GDANSK, Poland: French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called for the United States and Iran to de-escalate amid increased tensions over the weekend over the Strait of Hormuz. “Our position remains the same. We need ‌to settle ‌things through diplomacy. ‌Everyone must ⁠calm down,” Macron ⁠said »»»

The United States and Iran both warned they were ready for war as peace talks that President Donald Trump had announced would resume on Tuesday in Pakistan were left in limbo. The clock is ticking on a ceasefire deal between the two countries that is set to expire overnight Tuesday. »»»

Washington, April 21 (SANA) U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday rejected remarks by Energy Secretary Chris Wright on fuel prices, saying Americans could see lower costs once tensions with Iran ease. Wright told CNN on Sunday that gasoline prices could fall below $3 per gallon, though he suggested»»»

TOKYO: Japan on Tuesday scrapped a ban on lethal weapons exports, a major change in its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to build up its arms industry amid worries over Chinese and North Korean aggression. The approval by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet of the new guideline clea»»»

Abu Dhabi: The State Security Department in the United Arab Emirates announced on Monday, April 20, 2026, dismantling of a terrorist organization and the arrest of its members for their involvement in clandestine activities aimed at undermining national unity and destabilizing the country. Accordin»»»

Iran has granted its commanders greater autonomy over armed factions in Iraq, allowing some groups to carry out operations without Tehran’s approval, a shift driven by the pressures of the war, three faction members and two other officials told The Associated Press. Many Iran-backed factions are fu»»»

Manila: The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) has received 44,199 metric tonnes of diesel shipment at the Port of Subic Bay in Zambales as the government works to bolster fuel reserves and cushion the effects of of global supply shocks. The shipment, totaling about 329,505 barrels of diesel (o»»»

Pope Leo XIV visited a historic Angolan shrine once tied to the trans-Atlantic slave trade on Sunday, recalling the “sorrow and great suffering” endured by generations of Africans. His remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of the Catholic Church’s historical role in slavery and colonial-era doctrine. »»»

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said on Monday that it was in President Joseph Aoun's interest to withdraw from direct talks with Israel, while adding that his group wanted the current ceasefire to last. "It is in the interest of the state, the interest of Lebanon, the president of the republic»»»

The U.N. Security Council on Monday condemned the recent killing of a French peacekeeper in Lebanon, whose death France has blamed on Hezbollah. The Frenchman was killed and three others wounded when their unit was ambushed on Saturday as it headed to a U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) outpos»»»

Mr. Mehmet Seman Ağaoğlu, Chairman of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, who was elected as the Governor of Kirkuk by the Kirkuk Provincial Council on 16 April 2026, officially assumed his duties today upon receiving his certificate of appointment from the President of Iraq. The election of a Turkmen Governo»»»

Dubai: For many in UAE, the word “latagan” may be unfamiliar. In Filipino culture, it simply means “to lay out” or “to display” items, often in an open, informal setting where collections are shared for others to see and appreciate. In this context, latagan has taken on a deeper meaning. It is not »»»

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that his country's campaign in Lebanon relied both on military and diplomatic pressure to disarm Iran-allied Hezbollah. "The overarching goal of the campaign in Lebanon is to disarm Hezbollah and remove the threat to the northern communities (of Isr»»»

The United States and Iran both warned they were ready for war as the clock ticked down on a ceasefire on Tuesday, with uncertainty over whether talks that President Donald Trump had announced would resume in Pakistan. The White House said Vice President JD Vance was ready to fly back to Islamabad,»»»

Efforts to extend the ceasefire in Lebanon are accelerating amid Israeli reports of a new round of talks at the ambassador level paving the way for direct negotiations. Lebanese officials say a meeting between President Joseph Aoun and US President Donald Trump could be scheduled “at any moment,” s»»»

Dubai: The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority reported strong financial results for 2025 on Tuesday, with revenues rising 19.4 per cent and net profits up 17.8 per cent compared to the previous year, underscoring the resilience of its integrated business model. Announcing the results on X, S»»»

Dubai: Dubai’s property market recorded a landmark deal on Monday with the sale of an off-plan residential apartment for more than Dh500 million, signalling sustained demand for high-end real estate in the emirate. Data from the Dubai Land Department’s Dubai REST app showed the unit was sold for Dh»»»

The period of political instability we are entering now risks to turn into a real economic seppuku and this is the period when the world economy goes through the most serious crisis of the last twenty years, says the economic consultant Adrian Negrescu."When investors don't know who will lead the c»»»

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell over $1 on Tuesday, reversing gains in the previous session, on expectations peace talks between the US ‌and Iran will take place this week and lead to more supply to flow from the key Middle East producing region. Brent crude futures declined $1.04, or 1.1 percent, at $9»»»

On April 21, 1975, Nguyen Van Thieu resigned as president of South Vietnam after denouncing the United States as untrustworthy. 1 of 4 | President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam is escorted by Vice President Spiro Agnew upon arrival at nearby Andrews Air Force base on April 4, 1973. On April 21,»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar University (QU) has launched a website pertaining to the Graduation Ceremony Class of 2026, which falls under a special tab on the University’s official website. The ceremony website includes information on a number of topics related to the main ceremonies of the graduation event»»»

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has declared that Tehran will not accept negotiations with Washington under the shadow of threats. In a post on his X handle early Tuesday, Qalibaf denounced US President Donald Trump for acting on a delusion. His remarks came in response to continu»»»

The ‌conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel is creating the worst energy crisis ever faced by the world, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday. "This is indeed the biggest crisis in history," Birol told France Inter radio in ‌an interview ‌broadcast on Tu»»»

Oil prices fell over $1 on Tuesday, reversing gains in the previous session, on expectations peace talks between the US and Iran will take place this week and lead to more supply to flow from the key Middle East producing region. Brent crude futures declined $1.04, or 1.1%, at $94.44 a barrel at 06»»»

Doha, Qatar: During periods of conflict, when the world is changing and breaking news feels endless, it can be tempting to remain glued to the phone or TV. Many people feel the best way to alleviate their anxiety is to chronically consume information from all possible sources. However, this can be »»»

Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri affirmed Lebanon’s rejection of any lines or restrictions imposed upon it in the south, stressing that the Israeli withdrawal from the areas it has invaded must be unconditional. Berri warned that the continued occupation of those areas means a permanent confrontat»»»

The UN Security Council on Monday condemned the recent killing of a French peacekeeper in Lebanon, whose death France has blamed on Hezbollah. The Frenchman was killed and three others wounded when their unit was ambushed on Saturday as it headed to a UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) outpost cu»»»

Gaza's civil defense agency said Tuesday that an Israeli strike killed three people in the Palestinian territory overnight, with Israeli warplanes seen soaring over the region after the assault, according to AFP journalists. Despite an October 10 ceasefire, Gaza remains gripped by daily violence as»»»

SAN SALVADOR: Nearly 490 alleged members of the powerful Central American gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), including several alleged leaders, went on trial collectively in El Salvador on Monday, accused of thousands of murders. El Salvador is conducting mass trials of thousands of suspected gang memb»»»

BRUSSELS/LONDON: ‌Disruption to global oil supplies from the Iran war has added more than $100 to the price of long-haul flights from Europe, a cost likely to trigger higher ticket prices, campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E) said. The rise in jet fuel prices has increased the average fuel »»»

Japan will ease decades-old arms export rules, the government's top spokesman Minoru Kihara said on Tuesday, a policy shift that paves the way for the sale of lethal weapons overseas. The new rules end Japan's self-imposed curb on sales of lethal arms as Tokyo seeks to enter the international arms »»»

The four candidates vying to become the next United Nations secretary-general face live hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday on their bids to lead the troubled global organization from next year. Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Argentina's Rafael Grossi, Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan and Senegal's Macky Sal»»»

New Delhi: India's fertiliser production plunged nearly a quarter in March, official data showed, after natural gas imports used in its manufacture were hit by the Middle East conflict. Natural gas is used to power the production of urea, a key part of the lifeline fertilisers used by India's vast »»»

Doha, Qatar: After defeating Al Hussein, Qatar’s Al Ahli are bracing for a strong challenge against Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, with Julian Draxler saying the team will be ready for Cristiano Ronaldo’s side in the AFC Champions League Two semi-final in Dubai tomorrow. Younes Ali-coached Al Ahli delive»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has signed a contract to implement the third cohort of the “Khibarat” (Experiences) programme, as part of its ongoing efforts to develop national competencies and enhance the quality of the education system. The agreement was signe»»»

Brussels: The State of Qatar has participated in the ninth meeting of the Global Coalition for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting was attended by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy H E Kaja Kallas and D»»»

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Sanriku coast off northeastern Japan, triggering tsunami waves of 80cm at Kuji port in Iwate Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported on April 20, according to Kyodo News. The tremor hit at 4:52 pm at a depth of 19km, recording a maximum in»»»

Romania’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) has voted overwhelmingly to withdraw political support for Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, raising the prospect of a government collapse, Agerpres reported on April 20. While the PSD aims to increase its influence over the executive, the attempts may end in»»»

Queen Elizabeth II lives on at the Cool Britannia gift shop across the road from Buckingham Palace. Four years after the queen’s death, the shop is doing a brisk business in mugs, tea towels and key rings bearing the likeness of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch as the nation marks the centenary o»»»

Disruption to global oil supplies from the Iran war has added more than $100 to the price of long-haul flights from Europe, a cost likely to trigger higher ticket prices, campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E) said. The rise in jet fuel prices has increased the average fuel cost by 88 euros (»»»

Iconic Kuwaiti actress Hayat Al Fahad, widely known as the “Lady of the Gulf Screen”, has died at the age of 78 after a prolonged illness, in a loss that has reverberated across the Arab artistic community. The announcement was made on Tuesday via the official account of the Al Fahad Artistic Produ»»»

Kyrgyzstan will become Central Asia’s hub for cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. Justin Sun, founder of Tron blockchain platform, posted on X after visiting Kyrgyzstan. He said Kyrgyzstan left a deep impression on him. «From the city to the mountains, from conversations to culture, every d»»»

Mexico City: A gunman killed a Canadian tourist and wounded six other people on Monday at Mexico's famed Teotihuacan archaeological site, authorities said. The gunman killed himself after opening fire at the heavily visited destination in central Mexico, home to pre-Aztecan pyramids, according to a»»»

SEOUL: The United States has partly restricted the sharing of satellite intelligence on North Korea with South Korea due to recent remarks by Seoul’s unification minister about one of Pyongyang’s nuclear facilities, reports said on Tuesday. Chung Dong-young told South Korea’s parliament last month »»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Library (QNL) has reached a new milestone, recording 1.25 million visits in 2025 as the highest since it opened its doors to the public in November 2017, underscoring its growing role as a vibrant cultural and knowledge hub in the country. The figure marks a rise from 1.»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Protection and Social Rehabilitation Center (Aman), one of the centers under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work yesterday launched its new strategy for 2026-2030, marking a significant milestone in its institutional development and a new phase in its efforts to enhance social saf»»»

The International Sambo Tournament was held in Bishkek at the Dynamo Sports Complex from April 18 to April 19. The tournament was dedicated to the memory of Nikolai Mikhailov, USSR Master of Sports in Sambo and Judo, Honored Coach of the Kyrgyz Republic, and international extra-class referee. The S»»»

Tisza Party leader and prime minister-designate Péter Magyar on Monday named seven ministers of his future government and announced nine additional ministries at a press conference in Budapest following the first meeting of the party’s parliamentary faction. Magyar said the Tisza government, expect»»»

The Israeli air force conducted a strike on the settlement of Qaaqaaiyet El Jisr in southern Lebanon, injuring six people, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Monday. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed»»»

The Iranian-flagged container ship Touska, which was boarded and seized by US forces on Sunday, is likely to have what Washington deems dual-use items ‌that could be used by the military onboard, maritime security sources said on Monday, according to Reuters. The small container ship, which is part»»»