DOHA: Qatar Airways announced it is expanding its international flight network, with services to over 150 destinations from 16 June 2026, connecting more passengers to more of the world this summer. The carrier said in a press statement that the updated schedule, valid until 15 September 2026, intr»»»

Industrial and logistics infrastructure is a quiet enabler of modern economies — and a critical foundation for job creation. From manufacturing and e-commerce to export competitiveness, high-quality logistics networks underpin productivity, resilience, and integration into global value chains that »»»

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized US President Donald Trump, saying the US leader has "no right" to threaten other nations, in an interview published in Spain on Thursday. Lula's comments come after Trump this month warned that a "whole civilization will die" in Iran if the c»»»

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun will not hold a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the near future, three Lebanese officials told Reuters on Thursday, after US President Donald Trump said leaders of both countries would speak. Two of the Lebanese officials said that the Lebanese»»»

Bulgaria's President, Parliament Chair, caretaker Prime Minister and Patriarch, as well as magistrates, representatives of institutions and guests gathered for the celebration of Constitution Day at the Museum of the Bulgarian Revival and Constituent Assembly in Veliko Tarnovo on Thursday. This mar»»»

UAE schools are heading back to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, but the return looks different depending on which school your child attends. While some schools have told parents their campuses will not be opening on that date, others are requiring students who travel by private transport »»»

SCOR, a leading global reinsurer headquartered in Paris, offers its clients a diversified and innovative range of reinsurance and insurance solutions and services to control and manage risk. In 2025, the Group generated premiums of EUR 18.7 billionand serves clients in more than 150 countries throu»»»

Hungary’s incoming prime minister, Peter Magyar, has pledged to suspend the news operations of the state broadcaster following two tense interviews he gave on Wednesday. Magyar’s Tisza party secured a decisive victory in Sunday’s parliamentary election, effectively ensuring he will form the next go»»»

The EU spy campaign that helped bring down Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is a lesson to anyone who defies Brussels, former Slovak Interior Minister Vladimir Palko has warned. “What they did to Orban yesterday, they can do to you tomorrow,” he told the outlet ‘Marker’ on Monday. Orban’s Fide»»»

UAE schools are heading back to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, but the return looks different depending on which school your child attends. While some schools have told parents their campuses will not be opening on that date, others are requiring students who travel by private transport »»»

In our recently launched series of interviews dedicated to the MarComm industry, BR sat down with Dana Nae Popa, Owner & Managing Director pastel and President Asociatia pastel and talked about the agency celebrating 20 years, top moments during this time, clients and what they are looking for, tre»»»

Bamenda: Pope Leo XIV blasted the “handful of tyrants” who are ravaging Earth with war and exploitation, as he preached a message of peace Thursday in the epicentre of a separatist conflict considered one of the world’s most neglected crises. Leo travelled to the western Cameroon city of Bamenda, w»»»

In a new series of interviews launched today, BR set down with Roxana Memetea, Managing Director DDB, and talked about her wishes for 2026, both for the agency and the advertising industry, clients and what they are looking for, trends and many more. By Romanita Oprea How did you start the year / W»»»

Dubai/ Sharjah: As UAE schools prepare for the gradual return to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, some schools have informed parents they will not be reopening their campuses on that date — while certain schools have made physical attendance compulsory for students who travel by private tr»»»

His itinerary included Cugir, Alba County, and Bucharest, with the objective to assessing the potential for industrial partnerships with Romanian defense manufacturers and opening a series of bilateral discussions with relevant industry and institutional stakeholders. The visit has three concrete o»»»

Dubai: In a scenic lake-side resort in Geneva, miles away from Dubai, Indian reality star, model, and influencer Farhana Bodi logs in for our conversation with her usual polish and flourish. She was on a work trip for a luxury watch event and was naturally composed, camera-ready, and effortlessly g»»»

India is moving towards one of the most significant changes to its parliamentary structure since independence, with plans to expand the size of Parliament while reserving one-third of seats for women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pitched the move as a “historic step” to empower women and reshap»»»

Dubai: Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic and military outreach across the Middle East this week in a coordinated effort aimed at easing regional tensions, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif toured key Gulf capitals while the country’s army chief held high-level talks in Iran. The parallel engag»»»

SIGNAL IDUNA ASIGURARE REASIGURARE (life and health insurer) reported RON 376.7 million in gross written premiums, up 19% year-on-year. SIGNAL IDUNA ASIGURĂRI (general insurer) grew by RON 21% to 131.5 million, while GARANTA ASIGURĂRI (life and general insurer) increased by 9%, reaching RON 60.2 mi»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Treasury is launching Operation "Economic Fury" against Iran to maximize economic pressure on the country, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Thursday. "At the same time, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and our friends over at Treasury are launching Operation 'Econ»»»

Dubai: Etihad Airways has introduced a limited-time pricing offer for its Pets Onboard service, lowering the cost of travelling with cats and dogs in the cabin in response to rising demand from passengers. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The airline is offering the ser»»»

Dubai: Changing lifestyles, increased mobility, and the rise of hybrid work models are reshaping how families in the UAE and regionally approach education, prompting a clear shift towards more flexible and personalised learning models. While traditional schooling remains central, online and hybrid »»»

Neville Sandiford earned the Guinness World Record for the oldest competitive croquet player (male) when he participated in an August 2025 tournament at the age of 101 years and 262 days old. Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records April 15 (UPI) -- A New Zealand man who took up the game of croque»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways is expanding its international flight network, with services to over 150 destinations from June 16, 2026, connecting more passengers to various destination across the the world this summer. The updated schedule, valid until September 15, 2026, introduces new routes and in»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, a member of Qatar Foundation, will hold a concert this Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 7:30 pm at Katara Cultural Village, Opera House. Titled "Brass, Brilliance and Beethoven," the program highlights the richness of brass and wind instruments through sel»»»

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy has successfully test-fired a locally developed ship-launched anti-ship missile, accurately striking its target at extended range in a live exercise that underscores the country’s growing precision-strike capability and maritime deterrence. In a statement, the military said»»»

Washington, April 16 (SANA) The U.S. Treasury Department said on Wednesday it was strengthening sanctions on Iran’s oil sector, targeting 20 individuals and entities linked to the network of oil trader Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, amid restrictions by Tehran on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.»»»

These results validate Claret Credit’s development strategy, which focuses on strengthening the management team and digitalizing operations. In 2024, the company appointed Mircea Lupu as CEO, an executive with over 20 years of experience in the banking and non-banking financial sectors. Claret Cred»»»

Gold prices rose on Thursday as growing optimism about a possible end to conflicts in the Middle East calmed inflation worries and improved prospects for lower interest rates. Spot gold rose 0.5% to $4,815.15 per ounce by 0926 GMT, after rising to a one-month high in the previous session. US gold f»»»

The report highlights both operational pressures—particularly the shortage of skilled labor—and a shift in how companies plan their investments, with an increasingly clear focus on efficiency, infrastructure, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Long-term planning and the absorption of Euro»»»

More than a dozen people, including at least one child, have been killed in Russian missile and drone attacks on infrastructure and residential buildings in Kyiv and in other Ukrainian cities like Odesa and Dnipro overnight to Thursday. Several dozens of civilians were also injured in the assaults.»»»

Dubai: Turkish Airlines has reshaped its leadership structure, appointing a new chairman and chief executive as it moves to align management with its next phase of growth. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The airline named Prof. Murat Şeker as Chairman of the Board and »»»

Kyrgyzstan’s energy system is undergoing a deep transformation amid rising demand and deteriorating infrastructure. In an interview with 24.kg news agency, Kubatbek Rakhimov, an expert on infrastructure projects in Central Eurasia and head of Applicata Center for Strategic Solutions, explained why »»»

In the first quarter of 2026, the turnover of wholesale and retail trade, as well as automobile repair, in Kyrgyzstan amounted to 465,267.6 billion soms. Compared to 2025, this figure increased by 12.1 percent, the National Statistical Committee reported. Automobile market The most active growth wa»»»

Nuqi Gold, a DMCC-registered fintech entity, and Mawarid Finance, a UAE Central Bank–regulated institution, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch the GCC's first gold-backed co-branded card — a landmark step in ethical, asset-backed digital finance. The partnership brings togeth»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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 »»»