Two Indian-flagged tankers fired upon in Strait of Hormuz as Iran asserts control over waterway
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»»»
Government greenlights Sidi Bou Said protection project, fast-tracks university upgrades
Tunis, April 18 (TAP) - The Major Projects Committee approved, during its meeting held on Saturday in Kasbah under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, the assignment of the project “Protection of the Sidi Bou Said hill from...»»»
Egypt steps up efforts to shield startups, SMEs from global headwinds: MSMEDA chief
Bassel Rahmy, CEO of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), said state entities are working in close coordination to mitigate the impact of global economic challenges on startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Egypt. He added that efforts are also focu»»»
Egypt accelerates hospital upgrades, puts up urgent overhaul plan for Matrouh
Egypt is stepping up the pace of ongoing healthcare projects and has put up an urgent plan to upgrade hospitals in Matrouh ahead of the summer season, the Ministry of Health said. In a statement, the ministry said Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met with representatives of the Interior Ministr»»»
Al-Sisi reviews housing, infrastructure projects, urges strict adherence to timelines
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi stressed on Saturday the importance of adhering to defined timelines for the completion of housing and infrastructure projects, while removing obstacles facing investment in the sector, according to a presidential statement. During a meeting with Housing Mini»»»
Pope Leo XIV flies to Angola, says he is not debating Trump - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Pope Leo XIV waves during a welcome ceremony at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday. The Pope is on an 11-day trip to Africa, with stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. Photo by Jose Sena Goulao/EPA April 18 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV said h»»»
1 in 4 files online is exposing your data
Abu Dhabi: The Cyber Security Council (CSC) has warned that around 25 percent of publicly accessible files contain sensitive personal data, urging users to adopt secure practices when sharing files online. In its weekly message under the “Cyber Pulse” awareness campaign, the Council highlighted the»»»
Dh30m UAE Lottery: Draw results released – did your numbers come up?
Dubai: In Saturday’s Dh30 million UAE Lottery’s Lucky Day draw, many participants have taken home cash prizes. During Draw No. 260418, the winning numbers in the Days section were 17, 11, 1, 20, 15, and 3, while the Months section winning number was 12. Additionally, three residents have each bagge»»»
Suez Canal Bank signs tripartite protocol with eHealth, eAswaaq to drive healthcare digitalisation
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»»»
Ahmed Fouad appointed head of SME Committee at FEB
The Federation of Egyptian Banks (FEB), chaired by Mohamed El-Etreby, has approved the appointment of Ahmed Fouad as head of its SME Committee, in a move aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of specialised committees and renewing their leadership. The appointment comes as part of ongoing efforts to»»»
Hormuz domino effect: How the Middle East crisis affects food, flights and global supply chains
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»»»
Spotlight - Renzi urges ‘European strategy’, denounces Trump's ‘global chaos’ and populism of Orbán and Meloni
Gavin Lee is pleased to welcome former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Italy's former head of state offers an in-depth, insightful and thought-provoking reading of contemporary geopolitics, European cohesion, and leadership ethics. Speaking from the vantage point of a former leader of a major »»»
US issues sanctions waiver on Russian oil sales again
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»»»
Spain's Sanchez, Brazil's Lula lead global gathering of left-wing leaders against far-right rise
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to co-chair a gathering of left-wing leaders in Barcelona on Saturday aimed at countering the rise of the far right and strengthening democratic institutions. The meeting brings together figures from acro»»»
How Filipino workers in UAE can claim $200 financial assistance
Dubai: Filipino workers in parts of the UAE whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the ongoing situation in the Middle East are set to receive temporary financial relief, following a new advisory issued by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Under the programme, q»»»
Trump signs order to speed research on psychedelics for mental health - UPI.com
1 of 3 | President Donald Trump signs an executive order on researching the effects of psychedelic drugs in mental health treatment on Saturday, in the Oval Office. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., podcast host Joe Rogan, Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, and retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell were»»»
A leader before his time, what British officials wrote about Sheikh Mohammed in the 1960s will surprise you
Dubai: Long before Dubai’s transformation into a global hub, British officials were already documenting the emergence of a young Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as a “born leader,” according to official records dating back to the late 1960s. The papers, produced by government departments in L»»»
Carney leads middle power coalition drive as CANZUK gains traction
Energy giant Canada has emerged as the leading driver of efforts to build a formal middle-power coalition among like-minded Commonwealth nations, with Prime Minister Mark Carney using his first year in office to push the long-dormant CANZUK concept and a broader variable-geometr»»»
COMMENT: Chinese claims on arms transfers to Iran raise doubts
Exactly 24 hours before the first US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Middle East Eye (MEE) posted an article on its homepage titled: “China has sent attack drones to Iran, as it discusses ballistic missile sales” highlighting Beijing’s increasing support of the regime in Tehran in the i»»»
COMMENT: Chinese claims on arms transfers to Iran raise doubts
Exactly 24 hours before the first US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Middle East Eye (MEE) posted an article on its homepage titled: “China has sent attack drones to Iran, as it discusses ballistic missile sales” highlighting Beijing’s increasing support of the regime in Tehran in the i»»»
Middle East tensions and global slowdown cloud Panama outlook as IMF flags inflation risks
Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are feeding through into global macroeconomic expectations, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warning of a broad-based slowdown and renewed inflation pressures that are already shaping Panama’s near-term outlook. »»»
Chile’s Kast pushes sweeping tax and spending overhaul
Chile’s President José Antonio Kast has unveiled an ambitious package of more than 40 economic and regulatory reforms aimed at breaking what he described as a decade of stagnation, but the proposal has already triggered political resistance and street protests as it moves towards Congress. »»»
Latvia approves €30mn airBaltic loan as Iran war fuel shock hits national carrier
Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) short-term state loan to national carrier airBaltic after a dispute that threatened to collapse the ruling coalition, LETA reported on April 16. The loan was approved by 4»»»
Estonia's Poltsamaa mustard production to end after 64 years as war pushes up input costs
Production of the iconic Poltsamaa strong mustard in Estonia will end this month after more than six decades, ERR News reported on its website ERR.ee on April 16. Parent company Orkla Eesti said mustard production would be»»»
Latvia approves €30mn airBaltic loan as Iran war fuel shock hits national carrier
Latvia's parliament has approved a €30mn ($32.7mn) short-term state loan to national carrier airBaltic after a dispute that threatened to collapse the ruling coalition, LETA reported on April 16. The loan was approved by 4»»»
New hardline security unit in charge of Russia’s VPN crackdown
The control of Russia’s internet, including the latest escalation of the war on VPNs, has reportedly shifted to the Federal Security Bureau’s (FSB) Second Service unit, headed by Colonel General Alexei Sedov, according to an investigation by The Bell. »»»
Spain hosts Global South leaders to forge broad alliance countering Trump policies
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed 15 bilateral agreements as Spain opened a summit of approximately 12 heads of state and government to build a broad alliance countering the policies of United States President Donald Trump, according to Bl»»»
Egypt’s TMG launches EGP 1.4trn ‘The Spine’ project to attract global firms
Egypt’s Talaat Moustafa Group Holding (TMG) has launched a new cognitive city project, “The Spine,” with investments exceeding EGP 1.4trn, aimed at contributing 1% to the country’s gross domestic product and establishing a major destination for international companies. The project, located within t»»»
Speaker and Zhogorku Kenesh deputies meet with Kyrgyzstanis in Germany - | 24.KG
A delegation from the Zhogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan, led by Speaker Marlen Mamataliev, met with compatriots living, working, and studying in Germany. The parties discussed migration issues, social support, and improving the living conditions of citizens of Kyrgyzstan abroad. According to the parlia»»»
Poczta Polska enter residential real estate market
Poczta Polska is expanding into real estate and housing development. On April 9, it filed to amend its statute to include activities such as residential construction, land development, and property projects. The move aims to better utilize its large property portfolio of over 6,000 assets and more »»»
DL Invest: data centers are critical infrastructure
Poland could attract billions of dollars in foreign investment if it quickly creates favorable conditions for data center development, according to Dominik Leszczyński. He argues that data centers should be treated as critical infrastructure due to their importance for economic growth and national »»»
Rex Concepts wants to expand Burger King and Popeyes franchises
Rex Concepts, the main franchisee of Burger King and Popeyes, is launching an IPO with a maximum share price of PLN 17.50, aiming to raise up to PLN 560 million. The company plans to use the funds to expand its restaurant network, grow internationally, pursue acquisitions, and broaden its brand por»»»
Arche investment in Otwock under pressure from critics
Photos of a redevelopment project by Arche in Otwock sparked controversy over new buildings surrounding the historic Dwór Bojarów. Critics argue the dense modern construction overwhelms the monument, calling it “overbuilt.” The developer responds that such development is necessary to finance the co»»»
Polish billionaire Zygmunt Solorz meets with Donald Trump to discuss investments
Polish billionaire Zygmunt Solorz met U.S. President Donald Trump on April 10 at Trump Winery to discuss potential investments in advanced energy, artificial intelligence, and commercial space exploration. He also held talks with Sam Altman and entrepreneur Kam Ghaffarian about AI infrastructure an»»»
KROPiK adopted to mandate chipping of dogs and cats
Poland’s parliament has approved a law introducing mandatory electronic identification for dogs and some cats, along with a central animal registry managed by a state agency. The system will eventually cover millions of pets, replacing the current fragmented and largely voluntary approach. With aro»»»
2026 CEEQA SHORT LIST ANNOUNCED
Each year the CEEQA Short List recognizes the outstanding real estate projects, companies, deals and industry leaders of the past year across 11 qualifying markets in Central & Eastern Europe voted by a panel of industry leaders of the 2026 CEEQA Jury. The short list presents 287 candidates for the»»»
Industry on shaky ground without state investment
Europe is increasingly shifting from a free-market model toward a system where the state sustains industry through massive, long-term funding. With weak private demand and high energy costs, sectors like defense and infrastructure are becoming the main drivers of production and employment. Rising c»»»
Prices at stores rising, ahead of inflation
Retail prices in Poland are still rising, but the pace of increases is stabilizing. In March 2026, everyday shopping costs were up 3.8% y/y, the same as in February, slightly above January’s 3.7%. Food prices rose 3.2% y/y, showing a slight slowdown. Experts say the data reflects temporary stabiliz»»»
Domestic cement producers losing to imports
Poland’s cement industry is under pressure from declining production, rising imports, and high energy and CO2 costs. Output is expected to fall 2% y/y in 2026 to 16.8 million tons, while imports may exceed 2 million tons, driven largely by cheaper supply from Ukraine. Industry leaders warn this cre»»»
Economy Minister presents Kyrgyzstan's investment potential to U.S. businesses - | 24.KG
Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, Bakyt Sydykov, met with representatives of the U.S. business community during the IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. Companies and organizations including Pangea Global LLC, Concrete Engine, American Councils for Internationa»»»
Shura Council officials to QNA: Adoption of Qatar's emergency item at IPU reflects growing parliamentary diplomacy impact
Doha, Qatar: Officials and members of the Shura Council stated that the adoption of Qatar's emergency item at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reflects the growing impact of Qatari parliamentary diplomacy and its role in supporting national, Arab, and Islamic positions. They noted in statements »»»
Sadyr Japarov meets with Justin Sun, founder of Tron blockchain platform - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov met with Justin Sun, founder of the Tron blockchain platform. The presidential press service reported. The parties discussed current issues of global financial transformation, development of virtual assets, and blockchain technologies in Kyrgyzstan. Welcoming t»»»
Sadyr Japarov shows Tron founder Kyrgyz nomadic traditions - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and Justin Sun, founder of Tron blockchain platform, visited Ala-Archa State Nature Park, where a large-scale ethnocultural program was organized for them. The presidential press service reported. During the visit, the guests were shown the centuries-old tradit»»»
Syria to support Kyrgyzstan's candidacy for UN Security Council - | 24.KG
Azamat Kadyraliev, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Ahmed Hussein Al-Sharaa , President of Syria, met on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. According to the Presidential Administration, Kadyraliev represented the country’s interests as »»»
Dubai’s resilience faces its toughest global test yet
Dubai: Dubai has, over the past two decades, demonstrated a consistent ability to navigate global financial crises and a pandemic. The current climate, however, feels distinct. There is a palpable gravity to today’s global headlines, yet on the ground in the UAE, the atmosphere remains one of focus»»»
Qatar does not view mediation as a matter of media visibility or international competition: Al Khulaifi
ANTALYA: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi participated in a high-level session on the sidelines of the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum titled 'Emerging Partnerships in International Mediation for Peace'. In his remarks during the session, D»»»
Prime Minister meets with Turkish Foreign Minister
Antalya, Turkiye: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met today with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye HE Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum. During the meeting, the»»»
‘Pretty serious stuff’: Trump promises answers to deaths of US scientists
US President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into the mysterious deaths and disappearances of nearly a dozen American scientists with access to some of the nation’s most closely guarded nuclear and space secrets. The cases have fueled online speculation ranging from foreign espionage to a»»»
Prime Minister meets Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity in Libya
Antalya, Turkiye: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met today with HE Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity of the State of Libya, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the Antalya Diplomatic F»»»
Prime Minister participates in the Ministerial Committee meeting on Gaza
Antalya, Turkiye: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani participated Saturday in a meeting of the ministerial committee tasked by the joint extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit to address developments in the Gaza Strip. The meeting was h»»»