Hend Sabry: ‘Manna’a’ marks my first venture into popular drama; and my boldest role yet
Following the standout success of “Manna’a” during Ramadan 2026–where it topped viewership charts and ignited wide critical and social debate–Tunisian actress Hend Sabry returns to the spotlight in a candid conversation on bold artistic choices, complex characters, and the evolving trajectory of he»»»
Cabinet unveils 2026–2030 agriculture strategy; PM stresses food security and sovereignty
Tunis, April 15 (TAP) - A small Cabinet meeting was held on Wednesday at the Kasbah, dedicated to examining the agricultural sector.During the meeting, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, presented a...»»»
Speaker Mike Johnson struggles to gather GOP votes on FISA extension - UPI.com
President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., are trying to gather support from Republican hardliners to renew the FISA bill for another 18 months. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 15 (UPI) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., delayed a vote Wednesday to r»»»
Amir, US President discuss de-escalation and global energy market stability
Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a telephone call today from HE President Donald Trump of the United States of America. During the call, they discussed the latest regional and international developments, in light of the rapidly escalating tensions in the region, par»»»
Finance Minister discusses Syria’s return to the World Bank’s Arab Group
Damascus, April 15 (SANA) Finance Minister Mohamed Yisr Barnieh discussed with Abdulaziz Al Mulla, Executive Director representing the Arab Group at the World Bank, preparations for Syria’s return to the Arab Group next October, as well as the importance of strengthening the presence of Syrian prof»»»
Barnieh explores technical cooperation with US Treasury in Washington
Washington, April 15 (SANA) Syrian Minister of Finance Mohamed Yisr Barnieh held high-level talks on Wednesday, with senior officials from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington D.C. The meeting focused on securing technical support and capacity-building initiatives to bolster Syria’s on»»»
Cabinet urges faster rollout of agricultural strategy programme to improve all farming systems
Tunis, April 15 (TAP) - A small Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, was held on Wednesday at the Kasbah to review the progress of programmes arising from the state's strategy for the development of agricultural...»»»
Egypt’s economy grows 5.3% in first half, finance minister tells investors in Washington
Egypt’s economy expanded by 5.3% in the first half of the current fiscal year, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk told international investors during a meeting in Washington, attributing the growth to private sector investments. Speaking at an open dialogue organised by Jefferies International and Soc»»»
Egypt to clear foreign partner arrears by end-June, targets fracking: Badawi
Egypt will completely pay off all outstanding arrears owed to foreign oil and gas partners by the end of June, target hydraulic fracturing to boost production, and has announced a gas discovery with an estimated 2 trillion cubic feet of reserves, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Ba»»»
Eighteen US and global firms eye Egyptian investments as Cairo cuts oil arrears to $1.2bn
Egypt has slashed its outstanding arrears to foreign oil companies to $1.2bn from $6.5bn, Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid Saleh told a gathering of 18 US and global firms exploring new investments in the country as Cairo accelerates its economic reforms. Farid held the extensive»»»
Egypt’s premier inspects New Capital command centre managing Middle East’s largest state tech infrastructure
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inspected the new Control, Command and Technical Support Centre in the New Administrative Capital’s Government District on Wednesday, a facility managing what officials describe as the Middle East’s largest technological infrastructure serving 50,000 governm»»»
Al-Sisi orders acceleration of defence industry localisation, expansion of domestic manufacturing
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has called for accelerating the localisation of defence industries and expanding domestic manufacturing, while strengthening partnerships with global firms to facilitate the transfer of advanced technologies to Egypt, according to a presidential statement. Al-»»»
Egypt, Eritrea move to deepen industrial, investment cooperation
Egypt’s Minister of Industry, Khaled Hashem, held talks with Hagos Gebrehiwet, Economic Adviser to the Eritrean President, and Nasr El-Din Saleh, Eritrea’s Minister of Trade and Industry, to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in industry and joint investment. Hashem highlighted»»»
Sakr to invest EGP 940m in three projects at Sokhna Industrial Zone
Waleid Gamal El-Din, Chairperson of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), witnessed the signing of contracts for three new projects by Sakr for Electronics and Energy (SDC Investment Fund) within the MDC industrial developer’s zone in the integrated Sokhna Industrial Area. The projects form part o»»»
Egypt explores expanding climate finance in partnership with banking sector
Egypt’s Ministry of Local Development and Environment is stepping up efforts to expand climate finance and support sustainability-focused projects in cooperation with the banking sector, as part of advancing the country’s Vision 2030 and addressing mounting climate challenges. In a statement, the m»»»
Syrian finance minister chairs Friends of Syria meeting in Washington
Washington , April 15 (SANA) Finance Minister Mohamed Yisr Barnieh chaired the technical roundtable meeting of the Friends of Syria Group, held to discuss priorities for recovery and reconstruction on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington. The Ministry of Finance sai»»»
Mounting Pressure on Iran Revives the Specter of the 2000 Aden Attack
US author Anne-Marie Slaughter argues in The Chessboard and the Web: Strategies of Connection in a Networked World that the world no longer operates or interacts according to the logic of a traditional chessboard. The old model was linear and two-dimensional, centered on a single objective: topplin»»»
Stocks take flight after shoe company Allbirds makes surprise move to artificial intelligence - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street in 2025 in New York City. Stocks for the former shoe company Allbirds soared Wednesday as the company announced a switch to artifical intelligence technology. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo April 15 (»»»
FDA to consider lifting restrictions on peptide injections touted by RFK Jr. - UPI.com
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arrives in the House Chamber in Washington, D.C., on February 24. He has said he's a "big fan" of peptide injections. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 15 (UPI) -- The Food and Drug Administration is considering lifting »»»
Progressive Bulgaria Leader Highlights Mass Voting as Solution to Bulgarian Elections' Integrity Problems
The integrity of elections in Bulgaria is a problem, and the solution is mass voting, Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev said in Kyustendil ahead of a meeting with supporters on Wednesday. He called for mass turnout “to drown all this bought, manipulated vote in a sea of free votes”. Addressin»»»
Beirut MPs Meet to Back Weapons-Free City Declaration
Beirut lawmakers and political parties in Lebanon’s parliament will hold a conference on Thursday backing a declaration of the capital as “safe and free of weapons,” after a government decision that followed deadly Israeli attacks on the city last week. Organizers invited all Beirut MPs except thos»»»
Separatists in Cameroon pause fighting for Pope Leo XIV visit - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Pope Leo XIV is welcomed at Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport in Yaounde, Cameroon, Wednesday. The pontiff is on the second leg of an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa. Photo by Luca Zennaro/EPA April 15 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV landed in Cameroon Wednesday, and English-speaking separat»»»
Dh30m UAE Lottery: Winning numbers revealed – are you holding a winning ticket?
Dubai: In Saturday’s Dh30 million UAE Lottery Lucky Day draw, multiple participants have walked away with cash prizes. During Draw No. 260415, the winning numbers from the Days section were 18, 14, 25, 22, 1, and 17, while the Months section winning number was 1. In addition, three residents have e»»»
Ambassadors Set to Meet Again Ahead of Launch of Lebanon-Israel Negotiations
Lebanon’s and Israel’s ambassadors to Washington are preparing for a second meeting after an initial round on Tuesday at the US State Department, hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting is aimed at shaping talks and securing a ceasefire pushed by Washington before launching a negotiat»»»
Pakistani Delegation Arrives in Tehran in Move to Ease Tensions and Arrange More US-Iran Talks
Pakistan’s army chief arrived Wednesday for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move to ease tensions in the Middle East and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran after almost seven weeks of war. The Pakistani military said the delegation also included the c»»»
World Bank announces water security plan covering one billion people
Washington, United States: The World Bank announced a plan Wednesday that aims to improve secure water access for a billion people within the next four years. The "Water Forward" program will "expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods." The Bank said its own »»»
World Bank Announces Water Security Plan for One Billion People
The World Bank announced a plan Wednesday that aims to improve secure water access for a billion people within the next four years. The new "Water Forward" program aims to "expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods." The Bank said its own funds and technical »»»
Sharjah moves rental cases online in push to modernise dispute resolution
Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Judicial Council, on Wednesday inaugurated a digital rental disputes platform that enables virtual hearings, enforceable judgments and secure digital archiving of rulings. The platform is»»»
Parking, Secure Parking enter strategic alliance to accelerate seamless, automated parking solutions
Parkin Company, Dubai’s leading provider of paid public parking facilities and services, has signed a strategic partnership with SP Corporation Car Parking Management LLC (Secure Parking) to accelerate the rollout of barrierless, smart parking systems across the UAE. The collaboration follows a suc»»»
Arab Parliament President renews condemnation of Iranian attacks targeting several Arab countries
Mohammad Ahmed Al Yamahi, President of the Arab Parliament, said that the Arab region is going through an extremely sensitive and dangerous phase, in light of escalating threats affecting the security and stability of Arab countries. He reiterated his condemnation of the blatant Iranian attacks tar»»»
Continue the Change Leader Slams Opponents over Economic Platforms
The leader of Continue the Change, Assen Vassilev, slammed his main opponents’ economic proposals as inadequate for the looming crisis. Speaking on The Day with Veselin Dremdzhiev programme and quoted by his party’s press office, he commented on a Tuesday debate on party economic platforms (moderat»»»
Israeli Security Cabinet to Discuss Possible Lebanon Ceasefire, Senior Official Says
Israel's security cabinet will convene on Wednesday to discuss a possible Lebanon ceasefire, a senior Israeli official said, more than five weeks into a war with Hezbollah that spiraled out of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet will meet »»»
Sudan War ‘Nightmare Must End’, UN Chief Tells Aid Meeting
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday said the third anniversary of Sudan's war marked a "tragic milestone" and called for an end to the "nightmare". "Today marks three years since the war in Sudan began," Guterres told a meeting of international donors in Berlin via a video message. "»»»
Qatar–Pakistan Joint Working Group holds first meeting on trade and investment
The first meeting of the Qatar–Pakistan Joint Working Group on trade and investment was held via videoconference, chaired by Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs H E Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, and Minister of Commerce of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan H E Jam Kamal Khan, with the par»»»
Lebanon-Israel ceasefire may be declared tonight
Diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah reached a fever pitch on Wednesday, with reports suggesting a potential ceasefire could be announced as early as tonight. Information Minister Paul Morcos told Al-Arabiya's Al-Hadath channel that the collaborative efforts of Presid»»»
Trump says he has list of candidates for Supreme Court - UPI.com
1 of 4 | Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito attend a private ceremony for retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor before public repose in the Great Hall at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 18, 2023. File Pool pho»»»
Qatar participates in meeting on draft Arab model law to prevent hate speech
Cairo: The State of Qatar participated in the 7th meeting of the joint committee of experts and representatives of the Ministries of Justice and Interior and relevant authorities in the Arab countries to study the "draft Arab model law for preventing hate speech," held Wednesday at the headquarters»»»
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Confirms Oil Negotiations, Coordination Over US-Iran Ceasefire
Pakistan has been in contact with Moscow regarding the ceasefire negotiations between the US and Iran and coordinated its position with Russia, Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said. MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Will the US-Iran talks continue in Islamabad, does Pakistan intend to buy Russian oil, a»»»
Doctor arrested for selling prescriptions for narcotic pills in Omonia
A doctor has appeared before a prosecutor on charges of issuing and selling prescriptions for narcotic pills in Athens’ central Omonia district, police have said. Officers arrested the 51-year-old medical practitioner on Monday evening. According to police, officers observed the man meeting with an»»»
Sevtopolis Medical & SPA Hotel in Pavel Banya Has Welcomed Guests from 75 Countries, Performed Over 1 Mln Treatments
Since its opening in 2010, the Sevtopolis Medical & SPA Hotel in Pavel Banya has welcomed guests from 75 countries and performed over one million treatments have been performed, the hotel management told BTA. Pavel Banya is a balneological centre with a long-standing tradition in mineral water trea»»»
UAE, Jordan Sign $2.3 billion Aqaba Rail Project Deal
The United Arab Emirates and Jordan signed on Wednesday an agreement to launch a $2.3 billion rail project to Aqaba port and to create a joint company to build and operate it, the state news agencies in both countries reported. The agreement covers the construction and operation of a 360-kilometre »»»
World Bank announces water security plan for one billion people
Washington, United State: The World Bank announced a plan Wednesday that aims to improve secure water access for a billion people within the next four years. The new "Water Forward" program aims to "expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods." The Bank said it»»»
Djuric meets with Belgium's Prevot
BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met with Belgian Deputy PM and FM Maxime Prevot in Belgrade on Wednesday, noting that the volume of Serbia-Belgium bilateral trade had totalled around 1.5 bln euros last year and that there was readiness for further advancement of economic cooperation. "The head o»»»
New 360km railway line to connect UAE, Jordan
Dubai: The UAE and Jordan have signed a $2.3 billion agreement to build a 360-kilometre railway linking Jordan’s mining hubs to the Port of Aqaba, targeting annual transport capacity of 16 million tonnes of phosphate and potash. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The agre»»»
Bain Capital sets up Abu Dhabi base for regional deals
Dubai: Bain Capital has opened an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market, expanding its presence in the Middle East and strengthening access to regional investors and deal opportunities. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The office will support capital raising from regional i»»»
Building on cooperation
Economic cooperation is an integral part of the discussions that President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi is holding with his counterparts during his visit to Germany this week. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi will meet his German counterpart Joachim Gauck in Berlin today, Wednesday, during his visit »»»
Trump says Iran war 'very close to being over'
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated peace talks with Tehran could resume this week, as the United States turned the screws Wednesday with a naval blockade it said had cut off maritime trade with Iran. Trump's hint came as Israel and Lebanon agreed to open direct negotiations after a rare face»»»
Hezbollah Escalates Politically and Militarily Over Lebanon-Israel Talks
Hezbollah is responding to direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, under US sponsorship, on two tracks: political and military. Politically, it is disavowing the talks and calling on the state to “reconsider its decision to negotiate with Israel,” describing the move as one that “will deepe»»»
UAE tourism delivers Dh49.2b hotel revenue, 32.3m guests in 2025
Dubai: Hotel revenues in the UAE rose 9.7% to around Dh49.21 billion in 2025, as the country’s tourism sector recorded strong growth across key indicators, the Ministry of Economy said on Wednesday. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The figures were reviewed during the s»»»
Why the Strait of Hormuz could push 45 million people into hunger
The United Arab Emirates has been elected to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP) for the 2026–2028 term, at a time of unprecedented global food security challenges and mounting risks linked to the near-total disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—developments that coul»»»