ALULA: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Mohammed Aurangzeb described Saudi Arabia as a “longstanding partner” and emphasized the importance of sustainable, mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in key economic sectors. Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference for Emerging M»»»

ALULA: Global trade is not retreating into deglobalization despite geopolitical shocks, but is instead undergoing a structural reshuffling led by US-China tensions, according to Harvard University economist Pol Antras. Presenting research at the AlUla Emerging Market Economies Conference, Antras sa»»»

JEDDAH: Oman’s private sector recorded steady growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the number of active private enterprises rising by 0.2 percent to 268,286, compared to 267,734 in the same period of 2024, according to official data. Medium-sized enterprises posted the strongest growth in the»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 89.62 points, or 0.78 percent, to close at 11,464.54. The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR4.92 billion ($1.31 billion), as 89 stocks advanced while 172 declined. Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nom»»»

RIYADH: Investing in the restoration of arid and degraded lands is a highly profitable economic investment. Every dollar spent yields direct and indirect economic benefits ranging from $7 to $30. This highlights the significance of Saudi Arabia’s success in rehabilitating the first million hectares»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s holdings of US Treasury securities rose 19 percent in February to $160.4 billion, the highest level in recent years, as the Kingdom increased purchases of short-term debt, official data showed. The total was up from $134.8 billion in January and 26.9 percent higher than $126.»»»

RIYADH: Startups operating in the Middle East and North Africa witnessed multiple funding rounds across various sectors last week, even as the conflict in Iran continued to rattle the market. This momentum builds on the record $7.5 billion funding received by startups in 2025, representing a 225 pe»»»

SINGAPORE: Oil prices jumped more than 6 percent on Monday, ​on fears that the ceasefire between the US and Iran could collapse after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship, while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz stayed largely halted. Brent crude futures advanced $5.47, or 6.05 percent, to $95.85»»»

RIYADH: Startups in the Middle East and North Africa region secured multiple funding rounds across different sectors across the beginning of April, despite ongoing market uncertainty caused by the conflict in Iran. This positive momentum continues from the record $7.5 billion raised by MENA startup»»»

RIYADH: Global and regional startups continued to attract capital across fintech, healthtech, e-commerce, and proptech, as investors backed platforms focused on financial infrastructure, consumer services, and data-driven solutions. Saudi Arabia-based fintech Lean Technologies has received a major »»»

RIYADH: Algeria has launched a global bidding round for oil and gas exploration across seven fields, in a move that underscores the OPEC member’s efforts to boost production capacity and attract foreign investment amid a volatile global energy market shaped by the Iran war. Samir Bekhti, president »»»

RIYADH: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newly launched national carrier backed by the Public Investment Fund, is set to add three new destinations — Jeddah, Madrid and Manchester — as it expands its network. The move signals the airline’s continued efforts to establish a global footprint ahead of its pl»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s real estate price index declined by 1.6 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2025, driven by a softening residential market that offset stronger commercial sector gains, official data showed. According to the General Authority for Statistic»»»

RIYADH: Syria’s financial sector is set to strengthen as the World Bank has agreed to support the central bank in rebuilding foreign currency and gold reserves, boosting liquidity after years of conflict. The agreement follows talks between Central Bank Governor Abdulkader Husrieh and Katarzyna Zaj»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia supports stronger global cooperation to combat illicit finance, central bank governor Ayman Al-Sayari said, highlighting the financial sector’s resilience at global financial gatherings in Washington. The comments came during the Financial Action Task Force ministerial meeting »»»

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province is preparing to welcome a SR1 billion ($267 million) private sector-driven sports development project after a major agreement was concluded during the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh. The deal for the planned Dammam Sports City was formally signed by Talal »»»

RIYADH: Business activity across Saudi Arabia in February helped lift the Kingdom’s Operating Revenue Index by 5.9 percent year on year, with manufacturing, mining and transportation all posting gains. In its latest report, the General Authority for Statistics noted that the biggest annual rise cam»»»

Washington, 19 April 2026 (MIA) - Governor of the National Bank Trajko Slaveski, together with Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska and the delegation, held a meeting with IMF Deputy Managing Director Bo Li on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings taking place in Washingt»»»

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping told Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince HRH Mohammed bin Salman in a phone call on Monday that "normal traffic" through the vital Strait of Hormuz "should be maintained", state media said. “Normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz should be maintained, this is i»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The policy of the West, which is aimed at deterring Russia and China, poses a threat to international peace and security, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Evgeniy Ivanov said on Monday. "If we talk about the external perimeter, then the main threat to international peace and secur»»»

Doha, Qatar: Weekends in Qatar move fast. You sit down to plan one or two purchases… then the “quick check” turns into endless scrolling through Qatar offers, screenshots, and half-remembered messages. By the time you decide, you’ve either overpaid or you’re too tired to buy anything at all. A smar»»»

A 13-year-old student was hospitalized in critical condition Monday after falling from a first-floor balcony at a school in the Athens suburb of Haidari, authorities said. The incident occurred at around 11 a.m. at the 7th Middle School of Haidari. The girl was initially taken by ambulance to Attik»»»

An Athens prosecutor on Monday brought criminal charges against a 16-year-old motorcyclist over a severe weekend hit-and-run accident that left a teenage girl critically injured. The youth, who has been identified as a Sudanese national, was formally accused of dangerous driving that resulted in se»»»

Magnesium supplements are among the most popular dietary supplements in America. Experts say that’s because magnesium plays an important role in our health. It helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It supports your immune system and muscle health. And it can help you get a good nigh»»»

Vienna, April 20 (SANA) Central Bank of Syria Governor Abdulkader Husrieh held talks in Vienna with Austrian National Bank Governor Martin Kocher on restoring financial relations between the two countries and resuming money transfers. Talks focused on reactivating cross-border payment systems and a»»»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed "harsh action" Monday against a soldier caught on camera vandalizing a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, as the image spread online. The photo, which the military determined was authentic, shows an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to str»»»

The Israeli army said Monday it attacked overnight "a fully equipped and ready-to-fire rocket launcher in the Qalawiya area of ​​southern Lebanon, north of the front line, in order to prevent an immediate threat to northern Israeli towns." "The launcher posed an immediate threat to IDF (Israeli arm»»»

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Monday that Lebanon needs a lasting solution to permanently end the state of war with Israel, rather than merely settling for a temporary ceasefire, calling direct negotiations a "necessity" Hezbollah "forced" upon Lebanon. In an interview with Sky News Arab»»»

Amman: Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan met Monday, April 20, 2026 with President of Finland Alexander Stubb, who is currently visiting Amman, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and several regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Jordanian Prime Minister affirm»»»

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Transport HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al-Thani met virtually on Monday with Minister of Transport and Logistic Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HE Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser. During the meeting, the two sides discussed venues of bilateral cooper»»»

Vienna: One person died and seven were injured Monday after a trolleybus veered off the road and crashed into a supermarket in Salzburg, Austria's Red Cross said. “One person died despite attempts to resuscitate,” a Red Cross telling AFP. The injured were taken to hospital, two in serious condition»»»

Luanda: Pope Leo XIV heads to Angola’s remote and diamond-rich northeast on Monday in the latest stop on an Africa tour during which he has spoken out against the country’s glaring poverty. On the eighth day of a trip to four African nations, Leo will fly to the town of Saurimo, 800 kilometres east»»»

The struggle for freedom begins with a people's knowledge of themselves, not with armed conflict, said BTA Director General Kiril Valchev during the presentation of the new issue of BTA's LIK magazine on Monday in Koprivshtitsa. The issue is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the outbreak of the»»»

An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei warns of “a chain-reaction response” in more critical shipping lanes — and he mentioned Malacca specifically. Here's why:The Strait of Malacca is an narrow bottleneck (2.8 km at the narrowest point) that connects the Indian Ocean to the South Chi»»»

Poland: French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are meeting Monday in the north of Poland to strengthen defence cooperation in the face of Russian threats and weakening US commitment to Europe. The meeting is the first since the two countries signed a treaty of friend»»»

Kuwait: Boursa Kuwait closed trading on Monday in negative territory, with its general index falling 55.76 points, or 0.62%, to 8,869.06 points. A total of 394.4 million shares were traded through 27,922 cash transactions, with a total value of KWD 99.6 million (approximately $325.7 million). The M»»»

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the US is working to extend the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, while President Joseph Aoun confirmed that “bilateral negotiations will be handled by Lebanon through a delegation headed by Ambassador Simon Karam, and no one will take part on Lebano»»»

Damascus, April 20 (SANA) The Ministry of Local Administration and Environment, in cooperation with Damascus Governorate, organized an environmental forum on Monday in Damascus to mark World Earth Day, focusing on water security and climate-related challenges. The event, titled “Water in Our Lives,»»»

London: Embattled UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will face lawmakers in parliament on Monday as he bids to quell anger over an unrelenting scandal involving long-time Jeffrey Epstein associate Peter Mandelson. Starmer, already widely unpopular with the public and many Labour MPs, is struggling to e»»»

Klass Wagen continues its expansion strategy in the Romanian market by opening a new office in Târgu Mureș, near Transylvania International Airport, the investment being part of the company’s broader regional development plan. The decision comes at a favourable time for the local market, marked by »»»

More than 60 nations sent representatives to Brussels Monday 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»»»

The ceasefire in the Iran war hangs in the balance as Pakistan's capital stands prepared for possible new talks between Tehran and Washington. As of right now, the two-week ceasefire will expire at 0000 GMT Wednesday (8 p.m. ET Tuesday.) But the truce between Iran, Israel and the United States star»»»

During the 9th Meeting of Health Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Minister of Health of Kyrgyzstan, Damir Osmonov, held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts, representatives of relevant departments, and international organizations. According to the ministry,»»»

Gold prices fell on Monday owing to a stronger US dollar and renewed inflation fears after another closure of the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices higher. Spot gold was down 0.8% at $4,790.59 per ounce, as of 1103 GMT, after hitting its lowest since April 13 earlier in the session. US gold future»»»

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday that planned talks with Israel aim to end hostilities and the Israeli occupation in the south, as he named an ex-ambassador to the United States to lead the delegation. "The choice to negotiate aims to stop hostilities, end the Israeli occupation of southe»»»

Oil prices climbed more than 5% and Wall Street veered toward losses before the opening bell Monday as a standoff between Iran and the U.S. prevented tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz. Futures for the S&P 500 also fell 0.5% while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.6%. Nasdaq »»»

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has taken to the skies again, jumping out of an aircraft over Dubai in a moment that signals the emirate's return»»»

Abu Dhabi Police have invited motorists to visit a dedicated service platform at Mushrif Mall to benefit from the black points reduction initiative over a one-month period. The initiative will run from April 20 to May 20, 2026, operating daily from 4pm to 10pm on the mall’s first floor, offering co»»»

Sharjah :Sharjah Traffic Prosecution has urged motorists and pedestrians to strictly follow traffic laws and road protocol, describing compliance as the first line of defence in protecting lives and property, particularly as students return to school. Focus on school rush hoursDr Saeed Abdullah Al »»»