France24 19m

Iran: Prolonged conflict reshapes view of the regime, analyst says

FRANCE 24’s guest Mehran Kamrave, Director of the Iranian Studies Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, analyses Iran’s strategy towards the United States, highlighting three key levers the regime can rely on: sanctions, the nuclear programme, and control over the Strait of Hormu»»»

france24.com
France24 22m

French right divided over primary vote one year from presidential election

With the French presidential election just a year away, most parties are conducting internal polls to decide on their candidate. Les Républicains, led by Bruno Retailleau, are meeting this weekend to decide whether to hold a primary, amid criticism, particularly from Laurent Wauquiez, over reluctan»»»

france24.com
France24 23m

'They are stealing the election': How Armenia became the next Russia-EU battlefield

Armenians are set to head to the polls in June for their parliamentary elections, which the EU and Russia are closely watching. With support for joining the bloc at an all-time high, this could be a sign that the former Soviet country is moving away from Moscow, one of its closest allies. But forei»»»

france24.com
RT 25m

Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass No. 54: Vance’s VP dilemma – the poisoned chalice and taint of power

US Vice President J.D. Vance faces a classic bind: Loyalty to President Donald Trump ties him to a presidency that is bound to fail, yet distancing himself invites charges of disloyalty. Either course imperils his prospects of becoming the next president. His latest assignment as chief negotiator w»»»

rt.com
France24 32m

Bulgaria heads to the polls for eighth general election in five years

Voters in Bulgaria headed to the polls Sunday for an eighth general election in five years, with ex-president Rumen Radev tipped to win on anti-corruption pledges. The election comes after unrest toppled Boyko Borissov’s rule and left the pro-European GERB party trailing. Bulgarians began head»»»

france24.com
The Peninsula 58m

Fit in fatigues: German army presses recruitment drive

Cologne, Germany: Wearing a gas mask, a young man performs a rapid series of push-ups, jumps and squats at the German military's recruiting booth at FIBO, the world's largest fitness expo, held in Cologne. Germany hopes to grow its armed forces, winning tens of thousands of new volunteers -- a toug»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
The Peninsula 1h

GCC affirms commitment to strengthen stability, development, resolve disputes through peaceful means

Antalya: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed its enduring commitment to promoting a stable and secure environment and adopting constructive policies based on development and prosperity rather than wars and conflicts, in a way that strengthens mutual trust with regional and international p»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Sputnik 1h

Slovakia May Block Ukraine's Accession to EU - Parliament's Deputy Speaker

BRATISLAVA (Sputnik) - Slovakia may block Ukraine's accession to the European Union if the energy conflict between Kiev and Bratislava escalates, Tibor Gaspar, the Slovak parliament's deputy speaker, told Sputnik. "Ukraine does not risk 'automatically losing EU support,' but it may face specific pr»»»

sputniknews.com
The Peninsula 2h

Crisis-hit Bulgaria votes in eighth election in five years

Sofia: Bulgaria on Sunday, April 19, 2026, held its eighth legislative election in five years, with ex-president Rumen Radev's grouping tipped to win on a pledge to fight corruption, after an anti-graft movement triggered a long political crisis. The European Union's poorest member has been through»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Qatar Tribune 3h

Gulf Cooperation Council reaffirms its commitment to promoting stability, development and resolving conflicts peacefully

ANTALYA:The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fostering a stable and secure environment and to pursuing constructive policies based on development and prosperity, rather than onwars and conflicts. This commitment aims to strengthen mutual trust with regional and»»»

qatar-tribune.com
Al Awsat 3h

Barghouti Remains Central Figure in Palestinian Politics After 24 Years in Prison

Twenty-four years after the arrest of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, now 67, and after long stretches in solitary confinement, he remains a central figure in Palestinian politics. His influence has outpaced that of other officials in decision-making roles, and he has topped Fatah elections in»»»

english.aawsat.com
Bulgarian News Agency 3h

TISP Deputy Leader Stanislav Balabanov Votes to Protect Traditional Family

Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections, There Is Such a People (TISP) Deputy Chair Stanislav Balabanov said he voted in the name of protecting children and preserving the traditional Bulgarian family. He chose to vote using a paper ballot. Balabanov said he had voted so that society w»»»

bta.bg
Al Manar 3h

Iran Stands Firm: No Concessions in War Talks, Sovereignty Over Hormuz Non-Negotiable

The Supreme National Security Council of Iran affirmed that Iran’s negotiating delegation will make no concessions in talks aimed at ending the war, underscoring its full commitment to safeguarding national rights and defending the interests of the Iranian people. In a statement, the council said T»»»

english.almanar.com.lb
Bulgarian News Agency 3h

Progressive Bulgaria Leader Rumen Radev: Today Bulgaria Has Historic Chance to Break with Oligarchic Model

Having cast his ballot in Sofia, Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev said: "Today Bulgaria has a historic chance to break once and for all with the Peevski-Borissov oligarchic model, and this is an opportunity we must not miss." He was referring to Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Delyan»»»

bta.bg
The Peninsula 4h

Apex Health Qatar leads with high readiness amid global shifts and targeted initiatives supporting mental wellbeing

The View Hospital Reinforces Its Standing Through Innovation and Human-Centered Care Doha, Qatar: In light of recent regional developments and the challenges faced across the region, Apex Health, the fastest-growing healthcare groups in the region, continues to reinforce its readiness and ability t»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Bulgarian News Agency 5h

Yes, Bulgaria Co-leader Ivaylo Mirchev Votes for Bulgaria Free from Corruption Model and Reaffirming Its European Path

Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections, Yes, Bulgaria Co-leader Ivaylo Mirchev said he voted for Bulgaria to free itself "from the corruption model that has dominated it for many years" and "to reaffirm its European path". Yes, Bulgaria is part of the Continue the Change - Democratic »»»

bta.bg
The Peninsula 5h

Brazil, Mexico, Spain call for addressing humanitarian crisis in Cuba

Madrid: The governments of Brazil, Mexico, and Spain expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis facing the Cuban people, calling for urgent measures to alleviate their suffering. In a joint statement published by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the three countries urged the »»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Al Awsat 5h

Why Iran’s ‘Mosquito Fleet’ Remains a Potent Threat in the Strait of Hormuz

Iranian warships sunk by US and Israeli attacks litter naval harbors along the Gulf coast, but what is sometimes called a “mosquito fleet” lurks in the shadows. It is a flotilla of small, fast, agile boats designed to harass shipping, and it forms the heart of the naval forces deployed by the Irani»»»

english.aawsat.com
The Peninsula 5h

Qatar participates in IPU Assembly in Istanbul on peace, AI and reform

Istanbul: The 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has continued in its second day in Istanbul, with participation from the State of Qatar’s Shura Council. The Qatari delegation, led by Speaker H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, joined parliamentary leaders from around the »»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
The Peninsula 6h

Qatar stresses trust, dialogue in global mediation efforts at Antalya Forum

Antalya: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi participated in a high-level session on the sidelines of the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) titled, “Emerging Partnerships in International Mediation for Peace.” In remarks delive»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Al Majalla 6h

Has Iran's ideology actually hardened?

Israel’s killings of Ali Larijani and Kamal Kharazi were meant to do more than remove two senior figures from the Islamic Republic’s political landscape. Within Tehran’s political and analytical circles, they were interpreted as an attempt to erase something less visible but more consequential: the»»»

en.majalla.com
Al Majalla 6h

How a tiny waterway put the global economy into a chokehold

In a 2020 survey of Americans, just over one in five could locate Iran on a map. With such a poor result for a Middle Eastern country that is roughly the size of the state of Alaska and twice the size of Texas, it is a safe wager that an even lower percentage of Americans would have ever heard of t»»»

en.majalla.com
France24 6h

Europe's far right leaders gather in Milan rally against immigration

Several thousand people gathered in Milan on Saturday for a large rally attended by several European far-right leaders who spoke on immigration, security, and against EU regulations. Far-right leaders from Europe gathered in Milan Saturday for a rally attended by thousands against irregular immigra»»»

france24.com
The Peninsula 6h

Adoption of Qatar’s emergency item at IPU reflects growing parliamentary diplomacy impact

Doha, Qatar: 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 »»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Al Awsat 7h

US Renews Russian Oil Waiver for a Month to Curb Global Energy Prices

Washington renewed on Friday a waiver allowing countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil at sea for about a month, even as lawmakers accused the government ‌of going easy on Moscow as its war on Ukraine grinds on. The Treasury Department's waiver lets countries purchase Russian oil and petroleum prod»»»

english.aawsat.com
Gulf News 7h

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»»»

gulfnews.com
Ya Libnan 10h

Live Updates: Iran fires on ships in Strait of Hormuz as it closes the critical chokepoint again – Ya Libnan

Share: A French contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrols the area as displaced residents waving Hezbollah flags make their way back to their homes on a makeshift road on April 18, 2026.(photo credit: Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty Images). French president Macron b»»»

UPI 11h

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»»»

upi.com
BNE 11h

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 12h

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»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 12h

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»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 12h

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»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 12h

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»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 12h

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»»»

intellinews.com
France24 13h

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»»»

france24.com
BNE 13h

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»»»

intellinews.com
Qatar Tribune 14h

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 »»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 14h

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»»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 14h

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 »»»

qatar-tribune.com
The Peninsula 15h

Joint statement on progress on protocol on humanitarian access and judicial protection between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the AFC/M23, the operationalization of the ceasefire oversight and verification mechanism, and the releas

Doha: The following statement was released by the Governments of the State of Qatar, the United States of America, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), Switzerland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement, on the meetings held Ap»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Qatar Tribune 15h

Qatar and other parties issue joint statement on progress made in humanitarian access, judicial protection protocol between DRC and M23 Movement

DOHA: The the governments of the State of Qatar, the United States of America, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), Switzerland, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Congo River Alliance (March 23 Movement), have issued a joint statement regarding the meetings held from April »»»

qatar-tribune.com
Al Manar 16h

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 »»»

english.almanar.com.lb
Sputnik 17h

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz If US Continues Its Naval Blockade - IRGC

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz from Saturday evening until the United States completely lifts its naval blockade, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy Command said on Saturday. "As a result of the violation of the ceasefire regime, the Strait of Hormuz »»»

sputniknews.com
Qatar Tribune 18h

Al Khulaifi meets officials on the sidelines of Antalya Diplomacy Forum

ANTALYA: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met separately on Saturday with officialson the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Dr Al Khulaifi met withMinister of Foreign Affairs of the Plurinational State of Bolivia HE Fern»»»

qatar-tribune.com
The Peninsula 18h

Leon fires Sundowns into African Champions League final

Pretoria: Colombian Brayan Leon was the match-winner again for Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa on Saturday, April 18, 2026, scoring in a 1-0 CAF Champions League semi-final second leg win over Esperance of Tunisia. The 25-year-old, who joined the Pretoria club from Independiente Medellin three mo»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
France24 19h

Middle East war live: French UNIFIL soldier killed in Lebanon, Hezbollah responsible, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday that a French ​soldier who ​was part of international forces stationed in southern Lebanon ​was killed, adding that evidence suggests ⁠Hezbollah was responsible. Earlier, Iranian patrol boats fired at an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, accordi»»»

france24.com
France24 19h

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»»»

france24.com
France24 19h

No signs of regime collapse as Iran weathers weeks of war

After weeks of US and Israeli strikes, Iranians are watching to see if ceasefire talks could lead to negotiations, while uncertainty over the future of the conflict persists. Despite foreign calls for regime change, analysts say Iran’s leadership remains entrenched, as economic pressure, repression»»»

france24.com
France24 19h

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 »»»

france24.com
France24 19h

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»»»

france24.com