South Korea major retailers posted a 5.6% March sales gain, with online channels taking a bigger share of consumer spending in the country.

UAE and Mauritania held Abu Dhabi talks on bilateral cooperation, renewable energy, maritime security and broader regional developments.

UAE and India stepped up high-level engagement as Ajit Doval met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi to discuss security and energy.

UAE mediation helped Russia and Ukraine exchange 386 captives, with 193 returned by each side in a confirmed humanitarian swap on April 24.

Syria will receive US$225 million in World Bank grants to rebuild water and health services after years of conflict damage nationwide.