Al Awsat 3m

In Final Moments Before Truce, Israeli Strike Kills Lebanese Man’s Family

Hassan Abu Khalil's family miraculously survived six weeks of war in southern Lebanon, but tragedy struck in the final minutes before a ceasefire came into force. An Israeli strike late on Thursday killed 13 of his relatives, leaving him the sole survivor. Abu Khalil, 36, stepped out to see friends»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 3m

Starmer Rejects Calls to Resign Over Mandelson Appointment as Pressure Builds

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday resisted demands he resign over revelations that his scandal-tainted pick for UK ambassador to Washington was appointed despite failing security checks. Starmer says he was not informed that the Foreign Office had overruled the recommendation of securit»»»

english.aawsat.com
Naharnet 6m

Israeli strike kills one in south Lebanon despite truce

Lebanese state media said an Israeli strike on a motorcycle in the south killed one person on Friday, despite the start of a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. The truce, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, went into force at midnight (Thursday 2100 GMT), seeking to end more than s»»»

Sputnik 7m

US, Iran May Conclude Deal in Next Day or Two - Trump

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States and Iran may conclude a deal within the next day or two, US President Donald Trump said on Friday. "The Iranians want to meet. They want to make a deal. I think a meeting will probably take place over the weekend. I think we will get a deal in the next day o»»»

sputniknews.com
Kathimerini 28m

Heinz Kounio, one of Greece’s last Holocaust survivors, dies aged 98

One of Thessaloniki’s last Holocaust survivors, Heinz Kounio, has died aged 98, an association representing Greece’s Jewish communities said Friday. The Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, or KIS, described Kounio as an “emblematic figure” who was among the first Greek Jews to write abou»»»

ekathimerini.com
Naharnet 30m

Al-Rahi: True hero not one who wages wars, but one who builds peace

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Friday that "war does not build a future, but rather destroys the present and steals tomorrow," calling for "rejecting the logic of violence and adhering to the logic of dialogue." He added, in the southern city of Jezzine, that "the Lebanese are tired of war»»»

Bulgarian News Agency 40m

CC Only Party Offering Concrete Support for Families and Young People, CC Chair Vassilev Says

Continue the Change (CC) is the only party offering concrete measures to support families with children and young people in its election programme, Assen Vassilev, CC chair and top-of-the-list candidate of the Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria coalition for Haskovo’s 29th and Plovdiv City’s»»»

bta.bg
RT 51m

Hegseth compares press to Pharisees over Iran war coverage

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has once again attacked the press, accusing journalists of producing an “endless stream of garbage” in their coverage of the Iran conflict and comparing the Pentagon media pool to the Pharisees, a Jewish group in the Bible who often clashed with Jesus. Hegseth, a fo»»»

rt.com
Al Awsat 1h

Oil Falls by 13% After Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Open

Oil prices plunged by about 13% on Friday after Iran's foreign minister said passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz was open for the remaining ceasefire period and US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to never close the strait again. Brent crude futures fell $12.8»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 1h

Kosovo Lawmakers Approve Proposed Gaza Troop Deployment

Kosovo's parliament on Friday passed a law authorizing the potential deployment of a small number of troops to Gaza as part of a peacekeeping force proposed by US President Donald Trump. According to local media, the government intends to send 22 members of the Kosovo Security Force if the plan goe»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 1h

Lebanon Says Israeli Strike in South Kills One Despite Truce

Lebanese state media said an Israeli strike on a motorcycle in the south killed one person on Friday, despite the start of a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. The truce, announced by US President Donald Trump, went into force at midnight (Thursday 2100 GMT), seeking to end more than six»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 1h

UN: Average of 47 Women and Girls Killed Daily During Gaza War

An average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in Gaza, according to figures published by UN Women on Friday, and the agency warned that deaths have continued six months into a fragile ceasefire. More than 38,000 women and girls were killed in Gaza between October 202»»»

english.aawsat.com
UPI 1h

Pope Leo XIV holds mass with estimated 120,000 in Cameroon - UPI.com

1 of 2 | A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV and Cameroonian President Paul Biya shaking hands during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Wednesday. Pope Leo XIV held a mass Friday in Douala, Cameroon in a stadium with an estimated 120,000 pe»»»

upi.com
Al Awsat 1h

Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz, but Trump Says Blockade on Iranian Ships and Ports Will Stay in Force

Iran said Friday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but President Donald Trump said the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragh»»»

english.aawsat.com
Sana 1h

EU to reactivate 1978 cooperation agreement with Syria

Brussels, April 17 (SANA) – The European Union plans to enhance cooperation with Syria by resuming official political contacts and reactivating a 1978 cooperation agreement, according to a document from the EU’s diplomatic service cited by Reuters. The document indicates that the EU will launch a h»»»

sana.sy
Bulgarian News Agency 1h

Korneliya Ninova Calls for “Defiant” Vote, Criticizes Campaign and Outlines Economic, Foreign Policy Proposals

Closing her election campaign in Haskovo on Friday, the leader of the Defiant Bulgaria National Movement party, Korneliya Ninova, called on all citizens to vote rationally rather than emotionally, and to remain defiant to the end, refusing to surrender or “sell out”. “We have proven over the years »»»

bta.bg
Gulf News 2h

Hormuz reopens: What Iran’s move means for oil and war

Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial shipping, marking a significant shift after weeks of disruption during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The move comes as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to be holding, raising cautious hop»»»

gulfnews.com
Sputnik 2h

Beirut Residents Return to Southern Suburbs After Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire Takes Effect

BEIRUT (Sputnik) - Residents of Beirut's heavily populated southern suburb were returning to their homes on Friday following the entry into force of a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a Sputnik correspondent said. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun a»»»

sputniknews.com
UPI 2h

Iran says Strait of Hormuz is open; oil prices fall 10% - UPI.com

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi welcoming Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir upon his arrival at the airport in Tehran, on Wednesday. Araghchi announced Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is open. Photo by Iranian Foreign Ministry/UPI. | License Photo April 17 (UPI) -- Iranian Foreign Mini»»»

upi.com
Bulgarian News Agency 2h

Bulgaria’s New Government Faces Critical Task of Reassessing Fiscal Policy, IMF Official Recommends

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slightly lowered its growth forecast for the Bulgarian economy by 0.3 percentage points to 2.8% amid the crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East, which in this regard has no greater impact than in other countries. However, the Fund has expressed conc»»»

bta.bg
Sputnik 2h

Trump Prohibits Israel From Bombing Lebanon

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Israel will end its bombardment campaign against Lebanon after being prohibited from doing so by the United States, President Donald Trump said on Friday. "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!! Thank»»»

sputniknews.com
The Peninsula 2h

UN: More than 38,000 women, girls killed in Gaza war by end of 2025

Geneva: Over 38,000 women and girls were killed in the Gaza war by the end of 2025, the UN estimated Friday, amounting to over half of the 71,000 deaths recorded by the territory's health ministry. "Between October 2023 and December 2025, more than 38,000 women and girls were killed in Gaza -- the »»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
UPI 3h

Australian soldier granted bail in war crimes case - UPI.com

Ben Roberts-Smith pictured in March 2022 outside federal court in Sydney during a defamation trial in which he unsuccessfully sued three former Fairfax group newspapers for carrying articles implicating him in war crimes in the Afghanistan war. File photo by Dan Himbrechts/EPA April 17 (UPI) -- Aus»»»

upi.com
Al Awsat 3h

Australia's Most Decorated Veteran Walks Free on Bail on War Crimes Charges

Australia’s most decorated living veteran, Ben Roberts-Smith, walked free on bail from a Sydney prison on Friday, 10 days after he was charged with war crimes in the killings of five people while serving in Afghanistan. Judge Greg Grogin granted Roberts-Smith bail in a Sydney court around five hour»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 3h

Israel Says Military Operation Against Hezbollah 'Still Not Complete'

Israel's defense minister said on Friday that the campaign against Hezbollah was not yet complete, just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into force in Lebanon. He also warned that if the fighting resumed, displaced residents returning to the country's war-torn south would have to evacuate again.»»»

english.aawsat.com
RT 3h

Cuban envoy to India cites Russia’s huge message to the world amid US blockade

Russia has sent an important message to the world by sending a ship with oil to Cuba last month as the US blockades the island, Havana’s envoy to New Delhi has said. Moscow shipped 100,000 tons of oil required for Cuba’s normal functioning after the US imposed restrictions, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguil»»»

rt.com
Gulf News 4h

Dubai: Is distance learning still an option? KHDA explains flexible return to schools

Dubai: Most schools across the UAE are set to welcome students back to classrooms from Monday, ending more than 40 days of distance learning introduced in response to regional conflict linked to the US-Israel Iran war. However, while campuses reopen, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said school tran»»»

gulfnews.com
TAP 4h

IMF maintains Tunisias growth projection for 2026 at 2.1% [تحديث 1]

Tunis, April 17 (TAP)- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) maintained Tunisia's growth projections for 2026 at 2.1% compared to pre-war forecasts (October 2025). In its Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia (April...»»»

Sputnik 4h

Iran Opens Strait of Hormuz for Duration of Lebanon Ceasefire

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that, in connection with the Lebanon ceasefire, passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is fully open for the duration of the truce. "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of »»»

sputniknews.com
Gulf News 4h

St. Regis, The Palm scales back operations as Dubai hotel begins refurbishment

Dubai: St. Regis, The Palm in Dubai confirmed Friday that parts of the property will be unavailable from mid-April as it begins refurbishment works. “As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering an exceptional luxury experience, we have embarked on a refurbishment project,” the hotel said in a m»»»

gulfnews.com
Business-review 4h

Teodora Tompea: From breaking news to storytelling, sustainability, and entrepreneurship

After 17 years in journalism, spanning local newsrooms, radio, and national television, Teodora Tompea is stepping into a new rhythm at Observator 16, where speed meets meaning and news reporting blends with storytelling. On March 16, she also hosted the 21st edition of the Business Review Awards G»»»

business-review.eu
The Peninsula 4h

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation warns over Palestinian prisoners

Jeddah: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed deep concern over the worsening conditions of more than 9,500 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, including women and children, in addition to detainees from Gaza whose numbers remain unknown. In a statement, the OIC warned of se»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Egypt Independent 4h

Egypt’s economic growth diminishes amid global commodity price shocks: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reaffirmed its deepening programmatic engagement with Egypt, stating that the $8.1 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) remains the cornerstone of the nation’s macroeconomic stability. In its latest assessment, the Fund emphasized that the program continues»»»

egyptindependent.com
The Peninsula 4h

London insurers launch $1 bn war cover for Hormuz shipping

London: London shipping insurers have agreed to provide $1 billion in extra coverage for vessels sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route paralysed by the Middle East war, in a statement seen by AFP on Friday April 17, 2026. Insurance firm Beazley said it would lead a "marine war»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Naharnet 4h

Israel says troops will remain in buffer zone extending 10 km from border

Israel's defense minister said on Friday that the campaign against the militant group Hezbollah was not yet complete, just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into force in Lebanon. "The ground maneuver into Lebanon and the strikes on Hezbollah have achieved many gains, but they are still not compl»»»

Gulf News 4h

Wizz Air says had problems with jet fuel supply in Italy

Milan: Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air has encountered some jet fuel shortages at three airports in Italy, its chief executive said Friday, following warnings about supplies because of the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. "We had problems because of a shortage of jet fuel in three Italian airp»»»

gulfnews.com
RT 5h

Lula says Trump policy creates problems for Americans

US President Donald Trump’s policy has ended up creating problems for Americans, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said, citing soaring energy prices linked to the war on Iran. Lula made the remarks in an interview with El Pais published on Thursday. “[Trump] is playing a very dange»»»

rt.com
Naharnet 5h

Aoun says ceasefire gateway for 'crucial' talks with Israel

President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that direct negotiations with Israel were crucial, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and an upcoming meeting between their leaders. "Direct negotiations are crucial... and a ceasefire is the gateway to proce»»»

Gulf News 5h

Etihad adds First suites, lie-flat seats on all India flights

Abu Dhabi: Travellers flying from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and Delhi in India will experience improved travel comfort. UAE’s national carrier Etihad Airways announced Friday that it plans to introduce the game-changing Airbus A321LR twice daily to these two Indian cities, complementing two daily wide-bo»»»

gulfnews.com
Ya Libnan 5h

Live Updates: Tense Israel-Lebanon ceasefire holds in potential boost for Iran war peace deal prospects – Ya Libnan

Share: The Lebanese army started reconstruction of some of the bridges bombed by Israel during its war with Hezbollah Here is the latest on Middle East war Hezbollah and Iran have indicated backing for the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but both say they’re poised with their “fingers on the »»»

Naharnet 5h

Macron and Starmer hold international summit on reopening the Strait of Hormuz

The leaders of France and the U.K. gathered dozens of countries — but not the United States — on Friday to push forward plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route choked off by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The Paris meeting is part of attempts by sidelined nations to ease the impact of »»»

Al Manar 5h

Israeli Media: Lebanese Return South of Litani Another Reminder of Broken Promises - Al-Manar TV Lebanon

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli Media: Lebanese Return South of Litani Another Reminder of Broken Promises 17-04-2026 14:12 PM People wave Hezbollah flags and an i»»»

english.almanar.com.lb
Naharnet 5h

Israel says military operation against Hezbollah 'still not complete'

Israel's defense minister said on Friday that the campaign against the militant group Hezbollah was not yet complete, just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into force in Lebanon. "The ground maneuver into Lebanon and the strikes on Hezbollah have achieved many gains, but they are still not compl»»»

TAP 5h

IMF maintains Tunisias growth projection for 2026 at 2.1%

Tunis, April 17 (TAP)- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) maintained growth projection for 2026 at 2.1% compared to pre-Iran war forecasts (October 2025).»»»

The Peninsula 6h

UN: Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees dead, missing in shipwrecks in 2025

Geneva: Last year was the deadliest on record for Rohingya refugees fleeing by sea, with deaths continuing to soar in 2026, the UN said Friday, after hundreds were lost in a shipwreck earlier this month. "In 2025, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Sputnik 6h

Oil Prices to Swing Wildly In $95-$120 Loop Amid US-Iran Standoff - Investor

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Global oil prices will fluctuate between $95 and $120 per barrel in the near future due to the Middle East conflict, Kyle Shostak, director of Navigator Principal Investors, told RIA Novosti. "My reading of the situation is that the Trump administration is hopeful that the bl»»»

sputniknews.com
Sputnik 6h

Mideast Chaos May Boost Northern Sea Route's Value - Korea Arctic Shipping Association

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The conflict in the Middle East, combined with the United States' blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, may ramp up interest in the Northern Sea Route, Subeom Choi, secretary general of the Korea Arctic Shipping Association, told RIA Novosti. "This crisis may strengthen global in»»»

sputniknews.com
RT 6h

US-Israeli war on Iran may spark global famine, charity founder warns

Disruptions to fertilizer supplies caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran risk triggering a multi-year food crisis globally, World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder Jose Andres has warned. Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have already driven up energy prices and rattled the global economy, disrupting»»»

rt.com
Gulf News 6h

Japan rallies Asian nations with $10b plan to counter supply risks

Dubai: In a move to address the growing concerns over global energy security, Japan has announced a major regional initiative aimed at protecting Asian economies from supply disruptions, particularly those linked to key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. During an online meeting held on »»»

gulfnews.com
Naharnet 7h

Fragile calm in Lebanon as truce holds and families head home

A fragile calm settled over parts of Lebanon on Friday as a 10-day ceasefire brokered by the United States took hold between Israel and Hezbollah, prompting thousands of displaced families to begin the journey home — even as uncertainty, destruction and Israeli warnings against going back to parts »»»