Arab News 21m

Saudi ministries launch award to promote innovation in pilgrims’ services

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, has opened registration for the second Researchers in the Service of Pilgrims award, supporting innovation and applied research in the Hajj and Umrah sector. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the aw»»»

arabnews.com
Middle East Observer 24m

Egypt Expands IPO Programme with Six State Firms to Deepen Market Activity

Cairo — Egypt is advancing its state IPO programme with the addition of six new government-owned companies to the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), in a move aimed at strengthening market depth and broadening investor participation. According to official EGX statements, and as confirmed by Deputy Chairman M»»»

RT 25m

US Navy secretary exits administration effective immediately

US Navy Secretary John C. Phelan has stepped down in an abrupt move announced by the Pentagon without any public explanation or indication that his exit was linked to the naval blockade of Iran. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that Phelan was “departing the administration” at on»»»

rt.com
Naharnet 36m

UN 'working on' keeping presence in Lebanon in 2027

The United Nations said Thursday it was "working on" maintaining a presence in Lebanon once the mandate for its UNIFIL peacekeeping force expires at the end of the year. "In terms of the post-UNIFIL, we're currently in the process of working on these options," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the U.N. Und»»»

Arab News 36m

Independent Arabia wins top Fetisov prize for Egypt adoption-brokers investigation

LONDON: Independent Arabia has won a Fetisov Journalism Award prize for its investigation into an adoption-brokers network in Egypt, adding to the outlet’s growing list of honors since its launch in 2019. Journalist Salah Labban won the 2025 prize in the civil rights category for his investigation,»»»

arabnews.com
Bulgarian News Agency 43m

National Network of Prosecutors, Investigators Is Established in Bulgaria to Probe Intellectual Property Crimes, Cybercrime

A national network of prosecutors and investigators probing crimes related to intellectual property and cybercrime was established at the National Investigation Service, the prosecution service said on Thursday. The establishment ceremony was attended by acting Prosecutor General Vanya Stefanova, f»»»

bta.bg
The Peninsula 55m

Hackers steal $2.5 mn from Sri Lanka finance ministry

Colombo, Sri Lanka: Cyber criminals hacked into the Sri Lankan finance ministry's computer system and siphoned off $2.5 million, the government said Thursday, the most amount of cash ever stolen by hackers from a state institution. The cyber attack is a major blow to Sri Lanka, which is recovering »»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Gulf News 1h

UAE flights disrupted: Where you can still travel today

Dubai: Air travel across the UAE continues to operate under strain nearly two months after the US-Israel-Iran conflict that erupted on February 28, with airlines relying on restricted air corridors, longer flight paths, and reduced schedules to maintain connectivity. The aviation sector has been am»»»

gulfnews.com
TAP 1h

Cimpress seeks increased investments in Tunisia

Tunis, April 23 (TAP)- Cimpress, the global leader in web-to-print mass customisation, wants increased investments in Tunisia. A Cimpress delegation was received by Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) Director General Jalel Tebib. It was made...»»»

Arab News 1h

UN ‘working on’ keeping presence in Lebanon in 2027

GENEVA: The United Nations said Thursday it was “working on” maintaining a presence in Lebanon once the mandate for its UNIFIL peacekeeping force expires at the end of the year. “In terms of the post-UNIFIL, we’re currently in the process of working on these options,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the »»»

arabnews.com
The Peninsula 1h

UK agrees ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2008

London: Both chambers of Britain's parliament have approved a bill that would ban children aged 17 and under from buying cigarettes during their lifetime. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to stop anyone born after January 1, 2009 (now aged 17) from taking up smoking. Health minister Wes Streeting ca»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Gulf News 1h

UAE to move 50% of government services to AI within two years

Dubai: The UAE will transform half of its government sectors, services and operations to autonomous artificial intelligence systems within two years, under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The major government shift was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mo»»»

gulfnews.com
EU Observer 1h

After first disappearing, Hungarian minister Szijjártó speaks out, alleging foreign interference (11 days after the election)

Our weekly digest of Hungarian politics continues as we report on developments after the historic April election and on the formation of the Tisza government. This week we cover the following topics: After 10 days, outgoing foreign minister Péter Szijjártó has resurfaced. The newly-victorious Tisza»»»

euobserver.com
RT 1h

Fire breaks out aboard identity-fluid $8bn USS Zumwalt

Three sailors were injured after a fire broke out aboard USS Zumwalt while the stealth destroyer was sitting pierside at HII Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, undergoing a costly modernization meant to give the ship a whole new identity. One sailor was taken to a local hospital in st»»»

rt.com
UPI 1h

Trump says he is under 'no pressure' to bring an end to war with Iran - UPI.com

U.S. President Donald Trump insisted Wednesday there was no time pressure to end the war with Iran and no deadline for when American military action would resume in the absence of a deal, saying the Iranians were more fearful of the U.S. maritime blockade than they were of the bombing. Photo by Dan»»»

upi.com
Gulf News 1h

Why viewers can’t ignore Anubhav Sinha’s disturbing thriller Assi out on Zee5

Dubai: Indian filmmaker Anubhav Sinha’s latest Hindi-language rape trial drama Assi is not an easy watch and it’s not meant to be. Starring Kani Kusruti, Tapsee Pannu, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, and Mohammed Zeeshan, the compelling and visceral courtroom procedural out on Zee5 now delves into sexua»»»

gulfnews.com
Bulgarian News Agency 1h

Journalist Gabriela Naplatanova Elected to Chair Council for Electronic Media

Journalist Gabriela Naplatanova has been elected to chair the Council for Electronic Media (CEM). She was nominated for the position by the previous leader, Simona Veleva, and by member Kadrinka Kadrinova. During a CEM meeting on Thursday, Naplatanova was also supported by Prolet Velkova, while Gal»»»

bta.bg
RT 2h

Trump reportedly draws up NATO ‘naughty list’ after Iran war split

The White House has reportedly drawn up a NATO “naughty and nice” list, sorting member states into tiers as it considers how to reward countries that backed the US war against Iran and punish those that did not. According to Politico, the internal paper was prepared ahead of NATO Secretary General »»»

rt.com
Arab News 2h

Ali Azaizeh shines for Al-Shabab to set international sights

BARCELONA: A feature of Jordan’s rise to footballing prominence over the past two years has been their fearsome attacking triumvirate. Stade Rennais’ Musa Al-Taamari might win all the plaudits but his partners in crime, Ali Olwan and Yazan Al-Naimat, scored the goals that delivered World Cup qualif»»»

arabnews.com
Arab News 2h

GCC female workforce participation exceeds 39%, hits 7.3m

RIYADH: Female labor force participation across Gulf Cooperation Council countries climbed to 39.3 percent in 2025, as employment gains and falling joblessness signal steady progress in the region’s workforce diversification efforts. The number of employed women rose to 7.3 million in 2025 from 5.7»»»

arabnews.com
Egypt Independent 2h

Egypt sets LE4 trillion revenue target in 2026/27 budget

Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk affirmed that the new fiscal year 2026/2027 budget aims to meet citizens’ basic needs, improve services, and support economic activity. During his presentation of the financial statement for the 2026/2027 draft budget before the House of Representatives on Wednesday,»»»

egyptindependent.com
Bulgarian News Agency 2h

Media Review: April 23

The results of the April 19 parliamentary elections and the resignation of acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov dominate Thursday’s news media. POLITICS & ELECTION RESULTS Dnevnik.bg has an article about the news members of Parliament who were elected on April 19. The 52nd National Assembly w»»»

bta.bg
Qatar Tribune 2h

Endowments ministry strengthens efforts to support human rights and empower people with disabilities

DOHA: As part of its firm commitment to human rights principles and its keenness to promote the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs continued to implement an integrated package of quality initiatives and programs, across its various»»»

qatar-tribune.com
Arab News 2h

Zambia says it has custody of ex-president’s body in dispute with family over burial

JOHANNESBURG: The Zambian government says it has taken custody of former President Edgar Lungu’s body from his family in a long-running dispute over where he should be buried after he died in South Africa nearly a year ago. In a statement Wednesday, Zambia’s attorney general said the government had»»»

arabnews.com
Arab News 2h

Lulu Chairman assures food security in meet with ministers

Lulu Group Chairman M.A. Yusuff Ali held a meeting with Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef and Minister of Investment Fahad bin Abduljalil Al-Saif. During the meeting, Ali briefed the ministers on the steps taken by Lu»»»

arabnews.com
The Srpska Times 2h

Doctors Assess Mladić’s Condition as Serious; Legal Request for Transfer Expected

Serbian General Ratko Mladić is in the most severe condition he has ever been in, according to assessments by Serbian doctors who examined him in the detention unit of the Hague tribunal, his son Darko Mladić said in a statement to SRNA, stressing that the authorities in the Hague have effectively »»»

thesrpskatimes.com
The Peninsula 2h

Tanzania poll violence claimed 518 lives: government enquiry

Dar es Salaam: Violence around Tanzania's election in October last year left 518 dead, a commission of enquiry organised by the government said Thursday, giving a figure far below opposition estimates. "The total number of deaths resulting from the general elections was 518, of whom 490 were male,"»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Gulf News 2h

'You feel like a supercar': Inside Dubai Autodrome’s community nights

Dubai: On a Wednesday evening at Dubai Autodrome, an 80-year-old man walks briskly ahead of his daughter, lapping the circuit with more energy than people half his age. Nearby, a 13-year-old cyclist carves through the track he has been dreaming of riding for years. A triathlete spots a friend, then»»»

gulfnews.com
Business-review 3h

EIB Vice-President visits Romanian site forming central part of A1 motorway project

European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris today visited a site near the Romanian city of Curtea de Argeș where a section of the country’s first motorway across the Carpathian Mountains is being built. He observed work on a tunnel that is part of the planned A1 motorway, which i»»»

business-review.eu
Tanjug 3h

Vucic: Army a strong, dependable pillar of security, peace

BELGRADE - Today, the Serbian Armed Forces represent a strong and dependable pillar of security and peace in Serbia, and a symbol of the country's strength and support to all citizens, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday, congratulating Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic, Serbian Arme»»»

tanjug.rs
Naharnet 3h

UK supports displaced families of Lebanese Armed Forces

UK Chargé D’Affaires Victoria Dunne and Deputy Defense Attaché Thomas Hobbs met Thursday senior officers of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), to deliver UK relief assistance to displaced LAF families, at the LAF logistics hub in Beirut. The UK Ministry of Defense is providing essential and practical»»»

Al Awsat 3h

Surgery Begins in Riyadh for Most Complex Conjoined Twins Cases in the World

The medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program began on Thursday the separation surgery for the Filipino conjoined twins Klea and Maurice Ann, who are joined at the head, at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. The surgery is in »»»

english.aawsat.com
Gulf News 3h

Why UAE currency swap talks reflect economic strength, not stress

Dubai: Discussions over a potential currency swap line between the UAE and the US have drawn scrutiny this week, with analysts and officials stressing the move reflects precautionary planning rather than any sign of financial strain in the economy. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf»»»

gulfnews.com
Gulf News 3h

Back-to-school safety: Abu Dhabi Civil Defence promotes student safety

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has launched a safety awareness initiative to welcome students back to schools, focusing on building a culture of safety among young learners. The programme was carried out by the Authority’s Safety Patrol as part of the “Proud of the UAE” initiative, which aims to»»»

gulfnews.com
Naharnet 3h

Bin Farhan meets Aoun and Berri ahead of Washington talks

President Joseph Aoun met Thursday with Saudi Foreign Ministry Advisor Prince Yazid bin Farhan in Baabda. Their discussions focused on the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to assist Lebanon in overcoming its prevailing hardships and regional challenges. Bin Farhan had arrived earlier in Beirut and met wit»»»

Arab News 3h

Jordan’s capital expenditure surges 60% in first 2 months of 2026

RIYADH: Jordan’s capital expenditure jumped 60.4 percent year on year in the first two months of 2026, reaching 1.98 billion Jordanian dinars ($2.79 billion) by the end of February, a move aimed at accelerating economic activity and improving public infrastructure. According to a Ministry of Financ»»»

arabnews.com
Qatar Tribune 3h

Sheikh Joaan meets Chinese officials

SANYA: President of the Olympic Council of Asia HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani met separately in Sanya City, People's Republic of China, with HE Feng Fei, Secretary-General of the Central Commitee of the Communist Party of China in Hainan Province; HE Liu Xiaoming, Governor of Hainan Province; »»»

qatar-tribune.com
UPI 4h

Senate Republicans again block Democrats' bid to limit war powers - UPI.com

Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a fifth Democrat bid to curb President Donald Trump's ability to wage war with Iran. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo April 23 (UPI) -- Senate Republicans have again blocked the Democrats from curbing President Donald Trump's ability to wage war»»»

upi.com
Gulf News 4h

UAE Friday sermon to focus on loyalty, warns against betrayal of the nation

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf UAE) has announced that this week’s Friday sermon across all mosques in the UAE will be delivered under the title: “Whoever betrays our nation is not one of us”. In guidance issued to imams, the authority stressed that betrayal o»»»

gulfnews.com
Arab News 4h

‘Strategic market’: PepsiCo highlights Saudi Arabia’s role in global growth

RIYADH: PepsiCo regards Saudi Arabia as a “strategic” market with growing opportunities for investment and innovation, as the Kingdom continues to be a key target for the company. The company says it has aligned closely with the Kingdom’s long-term goals, building on a presence that spans nearly se»»»

arabnews.com
Arab News 4h

US says China used ‘intimidation’ to block Taiwan leader’s Africa trip

WASHINGTON: The United States slammed China’s “intimidation campaign” on Wednesday after several African countries were reportedly pressured by Beijing to derail an official trip by Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te by revoking overflight permits. Taiwan announced Tuesday that Lai was postponing his »»»

arabnews.com
BNE 4h

Military use of Caspian Sea is intolerable, says Kazakhstan’s leader

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on April 22 called on countries to refrain from using the Caspian Sea for military purposes. Tokayev did not name any particular countries in his appeal, though since Russia lau»»»

intellinews.com
Arab News 4h

Dubai to host PFL MENA 2026 season opener

DUBAI: The Professional Fighters League has announced that PFL MENA: Pride of Arabia, the season opener, will take place on May 24 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The event will feature athletes representing 11 nations across the region, highlighting the depth and unity of mixed martial arts in the Mi»»»

arabnews.com
BNE 4h

Military use of Caspian Sea is intolerable, says Kazakhstan’s leader

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on April 22 called on countries to refrain from using the Caspian Sea for military purposes. Tokayev did not name any particular countries in his appeal, though since Russia lau»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 4h

Military use of Caspian Sea is intolerable, says Kazakhstan’s leader

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on April 22 called on countries to refrain from using the Caspian Sea for military purposes. Tokayev did not name any particular countries in his appeal, though since Russia lau»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 4h

Military use of Caspian Sea is intolerable, says Kazakhstan’s leader

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on April 22 called on countries to refrain from using the Caspian Sea for military purposes. Tokayev did not name any particular countries in his appeal, though since Russia lau»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 4h

Military use of Caspian Sea is intolerable, says Kazakhstan’s leader

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on April 22 called on countries to refrain from using the Caspian Sea for military purposes. Tokayev did not name any particular countries in his appeal, though since Russia lau»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 4h

EU unlocks €90bn Ukraine loan and toughest Russia sanctions yet — with a crucial caveat

The European Union voted on April 22 to simultaneously unlock its long-delayed €90bn EU loan for Ukraine and adopt the stalled twentieth sanctions package against Russia, in a diplomatic double act that had been blocked for months by Hungary and Slovakia — both of which finally »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 4h

EU unlocks €90bn Ukraine loan and toughest Russia sanctions yet — with a crucial caveat

The European Union voted on April 22 to simultaneously unlock its long-delayed €90bn EU loan for Ukraine and adopt the stalled twentieth sanctions package against Russia, in a diplomatic double act that had been blocked for months by Hungary and Slovakia — both of which finally »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 4h

Military use of Caspian Sea is intolerable, says Kazakhstan’s leader

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on April 22 called on countries to refrain from using the Caspian Sea for military purposes. Tokayev did not name any particular countries in his appeal, though since Russia lau»»»

intellinews.com