Oil prices rose on Friday as tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz despite a extended ceasefire between Iran and the US. Iran on Thursday released footage of commandos boarding a ship in the vital oil shipping route as Tehran’s air defences engaged “hostile targets”. Follow our liveblog for »»»

Minister of State for Interior Affairs H E Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al-Thani met with Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to the State H E Mohamed Mohamed Abdullah Bebane. During the meeting, cooperation between the two countries in the security fields were reviewed, an»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has released its latest statistics on building permits and technical affairs for the first quarter of 2026, highlighting sustained momentum across the construction and urban development sectors. According to the report, a total of 1,777 building permits wer»»»

Damascus: Syrian Minister of Finance H E Mohammed Yasser Barnieh affirmed that cooperation with the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) in the project to assess the financial and banking sector represents an important strategic step in a qualitative transformation phase that the Syrian economy is wit»»»

Dubai: In a small art studio in the Gaza Strip, children are finding comfort and joy through an unusual form of therapy — interacting with animals. Rabbits, dogs, hedgehogs and birds are part of structured psychological support sessions designed to help children cope with stress. Project leader Ras»»»

Doha, Qatar: Reflecting a shared commitment to integrating the roles of academic and scientific institutions across Qatar, the Community College of Qatar (CCQ) and the Qatar Scientific Club (QSC) have signed a memorandum of understanding. It aims to strengthen joint collaboration in technical train»»»

On April 24, 2005, Benedict XVI was installed in Rome as the 265th Roman Catholic pope. 1 of 4 | Pope Benedict XVI leads the beatification ceremony of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's square in the Vatican on May 1, 2011. On April 24, 2005, Benedict XVI was officially installed in Rome as the 265th»»»

Almost 400 participants and 55 international and local speakers are participating, on Thursday and Friday, at the Romanian Cities Summit TILIA (Today's Ideas and Leadership In Action), an event organized in Iasi, at the Palace of Culture, which aims to bring together leaders from public administrat»»»

The Government on Thursday adopted an emergency ordinance on access for foreign workers to Romania's labour market, Government spokesperson Ioana Dogioiu announced.The normative act aims to reduce illegal migration, protect foreign workers and safeguard the interests of Romanian workers, she told a»»»

Minister of National Defense Radu Miruta met on Thursday with the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Romania, Evangelia Lili Grammatika, for discussions that focused on strengthening defense cooperation, the Ministry of National Defense said in a release.According to the release, the minister h»»»

Vice premier Oana Gheorghiu considers that the Romanian state continues to pay for destroyed infrastructure and a company which, in reality, has not existed for almost twenty years. She claims that the Romanian government pays nearly 28,000 euros annually for a pipeline that hasn’t carried anything»»»

Political uncertainties increase the probability of fiscal slippage with budgetary deficit over the announced target and put pressure on the Romanian-lei denominated bonds, warn the Citigroup analysts. The domestic government securities market is the main source of funding for the government’s borr»»»

The Commission for Juridical Affairs of the European Parliament favorably approved with 17 votes for and a single abstention, the report requesting that the immunity of European deputy Diana Ivanovici Sosoaca be lifted, Brussels sources declared. The report made by European deputy Dominik Tarczynsk»»»

Senate President Mircea Abrudean said on Thursday that a minority government is "the most readily available option" at present, adding that if MPs from across parties can be found to support the reforms under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), it would not pose "a problem" for Romani»»»

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Thursday that he has taken note of the resignations submitted by the PSD-backed ministers and will send President Nicusor Dan the proposals for their replacements."I have taken note of the resignations of the PSD-backed ministers, which were registered around noo»»»

The Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament (EP) voiced its support for the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in a statement released in Brussels, in which it also criticises European People's Party (EPP) Group leader Manfred Weber, for a "lack of »»»

Bangkok: A Thai court decided on Friday to hear a case against 10 MPs, including the leader of the largest opposition party, for trying to reform the royal insult law, but refrained from suspending them. The progressive People's Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, came second in February's gen»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Chairman of the Committee for Developing and Enhancing Quran and Arabic Language Education, Professor Dr. Sultan Ibrahim Al-Hashimi, has announced that the “Quran Teacher” programme will officially begin implementation in schools from Sunday as part of a national effort to strength»»»

The Kraken is a huge tentacled sea monster from Norse folklore that drags ships and sailors down into the deep. During the age of dinosaurs, new research shows, there existed a creature as close to a real-life Kraken as you could possibly get - an enormous octopus that prowled the seas as an apex p»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Higher Education Affairs Sector at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education held a recognition ceremony on Wednesday for participants in the 2026 “Ruwwad” programme, implemented by the British Council in partnership with the British Embassy in Doha and the Ministry. During th»»»

Doha, Qatar: As part of its commitment to fostering a culture of professional excellence, the General Directorate of Industrial Security at the Ministry of Interior honoured a number of its personnel from various affiliated departments in recognition of their outstanding performance and dedication »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli enemy forces conducted demolition operations in Bint Jbeil and Hanin on Friday morning: Al-Manar correspondent in south Lebanon 24-»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe US President Donald Trump: Ceasefire in Lebanon has been extended by three weeks 24-04-2026 00:55 AM Latest News Urgent News Maariv’s Avi A»»»

Although US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have made the ultimate war and ceasefire decisions regarding Iran, The Jerusalem Post revealed the details and extent to which Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, a»»»

Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices — but the disruption doesn’t end there. For travelers, it can mean having to navigate a confusing web of passenger protections that vary widely depending on where they’re fly»»»

Dubai: Filmmaker and former Bigg Boss Malayalam winner Akhil Marar has come under fire for his recent comments on pregnancy, with women, doctors, and activists in Kerala strongly pushing back against his views. In a recent interview, Marar described pregnancy as a “natural process” that has been tu»»»

Demand for new apartments in Poland’s seven largest cities accelerated in Q1 2026, underlining the sector’s resilience. Developers sold 12,900 units, up 11.1% quarter-on-quarter and 35.2% year-on-year, according to JLL. Aleksandra Gawrońska said sales rose despite the long January-February holiday »»»

At the European Economic Congress in Katowice, Rafał Brzoska said Poland’s biggest barrier to investment is not access to capital, but slow administrative procedures that delay projects and discourage investors. He argued that projects which can be completed within a year often wait several years f»»»

Poland’s National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) plans a record PLN 37 billion budget in 2026 to finance the energy transition and environmental projects. A major share will support thermal upgrades to public buildings, including schools and hospitals, alongside tr»»»

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced policymakers in Asia to face questions over the security of other maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca, which is the world's busiest waterway for international trade. Importance of The Malacca Strait The 900-km (550-mile) long Malacca »»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has released its statistical report on the performance of municipalities across the country during the first quarter of 2026, highlighting extensive efforts in public health oversight, regulatory compliance, and service delivery. According to the report, mu»»»

Previously used foot-and-mouth disease vaccines in Kyrgyzstan have proven less effective due to a virus mutation. It was announced at a meeting of El Umutu — Ata Zhurt parliamentary group, where MP Saltanat Amanova raised the issue of the quality of the vaccines being used. According to Ishenbek Al»»»

Tokyo: Flames from raging wildfires in northern Japan were spreading towards the centre of a town Friday, April 24, 2026, with authorities urging more than 2,500 people to evacuate their homes, media reports and the government said. As of Friday morning, fires in the mountainous areas of Iwate regi»»»

Washington - Robert Jimison Over nearly eight weeks of war in Iran, Republicans in Congress have turned back repeated efforts by Democrats to halt the operation and force US President Donald Trump, who began the conflict without congressional authorization, to consult with lawmakers on the military»»»

Moldova’s industrial production (chart) increased by 2.4% year-on-year in January-February 2026, supported by strong growth in the energy sector, while a steep contraction in extractive industries weighed on overall performance, the National Bureau of Statistics (BNS) reported. »»»

Singapore: Gold held near flat in early Asian trade on Friday, April 24, 2026, but was on track for a weekly decline, pressured by rising oil prices and persistent inflation concerns, while ongoing tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz added to market »»»

Hungary’s economy is expected to grow only modestly this year, with consumption remaining the main driver of expansion, while investments are likely to pick up more meaningfully only in 2027, according to the Equilibrium Institute (ESI). For 2026, the Equilibrium Institute (ESI – Institute for Equi»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Friday that it had prevented a terrorist attack against the leadership of the Russian media watchdog Roskomnadzor on April 18. The management and employees of Roskomnadzor and their family members are receiving threats of physica»»»

Chancellery Minister Gergely Gulyás answered journalists’ questions after consultations on preparations for the next legislative term, addressing the causes of the election defeat and what comes next. Asked whether Viktor Orbán would also step down as leader of Fidesz, Gulyás referred to the party »»»

Singapore: Oil prices rose on Friday, April 24, 2026, on concerns that renewed Middle East tensions and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could tighten global supply. Brent crude futures rose $1.23, or 1.17%, to $106.30 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.07, or 1.1»»»

Thumbay Healthcare today marked another major milestone in its journey of clinical innovation with the inauguration of two landmark facilities at Thumbay Medicity, Al Jurf, Ajman — a state‑of‑the‑art Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) unit at Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, and »»»

April 24 (UPI) -- Authorities in North Carolina and Texas have arrested two teenagers accused of conspiring to attack a Houston synagogue, according to police and court documents. The two suspects were separately arrested: 18-year-old Angelina Han Hicks of Lexington, N.C., on Wednesday and an unnam»»»

Geneva: United Nations agencies announced the success of a large-scale global immunization effort known, which reached around 18.3 million children aged between one and five years across 36 countries, delivering 100 million doses of life-saving vaccines. This was stated in a joint release by Gavi, »»»

SEOUL: South Korean special prosecutors requested a further 30-year term on Friday for jailed ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol for allegedly sending military drones into North Korea in 2024. Yoon is accused of ordering the incursion to help create the pretext for his failed declaration of martial law tha»»»

Etel Adnan ‘Untitled’ The late Lebanese-American artist and writer was renowned for her use of bold colors in her paintings. “(Her) vibrant compositions unfold through rich, geometric fields of color, reflecting a dynamic interplay between abstraction and her deep-rooted engagement with landscapes »»»

US President Donald Trump said he would impose tariffs on Britain if Prime Minister Keir Starmer does not drop the digital service tax, The Telegraph reported on Friday, citing an interview with the president. Trump told The Telegraph he would “put a big tariff ‌on the UK” if ‌it did not ‌drop ⁠its»»»

Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously wounded in the US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei but is mentally sharp, the New York Times reported on Thursday. Citing several Iranian officials which it did not name, the Times said Mojtaba Khamenei ha»»»

In Kyrgyzstan, over 3,000 families signed social contracts under the state program to support low-income citizens. Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Security, and Migration, Mirlan Baigonchokov, said at a meeting of Ishenim parliamentary group. According to him, the number of recipients has grown fr»»»

Brussels: Economic activity in the euro area contracted in April, marking its first decline in 16 months, amid pressures stemming from the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting rise in energy prices and disruption of global supply chains. The composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for t»»»

Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»