A distant second place was taken by the retail sector, with 8% of the total, followed by hotels (2%) and the industrial segment, with just 1%. The investment volume in the first three months of 2026 is approximately 7% above the quarterly average of 2025 but remains 2.5% below the level recorded in»»»

The American Library Association's list of the "Top 11 Most Challenged Books List of 2025" includes titles by John Green, Sarah J. Maas and Anthony Burgess. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo April 20 (UPI) -- The American Library Association released its list of the "Top 11 Most Challeng»»»

The unique maritime climate of the St. Vlas resort can help treat chronic pulmonary diseases. This was established in the 1960s, when St. Vlas was recognized as one of Bulgaria's most favourable locations for climatotherapy and rehabilitation, Daniela Dineva of hotel owner Dinevi Group told BTA. Th»»»

Dubai: The UAE is aiming to turn 1,000 Emirati families into entrepreneurs over the next five years, as part of a wider push to reduce reliance on state support and build a more self-sufficient economy. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Announced under the national campa»»»

BPI Real Estate Poland has acquired a site of nearly 13,000 sq m on Wągrowska Street in Poznań's Rataje district to deliver the next two phases of its Panoramiqa residential scheme. Panoramiqa 2 and Panoramiqa 3 together will add more than 600 flats and over 32,000 sq m of net saleable area, with c»»»

Dubai: UAE carrier flydubai has announced it will start daily flights to Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok from 1 July 2026, marking its second destination in Thailand after Krabi. The service will operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport and will strengthen travel links bet»»»

LONDON: For much of the Global South, the US-Israel-Iran war is no longer a distant geopolitical crisis. It is showing up in farm budgets, fuel queues and food markets, as disruption in the Strait of Hormuz drives up costs and strains already fragile economies. Iran’s blockade of Hormuz has rattled»»»

LONDON: Reverberations of the conflict in the Middle East are being felt across the region both physically and metaphorically. The booms and jolts of missile interceptions over Gulf cities and industrial sites may have halted since President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire on April 8, b»»»

LONDON: The Syrian Arab Republic’s Anti-Narcotics Department, in collaboration with Iraq’s General Directorate for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, thwarted an attempt to smuggle 500,000 captagon pills on Sunday. Authorities arrested two suspects while they were transporting the shipment in D»»»

TUNIS: Algerian police shut down a book signing by sociologist Fatma Oussedik and temporarily closed the bookstore slated to host it, her publisher said on Sunday, calling the incident "as incomprehensible as it is illegal". The Koukou Editions publishing house said police on Saturday seized copies»»»

JERUSALEM: Israel’s military on Monday warned Lebanese civilians against returning to dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, claiming Hezbollah’s activities in the area were violating a ceasefire agreement struck last week. Thousands of displaced residents have begun making their way back to parts»»»

BEIRUT: The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon on Monday led a solemn tribute to a French soldier killed in a shooting incident in the country’s south, praising his “service and sacrifice” and urging an investigation into the attack. Major General Diodato Abagnara, commander of the Unit»»»

DUBAI: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that every rational and ​diplomatic path should be used to reduce tensions with the US, but added that vigilance and distrust in interactions with Washington were an “undeniable necessity,” according to the state news agency IRNA. A two-week»»»

DUBAI: British Moroccan model Nora Attal stars in a new campaign for Italian label Dolce&Gabbana Beauty, showcasing a new lip product by the Italian luxury label. In the advert, which Attal shared on social media, the model can be seen posing with a red, glossy lip courtesy of the new Rose Dew Lip »»»

RIYADH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced the results of its inspections of recruitment offices and companies in the first quarter of 2026, as part of efforts to regulate the sector, ensure compliance, and protect the rights of all parties. The ministry said it id»»»

TOKYO: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay away from coastal areas where tsunami waves of up to 3 meters (10 ft) were expected. Two hours after the tremor, which struck at 4:53 p.m. (0753 GMT), tsunami wave»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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: 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: 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 »»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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 »»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

ZRENJANIN - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday he believed the date of early parliamentary elections in Serbia would become known by Orthodox St George's Day (May 6) or a few days later. "I believe that, approximately by St George's Day or a few days later, we will know exactly when »»»

New Delhi: India and South Korea aim to double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030, the leaders of both countries said on Monday following talks in New Delhi. South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung, on his first visit to India, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace, with Pr»»»

Analysts at the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD) have revised upward their macroeconomic outlook for Kyrgyzstan. The country’s GDP is now expected to grow by 8.3 percent in 2026, reaching approximately 2,334.8 trillion soms. Economic growth and fiscal stimulus The main driver »»»

Edi Rama is already in his 13th year as prime minister, but some of the open questions in the relations between the two countries remain the same and unchanged. A few days before his arrival in Greece for the 11th Delphi Economic Forum (April 22-25), Rama spoke to "K" about Greek-Albanian relations»»»

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Monday described a group of protesters arrested during the April 17 demonstration as “unconquerable heroes,” as tensions escalate between Albania’s opposition and law enforcement authorities. The individuals were detained in flagrante by police after allegedly »»»

President Joseph Aoun said Monday that planned talks with Israel aim to end "hostilities" and the Israeli occupation in the south, as he named ex-ambassador Simon Karam to lead a delegation. "The choice to negotiate aims to stop hostilities, end the Israeli occupation of southern regions and deploy»»»

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in New Delhi on April 19, 2026, for a three-day official state visit. Lee met Indian foreign minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on the first day of his visit. He was due to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on April 20. »»»

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in New Delhi on April 19, 2026, for a three-day official state visit. Lee met Indian foreign minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on the first day of his visit. He was due to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on April 20. »»»

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in New Delhi on April 19, 2026, for a three-day official state visit. Lee met Indian foreign minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on the first day of his visit. He was due to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on April 20. »»»