The climate-denialist Trump administration is pushing the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to stop focusing on clean energy development projects. We take a closer look. But first: Russia vows to make up for any shortfall in Chinese oil supplies due to the US-Israeli war on Iran, and crude»»»

Share: Israeli soldiers next to artillery vehicles near the Israel-Lebanon border, in northern Israel, April 15, 2026. REUTERS/Florion Goga Optimism grew on Thursday that the Iran war may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator having made a breakthrough on “sticky issues”, a source said, alt»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received the credentials of new Moroccan Ambassador to Belgrade Omar Amrar on Thursday. "I expressed the confidence that, with his engagement, he will help to lend a new impetus to advancement of cooperation between our countries, which are traditionall»»»

Dubai: Park Hyatt Dubai Creek will temporarily close from May as it enters the final phase of a planned renovation, with the operator moving to upgrade the property ahead of its next reopening. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Dubai Creek property, part of the wider»»»

The Central Election Commission (CEC) decided Thursday that 400 tactile ballot paper templates with Braille markings for voting by visually impaired voterss will be provided in Blagoevgrad, Plovdiv, and Sofia City’s three constituencies. According to the decision, Blagoevgrad will receive 90 templa»»»

Public tension in Bulgarian society remains high, with the index measured jointly by the Centre for Analysis and Crisis Communications and the Myara polling agency standing at 6.88 in the first quarter of the year, the two organizations said on Thursday. They publish the index every three months. T»»»

In a statement Thursday, the prosecution service said a national interagency task force, involving prosecutors, the Interior Ministry and State Agency for National Security, remains actively engaged in monitoring and responding to alleged violations tied to the 19 April election. The statement emph»»»

Dubai: The UAE has taken a significant step towards strengthening its non-profit sector with the launch of the non-profit organisations (NPO) empowerment fund, a Dh100 million initiative designed to support community-driven programmes across the country. The launch ceremony has been held today at t»»»

Share: Photo- Israel claims killing a key member of Quds force in Lebanon. Iran’s IRGC is reportedly commanding Hezbollah war with Israel according to Lebanese government sources Lebanon earlier cast doubt on Donald Trump’s claim that the leaders were due to hold talks On Wednesday night in the US,»»»

BELGRADE - A parliamentary session on an opposition no-confidence motion against the Serbian government was postponed again on Thursday due to a lack of quorum. Instead of a majority of MPs, just twenty lawmakers were in attendance. Again, MPs of the ruling coalition did not provide the quorum. Dep»»»

Abu Dhabi: The UAE has been elected to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP) for the 2026–2028 term, at a time of escalating global food security challenges and mounting risks linked to disruptions in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, developments that could push tens of million»»»

President Joseph Aoun on Thursday stressed the importance of a ceasefire before any direct negotiations with Israel, ahead of possible talks with Israel's leader that Beirut has not confirmed will take place. "The ceasefire requested by Lebanon with Israel is the natural starting point for direct n»»»

Housing construction in Kyrgyzstan increased significantly in the first quarter of 2026. According to the National Statistical Committee, 4,461 residential buildings with a total area of ​​484,200 square meters have been commissioned. This is 15.6 percent higher than the figures for January — March»»»

Tunis, April 16 (TAP)- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ali Nafti had a talk Wednesday with Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe. Means to step up...»»»

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a social media post that he thanked Pakistan for its “gracious hosting” of the US-Iran dialogue as he received the country’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Tehran on Wednesday. Araghchi received Munir, who is heading a high-level political-security »»»

Al-Manar dismissed on Thursday reports alleging an Israeli landing operation in the southern Lebanese town of Dibbine, stressing that all field evidence contradicts the circulating claims. Al-Manar correspondent in south Lebanon said the rumors were part of misleading narratives promoted by the ene»»»

Beijing, April 16, 2026 (SANA) Traditional Aleppo laurel soap is seeing rising demand in China, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency, with the product gaining traction on e-commerce platforms and at trade exhibitions. At an authorized store for Syrian products on JD.com, Aleppo soap ranks am»»»

Dubai: Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort has ceased operations, bringing a pause to one of the more distinctive hospitality concepts within Dubai’s World Islands development. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Minor Hotels confirmed in a statement that the resort stoppe»»»

“Attempts to write laws that run counter to God’s law continue to this day,” said Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil on Thursday in Veliko Tarnovo at the opening of observances of the Day of the Bulgarian Constitution. The event, held at the Revival and Constituent Assembly Museum, where the Tarnovo Consti»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance fighters fired a salvo of rockets targeting Israeli settlement of Kfar Giladi: Hezbollah Military Media statement 15 16-»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hezbollah’s Islamic Resistance fighters targeted gathering of Israeli soldiers and vehicles east of Rub Al-Thalatheen border town with a ba»»»

The Israeli military carried out two strikes against a key bridge in the south of Lebanon on Thursday, destroying it, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported. "Enemy aircraft carried out two consecutive strikes on the Qasmieh bridge, the last bridge between the Tyre and Sidon regions, com»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Football Association, QFA, has announced that the Amir Cup Final will take place on May 9 at Khalifa International Stadium. The tickets for the country’s biggest annual football cup will go on sale at www.qfa.qa on May 2. Tickets for the Amir Cup Final 2026 will be available »»»

BELGRADE - A parliamentary session on an opposition no-confidence motion against the Serbian government was postponed again on Thursday due to a lack of quorum. Instead of a majority of MPs, just twenty lawmakers were in attendance. Again, MPs of the ruling coalition did not provide the quorum. Dep»»»

"We have already learned to act in a way that minimizes the consequences of such measures for our interests. We will continue to do so," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would not extend licenses that temporarily allowed purchases of Russ»»»

Leading real estate developer One United Properties is known for its modern mixed-use developments, sustainable initiatives, and investments in the Bucharest and Romanian regional property markets. The company is committed to creating vibrant, eco-friendly communities while respecting local heritag»»»

Britain's economy put on a burst of growth in February, suggesting it was in slightly better shape before the start of the Iran war than many economists had feared, official figures showed on Thursday. Gross domestic product expanded 0.5% month-on-month in February, the biggest increase since Janua»»»

Mariam Zein cradled her 11-week-old son on a mattress on the floor where she and her family have sheltered near Beirut since the Israel-Hezbollah war upended her young family's life. "I was really excited when I was in my ninth month of pregnancy... I never thought he'd be born and there'd be war,"»»»

European Commission announced Thursday that it has approved a major Bulgarian state aid scheme aimed at shielding energy-intensive industries from high electricity costs, while tying the support to investments in greener production. The Bulgarian programme, worth EUR 334 million, will provide tempo»»»

Abu Dhabi: The UAE has presented its Tenth National Report at the Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), held at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The UAE delegation presented the report as part of the review process under the Convention, h»»»

Israeli troops were trying to advance from the occupied Shebaa farms into Debbine in south Lebanon after violent strikes and artillery shelling on the southern town. The Israeli army also targeted Thursday Hebbarieh and Kfarshouba, while Hezbollah claimed responsibility for several drone attacks ta»»»

Lebanon is "not aware" of any upcoming contact with Israel, an official source told AFP, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the leaders of leaders of Lebanon and Israel would speak on Thursday. "We are not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side, and we have not been informed of any »»»

Nigeria has signed a $1bn investment agreement with India’s Rashmi Metaliks Group as Abuja steps up efforts to rebuild domestic steel production, reduce imports and expand higher-value industrial output from its mineral resources, Leadership has reported. »»»

China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing supported maintaining the ceasefire and negotiation momentum between Tehran and Washington during a phone call on April 15, China's foreign ministry said in a readout. »»»

China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing supported maintaining the ceasefire and negotiation momentum between Tehran and Washington during a phone call on April 15, China's foreign ministry said in a readout. »»»

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak directly with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on April 16.  Israel and Lebanon held their first direct bilateral negotiati»»»

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak directly with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on April 16.  Israel and Lebanon held their first direct bilateral negotiati»»»

China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing supported maintaining the ceasefire and negotiation momentum between Tehran and Washington during a phone call on April 15, China's foreign ministry said in a readout. »»»

Iran may be forced to ramp up imports of petrochemical products to supply feedstock for downstream industries after US-Israeli air strikes hit its main production hubs earlier this month, a government spokesperson said, in remarks carried by state news on April 16. »»»

China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing supported maintaining the ceasefire and negotiation momentum between Tehran and Washington during a phone call on April 15, China's foreign ministry said in a readout. »»»

Iran may be forced to ramp up imports of petrochemical products to supply feedstock for downstream industries after US-Israeli air strikes hit its main production hubs earlier this month, a government spokesperson said, in remarks carried by state news on April 16. »»»

China's foreign minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that Beijing supported maintaining the ceasefire and negotiation momentum between Tehran and Washington during a phone call on April 15, China's foreign ministry said in a readout. »»»

Nigeria has signed a $1bn investment agreement with India’s Rashmi Metaliks Group as Abuja steps up efforts to rebuild domestic steel production, reduce imports and expand higher-value industrial output from its mineral resources, Leadership has reported. »»»

Nigeria has signed a $1bn investment agreement with India’s Rashmi Metaliks Group as Abuja steps up efforts to rebuild domestic steel production, reduce imports and expand higher-value industrial output from its mineral resources, Leadership has reported. »»»

Bulgaria has officially opened a national repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste at the Radiana site near the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, the country's energy ministry said. The facility, located at»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Air Cargo Customs Department has foiled an attempt to smuggle 46,200 narcotic tablets on Thursday, April 16, 2026. In a post on its social media, the customs authority said the attempt was uncovered after a customs inspector became suspicious of one of the incoming consignments. Th»»»

As Auchan celebrates two decades of activity in Romania, the company’s journey reflects both impressive growth and a strong commitment to innovation. From its early days to its current role as a leader in modern retail, Auchan has consistently shaped the market, supported local producers, and intro»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Amid mounting US pressure to calm the Middle East, a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon could go into effect as soon as this week, Lebanese officials have told news outlets. A truce between Israel and the Lebanese-based movement Hezbollah could come into force once Israeli grou»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Arctic island could become Washington's next target after Venezuela, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, following US President Donald Trump's renewed calls for the United States to take control of Greenland. "The Greenlandic people, a lot of them thought that way: We »»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz can lead to a disruption of the ceasefire between Iran and the US, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told Sputnik. "The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a provocative step, illegal under international law, and could lead »»»