New Dubai law: Parents liable for kids’ scooter misuse
Dubai: Parents in Dubai could soon be held legally responsible for their children’s unsafe use of electric scooters, under a new draft law aimed at curbing rising safety risks on the roads. The proposed legislation—prepared by Dubai Police in coordination with key partners including the Roads and T»»»
South African politician Julius Malema sentenced to 5 years - UPI.com
President of the Economic Freedom Fighters Julius Malema greets the crowd at the party's final election rally in 2024. Malema was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for firing a gun into the air at a rally. He is appealing. File Photo by Stringer/EPA April 16 (UPI) -- South African politic»»»
EU spells out how Google must share data with rivals
Brussels, Belgium: The European Commission set out Thursday how it wants Google to make a wide range of data accessible to rival search engines in order to comply with the bloc's digital rules. The announcement forms part of amicable proceedings launched in January to ensure Google meets its obliga»»»
Berri warns against direct talks, says Khalil in KSA on a mission
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri has made no secret of his "displeasure and resentment" at President Joseph Aoun and PM Nawaf Salam's decision to engage in direct negotiations with Israel, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Wednesday. "He reiterates to his visitors his categorical rejection of any fo»»»
Syria welcomes complete handover of U.S.-held military sites
Damascus, April 16 (SANA) Syria’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the transfer of military sites previously operated by U.S. forces to the Syrian government, saying the move marks a step toward restoring state control over all territory. In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said the handover reflects»»»
If Iran Refuses US Proposal, Israel Vows 'Even More Painful' Strikes
Israel's defense minister warned Iran on Thursday against rejecting a US proposal focused on renouncing "nuclear armament" and vowed to stage "even more painful" strikes on new targets if it did so. "Iran is standing at a historic crossroads: one path is renouncing the ways of terror and nuclear ar»»»
Israel vows 'even more painful' strikes, if Iran refuses US proposal
Israel's defense minister warned Iran on Thursday against rejecting a U.S. proposal focused on renouncing "nuclear armament" and vowed to stage "even more painful" strikes on new targets if it did so. "Iran is standing at a historic crossroads: one path is renouncing the ways of terror and nuclear »»»
Lula Says Trump Has 'No Right' to Threaten Countries
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized US President Donald Trump, saying the US leader has "no right" to threaten other nations, in an interview published in Spain on Thursday. Lula's comments come after Trump this month warned that a "whole civilization will die" in Iran if the c»»»
Prediction markets create forum for trading on non-public information - UPI.com
1 of 3 | The rise in prediction markets and an email to White House staff have lawmakers weighing how to regulate prediction markets and prevent government officials from trading using nonpublic information. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 16 (UPI) -- The rise in prediction mark»»»
Senate rejects effort to halt arms sales to Israel, but most Democrats vote to block them
More than three dozen Democrats supported an effort by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday to block arms sales to Israel, signaling a growing discontent in the party with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the wars in Gaza and Iran. The two resolutions to block U.S. sales of bulldozers and »»»
Hungary’s incoming PM Peter Magyar pledges crackdown on critical media
Hungary’s incoming prime minister, Peter Magyar, has pledged to suspend the news operations of the state broadcaster following two tense interviews he gave on Wednesday. Magyar’s Tisza party secured a decisive victory in Sunday’s parliamentary election, effectively ensuring he will form the next go»»»
EU spied on Hungary’s Viktor Orban for years – former Slovak minister
The EU spy campaign that helped bring down Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is a lesson to anyone who defies Brussels, former Slovak Interior Minister Vladimir Palko has warned. “What they did to Orban yesterday, they can do to you tomorrow,” he told the outlet ‘Marker’ on Monday. Orban’s Fide»»»
Dana Nae Popa (pastel): Clients are looking for clarity, perspective and ideas that can make a real difference
In our recently launched series of interviews dedicated to the MarComm industry, BR sat down with Dana Nae Popa, Owner & Managing Director pastel and President Asociatia pastel and talked about the agency celebrating 20 years, top moments during this time, clients and what they are looking for, tre»»»
Pope blasts ‘tyrants’ ravaging the Earth during his visit to Cameroon
Bamenda: Pope Leo XIV blasted the “handful of tyrants” who are ravaging Earth with war and exploitation, as he preached a message of peace Thursday in the epicentre of a separatist conflict considered one of the world’s most neglected crises. Leo travelled to the western Cameroon city of Bamenda, w»»»
Roxana Memetea (DDB): In a world where everyone can produce quickly, the role of the idea is more important than ever
In a new series of interviews launched today, BR set down with Roxana Memetea, Managing Director DDB, and talked about her wishes for 2026, both for the agency and the advertising industry, clients and what they are looking for, trends and many more. By Romanita Oprea How did you start the year / W»»»
Agroland Group Q1 2026: 40% increase in volume and 25% increase in average price for eggs
“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»»»
Women’s seats, bigger India Parliament: What’s changing?
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»»»
Anti-France influencer Kemi Seba arrested in South Africa for inciting rebellion in Benin
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»»»
US Treasury Starts Operation 'Economic Fury' to Maximize Pressure on Iran - Hegseth
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Treasury is launching Operation "Economic Fury" against Iran to maximize economic pressure on the country, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Thursday. "At the same time, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and our friends over at Treasury are launching Operation 'Econ»»»
How alternative schooling models are gaining momentum in the UAE
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 »»»
Justice Ministry Proposes Legal Safeguards against Abusive Lawsuits Targeting Public Participation
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»»»
Pakistan flexes naval power with anti-ship missile test
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»»»
US in discussions on holding second round of Iran talks in Pakistan – White House
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»»»
More than a dozen killed in Russian attacks on Kyiv, other Ukrainian cities
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.»»»
18 killed, 100 injured as Ukraine, Russia trade missile, drone attacks - UPI.com
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»»»
NUQI GOLD and Mawarid Finance sign MoU to launch the GCC's first gold-backed co-branded card
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»»»
Hopes for deal to end Iran war grow, but nuclear issues unresolved – Ya Libnan
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»»»
Prosecution Service Says Charges for Election-Related Crimes Depend on Evidence, Promises to Report after Elections
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»»»
Parliament session on no-confidence motion against gov't postponed again due to lack of quorum
BELGRADE - A parliamentary session on an opposition no-confidence motion against the Serbian government was postponed again on Thursday due to a lack of quorum. Instead of a majority of MPs, just twenty lawmakers were in attendance. Again, MPs of the ruling coalition did not provide the quorum. Dep»»»
UAE elected to World Food Programme Executive Board
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has been elected to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP) for the 2026–2028 term, at a time of escalating global food security challenges and mounting risks linked to disruptions in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, developments that could push tens of million»»»
Araghchi Thanks Pakistan for Hosting Iran-US Talks as He Receives Army Chief Asim Munir
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a social media post that he thanked Pakistan for its “gracious hosting” of the US-Iran dialogue as he received the country’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Tehran on Wednesday. Araghchi received Munir, who is heading a high-level political-security »»»
Israeli strikes destroy key Qasmiyeh Bridge, cutting off south Litani region
The Israeli military carried out two strikes against a key bridge in the south of Lebanon on Thursday, destroying it, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported. "Enemy aircraft carried out two consecutive strikes on the Qasmieh bridge, the last bridge between the Tyre and Sidon regions, com»»»
Parliament session on no-confidence motion against gov't postponed again
BELGRADE - A parliamentary session on an opposition no-confidence motion against the Serbian government was postponed again on Thursday due to a lack of quorum. Instead of a majority of MPs, just twenty lawmakers were in attendance. Again, MPs of the ruling coalition did not provide the quorum. Dep»»»
UK Economy Surged Ahead of Iran War, but Energy Shock to Test Resilience
Britain's economy put on a burst of growth in February, suggesting it was in slightly better shape before the start of the Iran war than many economists had feared, official figures showed on Thursday. Gross domestic product expanded 0.5% month-on-month in February, the biggest increase since Janua»»»
Israeli troops try to advance into Debbine amid Hezbollah's resistance
Israeli troops were trying to advance from the occupied Shebaa farms into Debbine in south Lebanon after violent strikes and artillery shelling on the southern town. The Israeli army also targeted Thursday Hebbarieh and Kfarshouba, while Hezbollah claimed responsibility for several drone attacks ta»»»
Lebanon Ceasefire Deal Could Take Effect This Week - Reports
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Amid mounting US pressure to calm the Middle East, a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon could go into effect as soon as this week, Lebanese officials have told news outlets. A truce between Israel and the Lebanese-based movement Hezbollah could come into force once Israeli grou»»»
Greenland on the Menu? PM Fears Arctic Island May Be US' Next Target After Venezuela
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Arctic island could become Washington's next target after Venezuela, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, following US President Donald Trump's renewed calls for the United States to take control of Greenland. "The Greenlandic people, a lot of them thought that way: We »»»
US Blockade of Strait of Hormuz Could Disrput Truce, Iran Cautions
TEHRAN (Sputnik) - The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz can lead to a disruption of the ceasefire between Iran and the US, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told Sputnik. "The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a provocative step, illegal under international law, and could lead »»»
Peter Magyar calls on Hungarian president to step down, announces plans for media shake-up in fiery interview
Incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar called on the president, Tamas Sulyok, to resign after the new government is formed, saying otherwise the new majority would seek his removal, Telex.hu reported on April 15. According to Magyar's account, President Sulyok had told him that he, to»»»
Gold Prices Ease in Egypt as Global Markets Stabilize
Cairo — Gold prices in Egypt recorded a notable decline during Wednesday the 15th of April morning trading, falling by approximately EGP 30 per gram following gains registered in the previous session, according to local market data reported by Youm7. Prices for 24-karat gold fell to around EGP 8,12»»»
Trump claims Strait of Hormuz “open” while blocking Iranian trade
US President Donald Trump has said he is “permanently opening” the Strait of Hormuz, presenting the move as benefiting “China and the world” after claiming Beijing agreed “not to send weapons to Iran.” Trump’s remarks come as the US military claims American warships have effectively blocked Iranian»»»
Russian Forces Strike Ukrainian Container Terminal, Armor Parks, Defense Industry Sites
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian armed forces have attacked a container terminal in Ukraine, parking areas, and testing ground-based robotic systems, have launched a massive retaliatory strike against facilities of the Ukrainian defense industry involved in the production of cruise missiles and drones, t»»»
Media Review: April 16
APRIL 19 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS A sociological survey commissioned by bTV and conducted by the Market Links polling agency shows that five parties are expected to enter next Parliament, with one of them clearly standing out above the rest. The survey was conducted among 1,003 respondents aged over»»»
Aldar raises $1.36bn in new loan backed by 10 banks
Abu Dhabi: Aldar Properties has raised Dh5 billion through a new sustainability-linked revolving credit facility, giving the Abu Dhabi developer additional firepower to fund future projects. The five-year syndicated loan, backed by 10 UAE, regional and international banks, lifts Aldar’s total avail»»»
Sudan Enters a Fourth Year of War as Officials Lament an 'Abandoned Crisis'
Famine. Massacres. And now badly needed food and other supplies are under strain. Sudan on Wednesday entered a fourth year of war that's been called an “abandoned crisis,” as a new Middle East conflict throws into shadow the fighting that has forced 13 million people to flee their homes. The North »»»
Turkiye launches internet crackdown ahead of funerals for shooting victims
Turkiye: Turkiye cracked down Thursday April 16, 2026, on social media posts praising two school shootings in two days which have left the country reeling, ordering dozens of arrests ahead of funerals for the victims, who were mostly children. Authorities said 83 people had been detained, hundreds »»»
Iran Accuses US, Israel of Crimes Against Humanity Over Leadership Killing
TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran wants to hold the United States and Israel accountable for the assassination of the Iranian leadership, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told Sputnik. "We have to do this. And I think not only Iran, but the entire international community is asking for accoun»»»
Dinar-to-euro exchange rate at RSD 117.3741
BELGRADE - The Serbian dinar's official median exchange rate against the euro is 117.3741 dinars for one euro on Thursday, which is a slight change relative to Wednesday, the National Bank of Serbia said. The dinar is steady against the euro m-o-m, down by 0.1 pct y-o-y and down by 0.1 pct relative»»»
U.S. blacklists Iranian oil network amid war negotiations - UPI.com
Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent makes remarks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Photo by Shawn Thew./UPI | License Photo April 16 (UPI) -- The United States blacklisted three people, 17 entities and nine oil tankers accused of aiding Iran»»»
Dubai now has its own ‘Central Park’ - Here's where it is located
Dubai: Dubai now has its own ‘Central Park’, with Wasl Group opening a sprawling new green space at Wasl Gate in Jebel Ali. The developer is calling the park is one of the largest community parks within a residential development in the emirate. Spread across about 82,700 square metres, Central Park»»»