Sidra Medicine unveils Qatar’s first advanced gene-editing therapy for blood disorders
Doha, Qatar: A major step forward in treating inherited blood disorders in Qatar Sidra Medicine a member of Qatar Foundation is now offering a new gene therapy to eligible patients. The hospital has been qualified by Vertex Pharmaceuticals to administer Casgevy, a one-time treatment designed for pa»»»
US-Iran Talks Test Power Balances in Tehran as National Security Council Comes to the Forefront
After US-Israeli bombardment eliminated Iran’s supreme leader and much of its top echelons, the country’s leadership didn’t fall apart — but negotiations to end the war offer a new test. For decades, the supreme leader successfully managed several powerful factions, bringing to heel those who chall»»»
Hezbollah Threatens to Derail Israel Talks, Invokes 1983 Scenario
Hezbollah has stepped up its campaign against Lebanon’s authorities, objecting to their decision to pursue direct negotiations with Israel and insisting the government reverse course, while warning it could seek to bring down the process by force. The group argues that such talks require a broad na»»»
Trump extends ceasefire, says giving Iran time to negotiate
Washington, Tehran, Islamabad and Paris: President Donald Trump extended the US ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for peace talks, with Tehran silent on the decision early Wednesday. Trump indefinitely pushed back the end of the two week truce, crediting a request from mediator Pakistan and st»»»
Bhutan plans to take part in Second Global Mountain Summit Bishkek+25 - | 24.KG
The Kingdom of Bhutan is hosting the second interregional working session Mountains Connect, aimed at strengthening cooperation on sustainable development in mountain regions, the administration of president of Kyrgyzstan reported. The event has brought together representatives from more than 25 co»»»
EAEU decides to restrict import of certain types of clothing from Vietnam - | 24.KG
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has decided to temporarily restrict the import of certain types of clothing from Vietnam. The decision was made at a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Board. According to the EEC press service, it was decided to apply a trigger-protective measure t»»»
IMF Managing Director Praises Bulgaria for Anti-Crisis Measures amid Energy Crisis
In an interview for BTA, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised Bulgaria's smooth accession to the eurozone, as well as its policy in response to the energy crisis that followed the military conflict in the Middle East. Following the spring meetings of the »»»
NEOM Port Reshapes Global Trade Routes from Northern Saudi Arabia
On April 15, Saudi Arabia’s NEOM posted a terse but telling message on X: “Europe- Egypt- NEOM- GCC: your faster route.” Accompanied by a map, the post traced a corridor linking Europe to Egypt’s ports of Damietta and Safaga, on to NEOM Port, then overland to Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, the Unite»»»
Hezbollah Fires at Israel, Citing Truce Breaches
Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said it fired rockets and drones into northern Israel on Tuesday, accusing the Israeli military of violating a ceasefire ahead of US-mediated talks between the Israeli and Lebanese governments this week. The Israeli military earlier said Iran-aligned Hezbollah had fir»»»
Parliaments of Kyrgyzstan and Austria to expand cooperation - | 24.KG
On April 21, 2026, during a visit of First Deputy Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, Meder Aliev, to Vienna to participate in the 26th Conference of the Alliance Against Trafficking in Persons, a meeting was held in the Austrian Parliament with the Speaker of the National Counci»»»
Trump extends Iran ceasefire indefinitely as peace talks stall
President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States would indefinitely extend its ceasefire with Iran, easing fears that a fragile pause in fighting could collapse as stalled peace talks remain in limbo. The move comes amid mounting diplomatic pressure, with Pakistan scrambling to bring both side»»»
Pentagon Requests Record $50Bln for Military Intelligence in 2027
The US Department of War said it had requested a record $50 billion for the military intelligence program in fiscal year 2027, a 49% increase compared to 2026. "Today, the Department of War released the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) top line budget request for fiscal year 2027. The total was »»»
Trump has lost the Iran war, but how badly?
The United States has a history of mistaking defeats in war for victories. In 1973, Richard Nixon declared his administration had achieved a “Peace with Honour,” which didn’t betray Washington’s South Vietnamese allies, but barely two years later, Saigon fell. In May 2003, George W Bush announced t»»»
Kyrgyzstan could rank among global leaders in films per capita - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan is rapidly increasing its film production and could soon rank among the world’s leaders in the number of films produced per capita. Director Suyun Otkeev reported. Despite its relatively small market, the country’s film industry has been accelerating significantly. Around 50 films were p»»»
Kyrgyzstan and Japan to eliminate double taxation - | 24.KG
A bill to ratify the agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Japan on the elimination of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion has been submitted to the Zhogorku Kenesh. The document provides for the ratification of the agreement signed on December 19, 2025, in Tokyo. After the law enters into»»»
Planning for an Eid Al Adha getaway from UAE? Book now or pay more closer to date
Dubai: Planning for an Eid Al Adha getaway? Book now or pay more as your travel date approaches. That is the clear message from UAE travel agents, as strong demand, limited flight capacity and rising fuel costs combine to keep airfares elevated in the weeks ahead. With Eid expected to fall between »»»
Sharjah accelerates green mobility with 100 fast EV chargers
Sharjah’s Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) has signed a strategic partnership with ION to establish a wide network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the emirate, in a move to strengthen green mobility infrastructure. Under the agreement, ION, a joint venture between Beeah and Cr»»»
UK targets 10GW solar-wind building on public land to cut gas from power bills
The United Kingdom is accelerating a sweeping clean-energy expansion, recording a bumper wind power output in the first quarter of 2026, as per government data. The green energy drive is aimed at shielding households from volatile natural gas prices that have driven up electricity bills amid global»»»
Michelle Bachelet hopes world is 'finally ready' for a female UN chief
Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet said Tuesday she hopes the world is finally ready for a woman to lead the United Nations as she campaigns to succeed António Guterres. She framed her bid as a chance to restore trust in the crisis-hit organisation and send a powerful global signal by appoi»»»
France is ready to help Lebanon prepare negotiations with Israel, Macron tells Salam – Ya Libnan
Share: France’s President Emmanuel Macron holds a press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Élysée presidential palace in Paris, April 21, 2026. © AFP Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace late on Tuesday, with the »»»
London hosts military talks on France and UK’s Hormuz mission
LONDON: Britain will host military planners from over 30 countries for two days of talks starting Wednesday on a multinational mission led by the UK and France to protect navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the defense ministry said. The ministry said the meeting would “advance detailed planning” o»»»
The 15-minute city: Dubai’s next urban shift explained
The “15-minute city” has gone from urban-planning buzzword to a rather sensible idea: if people can get to work, school, shops and parks without embarking on a daily expedition, cities become healthier, happier and less exhausting places to live. Before cities were carved up by zoning codes and lon»»»
DoE: Planned energy investments to reach Dh160 billion over five years
ABU DHABI: With planned energy-related investments approaching Dh160 billion across the UAE over the next five years, this reflects a clear commitment to delivering tangible sustainability outcomes grounded in measurable impact, according to senior energy official. Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Cha»»»
Nigeria signs $1bn steel investment deal with India's Rashmi Metaliks Group
Nigeria has signed a $1bn investment agreement with India’s Rashmi Metaliks Group as Abuja steps up efforts to rebuild domestic steel production, reduce imports and expand higher-value industrial output from its mineral resources, Leadership has reported. »»»
Middle Corridor in play
Squeezed by a sanctioned Russia to the north and a war prone Middle East to the south, the Middle Corridor that runs through Central Asia and the Caucasus is back in play as the main route connecting Europe to Asia by land and is already the only functioning corridor connecting the two by plane. »»»
Europeans fear Washington more than Beijing for the first time, Politico reports
For the first time in the history of transatlantic polling, more Europeans view the United States as a threat to their continent than view China in the same light, a seismic shift in public sentiment. A Politico Europ»»»
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. »»»
Panama Canal auction prices quadruple as Hormuz closure reshapes global energy flows
A Chinese-controlled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker paying $4mn to jump a queue is not the sort of detail that ordinarily surfaces in shipping intelligence reports. Yet the transit of the Gas Virgo, a Singapore-flagged vessel operated by Wanhua Chemical, through the Panama Canal on April 15 h»»»
US and Cuba talk in Havana but cannot agree on what was said
Cuba has confirmed that senior officials from Havana and Washington held face-to-face talks on the island in early April, in the highest-level diplomatic encounter between the two governments in nearly a decade, as the Trump administration's pressure campaign against the communist-run island shows »»»
Nigeria signs $1bn steel investment deal with India's Rashmi Metaliks Group
Nigeria has signed a $1bn investment agreement with India’s Rashmi Metaliks Group as Abuja steps up efforts to rebuild domestic steel production, reduce imports and expand higher-value industrial output from its mineral resources, Leadership has reported. »»»
Atomic Eagle reports 28.0mn lb uranium oxide reserve at Zambia project, bolsters board
Atomic Eagle Ltd (ASX:AEU; FRA:6QZ0) has strengthened its board and advanced its flagship asset in Zambia, reporting a maiden ore reserve of 28.0mn pounds of triuranium octoxide (U₃O₈) – the most commonly traded and quoted form of uranium in the nuclear fuel cycle –alongside key leadership appointm»»»
Nigeria fintech Flutterwave denies $75mn government investment, imminent IPO plans
Nigerian fintech Flutterwave has denied reports that the country’s federal government plans to invest $75mn in the company, pushing back against claims that the move was linked to a potential initial public offering. Local»»»
Argentina eases glacier protection in $40bn mining push despite environmental fears
Argentina’s Congress has approved a reform to the country’s glacier protection law, relaxing restrictions on mining in high-altitude regions in a move aimed at attracting billions in investment, while drawing criticism from environmental groups concerned about water security. »»»
Brazil bets on AI data hub ambitions as companies pour billions into smart logistics
Brazil's government unveiled plans to position the country as a major global hub for artificial intelligence data processing and storage, just as Brazilian and multinational companies race to automate their logistics networks in a sign of the country's broader digital transformation ambitions. »»»
Panama Canal auction prices quadruple as Hormuz closure reshapes global energy flows
A Chinese-controlled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker paying $4mn to jump a queue is not the sort of detail that ordinarily surfaces in shipping intelligence reports. Yet the transit of the Gas Virgo, a Singapore-flagged vessel operated by Wanhua Chemical, through the Panama Canal on April 15 h»»»
Panama Canal auction prices quadruple as Hormuz closure reshapes global energy flows
A Chinese-controlled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker paying $4mn to jump a queue is not the sort of detail that ordinarily surfaces in shipping intelligence reports. Yet the transit of the Gas Virgo, a Singapore-flagged vessel operated by Wanhua Chemical, through the Panama Canal on April 15 h»»»
UAE affirms importance of freedom of navigation, facilitating supply chains to secure agricultural inputs, stability of regional, global food security
DUBAI: The UAE reaffirmed that food security is a sovereign pillar and fundamental to national security, calling for "proactive and adaptive strategies" that strengthen supply chain resilience and shield regional and global food systems from the shocks of a volatile geopolitical and climatic landsc»»»
Truth or Fake - Was Donald Trump 'blocked' from using the nuclear codes against Iran?
Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson alleged on a podcast this week that President Donald Trump wanted to use the nuclear codes against Iran during an emergency White House meeting, but that he was stopped by General Dan Caine, Chairman of his Joint Chiefs of Staff. He described the interaction as "qui»»»
European airline Lufthansa cuts 20,000 flights to save money, fuel - UPI.com
1 of 2 | A Lufthansa Airbus A330-300 is filled with supplies as it waits in June 2022 to leave St. Louis-Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. Lufthansa announced Tuesday that it will cut 20,000 flights because of the price of jet fuel. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo April »»»
Macron to host Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace late on Tuesday, with the president expected to reaffirm his support for the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, three days after the death of a French peacekeeper in southern Lebanon.»»»
Why France’s far right is dining with the country’s business elite
France’s far-right National Rally party president Jordan Bardella sat down for lunch Monday with the country’s leading employer federation, marking the latest step in a years-long campaign to woo business leaders in the lead-up to next year’s presidential election – and once again revealing th»»»
France is ready to help Lebanon prepare negociations with Israel, Macron says
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace late on Tuesday, with the president reaffirming his support for the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, three days after a French peacekeeper was killed in southern Lebanon. French President Emmanue»»»
Ukraine reopens damaged Druzhba pipeline to unlock €90 billion EU loan
Kyiv said Tuesday it has repaired the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline, clearing the last obstacle to a long-delayed €90 billion EU loan. The move forces Ukraine into the uncomfortable position of resuming Russian oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia even as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky presses al»»»
Iran war drives fuel theft surge as gas prices soar globally
A wave of “fill up and flee” crime is sweeping petrol stations across the UK, while American drivers are waking up to drilled-through tanks and drained fuel as the US-Israeli war on Iran has sparked a spike in oil and gas prices across the globe, according to media reports and industry watchdogs. T»»»
Frangieh to Aoun: Even Bashir Gemayyel Failed to Impose “Peace” When Israeli Tanks Were in Beirut
The head of the Marada Movement in Lebanon, Suleiman Frangieh, affirmed that the Resistance is a result of occupation, and what is happening today in the South — the “yellow line” and other matters — gives it full legitimacy to continue. Frangieh added during an interview with Al-Mayadeen channel t»»»
Panama Canal auction prices quadruple as Hormuz closure reshapes global energy flows
A Chinese-controlled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker paying $4mn to jump a queue is not the sort of detail that ordinarily surfaces in shipping intelligence reports. Yet the transit of the Gas Virgo, a Singapore-flagged vessel operated by Wanhua Chemical, through the Panama Canal on April 15 h»»»
Europeans fear Washington more than Beijing for the first time, Politico reports
For the first time in the history of transatlantic polling, more Europeans view the United States as a threat to their continent than view China in the same light, a seismic shift in public sentiment. A Politico Europ»»»
UAE warns it could sell oil in yuan if dollar liquidity crunch hits
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has warned Washington it could switch to Chinese yuan or other currencies to settle oil sales if it faces a severe shortage of US dollars, Russian oil industry publication Neft i Kapital reported on April 21. »»»
US and Cuba talk in Havana but cannot agree on what was said
Cuba has confirmed that senior officials from Havana and Washington held face-to-face talks on the island in early April, in the highest-level diplomatic encounter between the two governments in nearly a decade, as the Trump administration's pressure campaign against the communist-run island shows »»»
COMMENT: Rising pressures on Iranians in the UAE
For over a century, the geographical gap between the southern coast of Iran and the bustling ports of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was less a barrier and more a bridge. However, the recent war on Iran by the US and Israel and Iran's response to GCC neighbours has all but burnt that bridge. »»»