Son of former Shah of Iran appeals to Western countries for support
BERLIN: The son of the former Shah appealed to Western countries to join the war against Iran and criticised the decision of the German government not to meet him during his visit to Berlin on Thursday. Reza Pahlavi, whose father was deposed in the revolution that brought Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomei»»»
Aquarabia, Middle East’s largest water park, opens to public
RIYADH: Aquarabia, the Middle East’s largest water park, opened on Thursday at the Qiddiya City entertainment complex on the outskirts of Riyadh. The park features 22 rides and attractions with eight themed zones spread across 250,000 sq. meters. There are also an additional seven dry rides and att»»»
Sulzer Enters Libya with New JV to Localize Energy Services
Tripoli — Sulzer has launched a joint venture with Jawaby Services & Investments Ltd, a subsidiary of the National Oil Corporation, marking a significant step toward rebuilding and localizing Libya’s industrial and energy services sector. The new entity, Jawaby Sulzer Services, will operate from th»»»
South Africa suspends police chief implicated in corruption case
Johannesburg, South Africa: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday suspended the national police chief implicated in a $20 million health tender scandal that has rocked the country and drawn in other officers. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola is accused of flouting procurem»»»
Pope wraps up an Africa visit for the history books with a Mass in Equatorial Guinea
MALABO, Equatorial Guinea: Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his African odyssey on Thursday with a final Mass in Equatorial Guinea, bringing to an end one of the newsiest papal trips in the history of popes on the road, thanks to his extraordinary back-and-forth with President Donald Trump. A powerful rains»»»
Lebanon to press Israel to halt attacks on journalists, medics during Washington talks
BEIRUT: Lebanon will formally urge Israel to immediately halt attacks on journalists and paramedics during US-sponsored talks in Washington, a day after an Israeli strike killed a Lebanese reporter and wounded another in southern Lebanon. An official source told Arab News that the demand was added »»»
Palestinian teenager killed by Israeli gunfire in Nablus
LODNON: Israeli forces fatally shot a 15-year-old Palestinian boy on Thursday during a raid in the Rafidia neighborhood of Nablus, north of the West Bank. The teenager died in hospital from critical injuries after he was shot in the shoulder, according to the Wafa news agency. Israeli forces carry »»»
Pentagon denies clearing Hormuz Strait mines will take six months
The Pentagon blasted as cherry picking and false on Thursday a news report saying that the department assessed it could take six months to completely clear the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian-laid mines. The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the Pentagon shared the six-month estimate during a »»»
Senate passes resolution to begin budget reconciliation to fund DHS - UPI.com
Senate Republican Leader John Thune, R-S.D., helped the Senate pass a bill to begin the budget reconciliation process early Thursday Morning. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 23 (UPI) -- Senate Republicans were up all night voting, eventually adopting a budget reconciliation pack»»»
Wadi Al Qarha declared protected nature reserve in Sharjah
Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree on the establishment of “Wadi Al Qarha” Nature Reserve in the Emirate of Sharjah. The decree stipulates that a natural reserve named “Wadi Al Qarha Nature Reserve”»»»
Russia to Respond to New EU Sanctions After Reviewing Them - Russian Diplomat
NOVI SAD, Serbia (Sputnik) - Russia's response to the latest round of EU sanctions will follow a careful review of its contents, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Sputnik on Thursday. European Union countries adopted the 20th round of sanctions against Russia on Thursday. "Our »»»
Berri thanks KSA for efforts to help Lebanon, end war
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks on Thursday, discussing the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, "particularly Israel's continued aggression against Lebanon, including its ongoing systematic destruction of border villages," »»»
WWE ‘Night of Champions’ event to return to Riyadh in June
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to host another major international wrestling event this summer, with WWE confirming the return of its “Night of Champions” showcase to Riyadh. The event will take place at Kingdom Arena on June 27, as part of the Kingdom’s expanding entertainment calendar under Riyadh S»»»
French, UK defense chiefs eye 'real progress' in Hormuz plan
Britain and France Thursday voiced hope that a military plan to protect the Strait of Hormuz was coming together and would succeed in restoring trade flows through the vital passage. At a two-day meeting in London, a dedicated operational planning group on Wednesday presented a decision brief to mi»»»
Lebanon accuses Israel of war crimes after killing of another journalist
Lebanon has accused Israel of war crimes after a reporter for a Lebanese newspaper was killed on Wednesday in a strike on a house in the southern village of al-Tiri, where she had taken cover after an earlier attack targeted the vehicle she was traveling in. Amal Khalil, a reporter for Al-Akhbar, w»»»
Saudi Arabia tops key global rankings in GEM entrepreneurship report
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has secured top rankings in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2025-2026 report, reflecting a highly competitive environment and reinforcing its position as a premier hub for entrepreneurship. The Kingdom led all high-income economies in entrepreneurial finance, highlighting t»»»
166 Case Files Related to Election Violations by Persons With Immunity Have Been Opened by Sofia City Prosecution Office
By April 22, a total of 166 election-related case files have been opened by the Sofia City Prosecution Office, the prosecution said, reacting to allegations regarding its work on cases involving individuals with immunity. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said tha»»»
KSrelief begins one of world’s most complex conjoined twin separation surgeries
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s conjoined twins separation program began one of the most complex surgeries of its kind in the world on Thursday morning in an operation expected to take 24 hours. The separation of conjoined Filipino twins Klea and Maurice Ann, joined at the head, presents a number of challen»»»
US Gulf Allies Risk Near Total Loss of Internet Connectivity Amid Iran War
The UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia, are among the most exposed to undersea cable failures. Possible damage would result in a 70 to 90% loss of connectivity for Arab Gulf States, and up to 35% for Saudi Arabia alone, risking slowdowns in e-commerce, banking, and global servi»»»
Belgrade Tower observation deck opens at ceremony attended by Vucic, Alabbar
BELGRADE - A 360-degree observation deck on top of Belgrade Tower, situated in the Belgrade Waterfront complex, was opened on Thursday at a ceremony also attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Eagle Hills founder and CEO Mohamed Alabbar. Accessed via lifts directly from the Galerija mal»»»
Record turnout marks Bengal, Tamil Nadu polls
Voting in two of India’s most politically significant states — West Bengal and Tamil Nadu — saw exceptionally high turnout on Thursday, signalling strong voter engagement despite a contentious campaign backdrop. According to Election Commission (EC) estimates, West Bengal recorded 89.93 per cent po»»»
Star power at polling stations: Tamil Nadu sees Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith Kumar, Dhanush and others vote
1/11Kamal Haasan, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president and actor, along with his daughter, actress Shruti Haasan, shows his inked finger after casting his vote during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 in Chennai district, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday, April 23, 2026.IANS2/11Superstar Rajinikanth arr»»»
Amsterdam airport offers airline discounts over fuel costs
The Hague: Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport said Thursday it would offer airlines a 10-percent discount on airport charges due to the high price of jet fuel caused by the current Middle East geopolitical situation. The discount is a temporary measure that applies to daytime flights only from April 27, »»»
Prince Harry, on Visit to Kyiv, Tells Putin to 'Stop this War'
Britain's Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Thursday and called on Russia's President Vladimir Putin to end the war - a week after a massive Russian aerial attack on the country - and on US President Donald Trump to show leadership to help resolve the conflict. By convention, the Br»»»
Democrats in the US Coalesce Against “Israel” Amid Deepening Party Shift: WSJ - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Democrats in the US Coalesce Against “Israel” Amid Deepening Party Shift: WSJ 23-04-2026 17:07 PM WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 19: U.S. Sen. B»»»
NEOUS founder hails ‘cultural significance’ of Mideast for Italian crafted brand
JEDDAH: Fashion entrepreneur Vanissa Antonious has welcomed the “incredibly strong” response of Saudi Arabia women to the launch of her brand,” and highlighted the “cultural significance” of the region. NEOUS, a contemporary footwear and handbag brand known for its modernist designs, architectural »»»
Ithra takes ‘Beyond the Ordinary’ to Milan Design Week 2026
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, is off to Europe for Milan Design Week, on until April 26. Ithra is showcasing key features of the newly-rebranded Ithra Design Week, formerly known as Tanween, its annual flagship design event, now in its ninth year. As a part o»»»
US military says it seizes another oil tanker associated with Iran
DUBAI: The US military on Thursday seized another tanker associated with the smuggling of Iranian oil, ratcheting up a standoff with Iran a day after its paramilitary Revolutionary Guards took control of two vessels in the crucial Strait of Hormuz. The Defense Department released video footage of U»»»
Bangladesh measles crisis deepens as child deaths reach 194
DHAKA: Bangladesh has recorded 194 child deaths due to measles in an outbreak that began last month, while the number of suspected child cases has exceeded 28,000, government data showed on Thursday. Between three and five children have died from the disease every day for the past week. Five childr»»»
US Stocks Dip on Mixed Earnings as Markets Monitor Iran
Wall Street stocks retreated from records early Thursday as markets digested a trove of mixed earnings reports and monitored the latest dynamics between the United States and Iran. Analysts cited profit-taking after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq shrugged off a jump in oil prices to finish at records »»»
Israeli Fire Kills Five in Gaza and the West Bank, Medics Say
Israeli airstrikes killed at least four Palestinians in Gaza on Thursday, while soldiers shot and killed a 15-year-old child during an army raid in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said. One person was killed in a strike in southern Gaza's Khan Younis in which several ot»»»
Trump Orders Military to ‘Shoot and Kill’ Iranian Small Boats Choking Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has ordered the US military to “shoot and kill” Iranian small boats choking the Strait of Hormuz.In a social media post Thursday morning, he said the military is intensifying its mine clearing efforts in the critical waterway. The move intensified the US-Iran standoff in t»»»
Ajman rolls out incentives to boost tourism and ease business costs
Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, on Thursday approved a comprehensive package of incentives aimed at supporting the emirate's tourism sector, including the deferral of fee payments and fine waivers, in a move designed to stimulate activ»»»
Britain, France sign $894M deal to stop migrant boats crossing Channel - UPI.com
Britain and France inked a new $894 million agreement Thursday to tackle small boats carrying asylum seekers attempting to get to England that will see the number of police patrolling French beaches rise from 700 to nearly 1,100. File photo by Mohammed Badra/EPA-EFE April 23 (UPI) -- Britain and Fr»»»
Pentagon says it boarded an Iran-linked vessel on Indian Ocean - UPI.com
1 of 2 | The Pentagon posted a video on social media Thursday showing what it says is U.S. forces boarding a vessel on the Indian Ocean with ties to Iran. File Photo via U.S. European Command/UPI | License Photo April 23 (UPI) -- The Pentagon posted a video on social media Thursday showing what it »»»
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Only the State Decides on Talks with Israel
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said Lebanon “has started to gradually reclaim its natural right to determine its own fate independently of others’ calculations,” stressing that the Lebanese state “alone holds the decision to negotiate,” and that Lebanon “is not subordinate to anyone and is»»»
Defying Hezbollah, Israel and Lebanon start talking
For the first time in decades, Israeli and Lebanese civilian officials sat across a table in Washington and began talking. The discussions—convened in the shadow of a wider war with Iran, mediated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and given a 10-day ceasefire window by Donald Trump—are truly histo»»»
Are Damascus and Hezbollah headed for confrontation?
Since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria on 8 December 2024, the country’s border with Lebanon has been subject to an unprecedented mobilisation, with Damascus ramping things up in recent weeks by sending heavy reinforcements to the frontier to confront Hezbollah’s smuggling operations. Under As»»»
Kecmanovic suffers early exit from Madrid Masters
MADRID - Serbian tennis player Miomir Kecmanovic has failed to qualify for the second round of the Madrid Masters after a 6-4, 7-5 defeat to Frenchman Terence Atmane in the opening round on Thursday. Atmane, who won after 75 minutes of play, is now 1-1 head-to-head against the Serbian. The prize mo»»»
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister: Only the State Decides on Talks with Israel
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said Lebanon “has started to gradually reclaim its natural right to determine its own fate independently of others’ calculations,” stressing that the Lebanese state “alone holds the decision to negotiate,” and that Lebanon “is not subordinate to anyone and is»»»
Round 2: Lebanon-Israel talks inch forward
Today (23 April), the US hosts the second round of talks between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to Washington. The first meeting of these diplomats on 14 April was significant, not because it was the first direct legal contact between senior officials of these states since 1993, or because th»»»
Eid Al Adha 2026: How UAE residents will celebrate and why it matters more this year
Dubai: As Eid Al Adha approaches, residents across the UAE are looking forward to celebrating the festival with renewed appreciation for family, faith, and togetherness. For many, this year’s occasion carries deeper meaning, with more focus on reflection, gratitude, and a strong sense of community.»»»
Mojsilovic: Security situation in Serbia stable
BELGRADE - Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Gen Milan Mojsilovic says the security situation in Serbia is stable but that certain challenges and risks do exist, above all, the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija, and noted that the Serbian Armed Forces are fully capable of executing a»»»
Libya rescues 404 migrants on 10 boats, Red Crescent says
TRIPOI: Libya’s eastern-based coast guard of the Libyan National Army rescued at least 404 migrants on board 10 boats after they had “faced harsh conditions at sea,” the Tobruk Red Crescent said on Wednesday. Tobruk is a coastal city in eastern Libya near the border with Egypt. The Red Crescen»»»
Lebanon decries Israeli demolition of homes in areas occupied after ceasefire
BEIRUT: Spread across a hillside of southern Lebanon, the tiny village of Beit Lif had been almost entirely flattened. Once home to a few thousand people, nearly every house had been reduced to piles of concrete by Israeli military demolitions. “They were demolishing it gradually until they reached»»»
Kremlin says Putin can meet Zelensky only to agree final conflict arrangements
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin can only meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the purpose of finalizing agreements on the conflict, Russian news agencies quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Wednesday. Peskov’s comments on state television, reported by Russian new»»»
Dubai Lynx, MCN launch regional program to lift women into creative leadership
LONDON: Dubai Lynx and Middle East Communications Network, or MCN, are bringing the global “See It Be It” program to the MENA region, in a move aimed at widening the pipeline of women into leadership roles across advertising, media and marketing. The regional version, called “See It Be It: Connects»»»
Al Dhaid bust: 13 tonnes stored in poor conditions
Al Dhaid: More than 13 tonnes of food unfit for human consumption have been seized and destroyed by Al Dhaid Municipality in a major crackdown on unsafe storage practices, authorities said. The operation was carried out by the municipality’s Food Control Section under the Public Health Department, »»»
Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,109
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Thursday, losing 135.40 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 11,109.59. The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.02 billion ($1.6 billion), as 45 of the stocks advanced and 212 retreated. Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel mar»»»
EU approves €90 bn Ukraine loan
The European Union has formally approved a €90 billion ($105 billion) emergency loan for Ukraine for 2026–2027 and adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, the bloc’s presidency said on Thursday. European Council President Antonio Costa said in a statement that increasing pressure on R»»»