Skopje, 20 April 2026 (MIA) - Macedonia and Kazakhstan signed Monday an agreement on setting up a bilateral business council and a memorandum for promotion of trade and economic cooperation, aimed at strengthening economic ties and increasing trade exchange. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and F»»»

TOKYO: Oil prices were largely flat on ​Wednesday after rising about $1 at the start of Asian trading, with investors assessing the outlook for ‌US-Iran peace talks following the US extension of a ceasefire. Brent crude futures were up 3 cents, or 0.02 percent, at $98.51 a barrel at 07:38 a.m. Saud»»»

London: Britain's annual inflation rate jumped to 3.3 percent in March as the Middle East war sent oil and gas prices surging, official data showed Wednesday. The Consumer Prices Index increased from 3.0 percent in the 12 months to February, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement. "»»»

Ukrainian drones attacked two residential buildings in Syzran, causing the entrance sections of one of them to collapse, Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations reports. The injured people, including two children, are receiving medical assistance, the report states.Earlier in the morning, the bui»»»

Washington: OpenAI, a leading AI research company, announced a new update to its image generation mechanism in ChatGPT, adding what the company describes as "thinking capabilities," enabling online search and the creation of a set of related images based on just one command. The update is based on »»»

Minister of Municipality H E Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah met yesterday with Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to the State of Qatar H E Thierno Abdoulaye Sow. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.»»»

Doha, Qatar: United Development Company (UDC), a leading Qatari public shareholding company and the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, reporting net profit of QR71m on revenues of QR459m. The net profit attributable to the»»»

Doha, Qatar: Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC Group), one of the region’s leading logistics groups providing cross-border and integrated logistics solutions, released its financial performance data for the first quarter of 2026 following a Board of Directors meeting held yesterday and chaired by GWC G»»»

Tickets for the symphonic concerts and chamber recitals within the 2026 'George Enescu' International Competition have been put up for sale, opening access for the public to one of the most relevant platforms for artistic affirmation at present.With the theme "In Search of Excellence," the annivers»»»

The Employers' Organisation of Renewable Energy Producers in Romania (PATRES) and Creative Communications are organising the 5th edition of the Solar Energy Bucharest Summit, at the Palace of Parliament, on April 22-23.According to the organisers, the B2B event dedicated to solar energy in Romania »»»

Around 80% of employers believe that the development of artificial intelligence will not affect hiring volumes over the next two years, although they expect to seek candidates with different skills than those currently in demand, according to a survey conducted by an online recruitment platform.Fou»»»

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Tuesday that the SAFE Program should be completed by the end of May, noting that negotiations are underway and that Romania stands to benefit from access to financing under more advantageous conditions than those available on the market."We are in the full proces»»»

The National Company Maritime Ports Administration Constanta has taken over the company ICS Danube Logistics, the operator of the Giurgiulesti Port, a strategic investment for Romania, with regional and European stakes, announced on Tuesday the Minister of Transport, Ciprian Serban."I am glad that »»»

The Minister of Labor, Petre-Florin Manole, had a meeting with the US Ambassador to Romania, Darryl Nirenberg, during which they discussed the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the field of labor and social protection and common directions of action in the context of current challenges on t»»»

'More than 20 Romanian companies have presented innovative defence solutions to NATO agencies and, as of today, have open doors to a market worth billions of euros,' said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Toiu, at the Romanian Industry Days event held at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, the M»»»

The Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) continued its decline in Tuesday's trading session, which closed with a total turnover of approximately 121.7 million lei (23.9 million euros), up from 88 million lei (17.26 million euros) in the previous session.The main index of the Bucharest Stock Exchange, BET»»»

Dean of the Faculty of Political Science within the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) Cristian Parvulescu believes that, in the context of the governmental crisis, the capacity for compromise and cooperation is becoming a critical test of the maturity of the»»»

Romania's borrowing costs will increase as a result of the political crisis and its effects are already being felt in the economy, President of the Fiscal Council Daniel Daianu said on Tuesday."Good faith in political action, represented by Parliament, must lead to a resolution as quickly as possib»»»

Social Democratic Party (PSD) President Sorin Grindeanu said on Tuesday that he does not rule out the possibility of the next prime minister being a technocrat.Asked on Radio Romania Actualitati how he views the option of a technocratic prime minister, Grindeanu replied: "It was rejected last year »»»

National Liberal Party (PNL) leader and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced that the party he heads will begin talks with the political groups supporting the current government - Save Romania Union (USR), the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) and the group of national minorities»»»

National Liberal Party (PNL) chairman and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Tuesday that the party will attend the consultations convened by President Nicusor Dan at the Cotroceni Palace with the mandate set out in the resolution adopted by the Liberal leadership.Asked what mandate PNL will take »»»

The National Political Bureau of the PNL and the PNL Parliamentary Groups unanimously adopted, on Tuesday, a resolution expressing their firm support for the continuation of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and for the completion of the undertaken reforms."The Nati»»»

President Nicusor Dan will hold consultations on Wednesday at the Cotroceni Palace with the leaders of the governing coalition."Under his constitutional prerogatives, the President of Romania, Nicusor Dan, has invited on Wednesday, to the Cotroceni Palace, the leaders of the following parliamentary»»»

Police in Crete intensified their search Wednesday for a 43-year-old mother of three as the investigation into her disappearance took a grim turn following the discovery of her former partner’s body. Eleftheria Giakoumaki has been missing since Sunday morning after leaving her home in the village o»»»

Education will become a strategically important sector under a Tisza government, the party’s president wrote on Facebook on Tuesday after holding consultations with the principals of 15 secondary schools run by different maintaining bodies. Péter Magyar said that in reshaping the education system t»»»

The European Court of Justice has officially declared Hungary’s child protection law unlawful due to discrimination and stigmatization. In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) annulled the law on protection against paedophiles and the protection of childr»»»

A Tisza government is committed to improving the business environment for enterprises and will increase economic productivity and the efficiency of the domestic SME sector through a comprehensive series of measures, István Kapitány, the Tisza Party’s nominee for minister of economy and energy, wrot»»»

DUBAI: Haitham Al-Busafi will represent Oman at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia — which runs from May 9 until Nov. 22 — and he will also serve as its curator. Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and located in the Arsenale Artiglierie, “Zinah” »»»

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Tournament debutants Machida Zelvia secured a place in a first Asian Champions League (Elite) final following a controversial 1-0 victory against UAE side Shabab Al Ahli in Jeddah yesterday. The Japanese team, who until this season had never appeared in the continent’s premier»»»

Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority announced on Tuesday a significant environmental milestone with the rehabilitation of more than 614,000 hectares of reserve land. The figure represents over 60% of the total national environmental accomplishment of rehabilitating the»»»

Doha, Qatar: Al Ahli coach Younes Ali yesterday acknowledged a tough challenge against Al Nassr but said his team is ready and eager to put in a strong performance in the AFC Champions League Two semi-final at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai today. Al Ahli, who defeated Jordan’s Al Hussein 3-1 in the quart»»»

Doha, Qatar: President of the Syrian Arab Republic HE Ahmed Al Sharaa arrived in Doha today on a working visit to the country. His Excellency and the accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at Doha International Airport by HE Director of the Protocol Department at the Ministry of Foreign»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe One martyred two others injured in an Israeli drone strike at dawn on the outskirts of Al-Jbour in the West Bekaa District, eastern Lebanon»»»

President Tamás Sulyok has convened the inaugural session of the new National Assembly for 10 a.m. on May 9, the Sándor Palace announced. Under Hungary’s Fundamental Law, the inaugural session must be convened by the president for a date within thirty days following the general election of members »»»

DUBAI: Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard opened fire Wednesday on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging the ship and further raising the stakes as planned ceasefire talks in Pakistan failed to materialize. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center sai»»»

BEIRUT: An Israeli strike on Lebanon’s Bekaa region killed one person and wounded two others on Wednesday, Lebanese state media reported, despite an ongoing truce between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.“One person was killed and two others were wounded as a result of an attack carried out by an e»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has launched Government Scholarship Plan for the 2026–2027 academic year, introducing a range of qualitative programs and benefits aimed at enhancing human capital and aligning higher education outcomes with the strategic needs of »»»

The capital’s police continue to actively identify and prevent cases of illegal trafficking of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and precursors, the press service of the Main Internal Affairts Department of Bishkek reported. According to the press service, operative officers from the Drug Control»»»

1 of 3 | Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel hold a press conference at the Department of Justice Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 22 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors Tuesday even»»»

Dubai: An Iranian gunboat fired at a container ship off the coast of Oman on Wednesday, causing damage but no casualties, the UKMTO British maritime security agency said. "The master of a container ship reported that the vessel was approached by one IRGC gunboat... that then fired upon the vessel, »»»

DUBAI: Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard opened fire Wednesday on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging the ship and further raising the stakes as planned ceasefire talks in Pakistan failed to materialize. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center sai»»»

Thailand plans to reduce the visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days for citizens of 93 countries and territories, Bangkok Post reported. According to the Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, this is being done to combat crime, particularly fraudsters who abuse visa-free stays by»»»

Arab foreign ministers have condemned Iran's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and disrupt international navigation, demanding, in a virtual meeting they held on Tuesday, that Tehran be compelled to compensate and make amends for the economic losses resulting from these threats. The Secretary-G»»»

Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a phone call from Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the sisterly State of Kuwait. During the call, Sheikh Jarrah Al Sabah condemned the terrorist plot »»»

To mark Earth Day, the regional offices of the Ministry of Environment and Water will organize various initiatives in support of the global environmental protection movement, the ministry’s press office reported. Planned activities include outdoor lessons, talks, presentations, exhibitions dedicate»»»

Dubai: “I am not going to give in to the algorithm and the populist,” says Kritika Kamra, Bollywood actress and new bride, with a clarity that feels deliberate rather than performative. The comment comes soon after her intimate March 11th Mumbai wedding quietly turned into a social media storm. Wha»»»

Doha, Qatar: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari has said that Qatar fully supports mediation efforts undertaken by Pakistan to end US-Iran war. “Qatar continues its ongoing communication with various parties, »»»

London: The British Ministry of Defense announced that it will host a conference with representatives from 30 countries, which will continue over Wednesday and Thursday, to discuss the formation of an international mission to protect navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry said in a statem»»»

For the second consecutive year, McDonald's Qatar, in collaboration with Mubadara for Social Impact, hosted a dedicated Environmental Day, bringing together more than 100 employees for a day of mangrove planting, beach clean-up, and environmental workshops at the 'Flower Each Spring Camp' in Ras Al»»»

Large-scale efforts to purge unscrupulous officers from law enforcement agencies continue in Kyrgyzstan. The Chairman of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan (SCNS), Zhumgalbek Shabdanbekov, said in an official statement. According to him, this work is being conducted jointly wit»»»