Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Bank (QNB) expects the Indian economy to maintain robust growth despite global challenges and geopolitical volatility, projecting that strong domestic fundamentals will keep expansion above 6%, reinforcing its position among the world's fastest-growing major economies. I»»»

Doha, Qatar: The National Cyber Security Agency, NCSA, issued the Individuals’ Rights Guidelines that provide information to help understand rights under the Personal Data Privacy Protection Law. It urged individuals to know their rights, how to exercise these rights and their roles in the protecti»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Iran Says It Reasserted Control of Strait of Hormuz, Citing US Piracy and Blockade 18-04-2026 13:38 PM The spokesperson for the Khatam al-A»»»

Washington, United States: US President Donald Trump's administration on Friday issued a month-long sanctions waiver allowing the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products that are at sea, extending an earlier move to soften surging energy prices. The license, issued by the Treasury Department, co»»»

Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) said that the Palestinian cause today faces a growing gap between the clarity of principle and the hesitation of international will to implement it, noting that this gap lies at the heart of the conflict as it reflects the disparity betwee»»»

Residents of the seaside settlement of Xifia near Monemvasia are raising concerns over a major tourism investment that they say will double the size of their sparsely built community and alter its character. The project began drawing attention a year and half ago, when a fenced worksite appeared on»»»

Bangkok, Thailand: The Thai government is closely monitoring the melioidosis situation amid the ongoing concern over the rising trend of infections, as a total of 732 cases have been recorded nationwide from Jan. 1 to April 16, with 23 deaths, an official said on Saturday. Deputy Government Spokesp»»»

Dubai: Several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have raised concerns over mounting risks to global food supplies, calling for a coordinated international action to safeguard supply chains amid ongoing global disruptions. The call has come during a meeting held at the Philippine Embassy in Rome»»»

ANTALYA (Sputnik) - One of the goals of the US operation in Iran was to control the oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday. "I do not think there really were plans to destroy civilization. I think it is just a figure of speech. But the »»»

ANTALYA, Turkey (Sputnik) - The Strait of Hormuz is open for merchant shipping, with possible technical restrictions due to mines, but there is no blockade and there will not be one, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has said. "There is no uncertainty for us on this issue. I cannot »»»

Türkiye's top diplomat on Saturday accused Israel of creating an international "illusion" and using security concerns as a pretext to seize "more land," in the latest flare-up in escalating tensions between the two regional powers. Israel and Türkiye have been trading near-daily diplomatic barbs ov»»»

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said that there are no reforms without challenges, and that Egypt’s economic reform has went through its most difficult phase, and that the government is committed to continue its reform through, backed by the political leadership’s will and support, towards achieving i»»»

Egypt is working closely with Pakistan on a framework aimed at securing a lasting peace between the US and Iran, ⁠Foreign Minister Badr ⁠Abdelatty said on Saturday. He said Egypt, Türkiye, Pakistan and ⁠Saudi Arabia were coordinating a broader regional effort focused on preventing renewed escalatio»»»

Tehran: Iran's central military command announced on Saturday it would resume "strict management" of the Strait of Hormuz, reversing a decision to unblock the strategic channel as part of negotiations with Washington. In a statement shared on state television, the headquarters said Washington had b»»»

Rising violence within Yemen’s Houthi movement is highlighting deep internal divisions, as competition over influence and resources intensifies amid growing isolation and public discontent, analysts and local sources say. Recent incidents point to a weakness in managing internal disputes, with clas»»»

The Iranian military has once again closed free passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, citing what it described as US ‘piracy.’ On Friday, Tehran initially declared the waterway completely open for commercial vessels for the remaining period of the ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Leba»»»

Jos, Nigeria: Several of 14 people who were kidnapped on Wednesday in Nigeria's central Benue State have been rescued, local police said. Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria, but Africa's most populous country has been faced a surge of such attacks for months, particularly in the northern »»»

Shtip, 16 April 2026 (MIA) — Agricultural experts, professors and students from seven countries convened Thursday at Goce Delchev University for the 5th annual Agroscience and Practice international conference. At the conference, local attendees as well as participants from the Czech Republic, Croa»»»

Iran has said it is reinstating strict controls over the Strait of Hormuz, reversing an earlier move to ease transit as tensions with the United States escalate over an ongoing naval blockade. Iran’s central military command said on Saturday it would return to “strict management” of the strategic w»»»

The Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) announced last Wednesday (15 April) that it is to revalue its assets. This comes in line with its approved strategy and to reinforce its commitment to good governance principles and transparency and disclosure requirements, it said. This valuation project of it»»»

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States and Iran would jointly remove uranium from Tehran's nuclear sites with excavators under any peace deal, before the material is transferred to U.S. territory. Trump's comment came despite Iran's foreign ministry saying earlier that the I»»»

Iran's central military command announced on Saturday it would resume "strict management" of the Strait of Hormuz, reversing a decision to unblock the strategic channel as part of negotiations with Washington. In a statement shared on state television, the headquarters said Washington had broken a »»»

Iran's central military command announced on Saturday it would resume "strict management" of the Strait of Hormuz, reversing a decision to unblock the strategic channel as part of negotiations with Washington. In a statement shared on state television, the headquarters said Washington had broken a »»»

President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US would work alongside Iran, using “a lot of excavators” to recover Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and bring it to the United States. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, however, reiterated that Iran would not give up the stockpi»»»

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has activated its highest level of readiness across the transport and logistics system ahead of the 1447 Hajj season, mobilising air, land, rail and maritime networks to ensure the safe and seamless movement of millions of pilgrims. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics said t»»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - The Iranian armed forces have restored military control over the Strait of Hormuz due to the US blockade, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for the Khatam Al-Anbiya central headquarters of the Iranian military command, said on Saturday. "Unfortunately, the US … continues to engage »»»

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization has announced the partial reopening of the country’s airspace from 7:00 a.m. on April 18, following security and safety assessments. International transit routes through Iran's eastern airspace have now reopened, allowing foreign flights to pass through Iranian sk»»»

Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani on Friday rejected a recent political agreement in Iraq’s northern Kirkuk province that led to the appointment of a new governor, describing the process as the result of “suspicious deals”. Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), said the move amounted t»»»

Iran’s parliament speaker has categorically refuted successive false claims made by US President Donald Trump regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the rules set by the Islamic Republic concerning transit through the strategic waterway. In a post on X on Friday, Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf wrote, “The US p»»»

A solar power plant will be built in Konorchok area of Kochkor district of Naryn region and will begin generating energy in 2027. It was announced during a meeting between Energy Minister of Kyrgyzstan Taalaibek Ibraev and World Bank Vice President and Chief Financial Officer John Gandolfo, which t»»»

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said the Golan Heights are “occupied Syrian land” and that any recognition of Israeli sovereignty there would be “null and void,” stressing that the international community does not accept Israel’s claim. Speaking at the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Sharaa said Is»»»

Tehran: Although the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the world's oil supply, has been declared fully open for commercial vessels, its operational status remains contested. Both Washington and Tehran confirmed on Friday that the strait had been completely open for all commercial vessels. Howe»»»

Sydney: Japan agreed on Saturday on a deal to provide Australia's navy with the first of almost a dozen stealth frigates, part of a wider military build up by Canberra aimed at boosting its long-range firepower to deter China. Under the deal announced last year and billed as one of Japan's biggest »»»

The crescent moon marking the start of Dhu Al Qadah 1447 AH was photographed from Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning by the International Astronomy Center. The image was captured at 10:00am UAE time on April 18, 2026, from the Khatm Astronomical Observatory, with the moon located 11.7 degrees from the s»»»

Global markets moved sharply on Friday after Iran said it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels, prompting investors to rapidly reassess geopolitical supply risks. Iran’s foreign minister said the strait was fully open to all commercial shipping for the duration of the ceasefi»»»

Dubai: Dubai Police has reviewed its financial sustainability plans as part of ongoing efforts to improve efficiency, strengthen governance and support long-term stability. The discussion took place during the second meeting of the Financial Sustainability Council, chaired by Dr Major General Ahmad»»»

The Ministry of Economy and Trade announced last Thursday (16 April) that its Minister, Suhail Abushiha, had approved the decisions for the formation of four foreign and joint venture (JV) companies to support the investment climate in several vital sectors. The Ministry said this comes within the »»»

Australia and Japan signed contracts on Saturday launching their landmark A$10 billion ($7 billion) deal to supply Australia with warships, Tokyo's most consequential military sale since ending a military export ban in 2014. Defense Ministers Richard Marles and Shinjiro Koizumi signed a memorandum »»»

Dubai: Dubai Police have launched a community drive to celebrate national identity by distributing UAE flags to residents across several neighbourhoods. The initiative is part of the “Proud of UAE” campaign, introduced under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice»»»

A 10-day ceasefire follows six weeks of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah that has killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than a million more from their homes in Lebanon. Much as the previous truce clinched in 2024, Israel can interpret or reinterpret the c»»»

Las Vegas: Paramount Skydance was on a charm offensive at CinemaCon this week, trying to convince theater owners that its megabucks deal to swallow Warner Bros. would be good for the industry. A glitzy promotional film narrated by Tom Cruise ended with the world's most bankable movie star sitting a»»»

During President Sadyr Japarov’s visit to Osh region, he received over 1,800 complaints from residents. Their implementation has been taken under control, the Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the region reported. Following the visit, a meeting was held with the heads of law enforcemen»»»

The International Monetary Fund will likely provide Venezuela with a financial support program as part of its re-engagement with the South American oil exporter provided that certain conditions can be met, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday. Georgieva told a press conference »»»

Australia and Japan signed contracts on Saturday launching their landmark A$10 billion ($7 billion) deal to supply Australia with warships, Tokyo's most consequential military sale since ending a military export ban in 2014. Defense Ministers Richard Marles and Shinjiro Koizumi signed a memorandum »»»

On April 18, 1775, U.S. patriot Paul Revere began his famous ride through the Massachusetts countryside, crying out "The British are coming!" to rally the minutemen. 1 of 5 | On April 18, 1775, U.S. patriot Paul Revere began his famous ride through the Massachusetts countryside, crying out "The Bri»»»

Pakistan's powerful military chief and prime minister on Saturday concluded separate visits aimed at ending the Iran war, with Field Marshal Asim Munir leaving Tehran and premier Shehbaz Sharif headed home from Turkey. Munir met Iran's top leadership and peace negotiators during a three-day visit t»»»

Iran has confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz will only be open under specific conditions, while warning of navigation restrictions as long as the blockade continues. Reza Talaei, spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Defense, announced that the Strait will only be accessible if a ceasefire is in place a»»»

All three men arrested in connection with the death of a 19-year-old woman in Kefalonia earlier this week were remanded in custody on Friday after testifying before an investigating magistrate. The suspects, aged 26, 23 and 22, were escorted out of the courthouse via a rear entrance to avoid contac»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The easing of sanctions on Russian oil will affect over 100 million barrels of oil in transit, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) head and Russian special presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries Kirill Dmitriev said. On Saturday, comme»»»

Dubai Police have warned residents about a growing cyber fraud tactic involving fake QR codes being circulated through text messages, emails and even public spaces. Authorities said scammers are creating codes that appear legitimate, often luring users with offers such as prizes, discounts and excl»»»