Sanya: Senior officials from the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) have visited the national delegation's headquarters in Sanya, China, to review preparations for the 2026 Asian Beach Games in Hainan Province. QOC Second Vice President Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari and Secretary-General Jassim bin Ra»»»

Hezbollah announced on Wednesday a retaliatory drone strike targeting an Israeli site in Al-Bayyada, in response to the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire announced last week. In a statement, the group’s Military Media said Islamic Resistance fighters targeted newly established Israeli art»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Winter Sports Committee (QWSC), in collaboration with Years of Culture, is set to launch a year-round programme of winter sports development initiatives as part of the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture partnership. This marks a major step in expanding winter sports»»»

JEDDAH: Saudi authorities have begun early preparations for the Hajj season, launching coordinated initiatives aimed at improving service quality, crowd management and spiritual services for pilgrims. Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has inspected the readiness of camps in Mina during fi»»»

RIYADH: More than 1,000 people took part in a virtual seminar organized by Makkah’s education authority on Tuesday about Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the recent NASA moon mission. The session entitled “Saudi Arabia Towards Space … Contribution to the Artemis II Mission,” was attended by specialis»»»

BusinessUnited States of AmericaApple switches CEO: What it means for the tech giantNik MartinApple's top hardware engineer John Ternus will lead the $4 trillion iPhone maker, as Tim Cook steps back. Will Apple chase rivals for the smartest intelligence, or deliver the best personal AI experience? »»»

DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Cultural Center, known as Ithra, announced the qualification of 20 teams at the conclusion of the regional rounds of the fifth Saudi STEM Racing competition. The contest aims to raise awareness of STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) among»»»

BAGHDAD/DUBAI: The United States has halted a shipment of about $500 million in cash bound for Iraq and suspended parts of its security cooperation with Baghdad, in a move aimed at pressuring the Iraqi government over the actions of Iran-backed militias, Iraqi sources told Reuters. The measures wer»»»

China intensifies targeted "pinpoint" pressure on Japan as all-front tensions escalate across the Taiwan Strait and East China Sea The People's Liberation Army Navy Type 052C destroyer Haikou, NATO code name Luyang II class, sails into Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, China. Photo by JEROME FAVRE / E»»»

A US Army nuclear surety official has reportedly described the rampant corruption he witnessed in Ukraine since the administration of US President Barack Obama. The interview was released by the media group run by the controversial journalist James O’Keefe, whose modus operandi is to send reporters»»»

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority has announced the adoption of the “Advanced Agriculture 4.0” system, as part of its efforts to support digital transformation in the agricultural sector. Officials said the system marks a shift from traditional farming methods to a more modern, data-d»»»

A 22-year-old woman was killed and four children seriously injured after part of an old house collapsed during a wedding gathering in Kirkuk, local authorities said. The incident occurred as guests were preparing to bring in the bride; a section of the ageing structure gave way, turning the celebra»»»

The upper age limit for military reservists in Germany should be raised to 70 given that people stay fit longer, Bastian Ernst, the newly elected president of the country’s Reservists’ Association, has said. Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Germany has pursued a major recru»»»

Abu Dhabi: Indians in the UAE will need to use a new service provider for passport renewals, visa applications, and other consular services from July 1, after tour and travel firm Alhind Tours and Travels won a three-year contract to replace the long-standing operator BLS International. The Embassy»»»

Dubai: The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) has stepped up efforts to enhance worker welfare, conducting a field visit to the Arab Construction Company site as part of its ongoing drive to improve living and working conditions across the emirate. The visi»»»

“The resignation of Borislav Sarafov should be followed by the election of a new Prosecutor General, but for that to happen, the Supreme Judicial Council must first be replaced. Therefore, I believe this should be the first task of the new National Assembly, which is expected to convene next week,”»»»

Borislav Sarafov should have stepped down from his post long ago and unblocked this entire process, President Iliana Iotova told journalists ahead of the EU Radio and Television Media Summit in Sofia, noting that this was her personal opinion. When there were not enough arguments for him to remain »»»

The Health Ministry sent instructions to the regional health inspectorates on actions to be taken in cases of suspected violence and on the implementation of the Coordination Mechanism for Assistance and Support to Victims, the Ministry said on Facebook on Wednesday. The aim is for the mechanism to»»»

MAKKAH: The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases in Makkah held a coordination meeting and simulation to implement a hypothetical plan for reducing animal health risks ahead of the Hajj season. Hosted at the headquarters of the Saudi Arabia Project for t»»»

Riyadh: The mobile clinics of Saudi aid agency KSrelief in Hairan district of Yemen’s Hajjah governorate provided medical services to 472 beneficiaries in one week. The facilities handled infectious disease cases and provided emergency, internal medicine, and reproductive health services, the Saudi»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has unveiled a new list of electronic services for the Urban Planning Affairs sector, marking a further step in the country's ongoing digital transformation efforts. In a statement shared on platform X, the ministry said the services are now available on it»»»

First Deputy Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh, Mederbek Aliev, met with Susanne Raab, Director General of the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), as part of his participation in the 26th Conference of the Alliance Against Trafficking in Persons in Vienna. The press service »»»

At least two cargo ships reported being fired on near the key Strait of Hormuz shipping lane where Tehran is once again jockying with the United States for control in a long-simmering dispute illustrated by this view of Iranian navy speed boats conducting military exercises off southern Iran back i»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has become an anchor investor in a newly launched exchange-traded fund by State Street Investment Management, one of the world’s largest asset managers. The newly launched ETF, State Street Saudi Arabia Enhanced Active Equity UCITS ETF, or SAQL, activel»»»

JAKARTA: Indonesia started its Hajj flights on Wednesday with expanded access to the Makkah Route, as Saudi authorities added a new major Indonesian airport to the flagship initiative that streamlines immigration procedures for pilgrims. Indonesia, the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country, will »»»

The reshuffle of the acting Prosecutor General is a process of implementing constitutional and legal norms within the independent judiciary, and in particular within the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) said in a statement sent to the media»»»

In an era marked by ecological challenges, development dilemmas and geopolitical dynamics are increasingly intertwined. Through a series of innovative practices, Chinese modernization offers a "green solution" to some of humanity's pressing questions of survival and development. Rooted in the wisdo»»»

Coordination is ongoing between Riyadh and the Lebanese state to extend the 10-day truce and ensure the success of direct negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv, informed Gulf sources told Nidaa al-Watan newspaper. Lebanese President's Advisor Andre Rahal had visited Saudi Arabia in the past hour»»»

The implementation of artificial intelligence solutions in companies is still in its infancy, as 47.4% of employers participating in the most recent survey by eJobs Romania stated they use such solutions sporadically. This usage is often individual, at the employees’ initiative, rather than a resul»»»

Doha, Qatar: In recognition of Earth Day, Old Doha Port is showcasing its sustainability work across marine protection, waste management, and seabed conservation. The destination’s environmental initiatives reflect its responsibility to protect the marine environment that supports its operations, h»»»

Vasile Țiple, Board Member of TechAngels and Defence Angels European Network (DAEN), talked to BR about Romanian investors’ strategic transition into the pan-European defence sector. He mentioned that AI-driven technologies are redefining security resilience and highlighted the critical importance »»»

TradeGlobal issuesWill Iran war reshape global trade more than COVID?Nik MartinAs the Iran war simmers, trade experts wonder if this conflict will reshape supply chains more than the pandemic. Companies are already rethinking strategies to future-proof revenues from other geopolitical risks. https:»»»

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and State Street Investment Management (State Street IM), one of the world’s largest asset managers, launched on Thursday the State Street Saudi Arabia Enhanced Active Equity (SAQL) with PIF as anchor investor. The fund actively invests in equities of companie»»»

The United States has not moved its THAAD missile defense system to the Middle East, USFK Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson said Tuesday. In this March photo, Brunson speaks to reporters during a combined military exercise in Yeoncheon. File Photo by Yonhap The United States has not moved its THAAD mis»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s cabinet backed the Public Investment Fund’s 2026–2030 strategy and approved a tax pact and cross-border deals, as non-oil exports rose 15 percent and digital readiness ranked first globally. The cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on April 21 on beh»»»

A total of 153 measles cases have been registered in Bulgaria, according to data as of April 21 published on the website of the Ministry of Health. Four new cases were reported on Tuesday. The regions of Vratsa, Lovech, Pleven, and Sofia-city have each registered one infected individual. The newly »»»

The resignation of Borislav Sarafov is a dignified but belated personal act, according to a statement by GERB published on Facebook. The party said that institutions have always been their top priority. “The most important thing now is for the new National Assembly to begin work immediately so that»»»

Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council Prosecutors Chamber unanimously decided on Wednesday to designate Deputy Prosecutor General Vanya Stefanova acting prosecutor general. The decision comes in the wake of Borislav Sarafov's resignation as acting prosecutor general earlier today. The Prosecutors Cha»»»

Speaking at a briefing after the resignation of acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov was announced, Yes, Bulgaria co-chairs Ivaylo Mirchev and Bozhidar Bozhanov said that "the heart of the Peevski-Borissov model has been ripped out, this is an achievement of the people who came out to protest»»»

“What happened was the restoration of legality in the governance of the Prosecutor’s Office, and I believe that everyone is a winner as a result,” caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Andrey Yankulov commented to the media on the decision of the Prosecutors’ Chamber of the Suprem»»»

Dubai: Lufthansa Group has slashed 20,000 flights from its summer schedule in a bid to cut jet fuel costs as the Iran conflict pushes jet fuel prices sharply higher, the airline announced late Tuesday. The move by the German aviation giant is now setting the tone for what could be a turbulent seaso»»»

The topic of how the new parliament will look like after the elections dominates Wednesday’s news media. POLITICS 24 Chasa’s front-page article presents the governance programme of Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria, which won the April 19 elections under the headline, “Life according to Radev: Sta»»»

Saudi Arabia has stepped up preparations for the 2026 Hajj season, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directing authorities to deploy all capabilities to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage as arrivals begin from around the world. Speaking on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of»»»

RIYADH: “This is a multidimensional shock.” That is how Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund, summed up the bleak outlook gripping the region, describing the current war as an earthquake not seen in geopolitics and economics for fiv»»»

The Central Election Commission (CEC) will announce on Saturday, April 25, the names of the elected Members of Parliament in the 52nd National Assembly, said here on Wednesday CEC Chair Kameliya Neykova during an online meeting of the Commission. CEC will also announce the election results on Thurs»»»

Bucharest is set to receive a loan tranche of almost €266 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to upgrade the urban tram network. The city will use the financing to renovate around 50 kilometres of tram tracks. It will also introduce new tram vehicles and upgrade depots to increase speed»»»

April 22, the Valdai Discussion Club opened the third recruitment round for its “Valdai – New Generation” project — a community of young but already accomplished researchers specializing in contemporary world politics, economics, and social relations. Participants will have the opportunity to publi»»»

Saudi billionaire Al-Waleed bin Talal has sold his remaining stake in Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox Inc., according to Bloomberg. Bin Talal had been a shareholder in Murdoch’s companies for about 20 years, the news agency added. The Saudi prince began investing in Fox News in 1997 and was one o»»»

Nature and EnvironmentGlobal issuesHow farmers are rising to a fertilizer shortfallJosh AxelrodThe war in Iran has sparked a global fertilizer shortage and is threatening food security. What are farmers around the world doing to save their crops? https://p.dw.com/p/5BqbIWhat can farmers do when fer»»»

ConflictsJapanHormuz crisis forces Japan, South Korea to rethink strategyJulian Ryall in TokyoThe Strait of Hormuz blockade has shaken Tokyo and Seoul, highlighting their dependence on maritime trade for essential goods including food and fuel. https://p.dw.com/p/5CaNZJapan gets more than 90% of it»»»