In Bangladesh, thousands of Russian engineers build first nuclear plant — and ‘Little Russia’
ROOPPUR: When Artem Matyukhin left his home city near the Ural Mountains for a job in riverine Bangladesh three years ago, even those closest to him struggled to understand the decision. But he has never regretted it, and will soon see the fruits of his work: a 2.4-gigawatt nuclear power plant. “Wh»»»
Media Organizations Call on Israel to Allow Foreign Reporters Independent Access to Gaza
The leaders of major media companies around the world, including The Associated Press, are calling on Israel's government to lift a ban keeping foreign journalists from being able to independently enter and report from Gaza, a barrier that's been in place since the war's start in 2023 and continues»»»
Lebanese Defense Minister: Talks With Israel Aimed at Peace, Not Surrender or Trade-Offs
Lebanon’s Defense Minister, Major General Michel Menassa, said on Thursday that his country had entered negotiations for peace, not for surrender or trade-offs. The state-run National News Agency quoted Menassa as saying, during a meeting with Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Sami Abi al-Muna in Verdu»»»
The Italian government is reportedly investigating the Venice Biennale over Russia’s participation
Italy’s Culture Ministry is investigating the Venice Biennale, the world's most prestigious art festival, after event organizers announced that Russia would be allowed to return to the event after a 4 year ban, Italian media reported on Wednesday. Russia’s group exhibition, “The tree is rooted in t»»»
White House Officials to Travel to Venezuela for Oil, Mining Agreements - Reports
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - White House officials are set to visit Venezuela today to announce several agreements that could create opportunities for oil and mining companies to operate in the country, Politico reported on Thursday, citing sources. The memorandums of understanding could help increase ex»»»
Anytime enters full commercial rollout in Romania, accelerating its growth as a digital insurer
Over the past year, the company focused on building its local operational structure, strengthening its team, adapting its business model to the specific needs of the Romanian market, and validating its proposition through an initial phase of market presence and controlled commercial activity. With »»»
Oil hits 4-year high on Hormuz Strait, fresh U.S. military action fears - UPI.com
A gas station in Berlin, Germany, displays the latest per liter prices for petrol, diesel and LPG on Thursday after oil prices on global markets surged to their highest level since 2022. Photo by Filip Singer/EPA April 30 (UPI) -- Oil prices briefly topped $126 a barrel in Asian trade overnight as »»»
Ta’alouf program drives inclusive education at Abu Dhabi School
Dubai: Amal Mohammed Al Mansoor, principal of a private school in Abu Dhabi, has described the Ta’alouf program as a defining milestone in her educational journey, helping reshape her approach to inclusive learning and student support. The year-long academic program equips educators and parents wit»»»
Dubai Miracle Garden to offer free entry for families on weekdays
Dubai: Dubai Miracle Garden, the world's largest natural flower-themed garden, is preparing to wrap up its Season 14 with a farewell celebration throughout the month of May. As the garden begins its seasonal transition and preparations for the next Season 15, visitors are invited to make the most o»»»
US seeks ‘maritime freedom’ coalition to restart Hormuz traffic
WASHINGTON: The United States is launching an international coalition to restart shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, an official confirmed Thursday, as the vital waterway remains largely cut off amid stalled talks with Iran.The “Maritime Freedom Construct” (MFC) will “take steps to ensure safe passag»»»
Police Academy hosts seminar on building integrated national system for emergency and crisis management
DOHA: The Police Academy, represented by the Security Research and Studies Center, in cooperation with the Civil Defense Council, organised a scientific seminar titled 'Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management: Towards a Flexible and Integrated National System'. The seminar was attended by Major »»»
VIDEO: Father leaps from moving train to save son after fall onto tracks
Doha, Qatar: A father jumped off a moving train to save his one-year-old son after the child fell into the gap between the tracks and the platform at a railway station in Bangladesh. The incident quickly gripped social media, with a video of the moment widely circulating online. According to local »»»
Romanians champion flexible work: 92% demand choice as EU Platform rules take shape
The findings come at a critical legislative crossroads. With the national transposition of the EU Platform Work Directive underway, the data shows that Romanians prioritize the freedom to choose: “Romanians view these platforms as drivers of economic opportunity that complement the traditional labo»»»
Egypt buys 730,000 tons of wheat from local farmers, official data shows
CAIRO: Egypt has collected about 729,344 metric tons of locally grown wheat since its domestic procurement season opened two weeks ago, official data showed on Thursday. The cumulative intake from local farmers is 13 percent ahead of the same period in 2025 but 26.9 percent below 2024 levels. »»»
US officials say Lebanon ceasefire not collapsing
Trump administration officials have said that the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel is not collapsing, despite the growing escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. "Hezbollah is not a party to the ceasefire, and is trying to derail it," one of the officials told U.S. news portal Ax»»»
Caretaker PM, MPs Share Expectations of New Parliament
On their way into the inaugural sitting of Bulgaria's newly elected 52nd National Assembly, MPs and party leaders of various parliamentary groups spoke to journalists about their expectations of the work ahead, the election of a Chair of the Assembly, and the formation of a cabinet. Rumen Radev, le»»»
Palestinians Mourn Teenager Shot Dead in the Occupied West Bank
Mourners carried the body of a teenager killed by Israel’s military through the hills of the West Bank ’s largest city on Thursday, the latest victim in a surge of violence this month. Ibrahim Al-Khayyat died after being shot and wounded in his chest and abdomen in Hebron, according to the Ramallah»»»
Good news: Pakistan cuts passport delivery time
Dubai: Pakistan has reduced the delivery time for ordinary passports to 14 days and announced a nationwide shift to a fully cashless payment system at passport offices, in a move aimed at easing delays and curbing the influence of middlemen. The decisions were taken on Thursday during a high-level »»»
Devin Nunes out as CEO of Trump Media amid $1 billion losses - UPI.com
Former Republican Rep. Devin Nunes resigned from his post as CEO of Trump Media and Technology Group Wednesday as the company’s losses topped $1 billion. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo April 22 (UPI) -- Former Republican Rep. Devin Nunes resigned from his post as CEO of Trump Media an»»»
Saudi FM discusses regional developments with French counterpart
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Riyadh on Thursday. During the meeting, they reviewed relations between their countries and ways to enhance them in a manner that serves their common interests and aspirations, the Saudi Pres»»»
Viral pro-Iran AI memes blur lines between propaganda and entertainment
Iranian-American creator Mahdi Hemmat is gaining millions of views with AI-generated, Lego-style rap videos that blend satire, pop culture and political messaging about the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. While presented as entertainment, the content promotes pro-Iran narrati»»»
Strait of Hormuz blockade: 'Who will blink first' ?
Donald Trump has discussed with oil companies how to cushion the impact of a months-long US blockade of Iranian ports, as reports of potential new strikes pushed Brent crude to its highest level since March 2022. For FRANCE 24's international editor Angela Diffley, both sides are locked in a 'who w»»»
9 killed, including 2 children, and 23 hurt in Israeli strikes on 3 southern towns
Israeli strikes on south Lebanon killed nine people including two children, the health ministry said Thursday, shortly after the president decried ongoing Israeli violations of a nearly two-week ceasefire. Israel has pressed its attacks on Lebanon as the fragile ceasefire, announced after a round o»»»
EU Pay Transparency Directive to Boost Fairness and Talent Retention, Says Deputy Labour Minister
The EU Pay Transparency Directive will help businesses attract and retain top talent by introducing clear rules and fairness in remuneration, Deputy Labour and Social Policy Minister Nataliya Efremova said at the Next Level HR forum, the Ministry's press centre reported on Thursday. Efremova noted »»»
DR Congo creates paramilitary mining guard
Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced the creation of a paramilitary force to secure its mining sector, backed by funding from the United States and United Arab Emirates. The unit, expected to grow to over 20,000 personnel by 2028, aims to protect operations, strengthen state control and r»»»
Focus - Mauritania sees gold rush in Sahara desert
Despite fluctuations in its price, gold continues to fuel economies and often greed across Africa. Deep in the Sahara, in Mauritania, extraction sites are multiplying across the desert. In the past few years, this gold rush has become a key pillar of the Mauritanian economy. FRANCE 24's S»»»
Deadly migration route leaves Horn of Africa migrants stranded
Migrants in Djibouti are making the long journey back home after failed attempts to cross the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait to reach Gulf countries, facing hunger, detention and life-threatening conditions. Driven by poverty and conflict in Ethiopia, thousands attempt this perilous route each year, with mor»»»
Houthi Summer Centers: A 'Mandatory' School Passage to the Front Lines
In a corner of the courtyard of a public school in Sanaa, a woman dressed in black stands, once used to seeing her son in the morning assembly line. Today, she returns to the same place not as a mother, but as a cleaner trying to keep what remains of her life intact. She wipes the ground in heavy s»»»
Oil price spikes above $126 per barrel for first time since 2022
The price of Brent crude oil rose to $126 on Thursday as US-Iran talks stalled and reports that US President Donald Trump may extend the blockade of Iranian ports. It hit $126.3 for the first time since March 2022, when the Ukraine conflict escalated. Prices later eased to $125.30. The price of Wes»»»
Afrin River Tragedy in Northern Syria: One dead, man rescued as search continues for missing child
Emergency and rescue teams in rural Aleppo said early on Thursday they had rescued a man and recovered the body of another following a drowning incident in the Afrin River, as search efforts continue for a missing child. Local sources said the Syria Civil Defence responded immediately after receivi»»»
Modern UAE landmarks to be preserved under new heritage register
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Culture and Youth UAE has announced the launch of the National Register of Modern Architectural Heritage, marking a new step to document and protect key buildings that reflect the country’s modern history. The announcement was made during the first meeting of the National»»»
Turkiye braces for difficult tourism season in fog of war
ISTANBUL: Turkiye’s tourism season is off to a difficult start and officials expect tough months ahead, as the Iran war has already prompted cancelations and a shift toward last-minute bookings as travelers weigh uncertainties. Even as data on Thursday showed a modest 5 percent year-on-year rise to»»»
Center supports environmental compliance
RIYADH: The National Center for Environmental Compliance conducted more than 19,000 laboratory analyses during 2025 as part of its environmental monitoring efforts. This included collecting 1,447 water and soil samples to measure pollutant concentrations, identify contamination types, and assess th»»»
Business - Crude oil prices hit four-year high as Iran war threatens to drag on
Brent crude has jumped to its highest level since the start of the Ukraine war after US President Donald Trump signalled that the American blockade on the Strait of Hormuz could last for months. Also in this edition: the US Federal Reserve prepares for a new chief as its board tries to maintain pol»»»
InsuranceMarket.ae recognised Among the 2026 Best Workplaces in the UAE
Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture, has ranked InsuranceMarket.ae among the Best Workplaces in the UAE. This recognition is based on one of the region’s largest employee experience studies, where thousands of employees were surveyed to assess trust, innovation, company v»»»
Health ministry launches hair transplant services inspection campaign
RIYADH: An inspection campaign targeting hair transplant services in dermatology and cosmetic clinics, along with same-day surgery centers, has been launched by The Ministry of Health. The initiative is part of the ministry’s efforts to enhance patient safety and improve service quality, focusing o»»»
Hungarian voters are clear – corruption was main cause of fall of Orbán’s regime (18 days after the election)
A peculiar renewal in Fidesz. The diverse line-up of the incoming Tisza government. The battle over EU funds has begun. Poll of the week: according to half of voters, Fidesz lost because of corruption. Absurdity of the week: how pro-government media vilified Péter Magyar. A peculiar Fidesz ‘renewal»»»
Lebanon: Speaker Berri Urges National, International Action to Compel ‘Israel’ to Halt Aggression - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanon: Speaker Berri Urges National, International Action to Compel ‘Israel’ to Halt Aggression 30-04-2026 15:59 PM Nabih Berri, Speaker »»»
Pakistan commissions first Hangor-class submarine in China, boosts naval capability
Dubai: Pakistan Navy has commissioned its first Hangor-class submarine, PNS/M Hangor, at a ceremony in Sanya, China, marking a major step in its naval modernisation, Geo News reported. President Asif Ali Zardari attended the ceremony as chief guest, alongside senior officials from the Pakistan Navy»»»
Slight relief for passengers as Philippines lowers fuel surcharge level
Dubai: Passengers can expect a small reduction in travel costs after the Philippines has declared a slight cut in fuel surcharge levels applied starting this May. The Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has announced that the surcharge will be reduced from level 19 to level 18 for the period o»»»
Dubai Police warn over weak home device security risks
Dubai: Dubai Police have called on residents to strengthen the security of home surveillance systems and internet-connected devices, warning that weak settings can expose users to hacking, privacy breaches and cyber extortion. The alert comes as part of ongoing awareness campaigns by the General De»»»
UAE President hosts Kurdistan Region President in Abu Dhabi talks
Abu Dhabi: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. During the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation between the UAE and the Republic of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, and ways to expand it in »»»
Iran president says US naval blockade 'doomed to fail'
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday said a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would deepen disruptions in the Gulf and fail to achieve its objectives. "Any attempt to impose a maritime blockade or restrictions is contrary to international law... and is doomed to fail," Pezeshkian said »»»
Doha International Book Fair to feature over 500 publishing houses
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Culture has announced that the 35th edition of the Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) will open on May 14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. 35th DIBF, which will run until May 23, will feature 36 participating countries, 515 publishing houses and other enti»»»
US indicts Mexican state governor over drug trafficking
The US Department of Justice has charged Rubén Rocha Moya, governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa, with drug trafficking in a rare move against a sitting foreign official. If convicted, he could face life in prison, as Washington steps up its crackdown on narcotics networks.»»»
Okamura: We support Serbia's full EU integration, we want to deepen cooperation
BELGRADE - Czech Parliament Speaker Tomio Okamura said on Thursday in Belgrade his country supported Serbia's full EU integration and that he wanted Czechia and Serbia to deepen cooperation and work on advancing their relations. "It was confirmed that we have friends in Serbia, and we confirmed tha»»»
Israeli enemy army issues new evacuation order for additional 15 towns in southern Lebanon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli enemy army issues new evacuation order for additional 15 towns in southern Lebanon 30-04-2026 15:45 PM Latest News Urgent News Isra»»»
Iran Will Respond With Long-Term Strikes to US Attack, Even If It Is Short-Term - IRGC
TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran will respond with long-term strikes to the US attack, even if it is short-term, Majid Mousavi, the commander of the aerospace forces of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said on Thursday. "We will respond with long-term strikes to enemy operations, even i»»»
QCB issues Ijara Sukuk on behalf of finance ministry
DOHA: The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) issued government Ijara Sukuk on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, with a total value of QR2.5 billion. QCB explained that the sukuk maturities vary as follows: QR1.25 billion (Tap Issuance) with a maturity date of September 3, 2028, and a yield of 4.4 percent, a»»»
Watch: Shipping slows dramatically at Strait of Hormuz amid rising blockade fears
Dubai: Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed dramatically as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate, with new images highlighting a sharp decline in vessel movement across one of the world’s most critical oil routes. Recent reports indicate that only a h»»»