Abu Dhabi hosts forum to boost school safety preparedness
Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, in collaboration with Aldar Properties, organised the Community Responder Forum for School Safety aimed at improving emergency readiness among school staff. The forum encouraged educational and supervisory staff to join the “Community Responder” programme, which f»»»
Media Review: April17
The upcoming April 19 early parliamentary elections and the anticipated results is a major topic for Bulgarian media on Friday. POSSIBLE OUTCOMES – ANALYSIS Capital: “At this stage, we do not have a clear political partner, because all of them, in one way or another, have entered into harmful allia»»»
French train maker Alstom hit by delivery delays
Paris, France: Alstom shares plummeted Friday after the French train maker warned that "execution headwinds" had delayed deliveries to clients, forcing the group to abandon its profit and cash flow targets. The company unveiled the setbacks late Thursday while reporting a four percent rise in sales»»»
Philippine foreign ownership rules updated: What it means for global investors
Dubai: The Philippines has updated its foreign investment framework, maintaining strict ownership limits in various fields while gradually opening others to global investors. Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed executive order (EO) 113, approving the 13th regular foreign investment»»»
Seoul says explained to U.S. background of minister's remarks on N. Korea's Kusong nuclear facility - UPI.com
South Korea's Unification Ministry said Friday that remarks by Minister Chung Dong-young on North Korea's Kusong nuclear enrichment site were based on public information. Chung is seen here testifying at the National Assembly on Wednesday. Photo by Yonhap The unification ministry has explained to t»»»
Dubai South steps in with new business relief measures
Dubai: Dubai South has introduced a fresh round of incentives for companies operating within its free zone, as part of a broader push to sustain business activity and ease cost pressures amid the ongoing crisis. The measures include support for new company formation, assistance with licence renewal»»»
Customs Authority introduces new Customs Dollar Rate - up from LD 2.2 to about LD 6.35
Libya’s Customs Authority announced yesterday that it has officially adjusted the Customs Dollar Rate used to calculate the tariff imposed on imports to the be the applicable exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Libya at the time of calculation. In effect, this means that the former Customs Dol»»»
Deal or delay: Israel-Lebanon ceasefire holds amid big questions
A fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon appeared to be holding early Friday, raising cautious hopes of a broader de-escalation across the Middle East after weeks of intense fighting. The truce, announced by US President Donald Trump and agreed by Israel and Lebanon, took effect overni»»»
Drifting and reckless driving during rain: Dubai Police impound vehicles over dangerous stunts
Dubai Police have impounded several vehicles after motorists were found performing dangerous stunts during recent rainfall, turning wet road conditions into incidents of reckless driving and road disorder across the emirate. Brigadier Jumaa Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of »»»
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»»»
Dawn crossing: Lebanese brave destroyed bridge after truce
Dubai: Lebanese civilians crossed the shattered remains of the Qasmiyeh bridge at sunrise Thursday, hours after Israeli strikes destroyed the crossing linking communities in southern Lebanon. A fragile ten-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel had just taken effect, prompting residents to return»»»
Nearly 35 Tonnes of Food Will Be Destroyed from Shutdown Slaughterhouse Near Plovdiv
The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has suspended the operations of a meat processing facility in the village of Radinovo, near Plovdiv, after an inspection found multiple violations of hygiene requirements and meat without documentation, the agency said. In three cold storage rooms, inspectors»»»
Resistance Triumphs: Thousands Return to South Lebanon as Ceasefire Takes Effect
Residents of southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs began returning to their towns and villages on Friday, as a 10-day ceasefire with the Israeli occupation took effect at midnight. The roads leading to southern Lebanon witnessed heavy traffic congestion, with large numbers of citizens head»»»
Back on Earth, Artemis II Crew Still Finding their Footing
Nearly a week after their Pacific splashdown, the astronauts who crewed the Artemis II mission that flew around the Moon told reporters Thursday they have yet to fully grasp the magnitude of the moment. "It's been a week of medical testing, physical testing, doctors, science objectives," mission co»»»
Judge halts above-ground White House ballroom construction - UPI.com
A federal judge on Thursday ordered all above-ground construction of the White House ballroom to stop. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 17 (UPI) -- All above-ground construction of the White House ballroom must be stopped amid litigation, a federal judge ordered Thursday, reprima»»»
Netflix star Robbie Collins on performing now in Dubai: 'I don’t believe everything I see in the news'
Dubai: At a time when headlines feel heavier than usual, South African comedian Robby Collins arrives in Dubai with none of the noise and with a very clear goal: make people laugh. The towering comic, currently performing with The Laughter Factory this weekend in Dubai, is in town during what many »»»
US Policies Push More Nations Toward Nuclear Ambitions - Economist
The US decision not to extend the New START treaty's limits after it expired — combined with attacks on Venezuela and Iran “create a strong incentive to acquire nuclear weapons as a tool of last resort for self-defense,” Russian economist Professor Alexander Dynkin tells Sputnik. The economist note»»»
Pakistani-flagged Tanker Exits Gulf Via Hormuz with UAE Crude, Data Shows
Pakistani-flagged tanker Shalamar has exited the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz carrying crude loaded from the United Arab Emirates, shipping data from Kpler and LSEG showed. The Aframax tanker exited the waterway on Thursday laden with about 440,000 barrels of Abu Dhabi's Das Blend crude loaded ea»»»
KSA welcomes Lebanon ceasefire, lauds Aoun, Salam and Berri's role
Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom's welcome of the announcement by... Trump of a ceasefire in brotherly Lebanon. It also commended the significant positive role pl»»»
Hidden Cave, Hippo Bones Under Welsh Castle May Rewrite History
A prehistoric hidden cave and hippo bones found beneath a Welsh castle could transform understanding of ancient life in Britain, researchers said Thursday, calling the site a "once-in-a-lifetime discovery". Previous small-scale excavations at Pembroke Castle have already uncovered evidence of early»»»
Türkiye Hosts Latest Diplomatic Push on Middle East War
Türkiye hosts a high-stakes forum Friday bringing together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as Islamabad pushes diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East war. Pakistan's powerful army chief met senior negotiators in Tehran on Thursday as Washington and Iran considered a fr»»»
Alpha Research Poll: 3.3 Million Expected to Vote on Sunday, Five Parties Certain to Enter Next Parliament
A higher voter turnout is expected compared to the previous elections, with over 3.3 million people projected to go to the polls on April 19, around 60% of eligible voters living in the country, compared to 2.57 million who voted in the last parliamentary elections in October 2024, according to a p»»»
Iran foreign ministry welcomes ceasefire agreement in Lebanon
Iran's foreign ministry welcomed on Thursday the truce agreed between Israel and Lebanon, calling it part of the earlier two-week ceasefire deal struck between the Islamic republic and the United States to pause the Middle East war, state media reported. Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei "welcomed»»»
Eight killed in helicopter crash in Indonesia
All eight people on board a helicopter were killed after it crashed in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province, authorities confirmed to local media on Friday. The aircraft, an Airbus H130 operated by a local aviation company, lost contact just five minutes after taking off on Thursday morning from a »»»
G7 calls for limiting economic impact of Middle East conflict
Washington, April 17 (SANA) Finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of Seven (G7) countries on Thursday called for efforts to limit the global economic impact of prolonged conflict in the Middle East, urging progress toward lasting stability in the region. Reuters quoted a stateme»»»
On This Day, April 17: Explosion at Texas fertilizer plant kills 15 - UPI.com
On April 17, 2013, an explosion at a West, Texas, fertilizer plant killed 15 people, injured dozens and caused massive property damage in the community. 1 of 4 | Remains of a fertilizer plant and other buildings smolder after the plant exploded in West, Texas on April 17, 2013. File Photo by Larry »»»
UAE President meets Ajman Ruler to review national priorities
Ajman: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman. Their Highnesses engaged in warm discuss»»»
Macron says Lebanon-Israel ceasefire 'may already be undermined'
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said he was concerned that a ceasefire between militant group Hezbollah and Israel "may already be undermined by ongoing military operations." "I call for the safety of civilians on both sides of the border between Lebanon and Israel," he said on X. "Hezbo»»»
Ten-day ceasefire agreed by Israel and Lebanon takes effect
A ten-day ceasefire deal agreed between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Friday, as US President Donald Trump said he was trying to set up the first-ever face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the two countries. The truce, which Trump said would begin at midnight local time in Lebanon and Isr»»»
Excavator driver detained after fatal accident involving child - | 24.KG
A driver suspected of fatally hitting a child with an excavator has been detained in Chui region. The Internal Affairs Department of the region reported. The tragedy occurred on April 14 at approximately 7:35 p.m. in the village of Sosnovka. According to law enforcement agencies, the driver of a Hy»»»
Massive Asteroid Set to Pass ‘Close’ to Earth
An asteroid named after a god of chaos is heading toward Earth — but there is no need to panic just yet, according to The Independent. The massive rock is arriving for a historic flyby rather than a disaster, according to NASA. The encounter is still a few years away, but when it finally arrives, i»»»
Trump Says Iran War Should End 'Soon', Both Sides May Meet at Weekend
US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that an agreement could soon be reached to end the Iran war and urged the Tehran-aligned Hezbollah group to hold its fire as a 10-day truce went into effect between Lebanon and Israel. Trump said the next meeting between the United States and Iran coul»»»
The head of ANSVSA, at a meeting with the Chinese ambassador: The main objective is to open new export markets
Romania has a real potential for opening new export markets and the institutional dialogue and technical cooperation are essential for the Romanian producers stated the chairman of the National Sanitary Veterinary Authority and for Food Safety (ANSVSA), Alexandru Bociu after a meeting with Chen Fen»»»
PSD categorically opposes sale of strategic companies
The Social Democratic Party (PSD) announced on Thursday that it opposes the steps initiated by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu for the sale of "profitable state-owned companies", companies that have an essential role in the country's security architecture. It sa»»»
Deputy PM Gheorghiu presents Gov't exploratory list of state-owned companies with potential for stock-exchange listing
Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu said that during Thursday's government meeting she presented an exploratory list of state-owned companies with potential for stock-exchange listing.She clarified this after being asked whether CEC Bank and Bucharest Airports National Corporation are being consid»»»
Penalty heartbreak for Al Sadd as Vissel Kobe reach ACL Elite semis
Doha, Qatar: Al Sadd SC suffered a heartbreaking exit from the AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite, going down 5-4 on penalties to Vissel Kobe after a pulsating 3-3 draw in the quarter-final at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah yesterday. Substitute Jean Patric scored the winning»»»
President Dan: A minority gov't is possible, but its parliamentary support is questionable
President Nicusor Dan said on Thursday that it is possible for Romania to get a minority government, but the essential question remains whether or not such an executive would enjoy parliamentary support.He said that "all options are on the table at the moment" and that, currently, he can see "the d»»»
Macron, Starmer Rally Allies to Mull Hormuz Mission
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday chair a meeting of allies to consider sending a multinational force to ensure security and free-flowing trade in the Strait of Hormuz once the current conflict between Iran and the US and Israel ends. Iran imposed the blo»»»
Senate Republicans Again Block Bid to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers
Washington: Robert Jimison, Megan Mineiro Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked the latest Democratic-led effort to curb President Trump’s authority to wage war on Iran, as a fragile ceasefire frays, dueling blockades choke traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and failed talks leave the next phas»»»
Helicopter Crash on Indonesia's Borneo Island Kills 8
A helicopter flying between palm oil plantations on Borneo Island crashed, killing the eight people on board, Indonesian officials said Friday. The Airbus H130 owned by PT Matthew Air Nusantara lost contact Thursday, five minutes after it took off from Melawi district in West Kalimantan province. I»»»
Myara Poll: Five Parties Certain to Enter Parliament, Three Near Threshold
Five parties are certain to enter the next parliament, while three remain close to the 4% electoral threshold, according to a survey by the Myara polling agency. The data were collected for Bulgarian National Radio. The nationally representative survey was conducted between April 4 and 13 among 1,0»»»
De Lepine guides Samha Alseej to Al Bidda Cup win
Doha, Qatar: Samha Alseej stormed to victory in the Al Bidda Cup, producing a blistering late burst under jockey Arnaud de Lepine to land the Local Thoroughbred Graduation Plate feature at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday. Making a winning debut, the filly – owned and trained by Jassim bin Hamad Al-A»»»
beIN expands motorsport portfolio with WEC deal
Doha, Qatar: beIN Media Group (‘beIN’) has secured a multi-year deal to broadcast all races of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 35 territories across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and Asia Pacific (APAC). Fans will be able to watch all races live via beIN’s flagship sports netw»»»
FEI Group VII Finals: Team Qatar tops Children Team event at Al Shaqab
Doha, Qatar: Team Qatar delivered a standout performance to claim top honours in the CSISCH-A Children’s Team competition at the FEI Group VII Finals at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. The hosts finished ahead of the United Arab Emirates, who took second place, while Saudi Arabia complet»»»
Al Arabi claim fifth Qatar Basketball Cup title
Doha, Qatar: Al Arabi were crowned champions of the 13th Qatar Basketball Cup (2025–2026) after defeating Al Shamal 77-71 at Al Gharafa Hall yesterday, sealing their fifth title and third consecutive triumph. Al Arabi took early control, dominating the first quarter 24–13 with strong defensive pres»»»
Madinah Tops Saudi Cities in Hotel Occupancy in 2025
The hospitality sector in Madinah recorded a strong performance in 2025, ranking first among cities in Saudi Arabia in hotel occupancy rates, the Saudi Press Agency said on Friday. The figures reflect growing demand for the destination and the continued growth in tourism activity associated with vi»»»
Elusive Wolf in South Korea Captured, Returned to zoo after 9 Days on the Run
A wolf that escaped from a zoo in the South Korean city of Daejeon was recaptured on Friday after nine days on the run, bringing to a close a saga that gripped the public as the elusive animal evaded earlier capture attempts. After a number of sightings following the escape of the 2-year-old male w»»»
Singer D4vd arrested on suspicion of murdering missing teen - UPI.com
Singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested Thursday for the murder of a girl whose body was found in the trunk of his Tesla in September. File Photo by Cyril Zingaro/EPA April 17 (UPI) -- Authorities in Los Angeles said Thursday that police have arrested singer D4vd for the m»»»
EUR 200,000 Seized in Vote-Buying Probe in Varna, Four Arrested
Nearly EUR 200,000 intended for vote buying was discovered during searches at four addresses in Varna, along with envelopes containing lists of citizens' personal data, the Interior Ministry's acting Secretary General Georgi Kandev said on Facebook. He said the case involves an organized group and »»»
Awqaf Ministry expands Da’wah outreach in 2025, reaching millions through community programmes
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has reported a significant expansion in its da’wah (religious outreach) ecosystem in 2025, underscoring its growing role in strengthening societal values, promoting intellectual security, and supporting family cohesion across Qatar. According t»»»