The Peninsula 5m

Amir receives message from Rwanda President

Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a written message from HE Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, concerning the bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to support and develop them. The message was received by Minister of Interior and Comma»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Al Awsat 38m

Türkiye ‘Optimistic’ Middle East Ceasefire Will Be Extended, Says FM

Türkiye said it remained "optimistic" that a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States set to expire on Wednesday would be extended. "No one wants to see a new war break out when the ceasefire expires next week. We hope ... the parties will extend the ceasefire," Foreign Minister Hakan »»»

english.aawsat.com
Bulgarian News Agency 40m

Prime Minister Gurov Votes for Ideas and Policies

Casting his vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Blagoevgrad, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said he voted for a country in which entering parliament is done with ideas and policies, not with bundles of cash. Gurov said he voted for a state in which politicians govern with decency and»»»

bta.bg
The Peninsula 56m

Minister of Education visits QF’s Qatar Academy Al Khor

Visit underscores academic programs and a strong focus on values and cultural identity Doha, Qatar: Minister of Education and Higher Education, HE Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, visited Qatar Foundation’s Qatar Academy Al Khor, where she was welcomed by Dr. Aisha Al Muqbali, Director Ge»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Sana 1h

Syria officials discuss financial sector reforms with IMF, World Bank

Washington, April 19 (SANA) Syria’s finance minister and central bank governor held talks with international financial institutions on steps to support reforms and develop the country’s financial and banking sectors. Finance Minister Mohammed Yasser Barnieh and Central Bank Governor Abdulkader Husr»»»

sana.sy
Sputnik 1h

Russian Response to NATO Actions in Arctic Will Not Take Long - Deputy Foreign Minister

MOSCOW 19 (Sputnik) - Russia's response to NATO's challenges in the Arctic will not take long as it has "enough opportunities," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in an interview with Sputnik. "Our response to these challenges will not be long in coming. We have enough opportuni»»»

sputniknews.com
Sputnik 1h

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»»»

sputniknews.com
Gulf News 1h

Pakistan rolls out Hajj flights with enhanced facilities

Dubai: Pakistan has begun its Hajj flight operation, with the first pilgrims departing for Saudi Arabia as authorities roll out enhanced facilities for the annual pilgrimage, Dawn reported. Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said the government was providing pilgrims with the “best p»»»

gulfnews.com
Egypt Independent 1h

Economic reforms boost ability to handle regional shocks, attract investment

Planning and Economic Development Minister Ahmed Rostom confirmed that economic reform has enhanced the state’s ability to manage the repercussions of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and stressed that the government is continuing reforms to achieve macroeconomic stability and development f»»»

egyptindependent.com
MIA 1h

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»»»

mia.mk
Naharnet 1h

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 »»»

Al Awsat 2h

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 2h

IMF, World Bank Meetings Show Limits in Mitigating Shocks, Reliance on US for Solutions

Global finance leaders, whipsawed by Middle East war news, came to grips this past week with their inability to mitigate the economic damage from increasingly frequent geopolitical shocks, and a realization that counting on US leadership to resolve crises is no longer the guarantee it had long been»»»

english.aawsat.com
MIA 2h

Nikoloski: Skopje and Ohrid airports regional leaders, confirmed by international media

Skopje, 18 April 2026 (MIA) - The Skopje and Ohrid airports are leaders in the region, as confirmed by international media. Skopje International Airport remains the regional leader with a 32 percent increase compared to the same period last year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Alek»»»

mia.mk
Gulf News 2h

Fire razes 1,000 'stilt' homes in Malaysia's Sabah, thousands displaced

Kuala Lumpur: A huge fire destroyed about 1,000 makeshift homes, many of them built on stilts over water, and displaced thousands of people in a coastal village in Malaysia's Sabah state on Sunday, authorities said. The blaze broke out early on Sunday morning in a "water village" in Sandakan distri»»»

gulfnews.com
Gulf News 2h

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»»»

gulfnews.com
Libya Herald 2h

Jumhuria bank announces its Palm Payment service

Jumhouria Bank, Libya’s biggest bank, has announced its Palm-scan Payment service. The launch was announced during the bank’s participation at the 52 Tripoli International Fair, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Jumhouria bank said the launch comes as part of its wider policy and the Cent»»»

libyaherald.com
Middle East Observer 2h

Malawi’s Minister of Health visits EIPICO Pharmaceuticals factories

•• Malawi Minister of Health: A new phase of cooperation with EIPICO has now begun, because what we saw in the company exceeds any expectation or perception. •• Dr. Olfat Ghorab: Acdima companies are the strong arm of the state in providing medicine to Africa as well. •• Dr. Ahmed Kilani: An import»»»

Al Awsat 2h

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
Gulf News 2h

Hajj 2026: Kaaba works finished, first pilgrim flights land in Jeddah

Routine maintenance work at Islam’s holiest site has been completed to the highest international standards, Saudi authorities said, as the Kingdom simultaneously began welcoming the first wave of pilgrims for the upcoming Hajj season. The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the P»»»

gulfnews.com
Naharnet 2h

Aoun, Salam discuss readiness for Israel talks

Lebanon's president and prime minister have discussed preparations for the first direct negotiations with Israel in decades. In a statement, the office of President Joseph Aoun said he and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam conducted "an assessment of the post-ceasefire phase and the ongoing efforts to con»»»

Naharnet 3h

Iran says final deal still far off as Hormuz Strait shuttered

The strategic Strait of Hormuz was again closed on Sunday in the stand-off between Iran and the United States, with Iran's powerful parliament speaker signalling a final peace deal remained "far" off despite some movement in negotiations. As mediation efforts continued following high-level talks in»»»

Al Awsat 3h

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
Bulgarian News Agency 3h

Foreign Ministry: No Reports of Problems with Voting Abroad

Deputy Foreign Minister Radi Naidenov told a briefing on Sunday that no problems with voting abroad had been reported. The Foreign Ministry aims to organize fair elections, he said. There are 493 voting sections for Bulgarians in 55 countries. The most numerous voting sections abroad have been open»»»

bta.bg
Middle East Observer 4h

Forum aimed at improving education

Ministry of youth has held a national dialogue forum, entitled “With the power of its youth, Long Live Egypt”, chaired by Minister Khalid Abdel Aziz and under the auspices of President El-Sisi. Its second phase saw holding 61 forums in universities and institutes across different governorates to gi»»»

Gulf News 4h

Hezbollah warns truce with Israel cannot be one-sided, tensions remain high

Beirut: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem asserted on Saturday that the current 10-day truce with Israel cannot be a unilateral arrangement. According to a report by Al Jazeera, Qassem vowed that his fighters are prepared to retaliate against any Israeli strikes targeting Lebanese territory. In his init»»»

gulfnews.com
UPI 4h

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 »»»

upi.com
Gulf News 5h

Ceasefire clock ticks as Iran declares victory over US

Tehran: Iran had been "victorious in the field" during weeks of war and had only agreed to a temporary truce with the United States because its demands had been met, the Iranian parliamentary speaker said on Saturday. The two-week ceasefire is set to end Wednesday unless it is renewed, with a perma»»»

gulfnews.com
Al Awsat 5h

Iran Says Final Deal Still Far off as Hormuz Strait Shuttered

The strategic Strait of Hormuz was again closed on Sunday in the stand-off between Iran and the United States, with Iran's powerful parliament speaker signalling a final peace deal remained "far" off despite some movement in negotiations. As mediation efforts continued following high-level talks in»»»

english.aawsat.com
The Peninsula 5h

Qatar stresses trust, dialogue in global mediation efforts at Antalya Forum

Antalya: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi participated in a high-level session on the sidelines of the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) titled, “Emerging Partnerships in International Mediation for Peace.” In remarks delive»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Al Majalla 5h

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»»»

en.majalla.com
Al Majalla 5h

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»»»

en.majalla.com
France24 5h

Europe's far right leaders gather in Milan rally against immigration

Several thousand people gathered in Milan on Saturday for a large rally attended by several European far-right leaders who spoke on immigration, security, and against EU regulations. Far-right leaders from Europe gathered in Milan Saturday for a rally attended by thousands against irregular immigra»»»

france24.com
Al Awsat 6h

US Renews Russian Oil Waiver for a Month to Curb Global Energy Prices

Washington renewed on Friday a waiver allowing countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil at sea for about a month, even as lawmakers accused the government ‌of going easy on Moscow as its war on Ukraine grinds on. The Treasury Department's waiver lets countries purchase Russian oil and petroleum prod»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 6h

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
BNE 12h

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»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 12h

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»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 12h

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»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 12h

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»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 12h

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»»»

intellinews.com
France24 12h

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»»»

france24.com
BNE 13h

Bulgaria vote set to deliver Radev win but no clear majority

Bulgaria’s former president Rumen Radev is on course to win a snap parliamentary election on April 19, according to a new opinion poll, in what could mark a political breakthrough after years of instability. A survey by Ma»»»

intellinews.com
Jordan Times 13h

Aqaba Railway project: a transformational venture for Jordan’s economy

AMMAN — Jordan’s ambitious Aqaba Railway is not just a transportation initiative, it is a defining moment in the country's future economic growth, experts said, highlighting the mega project’s pivotal role in Jordan's broader economic strategy.Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and UAE Vice President, Dep»»»

jordantimes.com
Qatar Tribune 13h

Mediation a responsibility and effective tool for conflict resolution: Dr Al Khulaifi

QNA Antalya Mediation is not viewed as a matter of media visibility or international competition, but rather as a responsibility and an effective tool for conflict resolution, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi has said. Speaking »»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 13h

PM meets Turkish FM, head of Libya’s National Unity Govt, stresses positive response to mediation efforts

QNA Antalya Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye Hakan Fidan, on the sidelines of the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, on Saturday. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations a»»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 13h

Qatar condemns attack on UNIFIL Patrol in southern Lebanon

Amir greets Benin’spresident-elect The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of congratulations to Romuald Wadagni on his victory in the presidential elections in the Republic of Benin, wishing him success in his duties and further progress and development in the bilateral »»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 13h

Qatar Charity inaugurates its newservice complex in eastern Ghana

QNA Accra Qatar Charity (QC) inaugurated a new service complex in North Tongu District in eastern Ghana, comprising a school, mosque, teachers’ accommodation and a borehole providing clean drinking water, benefiting more than 2,000 people, with support from donors in Qatar. The inauguration took pl»»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 13h

Trust remains ‘essential currency’ of effective mediation: Al Khulaifi

QNA Antalya Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi has underscored that trust remains the cornerstone of effective mediation, describing it as the “essential currency” required to advance peace efforts and resolve conflicts. Speaking »»»

qatar-tribune.com
RT 15h

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu was tunned when Donald Trump “prohibited” strikes in Lebanon, Axios says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his advisers were caught off guard and “stunned” when US President Donald Trump said he would not allow Israel to conduct further strikes in Lebanon, Axios reports, citing two people familiar with the matter. On Friday, Trump said the US had “prohibited»»»

rt.com
RT 15h

Slovakia said it will sue the EU over a ban on Russian gas imports

Slovakia will file a lawsuit with the EU’s Court of Justice challenging the bloc’s decision to ban imports of Russian gas, Prime Minister Robert Fico has said. In January, the EU formally approved a plan to phase out Russian pipeline gas by 2027, overriding vetoes from Slovakia and Hungary. “We obj»»»

rt.com