South Korea, India agree to boost trade and defense ties
TradeIndiaSouth Korea, India agree to boost trade and defense tiesRoshni Majumdar | Shakeel Sobhan AFP, ReutersPrime Minister Narendra Modi hosts South Korean President Lee Jae Myung this week as both countries target $50 billion in trade by 2030. https://p.dw.com/p/5CSkNSouth Korea and India seek »»»
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»»»
Britain can’t locate 95,000 reservists on recall list – George Robertson
The UK has effectively lost contact with tens of thousands of reservists who would be called up in a national emergency, George Robertson, a former NATO secretary general and a lead adviser for the Strategic Defense Review (SDR), has said. Amid the broader Western militarization over a perceived Ru»»»
Sustainability in crisis: The UAE’s blueprint in uncertain times
In a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, sustainability is no longer a theoretical construct or a distant set of development goals. It has become a practical framework for national resilience. And although I have spent years teaching the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in universities and s»»»
Syria, Saudi company sign MoU to produce diammonium phosphate from oil shale
Damascus, April 20 (SANA) Syria’s General Establishment of Geology and Mineral Resources signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi company SAMIROCK to develop a project to produce diammonium phosphate using oil shale. The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Energy in Damascus under the pa»»»
Israel Condemns Soldier’s Desecration of Crucifix in South Lebanon
Israel's foreign minister and military on Monday condemned the desecration of a crucifix smashed by an Israeli soldier in a southern Lebanese village home to Christians. A photo that emerged online over the weekend shows a soldier taking the blunt side of an axe to a fallen sculpture of Jesus on th»»»
Burj Al Arab to Armani, Dubai hotels move into upgrade cycle
Dubai: A wave of hotel refurbishments is sweeping across Dubai this summer, with several high-profile properties either scaling back access or pausing key venues as operators move to upgrade assets during the quieter season. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The current »»»
Rising Tensions as BRICS Nations Consider New Currency Amid U.S. Tariff Threats
President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, along with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates—threatening a 100% tariff on countries attempting to undermine the U.S. dollar by adopting a new currency. This com»»»
'Unprecedented since 1999': Radev secures absolute majority with reformist and eurosceptic coalition
Following the victory of Rumen Radev in Bulgaria's election, Alison Sargent is pleased to welcome Dr. Petia Gueorguieva, Political Science Researcher and Lecturer at the New Bulgarian University. According to Dr. Gueorguieva, there are broader implications for Bulgaria: political instability, econo»»»
Bangladesh faces telecom shutdowns from Mideast fuel crisis
Dhaka: Bangladesh faces a widespread shutdown of mobile phones without rapid improvements in fuel shortages sparked by the Middle East war, operators said Monday. The South Asian nation of 170 million people imports 95 percent of its oil and gas, mostly from the Middle East, and shortages have hit »»»
IMF Signals Structural Economic Shift Across MENA
The latest assessments from the International Monetary Fund signal that the ongoing Middle East conflict has evolved into a systemic economic shock, disrupting energy markets, trade corridors, and financial stability across multiple regions. Presenting the Fund’s regional outlook at the 2026 Spring»»»
EGX gains momentum after holiday break as investors eye petroleum listings
Egypt’s stock market ended the 12–16 April 2026 week firmly higher, extending the rebound seen earlier in April as investors returned after the Sunday–Monday Easter and Sham El Nessim break to a market increasingly driven by improving geopolitical headlines and renewed confidence in the local listi»»»
Sadyr Japarov calls small HPPs strategically important area of energy sector - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov took part in the launch ceremony of Sokuluk and Tuyuk small hydropower plants (HPPs) in Sokuluk district of Chui region. In his speech, he emphasized the country’s consistent policy of increasing the share of renewable energy sources. «The construction of small»»»
How China is reshaping the global chip industry
BusinessChinaHow China is reshaping the global chip industryNik MartinUS curbs on advanced chips pushed China to focus on its own semiconductor ecosystem. And while it trails at the very cutting edge, China's "good‑enough" technology is fast powering much of the global economy. https://p.dw.com/p/5»»»
British Royals to Mark What Would Have Been Late Queen’s 100th Birthday
King Charles will visit an exhibition dedicated to his late mother's fashion on Monday, the first in a number of events which the British royals will attend to mark what would have been the late Queen Elizabeth's 100th birthday on Tuesday. Elizabeth, Britain's longest-reigning and longest-lived mon»»»
Syrian delegation attends FAO Near East regional conference in Rome
Rome, April 20 (SANA) A Syrian delegation led by Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr is taking part in the 38th session of the Near East Regional Conference, held at the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome. The conference is set to address challenges facin»»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
IMF: Middle East to see economic contractions in 2026 - Statista
Several Middle Eastern economies are expected to contract in 2026 in the wake of the war in Iran, which broke out in late February, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook, reports Statista. »»»
IMF: War Darkens Global Economic Outlook and Reshapes Policy Priorities
The Middle East conflict halted growth momentum. The right policies and stronger global cooperation are needed to contain the damage. Despite major trade disruptions and policy uncertainty, last year ended on an upbe»»»
Kyrgyzstan urges Moody’s to upgrade sovereign credit rating - | 24.KG
Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, Bakyt Sydykov, met with analysts from Moody’s during the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C., the ministry’s press service reported. According to the statement, the Kyrgyz side proposed that »»»
EU Hosts Palestinian Leader in Conference About Security and Peace in Gaza and the West Bank
More than 60 nations are sending representatives to Brussels to discuss with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa stability, security and long-term peace in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, as global attention largely remains focused in the Middle East on the ongoing crises in Iran and Lebanon»»»
Media Review: April 20
HEADLINES The outcome of Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections dominates coverage across all types of media on Monday, including print, television and online outlets, with a particular focus on the reported performance of former president (2017-2026) and Progressive Bulgaria party leader Rumen Rade»»»
Saudi Central Bank Governor Says National Model Has Shielded Economy from Shocks
Saudi Arabia’s economy has emerged as a model of resilience and crisis readiness, Central Bank Governor Ayman Alsayari said, citing steady progress under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform agenda. He stressed that continued implementation of the plan has helped protect the economy from regional shock»»»
Tsunami Warning as 7.4-Magnitude Quake Hits Northern Japan
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan Monday, Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, issuing a tsunami warning for waves up to three meters (10 feet). The quake, which hit at 4:53 pm (0753 GMT) in Pacific waters off northern Iwate prefecture, was strong enough to shake large buildings»»»
Dimitrieska-Kochoska meets IMF Deputy Managing Director Bo Li: Government’s reform and fiscal stability commitments reaffirmed
Washington, 19 April 2026 (MIA) - Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, as part of her participation in the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., held a meeting with IMF Deputy Managing Director Bo Li. At the meeting, the government’s commitment to further fiscal consolida»»»
Paid parking expands in Musaffah: What drivers need to know
Q Mobility has announced the activation of paid parking in new sectors of Musaffah, starting Monday, April 20. The move comes under the supervision of the Integrated Transport Centre, part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, and is part of the second phase of a wider plan to improve »»»
Ceasefire on edge: Uncertainty deepens risk of return to war
Dubai: The fragile Iran ceasefire is rapidly unravelling, with escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz exposing both Washington’s limited control over events and Tehran’s growing leverage over a critical global chokepoint — a dynamic that risks pushing the conflict back toward full-scale war. W»»»
Mid-air horror: Passengers panic, pray as Fly91 flight circles for 4 hours
Dubai: A distressing mid-air ordeal unfolded on a Fly91 flight after it ran into severe weather, leaving passengers panicked for nearly four hours — with a viral video capturing prayers, cries and visible fear onboard, according to NDTV. In the shaky footage, a woman is seen with folded hands, init»»»