Israeli army says established 'Yellow Line' in Lebanon, as in Gaza
The Israeli military said Saturday it had established a "Yellow Line" demarcation in southern Lebanon, similar to the one separating its forces from territory still held by Hamas in Gaza, adding that it had already struck suspected militants approaching its troops along the line. "Over the past 24 »»»
UAE’s Ghobash says Palestine cause faces global delay
Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) said that the Palestinian cause today faces a growing gap between the clarity of principle and the hesitation of international will to implement it, noting that this gap lies at the heart of the conflict as it reflects the disparity betwee»»»
Iran shuts down Strait of Hormuz over US ‘piracy’
The Iranian military has once again closed free passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, citing what it described as US ‘piracy.’ On Friday, Tehran initially declared the waterway completely open for commercial vessels for the remaining period of the ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Leba»»»
Pakistan military chief, PM head home after Iran war diplomacy blitz
Pakistan's powerful military chief and prime minister on Saturday concluded separate visits aimed at ending the Iran war, with Field Marshal Asim Munir leaving Tehran and premier Shehbaz Sharif headed home from Turkey. Munir met Iran's top leadership and peace negotiators during a three-day visit t»»»
Global Markets Regain Momentum after Strait of Hormuz Reopening Announcement
Global markets moved sharply on Friday after Iran said it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels, prompting investors to rapidly reassess geopolitical supply risks. Iran’s foreign minister said the strait was fully open to all commercial shipping for the duration of the ceasefi»»»
Minister of Economy Abushiha approves creation of new foreign companies – signalling internationally that Libya is improving its business climate
The Ministry of Economy and Trade announced last Thursday (16 April) that its Minister, Suhail Abushiha, had approved the decisions for the formation of four foreign and joint venture (JV) companies to support the investment climate in several vital sectors. The Ministry said this comes within the »»»
Pakistan PM, military chief complete three-country diplomatic tour aimed at Iran peace
Pakistan's powerful military chief and prime minister on Saturday concluded separate visits aimed at ending the Iran war, with Field Marshal Asim Munir leaving Tehran and premier Shehbaz Sharif headed home from Turkey. Munir met Iran's top leadership and peace negotiators during a three-day visit t»»»
Kyrgyzstan's investment portfolio formation discussed in Jalal-Abad region - | 24.KG
Special Presidential Representative for Special Assignments Bakyt Torobaev held a meeting as part of the systematic work on forming the investment portfolio. The Cabinet of Ministers’ press service reported. The main goal of the meeting was to create priority local investment projects, increase inv»»»
Spotlight - Tale of two truces: Lebanon 'steps up' alongside Israel as Tehran and Washington edge toward a deal
Gavin Lee is pleased to welcome Robert B. Murrett, retired Vice Admiral in the US Navy, Professor of Practice and Deputy Director of the Syracuse University's Institute for Security Policy and Law. The Israel-Lebanon and US-Iran ceasefires are at a critical juncture In the evolving geopolitical dyn»»»
Trump Hints at Resuming Attacks if Ceasefire with Iran Expires Without Deal
US President Donald Trump said the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain and attacks will resume if no agreement is reached with Iran, after Tehran said it had fully reopened the strait to commercial vessels but threatened to close it again over the US blockade. Asked by a reporter Friday ni»»»
The World This Week - Iran, Magyar, Mythos & the Pope
In a week where Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz fully open for commercial trade—effectively ending its nearly seven-week de facto blockade of the critical shipping lane, President Trump imposed a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports to strangle its ability to trade. Trump vowed to continue enforcing w»»»
Fallen idol: French singer Patrick Bruel accused of rape, sexual assault
Singer and actor Patrick Bruel has been a household name in France for decades, but in the past few weeks he has hit the headlines facing shock charges of sexual assault and rape. As accusations against the former teen heartthrob multiply, members of his loyal female fanbase are defending the »»»
Cost of war, case for peace: Why US-Iran deal is urgent
The confrontation between the United States and Iran is no longer a conventional political dispute; it has evolved into a multidimensional crisis with military, economic, security, and environmental ramifications that threaten not only the stability of the Arabian Gulf but also the broader internat»»»
Qatar, Türkiye, and Pakistan Discuss Regional Developments
Ankara , April 17 (SANA) Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the latest regional and international developments. The Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that the trilateral meeting, held on the side»»»
Amir meets Turkish President, Pakistani Prime Minister
Antalya (Turkiye): The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani; HE President of the Republic of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and HE Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif held Friday a joint meeting on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026. Discuss»»»
Progressive Bulgaria Party Founded in Veliko Tarnovo
A new political formation, Progressive Bulgaria, was founded in Veliko Tarnovo on Friday, with former president (2017-2026) Rumen Radev unanimously elected as its leader. Radev said the party's creation responds to strong public expectations and expressed confidence that its programme would be tran»»»
Oil Falls by 13% After Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Open
Oil prices plunged by about 13% on Friday after Iran's foreign minister said passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz was open for the remaining ceasefire period and US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to never close the strait again. Brent crude futures fell $12.8»»»
Mediation as a Lifeline: Can Pakistan Use the Strait of Hormuz Crisis to Save Its Economy?
For Pakistan, it's critically important not only to serve as a peacemaker, but also to succeed as a peacemaker, economic policy analyst Syed Ali Ehsan told Sputnik. As the world watches the US-Iran conflict de-escalate, Pakistan finds itself trapped in a paradox. It is both one of the crisis' most »»»
Bosch strategy 2030: Structural adjustments strengthen competitiveness
During the presentation of the company’s annual results, Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH, stated: “As a global technology leader, we are committed to shaping trends in the fields of automation, digitalization, electrification, and artificial intelligence, as»»»
Hormuz reopens: What Iran’s move means for oil and war
Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial shipping, marking a significant shift after weeks of disruption during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The move comes as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to be holding, raising cautious hop»»»
Monet paintings sell for €16M
Paris: Sotheby's Paris announced the sale of two rare paintings by French artist Claude Monet for over €16 million at a major auction attended by international collectors. One work, Vetheuil, Morning Effect (1901), valued between €6-8 million, reflects key elements of Impressionism, particularly th»»»
Oil crashes 10%+ as Iran flips script: Hormuz 'open' after Israel-Lebanon truce
Oil futures tanked on Friday following a statement by Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reflecting trader relief that the immediate risk of a supply shock had receded. The move marks a notable de-escalation by Tehran. Brent crude fell (down 11.26% to $84.03 as of 9.50 Beijing time); US West Tex»»»
Bulgaria's April 19, 2026 Early Parliamentary Elections: Backgrounder
Bulgarians at home and abroad are going to the polls on Sunday to elect their new lawmakers. These will be the country's eighteenth parliamentary elections since the start of democratic changes in 1989 and the seventh snap ones in a row since 2021. The Election Code that regulates the process was a»»»
Oil prices drop more than 10% as Iran declares Hormuz 'open' amid Israel-Lebanon truce
Oil futures tanked on Friday following a statement by Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reflecting trader relief that the immediate risk of a supply shock had receded. The move marks a notable de-escalation by Tehran. Brent crude fell (down 11.26% to $84.03 as of 9.50 Beijing time); US West Tex»»»
Etihad adds First suites, lie-flat seats on all India flights
Abu Dhabi: Travellers flying from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and Delhi in India will experience improved travel comfort. UAE’s national carrier Etihad Airways announced Friday that it plans to introduce the game-changing Airbus A321LR twice daily to these two Indian cities, complementing two daily wide-bo»»»
Gallup International Balkan Poll: Five Parties Will Enter 52nd Legislature, with Progressive Bulgaria Has Double-Digit Lead
Five political entities are certain to gain parliamentary representation, but there is a high probability that a sixth could also enter. Declared voter readiness during the survey period ranges between 3.1 and 3.2 million voters. This is shown by data from a nationally representative survey by Gall»»»
Live Updates: Tense Israel-Lebanon ceasefire holds in potential boost for Iran war peace deal prospects – Ya Libnan
Share: The Lebanese army started reconstruction of some of the bridges bombed by Israel during its war with Hezbollah Here is the latest on Middle East war Hezbollah and Iran have indicated backing for the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but both say they’re poised with their “fingers on the »»»
Oil Prices to Swing Wildly In $95-$120 Loop Amid US-Iran Standoff - Investor
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Global oil prices will fluctuate between $95 and $120 per barrel in the near future due to the Middle East conflict, Kyle Shostak, director of Navigator Principal Investors, told RIA Novosti. "My reading of the situation is that the Trump administration is hopeful that the bl»»»
Paris conference to discuss formation of international force to secure navigation in Strait of Hormuz
Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to discuss on Friday, April 17, 2026, in Paris, with leaders of allied countries, a proposal to form a multinational force to ensure security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, following the consolida»»»
Middle East oil production recovery to pre-crisis levels could take two years: IEA
Paris: Executive Director of International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, said restoring energy production in the Middle East following the recent regional tension could take around two years. In press remarks on Friday, Birol noted that recovery timelines would vary from country to country, wit»»»
Denis Kitaev: Education, Career and Vesper
Denis Kitaev is a property developer, a co-founder and shareholder of Vesper, a firm specialising in premium residential construction and renovation. Born in Moscow on 3 February 1977, Denis Vladimirovich Kitaev attended Secondary School No. 622, where he developed a marked interest in drawing and »»»
Media Review: April17
The upcoming April 19 early parliamentary elections and the anticipated results is a major topic for Bulgarian media on Friday. POSSIBLE OUTCOMES – ANALYSIS Capital: “At this stage, we do not have a clear political partner, because all of them, in one way or another, have entered into harmful allia»»»
Dubai South steps in with new business relief measures
Dubai: Dubai South has introduced a fresh round of incentives for companies operating within its free zone, as part of a broader push to sustain business activity and ease cost pressures amid the ongoing crisis. The measures include support for new company formation, assistance with licence renewal»»»
Deal or delay: Israel-Lebanon ceasefire holds amid big questions
A fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon appeared to be holding early Friday, raising cautious hopes of a broader de-escalation across the Middle East after weeks of intense fighting. The truce, announced by US President Donald Trump and agreed by Israel and Lebanon, took effect overni»»»
One ticket, 30+ cities: Flying from India to US and Canada just got easier with Air India–WestJet
Air India has entered into a new interline partnership with WestJet, Canada’s leading leisure carrier, aimed at expanding connectivity between India and North America via Toronto and Vancouver. The agreement allows passengers to book single-ticket itineraries across both airlines, offering seamless»»»
De Lepine guides Samha Alseej to Al Bidda Cup win
Doha, Qatar: Samha Alseej stormed to victory in the Al Bidda Cup, producing a blistering late burst under jockey Arnaud de Lepine to land the Local Thoroughbred Graduation Plate feature at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday. Making a winning debut, the filly – owned and trained by Jassim bin Hamad Al-A»»»
FEI Group VII Finals: Team Qatar tops Children Team event at Al Shaqab
Doha, Qatar: Team Qatar delivered a standout performance to claim top honours in the CSISCH-A Children’s Team competition at the FEI Group VII Finals at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. The hosts finished ahead of the United Arab Emirates, who took second place, while Saudi Arabia complet»»»
Protected fuel price to remain in place
Hungarian fuel prices will remain capped, Péter Magyar announced on Thursday evening after consultations with Zsolt Hernádi, CEO of MOL, and his colleagues. In a statement on social media, Magyar said he had held talks with Hernádi and MOL’s top management together with István Kapitány and András K»»»
Kyrgyzstan's MES rescuers being trained in providing psychological first aid - | 24.KG
The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan (MES), together with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), have launched a series of training courses on psychological first aid and stress management for civil defense personnel. According to the MES, the training program is adapted to Kyrgyzstan’s cont»»»
France finance minister says Hormuz must open, 'but not at any price' — G7 ready to mitigate war fallout
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz needs to reopen "but not at any price," adding that G7 leaders stand ready to mitigate the war's economic fallout. Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven advanced economies added i»»»
Al Ghanim affirms Qatar’s continued mediation approach, issues call for emergency item to support peace
QNA Istanbul Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim affirmed that the State of Qatar, under the leadership of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, will continue its steadfast approach based on dialogue, mediation, and preventing escalation, which contributes»»»
Qatar welcomes ceasefire announcement in Lebanon
Doha, Qatar: The State of Qatar welcomes the ceasefire announcement in the sisterly Republic of Lebanon, considering it an initial step towards de-escalation. Qatar emphasizes the necessity of adhering to the ceasefire and building upon it urgently to solidify the truce and prevent the spread of te»»»
Fine Arts Commission OKs Trump's arch project - UPI.com
1 of 4 | White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds an illustration on Wednesday of the proposed Triumphal Arch that President Donald Trump wants to build. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | License Photo April 16 (UPI) -- The Commission of Fine Arts voted Thursday to OK President Donald Trump's pla»»»
Tunisia-Romania: Call to scale up cooperation within Francophone space
Tunis, April 16 (TAP) - Members of the Tunisian section of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonies (APF) held a working session on Thursday with Romanian president's personal representative for Francophonie affairs Ciprian Mihali, in the...»»»
Nation's Main Priority Is Addressing Country's Demographic Crisis, Top-of-the-List Candidate for Varna Says
Dimitar Karbov, the top-of-the-list candidate of Nation for Varna, is quoted by the party’s press office as saying that "Children are our greatest treasure and hope for Bulgaria’s future, which is why addressing the country’s demographic crisis is a top priority for Nation." Karbov added that solvi»»»
Delcy Rodríguez hires U.S. lobbyist for possible presidential campaign - UPI.com
The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, speaks at a pro-government event in Caracas on Monday to commemorate National Dignity Day, which marks the return of the late former president Hugo Chavez to the presidency after being ousted in a coup. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez/EPA April 16 (UPI)»»»
Textile waste: ANME and Les Ciments de Jebel El Oust launch alternative fuel project
Tunis, April 16 (TAP) - The National Agency for Energy Management (ANME) and Les Ciments de Jebel El Oust have agreed on a new strategic cooperation framework aimed at converting textile waste into refuse-derived fuel (RDF), in order to reduce...»»»
From rekindled love story to ICE 'nightmare': France calls on US to release 86-year-old
The French government on Thursday said it was pushing for the release of an 86-year-old French citizen who has been detained by ICE since early April. Marie-Thérèse Ross, who is now widowed, moved to the US last year to marry her sweetheart from the 1950s. French officials have said they»»»
Turmoil at publisher owned by French billionaire Bolloré sparks exodus of top authors
More than 100 authors said they would leave France's Grasset publishing house on Thursday after the surprise departure of its long-time CEO, thought to be sparked by a disagreement with billionaire owner Vincent Bolloré. Critics accuse Bolloré of championing far-right views in his media e»»»
Shura Council Speaker affirms Qatar's continued mediation approach, calls for emergency item to support peace
Istanbul: Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim affirmed that the State of Qatar, under the leadership of The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, will continue its steadfast approach based on dialogue, mediation, and preventing escalation, which contributes to supportin»»»