NCSA aims to empower public with data privacy rights guide
Doha, Qatar: The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) announced yesterday a digital privacy initiative designed to clarify the specific rights individuals hold under the Personal Data Privacy Protection Law. In a post on X, NCSA stated that the campaign emphasises that under Law Number 13 of 2016,»»»
Ministry of Education unveils 20 e-services as enrolment begins
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has unveiled 20 electronic services to streamline student enrolment in government schools, marking the start of the registration process for the 2026–2027 academic year. Delivered through the Maaref Portal, the initiative enables p»»»
Strait of Hormuz to Stay Closed Until Port Blockade Lifts, Iran Says
The crucial Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, Tehran said Saturday, as a top official warned that a final peace deal remained "far" off. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, said in a televised address that th»»»
Israeli Army Says Soldier Killed in Southern Lebanon
Israel's military said on Sunday that a soldier died during combat in southern Lebanon, where a temporary ceasefire had come into effect this week. "Lidor Porat, aged 31, from Ashdod, a soldier in the 7106th Battalion, 769th Regional Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon," the Israeli mil»»»
Obama joins NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani for playful Bronx reading session
Former US President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared a light-hearted moment on Saturday during a visit to a child care centre in Bronx, where they read to children and joined a singalong. The pair met for the first time at the Learning Through Play Pre-K Center, engaging w»»»
Bulgaria Votes to Elect New Parliament
Bulgarians at home and abroad Sunday are voting to elect a new Parliament in what is the country's seventh snap vote since 2021. It is also the country’s 18th parliamentary elections since the start of democratic changes in 1989. Elections are held under the Election Code adopted in 2014 and last a»»»
Voting Abroad for Bulgarian Parliament Began Saturday - Foreign Ministry
Voting abroad for Bulgaria's 52nd National Assembly began at 10 pm Bulgarian time on Saturday and will conclude on the morning of April 20, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Due to the nine-hour time difference, Bulgarian citizens in Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand, were the first to cas»»»
FAA accepting bids for AI system to assist air traffic controllers - UPI.com
The FAA is considering bids to develop an artificial intelligence system that could help air traffic controllers predict and correct potential issues hours earlier than they currently can. File Photo by Caroline Brehman/EPA April 18 (UPI) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is working with three»»»
India to benefit from US extension of Russian oil waiver
The United States has opted to extend a waiver permitting limited transactions involving Russian oil, despite sustained political opposition from within Washington, Russia’s special presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries says. »»»
Iran's shadow oil trade endures near Singapore despite war
PARIS, France — Near Singapore, thousands of miles from the Strait of Hormuz, ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil have continued during the Middle East war, helping Tehran evade sanctions and maintain trade with China.Nearly 400 tankers are sanctioned by the United States, the European Union or B»»»
UAE raises AML compliance bar with tighter rules for banks
Dubai: The UAE has rolled out updated anti-money laundering and financial crime guidelines, tightening compliance expectations for banks and exchange houses, with a sharper focus on risk monitoring, customer verification and cross-border activity. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques »»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
French UNIFIL soldier killed in Lebanon, Hezbollah responsible, says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of a French UN peacekeeping soldier Saturday following an attack that also left three people wounded in southern Lebanon, saying that "everything suggests" Hezbollah being responsible for the attack. The Iran-backed group denied involve»»»
Bulgaria vote set to deliver Radev win but no clear majority
Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev is on course to win a snap parliamentary election on April 19, according to a new opinion poll, in what could mark a political breakthrough after years of instability. A survey by Ma»»»
Aqaba Railway project: a transformational venture for Jordan’s economy
AMMAN — Jordan’s ambitious Aqaba Railway is not just a transportation initiative, it is a defining moment in the country's future economic growth, experts said, highlighting the mega project’s pivotal role in Jordan's broader economic strategy.Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and UAE Vice President, Dep»»»
Annaliza Diet: Building bridges through education and empowerment
Darlene Regis Doha A Filipina entrepreneur, educator, and community leader based in Qatar, Annaliza Diet (MA, MBA, CIPT, PhD Candidate) has emerged as a formidable force in global education and women’s empowerment. With influence that spans continents, she has built more than institutions — she has»»»
Qatar Foundation schools foster supportive learning environment with focus on student wellbeing
Tribune News Network Doha Schools within Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education ecosystem continue to foster a stable and supportive learning environment, placing student wellbeing and reassurance at the heart of the educational experience. This integrated approach strengthens community trust »»»
Mediation a responsibility and effective tool for conflict resolution: Dr Al Khulaifi
QNA Antalya Mediation is not viewed as a matter of media visibility or international competition, but rather as a responsibility and an effective tool for conflict resolution, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi has said. Speaking »»»
At least five dead in Kyiv shooting, suspected gunman killed
At least five people were killed in a shooting Saturday in a residential neighborhood of Kyiv, and 10 were hospitalized, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The suspected gunman was shot during an arrest attempt, officials said. A gunman opened fire in Kyiv on Saturday, killing at lea»»»
Adoption of Qatar’s emergency item at IPU reflects growing impact: Shura officials
QNA Doha Officials and members of the Shura Council stated that the adoption of Qatar’s emergency item at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reflects the growing impact of Qatari parliamentary diplomacy and its role in supporting national, Arab, and Islamic positions. They noted in statements to Q»»»
QFFD advances youth empowerment at 2026 ECOSOC Youth Forum
QNA New York The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) participated in the 2026 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Convened under the theme “Innovate, Unite and Transform: Youth Shaping the Road to 2030,” the Forum brought together youth, Me»»»
Parrotfish sighting signals healthy marine ecosystem in Qatar: MoECC
Tribune News Network Doha The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), represented by the Department of Wildlife Development, has recorded the appearance of parrotfish—locally known as “Al-Qin”—in Qatari waters, describing the sighting as a positive indicator of marine ecosystem health. »»»
Qatar strengthens global role through strategic diplomacy
Khaled Al Hameidi Doha In a period defined by geopolitical tension, shifting alliances, and complex security challenges, Qatar has emerged as a central diplomatic force guided by the vision and leadership of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Through calm d»»»
Trust remains ‘essential currency’ of effective mediation: Al Khulaifi
QNA Antalya Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi has underscored that trust remains the cornerstone of effective mediation, describing it as the “essential currency” required to advance peace efforts and resolve conflicts. Speaking »»»
France withdraws controversial anti-Semitism bill ahead of debate
French lawmakers linked to President Emmanuel Macron have withdrawn a controversial bill aimed at expanding anti-Semitism laws in the country, which had been set for debate in parliament on Thursday. The “law to combat renewed forms of anti-Semitism” was drafted in 2024 by a group of MPs led by Car»»»
Slovakia said it will sue the EU over a ban on Russian gas imports
Slovakia will file a lawsuit with the EU’s Court of Justice challenging the bloc’s decision to ban imports of Russian gas, Prime Minister Robert Fico has said. In January, the EU formally approved a plan to phase out Russian pipeline gas by 2027, overriding vetoes from Slovakia and Hungary. “We obj»»»
Sheikh Qassem: Hezbollah Will Never Tolerate Israeli Violations of Ceasefire in Lebanon, Will Respond Accordingly
Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed that the Resistance Party will never tolerate the Israeli violations in South Lebanon, adding that the battlefield has proven to have the final say, The field has proven that it has the final word, and successful policy is that which benefits »»»
Ras Al Khaimah tragedy: Boy, 13, dies saving sister from sea
A 13-year-old Emirati boy has died after rescuing his younger sister from drowning at a beach in Ras Al Khaimah, in a tragic incident that has left the community in mourning. The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon at Flamingo Beach, behind the Saudi Institute, where the boy managed to save his »»»
Three sentenced for fake bear attack insurance scam - UPI.com
Three people were sentenced to three months in jail and another is awaiting trial in an insurance scam based on staged bear attacks on luxury cars. Photo courtesy California Department of Insurance April 18 (UPI) -- Three people were sentenced this week in an insurance fraud scam that saw them wear»»»
Two Indian-flagged tankers fired upon in Strait of Hormuz as Iran asserts control over waterway
Two Indian-flagged vessels carrying crude oil came under gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday as Iran declared it would control traffic through the vital waterway in retaliation for an ongoing US naval blockade. Following the attack, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Iran’s am»»»
Egypt steps up efforts to shield startups, SMEs from global headwinds: MSMEDA chief
Bassel Rahmy, CEO of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), said state entities are working in close coordination to mitigate the impact of global economic challenges on startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Egypt. He added that efforts are also focu»»»
Egypt accelerates hospital upgrades, puts up urgent overhaul plan for Matrouh
Egypt is stepping up the pace of ongoing healthcare projects and has put up an urgent plan to upgrade hospitals in Matrouh ahead of the summer season, the Ministry of Health said. In a statement, the ministry said Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met with representatives of the Interior Ministr»»»
Pope Leo XIV flies to Angola, says he is not debating Trump - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Pope Leo XIV waves during a welcome ceremony at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda, Angola, Saturday. The Pope is on an 11-day trip to Africa, with stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. Photo by Jose Sena Goulao/EPA April 18 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV said h»»»
1 in 4 files online is exposing your data
Abu Dhabi: The Cyber Security Council (CSC) has warned that around 25 percent of publicly accessible files contain sensitive personal data, urging users to adopt secure practices when sharing files online. In its weekly message under the “Cyber Pulse” awareness campaign, the Council highlighted the»»»
Dh30m UAE Lottery: Draw results released – did your numbers come up?
Dubai: In Saturday’s Dh30 million UAE Lottery’s Lucky Day draw, many participants have taken home cash prizes. During Draw No. 260418, the winning numbers in the Days section were 17, 11, 1, 20, 15, and 3, while the Months section winning number was 12. Additionally, three residents have each bagge»»»
Lightning strikes claim 12 lives in Bangladesh
Dhaka: A series of lightning strikes killed 12 people in six districts of Bangladesh on Saturday. The majority of the lightning fatalities occurred in rural areas where people were working on their farmlands, local sources said. Deaths due to lightning strikes are common in Bangladesh during this t»»»
Sofia Police Seize over 10 Kg of Fentanyl Worth EUR 500,000 Since Start of 2026
Sofia police have seized over 10 kg of fentanyl since the beginning of the year, the Interior Ministry said. Five investigations are underway and five people have been detained on suspicion of distribution. The seized quantity is equivalent to around 40,000 doses, with one dose averaging 0.25 grams»»»
At least 5 killed after gunman opens fire in Ukrainian capital
Kyiv, Ukraine: Five people were killed in Kyiv on Saturday, April 18, 2026, after a gunman opened fire and took hostages at a supermarket in the Ukrainian capital before being killed during an arrest attempt, officials said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that at least 10 people were h»»»
Southern Lebanon residents return home to devastation after ceasefire
After the ceasefire in Lebanon, displaced families are returning to heavily damaged towns like Nabatieh, where homes, businesses and essential services have been devastated by the war. Residents face a mix of relief and trauma as they begin to rebuild their lives, relying on aid for basic needs whi»»»
"We are just displaced and we have to go back" : Lebanese return to southern villages
Despite warnings from authorities about the fragility of the ceasefire with Israel, thousands of people are returning to their homes in southern Lebanon, as FRANCE 24's Cyril Payen reports from Beirut. Most do not see themselves as refugees, but rather as internally displaced people in their own co»»»
Hormuz domino effect: How the Middle East crisis affects food, flights and global supply chains
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered by the war in the Middle East hasn't just affected oil prices. Despite a provisional reopening during the current 10-day ceasefire, global supplies of jet fuel, fertilisers, industrial CO2 and naphtha have already been affected, potentially leading to s»»»
Angola prepares for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV
As part of his African tour, Pope Leo XIV is visiting Angola, where around 40% of the population is Catholic. The visit is highly significant for the country’s large Catholic community, who see it as an important moment of recognition and connection with the Vatican.»»»
Spotlight - Renzi urges ‘European strategy’, denounces Trump's ‘global chaos’ and populism of Orbán and Meloni
Gavin Lee is pleased to welcome former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Italy's former head of state offers an in-depth, insightful and thought-provoking reading of contemporary geopolitics, European cohesion, and leadership ethics. Speaking from the vantage point of a former leader of a major »»»
Spain's Sanchez, Brazil's Lula lead global gathering of left-wing leaders against far-right rise
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to co-chair a gathering of left-wing leaders in Barcelona on Saturday aimed at countering the rise of the far right and strengthening democratic institutions. The meeting brings together figures from acro»»»
Pope vs Trump: Has the week of tension weakened the US president?
A week of escalating tensions has unfolded between Donald Trump and the Vatican, after Trump insulted the Pope on social media following remarks on peace in the Middle East. His behaviour shocked audiences worldwide and reignited debate over his mental health. The feud has further exposed divisions»»»
Should Timmy, the whale stranded off the German coast, be saved?
Rescuers in northern Germany are trying to save a sick humpback whale nicknamed 'Timmy', which has repeatedly become stranded off the Baltic Sea coast. Experts are using air cushions and tugboats to refloat the animal, amid debate over whether it can still be safely rescued.»»»