Back to school mode on in the UAE: All the key updates
Dubai: As schools across the UAE reopen their doors, families are once again slipping into familiar routines, from early morning alarms to last-minute school shopping. The return marks a renewed sense of normalcy after nearly 50 days of distance learning mandated amid regional tensions linked to th»»»
No Date Set for Next Round of Iran-US Talks, Says Iran Deputy FM
No date has been set for the next round of Iran-US peace talks brokered by Pakistan following the failure of an initial round, Iran's deputy foreign minister said on Saturday. "Until we agree on the framework, we cannot set a date," Saeed Khatibzadeh told journalists on the sidelines of an annual d»»»
France Blames Hezbollah for French Peacekeeper's Death in Lebanon
A French soldier was killed and three others wounded in an attack Saturday on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon that appeared to have been carried out by Hezbollah, French President Emmanuel Macron said. "Everything points to Hezbollah being responsible for this attack," he said on X, urging Lebanese auth»»»
The Iran War Has Revealed Trump's Pressure Point: The Economy
Seven weeks of war have failed to topple Iran’s theocratic rulers or force them to meet all of President Donald Trump's demands, but for US adversaries and allies it has cast a spotlight on one of his central vulnerabilities: economic pressure. Even with Iran’s announcement on Friday that it was re»»»
Israeli army says established 'Yellow Line' in Lebanon, as in Gaza
The Israeli military said Saturday it had established a "Yellow Line" demarcation in southern Lebanon, similar to the one separating its forces from territory still held by Hamas in Gaza, adding that it had already struck suspected militants approaching its troops along the line. "Over the past 24 »»»
Iran says no date set for next round of talks with US
No date has been set for the next round of Iran–U.S. peace talks brokered by Pakistan following the failure of an initial round, Iran's deputy foreign minister said on Saturday. "Until we agree on the framework, we cannot set a date," Saeed Khatibzadeh told journalists on the sidelines of an annual»»»
Khamenei says Iran's navy 'stands ready' to defeat US
A statement said to have been issued by Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned Saturday that Tehran's navy was ready to defeat U.S. forces, as the foes sparred over the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement carried on his Telegram channel, Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since before th»»»
US extends sanctions waiver on purchases of Russian oil
Washington, United States: US President Donald Trump's administration on Friday issued a month-long sanctions waiver allowing the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products that are at sea, extending an earlier move to soften surging energy prices. The license, issued by the Treasury Department, co»»»
GCC states flag global food supply risks, call for coordinated international response
Dubai: Several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have raised concerns over mounting risks to global food supplies, calling for a coordinated international action to safeguard supply chains amid ongoing global disruptions. The call has come during a meeting held at the Philippine Embassy in Rome»»»
GCC chief praises UAE role in IMO legal resolution
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, GCC Secretary-General, welcomed the resolution adopted by the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) during its 113th session, which strongly condemned Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as its attacks, threats against vessels in the r»»»
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Says There Will Be No Blockade of Strait of Hormuz
ANTALYA, Turkey (Sputnik) - The Strait of Hormuz is open for merchant shipping, with possible technical restrictions due to mines, but there is no blockade and there will not be one, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has said. "There is no uncertainty for us on this issue. I cannot »»»
Türkiye Says Israel Using Security as Pretext to Acquire 'More Land'
Türkiye's top diplomat on Saturday accused Israel of creating an international "illusion" and using security concerns as a pretext to seize "more land," in the latest flare-up in escalating tensions between the two regional powers. Israel and Türkiye have been trading near-daily diplomatic barbs ov»»»
Abdelatty: Egypt Working with Pakistan on Lasting US-Iran Peace Plan
Egypt is working closely with Pakistan on a framework aimed at securing a lasting peace between the US and Iran, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Saturday. He said Egypt, Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were coordinating a broader regional effort focused on preventing renewed escalatio»»»
Yemen: Houthi Infighting Exposes Deepening Fractures
Rising violence within Yemen’s Houthi movement is highlighting deep internal divisions, as competition over influence and resources intensifies amid growing isolation and public discontent, analysts and local sources say. Recent incidents point to a weakness in managing internal disputes, with clas»»»
Iran reimposes restrictions on Strait of Hormuz over US blockade: What to know
Iran has said it is reinstating strict controls over the Strait of Hormuz, reversing an earlier move to ease transit as tensions with the United States escalate over an ongoing naval blockade. Iran’s central military command said on Saturday it would return to “strict management” of the strategic w»»»
Pakistan military chief, PM head home after Iran war diplomacy blitz
Pakistan's powerful military chief and prime minister on Saturday concluded separate visits aimed at ending the Iran war, with Field Marshal Asim Munir leaving Tehran and premier Shehbaz Sharif headed home from Turkey. Munir met Iran's top leadership and peace negotiators during a three-day visit t»»»
Iran Partially Reopens Airspace After Security Review
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization has announced the partial reopening of the country’s airspace from 7:00 a.m. on April 18, following security and safety assessments. International transit routes through Iran's eastern airspace have now reopened, allowing foreign flights to pass through Iranian sk»»»
Turkiye says Israel using security as a pretext to acquire 'more land'
Antalya, Turkiye: Turkiye's foreign minister on Saturday accused Israel of using security as a pretext to acquire "more land". "Israel is not after its own security. Israel is after more land. Security is being used by the Netanyahu government as an excuse to occupy more land," Hakan Fidan told the»»»
Pakistani Army: Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran came as part of ongoing efforts to end the war in the Middle East - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Pakistani Army: Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran came as part of ongoing efforts to end the war in the Middle East 18-04-2026 10:»»»
‘If Blockade Continues, The Strait Will Not Remain Open’: Qalibaf Dismisses Trump’s Hormuz Claims
Iran’s parliament speaker has categorically refuted successive false claims made by US President Donald Trump regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the rules set by the Islamic Republic concerning transit through the strategic waterway. In a post on X on Friday, Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf wrote, “The US p»»»
Sharaa: Golan is Syrian Land, Any Other Status is Invalid
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said the Golan Heights are “occupied Syrian land” and that any recognition of Israeli sovereignty there would be “null and void,” stressing that the international community does not accept Israel’s claim. Speaking at the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Sharaa said Is»»»
Explainer: What to know about Strait of Hormuz reopening?
Tehran: Although the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the world's oil supply, has been declared fully open for commercial vessels, its operational status remains contested. Both Washington and Tehran confirmed on Friday that the strait had been completely open for all commercial vessels. Howe»»»
Australia, Japan ink multibillion dollar warship deal
Sydney: Japan agreed on Saturday on a deal to provide Australia's navy with the first of almost a dozen stealth frigates, part of a wider military build up by Canberra aimed at boosting its long-range firepower to deter China. Under the deal announced last year and billed as one of Japan's biggest »»»
Israeli Military Says Suspect Neutralized in West Bank
Israel's military said Saturday that a suspected militant carrying a knife had been "neutralized" at a settlement in the occupied West Bank. "Following the alert that was activated regarding a suspected terrorist infiltration in the community of Negohot, a terrorist armed with a knife was identifie»»»
Paramount's CinemaCon charm offensive gets lukewarm reception
Las Vegas: Paramount Skydance was on a charm offensive at CinemaCon this week, trying to convince theater owners that its megabucks deal to swallow Warner Bros. would be good for the industry. A glitzy promotional film narrated by Tom Cruise ended with the world's most bankable movie star sitting a»»»
On This Day, April 18: Patriot Paul Revere begins midnight ride - UPI.com
On April 18, 1775, U.S. patriot Paul Revere began his famous ride through the Massachusetts countryside, crying out "The British are coming!" to rally the minutemen. 1 of 5 | On April 18, 1775, U.S. patriot Paul Revere began his famous ride through the Massachusetts countryside, crying out "The Bri»»»
Pakistan PM, military chief complete three-country diplomatic tour aimed at Iran peace
Pakistan's powerful military chief and prime minister on Saturday concluded separate visits aimed at ending the Iran war, with Field Marshal Asim Munir leaving Tehran and premier Shehbaz Sharif headed home from Turkey. Munir met Iran's top leadership and peace negotiators during a three-day visit t»»»
Iran: Strait of Hormuz Will Only Open Under Conditions, Threatens Restrictions as Blockade Persists
Iran has confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz will only be open under specific conditions, while warning of navigation restrictions as long as the blockade continues. Reza Talaei, spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Defense, announced that the Strait will only be accessible if a ceasefire is in place a»»»
Pakistan's army chief concludes three-day visit to Iran: military statement
Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan's army chief completed a three-day visit to Tehran, the country's military said on Saturday, having met top Iranian leaders and negotiators as part of efforts to end the Middle East war. Field Marshal Asim Munir met several top Iranian leaders during the trip, which sh»»»
Strait of Hormuz reopening revives companies’ hopes amid fears of mines and chaos
London. April 18 (SANA) Shipping industry figures gave a cautious welcome Friday to Iran’s announcement that it was reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz trade route to commercial freight after nearly seven weeks closed. A spokesman for German transportation giant Hapag-Lloyd, which has ships stuc»»»
Myanmar release of Suu Kyi top ally spurs small democracy hope
Yangon, Myanmar: The release of Myanmar's putsch-ousted former president has piqued speculation about the fate of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but little optimism among citizens and analysts watching for a democracy comeback. "I don't expect much from this release," said one 50-year-old Yangon»»»
Trump says Iran peace deal could be reached ‘soon’ after Tehran reopens Hormuz Strait
Tehran's announcement on Friday that the critical Strait of Hormuz was reopen to commercial shipping for the remainder of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire was followed by a flurry of social media posts by US President Donald Trump suggesting that a peace deal could be reached "soon". But Iranian offici»»»
Trump says US blockade of Iranian ports will 'remain' if no deal reached
Aboard Air Force One: President Donald Trump said late Friday he planned to maintain a US blockade of Iranian ports if a peace deal with Tehran is not reached, adding that he may not extend the ceasefire after its expiration. Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday in the wake of a ceasefire d»»»
Business - European airlines could run out of jet fuel 'in six weeks'
European airlines could run out of jet fuel in six weeks' time. That's the stark warning from the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, who says passengers should expect fewer flights and higher prices. Carriers are already reducing their flight schedules ahead of the summer holiday»»»
Trump Hints at Resuming Attacks if Ceasefire with Iran Expires Without Deal
US President Donald Trump said the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain and attacks will resume if no agreement is reached with Iran, after Tehran said it had fully reopened the strait to commercial vessels but threatened to close it again over the US blockade. Asked by a reporter Friday ni»»»
US Would Extract Iran’s Enriched Uranium 'With Excavators' — Trump
President Donald Trump said the US could work “with Iran” to retrieve enriched uranium, suggesting it would be removed using “the biggest excavators you can imagine” and taken to the United States. Iran has rejected such a possibility.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran’s en»»»
Iran Rejects US Claims on Hormuz, Calls Them 'All False'
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the US president made “seven claims in one hour, all of which are false.” He said Washington “did not win the war with these lies” and “will not succeed in the negotiations either.”Ghalibaf warned that if the blockade continues, the Strait of »»»
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey is proposing a slew of new overland pipelines running out of the Gulf so that the world, currently hit by the Hormuz crisis, will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas supplies. As things stand, the onl»»»
Syria takes control of all former US military bases
Syrian government forces have taken control of Qasrak air base in the northeastern province of Hasakah following the withdrawal of the US-led international coalition, SANA reported on April 16 citing a statement issued by the Syrian defence ministry. »»»
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey is proposing a slew of new overland pipelines running out of the Gulf so that the world, currently hit by the Hormuz crisis, will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas supplies. As things stand, the onl»»»
Syria takes control of all former US military bases
Syrian government forces have taken control of Qasrak air base in the northeastern province of Hasakah following the withdrawal of the US-led international coalition, SANA reported on April 16 citing a statement issued by the Syrian defence ministry. »»»
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey is proposing a slew of new overland pipelines running out of the Gulf so that the world, currently hit by the Hormuz crisis, will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas supplies. As things stand, the onl»»»
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey is proposing a slew of new overland pipelines running out of the Gulf so that the world, currently hit by the Hormuz crisis, will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas supplies. As things stand, the onl»»»
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey is proposing a slew of new overland pipelines running out of the Gulf so that the world, currently hit by the Hormuz crisis, will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas supplies. As things stand, the onl»»»
Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping under ceasefire terms
Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels for the remainder of the two-week ceasefire with the United States, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X on April 17. "In line with the cease»»»
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey is proposing a slew of new overland pipelines running out of the Gulf so that the world, currently hit by the Hormuz crisis, will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas supplies. As things stand, the onl»»»
Kuwait citizenship purge tops 50,000 as new decree tightens revocation rules
Kuwait has stripped more than 50,000 people of their citizenship since September 2024, with campaigners saying the total could be as high as 250,000, as the government continues its sweeping nationality crackdown under a new decree published this week. »»»
Ankara proposes grand rewiring of Middle East energy export map amid Hormuz blockade
Turkey is proposing a slew of new overland pipelines running out of the Gulf so that the world, currently hit by the Hormuz crisis, will never again be cut off from sufficient oil and gas supplies. As things stand, the onl»»»
Syria takes control of all former US military bases
Syrian government forces have taken control of Qasrak air base in the northeastern province of Hasakah following the withdrawal of the US-led international coalition, SANA reported on April 16 citing a statement issued by the Syrian defence ministry. »»»
Syria takes control of all former US military bases
Syrian government forces have taken control of Qasrak air base in the northeastern province of Hasakah following the withdrawal of the US-led international coalition, SANA reported on April 16 citing a statement issued by the Syrian defence ministry. »»»