Dubai/ Sharjah: As UAE schools prepare for the gradual return to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, some schools have informed parents they will not be reopening their campuses on that date — while certain schools have made physical attendance compulsory for students who travel by private tr»»»

His itinerary included Cugir, Alba County, and Bucharest, with the objective to assessing the potential for industrial partnerships with Romanian defense manufacturers and opening a series of bilateral discussions with relevant industry and institutional stakeholders. The visit has three concrete o»»»

“The results of the first quarter confirm the growing trust users have in our services, not just for restaurant delivery, but as a complete solution for daily shopping. The Easter period highlighted a clear trend: Romanians want to balance tradition with the efficiency that technology offers. The f»»»

More than 90 legal experts, academics and industry representatives gathered at a national workshop to discuss the gap between legal education and labour market requirements in the UAE. The workshop was organised by Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and hosted by the Legal Talent »»»

Dubai: In a scenic lake-side resort in Geneva, miles away from Dubai, Indian reality star, model, and influencer Farhana Bodi logs in for our conversation with her usual polish and flourish. She was on a work trip for a luxury watch event and was naturally composed, camera-ready, and effortlessly g»»»

Doha,Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani arrived Thursday in Muscat, capital of the Sultanate of Oman. HH the Amir and the accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival by HM Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of the sisterly Sultanate of Oman, along with HH Deputy Prime Minister for Defe»»»

“First-quarter results in the table egg segment show a significant increase in sales volumes, against a backdrop of steadily rising average prices. This trend confirms the validity of the decisions we have made in recent years to expand production capacity in a region with growing consumption trend»»»

Dubai: Pakistan on Thursday said no date has been set for the second round of talks between the United States and Iran, urging the media to avoid speculation as diplomatic consultations continue under a highly confidential process. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, during »»»

India is moving towards one of the most significant changes to its parliamentary structure since independence, with plans to expand the size of Parliament while reserving one-third of seats for women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pitched the move as a “historic step” to empower women and reshap»»»

A ceasefire in Lebanon is “just as important” as one in Iran, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri. In a phone call the Iranian speaker told his Lebanese counterpart that Tehran’s efforts are ongoing to force ‘Israel’ into a comprehensive and permane»»»

An anti-France activist and influencer has been arrested in South Africa for “inciting rebellion” by openly supporting last year’s foiled coup in Benin. Kemi Seba was born in France to Benin parents but was stripped of his French nationality two years ago for his many attempts to fuel anti-French s»»»

In tonight's programme: Donors have pledged nearly $2 billion for Sudan as the country marks three years of war. Also, Pope Leo XIV delivers a strong message in Cameroon's capital Yaoundé. Plus Ghana is cracking down on overfishing fuelled by foreign vessels and destructive practices.»»»

François Picard welcomes Dallia Abdelmoniem, Political / Media Analyst and Commentator on African and Middle Eastern affairs. Sudan is a war-torn nation unraveling in real time, warns Abdelmoniem. She says that we are not just witnessing a conflict between rival armed factions; it is a systematic w»»»

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday thanked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for Washington's efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon. Aoun received a telephone call from Rubio and "thanked him for the efforts Washington has been making to reach a ceasefire", a statement from the Lebanese p»»»

Geneva: The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor called on the Israeli occupation to immediately and completely lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, open the crossings, and guarantee full, safe, and sustainable humanitarian access to all parts of the Strip. In a statement, the Monitor warne»»»

Dubai: Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic and military outreach across the Middle East this week in a coordinated effort aimed at easing regional tensions, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif toured key Gulf capitals while the country’s army chief held high-level talks in Iran. The parallel engag»»»

SIGNAL IDUNA ASIGURARE REASIGURARE (life and health insurer) reported RON 376.7 million in gross written premiums, up 19% year-on-year. SIGNAL IDUNA ASIGURĂRI (general insurer) grew by RON 21% to 131.5 million, while GARANTA ASIGURĂRI (life and general insurer) increased by 9%, reaching RON 60.2 mi»»»

Dubai: Etihad Airways has introduced a limited-time pricing offer for its Pets Onboard service, lowering the cost of travelling with cats and dogs in the cabin in response to rising demand from passengers. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The airline is offering the ser»»»

Dubai: Changing lifestyles, increased mobility, and the rise of hybrid work models are reshaping how families in the UAE and regionally approach education, prompting a clear shift towards more flexible and personalised learning models. While traditional schooling remains central, online and hybrid »»»

Pakistan announced that it has received $2 billion from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance as part of a broader financial support package. Earlier, Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, said that Saudi Arabia had committed to depositing an additional $3 billion, while extending an existi»»»

Neville Sandiford earned the Guinness World Record for the oldest competitive croquet player (male) when he participated in an August 2025 tournament at the age of 101 years and 262 days old. Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records April 15 (UPI) -- A New Zealand man who took up the game of croque»»»

Any amendment to the Constitution should be made with particular responsibility, not only through the lens of political expediency, but with due regard for the balance of institutions and public trust in them, Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva said in her opening remarks during the Constitution Day cele»»»

The Justice Ministry announced Thursday that it has introduced a set of proposed amendments to the Civil Procedure Code aimed at strengthening protections against abusive lawsuits, commonly known as SLAPP cases (from "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation"). These cases are typically used»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways is expanding its international flight network, with services to over 150 destinations from June 16, 2026, connecting more passengers to various destination across the the world this summer. The updated schedule, valid until September 15, 2026, introduces new routes and in»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, a member of Qatar Foundation, will hold a concert this Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 7:30 pm at Katara Cultural Village, Opera House. Titled "Brass, Brilliance and Beethoven," the program highlights the richness of brass and wind instruments through sel»»»

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy has successfully test-fired a locally developed ship-launched anti-ship missile, accurately striking its target at extended range in a live exercise that underscores the country’s growing precision-strike capability and maritime deterrence. In a statement, the military said»»»

ING Travel Protect fits the way people organize their trips today: simple, digital, and directly on their mobile phones. Customers can quickly set up their policy based on their destination, travel dates, and type of trip (vacation, study, or work). Furthermore, they can purchase coverage for their»»»

Washington, April 16 (SANA) The U.S. Treasury Department said on Wednesday it was strengthening sanctions on Iran’s oil sector, targeting 20 individuals and entities linked to the network of oil trader Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, amid restrictions by Tehran on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.»»»

A suspected international plot with elements of espionage has unfolded in Greece, where authorities arrested a 55-year-old Greek from the former Soviet Union in Thessaloniki, accused of involvement in a network allegedly planning assassinations in Lithuania. According to judicial documents from a V»»»

These results validate Claret Credit’s development strategy, which focuses on strengthening the management team and digitalizing operations. In 2024, the company appointed Mircea Lupu as CEO, an executive with over 20 years of experience in the banking and non-banking financial sectors. Claret Cred»»»

Skopje, 14 April 2026 (MIA) - The retail price of diesel is set to drop by Mden 2.5 per liter as of Tuesday midnight, while the prices of unleaded fuels will drop by Mden 1.5, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said Tuesday. The retail price of Eurodiesel (D-E V) is set to drop by Mden 2.5 and »»»

Gold prices rose on Thursday as growing optimism about a possible end to conflicts in the Middle East calmed inflation worries and improved prospects for lower interest rates. Spot gold rose 0.5% to $4,815.15 per ounce by 0926 GMT, after rising to a one-month high in the previous session. US gold f»»»

An Israeli strike has severed the last bridge linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country, a senior Lebanese security official told Reuters on Thursday, adding that the strike “shattered” the bridge and left no possibility of repairing it. The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported t»»»

The US is in discussions on staging a second round of peace talks with Iran, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has said. The first direct meeting between the sides since the US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28 took place in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, at the weekend, but deliv»»»

The report highlights both operational pressures—particularly the shortage of skilled labor—and a shift in how companies plan their investments, with an increasingly clear focus on efficiency, infrastructure, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Long-term planning and the absorption of Euro»»»

More than a dozen people, including at least one child, have been killed in Russian missile and drone attacks on infrastructure and residential buildings in Kyiv and in other Ukrainian cities like Odesa and Dnipro overnight to Thursday. Several dozens of civilians were also injured in the assaults.»»»

Dubai: Turkish Airlines has reshaped its leadership structure, appointing a new chairman and chief executive as it moves to align management with its next phase of growth. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The airline named Prof. Murat Şeker as Chairman of the Board and »»»

A Ukrainian firefighter battles a massive blaze early Thursday at the scene of a Russian missile strike in the capital, Kyiv, where four people were among 16 killed in large scale aerial attacks on several Ukrainian cities overnight. Photo by Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA April 16 (UPI) -- An airborne Russi»»»

Kyrgyzstan’s energy system is undergoing a deep transformation amid rising demand and deteriorating infrastructure. In an interview with 24.kg news agency, Kubatbek Rakhimov, an expert on infrastructure projects in Central Eurasia and head of Applicata Center for Strategic Solutions, explained why »»»

In the first quarter of 2026, the turnover of wholesale and retail trade, as well as automobile repair, in Kyrgyzstan amounted to 465,267.6 billion soms. Compared to 2025, this figure increased by 12.1 percent, the National Statistical Committee reported. Automobile market The most active growth wa»»»

Nuqi Gold, a DMCC-registered fintech entity, and Mawarid Finance, a UAE Central Bank–regulated institution, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch the GCC's first gold-backed co-branded card — a landmark step in ethical, asset-backed digital finance. The partnership brings togeth»»»

Democracy in Bulgaria is facing a crisis, driven by a disconnect between citizens and those in power. But choosing not to vote will not fix the problems of democracy, Filip Pavlov, top-of-the-list candidate of the Anti-Corruption Bloc Coalition in Vratsa, said during a meeting with local residents,»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and His Excellency Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, discussed the latest regional and international developments, particularly those in the Middle East, during a meeting held today, April »»»

Share: Israeli soldiers next to artillery vehicles near the Israel-Lebanon border, in northern Israel, April 15, 2026. REUTERS/Florion Goga Optimism grew on Thursday that the Iran war may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator having made a breakthrough on “sticky issues”, a source said, alt»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received the credentials of new Moroccan Ambassador to Belgrade Omar Amrar on Thursday. "I expressed the confidence that, with his engagement, he will help to lend a new impetus to advancement of cooperation between our countries, which are traditionall»»»

Dubai: Park Hyatt Dubai Creek will temporarily close from May as it enters the final phase of a planned renovation, with the operator moving to upgrade the property ahead of its next reopening. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Dubai Creek property, part of the wider»»»

The Central Election Commission (CEC) decided Thursday that 400 tactile ballot paper templates with Braille markings for voting by visually impaired voterss will be provided in Blagoevgrad, Plovdiv, and Sofia City’s three constituencies. According to the decision, Blagoevgrad will receive 90 templa»»»

Public tension in Bulgarian society remains high, with the index measured jointly by the Centre for Analysis and Crisis Communications and the Myara polling agency standing at 6.88 in the first quarter of the year, the two organizations said on Thursday. They publish the index every three months. T»»»

In a statement Thursday, the prosecution service said a national interagency task force, involving prosecutors, the Interior Ministry and State Agency for National Security, remains actively engaged in monitoring and responding to alleged violations tied to the 19 April election. The statement emph»»»

Dubai: The UAE has taken a significant step towards strengthening its non-profit sector with the launch of the non-profit organisations (NPO) empowerment fund, a Dh100 million initiative designed to support community-driven programmes across the country. The launch ceremony has been held today at t»»»