Syria says foiled attack on Israel by Assad remnants, Hezbollah
Syria's interior ministry said Sunday that security forces thwarted an alleged cross-border attack from the country's territory planned by remnants of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad and cells linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah. From March 2 until a 10-day ceasefire went into force on April 17, Hezbolla»»»
Trump lied seven times in one hour – Iran’s top negotiator
US President Donald Trump made seven claims in one hour after Tehran announced the temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and all of them are untrue, Iranian parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declar»»»
UDF Leader Rumen Hristov Votes for Higher Incomes
Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Montana, Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) leader Rumen Hristov said he is voting for the well-being of the Bulgarian people, for higher incomes and higher pensions. He noted that there should be an increase in the country's gross domestic prod»»»
French right divided over primary vote one year from presidential election
With the French presidential election just a year away, most parties are conducting internal polls to decide on their candidate. Les Républicains, led by Bruno Retailleau, are meeting this weekend to decide whether to hold a primary, amid criticism, particularly from Laurent Wauquiez, over reluctan»»»
'They are stealing the election': How Armenia became the next Russia-EU battlefield
Armenians are set to head to the polls in June for their parliamentary elections, which the EU and Russia are closely watching. With support for joining the bloc at an all-time high, this could be a sign that the former Soviet country is moving away from Moscow, one of its closest allies. But forei»»»
Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass No. 54: Vance’s VP dilemma – the poisoned chalice and taint of power
US Vice President J.D. Vance faces a classic bind: Loyalty to President Donald Trump ties him to a presidency that is bound to fail, yet distancing himself invites charges of disloyalty. Either course imperils his prospects of becoming the next president. His latest assignment as chief negotiator w»»»
Bulgaria heads to the polls for eighth general election in five years
Voters in Bulgaria headed to the polls Sunday for an eighth general election in five years, with ex-president Rumen Radev tipped to win on anti-corruption pledges. The election comes after unrest toppled Boyko Borissov’s rule and left the pro-European GERB party trailing. Bulgarians began head»»»
Electronic Government Ministry: 99.5% of Voting Machines Work Without Issues
Around 99.5% of voting machines are functioning without issues on election day, the Ministry of Electronic Governance said on Sunday. The Ministry reported that faults have been recorded in fewer than 1% of all devices, with technicians from Ciela Norma, the contractor responsible for machine maint»»»
Syria Foils Hezbollah Missile-Launching Operation
Syrian state media said Sunday that security forces thwarted a missile-launching operation by Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah from its territory. From March 2 until a 10-day ceasefire went into force on April 17, Hezbollah was battling Israel after drawing Lebanon into the Middle East war with»»»
UAE growth accelerates in early 2026 driven by banking and trade gains
Dubai: UAE economic growth accelerated in the early months of 2026, driven by expanding banking activity, rising foreign trade flows, and sustained investment momentum, according to official data and international reports. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply cli»»»
Slovakia May Block Ukraine's Accession to EU - Parliament's Deputy Speaker
BRATISLAVA (Sputnik) - Slovakia may block Ukraine's accession to the European Union if the energy conflict between Kiev and Bratislava escalates, Tibor Gaspar, the Slovak parliament's deputy speaker, told Sputnik. "Ukraine does not risk 'automatically losing EU support,' but it may face specific pr»»»
Dimitrieska-Kochoska meets World Bank officials: Support for reforms and development priorities confirmed
Skopje, 18 April 2026 (MIA) - Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska during the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) met with WB Vice President of the Europe and Central Asia region, Antonella Bassani, WB Group Executive Director repres»»»
GERB Rules Out Coalition Participation, Sees Low Chances for Government, Says Leader Boyko Borissov
After voting in Sofia's Bankya neighbourhood, GERB leader Boyko Borissov said his party will not take part in coalitions and will instead engage in talks on specific issues, particularly in geopolitics and defence, where it will act as a constructive opposition. According to him, the chances of for»»»
Israeli army carries out demolitions in Bint Jbeil, other towns
Israeli forces on Saturday carried out demolitions in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, the scene of intense fighting with Hezbollah prior to the recently agreed 10-day truce, Lebanese state media reported. "The Israeli enemy is repeating its house detonating operations in the town of Bint »»»
Crisis-hit Bulgaria votes in eighth election in five years
Sofia: Bulgaria on Sunday, April 19, 2026, held its eighth legislative election in five years, with ex-president Rumen Radev's grouping tipped to win on a pledge to fight corruption, after an anti-graft movement triggered a long political crisis. The European Union's poorest member has been through»»»
Among London and Beijing: Cairo hits Forbes’ top 10 inventive market list
In an astonishing occasion, Egypt came among the 10 finest places for startup businesses around the world, an info-graphic study – conducted by Brighton School of Business- concluded Cairo’s market has been emerging for the past 10 years, where entrepreneurial opportunities are best served to flour»»»
UK Ministers Back Starmer Amid Fresh Calls to Quit
British government ministers on Sunday backed embattled premier Keir Starmer as he struggles to shake off a scandal over long-time Jeffrey Epstein associate Peter Mandelson. Starmer is due to face lawmakers in parliament on Monday to explain how Mandelson was appointed Britain's ambassador to the U»»»
Hormuz turns into gunboat bargaining table as escalation risks mount
Dubai: The Strait of Hormuz is no longer a shipping lane — it is now a gunboat-enforced negotiating table. What unfolded over the past 36 hours has stripped away any lingering illusion that the waterway is returning to normal. A brief window of optimism — sparked by Iran’s signal that the strait wa»»»
Barghouti Remains Central Figure in Palestinian Politics After 24 Years in Prison
Twenty-four years after the arrest of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, now 67, and after long stretches in solitary confinement, he remains a central figure in Palestinian politics. His influence has outpaced that of other officials in decision-making roles, and he has topped Fatah elections in»»»
Skydiver Left Dangling When Parachute Snags on Stadium Video Board
A skydiver trailing a large American flag drifted off course and became tangled in the video board at a US college football game on Saturday, leaving him suspended above the field by his parachute until he was rescued. Viral videos from inside Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium, confirmed by Reuters»»»
Progressive Bulgaria Leader Rumen Radev: Today Bulgaria Has Historic Chance to Break with Oligarchic Model
Having cast his ballot in Sofia, Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev said: "Today Bulgaria has a historic chance to break once and for all with the Peevski-Borissov oligarchic model, and this is an opportunity we must not miss." He was referring to Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Delyan»»»
As Iran War Strains Ties with Trump’s US, UK Looks to Europe
Britain's government is set to announce legislation next month to move the country closer to the European Union, as the Iran war sours the UK's so-called special relationship with the United States. President Donald Trump's unpredictability and stream of insults towards America's historic ally is a»»»
Qatar sees record performance in Q4 as rental activity accelerates
Doha, Qatar: The rental market in Qatar witnessed a positive performance, supported by increased activity and continued demand, reflecting the sector’s vitality and stability. The rental market continued its upward trajectory last year with contract volumes rising across all quarters compared to 20»»»
Driving sustainable growth across The Pearl and Gewan Islands: UDC’s integrated ESG journey
As the master developer behind The Pearl and Gewan Islands, United Development Company (UDC) is shaping one of Qatar’s most distinctive urban destinations—where premium living, environmental responsibility, and community engagement are fully integrated. Across these flagship developments, UDC is ad»»»
Saudi Food Self-Sufficiency Shields Economy from Hormuz Crisis
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed global energy and food security to the brink. Saudi Arabia responded by positioning itself as a stabilizing force, turning its western coastline into a lifeline that not only protected its domestic market but also helped offset shortages in neighboring»»»
Medicine as an art: Story of a Kyrgyz woman who built a career in Dubai - | 24.KG
Aesthetic medicine in the United Arab Emirates is one of the most competitive and strictly regulated markets in the world. Becoming a leader in Dubai requires not only impeccable skills but also extensive international experience. This is precisely the path taken by Gulzhan Saipova, a cosmetologist»»»
On This Day, April 19: NASA's Ingenuity helicopter flies on Mars - UPI.com
On April 19, 2021, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter flew for 39 seconds on the surface Mars, the first powered aircraft to take flight on another planet. 1 of 6 | On April 19, 2021, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter flew for 39 seconds on the surface Mars, the first powered aircraft to take flight on another »»»
British Royals Choose Historian to Write Queen Biography
Britain's royal family said Sunday that historian Anna Keay would write an official biography of queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022 after over 70 years on the throne. King Charles III had wanted a woman to write the definitive account of his mother's life, according to British media. Ke»»»
Has Iran's ideology actually hardened?
Israel’s killings of Ali Larijani and Kamal Kharazi were meant to do more than remove two senior figures from the Islamic Republic’s political landscape. Within Tehran’s political and analytical circles, they were interpreted as an attempt to erase something less visible but more consequential: the»»»
How a tiny waterway put the global economy into a chokehold
In a 2020 survey of Americans, just over one in five could locate Iran on a map. With such a poor result for a Middle Eastern country that is roughly the size of the state of Alaska and twice the size of Texas, it is a safe wager that an even lower percentage of Americans would have ever heard of t»»»
Strait of Hormuz to Stay Closed Until Port Blockade Lifts, Iran Says
The crucial Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, Tehran said Saturday, as a top official warned that a final peace deal remained "far" off. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, said in a televised address that th»»»
Bulgaria Votes to Elect New Parliament
Bulgarians at home and abroad Sunday are voting to elect a new Parliament in what is the country's seventh snap vote since 2021. It is also the country’s 18th parliamentary elections since the start of democratic changes in 1989. Elections are held under the Election Code adopted in 2014 and last a»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
Could it be Goodbye Dubai, Hello Istanbul?
In many respects, despite three years of “orthodox” treatment, Turkey’s economy remains a basket case. But worse than that, from the point of view of the international investor, is that after 23 years of the Erdogan regime, no one trusts the Turkish courts. Make a major investment in Turkey and you»»»
French UNIFIL soldier killed in Lebanon, Hezbollah responsible, says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of a French UN peacekeeping soldier Saturday following an attack that also left three people wounded in southern Lebanon, saying that "everything suggests" Hezbollah being responsible for the attack. The Iran-backed group denied involve»»»
MESIS students shine at CBSE Class X examination
Tribune News Network Doha MES Indian School (MESIS) Abu Hamour Branch has once again upheld its tradition of academic excellence by achieving a remarkable 100 percent pass rate in the CBSE Class X Board Examination 2025–26. All 142 students who appeared successfully passed the examination. A total »»»
Qatar strengthens global role through strategic diplomacy
Khaled Al Hameidi Doha In a period defined by geopolitical tension, shifting alliances, and complex security challenges, Qatar has emerged as a central diplomatic force guided by the vision and leadership of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Through calm d»»»
Qatar, others issue joint statement on DRC-M23 humanitarian access, judicial protection protocol
Tribune News Network DOHA The governments of the State of Qatar, the United States of America, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), Switzerland, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Congo River Alliance (March 23 Movement), have issued a joint statement regarding the meetings »»»
Qatar and other parties issue joint statement on progress made in humanitarian access, judicial protection protocol between DRC and M23 Movement
DOHA: The the governments of the State of Qatar, the United States of America, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), Switzerland, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Congo River Alliance (March 23 Movement), have issued a joint statement regarding the meetings held from April »»»
EU must be ready to fight Russia without US by 2030 – Belgian defense chief
European nations have around four years to build up their defenses enough to deter a Russian attack without US backing, Frederic Vansina, Belgium’s Chief of the General Staff, has said. Moscow has dismissed speculation that it plans to attack NATO as nonsense. In an interview with Le Soir published»»»
France withdraws controversial anti-Semitism bill ahead of debate
French lawmakers linked to President Emmanuel Macron have withdrawn a controversial bill aimed at expanding anti-Semitism laws in the country, which had been set for debate in parliament on Thursday. The “law to combat renewed forms of anti-Semitism” was drafted in 2024 by a group of MPs led by Car»»»
Tunisia–Libya trade up 11% in 2025, economic partnership strengthens at Tripoli International Fair
Tunis, April 18 (TAP) - Trade between Tunisia and Libya posted an 11% increase in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching a total value of 2,892 million dinars, of which 2,469 million dinars represent Tunisian exports to the Libyan market, according to data...»»»
STB Bank: Individual net profit falls 20% in 2025
Tunis, April 18 (TAP) – STB Bank closed the year 2025 with an individual net profit of 65.9 million dinars, down 20% compared to the 2024 financial year, according to a press release issued Friday evening by the bank following its Board of Directors...»»»
Israel Intensifies Ceasefire Violations, Destroying and Burning Occupied Lebanese Villages
Israeli violations of the US-brokered ceasefire on the Lebanon front continue, as military operations and airstrikes persist against targets Israel claims are affiliated with Hezbollah. This has forced residents who had returned to some southern villages to leave again immediately, fearing a rapid »»»
CBE explains March 2026 inflation uptick amid rising food, service costs
Annual urban headline inflation accelerated to 15.2% in March 2026, up from 13.4% in February, according to the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). The increase was driven by rising food and non-food inflation, with food inflation climbing to 5.8% from 4.6%, while non-food inflation rose to 21.5% from 19.»»»
Spain's Sanchez, Brazil's Lula lead global gathering of left-wing leaders against far-right rise
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to co-chair a gathering of left-wing leaders in Barcelona on Saturday aimed at countering the rise of the far right and strengthening democratic institutions. The meeting brings together figures from acro»»»
Bayern close in on Bundesliga title as Dortmund lose
Berlin: Bayern Munich moved closer to the Bundesliga title after Borussia Dortmund fell to a 2-1 loss at Hoffenheim on Saturday, while pioneering Union Berlin coach Marie-Louise Eta lost on her debut in the dugout. Second-placed Dortmund's defeat leaves Bayern, who host Stuttgart on Sunday, 12 poin»»»