m² per 1,000 residents. In the first quarter, nearly 70,000 m² of new space was delivered through five new projects and »»»
Flat tax from 2004, intending to stimulate economy, created more B2Bs
Poland introduced a flat 19% tax for sole proprietors in 2004 to boost entrepreneurship and economic growth. However, research shows it mainly encouraged tax optimization rather than creating new businesses or jobs. Many high earning professionals shifted from employment contracts to self employmen»»»
Chinese brands taking over Polish auto market
Chinese car brands are rapidly gaining popularity in Poland, especially in the 7 seat family car segment, where they now account for about 25% of sales. In March 2026, registrations reached a record 2,280 vehicles, up 29% y/y, with strong seasonal demand ahead of summer holidays. In the first quart»»»
Sharjah Police promote safety as school reopen
Sharjah: Sharjah Police marked students’ return to in-person classrooms following a period of online learning with a series of outreach visits aimed at reinforcing national values and strengthening community engagement. Officers visited several educational institutions across the emirate, alongside»»»
Kikilias pledges to ‘defend’ Crete against immigrants
Greece’s maritime affairs minister pledged Monday to “defend” the southern island of Crete against a wave of immigration in small boats that risk the long and dangerous passage from north Africa to reach European soil. Speaking during a visit to the island, Vassilis Kikilias said that Crete was his»»»
Iran says 'no decision' on joining new talks, with US delegation set to depart
Iran said it had yet to decide whether to attend a new round of peace negotiations with the United States, as Washington's delegation prepared to depart for Pakistan on Monday. The uncertainty over the talks on ending the war that engulfed the region and rattled global markets came as U.S. Presiden»»»
Whale stranded on German coast swims off, gets stuck again
Berlin: Efforts to rescue a humpback whale stranded for weeks on Germany's Baltic Sea coast were complicated Monday when the animal unexpectedly swam away but then appeared to have got stuck again. The 13.5-metre (44-foot) whale and its struggle for survival have captured the hearts of the German p»»»
UAE brings date palms into the AI era
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has unveiled a new digital platform designed to catalogue and safeguard the country’s diverse date palm varieties, harnessing technology to serve a sector long shaped by tradition. The “UAE Digital Platform for Date Palm Varieties”, announced on Monday, brings together a nationwi»»»
FBI Director Kash Patel sues The Atlantic over excess drinking article - UPI.com
FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on March 18. On Monday he sued The Atlantic for $250 million in damages. File Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo April 20 (UPI) -- FBI Director Kash Patel sued The Atlantic on Monday, seeking $250 million in da»»»
800,000 cyberattacks daily on UAE even during "calm" periods
Fujairah: The UAE is fending off around 800,000 cyberattacks each day, even during periods of relative calm, underscoring the persistent and evolving nature of digital threats, a senior official has said. Dr Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Cyber Security Council, revealed the scale of the acti»»»
Another basement in Kypseli flooded with mud amid metro works
The basement of a residential building in the central Athens district of Kypseli was flooded with grey mud on Monday, marking the second such incident in less than a week linked to tunnelling works for the new metro Line 4. The building, on Evias Street, is located next to an unoccupied property wh»»»
Shura Council holds weekly session
Doha: The Shura Council held on Monday its weekly session at the Tamim bin Hamad Hall, under the chairmanship of HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim. At the outset of the meeting, the Shura Council highlighted HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's meeting with HM S»»»
National Anti-Counterfeiting Council resume activities
Tunis, April 20 (TAP) - The National Anti-Counterfeiting Council resumed its activities on Monday, chaired by Trade and Export Development Minister, Samir Abid. The council's first meeting for 2026 is a step forward, reflecting the ministry's...»»»
Poland second to Romania in terms of size of public finance deficit
Poland remains the second highest in the EU for public finance deficit, likely behind Romania. In 2025, Poland’s deficit reached 7.2 percent of GDP according to Statistics Poland data. The increase was driven by rising spending on defense, social programs, and debt servicing, despite solid economic»»»
Lebanon, Israel to Hold Second Round of Talks in Washington on Thursday
Lebanese and Israeli representatives will hold talks in Washington on Thursday, a US State Department spokesperson and an Israeli source speaking on the condition of anonymity told Reuters on Monday. The US will host the second round of ambassador-level talks between the two countries at the D»»»
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»»»
Foreign Leaders Congratulate Rumen Radev on Election Victory
Rumen Radev on Monday received congratulations from foreign leaders on his Progressive Bulgaria coalition winning the April 19 snap parliamentary election. Congratulations were cabled by European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary Gen»»»
A Top Paramilitary Commander Defects to Sudan’s Military as War Enters 4th Year
A high-profile paramilitary commander in Sudan has changed sides and joined the country’s army in a move welcomed by army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan shortly after the war entered its fourth year. Burhan on Sunday welcomed Maj. Gen. al-Nour Ahmed Adam, who defected earlier this month from the Ra»»»
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»»»
Firefighters battle forest blaze in Thessaly
Dozens of firefighters assisted by water-dropping planes battled a forest blaze that broke out in central Greece Monday, as authorities said a total 52 wildfires erupted over the weekend in various parts of the country. The fire service said the fire broke out in the afternoon in a forest near Neoc»»»
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 »»»
EU to Gauge Member States’ Willingness to Punish Israel
The EU's top diplomat said Monday the bloc will gauge the willingness of member states to take measures against Israel, after Spain re-upped demands to suspend a cooperation deal. Foreign ministers from the 27-nation bloc are expected to discuss the matter at a meeting in Luxembourg Tuesday after a»»»
Mother, 6 children die in Pennsylvania house explosion - UPI.com
A mother and her six children, ranging from 3- to 11-years-old, died in a fire in Clinton County, Pa., when their home exploded. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 20 (UPI) -- A mother and her six children, ranging from 3- to 11-years-old, died in a fire in Clinton County, Pa., whe»»»
Angry farmers promised more support as foot-and-mouth spreads
Greece’s first outbreak in 25 years of the deadly livestock foot-and-mouth disease has spread to a new part of the island where it was first recorded last month, authorities said Monday, appealing for farmers’ cooperation to deal with “a very difficult situation.” Rural Development Minister Margari»»»
Paraguay offers direct permanent residency with $150,000 investment - UPI.com
Paraguay's new Minister of Industry and Trade, Marco Riquelme, said the change in residence requirements responds to demands from foreign investors who questioned the previous requirement to generate employment. File Photo by Juan Pablo Pino/EPA ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, April 20 (UPI) -- Paraguay has la»»»
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»»»
Features of the Government’s economic and facilities programmes
By Rania Imam Combating high pricing, infrastructure, decreasing budget deficit, electricity, transport, social security Controls on customs and avoiding evasion represent the key elements of the government’s programme Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said that his cabinet’s programme aims at improving»»»
Trump snaps at critique that Israel dragged him into Iran war
In the leadup and throughout the seven-week war, U.S. President Donald Trump has faced criticism from the left and from some of his own supporters that he followed Israel’s lead into launching the conflict. But Trump on social media is blaming the media for pushing what he claims is a false narrati»»»
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»»»
UAE threatens to ditch petrodollar for yuan in currency swap talks – WSJ
The United Arab Emirates has warned the US Treasury that it could be “forced to use Chinese yuan” in oil trade, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. UAE Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama delivered what the newspaper described as an “implicit threat” against the dollar’s dominant po»»»
20 startups launched through university accelerator program
RIYADH: Some 20 startups launched into the Saudi market at the conclusion of the University Startup Accelerator Program, organized by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, also known as Monshaat. A special event was held at the University of Business and Technology in Jeddah, mark»»»
Early Parliamentary Elections Conducted Transparently and Efficiently, International Observers Say
Bulgaria's early parliamentary elections held on April 19 were conducted in a transparent and efficient manner, with high voter turnout, said Monday international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council o»»»
MP Fadlallah: Israeli Enemy Will Fail to Create Buffer Zone in South Lebanon, None Can Disarm Hezbollah - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe MP Fadlallah: Israeli Enemy Will Fail to Create Buffer Zone in South Lebanon, None Can Disarm Hezbollah 20-04-2026 17:37 PM MP Hasan Fadlal»»»
IMI appoints Nakhle Elhage as chief transformation officer
LONDON: IMI has appointed Nakhle Elhage as chief transformation officer as the UAE-based media group pushes ahead with efforts to sharpen its news brands and deepen its digital reach. Elhage, who helped build some of the Arab world’s best-known news operations, will oversee the transformation of IM»»»
Iran Says 'No Decision' Yet on Joining New Round of US Peace Talks
Iran said it had yet to decide whether to attend a new round of peace negotiations with the United States on Monday, casting uncertainty on a push to stop the Middle East war from resuming. US President Donald Trump said he was sending negotiators to Pakistan for talks on ending the war that engulf»»»
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: »»»
Peru to confirm Keiko Fujimori runoff rival by mid-May - UPI.com
Peru’s Fuerza Popular party's Keiko Fujimori reacts after casting her vote in Lima on April 12. She now awaits finding out who her opponent will be in the June 7 presidential runoff. Photo by Renato Pajuelo/EPA April 20 (UPI) -- Peru's National Jury of Elections, known as Jurado Nacional de Eleccio»»»
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»»»
Business tariff refunds set to begin; $166 billion to be refunded - UPI.com
1 of 2 | President Donald Trump announced global tariffs more than a year ago, saying they would drive revenue and reset global trade more favorably for the United States. The revenue generated by those tariffs will be refunded with interest. File Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo April 20»»»
E-Governance Ministry: Live Feed Covers 98.56% of Polling Stations on Election Night
Live streaming of ballot counting was available in 98.56% of polling stations on election night and faults affected 1.18% of voting machines, the Ministry of Electronic Governance said on Monday. Automated reports from the video surveillance system sent to the Ministry of Electronic Governance, the»»»
Lucic: Telekom Srbija's 2025 revenues at record-high 2.3 bln euros, profit at 1.3 bln
BELGRADE - Telekom Srbija registered record-breaking business results in 2025, with revenues totalling 2.3 bln euros and an operating profit of 1.3 bln euros, the company's CEO Vladimir Lucic said on Monday, adding that a full abolition of mobile roaming charges with the EU was possible as early as»»»
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»»»
MWL chief launches global Qur’an science council in Malaysia
RIYADH: The head of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars inaugurated a new body, the Global Council for Scientific Miracles in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur. MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa took part in the even»»»