French, UK defense chiefs eye ‘real progress’ in Hormuz plan
LONDON: Britain and France Thursday voiced hope that military plans to secure the Strait of Hormuz were coming together and would succeed in restoring trade flows through the vital passage. At a two-day meeting in London, military planners discussed the practicalities of a multinational mission led»»»
Al Rayyan crowned GCCL winners after defeating Saudi Al Shabab 3-0
Doha, Qatar: Al Rayyan crowned Gulf Champions League (GCCL) winners for the first time in their history after defeating Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia 3-0 in the final of the 32nd edition, held at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium. The goals for Al Rayyan were scored by Spaniard David Garcia, Serbian Aleksandar Mit»»»
Kuwaiti-American journalist detained for 52 days acquitted - UPI.com
April 23 (UPI) -- A Kuwaiti-American journalist was acquitted Thursday after he had been detained for 52 days in Kuwait for social media posts about the war in Iran, his family revealed. Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was arrested March 3, an attorney for his two sisters, Caoilfhionn Gallagher said in a statem»»»
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Python Practice Lab’
Authors: Angelica Lim and Victor Cheung This classroom-tested, workbook-style text teaches basic programming by guiding readers to write Python programs that mimic interactive chatbots. Unlike textbooks with opaque examples explained in dry, monotonous code, “Python Practice Lab” engages readers im»»»
OCA Director-General commends Sheikh Joaan's efforts in ensuring continuity of sports cooperation
Sanya, China: Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Husain Al Musallam commended the efforts of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of both the OCA and the Qatar Olympic Committee, whose vision has contributed to strengthening the unity of Asian countries and ensuring the »»»
Huge crowds gathered in the squares of Tehran and other Iranian cities in support of the leadership and the armed forces, affirming that the Iranians are united against American-Israeli aggression - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Huge crowds gathered in the squares of Tehran and other Iranian cities in support of the leadership and the armed forces, affirming that th»»»
Al Rayyan eclipse Al Shabab 3-0 to lift Gulf Club Champions League trophy
DOHA: Impressive Al Rayyan blanked Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia 3-0 to lift the Gulf Club Champions League 2025-26 season trophy at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Thursday.The highly entertaining final was tight-fisted for an hour before The Lions roared to humble their rivals, who were laid low after t»»»
Millions of Americans may now also be considered Canadian under a new law
SIOUX FALLS: Millions more Americans might qualify for dual Canadian citizenship under a recent change to Canada’s requirements that has led to a surge in applications from its southern neighbor. For people like Zack Loud of Farmington, Minnesota, it was a surprise to learn that under a new law, Ca»»»
Is the Iran conflict sidelining the unresolved Gaza crisis?
LONDON: As the US-Israeli war with Iran consumes diplomatic attention and rattles global markets, many fear Gaza is once again being pushed to the margins. More than six months into a ceasefire that has seen continued violations, hundreds of thousands in Gaza are living in dire conditions, with aid»»»
Trump to attend Israel-Lebanon talks on ceasefire extension: White House
WASHINGTON: Lebanon and Israel were set to begin a second session of direct talks at the White House on Thursday to discuss the possibility of extending a truce between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group and plans for future negotiations between the two neighbors with a long history of hostile»»»
China stealing US AI technology: White House official
SAN FRANCISCO: The White House on Thursday accused Chinese entities of a massive effort to steal US artificial intelligence technology and vowed to take action to prevent the alleged theft. “The US has evidence that foreign entities, primarily in China, are running industrial-scale distillation cam»»»
China stealing US AI technology: White House official
SAN FRANCISCO: The White House on Thursday accused Chinese entities of a massive effort to steal US artificial intelligence technology and vowed to take action to prevent the alleged theft. “The US has evidence that foreign entities, primarily in China, are running industrial-scale distillation cam»»»
Syria repatriates bodies of 76 victims of Israeli attacks in Lebanon
LONDON: Syrian authorities have repatriated the bodies of 76 nationals killed during Israeli attacks in Lebanon since early March. The General Authority for Borders and Customs confirmed that 180 bodies of victims killed by Israeli shelling have been transported across the Syrian-Lebanese border. A»»»
Meta plans 10% layoffs as AI spending soars: source
New York: Meta plans to cut a tenth of its workforce, looking for productivity gains from its remaining workers as it invests heavily in artificial intelligence. Meta will lay off about 8,000 employees and leave thousands of other positions unfilled next month, a source told AFP. The move comes as »»»
Snow leopard habitat threatened by China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan rail project, argues research paper
The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan (CKU) railway megaproject poses a threat to the habitat of the snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan, according to an in-depth report that is causing disquiet in European capitals. The concer»»»
Half of Argentina's children still poor as austerity bites
More than half of children and adolescents in Argentina were living in poverty in 2025, with nearly a third going without adequate food, according to a report by the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), underscoring the uneven social impact of President Javier Milei's austerity-driven economic o»»»
How augmented reality is transforming ancient Arab heritage sites into immersive visitor experiences
DUBAI: Tourists visiting some of the Arab world’s most iconic archeological sites are increasingly seeing things that are no longer there — on purpose. Across some of the region’s most prominent heritage sites — from Petra and AlUla to major museums in Cairo — immersive technologies are beginning t»»»
Israeli airstrikes kill 4 in Gaza
Israeli airstrikes killed at least four Palestinians in Gaza on Thursday, Palestinian health officials said. One person was killed in a strike in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis in which several others were wounded, local medics said. Israel’s military claimed it had targeted militants transporting m»»»
Over 250 Indians claiming descent from biblical tribe land in Israel
TEL AVIV: More than 250 Indians claiming descent from a biblical tribe landed at Tel Aviv airport on Thursday, as part of a government operation to relocate them to Israel. They are the first “Bnei Menashe” (“Sons of Manasseh“) to arrive in Israel since the government decided in November to fund th»»»
UEFA president Ceferin ‘can’t understand’ many refereeing decisions
MADRID: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said Thursday that he often struggles to understand the interpretation of the rules of football since the implementation of VAR. “Sometimes the supporters can’t understand some interpretations of the rules. I can’t understand it many times,” Ceferin said du»»»
Foreign ministers of Muslim, Arab countries condemn Israeli violations of religious sites in Jerusalem
RIYADH: The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and several other Muslim countries on Thursday condemned repeated violations of the legal status quo of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem by Israeli authorities. The continued storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli settlers and e»»»
Saudi Arabia confirms coaching change as Donis replaces Renard ahead of World Cup
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia made its coaching change official Thursday by firing Herve Renard and replacing him with Georgios Donis less than two months before the start of the World Cup. The 56-year-old Donis, a former Greece international, joins from Al-Khaleej, his fourth Saudi Pro League club. “He has»»»
Iraq Ruling Alliance Nears Critical Constitutional Deadline
Iraq’s Coordination Framework is set to meet on Friday, the final day of the constitutional deadline to name a prime minister-designate, as disputes persist among Shiite factions over both the selection mechanism and the final nominee, threatening to push the country into a new constitutional crisi»»»
DOJ Inspector General to audit release of Jeffrey Epstein files - UPI.com
Todd Blanche is the acting U.S. attorney general since the firing of Pam Bondi. The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General will do an audit of the Justice Department's release of the files of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 23 »»»
At least 17 Somali migrants die after boat capsizes off Algeria
MOGADISHU: A boat capsized in waters between Algeria and Spain, leaving at least 17 Somali migrants dead, Somalia’s ambassador to Algeria said Thursday. Ambassador Yusuf Ahmed Hassan told Somali state media that he was contacted by distressed parents searching for information about their missing re»»»
OpenAI says new model adept at making AI better
San Francisco, United States: OpenAI released a new model it touts as its best yet for handling research work like making improved versions of itself, as rapid-fire releases by AI rivals pick up pace. GPT-5.5 was billed as a "new class of intelligence" and comes just months after the launch of its »»»
Israel’s Independence Day under the shadow of war after 7 October
Born out of the need for safety, Israel today finds itself navigating a reality defined by recurring conflict and persistent insecurity. As another Independence Day has passed, for West Jerusalem the sense of permanence it was meant to symbolize remains elusive. Military strength has grown, yet las»»»
Renewed Israel-Hezbollah war raises human, material toll on Lebanon - UPI.com
People walk on Tuesday past the rubble of a building damaged in an Israeli airstrike in Jibchit village, southern Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day cease-fire, which went into effect April 16. Photo by Wael Hamzeh/EPA BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 23 (UPI) -- A temporary, 10-day cease-fi»»»
Lebanon leaders accuse Israel of war crime after journalist killed
Lebanon's president and prime minister accused Israel on Thursday of a war crime, after an airstrike killed a Lebanese journalist in the country's south, where Israeli forces occupy several areas. Rescuers and the reporter's employer on Wednesday confirmed the death of Amal Khalil, a 42-year-old jo»»»
Georgetown Qatar community shows up for one another amid crisis
DOHA: When Farkhunda Fazelyar (GU-Q’26) left Doha for a class trip to Cape Town, she expected an immersive academic experience. The war reshaped her trip almost immediately. “The strikes started on the first day of the program,” she said. “I remember going through the District Six Museum when a Stu»»»
Attempt to smuggle amphetamines foiled by Saudi authorities in Eastern Province
DAMMAM: The General Directorate of Narcotics Control, in coordination with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, has foiled an attempt to smuggle 2,733,648 amphetamine pills concealed within a shipment of printing paper at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam. The intended recipients were arrested in Riya»»»
People & Profit - Is China's economy insulated from Iran war shock?
The US and Israel’s war with Iran has sent shockwaves across the global economy, and created the largest energy crisis in decades. But China, the world’s second-largest economy, has by many measures appeared insulated from the worst of the fallout. Watch moreWorld's worst energy crisis? Iran »»»
OpenAI says new model adept at making AI better
SAN FRANCISCO: OpenAI released a new model it touts as its best yet for handling research work like making improved versions of itself, as rapid-fire releases by AI rivals pick up pace. GPT-5.5 was billed as a “new class of intelligence” and comes just months after the launch of its predecessor. “W»»»
Colombia, U.S. bust crypto laundering network tied to Mexican cartel - UPI.com
April 23 (UPI) -- Authorities in Colombia and the United States dismantled a money laundering network linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel that allegedly moved more than $190 million since 2023 through cryptocurrencies, shell companies and couriers. The joint operation resulted in five arres»»»
Cruise Saudi appoints acting CEO
JEDDAH: Cruise Saudi, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has announced the appointment of Taha Omar Nazar as acting CEO. The board paid tribute to outgoing CEO Lars Clasen, crediting him with laying the groundwork for Aroya Cruises and expanding the company’s cruise tourism fo»»»
First flight of Turkish airline A Jet arrives at Aleppo Airport
Aleppo, Apr.23 (SANA) The first flight of Turkish airline A Jet arrived at Aleppo Airport on Thursday, coming from Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Istanbul. Syrian Civil Aviation Authority said on its Telegram channel that the resumption of A Jet flights is part of the return of regular air service betwee»»»
USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier in Mideast region: US military
WASHINGTON: The USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier has arrived in the Middle East, the US military said Thursday, bringing the number of the massive American warships operating in the region to three. The Bush was sailing “in the Indian Ocean in the US Central Command area of responsibility, Apr»»»
Will Syria’s Parliament Meet on Sharaa’s Timeline?
Holding the first session of Syria’s parliament, the People’s Assembly, on the timeline set by Ahmed al-Sharaa in Antalya will require faster efforts to select representatives from Hasaka, as the Supreme Elections Committee moves to resolve key issues delaying the launch. Al-Sharaa said at the Anta»»»
19 injured in head-on train crash in Denmark - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Two trains collided between Hilleroed and Kagerup at Isteroedvejen, Denmark, Thursday morning. At least 19 are injured. Photo by Steven Knap/EPA April 23 (UPI) -- Two passenger trains crashed head-on in Denmark on Thursday leaving 18 injured, five of them critically, law enforcement offici»»»
Kuwait airport to resume flights after weeks-long airspace closure
Kuwait has reopened its airspace at Kuwait International Airport starting this evening after a nearly two-month closure, with flights set to resume gradually, the state-run news agency Kuna said on Thursday. The move marks the start of a phased restart of operations following a temporary precaution»»»
Turkey holds benchmark rate at 37% in line with expectations
The monetary policy committee (MPC) of Turkey’s central bank on April 22 left its main policy rate (one-week repo) unchanged at 37% in line with expectations. The regulator also left its overnight »»»
Turkey holds benchmark rate at 37% in line with expectations
The monetary policy committee (MPC) of Turkey’s central bank on April 22 left its main policy rate (one-week repo) unchanged at 37% in line with expectations. The regulator also left its overnight »»»
Snow leopard habitat threatened by China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan rail project, argues research paper
The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan (CKU) railway megaproject poses a threat to the habitat of the snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan, according to an in-depth report that is causing disquiet in European capitals. The concer»»»
BSP tightens policy in the Philippines as inflation surge overrides growth concerns
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas raised its policy rate by 25bp to 4.50% on April 23, in the process demonstrating the prioritisation of inflation risks after a sharp rise in price pressures throughout March, and despite a weakening growth backdrop, a note from Capital Economics reports. Further tig»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Iran war's fertiliser shock sets the stage for a slow-burning food inflation crisis
The Iran war's most insidious economic aftershock may not be measured in oil price spikes or shipping costs, but in the price of the nutrients that grow the world's food. A sharp and sustained surge in fertiliser prices, d»»»
Palestinian women speak out on sexual abuse by Hamas
Testimonies emerging from Gaza have documented a pattern of sexual abuse and exploitation carried out by Hamas militants and affiliated organisations against women. With the US-led Gaza Board of Peace having submitted a di»»»
Iran says first Hormuz toll revenue deposited at central bank
Iran's first revenue from Strait of Hormuz tolls has been deposited at the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Parliament Vice Speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei admitted during a public gathering outside of Tehran, Donya-e-Eqtesad newspaper reported on April 23. »»»