BGK generated record PLN 484 bln support for Polish economy in ‘25
Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego generated PLN 484 bln in support for Poland’s economy in 2025, up 24% y/y and the highest in its history. Most of this funding went to energy transition projects. The bank reported record capital and guarantee exposure of PLN 202 bln (+6.2% y/y) and net profit of PLN 3.2»»»
Pope Leo marks anniversary of Pope Francis' death with tribute - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Pope Leo XIV waves to supporters as he leaves after his visit to the Ngul Zamba (Power of God) orphanage April 15 in Yaounde, Cameroon. The pontiff, who is on an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa, spoke about his predecessor, Pope Francis, on Tuesday, the first anniversary of Francis' dea»»»
Landmark decree sets protection area rules
Years of planning and regulatory uncertainty have culminated in a comprehensive presidential decree for the island of Gyaros, codifying strict usage protocols for the Aegean island. The decree, signed by the president, caps more than a decade of work based on a LIFE research program, but comes amid»»»
Qatar follows developments, backs resolution efforts: Advisor to Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Doha: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari affirmed that Qatar continues to maintain ongoing communication with various parties, including the United States, to follow developments amid current tensions and to s»»»
Malaysia PM receives Muslim World League chief in Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met with the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, during a meeting at the presidential palace in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Discussions during the meeting focused on a range of Islami»»»
What We Are Reading Today: ‘The AI‑Ready Doctor’ by Dr. Ameed Khalid Abdulhamid
British dentist and researcher Dr. Ameed Khalid Abdulhamid explores the ethical and practical aspects of blending artificial intelligence into clinical practice in his book, “The AI‑Ready Doctor: Rethinking Clinical Judgment, Responsibility, and Trust in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The boo»»»
Saudi crown prince welcomes arrival of Hajj pilgrims at Cabinet meeting
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed the arrival of Hajj pilgrims in the Kingdom from around the world on Tuesday. The crown prince reaffirmed the Kingdom’s pride in serving the two holy mosques and visitors to them at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.»»»
Opinion | The Struggle over ‘Corridors of the Future’
The US-imposed maritime blockade on Iran cannot be adequately understood in isolation from the broader equation of “sovereignty versus technological supremacy” that structures the ongoing rivalry between the United States and China. The swift and unequivocal response delivered by China’s Minister o»»»
Sheikh Mansour leads strategic review of government performance
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, chaired a meeting of the Ministerial Development Council held in Abu Dhabi. The meeting reviewed the outcomes of implementing a number of government programmes and initiativ»»»
Mauritania lawmakers are charged with insulting president over racial bias claims
NOUAKCHOTT: Two female opposition lawmakers in Mauritania have been charged with insulting the president after accusing him of adopting a discriminatory attitude toward Black people and descendants of slaves in the West African nation. The lawmakers also were charged Monday with inciting violence, »»»
Azour to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Has Strong Financial Buffers to Confront War Impact
“This is a multidimensional shock.” That is how Dr. 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 five de»»»
SPLC: Justice Department investigating the civil rights organization - UPI.com
The Southern Poverty Law Center announced the Department of Justice is investigating it for its past use of paid informants. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo April 21 (UPI) -- The Southern Poverty Law Center announced via YouTube Tuesday that it is now the target of an investigation b»»»
Republika Srpska Supports Russia, Special Military Operation, Will Never Join NATO - Dodik
BELGRADE (Sputnik) - Republika Srpska, a Serb-majority entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, supports Russia and its special military operation and opposes sanctions against it as well as Bosnia's possible accession to NATO, Milorad Dodik, former president of Republika Srpska and leader of the ruli»»»
He reviews operations of Dubai International Airport and Emirates
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, affirmed that Dubai’s aviation sector, under the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice »»»
Interior Ministry's Secretary General: Anyone Who Has Traded in People's Votes to Be Identified, Investigated, Brought Before the Law
Anyone who has traded in people’s votes will be identified, investigated and brought before the law, Interior Ministry's acting Secretary General Georgi Kandev wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. For the trampling of democracy, there is no statute of limitations, Kandev stated. He announced that he will »»»
Lyrid meteor shower set to illuminate Saudi skies on Wednesday night
RIYADH: After nearly 16 weeks of quiet skies since the last good opportunity to catch sight of a decent meteor shower, the wait is almost over for astronomers and amateur stargazers in Saudi Arabia. Dozens of named meteor showers recur annually at approximately the same time each year, 10 of which »»»
Alternative Routes for Middle East Oil and Gas Due to Hormuz Disruption
The US-Israeli war with Iran has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil chokepoint, exposing the Middle East's limited alternatives for exporting its hydrocarbons. The International Energy Agency (IEA) called it the largest supply disruption on record, bigg»»»
Tucker Carlson apologizes for helping Trump get elected, says he’ll be ‘tormented’
Prominent conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has issued a public apology for his role in getting US President Donald Trump into the White House, saying in a podcast published on Monday that he will be “tormented for a long time” by the damage he helped cause. Speaking on his podcast with his b»»»
Bulgaria is not going ‘pro-Russia’ – the EU is just paranoid
After eight snap elections in five years, Bulgaria’s Rumen Radev, a 62-year-old reform-minded pragmatist with much political (he’s a former president) and military (he's also a former general) experience has just managed to gain an absolute majority of seats in the national parliament. It is, accor»»»
Pakistan central bank receives second tranche of $1bn from Saudi Arabia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's central bank said on Tuesday that it has received a second tranche of $1 billion from Saudi Arabia, providing much-needed financial support to the country as it attempts to bolster its foreign exchange reserves amid recent repayments of $1.4 billion in Eurobonds and $2 billion»»»
Arab League rebuffs Tehran's claims on Hormuz
The League of Arab States affirmed that Arab countries have not been and will not be held hostage by Iran to settle scores. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, stressed that Tehran’s perceptions of controlling the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz are legally inva»»»
Amir holds phone call with Lebanese President
Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a held a phone today with the President of the Republic of Lebanon HE General Joseph Aoun. During the call, they reviewed the latest developments in the region, particularly in Lebanon. In this regard, HH the Amir inquired about the situ»»»
US Official Says Gas Prices Have Peaked Despite Iran War
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Tuesday that gasoline prices appeared to have peaked after a surge linked to the Iran war -- a marked shift in tone a day after President Donald Trump publicly rebuked his earlier, more cautious outlook. "I don't know the future of energy prices -- often I will»»»
Kevin Warsh's confirmation hearing centers independence of Federal Reserve - UPI.com
Kevin Warsh speaks during a press conference in London on December 11, 2014. His confirmation hearing to be Federal Reserve chairman began Tuesday. File Photo by Will Oliver/EPA April 21 (UPI) -- Kevin Warsh's commitment to keeping the Federal Reserve independent from the executive branch was put t»»»
Cuba confirms meeting with U.S. State Department delegation - UPI.com
A vehicle drives down a street in Havana on Monday. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has participated in an atypical series of interviews with international media organizations over the past several weeks amid tensions with the United States. Photo by Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA April 21 (UPI) -- The »»»
Caretaker Justice Minister Calls on Acting Prosecutor General Sarafov to Resign
Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Caretaker Minister of Justice Andrey Yankulov said on Tuesday that all legal powers available to him in the case of acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov had been exhausted. He added that Sarafov remained in office unlawfully and should resign. Yankulov said»»»
Dubai GDRFA achieves 95.6% future readiness milestone
Dubai : Dubai’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs achieved a 95.6 per cent future readiness rate by 2025, driven by a long-term foresight strategy that has already translated into major initiatives such as the “Red Carpet” project — first envisioned in 2015 and now implemented »»»
France backs Egypt’s IMEC entry, readies migration pact at first strategic dialogue
France formally backed Egypt’s inclusion in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the two nations agreed to finalise a bilateral migration agreement in the coming weeks, officials announced following the inaugural French-Egyptian strategic dialogue on Monday. The talks in Cairo »»»
Indonesia court throws out case against minister over 1998 mass rape denial
JAKARTA: An Indonesian court dismissed on Tuesday a lawsuit against Culture Minister Fadli Zon for having publicly denied that mass rapes occurred during deadly riots in 1998 targeting mostly ethnic Chinese in the country. In the unrest sparked by an economic crisis and anger over corruption, some »»»
Turki Alalshikh announces launch of Pepsi’s largest global campaign powered by Saudi BigTime Creative Shop
RIYADH: Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, has announced the launch of Pepsi’s largest global advertising campaign of the year, executed by Saudi BigTime Creative Shop, in a move that reflects the growing global presence of the Kingdom’s creative industries. He said r»»»
Iran negotiations: Trump expects bombing or 'great deal' - UPI.com
1 of 2 | President Donald Trump said that he expects to reach a deal with Iran in negotiations to end the war Tuesday, but if no deal is made he is prepared to resume bombing. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 21 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said that he expects to reach a deal with»»»
House ethics panel to suggest discipline for Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick - UPI.com
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., greets Vice President Kamala Harris as she arrives to Miami International airport in 2022. McCormick will go before the House Ethics Committee Tuesday, which will recommend discipline for the 25 violations it determined she has committed. File Photo by Crist»»»
Arab and Islamic parliaments applaud adoption of Qatar's emergency item at 152nd IPU general assembly
Doha: The Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) commended the adoption by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly, at its 152nd session held in Istanbul, of an emergency item submitted by the State of Qatar. The Assembly adopted emer»»»
Saudi chambers resolve over 130 logistics challenges via observatory
RIYADH: The Federation of Saudi Chambers has identified more than 130 challenges across vital sectors through the recently launched “Logistics Services Challenges Observatory.” These challenges were analyzed, with 27 shared with relevant authorities, 22 of which have been resolved, while work conti»»»
Oman unveils food security investment opportunities worth over $240m
JEDDAH: Oman has launched a package of food security investment opportunities worth at least 93.8 million Omani rials ($243 million), spanning agriculture, fisheries, and related industries. Represented by Invest Oman, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, in cooperation wit»»»
Soccer fan Orbán’s election loss could prompt rethink of Hungary’s sports ambitions
BUDAPEST: One of the biggest soccer fans in global politics, Viktor Orbán, has been sidelined from his big game. The right-wing populist leader and Trump ally’s heavy defeat in the Hungarian elections means incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar will be the one in charge when the Champions League fin»»»
Diplomacy without illusions: The case for Iran's accountability first
Among advocates of process-first diplomacy, a familiar refrain has been especially common in recent days: diplomacy means talking to everyone, no adversary should be humiliated, and the only alternative to negotiation is war. These are not trivial principles. Engagement with adversaries has produce»»»
Trump to take part in 'America Reads the Bible' streaming event - UPI.com
President Donald Trump will read verses from the Old Testament he taped in the Oval Office for a America Reads the Bible event due to be livestreamed across the country Tuesday evening. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 21 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump will read verses from the Old T»»»
Saudi Arabia’s delivery sector up 49% to hit 118m orders
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s delivery sector recorded more than 118 million orders in the first quarter of 2026, marking an annual rise of 49 percent increase, according to the Transport General Authority. The latest performance follows an even stronger fourth quarter of 2025, when total orders exceeded »»»
Saudi HR ministry rolls out operational plan to enhance pilgrim services during Hajj
RIYADH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has begun implementing its operational plan for the Hajj season through a set of regulatory, supervisory, and social initiatives aimed at improving services for pilgrims and enhancing their experience in the holy sites. Ismail bin Saeed»»»
Syrian president arrives in Jeddah
RIYADH: Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. He was received at King Abdulaziz International Airport by the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz and other officials.»»»
Syria defense minister and anti-Daesh coalition chief discuss cooperation
LONDON: The Syrian Arab Republic’s Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra held on Tuesday discussions with a US military delegation led by Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Lambert, the commander of the international coalition against Daesh. Lambert, who leads the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve»»»
Virginia voting on new congressional map drawn by Democrats - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Voters are heading to the polls in Virginia on Tuesday to vote on a new congressional map drawn by Democratic state lawmakers. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 21 (UPI) -- Voters are heading to the polls in Virginia on Tuesday to vote on a new congressional map drawn by »»»
UAE’s resilience mirrors strength of women leaders, says Ajman Free Zone chief
The UAE’s ability to adapt, endure and move forward in uncertain times reflects the very qualities that define strong leadership, Ismail Al Naqi, Director General of the Free Zones Authority of Ajman, said on Tuesday, drawing a parallel between the nation’s resilience and the role of women shaping »»»
Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,344
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Tuesday, losing 21.83 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 11,344.96. The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.57 billion ($1.48 billion), as 118 of the stocks advanced and 138 retreated. The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu r»»»
In south Lebanon’s Nabatieh, residents fear a return to war
NABATIEH, Lebanon: Outside her gutted home in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh, Zainab Farran, who recently lost two members of her family in Israeli strikes, keeps her clothes packed in a car in case the temporary truce between Hezbollah and Israel does not last. She returned to the city with her famil»»»
Under war pressure, Iran gives its field commanders more power over militias in Iraq
Iran has granted its commanders greater autonomy over militias in Iraq, allowing some groups to carry out operations without Tehran's approval, a shift driven by the pressures of the war, three militia members and two other officials told The Associated Press. Many Iran-backed militias are funded t»»»
Foreign investors return to GCC markets with $1.47bn inflows in Q1
RIYADH: Foreign investors were net buyers of $1.47 billion in Gulf Cooperation Council equity markets in the first quarter of 2026, marking a sharp reversal from the net selling of $313.5 million in the previous quarter. Saudi Arabia accounted for the largest share of foreign purchases, attracting »»»
Wave Resort Promotes Spa Concept with "Black Gold" and Magnetite Sand from Pomorie Region
A key focus of Wave Resort’s spa philosophy is the deep connection with nature - the sea, minerals, and healing elements, characteristic of the Pomorie region, the resort’s marketing manager Tanya Gagova told BTA. She added that the complex continues to strengthen its image as a spa and wellness de»»»
Kingdom uncovers ancient marketplace, mosque, Chinese pottery at Al-Serrain archaeological site
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission has found a marketplace structure and the remains of a mosque at the Al-Serrain archeological site, along with rare pottery bearing a Chinese stamp, discoveries that reflect the depth of the site’s commercial activity in ancient times. The commission has a»»»