Dubai: First Abu Dhabi Bank reported a rise in first-quarter earnings, supported by lending growth and diversified income, even as regional tensions weighed on client activity toward the end of the period. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.Operating»»»

Singapore: Oil prices were marginally lower on Thursday, April 23, 2026, after big gains in the previous session amid the stalled peace talks between Iran and the United States, and the disruption of trade through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures fell 15 cents to $101.76 a barrel, after se»»»

Doha, Qatar: Shura Council Speaker H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim has held talks with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the State of Qatar H E Alvaro Renedo Zalba, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and discussing regional developments. According to a statement, the meeting review»»»

Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was killed Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike on a house in southern Lebanon where she had taken cover while reporting on the Israel-Hezbollah war. Her body was only retrieved from the rubble hours later, rescue workers said. The daily Al-Akhbar newspaper says its rep»»»

Israel and Lebanon hold a new round of talks in Washington on Thursday, during which Beirut plans to request a one-month extension of a ceasefire due to expire within days. Israel stated ahead of the talks that it has no "serious disagreements" with Lebanon, calling on it to "work together" against»»»

Europe’s summer getaway is under threat as airlines slash thousands of flights amid a deepening jet fuel crunch, raising alarm among holidaymakers. Lufthansa alone is scrapping 20,000 services through October to conserve fuel, the carrier announced on Tuesday, while airlines across the continent tr»»»

Singapore: Gold prices dropped amid volatile trading Thursday, April 23, 2026, as rising oil prices heightened concerns about inflation and persistently high interest rates. Meanwhile, investors are awaiting clearer direction on the potential peace talks between the United States and Iran. Spot gol»»»

TEHRAN: Iran hanged a man on Thursday after he was convicted of membership in a banned opposition group and alleged collaboration with Israel, the judiciary said. "Sultan-Ali Shirzadi-Fakhr was hanged early this morning for membership in the terrorist group" of the People's Mujahedin Organisation (»»»

US defense companies are reporting a surge in demand for military equipment, as the war in the Middle East prompts fresh orders from governments around the world. Earnings Tuesday signaled that 2026 will be another strong year after a robust 2025 in the wake of continuing conflicts in Gaza and Ukra»»»

The European Union has hinted at imposing additional sanctions aimed at Sudan’s war economy, and rejected what it called “parallel governance” in the country. A statement issued by the High Representative on behalf of the EU reiterated the European Union’s “commitment to Sudan’s unity, sovereignty »»»

US President Donald Trump has not set a firm deadline to receive Iran's proposal amid the extended ceasefire, White House press secretary Karoline Levitt said on Wednesday. "The president has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal," Leavitt told reporters. The US is waiting for Iran»»»

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the killing of journalist Amal Khalil and the wounding of Zeinab Faraj in southern Lebanon. "Targeting journalists, obstructing access by relief teams to them, and even targeting their locations again after these teams have arrived, constitutes describ»»»

DUBAI: Iran fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz and seized two of them Wednesday, intensifying its assault on shipping in the key waterway. The attacks came a day after US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire while maintaining an American blockade of Iranian ports.The standoff betwe»»»

Security Council Secretary of Kyrgyzstan, Adilet Orozbekov, met with Gholam Hossein Yadegari, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Kyrgyz Republic. They exchanged views on events unfolding in the Middle East and their impact on the Central Asian region»»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Beijing and Hanoi are stepping up co-operation centred on internal security, in the process offering a preview of how China may deepen ties across south-east Asia despite longstanding differences with several countries in the region. »»»

Candidates for the top job at the United Nations pledged on Wednesday to pursue reforms to revive the body, while reaffirming its core role in peacemaking and development. Four contenders aim to succeed Antonio Guterres next year, following hearings with member states and civil »»»

Sadri Haghshenas spends her days selling borek — a layered, savory pastry — at a shop in Istanbul, but her mind is on her daughter in Tehran. The family had to send her home to Iran after they ran into difficulties renewing her visa, despite fears that a shaky ceasefire could soon collapse. For yea»»»

WASHINGTON: Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his job, the Pentagon abruptly announced Wednesday, the first head of a military service to depart during President Donald Trump’s second term but just the latest top defense leader to step down or be ousted. No reason was given for the unexpected d»»»

Ukraine could face ‌increased risks in securing US anti-missile defenses if the war in Iran goes on for an extended period of ​time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday. Zelensky, interviewed by CNN, said Ukraine received limited numbers of such weaponry because US production w»»»

Share: The late Amal Khalil, a Lebanese journalist working for the pro-Hezbollah daily Al Akhbar newspaper, reports near a destroyed bridge in Qasmiyeh, Lebanon, on March 22, 2026 [Mohammed Zaatari/AP Photo] Senior Iranian officials have blamed Washington for stalled peace negotiations due to the U»»»

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has refused to release former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte, ruling that it has jurisdiction over his case despite his country’s withdrawal from the tribunal. The 81‑year‑old will remain in custody in The Hague. Duterte was arrested at Manila airport i»»»

Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil and gas shipping route — is “impossible” amid what Tehran calls “flagrant violations” of the current ceasefire by the United States and Israel. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download»»»

An Israeli airstrike killed a Lebanese journalist and wounded another on Wednesday while they were working near the border with Israel, according to their employer and rescuers. The civil defence agency's press office said rescuers were "able to recover the body of martyred journalist Amal Khalil, »»»

On 15 and 16 April, the US evacuated its last remaining base in Syria, bringing to a close more than a decade of American military presence in the country. The withdrawal from the Qasrak base in Hasakah province amounts to a declaration by Washington and Damascus that relations between the two coun»»»

Former U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan, far right, listens to Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, second from right, in South Korea. Phelan is out as Navy Secretary effective immediately, the Pentagon said Wednesday. File Photo courtesy of Hanwha Ocean April 22 (UPI) -- John Phelan is out as »»»

EU member states on Wednesday gave a preliminary approval to unlock a €90 billion loan for Ukraine. The decision comes after delays linked to an oil dispute with Hungary over the Druzhba pipeline.  EU countries on Wednesday gave a preliminary green light to unblocking a €90 billion loan for Uk»»»

Khaled Al Hameidi Doha In the midst of one of the most volatile regional crises in recent years, Qatar has emerged as a central diplomatic actor, deploying coordinated political, strategic, and economic efforts aimed at de-escalation, preserving the ceasefire, and ensuring the continued flow of glo»»»

US President Donald Trump has said Iran’s leadership is “seriously fractured”. Trump made this declaration in announcing another extension of the ceasefire and signaled that US pressure on Tehran will continue. He said the truce would be kept in place to give negotiations "more time", while the US »»»

QNA Doha The Cabinet has commended the efforts of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in working to de-escalate tensions, promote peace, and prioritize diplomacy and dialogue as the primary means of resolving disputes. During its weekly meeting, chaired by Pr»»»

Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), hosted founders, operators, and community members at its Doha campus as part of SYNC Spring 2026. The initiative connects Syrian technologists, founders and ecosystem partners across the diaspora th»»»

QNA Doha Shura Council Speaker HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim on Wednesday held talks with Ambassador of Spain to Qatar HE Alvaro Renedo Zalba, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and discussing regional developments. According to a statement, the meeting reviewed cooperation between th»»»

Iranians are confronting mass layoffs and soaring inflation amid destroyed infrastructure and internet blackouts. We take a closer look. But first: US senators grill Donald Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve chair, and the global condom industry takes a blow from supply chain issues tied to the cl»»»

BAGHDAD: The United States blocked a plane carrying nearly $500 million in banknotes from delivering the cash to Iraq, US media reported on Tuesday, piling pressure on Baghdad to fight Iran-backed militant groups. The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has suspended cash shipments to Iraq»»»

President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that a second French soldier had died following an attack on United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon last week, ​which ‌he said was carried out by Iran-backed Hezbollah. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with the spokesperson of the UN peacekeeping mission UNIF»»»

FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with Negah Angha, Former National Security Advisor under US President Joe Biden, about the ongoing standoff between Iran and the United States, which has choked off all traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. She says that "right now both sides are testing each other" add»»»

WASHINGTON: Global air travel remains severely disrupted, with many people unable to fly as ‌planned to destinations after the Iran war forced the closure of major Middle Eastern hubs, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Below is the latest on flights, in alphabetical order: Greece’s largest carri»»»