Iran Warns of Imminent Response to US Piracy
The spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters warned that the latest act of “piracy” by US military forces against an Iranian trade vessel will soon be met with retaliation. “The aggressive United States, by violating the ceasefire and engaging in maritime banditry, attacked one of »»»
Counterpoint: Philippines cannot afford romantic anti-development politics
Manila: Fiery attacks or protests against the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and the idea of “Pax Silica” Initiative (PSI) tap into a familiar reflex in Philippine politics. Last week (April 2026), Manila signed up as the 13th member of PSI, resulting in the planned establishment of a "giant" 16 km²»»»
Israeli soldier photographed smashing Jesus statue in Lebanon, triggering IDF investigation
The Israeli military launched an investigation after a photograph circulated on social media showing an IDF soldier smashing the head of a statue of Jesus. The soldier appeared to hit the statue with a mallet in southern Lebanon. »»»
Israeli soldier photographed smashing Jesus statue in Lebanon, triggering IDF investigation
The Israeli military launched an investigation after a photograph circulated on social media showing an IDF soldier smashing the head of a statue of Jesus. The soldier appeared to hit the statue with a mallet in southern Lebanon. »»»
Russia’s inflation fight faces push-me-pull-you pressures
Russia’s economy slowed in the first quarter of 2026 broadly as policymakers had anticipated, but the Central Bank of Russia now faces a more complex task as persistent domestic price pressures collide with fresh geopolitical risks abroad. »»»
On This Day, April 20: Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil spill kills 11 - UPI.com
On April 20, 2010, an explosion and fire on the Deepwater Horizon BP oil rig off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 workers and caused a massive oil spill. 1 of 5 | Fire boat response crews battle the blazing remnants of off shore oil rig Deepwater Horizon off the coast of New Orle»»»
Five wounded in shooting near University of Iowa campus - UPI.com
Authorities in Iowa City are asking the public for help identifying five people of interest related to the early Sunday shooting that left five people wounded. Photo courtesy Iowa City Police Department/Release April 20 (UPI) -- Five people were wounded in a shooting near the campus of the Universi»»»
Israeli Intelligence Reveals Major Fracture in Iran’s Leadership
Tel Aviv has confirmed a major fracture in the Iranian leadership, which implies a partial collapse of the regime in Tehran in wake of the US-Israeli war on Iran, revealed a report by the Military Intelligence Directorate of the Israeli Army (Aman). According to Aman, the absence of Supreme Leader »»»
Ahli Bank net profit surges by 2.8% to QR236m for Q1 2026
Doha, Qatar: Ahlibank (ABQK) announced a net profit of QR236m for the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, compared to QR229m for the same period in 2025, representing a growth of 2.8%. This performance reflects the bank’s continued disciplined approach to managing its core business, strong financial founda»»»
North Korea fired cluster bombs in latest weapons test, state media reports
North Korea fired cluster munitions, which are banned under an international convention, in its latest weapons test, state media reported on Monday.The launch of Sunday followed other tests in recent weeks of weaponry including ballistic missiles and anti-warship cruise missiles. North Korea f»»»
Gov’t extends excise tax cuts on oil derivatives, retail prices expected to drop
Skopje, 18 April 2026 (MIA) - The government at its session on Saturday, after reviewing the current economic situation and the impact of global price shocks on the domestic market, decided to extend the measure to reduce excise taxes on oil derivatives, effective until May 4. According to the calc»»»
Where global meets local: Inside MIE-SPPU’s academic vision
As Qatar continues to position itself as a regional hub for quality education and knowledge-driven development, institutions that combine global academic standards with local relevance are playing an increasingly significant role. Among these, MIE-SPPU Institute of Higher Education has emerged as a»»»
Islamic Resistance: Pre-Prepared Explosives Devastate Israeli Armored Convoy Between Taybeh and Deir Siryan - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance: Pre-Prepared Explosives Devastate Israeli Armored Convoy Between Taybeh and Deir Siryan 20-04-2026 09:28 AM Islamic Res»»»
Islamic Resistance: Pre-planted explosive devices detonated yesterday, Sunday, targeting an Israeli armored convoy moving from the town of Taybeh towards the town of Deir Siryan, destroying 4 tanks - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance: Pre-planted explosive devices detonated yesterday, Sunday, targeting an Israeli armored convoy moving from the town of »»»
QC organises training course on legal aspects amid economic changes
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Chamber (QC), in cooperation with the Young Entrepreneurs Club, held a training course titled “In Times of Crisis: Key Legal Aspects Amid Economic Changes”, delivered via video conferencing by lawyer Abdullah Al Ajmi from Abdullah Al Ajmi Law Firm. Also attending the event was Mi»»»
UK's Starmer to face grilling from MPs over Mandelson vetting scandal
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will face questions from members of parliament on Monday in the wake of revelations that former US ambassador Peter Mandelson failed the vetting process for his position. Starmer's govenment has been embriloed in controversy since new details emerged about the depth o»»»
Daianu: The adoption of measures to address the new energy crisis should not derail fiscal consolidation efforts
The adoption of measures to address the new energy shock should not derail the fiscal consolidation efforts says academician Daniel Daianu, president of the Fiscal Council."The fiscal consolidation program resulted in a deficit that was even lower than the target set in the November 2025 budget rev»»»
ElbitSystems reaffirms commitment to deliver WatchkeeperX systems by mid-year, subject to coordination between parties involved
Elbit Systems reaffirms its commitment to deliver the Watchkeeper X tactical unmanned aircraft systems by mid-year, subject to final coordination between all parties involved, the company announced in a release.Elbit Systems President Bezhalel Machlis, together with Lior Ben Dor, Ambassador of the »»»
Grindeanu: PSD will initiate bill to prohibit sale of shares in profitable state-owned companies
The chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Sorin Grindeanu, declared on Friday that the Social Democrats will initiate a bill that would prohibit the sale of shares from high-performing state-owned companies.He declared, in a press conference held in Sighetu Marma?iei, that the ban will be »»»
PM Bolojan: PNL will not work with PSD if PSD generates a political crisis
Romania's Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Sunday evening that the National Liberal Party (PNL) will not work with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) if the latter generates a political crisis."I trust my colleagues, and the National Liberal Party has a resolution that states as clearly as possib»»»
Bolojan:Romania does not need political crisis
Romania does not need a political crisis, because it has complicated problems to solve, related to the deficits accumulated in past years, but also to the absorption of funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan by the end of August, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan warned on Friday.The statem»»»
Romanian Anda Filip becomes first woman IPU Secretary General
In a historic first, Anda Filip has been elected the ninth Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the first woman to hold the post in the IPU's 137-year history, IPU announced in a press release on Sunday.Anda Filip was elected at the 152nd IPU Assembly in Istanbul, hosted by the»»»
Islamic Cultural Center continues school lecture programme
Doha, Qatar: Lecturers from the Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center addressed the topics of bullying and crisis management during school lectures held in three schools, with a total attendance of 280 male and female students. The school lecture programme is considered one of »»»
British PM Starmer Faces Angry Lawmakers Over Mandelson’s Appointment as Ambassador
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will try on Monday to get a grip on a crisis that has left power slipping from his grasp. Starmer will face a tough barrage of questions in Parliament when he stands up to explain why Peter Mandelson, a scandal-tarnished politician and friend of Jeffrey Epstein, »»»
North Korea Uses Cluster Bombs in Latest Missile Test
North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles that tested the power of its cluster munitions, its government news agency said on Monday, confirming the latest in a flurry of launches by the nuclear-armed state. The Sunday launches, which were supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, aimed to "»»»
Thai Embassy hosts culinary initiative for Qatari citizens and residents
Doha, Qatar: The Royal Thai Embassy in partnership with 12 Thai restaurants across Qatar is delighted to present ‘Together at the Table: Thailand & Qatar’, an exclusive culinary initiative that brings the warmth of Thailand’s kitchens directly to the people of Qatar. From April 22 to May 9 2026, a »»»
RAGOZIN: Budanov, Ukraine’s president-in-waiting
While president Volodymyr Zelenskiy maintains a show of defiance, Ukraine is being steered towards a difficult postwar period by the new presidential office chief who might also rule the country one day. »»»
RAGOZIN: Presidential office chief Budanov is steering Ukraine towards a difficult postwar period
While President Volodymyr Zelenskiy maintains a show of defiance, Ukraine is being steered towards a difficult postwar period by the new presidential office chief who might also rule the country one day. These days, »»»
SCHEVCHENKO: Money for Ukraine - between speed and control
When Europe finances Ukraine, it does so through a complex web of institutions: the European Commission — via the Ukraine Facility, macro-financial assistance and potentially the new €90bn Ukraine Support Loan for 2026-2027 — the World Bank, the European Investment Bank and other multilateral partn»»»
Taiwan Business Group Urges Beijing, Taipei to Keep Politics Out of Trade
The head of one of Taiwan's top business groups said on Monday both Beijing and Taipei should leave politics out of resuming normal trade and tourism exchanges, after China unveiled new incentives for the island. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, announced meas»»»
Eight Children Dead in US Domestic Violence Shooting
A man shot dead eight children -- seven of them his own -- early Sunday in the southern US state of Louisiana in an incident of domestic violence that spanned three locations, police said. The early morning massacre at a gray house in the city of Shreveport was the deadliest mass shooting in the Un»»»
‘Save Humanity’: Four Figures Battling It Out to Lead Embattled UN
Four contenders are squaring up to succeed Antonio Guterres as leader of the United Nations, which faces unprecedented global instability, wars and its own crushing budget crisis. Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Argentina's Rafael Grossi, Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan, and Senegal's Macky Sall will each f»»»
Two U.S. Embassy staffers, Mexican officers die in Chichuahua crash - UPI.com
Chihuahua Attorney General Cesar Jauregui tells reporters Sunday that Two Mexican law enforcement officers and two U.S. Embassy staffers were killed in a car accident. Photo courtesy Chihuahua Attorney General's Office/Release April 20 (UPI) -- Two employees of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico and two Me»»»
Iran not planning to attend talks with US in Pakistan
Tehran and Islamabad: Iran is not currently planning to attend talks with the United States, state media said, after President Donald Trump ordered US negotiators to travel to Pakistan on Monday, just days before a ceasefire in the Middle East expires. The ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports has b»»»
UDST signs contract with ‘Be My Sense’ to advance innovation
Doha, Qatar: University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) announced the signing of a Technology Support Contract with ‘Be My Sense,’ a startup founded by UDST students and launched through the University’s incubation centre, UHUB. The agreement marks a significant step in supporting student»»»
PHCC launches phase two of audiology screening service expansion
Doha, Qatar: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) announced yesterday the official launch of phase two in the expansion of its Audiology Screening Service within Well-Baby clinics. This phase extends the service to seven additional health centres: Qatar University, Umm Slal, Mesaimeer, Muaith»»»
Deepika Padukone films action-packed Raaka and King while expecting second baby, redefining motherhood
Dubai: Indian icon and Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone is once again challenging the idea that motherhood and a demanding film career can’t coexist. The actor is reportedly continuing to work on two major projects even as she prepares to welcome her second child. On the occasion of Akshaya Triti»»»
US Begins Philippines War Games in Thick of Middle East Conflict
Thousands of American and Philippine troops, joined for the first time by a significant contingent of Japanese forces, began annual military exercises Monday set against the backdrop of the Middle East war. The war games will feature live-fire exercises in the north of the country facing the Taiwan»»»
MoCI recalls Land Rover: Defender 2026 models
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in cooperation with Alfardan Premier Motors, Qatar’s Land Rover dealership, has announced the recall of Land Rover: Defender 2026 models. The recall is due to the possibility the third-row lower seatbelt bracket may have an insufficiently s»»»
Kyrgyzstan’s GDP grows by 10.1 percent in first quarter of 2026 - | 24.KG
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, held a regular government meeting to review the country’s socio-economic performance for the first quarter of 2026. The meeting covered budget revenue execution, the results of an official visit to Washington, D.C., and prepara»»»
Venezuela's transition: privatizing the oil industry
PoliticsVenezuelaVenezuela's transition: privatizing the oil industryTobias KäuferAfter the US ousted Maduro and effectively seized control of Venezuela's oil industry, the country's economy has been transitioning rapidly. The interim government is wooing investors but lacks democratic backing. htt»»»
Dubai Global Village reopens today at 5pm after closure: Timings, tickets and what to expect
Dubai: One of the city’s most popular seasonal attractions, Global Village, is reopening its gates today at 5pm following a temporary shutdown triggered by the recent global conflict. The multicultural destination, currently in its landmark 30th season, had earlier announced a run from October 15 u»»»
Final Hungarian election results confirm supermajority for Tisza
Tisza will have 141 representatives in Hungary's 199-seat parliament, giving the party a supermajority of 70.85%, data from the National Election Office released on April 18 show after counting mail-in ballots and transferred votes. »»»
Trump says US delegation to head to Pakistan for new Iran talks
Washington: US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that an American delegation will head Monday to Islamabad, Pakistan, to begin a new round of negotiations with representatives of Iran, with the aim of reaching a peace agreement. Trump said via his Truth Social account: “My Representatives are»»»
Allies Fear a Rushed US–Iran Framework Deal Could Backfire, Leaving Technical Deadlock
European allies fear an inexperienced US negotiating team is pushing for a swift, headline-grabbing framework deal with Iran that could entrench rather than resolve deeper problems, diplomats with past experience dealing with Tehran said. They worry Washington, eager to claim a diplomatic win for P»»»
World Weighs Fate of Middle East Ceasefire After US Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship
Concerns grew on Monday that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran might not hold after the US said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade and Iran vowed to retaliate. Efforts to build a more lasting peace in the region likewise appeared to be on shaky ground,»»»
Oil Prices and Stocks Climb as US-Iran Standoff Keeps Strait of Hormuz in Limbo
Oil prices climbed more than 5% while Asian shares also advanced Monday as a standoff between Iran and the US prevented tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz. The Gulf waterway was closed again after Iran reversed a decision to reopen the strait and President Donald Trump said a US Navy blockade »»»
Gold slips even with Strait tensions rising, rate outlook drives next move
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai edged lower on Monday morning, tracking a global pullback that reflects how interest rate expectations are shaping investor behaviour more than geopolitical tension at this stage. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain,»»»
Iranian Armed Forces Vow Swift Response to US Seizure of Iranian Vessel in Gulf of Oman
A spokesman for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Military Command said that Iran would respond swiftly to the seizure of an Iranian vessel by the US military in the Gulf of Oman. Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the seizure of the Iranian merchant vessel Touska, which was attempting to break »»»