Hamas Hopes Pressure Will Amend Gaza Disarmament Plan
Hamas is pressing mediators to secure changes to a plan presented more than a week ago by Nikolay Mladenov, the High Representative of the “Board of Peace,” which calls for the full disarmament of Gaza without exception. A Hamas delegation in Cairo is holding intensive talks with Palestinian factio»»»
'Extraordinary' views of home as astronauts head towards the Moon
Houston: As Artemis 2 astronauts forged Friday on their lunar mission, NASA released initial images taken ahead from inside the Orion spacecraft, including a full portrait of Earth featuring its deep blue oceans and billowing clouds. After a flurry of high-stakes activity including a dramatic blast»»»
Artemis II crew captures stunning earth views on moon mission
Cape Canaveral, Florida: The Artemis II astronauts have captured our blue planet's brilliant beauty as they zoom ever closer to the moon. NASA released the crew's first downlinked images Friday, 1 1/2 days into the first astronaut moonshot in more than half a century. The first photo taken by comma»»»
Baghdad Says Faction Attacks are ‘Individual Attempts’
The Iraqi government moved on Friday to contain the fallout from an escalating regional war, after the US issued sharp warnings of possible attacks on its interests inside Iraq. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani vowed to pursue those behind attacks and the kidnapping of foreigners, saying the »»»
Number of road accidents involving scooters, mopeds increased 12-fold in Bishkek - | 24.KG
In 2025, about 682 road accidents involving scooters were recorded in the capital, with 756 injuries and 14 fatalities—significantly higher than in 2022. It was reported at a road safety forum for scooter, moped, and personal mobility vehicle drivers. Participants discussed the increase in road acc»»»
Israeli Army: Hezbollah Disarmament Needs Full Occupation of Lebanon
A senior Israeli military commander said on Friday that disarming Hezbollah was not part of the current war objectives, and that the army’s plan instead focused on razing entire villages in southern Lebanon and forcibly displacing residents to create a buffer zone imposing a new border reality. Def»»»
Two US fighter jets downed in Mideast, one crew member rescued
A US fighter jet was shot down over Iranian airspace on Friday, triggering a search operation by Washington which rescued one crew member. A second US Air Force aircraft went down later in the day, according to a US official. The whereabouts of any other crew were not immediately known. A US f»»»
Over 1,000 police officers to patrol Bishkek over weekend - | 24.KG
More than 1,000 police officers will patrol Bishkek today and tomorrow, following instructions by the head of the city’s Main Department of Internal Affairs. According to the department’s press service, a roll call and briefing of the capital’s police personnel was held ahead of the weekend. Office»»»
Israel Says Striking Hezbollah Sites in Beirut after Destroying Bridge
The Israeli military said Saturday it had begun striking "Hezbollah infrastructure" in Beirut after it destroyed a bridge in eastern Lebanon to prevent the Iran-backed group's reinforcements from crossing. An AFP journalist heard two loud explosions in the capital within half an hour early Saturday»»»
Diner stunned as microchip found in meal reveals meat is from retired Turkish racehorse
An electronic identification microchip found in a meat stew served by a Turkish soup kitchen turned out to be from a racehorse retired early with a broken leg. The fate of four-year-old thoroughbred mare Smart Latch, illeg»»»
Diner stunned as microchip found in meal reveals meat is from retired Turkish racehorse
An electronic identification microchip found in a meat stew served by a Turkish soup kitchen turned out to be from a racehorse retired early with a broken leg. The fate of four-year-old thoroughbred mare Smart Latch, illeg»»»
Middle East conflict could cut Indian fertiliser output by 10–15%
Due to supply chain disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, India could potentially see a decline in fertiliser output. According to a recent Bloomberg report, New Delhi has asked China to allow the sale of some urea cargoes. Indian officials have asked Beijing to ease restrictio»»»
Middle East conflict could cut Indian fertiliser output by 10–15%
Due to supply chain disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, India could potentially see a decline in fertiliser output. According to a recent Bloomberg report, New Delhi has asked China to allow the sale of some urea cargoes. Indian officials have asked Beijing to ease restrictio»»»
Middle East conflict could cut Indian fertiliser output by 10–15%
Due to supply chain disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, India could potentially see a decline in fertiliser output. According to a recent Bloomberg report, New Delhi has asked China to allow the sale of some urea cargoes. Indian officials have asked Beijing to ease restrictio»»»
2 US Aircraft Shot Down as War in Iran Escalates. At Least 1 Crew Member is Missing
Iran shot down two US military planes in separate attacks Friday, with one service member rescued and at least one missing, in a dramatic escalation since the war began nearly five weeks ago. It was the first time US aircraft have been downed in the conflict and came just two days after President D»»»
Artemis II astronauts ignite engines and head for lunar flyby
NASA’s Artemis II astronauts fired their engines and set course for a lunar flyby on Thursday, marking the first human departure from Earth orbit since 1972. The crew of three Americans and one Canadian will break distance records, witness a solar eclipse and pave the way for future lunar missions »»»
Cuba begins prisoner release after announcing more than 2,000 pardoned
Cuban authorities began releasing prisoners on Friday after announcing the day before that 2,010 inmates had been pardoned, marking a second wave of releases in less than a month as Havana faces increased pressure from the United States. Cuban authorities began to free prisoners on Friday after ann»»»
The World This Week - Iran: US fighter jet downed, War “It’s not a show”, The Space Race, Will Syrians leave Germany?
It’s been a week that began with President Trump addressing the nation for the first time since the Iran War began five weeks ago. Expectations that he might signal an end to the conflict—or announce a ground offensive or a split from NATO—were unmet. Instead, his 18-minute speech echoed his social»»»
From 250 to 700 dollars per article: How Russia influenced West African media content
A leak of confidential documents from a network of Russian agents operating on the African continent reveals how Russia managed to place hundreds of articles in 35 different West African French-language media outlets – sometimes without their knowledge. The FRANCE 24 Observers team worked with»»»
How a Russian influence network is spreading anti-Ukrainian propaganda in Ivory Coast
The Company – a network of Russian agents specialised in disinformation operations – has been carrying out a vast propaganda campaign against the Ukrainian embassy in Ivory Coast. When the pan-African media outlet The Continent received a trove of leaked documents about this operation, the FRANCE 2»»»
French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan to be tried for 'advocating terrorism' in X post
Rima Hassan, a European Parliament member from the France Unbowed (LFI) party who is of Palestinian descent, will face trial in July on charges of "advocating terrorism" online over a message on X she posted last month. The International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism and the Eur»»»
Access Asia - Asian nations ramp up coal power amid Middle East energy crunch
With Iran effectively turning the Strait of Hormuz into a toll gate, energy shortages are worsening across Asia. Amid the supply crunch, countries are increasingly turning back to coal for electricity, potentially slowing efforts to tackle climate change. Also on the show, Japan’s ageing population»»»
Reporters - When jail becomes home: Japan's elderly seek refuge behind bars
Japan’s demographic crisis is playing out even behind bars. The number of elderly inmates has quadrupled over the past 20 years. Around a fifth of people over 65 live below the poverty line, struggling to make ends meet. Some go to extraordinary lengths to improve their circumstances, deliberately »»»
Russia conducts massive rolling aerial attacks on Ukraine
Russia conducted rolling aerial attacks across Ukraine that began with overnight drone barrages followed by daytime missile and drone attacks that killed six people, Ukrainian officials said Friday. Russia has conducted an increasing number of daytime attacks on Ukraine as it attempts to penetrate »»»
Baltic Sea strikes: How Ukraine aims to undermine Russia's oil profits from Iran war
Ukraine has in recent days intensified drone attacks on ports and refineries in Russia’s Leningrad region on the Baltic Sea. Yet Kyiv’s strategy of trying to stop Moscow from reaping the benefits of oil disruption in the Middle East doesn’t come without significant risk. Ukrainian drones struck key»»»
Zhogorku Kenesh deputies provided with tablets - | 24.KG
Deputies of the Zhogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of Kyrgyzstan have been provided with tablets, MP Dastan Bekeshev reported. According to him, the devices were already tested on April 3 during a meeting of the parliamentary committee on budget. It is noted that speakers will now be able to connect spec»»»
Unauthorized quarry and $15 million damage: Foreigner detained in Jalal-Abad - | 24.KG
Illegal land use has been uncovered in Toguz-Toro district of Jalal-Abad region, the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan (SCNS) reported. According to the SCNS, the foreign-owned company Avrora-Tour LLC, headed by a foreign national identified as L.Zh.Zh., unlawfully occupied a land»»»
MPs of Zhogorku Kenesh to be trained in lawmaking and cybersecurity - | 24.KG
Orientation seminars for deputies of the 8th convocation of the Zhogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan have begun. Participants will be trained in key aspects of parliamentary work — from lawmaking and oversight to engagement with citizens and the media, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) repor»»»
UAE weather forecast: Rising temperatures; rain, strong winds ahead
Dubai: Fair to partly cloudy skies are expected across the UAE on Saturday, with temperatures set to rise slightly before unsettled conditions bring a chance of rain and stronger winds in the days ahead, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). Get updated faster and for FREE: Downloa»»»
Rail disaster trial spirals into chaos
Courtroom proceedings over Greece’s deadliest peacetime rail disaster have devolved into shouting matches, hallway confrontations and bitter recriminations, casting doubt on whether justice will be served for the 57 victims of the 2023 Tempe train collision. The so-called “small trial” – a prelimin»»»
Lebanon’s displaced face rising hostility as airstrikes fuel fear and evictions – Ya Libnan
Share: Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs © Ibrahim Amro, AFP A growing number of Shiite families displaced by the war in Lebanon say they’re being pushed out of towns where they feel unwelcome over the suspicion that they may be Hezbollah members By : BA»»»
Dubai’s KHDA, UAE schools respond after IGCSE, A Level, IB exam cancellations
Dubai: For thousands of students across the UAE who have spent a long time preparing for high-stakes international examinations, the news recently arrived in waves. First the IB. Then Cambridge, Pearson and OxfordAQA. One by one, the major exam boards have confirmed that traditional in-person writt»»»
Artemis mission shares office space -- and physics -- with Apollo
As four astronauts whiz toward a flyby of the Moon, looking out for them are mission control experts using cutting-edge technology and lessons learned from the Apollo program 50 years ago. The nerve centre of the operation is the White Flight Control Room, where flight directors Judd Frieling and R»»»
FEMA official claims he teleported to Waffle House, staff does not remember him - UPI.com
A FEMA official reiterated his claims that he has experienced teleportation, including once suddenly finding himself in a Waffle House about 50 miles away from his previous location. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo April 3 (UPI) -- An official in the Federal Emergency Management A»»»
Hide, find water: US ex-pilot details how to survive being shot down
As American forces race against time and Iran's military to locate a missing fighter jet crew reportedly shot down Friday, a retired Air Force general told AFP what it takes to hide and survive if parachuted into enemy territory. "You're like, 'Oh my God, I was in a fighter jet two minutes ago, fly»»»
Iran hunts crew member of crashed US jet after one reported rescued
Iranian and American forces were racing each other early Saturday to recover a crew member of the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war. Tehran said it had shot down the F-15 warplane, while US media reported American special forces had rescued one of its two crew m»»»
China says peace talks between Afghanistan, Pakistan are advancing
BEIJING: Peace talks between Afghanistan's Taliban government and Pakistan are advancing, China's government said Friday, two days after those countries resumed conversations following weeks of fighting that have killed hundreds. “The consultation process is being steadily implemented and advanced,»»»
Trump requests $152M to reopen Alcatraz as a prison - UPI.com
The funds are included in the Trump administration's 2027 federal budget proposal. The Trump administration has requested $152 million to reopen the prison on Alcatraz Island, which he first directed his administration to do in May 2025. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo April 3 (UPI)»»»
Utah hikers rescued after flash flood sweeps through slot canyon - UPI.com
Emergency crews at Goblin Valley State Park after hikers were caught in a flash flood Wednesday. Photo courtesy Goblin Valley State Park/Facebook Rescuers rushed to Goblin Valley State Park in southern Utah on Wednesday after multiple hikers were caught in flash flooding and swept down a slot canyo»»»
Nabeul: 1,000 jobs set to be created in textile through a TND 5M project
Tunis, April 3 (TAP) - An investment project in the textile sector, expected to ultimately generate nearly 1,000 direct jobs, will soon be launched in the Nabeul governorate, according to the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation...»»»
Federal judge refuses to reconsider quashing Fed subpoenas - UPI.com
A federal district court judge denied a Department of Justice motion asking the court to reconsider its quashing of subpoenas aimed at U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, pictured in January at a press conference, and the Fed Board. File Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo April 3 (»»»
Congolese business delegation expected in Tunisia to seal food product supply deals
Tunis, April 3 (TAP) - A delegation of Congolese business leaders working in import and distribution, in partnership with major companies interested in distribution channels and the marketing of food products, will visit Tunisia from April 6 to 9,...»»»
Strong geomagnetic storm may produce vivid northern lights as far south as Pennsylvania - UPI.com
The northern lights can be seen from Gillette, Wyo., on October 5, 2024. File Photo by Tony Laubach/AccuWeather Activity from the sun could create displays of the aurora borealis across the northern half of the United States this weekend. The sun has produced multiple solar flares and associated co»»»
First Western shipping vessel transits Strait of Hormuz since start of Iran war - UPI.com
Many international shipping vessels, such as the one pictured in March, have been anchored and idling in the Middle East after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian traffic after the United States and Israel engaged in a war there. Friday, Iran allowed vessels linked to France and Japan t»»»
Flying from UAE? 42 Air India, Air India Express flights to West Asia on April 4
Air India and Air India Express will operate a total of 42 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the West Asia region on April 4, 2026. This includes 26 non-scheduled flights to and from the UAE, subject to slot availability and other operational conditions at departure airports. All flig»»»
SpaceX IPO: Can Elon Musk justify a $1.75 trillion valuation?
Dubai: When Elon Musk began positioning SpaceX for what could be a record-breaking IPO, the headline figure—up to $75 billion—drew the most attention, but the proposed listing is shaping up as much as a referendum on Musk’s broader strategy as it is on the company itself. Get updated faster and for»»»
1 crew member rescued after US fighter jet shot down in Iran
A U.S. fighter jet was shot down in Iran on Friday and one crew member was rescued, officials said, the first aircraft downed since the war began nearly five weeks ago. It marked a major escalation in the conflict just two days after President Donald Trump said in a national address that the U.S. h»»»
Pakistan cuts petrol prices a day after steep increase
Pakistan will cut petrol prices by 80 rupees per litre to 378 rupees ($1.35), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said late on Friday. The reduction will be funded through the government’s petroleum levy. The move comes just a day after it raised fuel prices by at least 43 percent, citing rising global o»»»
Samokov Hotel Spa in Borovets Offers Year-Round Wellness and Signature "After Ski" Therapy
The spa centre at the Samokov Hotel in the Borovets mountain resort offers year-round services, including a signature therapy called "After Ski," said the hotel manager Svetlana Atanasova to BTA. The centre was created as a space for complete relaxation, recovery, and health care. The spa services »»»
Spa Centre at Veliko Tarnovo's Grand Hotel Yantra Offers View of Historic Landmark Hills
The spa centre at Grand Hotel Yantra in Veliko Tarnovo now offers the most modern forms of relaxation after a major renovation, hotel manager Ivo Staykov told BTA. The renovation was completed in 2025 and covered the main areas - indoor pool, relaxation spaces, etc. The next phase will include cons»»»