Oil and gas prices surge as Iran re-closes Strait of Hormuz
Oil and European natural gas prices surged after Tehran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz and fired on vessels following the US Navy’s seizure of an Iranian ship, halting all shipping traffic through the vital energy corridor. The turbulent weekend escalation saw Tehran re-impose restrictions on the w»»»
US-Iran talks hang in balance as mistrust complicates Pakistan diplomacy
Diplomatic efforts to stabilise the ceasefire between the United States and Iran entered a delicate phase on Monday, as both sides sent mixed signals over the prospects of a new round of talks in Pakistan. Iranian officials stressed that deep-rooted mistrust of Washington remains a key obstacle to »»»
Suspension of EU-Israel trade deal is ‘minimum required’ under international law, UN experts say
NEW YORK CITY: A group of UN experts said on Monday that the suspension of an EU-Israel trade deal would be the “minimum required” step required from the EU to comply with its obligations under international law, amid the continuing escalation of human rights violations by Israel. The call came ahe»»»
Palestinians receive demolition orders for 15 shops
SA-NUR, West Bank: A Palestinian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank received demolition orders for 15 shops on Monday, a day after Israeli ministers celebrated the reestablishment of a settlement on a neighboring hill. Israel’s ruling far-right coalition has supported a rapid expansion of s»»»
Cuba confirms recent talks with visiting US delegation
HAVANA: A senior Cuban diplomat on Monday confirmed recent talks in Havana with US officials, as the communist-led island faces a deep crisis over President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign. “I can confirm that a meeting between delegations from Cuba and the United States was recently held here in »»»
Is petrodollar starting to crack? How Iran war puts world oil trade at risk
Dubai: The global financial system’s reliance on the US dollar for oil trade is being tested in real time as the Iran war approaches the two-month mark, with a fragile two-week ceasefire window now in focus. What began as a geopolitical shock has evolved into a deeper market shift, forcing investor»»»
Over $71bn ‘needed over next decade to rebuild Gaza’
GENEVA: More than $71 billion will be needed over the next decade for recovery and reconstruction in war-ravaged Gaza, according to an EU-UN assessment published on Monday. In their final Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, or RDNA, the UN and the EU said that more than two years of war in the »»»
Six injured in Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon
Beirut: Six people were injured in an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon on Monday. In a statement, the Lebanese Ministry of Health's Health Emergency Operations Center said that an Israeli airstrike on the town of Qaqaiyat Al Jisr in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon resulted in injurie»»»
Palestinian death toll in Gaza hits 72,553
LONDON: The death toll from the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip since Oct.7, 2023 has risen to 72,553, according to the Palestine news agency, Wafa. A total of 172,296 people have been injured in the conflict. Palestinian medical sources said on Monday that two people had been killed and 22 in»»»
Bulgaria’s Kremlin-friendly ex-president wins election in landslide
SOFIA: Pro-Russian former President Rumen Radev has won Bulgaria’s parliamentary election by a landslide, official results showed on Monday, crushing long-dominant political forces and possibly pushing the EU and NATO member state closer to Moscow. The performance, exceeding opinion poll forecasts»»»
Where We Are Going Today: Dave’s Hot Chicken brings the heat to Jeddah
I had the opportunity to try Dave’s Hot Chicken — the brand’s fifth branch in Saudi Arabia and its first in Jeddah, located at the stylish U-Walk in the Al-Zahra district — shortly after its official opening earlier this month. The chain is known for serving chicken with a wide range of spice level»»»
Kuwait lauds UAE security for foiling terrorist plot
Kuwait praised the efficiency and vigilance of the security authorities in the UAE in dismantling a terrorist organisation and arresting its members, who were involved in activities aimed at undermining national unity and destabilising security. In a statement published on Monday and carried by Kuw»»»
No: 66, 8 April 2026, Regarding Greece’s Policies Toward the Muftis of the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace
Greece persistently disregards the rights and freedoms of the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace guaranteed under the Lausanne Peace Treaty, by not recognizing their elected Muftis. The recent process of determining an “appointed Mufti” in Didymoteicho under the guise of “elections”, without consul»»»
2 killed in mass shooting near North Carolina middle school - UPI.com
April 20 (UPI) -- Two people were killed Monday in a shooting near a North Carolina middle school where two children agreed to meet for a fight, police said. Law enforcement officials were alerted to a fight at Leinbach Park on Robinhood Road near Jefferson Middle School in Winston-Salem, N.C., at »»»
Brazil’s Lula warns of global disorder, calls for U.N. reform - UPI.com
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a media tour at the Hanover Fair 2026 Hanover, Germany, on Monday. Photo by Hannibal Hanschke/EPA April 20 (UPI) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has warned about the deterioration of the international order and the paralys»»»
Pope Leo visits Angola’s diamond-rich northeast
LUANDA: Pope Leo XIV heads to Angola’s remote and diamond-rich northeast on Monday in the latest stop on an Africa tour during which he has spoken out against the country’s glaring poverty. On the eighth day of a trip to four African nations, Leo will fly to the town of Saurimo, 800 kilometers east»»»
Sudan’s deminers scour shattered capital for hidden explosives
KHARTOUM: Bending low in the baking sun and sheathed in heavy protective gear, Hussein Idris sweeps a metal detector across a vast minefield in central Khartoum that was once a park beloved by local families. The war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has moved on from t»»»
Tigray restores contentious regional parliament
ADDIS ABABA: The Tigray People’s Liberation Front has announced the restoration of a regional parliament, the election of which was one of the triggers for the Tigray war, alarming observers fearing a resumption of the deadly conflict between the Ethiopian government and regional forces. The Tigray»»»
Man jailed for 4 years over scam that netted €100,000 buried in garden
A 22-year-old man has been sent to prison for four years after a Thessaloniki court convicted him of stealing €100,000 in cash from an elderly woman who had buried it in her garden for safekeeping, state ERT television said Monday. The man was arrested last week for defrauding the 76-year-old woman»»»
Bulgaria’s Radev pushes for Russia dialogue, ‘pragmatism’ in EU policy
The winner of the Bulgarian parliamentary election, Progressive Bulgaria’s Rumen Radev, has called for dialogue with Russia to be restored. The former president has led the newly formed left-leaning populist party to a landslide victory on a platform of critical dialogue with Brussels and pragmatis»»»
Mexico’s president says Chihuahua raid bypassed federal government - UPI.com
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said at a press conference Monday at the National Palace in Mexico City she has requested detailed information about a security operation in Chihuahua involving U.S. agents that left four people dead, including two Americans. Photo by Sáshenka Gutiérrez/EPA April»»»
When it Comes to the War and Negotiations With the US, IRGC is in Charge and Here’s Why
After Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top leaders and commanders were killed on February 28, “it took Iran 10 minutes to retaliate” and start targeting US bases across the Gulf and in Israel, says veteran war correspondent Elijah Magnier. “Therefore, the IRGC is the one running the show,” Mag»»»
Trump: New deal with Iran will be better than old one
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Monday he believed a nuclear deal the US is currently negotiating with Iran will be better than a 2015 international agreement to curb Tehran’s nuclear program. “The DEAL that we are making with Iran will be FAR BETTER than the JCPOA, commonly referred to»»»
Superbrands Romania launches the 2026–2027 edition, dedicated to architects of progress in branding
The new Superbrands Honorary Council has also been established, bringing together 30 leaders from the business environment and specialists from the marketing and communication industry, whose mission, as in every edition, is to evaluate the reputational performance of the brands listed in the progr»»»
Sen. Mark Warner's 36-year-old daughter dies - UPI.com
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., speaks to the press at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 2. He announced the death of his daughter Monday. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 20 (UPI) -- Sen. Mark Warner announced Monday that his daughter, Madison Warner, died after decades of»»»
Northern Fleet re-establishes helicopter regiment
Helicopters are vital for countering drones and protecting shipping, says Andrei Vrublevsky, commander of the Northern Fleet’s new helicopter regiment. According to the lieutenant colonel, a major refurbishment of the regiment’s air base on the Kola Peninsula is due to be completed in 2027. Lieuten»»»
$200 million World Bank grant allocated for Syria railway projects
Damascus, April 20 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of Transport announced that around $200 million has been allocated through a World Bank grant to finance a number of railway infrastructure projects aimed at accelerating the country’s economic recovery. Ali Asbar, Director of Land Transport Affairs at the»»»
Egypt postpones 20 road projects to rationalise petroleum consumption and reduce import bill
Egypt will postpone the construction of 20 road projects and slow down the implementation of other government developments as part of an announced rationalisation plan to reduce petroleum consumption and lower the state’s import bill. Minister of Transport Kamel Al-Wazir announced the suspension of»»»
Minister of Military Production explores expanded co-operation with GOEIC
Salah Gomaa, Minister of State for Military Production, held talks with Essam El-Naggar, Chairperson of the General Organisation for Export and Import Control (GOEIC), to explore avenues for enhanced joint co-operation. During the meeting, the minister reviewed the advanced technical and technologi»»»
Jordan’s king and president of Finland attend military exercise in Amman
LONDON: King Abdullah of Jordan and the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb, attended a military tactical exercise in Amman on Monday. It took place at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center, which trains special operations units at the regional and international levels. King Abd»»»
Michigan attorney general denies Trump administration ballot access - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to collect election materials, including ballot information. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo April 20 (UPI) -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has rejected the Trump administration's atte»»»
Protection secured for uninhabited Gyaros islet, key habitat for endangered seals
Greece has finally signed into effect legislation securing the status as a marine protected area of the uninhabited but richly biodiverse islet of Gyaros in the Cyclades island group, the Greek branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature said Monday. WWF Greece hailed Thursday’s signing of a president»»»
Syria’s return as a regional transport hub gains momentum
Damascus, April 20 (SANA) A series of recent diplomatic and economic developments is refocusing attention on Syria’s strategic location, as regional and international actors increasingly view the country not only through the lens of politics and reconstruction, but also as a potential hub for trans»»»
Israeli Channel 12: Yellow Line Serves Only Maps, Yet on Ground Hezbollah is Surveying Army Deployment to Attack - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli Channel 12: Yellow Line Serves Only Maps, Yet on Ground Hezbollah is Surveying Army Deployment to Attack 20-04-2026 21:06 PM Israel»»»
Tunisair expands fleet to 12, sets 21-aircraft goal by end-2026 – Transport Minister
Tunis, April 20 (TAP) - The fleet of Tunisair has seen gradual improvement, with the number of operational aircraft currently reaching 12, said Transport Minister Rachid Amri.Flight operations have also stabilised, with no delays recorded over the...»»»
Saudi representative stresses need to ensure full, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s representative at a conference on the two-state solution in Brussels stressed the necessity of ensuring the full and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza on Monday. Manal bint Hassan Radwan also emphasized the importance of advancing early recovery and reconstructi»»»
Iraq reopens Rabia crossing after 13-year closure
Iraq revives key Syria trade route, boosts regional links Dubai: Iraq reopened a strategic border crossing with Syria on Monday, restoring a key trade and transit route that had been closed for more than a decade following the rise of ISIS. The Rabia crossing, located in Iraq’s north-western Nineve»»»
Arson attack targets car of professor linked to Tempe crash report
Authorities are investigating a suspected arson attack on the car of an Athens University professor who co-authored an expert report attributing the fireball that followed the deadly 2023 Tempe train crash to engine oils. The vehicle, belonging to Professor Dimitris Karonis, was set ablaze on the u»»»
ING Bank Romania in 2025: revenue of over RON 4 billion and more than 260,000 new customers
Our performance in 2025 was marked by sustained growth in our loan and deposit portfolio. The gross loan portfolio grew by 12%, bringing our market share to 11%, while deposits reached 72.4 billion lei, up 4% from the previous year, securing a market share of 10.7%. Operating expenses increased by »»»
Over $71 Bn Needed Over Next Decade to Rebuild Gaza, Say UN and EU
More than $71 billion will be needed over the next decade for recovery and reconstruction in war-ravaged Gaza, according to an EU-UN assessment published Monday. In their final Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA), the United Nations and the European Union said that more than two years of »»»
Erdogan Vows New Measures After Deadly Türkiye School Shootings
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that his government would introduce sweeping measures, including restrictions on gun ownership, after two school shootings last week that shocked Türkiye. Eight students aged 10 and 11 and a teacher were killed Wednesday when a 14-year-old student opene»»»
Renovated Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi Officially Unveiled in Sofia
The renovated monument to Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi was unveiled at an official ceremony in Sofia after being restored and cleaned through the joint efforts of Sofia Municipality and the Italian Embassy, Sofia Municipality’s press office said on Monday. The ceremony was attended by S»»»
Hormuz Crisis’ Spread to Bab al-Mandab, Strait of Malacca Would Wipe Out the World Economy
The three strategic chokepoints are “critical passageways where a lot of trade, a lot of energy flows take place,” and prolonged closure would have a “huge impact in terms of energy prices…GDP growth, employment,” and could trigger a global recession or depression, says financial analyst Syed Javed»»»
Nearly 70,000 sq m of new retail space handed over in Q1 ‘26
Poland’s total stock of modern retail space exceeded 13.9 million m² by the end of March 2026, with 733 operating properties, according to Colliers. Market saturation rose to 371 m² per 1,000 residents. In the first quarter, nearly 70,000 m² of new space was delivered through five new projects and »»»
Flat tax from 2004, intending to stimulate economy, created more B2Bs
Poland introduced a flat 19% tax for sole proprietors in 2004 to boost entrepreneurship and economic growth. However, research shows it mainly encouraged tax optimization rather than creating new businesses or jobs. Many high earning professionals shifted from employment contracts to self employmen»»»
Intermodal transport increased by 4.9% y/y to 1.83 mln units in ‘25
Rail intermodal transport in Poland grew moderately in 2025, showing resilience despite broader declines in freight. According to the Urząd Transportu Kolejowego, volumes reached 1.83 million units, up 4.9 percent year on year, with total cargo at 28.4 million tons. Growth accelerated in the second»»»
GDDKiA sued by Mostostal Warszawa for payment of PLN 487 mln
Mostostal Warszawa has sued Generalna Dyrekcja Dróg Krajowych i Autostrad for PLN 487 million over unreimbursed cost increases on the S19 expressway project. The company argues that sharply rising material and execution costs were not adequately covered by contract indexation mechanisms. It also wi»»»
Chinese brands taking over Polish auto market
Chinese car brands are rapidly gaining popularity in Poland, especially in the 7 seat family car segment, where they now account for about 25% of sales. In March 2026, registrations reached a record 2,280 vehicles, up 29% y/y, with strong seasonal demand ahead of summer holidays. In the first quart»»»
Sharjah Police promote safety as school reopen
Sharjah: Sharjah Police marked students’ return to in-person classrooms following a period of online learning with a series of outreach visits aimed at reinforcing national values and strengthening community engagement. Officers visited several educational institutions across the emirate, alongside»»»
Kikilias pledges to ‘defend’ Crete against immigrants
Greece’s maritime affairs minister pledged Monday to “defend” the southern island of Crete against a wave of immigration in small boats that risk the long and dangerous passage from north Africa to reach European soil. Speaking during a visit to the island, Vassilis Kikilias said that Crete was his»»»