Egypt’s economy grows 5.3% in first half, finance minister tells investors in Washington
Egypt’s economy expanded by 5.3% in the first half of the current fiscal year, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk told international investors during a meeting in Washington, attributing the growth to private sector investments. Speaking at an open dialogue organised by Jefferies International and Soc»»»
Egypt to clear foreign partner arrears by end-June, targets fracking: Badawi
Egypt will completely pay off all outstanding arrears owed to foreign oil and gas partners by the end of June, target hydraulic fracturing to boost production, and has announced a gas discovery with an estimated 2 trillion cubic feet of reserves, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Ba»»»
Egypt’s premier inspects New Capital command centre managing Middle East’s largest state tech infrastructure
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inspected the new Control, Command and Technical Support Centre in the New Administrative Capital’s Government District on Wednesday, a facility managing what officials describe as the Middle East’s largest technological infrastructure serving 50,000 governm»»»
Trump signals potential Iran deal as mediators push truce extension, US ramps up pressure
US President Donald Trump said talks with Iran on ending the conflict could resume soon and may lead to an agreement, urging the world to watch for “two amazing days,” as regional officials indicated progress in efforts to extend a fragile ceasefire for at least two weeks to allow space for renewed»»»
Egypt, Eritrea move to deepen industrial, investment cooperation
Egypt’s Minister of Industry, Khaled Hashem, held talks with Hagos Gebrehiwet, Economic Adviser to the Eritrean President, and Nasr El-Din Saleh, Eritrea’s Minister of Trade and Industry, to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in industry and joint investment. Hashem highlighted»»»
Egypt’s EPROM reports record EGP 1.586bn profit in 2025 amid international expansion
The Egyptian Projects Operation and Maintenance (EPROM) recorded the highest net profit in its history at EGP 1.586bn for 2025, marking a 44% increase from EGP 1.096bn the previous year, as the company expanded operations into Nigeria and Iraq, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said. »»»
Qatar’s environmental conditions remains stable and safe: Minister
DOHA: Minister of Environment and Climate Change HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie has affirmed that Qatar’s environmental situation remains stable and safe, supported by a comprehensive and technologically advanced monitoring framework operating across the country. Speaking to Qatar»»»
Anti-Corruption Bloc Candidate Warns of "Crisis" in Bulgaria’s Blood Donation System
Viktor Stoyanov, the lead MP candidate of the Anti-Corruption Bloc in Ruse, Wednesday expressed strong concern over the critical state of blood donation in Bulgaria, describing it as a "disaster" and an issue of national security, according to the political formation. Stoyanov speaks of long-standi»»»
EU report slams Germany over restrictions on pro-Palestinian protests
Germany’s handling of anti-Israel protests was “disproportionate,” and the government’s use of hate-speech laws to counter the demonstrations unfairly restricted freedom of expression, a report by the EU’s human rights commissioner has found. Compiled by the Council of Europe’s commissioner for hum»»»
Mounting Pressure on Iran Revives the Specter of the 2000 Aden Attack
US author Anne-Marie Slaughter argues in The Chessboard and the Web: Strategies of Connection in a Networked World that the world no longer operates or interacts according to the logic of a traditional chessboard. The old model was linear and two-dimensional, centered on a single objective: topplin»»»
Milei’s approval falls in Argentina as inflation picks up again - UPI.com
Argentine President Javier Milei has to deal with rising inflation as many people say they have yet to feel the benefits of the government's economic reforms. Photo by Matias Martin Campaya/EPA BUENOS AIRES, April 15 (UPI) -- Public discontent with Argentine President Javier Milei is rising as infl»»»
Russia And Belarus Intel Agencies Expose Malicious Foreign Plans To Harm Moscow And Minsk
"The situation on Russia’s and Belarus’s western borders can be described as tense," Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), said. Other key statements:EU countries oppose a peace settlement in Ukraine because they have invested heavily in the war The Baltic state»»»
Beirut MPs Meet to Back Weapons-Free City Declaration
Beirut lawmakers and political parties in Lebanon’s parliament will hold a conference on Thursday backing a declaration of the capital as “safe and free of weapons,” after a government decision that followed deadly Israeli attacks on the city last week. Organizers invited all Beirut MPs except thos»»»
U.S. eases sanctions on Venezuelan banks - UPI.com
U.S. companies and entities can now conduct transactions with the Central Bank of Venezuela, Banco de Venezuela, Banco Digital de los Trabajadores and Banco del Tesoro, File Photo by Miguel Gutierrez/EPA April 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. government authorized new financial operations with Venezuelan state»»»
Lesvos ferry freight disrupted as farmers plan new protest Thursday
Ferry services between Lesvos and mainland Greece continued to be disrupted Wednesday afternoon after livestock farmers blocked the loading and unloading of freight trucks at the port of Mytilene in protest over measures linked to efforts to contain foot-and-mouth disease. The ferry Blue Star Patmo»»»
Ambassadors Set to Meet Again Ahead of Launch of Lebanon-Israel Negotiations
Lebanon’s and Israel’s ambassadors to Washington are preparing for a second meeting after an initial round on Tuesday at the US State Department, hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting is aimed at shaping talks and securing a ceasefire pushed by Washington before launching a negotiat»»»
Merz praises Lufthansa on centenary as strikes ruin party
Frankfurt, Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday praised "the strategic importance" of Lufthansa as the German airline giant marked its centenary, but the celebrations were marred by a wave of recent strikes. "Lufthansa provides technical and logistical support for the German government f»»»
Lebanon complains to UN over Israel's 'Black Wednesday' attacks
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry has filed an official complaint with the U.N. Security Council over Israel’s intense barrage on the country last week that it says killed over 300 people and wounded 1,150 others. In less than 10 minutes last Wednesday, Israel struck 100 targets across Beirut, the Bekaa V»»»
Pakistani Delegation Arrives in Tehran in Move to Ease Tensions and Arrange More US-Iran Talks
Pakistan’s army chief arrived Wednesday for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move to ease tensions in the Middle East and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran after almost seven weeks of war. The Pakistani military said the delegation also included the c»»»
Iran Can Go up to Two Months without Oil Exports Before Cutting Output, Analysts Say
Iran can withstand a complete halt in oil exports of up to two months before being forced to curb production, analysts said, after the US began blocking shipping in and out of the country's ports on April 13. The blockade could prevent roughly 2 million barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian crude from r»»»
3 paramedics killed in south Lebanon, Israel says 200 Hezbollah targets hit
Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes on the country's south killed at least three paramedics on Wednesday, as the Israeli army announced it had attacked 200 Hezbollah targets over 24 hours. Hezbollah meanwhile claimed attacks on northern Israel and on invading Israeli troops, a day after Leban»»»
Mixed feelings in Lebanon over talks with Israel
Lebanese were divided on Wednesday over their government’s decision to pursue rare, direct negotiations with Israel in hopes of ending the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. Some forced to flee their homes and communities in southern Lebanon say they believe Israel’s ground invasion can »»»
UAE universities to resume in-person learning on Monday
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced that all public and private higher education institutions will resume in-person learning starting Monday, April 20, 2026. The decision follows the completion of extensive readiness measures, including full preparation of campus »»»
Sharjah moves rental cases online in push to modernise dispute resolution
Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Judicial Council, on Wednesday inaugurated a digital rental disputes platform that enables virtual hearings, enforceable judgments and secure digital archiving of rulings. The platform is»»»
Alcaraz pulls out of Barcelona Open with wrist injury
Barcelona: Carlos Alcaraz withdrew on Wednesday from the Barcelona Open because of a wrist injury that troubled him in his first-round match, potentially casting doubt over his Roland Garros defence. "I won't be able to continue in the tournament," Alcaraz told reporters a day after his win over Fi»»»
Parking, Secure Parking enter strategic alliance to accelerate seamless, automated parking solutions
Parkin Company, Dubai’s leading provider of paid public parking facilities and services, has signed a strategic partnership with SP Corporation Car Parking Management LLC (Secure Parking) to accelerate the rollout of barrierless, smart parking systems across the UAE. The collaboration follows a suc»»»
3 paramedics killed in south Lebanon, Israel says 200 Hezbollah targets hit
Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes on the country's south killed at least three paramedics on Wednesday, as the Israeli army announced it had attacked 200 Hezbollah targets over 24 hours. Hezbollah meanwhile claimed attacks on northern Israel and on invading Israeli troops, a day after Leban»»»
Israel hails Lebanon talks as 'historic opportunity' to end 'Hezbollah stranglehold'
Israel hailed on Wednesday the opening of direct talks with Beirut as a "historic opportunity" that could end Hezbollah's "stranglehold" on Lebanon. "This is indeed a genuine historic opportunity to end decades of Hezbollah stranglehold over Lebanon," Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told »»»
Continue the Change Leader Slams Opponents over Economic Platforms
The leader of Continue the Change, Assen Vassilev, slammed his main opponents’ economic proposals as inadequate for the looming crisis. Speaking on The Day with Veselin Dremdzhiev programme and quoted by his party’s press office, he commented on a Tuesday debate on party economic platforms (moderat»»»
EU rejects Meta's pay-for-access remedy in WhatsApp AI chatbots probe
Brussels, Belgium: The EU told Meta Wednesday that charging rival AI chatbots for access to its WhatsApp platform runs against the bloc's antitrust rules, rebuffing the measure taken by the US giant in response to a probe. Meta started charging a fee as redress in March after an EU probe found it h»»»
Israeli Settlers Block Palestinian Kids’ Path to School with Tear Gas and Barbed Wire
Hajar and Rashid Hathaleen have always walked to school from their neighborhood on the outskirts of Umm al-Khair. But when classes resumed this week for the first time since the Iran war began, coiled barbed wire blocked the Palestinian siblings' path to the village center. Israeli settlers had ins»»»
China FM Tells Iran Beijing Supports ‘Momentum of Peace Talks’
China's top diplomat told his Iranian counterpart that Beijing "supports maintaining the momentum of the ceasefire and peace talks" in a phone call on Wednesday, as negotiators from Pakistan landed in Tehran to discuss a second round of US-Iran talks. Peace talks are "in the fundamental interests o»»»
Al-Shaibani, Dutch counterpart discuss support for Syria in reconstruction process
Damascus, April 15 (SANA) Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, received Wednesday a phone call from Dutch counterpart Tom Berendsen on means of enhancing relations between Syria and the Netherlands. Talks between the two ministers addressed cooperation in the reconstruction and develo»»»
Leftist gains in race to presidential runoff in Peru; count continues - UPI.com
Roberto Sanchez, presidential candidate for the Juntos por el Peru party, speaks during a press conference in Lima, Peru, on Monday. Sanchez has moved into second place in the voting, which continues and will lead to a runoff June 7. Photo by John Reyes Mejia/EPA April 15 (UPI) -- Leftist candidate»»»
Hot afternoons with chances of rain accompanied by thunder during Muakhar star ascent: QMD
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Meteorology Department announced that tonight marks the first night of the Al-Muakhar star, also known as “Al Dira’a al Awal.” The star’s rise last for 13 days. During this period, the weather is moderate at night but hot during the afternoon. The "Al-Sarayat" season continue»»»
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Confirms Oil Negotiations, Coordination Over US-Iran Ceasefire
Pakistan has been in contact with Moscow regarding the ceasefire negotiations between the US and Iran and coordinated its position with Russia, Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said. MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Will the US-Iran talks continue in Islamabad, does Pakistan intend to buy Russian oil, a»»»
Sevtopolis Medical & SPA Hotel in Pavel Banya Has Welcomed Guests from 75 Countries, Performed Over 1 Mln Treatments
Since its opening in 2010, the Sevtopolis Medical & SPA Hotel in Pavel Banya has welcomed guests from 75 countries and performed over one million treatments have been performed, the hotel management told BTA. Pavel Banya is a balneological centre with a long-standing tradition in mineral water trea»»»
UAE President grants Dr. Abdullah Al Mandous rank of minister
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a Federal Decree granting Dr. Abdulla Ahmed Al Mandous, Director General of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the rank of Minister. The recognition highlights the UAE's leadership in climate science, meteorology and advanc»»»
Orbán’s Patriots group try but fail to block rule-of-law crackdown in new EU budget
Viktor Orbán’s far-right Patriots for Europe (PfE) bloc in the European Parliament opposed measures aimed at tackling rule-of-law breaches in the EU’s forthcoming long-term budget. “We cannot agree to the conditionality mechanism which is used for political purposes,” said Tomasz Buczek, a Polish P»»»
New 360km railway line to connect UAE, Jordan
Dubai: The UAE and Jordan have signed a $2.3 billion agreement to build a 360-kilometre railway linking Jordan’s mining hubs to the Port of Aqaba, targeting annual transport capacity of 16 million tonnes of phosphate and potash. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The agre»»»
Sidra Medicine performs Qatar’s first pediatric sacral neuromodulation
Doha, Qatar: Sidra Medicine, has successfully performed a sacral neuromodulation implantation procedure on an eight-year-old child with spina bfida. The innovative procedure, a minimally invasive solution for children suffering from severe bladder dysfunction was done in collaboration with Dr. Tari»»»
How Ghalibaf emerged as Iran’s power broker in the post-Khamenei era
Dubai: Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has emerged as the most visible power broker in Tehran, stepping into a central role in both the war effort and high-stakes diplomacy as the Islamic republic navigates a new phase following the US-Israel conflict. A pillar of the Iranian est»»»
Bain Capital sets up Abu Dhabi base for regional deals
Dubai: Bain Capital has opened an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market, expanding its presence in the Middle East and strengthening access to regional investors and deal opportunities. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The office will support capital raising from regional i»»»
Getting the best out of distance learning
Distance learning has, in recent times, become an essential means of ensuring continuity in education. While it can never fully replicate the richness of face-to-face classroom experiences, it has demonstrated that meaningful learning can continue even in challenging circumstances when schools, stu»»»
Trump again threatens to fire Powell if he doesn't step down - UPI.com
Chair of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference at the Federal Reserve on March 18. Trump has once again threatened to fire Powell. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 15 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump again threatened to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerom»»»
Building on cooperation
Economic cooperation is an integral part of the discussions that President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi is holding with his counterparts during his visit to Germany this week. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi will meet his German counterpart Joachim Gauck in Berlin today, Wednesday, during his visit »»»
Trump says Iran war 'very close to being over'
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated peace talks with Tehran could resume this week, as the United States turned the screws Wednesday with a naval blockade it said had cut off maritime trade with Iran. Trump's hint came as Israel and Lebanon agreed to open direct negotiations after a rare face»»»
Hezbollah Escalates Politically and Militarily Over Lebanon-Israel Talks
Hezbollah is responding to direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, under US sponsorship, on two tracks: political and military. Politically, it is disavowing the talks and calling on the state to “reconsider its decision to negotiate with Israel,” describing the move as one that “will deepe»»»
Justice Department officials turned away in visit to the Fed - UPI.com
1 of 3 | U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro sent Justice Department prosecutors to the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday but they were turned away from entering to inspect renovations. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 15 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro se»»»
‘The star is the team,’ says Al-Khelaïfi after PSG reach Champions League semifinals
Doha, Qatar: Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, President of Paris Saint-Germain, praised his side’s collective approach after they secured a place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Liverpool FC at Anfield on Tuesday evening, sealing a 4-0 aggregate victory. PSG are the defending champi»»»