Japan's Shiga Bank (TYO: 8366) and Senshu Ikeda Holdings (TYO: 8714), the parent of Senshu Ikeda Bank, have agreed to a capital and business tie-up, marking the latest step in the consolidation trend among Japan’s regional lenders according to Jiji Press. »»»

Share: A French contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrols the area as displaced residents waving Hezbollah flags make their way back to their homes on a makeshift road on April 18, 2026.(photo credit: Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty Images). French president Macron b»»»

The FAA is considering bids to develop an artificial intelligence system that could help air traffic controllers predict and correct potential issues hours earlier than they currently can. File Photo by Caroline Brehman/EPA April 18 (UPI) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is working with three»»»

The United States has opted to extend a waiver permitting limited transactions involving Russian oil, despite sustained political opposition from within Washington, Russia’s special presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries says. »»»

PARIS, France — Near Singapore, thousands of miles from the Strait of Hormuz, ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil have continued during the Middle East war, helping Tehran evade sanctions and maintain trade with China.Nearly 400 tankers are sanctioned by the United States, the European Union or B»»»

In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»

In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»

In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»

In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»

In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of a French UN peacekeeping soldier Saturday following an attack that also left three people wounded in southern Lebanon, saying that "everything suggests" Hezbollah being responsible for the attack. The Iran-backed group denied involve»»»

Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev is on course to win a snap parliamentary election on April 19, according to a new opinion poll, in what could mark a political breakthrough after years of instability. A survey by Ma»»»

Darlene Regis Doha A Filipina entrepreneur, educator, and community leader based in Qatar, Annaliza Diet (MA, MBA, CIPT, PhD Candidate) has emerged as a formidable force in global education and women’s empowerment. With influence that spans continents, she has built more than institutions — she has»»»

QNA Antalya Mediation is not viewed as a matter of media visibility or international competition, but rather as a responsibility and an effective tool for conflict resolution, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi has said. Speaking »»»

QNA Antalya Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye Hakan Fidan, on the sidelines of the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, on Saturday. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations a»»»

Rewatch Donald Trump’s live briefing from the White House on Saturday, April 18, as Iran announced it was re-closing the Strait of Hormuz while the US maintains its port blockade. FRANCE 24's Andrew Hilliar has the analysis.»»»

At least five people were killed in a shooting Saturday in a residential neighborhood of Kyiv, and 10 were hospitalized, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The suspected gunman was shot during an arrest attempt, officials said. A gunman opened fire in Kyiv on Saturday, killing at lea»»»

QNA Doha The Arab Book Award announced that submissions for its fourth edition will remain open until May 28 via its official website. Launched by Qatar in March 2023, the award honours authors, publishers, and institutions contributing to Arabic book production. This year’s categories include ling»»»

Khaled Al Hameidi Doha In a period defined by geopolitical tension, shifting alliances, and complex security challenges, Qatar has emerged as a central diplomatic force guided by the vision and leadership of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Through calm d»»»

There were 33 deaths of ICE detainees in 2025, with 17 so far in 2026 The number of deaths of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees over the last year has skyrocketed amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which has led to the agency detaining more people that it has since i»»»

European nations have around four years to build up their defenses enough to deter a Russian attack without US backing, Frederic Vansina, Belgium’s Chief of the General Staff, has said. Moscow has dismissed speculation that it plans to attack NATO as nonsense. In an interview with Le Soir published»»»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his advisers were caught off guard and “stunned” when US President Donald Trump said he would not allow Israel to conduct further strikes in Lebanon, Axios reports, citing two people familiar with the matter. On Friday, Trump said the US had “prohibited»»»

Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed that the Resistance Party will never tolerate the Israeli violations in South Lebanon, adding that the battlefield has proven to have the final say, The field has proven that it has the final word, and successful policy is that which benefits »»»

Storms tore through the upper midwest, causing damaging tornadoes Friday. Image courtesy of UPI April 18 (UPI) -- Tornadoes swept through several midwestern cities Friday leaving destruction and devastation in their wakes as a massive storm system tore through the area. Rochester, Minn., Lena, Ill.»»»

Three people were sentenced to three months in jail and another is awaiting trial in an insurance scam based on staged bear attacks on luxury cars. Photo courtesy California Department of Insurance April 18 (UPI) -- Three people were sentenced this week in an insurance fraud scam that saw them wear»»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz from Saturday evening until the United States completely lifts its naval blockade, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy Command said on Saturday. "As a result of the violation of the ceasefire regime, the Strait of Hormuz »»»

Two Indian-flagged vessels carrying crude oil came under gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday as Iran declared it would control traffic through the vital waterway in retaliation for an ongoing US naval blockade. Following the attack, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Iran’s am»»»

Drivers urged to reroute as Khorfakkan road shuts Sunday Sharjah: Sharjah Police has announced a temporary road closure along Khorfakkan Corniche Beach Street on Sunday, April 19, as part of traffic arrangements for a triathlon event. The closure will be in effect from 6:00am to 9:40am, covering bo»»»

Sudan is entering its fourth year of civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, a conflict the UN calls the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with children among the main victims. In Darfur and beyond, thousands are displaced, many separated from their families, facing hunger, viol»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US military is preparing to seize commercial vessels and tankers affiliated to Iran in international waters outside the Middle East in the coming days, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing US officials. On Saturday, the Iranian military command said that t»»»

Israeli violations of the US-brokered ceasefire on the Lebanon front continue, as military operations and airstrikes persist against targets Israel claims are affiliated with Hezbollah. This has forced residents who had returned to some southern villages to leave again immediately, fearing a rapid »»»

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced a major archaeological discovery at the historic site of El-Bahnasa in Minya, offering new insights into funerary traditions during the Greek and Roman periods. The find was made by a Spanish mission from the University of Barcelona and the »»»

ANTALYA: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met separately on Saturday with officialson the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Dr Al Khulaifi met withMinister of Foreign Affairs of the Plurinational State of Bolivia HE Fern»»»

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has introduced a strict set of measures ahead of this year’s Hajj season, warning that all visit visas, regardless of type, do not permit holders to perform the pilgrimage, as authorities intensify efforts to regulate access to Mecca and protect pilgrims. The Ministry of Interio»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem tackles the latest developments in a televised speech tonight at 09:00 PM (Beirut Time) 18-0»»»

Suez Canal Bank has signed a tripartite cooperation protocol with eHealth and eAswaaq—both affiliates of eFinance Investment Group—with the aim of supporting and developing Egypt’s healthcare sector by providing integrated financing solutions and accelerating digital transformation. The agreement w»»»

French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday that a French ​soldier who ​was part of international forces stationed in southern Lebanon ​was killed, adding that evidence suggests ⁠Hezbollah was responsible. Earlier, Iranian patrol boats fired at an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, accordi»»»

Iran's military declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on Saturday, its military command said, hours after reopening it and with more than a dozen commercial ships passing through the vital waterway. The toing and froing over the strait cast doubt on US President Donald Trump's optimism the day»»»

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial shipping during the Lebanon ceasefire, triggering a sharp drop in oil prices, while Donald Trump welcomed the move but kept a US naval blockade in place. At the same time, Emmanuel Macron and the UK are leading plans for a neutral mission to secu»»»

The United States and Israel announced on Thursday evening that a ceasefire agreement had been reached in Washington between Lebanon and Israel, following historic direct talks between the two countries. Dany Moudallal, a journalist at the Lebanese daily L’Orient-Le Jour, spoke to France 24 to anal»»»

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered by the war in the Middle East hasn't just affected oil prices. Despite a provisional reopening during the current 10-day ceasefire, global supplies of jet fuel, fertilisers, industrial CO2 and naphtha have already been affected, potentially leading to s»»»

US-Iran negotiations show limited progress but remain tense, with disputes over enriched uranium and the Strait of Hormuz still unresolved. Donald Trump warns the conflict could resume if no deal is reached, while mediators say compromises may still be possible on nuclear restrictions.»»»

In Deir al-Balah, displaced families are living next to growing rubbish piles as destroyed infrastructure forces authorities to rely on unsafe temporary dumps. Across the Gaza Strip, poor sanitation and pest infestations are raising serious health concerns despite limited humanitarian aid.»»»

Tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, with Iran briefly reopening the Strait of Hormuz before closing it again after around 20 hours. Tehran says the US is not respecting the terms of the agreement reached, casting further doubt on the fragile deal. Meanwhile, negotiations are still ongoing»»»

H. A. Hellyer, senior fellow in geopolitics at the Royal United Services Institute, was France 24’s guest and analysed the renewed tensions between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz as a strategy of mutual pressure amid ongoing negotiations. While talks are set to continue in Islam»»»

After weeks of US and Israeli strikes, Iranians are watching to see if ceasefire talks could lead to negotiations, while uncertainty over the future of the conflict persists. Despite foreign calls for regime change, analysts say Iran’s leadership remains entrenched, as economic pressure, repression»»»

Sudan has entered its fourth year of devastating conflict, after fighting broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The war has left millions displaced and, according to the UN, created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.»»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran will seek full control over the Strait of Hormuz either through negotiations or on the battlefield, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said on Saturday. "Iran will pursue the right to control the Strait of Hormuz either at the negotiating table or on the battlefield,"»»»

Gaza: A Palestinian was martyred on Saturday, April 18, 2026, after being shot by Israeli occupation forces in the southern Gaza Strip. Medical sources said the Palestinian was martyred following gunfire by Israeli occupation forces targeting civilians north of Rafah city in southern Gaza. Earlier,»»»

The Trump administration on Friday issued a one-month sanctions waiver allowing the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded at sea, despite the treasury secretary indicating two days earlier that Washington would not renew the measure. The move comes amid efforts to ease global en»»»