Easter Traditions Endure: Between Faith, Symbolism and Modern Life
On the occasion of Easter, the greatest Christian holiday, Orthodox believers continue to preserve customs passed down through generations. From painted eggs and festive tables to family gatherings, tradition remains deeply rooted in everyday life – even as modern lifestyles reshape how it is pract»»»
UAE exporters stay confident as growth outlook holds steady
Dubai: Companies across the UAE and global markets continue to expect export growth in 2026, even as the Middle East conflict reshapes financial conditions and risk dynamics across global trade. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The latest Allianz Trade Global Survey, wh»»»
Australian Prime Minister calls for resumption of US-Iran peace talks
Canberra, Australia: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday called for the resumption of peace negotiations between the United States and Iran, and for an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The call by Albanese came during a television interview with the Australian Broadc»»»
Iran Military Says US Naval Blockade 'Illegal' and 'Piracy'
Iran's military said a US naval blockade set to begin on Monday would be illegal and amount to piracy, warning that no Gulf ports would be safe if its own were threatened. "The restrictions imposed by criminal America on maritime navigation and transit in international waters are illegal and consti»»»
Masoud Barzani’s Party Rejects Result of Iraqi Presidential Vote
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barzani, has rejected the election of Nizar Amidi as Iraq’s president, worsening political tensions in the Kurdistan Region and across the country. The party has instructed its representatives in the federal government and parliament to return to »»»
Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya: Port Security in Gulf, Sea of Oman Either for Everyone or for No One
A senior military spokesperson said Iran will firmly enforce control over the Strait of Hormuz and could jeopardize regional port security if its own maritime interests are threatened, while accusing the United States of illegal interference in international waters. Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command»»»
Misrata Free Zone Port Customs Centre thwarts attempt to smuggle 4.5 million tablets of highly dangerous narcotics
Misrata Free Zone Port Customs Centre reported last Wednesday (8 April) that iIn a qualitative operation reflecting the vigilance of customs men and their keenness to protect national security, the Head and members of the Misrata Free Zone Port Customs Centre were able to thwart an attempt to smugg»»»
Exports up 36.7 pct during first 10 days of April on robust chip demand - UPI.com
South Korea's exports jumped 36.7 percent in the first 10 days of April on strong overseas demand for semiconductors, data showed Monday. This photo shows containers stacked at a port in Pyeongtaek on April 1. Photo by Yonhap South Korea's exports jumped 36.7 percent from a year earlier in the firs»»»
Oil climbs above $100 after Iran–US negotiations fail
London, April 13 (SANA) Oil prices exceeded $100 a barrel on Monday as tensions escalated in the Strait of Hormuz following the failure of negotiations between Iran and the United States, according to Reuters. Brent crude futures rose by $7.11, or 7.47 percent, to $102.31 per barrel, reversing a 0.»»»
Oil surges as Hormuz tensions rise, markets turn cautious
Dubai: Oil prices climbed at the start of the week while global equities and bonds came under pressure, after the US confirmed plans to impose a blockade around Iranian ports, raising concerns over energy supply and market stability. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Bre»»»
Debate grows in Korea, Japan over nuclear capability amid U.S. doubts - UPI.com
A new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during a military parade celebrating the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea. File. Photo by KCNA / EPA April 12 (Asia Today) -- South Korea and Japan are entering a period of in»»»
Lee, Polish PM agree to upgrade bilateral ties to comprehensive strategic partnership - UPI.com
President Lee Jae Myung (R) and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk shake hands after a summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Monday. Photo by Yonhap President Lee Jae Myung and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk agreed to upgrade the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and bolster c»»»
New York’s New Mayor Touts ‘Socialist’ Plans 100 Days in
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked his 100th day in office on Sunday with a rally to tout early successes and vow to follow through on his unabashedly "socialist" agenda. "I know there are many who use 'socialist' as a dirty word, something to be ashamed of," the 34-year-old told a packed room in»»»
Bread Shortage Deepens in Gaza as Hamas Accuses Israel of ‘Engineering Starvation’
A bread shortage in Gaza is worsening as Israeli restrictions on the entry of supplies continue to affect bakeries that had reopened following an October ceasefire. The flow of aid and food supplies, including from the World Food Program (WFP), has declined further over the past month, amid Israeli»»»
Registration open for Qatar Private Sector Nationalisation Award
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Labour has announced that registration for the Qatar Private Sector Nationalisation Award is now open via the Himmah platform, inviting individuals and private sector entities to participate in one of the country’s key initiatives aimed at strengthening national workfor»»»
Japan calls for swift US-Iran agreement, stresses Strait of Hormuz security
Tokyo: Japan hopes a "final agreement" will be concluded swiftly between the US and Iran to de-escalate the Middle East situation, after Washington-Tehran weekend peace talks failed to reach a deal. "What is most important is that de-escalation, including securing the safety of navigation through t»»»
Croatia braces for tough summer tourism season amid global uncertainty
Croatia expects a fierce competition for European tourists this summer as war and global instability disrupt travel patterns, even as the Adriatic destination leans on its reputation for safety to sustain visitor numbers. »»»
Serbia's FX reserves fall in March as gold prices slump
Serbia’s foreign exchange reserves fell in March, as outflows linked to government debt repayments and central bank interventions outweighed inflows, the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) said on April 9. Gross foreign exchang»»»
Lavrov to Visit China on April 14-15 to Discuss Ukraine, Mideast - Russian MFA
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a visit to China on April 14-15, where he will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on a number of issues, including the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday. "On April 1»»»
IMF warns AI poses risks to global monetary system stability
Washington, April 13 (SANA) The International Monetary Fund warned on Monday that the global monetary system remains unprepared to handle emerging risks from artificial intelligence, particularly in cybersecurity. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in remarks cited by Agence France-Pre»»»
China and Russia's calculated backing of Iran
When the US and Israel waged war on Iran on 28 February 2026, killing its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, two global powers watched intently from afar: China and Russia. Both had signed a trilateral strategic pact with Tehran just weeks earlier, pledging to deepen economic and defence ties (though off»»»
Early screening key to improving autism outcomes: Expert
Doha, Qatar: As Autism Acceptance Month spotlight on inclusion and understanding, healthcare leaders in Qatar are underscoring the importance of early detection and intervention in improving the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Assistant Medical Director of Children and Adoles»»»
Beyond compliance: How Vodafone Qatar champions health and safety
Doha, Qatar: In the fast-paced world of telecommunications, where infrastructure, technology, and people intersect, maintaining a strong health and safety (H&S) culture is a necessity. Vodafone Qatar recognises that a resilient and proactive approach to safety is fundamental to both operational exc»»»
LuLu Hypermarket launches ‘Half Pay Back’ promotion
Doha, Qatar: LuLu Hypermarket announced the launch of its highly anticipated ‘Half Pay Back’ promotion, running until May 2, 2026. Crafted to deliver exceptional value, the campaign gives customers the opportunity to enjoy significant savings across selected fashion categories. Shoppers can explore»»»
Trump lashes out at Pope Leo over Iran war criticism - UPI.com
President Donald Trump returns to the White House in Washington, D.C., from Miami, Fla., on Sunday, the same night he chastised Pope Leo for criticizing the war in Iran. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 13 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump lashed out at Pope LeoXIV over his critici»»»
World Bank Chief Sounds Alarm about Looming Jobs Crisis Even after War Ends
The Middle East war will dominate global finance officials' talks this week in Washington, but World Bank President Ajay Banga is sounding the alarm about a bigger, looming crisis: a huge gap in jobs for the 1.2 billion people who will reach working age in developing countries in the next 10 to 15 »»»
EV makers eye Philippines as Manila sets ₱60-billion incentives, ends ICE subsidy amid global oil shock
Manila: With the Philippine government discontinuing its multi-billion-peso support programme for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle manufacturing, electric vehicle (EV) makers are stepping up interest in the country’s new ₱60-billion ($1 billion) Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS). T»»»
Awqaf Ministry opens new mosque in Rawdat Rashid
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, represented by the Mosques Management Department, has inaugurated the Khamis Owaidha Sarheed Muraikhi Mosque in the Rawdat Rashid area, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand and develop mosques across the country. Built on a spacious land a»»»
Over 14,500 building permits issued in 2025, up 6.1% year-on-year
Doha, Qatar: More than 14,500 building permits were issued in 2025, marking a 6.1 percent increase compared to the previous year. The growth reflects continued momentum in the construction sector, driven by sustained demand and ongoing development initiatives across key segments. The construction s»»»
Dukhan Bank AGM approves additional cash dividend of 8%
Doha, Qatar: Dukhan Bank convened its Ordinary Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday via video conferencing through the Zoom application. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Abdulla bin Fahad bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors, in the presence of 86.46% of the Bank’s shareholder»»»
On This Day, April 13: Tiger Woods is youngest golfer to win Masters - UPI.com
On April 13, 1997, Tiger Woods, 21, won the Masters, the youngest golfer to accomplish that feat. 1 of 5 | Tiger Woods tries on his Green Jacket after winning the 2019 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 14, 2019. On April 13, 1997, Woods, 21, won his first Ma»»»
How two women turned Kite Beach into a love letter to Dubai and bought 10,000 people together
Dubai: There are ideas that take years to develop and there are ideas that arrive fully formed, urgent and impossible to ignore. The We Love Dubai initiative was the second kind. It started with a conversation. Marta Paniagua, Creative Director at Multilem Middle East, turned to her colleague Dorot»»»
Gold Drops as Inflation Worries Linger on Failed US-Iran Talks
Gold prices touched a near one-week low on Monday, pressured by a stronger dollar, while a surge in oil prices following failed US-Iran peace talks fueled inflation worries and dampened expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts this year. Spot gold was down 0.7% at $4,716.70 per ounce, as»»»
Spanish Premier Urges China to Take Bigger Role in Multipolar Order
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday said China should take on a more substantial role with issues including climate change, security, defense and the fight against inequality, adding that Europe will also have to redouble its efforts as the US withdraws from leadership roles on many fro»»»
US Military to Begin Blockade of Iranian Ports on Monday
The US military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports on Monday, after talks between the warring sides in Pakistan collapsed with President Donald Trump blaming Tehran's refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Trump had announced on social media he would blockade the strategic Strai»»»
Kasymaliev in Washington: Meetings with IMF, World Bank, Trump administration - | 24.KG
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev arrived in Washington on April 12 to participate in the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, and bilateral consultations with representatives of the Trump administration. The Cabinet of Min»»»
Ten lessons from the Hungarian election: how the myth of ‘illiberalism’ collapsed
Four years ago it was Viktor Orbán who inflicted a humiliating defeat on the then Hungarian opposition; this time his party, Fidesz has been beaten just as badly. We sum up the lessons of Sunday’s Hungarian elections in 10 points. After 16 years, the Orbán system has fallen and Viktor Orbán is leav»»»
EV makers eye Philippines after government sets ₱60-billion incentives, ends ICE subsidy
Manila: With the Philippine government discontinuing its multi-billion-peso support programme for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle manufacturing, electric vehicle (EV) makers are stepping up interest in the country’s new ₱60-billion ($1 billion) Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS). T»»»
DWTC Free Zone partners Wio to speed up business banking
Dubai: Companies across the UAE and global markets continue to expect export growth in 2026, even as the Middle East conflict begins to tighten financial conditions and raise concerns around payments and counterparty risk. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The agreement »»»
Al Khelaifi wins Most Valuable Driver award as Qatar claim fourth place in ELMS season opener
Doha, Qatar: Team Qatar GT delivered a strong result at the opening round of the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS), finishing fourth in the LMGT3 class while Abdulla Al Khelaifi was named Most Valuable Driver of the category at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, yesterday. The team controlled mu»»»
QSL: Al Shamal aim to stay in title hunt as postponed clashes take centre stage
Doha, Qatar: Al Shamal will look to revive their title challenge when they face Qatar SC in a postponed Week 17 clash of the Qatar Stars League at Al Bayt Stadium today, with the race for the championship, top-four places and survival intensifying. Al Shamal, second on 37 points and trailing leader»»»
Al Sadd upbeat for Al Hilal clash as Al Duhail target Al Ahli upset
Doha, Qatar: Captain Hassan Al-Haydos said Al Sadd are confident as they prepare to face Al Hilal SFC in the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah tonight. Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal start as favourites in the one-legged knockout tie after »»»
Euro Zone Bond Yields Rise After US-Iran Talks Collapse
Euro zone government bond yields rose on Monday after the United States and Iran failed to reach a peace deal, heightening concerns that higher oil prices could fuel inflation and support expectations for European Central Bank rate hikes. Oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel as the US Navy pre»»»
Qatar positions itself as cyber resilience hub in Middle East
Doha, Qatar: Qatar is emerging as a regional leader in strengthening cyber resilience, underpinned by robust national frameworks and a clear strategic vision, according to regional market experts. The country has established comprehensive initiatives, including the National Cyber Security Strategy »»»
QatarEnergy announces new hydrocarbon discovery offshore Congo
Doha, Qatar: QatarEnergy, as a shareholder in TotalEnergies E&P Congo (TEPC), announced a hydrocarbon discovery in the MHNM-6 NFW well of the Moho G structure in the Republic of Congo, part of the country’s Moho offshore exploration and production license. QatarEnergy holds a 15% shareholding posit»»»
Malaysia Seizes 2 Tankers Suspected of Illegally Transferring Diesel
Malaysia's Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said it has detained two tankers for allegedly conducting an illegal ship-to-ship transfer of about 700,000 liters of diesel off the island of Penang over the weekend. Malaysia has been cracking down on fuel smuggling amid mounting shortages and supply »»»
Loan deferral move signals proactive step to safeguard financial stability
Doha, Qatar: Director of the Banking Supervision Department at Qatar Central Bank Ali Hamad Al Marri has underscored the importance of the decision to defer loan instalments and interest payments for three months, describing it as a proactive step to maintain financial stability and support both in»»»
Job hunting in the UAE? How to stand out in interviews, avoid common mistakes and impress recruiters
One of my previous employers once recalled a series of interview moments that stuck with them for all the wrong reasons. It’s easy to understand why, interviews can be nerve-wracking, and in that pressure, candidates often swing between two extremes. Some become so overwhelmed that they struggle to»»»
AI Will Disobey Humans to ‘Protect their Own Kind’
Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots are willing to lie, cheat and steal to “protect their own kind,” according to a new experiment. Researchers at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz asked Google’s digital assistant, Gemini, to clear up space on a computer server. This would involve deleting one of its»»»
Hamas Delegation Visits Cairo to Discuss Israeli Violations in Gaza
A Hamas delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, held talks on Sunday with Egyptian mediators in Cairo to address Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire, two officials from the Palestinian group said. The ceasefire took effect last October. But both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breachin»»»