Bangkok: A Thai court decided on Friday to hear a case against 10 MPs, including the leader of the largest opposition party, for trying to reform the royal insult law, but refrained from suspending them. The progressive People's Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, came second in February's gen»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Chairman of the Committee for Developing and Enhancing Quran and Arabic Language Education, Professor Dr. Sultan Ibrahim Al-Hashimi, has announced that the “Quran Teacher” programme will officially begin implementation in schools from Sunday as part of a national effort to strength»»»

The Kraken is a huge tentacled sea monster from Norse folklore that drags ships and sailors down into the deep. During the age of dinosaurs, new research shows, there existed a creature as close to a real-life Kraken as you could possibly get - an enormous octopus that prowled the seas as an apex p»»»

Interviewed on Bulgarian National Television on Friday, Central Election Commission (CEC) Deputy Chair and spokesperson Rositsa Mateva said there were no reports of vote rigging during the April 19 parliamentary elections. She added that she could comment on hypothetical assumptions about manipulat»»»

Doha, Qatar: As part of its commitment to fostering a culture of professional excellence, the General Directorate of Industrial Security at the Ministry of Interior honoured a number of its personnel from various affiliated departments in recognition of their outstanding performance and dedication »»»

Although US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have made the ultimate war and ceasefire decisions regarding Iran, The Jerusalem Post revealed the details and extent to which Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, a»»»

Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices — but the disruption doesn’t end there. For travelers, it can mean having to navigate a confusing web of passenger protections that vary widely depending on where they’re fly»»»

Dubai: Filmmaker and former Bigg Boss Malayalam winner Akhil Marar has come under fire for his recent comments on pregnancy, with women, doctors, and activists in Kerala strongly pushing back against his views. In a recent interview, Marar described pregnancy as a “natural process” that has been tu»»»

Demand for new apartments in Poland’s seven largest cities accelerated in Q1 2026, underlining the sector’s resilience. Developers sold 12,900 units, up 11.1% quarter-on-quarter and 35.2% year-on-year, according to JLL. Aleksandra Gawrońska said sales rose despite the long January-February holiday »»»

Poland’s National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) plans a record PLN 37 billion budget in 2026 to finance the energy transition and environmental projects. A major share will support thermal upgrades to public buildings, including schools and hospitals, alongside tr»»»

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced policymakers in Asia to face questions over the security of other maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca, which is the world's busiest waterway for international trade. Importance of The Malacca Strait The 900-km (550-mile) long Malacca »»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has released its statistical report on the performance of municipalities across the country during the first quarter of 2026, highlighting extensive efforts in public health oversight, regulatory compliance, and service delivery. According to the report, mu»»»

Washington - Robert Jimison Over nearly eight weeks of war in Iran, Republicans in Congress have turned back repeated efforts by Democrats to halt the operation and force US President Donald Trump, who began the conflict without congressional authorization, to consult with lawmakers on the military»»»

Moldova’s industrial production (chart) increased by 2.4% year-on-year in January-February 2026, supported by strong growth in the energy sector, while a steep contraction in extractive industries weighed on overall performance, the National Bureau of Statistics (BNS) reported. »»»

Singapore: Gold held near flat in early Asian trade on Friday, April 24, 2026, but was on track for a weekly decline, pressured by rising oil prices and persistent inflation concerns, while ongoing tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz added to market »»»

Hungary’s economy is expected to grow only modestly this year, with consumption remaining the main driver of expansion, while investments are likely to pick up more meaningfully only in 2027, according to the Equilibrium Institute (ESI). For 2026, the Equilibrium Institute (ESI – Institute for Equi»»»

Chancellery Minister Gergely Gulyás answered journalists’ questions after consultations on preparations for the next legislative term, addressing the causes of the election defeat and what comes next. Asked whether Viktor Orbán would also step down as leader of Fidesz, Gulyás referred to the party »»»

Thumbay Healthcare today marked another major milestone in its journey of clinical innovation with the inauguration of two landmark facilities at Thumbay Medicity, Al Jurf, Ajman — a state‑of‑the‑art Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) unit at Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, and »»»

April 24 (UPI) -- Authorities in North Carolina and Texas have arrested two teenagers accused of conspiring to attack a Houston synagogue, according to police and court documents. The two suspects were separately arrested: 18-year-old Angelina Han Hicks of Lexington, N.C., on Wednesday and an unnam»»»

Geneva: United Nations agencies announced the success of a large-scale global immunization effort known, which reached around 18.3 million children aged between one and five years across 36 countries, delivering 100 million doses of life-saving vaccines. This was stated in a joint release by Gavi, »»»

SEOUL: South Korean special prosecutors requested a further 30-year term on Friday for jailed ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol for allegedly sending military drones into North Korea in 2024. Yoon is accused of ordering the incursion to help create the pretext for his failed declaration of martial law tha»»»

Etel Adnan ‘Untitled’ The late Lebanese-American artist and writer was renowned for her use of bold colors in her paintings. “(Her) vibrant compositions unfold through rich, geometric fields of color, reflecting a dynamic interplay between abstraction and her deep-rooted engagement with landscapes »»»

US President Donald Trump said he would impose tariffs on Britain if Prime Minister Keir Starmer does not drop the digital service tax, The Telegraph reported on Friday, citing an interview with the president. Trump told The Telegraph he would “put a big tariff ‌on the UK” if ‌it did not ‌drop ⁠its»»»

Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously wounded in the US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei but is mentally sharp, the New York Times reported on Thursday. Citing several Iranian officials which it did not name, the Times said Mojtaba Khamenei ha»»»

Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»

Central Asian governments pledged to step up efforts to tackle air pollution, with officials calling for deeper regional cooperation and greater international support at a ministerial dialogue in Kazakhstan’s capital. Offi»»»

Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»

Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»

Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»

Central Asian governments pledged to step up efforts to tackle air pollution, with officials calling for deeper regional cooperation and greater international support at a ministerial dialogue in Kazakhstan’s capital. Offi»»»

Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»

Romania’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) withdrew its six ministers from Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s cabinet on April 23, triggering a shift to an interim government and deepening the political standoff at the centre of the ruling coalition, according to a PSD statement. The move comes as the»»»

Dubai: While Dhurandhar may have been headlined by Ranveer Singh, it’s veteran actor Rakesh Bedi who has emerged as one of the film’s biggest talking points. His portrayal of Pakistani politician Jameel Jamali has struck a chord with audiences, earning both critical praise and viral popularity. Acc»»»

Iran is reportedly moving to expand crude storage at Kharg Island by reactivating the 30-year-old very large crude carrier M/T Nasha, a sign that the country’s main oil hub is nearing its onshore storage limit amid the US blockade of Iranian ports. Maritime analysts say the vessel, which had been a»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Department of Meteorology has warned of thundery rain accompanied by strong winds at times, along with high seas offshore. According to the daily weather report, inshore conditions until 6:00 pm on Friday will be relatively hot during the day and partly cloudy, with a chance of sca»»»

Specialists of the energy sector of Kyrgyzstan expect increased water levels in rivers following a snowy winter, Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev said on Birinchi Radio. According to him, the volume of water in Toktogul reservoir currently stands at about 19.5 billion cubic meters. «It is not 9 bil»»»

Kyrgyzstan has tightened measures against begging. The President Sadyr Japarov signed amendments to the Code of Offenses and the Law on External Migration. The legislation, adopted by the Zhogorku Kenesh on April 2, 2026, is aimed at reducing begging cases, improving public order, and enhancing roa»»»

Britain and France Thursday voiced hope that military plans to secure the Strait of Hormuz were coming together and would succeed in restoring trade flows through the vital passage. At a two-day meeting in London, military planners discussed the practicalities of a multinational mission led by the »»»

Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices — but the disruption doesn’t end there. For travelers, it can mean having to navigate a confusing web of passenger protections that vary widely depending on where they’re fly»»»

A total of 95 citizens of Kyrgyzstan have been deported from the United States. Deputy Foreign Minister Almaz Imangaziev told journalists. The expulsions were part of the White House’s measures to tighten immigration controls. According to the Foreign Ministry representative, these measures affect »»»

Dubai: Fair to partly cloudy weather is expected across the UAE on Friday, with light to moderate winds and warm daytime temperatures, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). Winds will be north-easterly to north-westerly at speeds of 10 to 20 km/h, reaching up to 30 km/h at times, w»»»

Dubai: Dubai Police have arrested several motorists for reckless driving that endangered public safety, underscoring the emirate’s firm zero-tolerance stance on traffic violations. Authorities also released a video showing a series of accidents and dangerous driving incidents, highlighting the seve»»»

As a Canadian who has spent 17 years working in Europe, I feel qualified to speak on behalf of the few remaining brain cells still on active duty (that would be just 40% of all Canadian neurons, according to a recent poll): Canada has zero interest in joining the European Union. All some Canadians »»»

Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev spoke on Birinchi Radio about the progress of the small hydropower plant construction project in Kyrgyzstan. He stated that 17 facilities are planned to be commissioned in 2026, two of which are already operational. By 2030, the combined capacity of the small hydrop»»»

Iran is in contact with Russia regarding the continued construction of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and hopes for a speedy resumption of work, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali told Sputnik. On April 15, Russian Consul General in Isfahan Andrey Zhiltsov told Sputnik that Russia had»»»

London: King Charles III heads to the United States on Monday with transatlantic tensions over the Iran war and the Epstein scandal's long shadow threatening to intrude on the landmark visit. Both Buckingham Palace and the British government have said the four?day trip will honour the historic rela»»»

The specialized medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program achieved on Thursday a new medical milestone by successfully separating the Filipino conjoined twins Klea and Maurice Ann following a highly complex surgical procedure, considered among the most challenging cases worldwi»»»

BusinessNorth AmericaMeta, Microsoft purge jobs amid AI build-upWesley Rahn with AP, AFP, dpaFacebook's parent company said it would slash 10% of its workforce, while Microsoft is offering an early retirement scheme. The cuts come as both tech giants make massive investments in AI. https://p.dw.com»»»

On April 23, Sadyr Japarov held talks with Vladimir Putin as part of his working visit to the Russian Federation. The press service of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic reported. They discussed issues of Kyrgyzstan — Russia interaction, with a particular focus on deepening trade and economic coo»»»

Brussels: The European Union on Thursday approved a 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) loan package to help Ukraine meet its economic and military needs for two years after oil began flowing through a key pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia, ending months of political deadlock. The EU also approved a new »»»