U.S. sanctions Iran shadow banking network as peace talks stall - UPI.com
The Treasury under Secretary Scott Bessent sanctioned 35 entities and individuals accused of operating as a sanctions-evasion banking network for Iran. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | License Photo April 29 (UPI) -- The United States has sanctioned 35 entities and individuals accused of overseeing a shad»»»
'Historic homecoming' as endangered antelopes flown to Kenya from Czech Republic zoo
'Historic homecoming' as endangered antelopes flown to Kenya from Czech Republic zoo 13 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on Google KWS/XThe mountain bongos sent from the Czech Republic will spend time building up their immunity before being introduced to the wild Four mountain bongos, a rare ty»»»
Spotlight - 'Over-dependence on military solutions: Mali struggling in its effort to regain peace and security'
François Picard is pleased to welcome Dr. Folahanmi Aina, Political Scientist and Lecturer in the Political Economy of Violence, Conflict and Development at SOAS London. As a researcher of global security and political dynamics, his analysis of Mali’s evolving crisis focuses on the interplay betwee»»»
France urges citizens to leave 'extremely volatile' Mali 'as soon as possible'
France on Wednesday called on its citizens to leave Mali "as soon as possible" following weekend of attacks on government targets in cities across the country launched by jihadists and Tuareg separatists. France on Wednesday urged its nationals in Mali to leave "as soon as possible", citing we»»»
Heavy rains threaten Bangladesh’s rice harvest
DHAKA: Heavy pre-monsoon rainfall and surging upstream flows from India have swollen rivers in northeastern Bangladesh, threatening vast areas with flooding during the crucial summer rice harvest, officials said on Wednesday. Despite relentless rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, farmers have b»»»
West Bank tensions rise as former Mossad chief warns of ‘existential threat’ to Israel
DUBAI: Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo has issued a stark warning about the situation in the occupied West Bank, condemning what he describes as escalating violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Speaking on Monday during a visit to Palestinian villages alongside former officials includi»»»
France calls on nationals to leave Mali ‘as soon as possible’
PARIS: France on Wednesday urged its nationals in Mali to leave “as soon as possible,” citing weekend attacks by jihadists and Tuareg separatists and an “extremely volatile” security situation. “Travel to Mali is still strongly discouraged, regardless of the reason,” the foreign ministry said in it»»»
Kosovo heading for another early election in a prolonged political crisis
PRISTINA: Kosovo is heading for its third parliamentary election in over a year after lawmakers repeatedly failed to elect a new president, pushing the young Balkan nation into renewed political uncertainty. Parliament, which is tasked with choosing the presidents of Kosovo, on Tuesday faced a dead»»»
Man, 89, faces charges over court, social security office shootings
An elderly man accused of barging into a court complex and a social security office with a shotgun and lightly injuring five civil servants appeared before a prosecutor in Athens Wednesday to be formally charged. The 89-year-old, who was arrested in the western port city of Patra hours after Tuesda»»»
WWF Greece calls for urgent wildfire prevention ahead of season
WWF Greece on Wednesday urged authorities to strengthen wildfire prevention and improve coordination as the country enters its annual fire season, warning that the success of new policies will hinge on swift implementation. The environmental organization welcomed a new legal framework, “Active Batt»»»
Adidas reports higher profits but warns of 'volatile' climate
Frankfurt: German sportswear giant Adidas on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, reported strong growth in quarterly profits as sales rose in key markets, but warned of a "very volatile" and highly competitive retail environment. The maker of Gazelle and Samba trainers said net profit attributable to shareh»»»
Lebanese Labor Ministry: Civil Defense Attack Is ‘Crime Against Humanity’
Lebanon’s Labor Ministry has condemned the targeting of Civil Defense personnel as a crime against humanity, saying the attack is a desperate attempt to break the resilience of the Lebanese people. In an immediate response to the strike, which hit emergency teams while they were performing rescue o»»»
Saudi Envoy Says Adherence to Taif Accord is Key to Any Settlement in Lebanon
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari said adherence to the 1989 Taif Agreement is the backbone to any settlement in Lebanon, alongside the need to reinforce civil peace and prioritize wisdom and reason. Bukhari made the remarks during visits to Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, Deputy Hea»»»
53 healthy cities across GCC reflect shift toward human well-being: GCC-Stat
MUSCAT: Data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) indicate that the number of Healthy Cities across GCC countries has reached 53, reflecting the continuous expansion in adopting the Healthy Cities concept as an integrated frame»»»
DIFC adds 775 firms as Dubai’s finance hub pulls in global capital
Dubai: Dubai International Financial Centre added 775 new companies in the first three months of 2026, marking one of its strongest starts to a year and signalling that global financial firms, family offices and wealth managers are still expanding in Dubai despite wider market uncertainty. Sign up »»»
Are you eligible for $200 aid as an OFW in the UAE? Here’s what to know
Dubai: Filipino workers in the UAE who have been affected by job losses, reduced working hours, or unpaid leave due to ongoing tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran may be eligible for a one-time financial assistance of $200 or about Dh730. The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) h»»»
QSE Index opens higher
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index recorded gains of 13.55 points, or 0.13%, at the start of Wednesday’s trading, to reach 10,636 points, supported by three sectors. Data from QSE showed positive performance in the Transportation sector by (+0.53%), Telecoms (+0.24%), and Banks and Finan»»»
Israeli envoy says int'l support for Lebanon must not depend on 'empty statements'
Ambassador Danny Danon said it’s impossible to talk about peace in Lebanon without mentioning Hezbollah. “Hezbollah is not just set on Israel’s destruction. It is Lebanon’s greatest obstacle to sovereignty. It has weakened the Lebanese government,” he told a ministerial meeting of the U.N. Security»»»
PM Says He Was Informed of "Shocking Losses" at State-Run People's Store Chain
At the start of a Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov spoke of major losses at the People's Store chain. "Agriculture Minsiter Ivan Hristanov informed me of shocking losses at the People's Store chain, which was established as a political alibi. The shel»»»
Pentagon warns US lacks protection against modern Chinese and Russian missiles
The United States will struggle to defend itself against advanced missile systems developed by China and Russia, senior Pentagon officials told lawmakers as they called for funding for the proposed Golden Dome missile defense program. President Donald Trump unveiled the initiative shortly after tak»»»
Iran slams US seizure of two oil tankers as ‘piracy’
Iran has condemned the US seizure of two tankers carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean, calling the confiscation of 3.8mn barrels of crude an example of “US addiction to lawlessness” and the “outright legalisation of piracy” as Washington presses ahead with its naval blockade, IRNA rep»»»
Asian stocks gain and oil prices decline after the UAE says it will exit OPEC
Stocks mostly advanced in Asia on Wednesday despite losses on Wall Street, while oil prices fell after the United Arab Emirates said it would leave OPEC in a blow to the powerful oil cartel. U.S. futures edged higher. Markets in Japan were closed for a holiday. Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea's Kosp»»»
‘I love Nancy Ajram,’ Billie Eilish says of Lebanese superstar
DUBAI: Ten-time Grammy-winning US singer Billie Eilish has once again declared her love for Lebanese superstar Nancy Ajram. In a recent interview with Elle magazine, the 24-year-old artist said she has “always been really inspired by Arabic singers — my dad and I have bonded over our love for Arabi»»»
As population surges, Kyrgyzstan’s schools buckle
BISHKEK: When his son’s school in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek started the year without a maths teacher, Azamat Bekenov and his fellow parents had to take to social media themselves to try to find a candidate. Grappling with a surging young population, underfunding, outdated textbooks, overcrowded »»»
Russia attacks port infrastructure in Ukraine’s south, hits hospital
Russia has attacked port infrastructure in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region with drones in overnight strikes that also damaged residential buildings and a hospital and left two people wounded, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday. Regional Governor Oleh Kiper, writing on Telegram, said the attack»»»
Military charges Indonesian soldiers in acid attack on activist
JAKARTA: Military prosecutors on Wednesday indicted four Indonesian soldiers on charges including premeditated assault for their alleged role in an acid attack on an activist critical of the armed forces’ perceived expanding role in government. Andrie Yunus of the KontraS rights group, suffered ser»»»
Hezbollah, president clash over Israel talks deepens Lebanon divide
With President Joseph Aoun pushing for direct talks with Israel while Hezbollah rejects them, the country is once again at an impasse after a verbal spat between its leader and the Iran-backed movement. Lebanon has officially been at war with Israel since 1948, making direct negotiations taboo unti»»»
Israeli military contractor killed by drone strike in south Lebanon
A brief statement by the Israeli army said a civilian employee of an engineering company, who was working with the military on projects in southern Lebanon, died in a drone attack. Despite a ceasefire in Lebanon, Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants have been intermittently attacking each other i»»»
SABIC swings to net profit of $3.5m in Q1
RIYADH: Saudi Basic Industries Corp. returned to profit in the first quarter if 2026, posting net earnings of SR13.2 million ($3.52 million) compared with a SR1.21 billion loss a year earlier. In a filing on the Saudi Exchange, the Riyadh-based chemical producer, also known as SABIC, said its adjus»»»
Chevron and Libya’s National Oil Corporation sign MoU to evaluate shale oil and gas resources - estimated at 18 billion barrels and 123 trillion cft
Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday with American oil giant Chevron to conduct a joint study to evaluate the potential of unconventional shale oil and gas resources in several sedimentary basins within Libya. According to the MoU, the study wi»»»
Athens airport police arrest luggage thief
A man has been arrested at Athens International Airport for preying on travelers and stealing their luggage, police said Wednesday. The 20-year-old suspect was taken into custody late Monday, heading for the airport suburban rail station with two items of luggage that he had allegedly just stolen f»»»
EU finds Meta failing to keep under-13s off Facebook, Instagram
Brussels, Belgium: The EU said on Wednesday Meta is failing to prevent children under 13 using Facebook and Instagram, potentially exposing them to inappropriate content -- and putting the tech giant at risk of a massive fine. The European Union has in recent months stepped up efforts to protect ch»»»
Officials Exert Efforts to Unify Lebanon’s Stance on Negotiations with Israel
Efforts are underway to unify Lebanon’s position on negotiations with Israel amid disagreements on how to approach the issue, particularly as Hezbollah objects to the process and wages what critics describe as a systematic campaign against President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, even »»»
Khorfakkan bridge demolition marks start of landmark project
The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) has begun demolition works on the southern entrance bridge to Khorfakkan as part of a broader plan to upgrade the city’s urban landscape. The authority said the move is a preparatory step for the construction of the Khorfakkan University Tower, a lan»»»
Part of Osh city left without water after heavy rains - | 24.KG
Water supply interruptions were reported in the city of Osh following overnight rainfall. According to the municipal enterprise Oshshaarsuukanal, a mudflow occurred near the Papan villages, causing a sharp increase in turbidity in Ak-Buura River, which feeds the Papan Reservoir. Due to this, water »»»
Investors required to report: Kyrgyzstan tightens project oversight - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan amended Resolution No. 115 of March 3, 2023, regulating the transfer of certain rule-making powers to state and local government bodies. The amendments were adopted as part of the implementation of the investment law and are aimed at strengthening oversight of»»»
Bishkek City Hall updates municipal fleet with new vehicles, bicycles - | 24.KG
Municipal services in Bishkek have received new equipment, including official cars and bicycles. The keys were handed over to department heads by Mayor Aibek Dzhunushaliev. He congratulated municipal workers on the City Day and emphasized the importance of coordinated work of all city services. The»»»
Al-Manar correspondent: Enemy drones targeted a motorcycle in the town of Kfra - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar correspondent: Enemy drones targeted a motorcycle in the town of Kfra 29-04-2026 10:52 AM Latest News Urgent News Al-Manar corresp»»»
Slight rise in temperatures 21–36°C
Tunis, April 27(TAP)-The weather will feature scattered rain in the morning over the northern coastal regions, followed by partly cloudy skies across most areas. These showers may later extend to some eastern regions, with possible hail in certain...»»»
Meta faces huge EU fine over under-13s on Facebook and Instagram
Brussels: The EU said on Wednesday Meta is failing to prevent children under 13 using Facebook and Instagram, potentially exposing them to inappropriate content - and putting the tech giant at risk of a massive fine. The European Union has in recent months stepped up efforts to protect children onl»»»
Detained suspects identified as southern Athens burglars
Three people, two of whom are already in prison awaiting trial on separate charges, have been identified as being behind a string of burglaries in southern Athens that netted more than €300,000, authorities said Wednesday. A police statement said the third suspect had also been arrested on suspicio»»»
Spanish PM's ex-top aide takes stand at graft trial
Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's former right-hand man takes the stand on Wednesday as a key suspect in a corruption trial that has cast doubt on the Socialist-led government's future. The trial of Jose Luis Abalos is just one of several investigations into alleged corruption by Sanch»»»
TotalEnergies reopens Saudi refinery closed after attacks
Paris, France: French oil giant TotalEnergies said Wednesday that it had restarted its Satorp refinery in Saudi Arabia in mid-April, after the facility had been shut down following damage sustained in airstrikes during the Middle East regional tension. "Following the events of April 8, which affect»»»
Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Details of New Gaza Proposal
Asharq Al-Awsat has obtained details of a new proposal drafted by representatives of the Board of Peace, including the board’s high representative, Nickolay Mladenov, mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, as well as the United States, concerning the Gaza Strip, particularly on the issue of disar»»»
Prime minister holds telephone conversation with Iraqi prime minister designate
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister designate of the Republic of Iraq HE Ali Faleh Al Zaidi. At the beginning of the call, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs con»»»
Modon’s Tara Park on Reem Island sells out with Dh2 billion in sales
Modon has announced the sell-out of Tara Park, a residential development on Reem Island, with the project generating approximately Dh2 billion in sales. The milestone reflects strong investor confidence and sustained demand, underscoring the emirate's growing position as a global safe-haven investm»»»
CHERY unveils TIGGO V at Auto China 2026
Doha, Qatar: CHERY introduced its all new TIGGO V at Auto China 2026, marking the global debut of a multi functional family vehicle that combines the capabilities of an SUV, MPV, and Pickup in a single model. Built on a scenario driven design philosophy, the TIGGO V offers three operating modes, a »»»
Researchers: Tropical Forest Loss Eases After Record Year
The pace of tropical forest destruction slowed in 2025 after record losses the year before but remained at worrying levels equivalent to 11 football fields per minute, researchers said Wednesday. The world lost 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres) of tropical primary rainforest last year -- do»»»
Relatively hot weather, chance of light rain and strong winds expected: Met department
DOHA: Weather inshore until 6pm on Wednesday will be relatively hot to hot and partly cloudy, with a chance of light rain at places at times, according to the Department of Meteorology’s daily forecast. Offshore conditions will also be partly cloudy with a chance of light rain, while strong winds a»»»
Syria proposes regional center to combat red palm weevil at UAE meeting
Abu Dhabi, April 29 (SANA) Syria’s agriculture minister on Tuesday called for the creation of a regional center to combat the red palm weevil, a pest that threatens date palm production across the region. Speaking at a ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr said the propo»»»