Beirut Conference Sees Wide Consensus Over Weapons-free Capital
Beirut MPs representing most of Lebanon’s political parties met in the capital to support a government move declaring the city “safe and weapons-free,” following recent security incidents and Israeli strikes. The conference brought together most factions, except MPs from Hezbollah, the Amal Movemen»»»
Watch: Robbie Collins on why Dubai feels safe, 'I’m just happy to be here'
Dubai: At a time when headlines feel heavy, South African comedian Robby Collins (read the full interview here) chose laughter over fear. In Dubai with The Laughter Factory, he found packed rooms, warm audiences, and a city that feels incredibly safe, despite uncertainty due to ongoing regional ten»»»
Lebanon: Speaker Berri Says Civil Peace Red Line, Rejects Direct Talks with ‘Israel’ - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanon: Speaker Berri Says Civil Peace Red Line, Rejects Direct Talks with ‘Israel’ 17-04-2026 16:06 PM Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri in an»»»
Airlines warn of possible European flight disruptions over jet fuel shortages
Montreal: The head of the International Air Transport Association has warned that parts of Europe could begin canceling flights from late May due to potential jet fuel shortages, raising concerns about disruption during the busy summer travel season. Speaking on Friday, Director General Willie Wals»»»
Belchinski Izvor SPA Complex with Nearly 40,000 Guests in 2025, Some 93% Bulgarians
Belchinski Izvor SPA Complex, located near the village of Belchin, hosted 39,486 guests in 2025. Some 93% were from Bulgaria, while the rest were foreigners, the complex told BTA. The Gala Placidia spa centre features a large indoor mineral pool, an indoor children’s pool, outdoor hot tubs and jacu»»»
International tourist train arrives in Bishkek from Balykchy - | 24.KG
An international tourist train operated by Golden Eagle Trains arrived in Bishkek today from Balykchy. The train brought visitors from Western Europe, North America, and East Asia, the state enterprise Kyrgyz Temir Zholu reported. At the railway station, a traditional crafts exhibition was organize»»»
Dubai: Is distance learning still an option? KHDA explains flexible return to schools
Dubai: Most schools across the UAE are set to welcome students back to classrooms from Monday, ending more than 40 days of distance learning introduced in response to regional conflict linked to the US-Israel Iran war. However, while campuses reopen, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said school tran»»»
“PM and I don’t have wife issues”: Rahul Gandhi’s jibe draws laughter in India's Lok Sabha
New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi struck a light-hearted note in the Lok Sabha on Friday during a debate on the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill and delimitation, drawing laughter when he remarked that both he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi do not have “wife issues”. The Leader of the Opposit»»»
St. Regis, The Palm scales back operations as Dubai hotel begins refurbishment
Dubai: St. Regis, The Palm in Dubai confirmed Friday that parts of the property will be unavailable from mid-April as it begins refurbishment works. “As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering an exceptional luxury experience, we have embarked on a refurbishment project,” the hotel said in a m»»»
At Sofia Forum, Scholars from Bulgaria, Europe, US Reassess Political, Social, Health Impact of Chernobyl Disaster
New Bulgarian University (NBU) is hosting a two-day international conference in Sofia marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, bringing together leading scholars from Europe, the United States and Bulgaria to reassess the political, social and health impacts of one of the wor»»»
Teodora Tompea: From breaking news to storytelling, sustainability, and entrepreneurship
After 17 years in journalism, spanning local newsrooms, radio, and national television, Teodora Tompea is stepping into a new rhythm at Observator 16, where speed meets meaning and news reporting blends with storytelling. On March 16, she also hosted the 21st edition of the Business Review Awards G»»»
Hisense unveils 2026 RGB MiniLED TV range at FIFA Headquarters, highlighting the depth of its FIFA World Cup 2026™ partnership
Hisense, a leading global brand in consumer electronics and home appliances, has unveiled its new 2026 RGB MiniLED TV range at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, underlining not only its latest advances in display technology but also the strength and maturity of its long-standing partnership with FIFA ahe»»»
Global waterways must never be controlled or weaponised: UAE
The UAE has called for firm international action to safeguard sovereignty and protect global trade routes, warning that threats to maritime security and regional stability cannot be addressed through rhetoric alone. Speaking at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, Saqr G»»»
Royal Grand Hotel and Spa Introduces Sea Mud Therapies with Calcium and Magnesium
Royal Grand Hotel and Spa in Kavarna has introduced therapies using sea mud enriched with calcium and magnesium, which have anti-stress and restorative effects, the hotel’s marketing manager Teodora Chaneva told BTA. "We offer combined packages for relaxation and recovery, weekend programmes, and t»»»
UAE says ties with US growing stronger despite regional tensions and global challenges
Washington: The UAE maintained security and continuity in the face of unprecedented and unprovoked attacks, a senior minister said, underscoring the country’s ability to respond swiftly while keeping daily life and institutions functioning without disruption. Speaking yesterday at the Semafor World»»»
ICE detention shock: Indian-origin woman held after 35 years in US
A 53-year-old Indian-origin woman who has lived in the United States for more than three decades has been detained by immigration authorities in Texas, triggering legal challenges and growing concern over her treatment. Meenu Batra, a court interpreter who has spent over 35 years in the US, was arr»»»
Israel says troops will remain in buffer zone extending 10 km from border
Israel's defense minister said on Friday that the campaign against the militant group Hezbollah was not yet complete, just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into force in Lebanon. "The ground maneuver into Lebanon and the strikes on Hezbollah have achieved many gains, but they are still not compl»»»
Wizz Air says had problems with jet fuel supply in Italy
Milan: Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air has encountered some jet fuel shortages at three airports in Italy, its chief executive said Friday, following warnings about supplies because of the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. "We had problems because of a shortage of jet fuel in three Italian airp»»»
British PM says 'furious' after fresh revelations over sacked US envoy
London: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday he was "furious" after it emerged his sacked US ambassador Peter Mandelson was appointed despite failing security vetting, as the scandal again threatens his hold on power. The beleaguered British leader, who has been dogged for months by the contr»»»
Mining sector pays highest salaries in Kyrgyzstan, culture sector - lowest - | 24.KG
The Ministry of Labor notes that, according to data from the National Statistical Committee for January 2026, the average salary is: financial sector — 83,277 soms; industry — 68,101; transport — 58,657; construction — 57,472; trade — 55,188; agriculture — 33,813; services — 29,679; healthcare and »»»
UN peacekeepers in Lebanon say strikes halted but no withdrawal
Tilak Pokharel, a spokesperson for the U.S. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon known as UNIFIL, said peacekeepers have not observed any airstrikes since midnight, when a 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. He said, however, that they had observed “artillery shelling in severa»»»
On World Heritage Day, calls to protect heritage in conflicts and disasters
Doha, Qatar: The world observes World Heritage Day on April 18 each year, an initiative launched by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982 to raise awareness of shared cultural and historical heritage. This year’s theme, "Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts»»»
Japanese fans gather to welcome BTS on world tour
Tokyo: Tens of thousands of excited fans gathered at a landmark Tokyo stadium Friday to watch K-pop megastars BTS, in concert outside South Korea for the first time on their new world tour. The seven-member group -- widely regarded as the world's biggest boy band -- took to the stage together for t»»»
Etihad adds First suites, lie-flat seats on all India flights
Abu Dhabi: Travellers flying from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and Delhi in India will experience improved travel comfort. UAE’s national carrier Etihad Airways announced Friday that it plans to introduce the game-changing Airbus A321LR twice daily to these two Indian cities, complementing two daily wide-bo»»»
Macron and Starmer hold international summit on reopening the Strait of Hormuz
The leaders of France and the U.K. gathered dozens of countries — but not the United States — on Friday to push forward plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route choked off by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The Paris meeting is part of attempts by sidelined nations to ease the impact of »»»
Trump says Iran has agreed to 'hand back' its enriched uranium stocks - UPI.com
U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters regarding Iran on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday before departing on Marine One to travel to Las Vegas for a Republican Party event. Photo by Graeme Sloan/UPI | License Photo April 17 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump an»»»
Abu Dhabi Police warn of fake Google links stealing banking data
Abu Dhabi Police has warned the public about fake links appearing in search engine results, saying they are increasingly being used by fraudsters to steal personal and banking information. Authorities urged users to be cautious and avoid clicking on suspicious links, especially those claiming to be»»»
Russian Foreign Minister Says Ukrainian Peace Process Lacks Concrete Initiatives
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - There are currently no concrete initiatives for ending the Ukrainian conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. "We have informed our colleagues about the recent developments regarding efforts to address the Ukrainian crisis. No concrete initiatives are on t»»»
US Currently Not Interested in Russian Proposal to Export Iran's Enriched Uranium- Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's proposal to export enriched uranium from Iran is currently not in demand from the United States, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. "Now this proposal is not in demand from the United States," Peskov told reporters. At the same time, Russia remains open to a»»»
Medical Association Warns of System Strain as It Renews Call for 25% Increase in Medical Service Prices
Bulgaria’s healthcare system faces a risk of destabilization due to chronic underfunding, the Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA) warned on Friday, reiterating its demand for a 25% increase in the prices of all medical activities paid for by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Speaking along»»»
Israeli Media: Lebanese Return South of Litani Another Reminder of Broken Promises - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli Media: Lebanese Return South of Litani Another Reminder of Broken Promises 17-04-2026 14:12 PM People wave Hezbollah flags and an i»»»
HONOR launches ‘Dream Big with HONOR 600’ campaign across GCC
Dubai:HONOR a global AI device ecosystem has kicked off its latest campaign, “Dream Big with HONOR 600,” in celebration of the launch of the HONOR 600 Series, inviting people across the GCC to share their dreams and express their creativity. Running for six weeks from April 15, the campaign combine»»»
UN: Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees dead, missing in shipwrecks in 2025
Geneva: Last year was the deadliest on record for Rohingya refugees fleeing by sea, with deaths continuing to soar in 2026, the UN said Friday, after hundreds were lost in a shipwreck earlier this month. "In 2025, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay»»»
Arrests fail to deter phone scam rings
Police say phone fraud rings continue to operate using familiar tactics, despite repeated arrests and prosecutions, with suspects often returning to crime after release. Authorities describe a pattern in which offenders pose as accountants or power utility technicians, warning victims of supposed f»»»
Property Concept rebranded as Alera: It is a year of recalibration in the real estate market
Property Concept, one of the leading companies in Romania specialized in turnkey real estate investments, offering integrated services including sales, interior design, and property management, is rebranding as Alera, marking a new stage in its development. The company is targeting accelerated grow»»»
Mali urges international companies to become part of EXPO 2027, Serbia's accelerated growth
WASHINGTON - At a reception in Washington, Serbian First Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali urged international companies to become a part of EXPO 2027 Belgrade and Serbia's accelerated growth. "The EXPO in Belgrade is the biggest event in our history, but it is also the biggest event that »»»
Kuwait Airways to resume Dhaka flights: Schedule, routes and travel update
Kuwait Airways has announced the resumption of its commercial flights to and from Dhaka via Dammam International Airport in Saudi Arabia, with services set to operate twice weekly from April 24. Acting CEO Abdulwahab Al Shatti said the relaunch reflects the importance of the Dhaka route for passeng»»»
Japan rallies Asian nations with $10b plan to counter supply risks
Dubai: In a move to address the growing concerns over global energy security, Japan has announced a major regional initiative aimed at protecting Asian economies from supply disruptions, particularly those linked to key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. During an online meeting held on »»»
China’s “Petroyuan” Gains Traction Amid Gulf Tensions
Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region are breathing new life into China’s long-standing ambition to expand the role of the yuan in global energy trade, reviving discussions around the so-called “Petroyuan” as an alternative to the Dollar-dominated system. Recent developments surroundi»»»
Egypt Targets Near 5% Growth as Government Balances Reform and Global Pressures
Cairo — Egypt expects its economy to grow between 4.8% and 5% in the third quarter of the current 2025/2026 fiscal year, reflecting continued resilience despite global uncertainty, according to Ahmed Kouchouk in statements reported by Asharq Bloomberg. Speaking on the sidelines of the Spring Meetin»»»
No flight? No problem. Step inside Abu Dhabi airport
Abu Dhabi: Zayed International Airport has opened its doors to the public, allowing citizens and residents to explore its facilities without the need to travel. The initiative, running for eight weeks, invites visitors to step inside the airport’s usually restricted areas to enjoy its retail outlet»»»
Denis Kitaev: Education, Career and Vesper
Denis Kitaev is a property developer, a co-founder and shareholder of Vesper, a firm specialising in premium residential construction and renovation. Born in Moscow on 3 February 1977, Denis Vladimirovich Kitaev attended Secondary School No. 622, where he developed a marked interest in drawing and »»»
UAE banks offer loan relief, 0% transfers: Who benefits and how
Dubai: UAE banks are rolling out a series of relief measures — from free loan deferrals to zero-interest payment plans — as residents navigate mounting financial pressures amid the ongoing crisis. In return, lenders are widening support across housing, healthcare and everyday expenses. Banks are in»»»
Pleven Gets First Toxicochemistry Lab Outside Sofia
The first toxicochemistry laboratory outside Sofia was opened in Pleven by caretaker Minister of the Interior Emil Dechev on Friday. The facility will speed up drug and alcohol testing in pre-trial proceedings involving drivers and crime suspects. Dechev cut the ribbon in the presence of his deputy»»»
UK police charge three over attempted arson on Persian TV
London: UK police said Friday they had charged two young men and a teenage boy, following an attempted arson attack on the offices of Persian-language outlet Iran International. London's Met police said Oisin McGuinness, 21, and Nathan Dunn, 19, both of Watford, northwest of London, and a 16-year-o»»»
Hezbollah: Islamic Resistance fighters will keep their hands on the trigger, maintaining constant readiness to respond to any treachery aggression or breach by the enemy - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hezbollah: Islamic Resistance fighters will keep their hands on the trigger, maintaining constant readiness to respond to any treachery agg»»»
South Korea unveils plan to bring back Formula One
Seoul: South Korea wants to host a Formula One race for the first time since 2013 after unveiling a new circuit design that officials say is financially viable. The plan would see races held on a five-kilometre street circuit in the city of Incheon, just outside the capital Seoul. The Korean Grand »»»
Ukrainian Barrier Troops Prevent Soldiers From Fleeing in Kharkov Region - Source
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine's national guards have been preventing the flight of soldiers from the 113th separate territorial defense brigade, which is suffering heavy losses in battles in the Kharkov region, security sources told Sputnik. "Attempts by combat groups of the territorial defense brigad»»»
Back to school, back to life
Throughout this conflict, one of the biggest impacts on many of our lives has been the forced and necessary closure of schools. The education establishments have done a commendable job of switching to online learning, especially in such challenging circumstances. However, we all know how important »»»