UN rights chief calls for arms freeze as report details widespread violations in Lebanon conflict
NEW YORK CITY: A UN human rights report published on Friday documented widespread deaths, displacements and damage to civilian infrastructure in Lebanon during the first three weeks of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. The UN’s high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, called on all »»»
Trump Dispatches Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan for New Talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister
President Donald Trump is sending his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan, the White House said Friday, just hours after Iran’s top diplomat headed to the South Asian nation where officials have been trying to get the United States and Iran to convene for a second round of ceasefire »»»
Shaken by Iran war, EU seeks larger voice on Middle East
NICOSIA: EU leaders vowed to boost security and economic ties with Middle East partners and push for a diplomatic end to the Iran war, after talks in Cyprus focusing on the fallout from the conflict.Leaders from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Jordan as well as the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperati»»»
Shaken by Iran War, EU Seeks Larger Voice on Middle East
EU leaders vowed to boost security and economic ties with Middle East partners and push for a diplomatic end to the Iran war, after talks in Cyprus focusing on the fallout from the conflict. Leaders from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Jordan as well as the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Counc»»»
Large tornado causes injuries, damages homes in Oklahoma - UPI.com
April 24 (UPI) -- A tornado touched down in Enid, Okla., injuring at least 10 people and causing extensive damage to homes in the area, local authorities said. About 40 homes were damaged in the Enid area Thursday evening. The city is in north-central Oklahoma. Local news said the tornado passed th»»»
Mexico strengthens economic team ahead of trade talks with U.S. - UPI.com
Led by Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, a multidisciplinary team aims to strengthen Mexico’s position on key issues, including automotive rules of origin and steel tariffs. File Photo by Jeff Kowalsky/EPA April 24 (UPI) -- Mexico's government has assembled a high-level economic team with a»»»
‘Life never stops in Dubai': Emirati filmmaker Nawaf Al Janahi powers global cinema showcase at DIFC Art Nights this weekend
Dubai: “Life never stops. We don’t believe in that. Here in the UAE, life goes on, and every challenge is just one more step towards more strength, right?” That unflinching belief from Emirati filmmaker Nawaf Al Janahi defines the mood at the on-going DIFC Art Nights, where crowds and creativity co»»»
Two Palestinians killed, others wounded in Israeli airstrike north of Gaza
Gaza: Two Palestinians were killed and others wounded Friday in an Israeli airstrike north of Gaza City. The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) reported that Israeli drones targeted a group of civilians near the Bahloul intersection in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, killing two and woundi»»»
Russian, Pakistani Foreign Ministers Discuss Situation in Persian Gulf
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed by the phone the situation in the Persian Gulf, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. "On April 24, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Fore»»»
Ukraine, Russia swap 193 prisoners of war each in US, UAE-facilitated exchange
KYIV/MOSCOW: Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner of war swap on Friday, sending back 193 captured personnel each in an exchange both sides said was facilitated by the United States and the United Arab Emirates. “It is important that there are exchanges and that our people are returning home»»»
Justice Department drops probe of Fed's Jerome Powell - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., on March 18. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said she would restart the criminal investigation into Powell if need be. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April »»»
Merz Floats Sanctions Relief for Iran Peace Deal, Other EU Leaders Cautious
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested on Friday that the European Union could ease sanctions on Tehran as part of a comprehensive deal that would end the Iran war, but other EU leaders struck a more cautious note. The 27-nation EU has imposed sanctions on Iran for years, including travel bans »»»
Israel PM Says Hezbollah Trying to ‘Sabotage’ Peace Efforts with Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah on Friday of trying to "sabotage" efforts to reach a peace agreement with Lebanon. "We have started a process to reach a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon, and it's clear to us that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage this," he said in»»»
Israel PM says Hezbollah trying to ‘sabotage’ peace efforts with Lebanon
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah on Friday of trying to “sabotage” efforts to reach a peace agreement with Lebanon. “We have started a process to reach a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon, and it’s clear to us that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage this,”»»»
Israeli army says six Hezbollah fighters killed in Bint Jbeil
The Israeli military said its forces killed six Hezbollah fighters in the flashpoint southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Friday during a clash that included a firefight. According to the Israeli military, troops identified six Hezbollah fighters operating Bint Jbeil, an area that saw heavy figh»»»
Macut receives Reshetnikov
BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut met with Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov in Belgrade on Friday. "The meeting confirmed the friendly relations between Serbia and the Russian Federation and further steps to improve bilateral cooperation were discussed. Topics in the field»»»
Meet the Baby Koala Hiding in Its Mom’s Pouch at a Florida Zoo’s New Outback Habitat
A zoo in Florida has two reasons to celebrate — the first birth of a koala and a newly renovated habitat for the cuddly creatures is opening to the public on Saturday. “For the zoo and for us here, it’s the very big deal,” said Amarylis Celestina, who oversees carnivores and koalas at the Palm Beac»»»
Israeli man arrested for wearing kippah with Palestinian flag
A lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has said that he was detained by police for wearing a kippah with the Israeli and Palestinian flags on it. Alex Sinclair said in a post on Facebook on Thursday that he had been sporting the kippah for 20 years due to “a messy ambivalence of my Jewish»»»
Netanyahu says Hezbollah trying to 'sabotage' peace efforts with Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah on Friday of trying to "sabotage" efforts to reach a peace agreement with Lebanon. "We have started a process to reach a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon, and it's clear to us that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage this," he said in»»»
Israeli Strike Kills Three in Gaza, Medics Say
An Israeli strike killed at least three in Gaza on Friday, according to Palestinian health officials. The strike hit a crowded area in Gaza City near an area where local police are stationed to guard a bank, said the medics and eyewitnesses. Gaza's interior ministry said that the strike had kille»»»
Russia vows to help Cuba withstand US ‘blackmail and threats’
MOSCOW: Russia said on Friday that it stood in solidarity with Cuba and would continue to provide humanitarian aid to the Communist-run island republic, rejecting what it described as blackmail and threats from Washington. US President Donald Trump has said that he expects to have the honor of “tak»»»
West Ham wary of Moyes’ inside track ahead of vital Everton clash
LONDON: Everton manager David Moyes returns to the London Stadium on Saturday armed with the inside knowledge that could harm West Ham United’s hopes of avoiding Premier League relegation. Moyes had two spells as West Ham manager, saving them from relegation in his first short stint before leading»»»
Global hunger to stay at critical levels in 2026: report
Rome: A new global food crises report has warned that conflict, drought and falling aid will keep hunger at dangerous levels in 2026, with worsening conditions in some of the world's most vulnerable regions. The report found that around 266 million people across 47 countries faced acute food insecu»»»
Melania Trump Is Growing the White House Honey Program with a New Beehive
What's all the buzz about? Melania Trump on Friday announced that she is expanding the White House honey program by adding a beehive in the shape of the White House to two other beehives that have been on the south grounds since 2009. The existing hives can swell to about 70,000 bees during peak su»»»
UN Says Israeli Strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah Rockets into Israel May Breach International Law
The UN human rights office said on Friday it has documented patterns of attacks on civilians in populated areas and residential buildings in Lebanon and Israel that may amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law. The report covers the first three weeks of the latest escalation, »»»
UK lawmakers call for sanctions against Kyrgyzstan’s officials - | 24.KG
A group of British lawmakers has urged the UK Foreign Secretary to impose personal sanctions on several senior officials from Kyrgyzstan. The Guardian reported. The letter was reportedly signed by 26 members of Parliament and the House of Lords. According to the document submitted to the House of C»»»
Israeli Enemy Launches More Attacks on South Lebanon: Martyrs Recorded
The Israeli enemy continued its series of violations and attacks against the South Lebanon towns. In this context, warplanes launched a series of raids on the town of Deir Ames in southern Lebanon after threatening it earlier. Al-Manar’s correspondent also reported that “enemy warplanes targeted th»»»
Indonesia Condemns Israeli Attack Resulting in Death of Another Peacekeeper in Lebanon
Indonesia once again strongly condemned an Israeli attack in Lebanon that resulted in the death of a fourth Indonesian peacekeeper, the foreign ministry said on Friday. The peacekeeper sustained severe injuries due to an artillery explosion from an Israeli tank on March 29 and the ministry announce»»»
Key Go-Between Switzerland to Reopen Embassy in Iran
Switzerland said Friday it had begun sending staff back to Tehran and would gradually reopen its embassy, enabling it to continue as a facilitator for diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran. For decades, neutral Switzerland has played a central role in maintaining basic diplomatic contac»»»
Debel resident recognizes family crucifix smashed by Israeli soldier in viral image
Houssam Naddaf said no words could capture the shock of seeing an Israeli soldier smash a crucifix in his family's private garden in the southern Lebanese village of Debel — an image he recognized instantly as it spread online. "I saw it on the internet like everyone else," he said. Naddaf had not »»»
Special center to support admission of foreign students in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the charter of the state enterprise Center for the Admission of Foreign Students. Deputy Minister of Science, Higher Education and Innovation of Kyrgyzstan Durus Kozuev said at a briefing. According to him, the new center will serve as a unified coordination hu»»»
Qatar Sports for All Federation launches community running sessions to promote daily physical activity
DOHA: The Qatar Sports for All Federation has launched a new training run as part of its 365 Days of Activity program, an initiative aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles through daily exercise in public parks. The first session took place on the green fields of Al Rayyan Park, where more than »»»
Israeli strike kills three in Gaza, medics say
CAIRO: An Israeli strike killed at least three in Gaza on Friday, according to Palestinian health officials. The strike hit a crowded area in Gaza City near an area where local police are stationed to guard a bank, said the medics and eyewitnesses. Gaza’s interior ministry said that the strike h»»»
Hegseth says Strait of Hormuz blockade will last ‘as long as it takes’ - UPI.com
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a press briefing Friday that the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has gone global after seizing two vessels in the Indo-Pacific region this week. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 24 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a p»»»
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says he was treated for prostate cancer - UPI.com
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that he was recently treated for prostate cancer. Pool photo by Ilia Yefimovich/UPI | License Photo April 24 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday he was treated for early-stage prostate cancer. Netanyahu, 76,»»»
Amusement Park Among New Features at Grand Hotel Therme in Village of Banya
Grand Hotel Therme in the village of Banya attracts visitors with healing mineral water and fresh mountain air. The hotel complex features numerous pools and thermal facilities, and covers a total area of over 6,000 sq. m. Pulse Therme Banya is the largest spa centre in Bulgaria, hotel management t»»»
Middle East Conflict Already Deprived World of 15% of LNG Supplies Through 2030 - IEA
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The conflict in the Middle East has deprived the world of approximately 120 billion cubic meters (bcm) of total liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies between 2026 and 2030, accounting for about 15% of expected global supplies during that period, according to a report by the Intern»»»
IsDB voices willingness to continue supporting Tunisia
Tunis, April 24 (TAP) - The Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB) is keen to continue supporting Tunisia and to examine new programmes and projects, said Head of the IsDB's Rabat Regional Hub, Ahmed Ag Aboubacrine. Received on Friday by Economy and...»»»
Northern Sea Route Becoming More Attractive Amid Hormuz Crisis - Deputy Foreign Minister
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Northern Sea Route is becoming an increasingly appealing logistics route amid events in the Middle East, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has said. "Amid international turbulence in various regions of the world, the Northern Sea Route is becoming an increasin»»»
US Would Welcome 'Serious' European Effort on Strait of Hormuz - Hegseth
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States would welcome a "serious" European effort regarding the Strait of Hormuz instead of "silly" conferences, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Friday. Last week, the United Kingdom and France held an international conference on Strait of Hormuz navigation»»»
New Trade Corridor Activated: Kyrgyz Truck Reaches Pakistan
This is the first instance of a Central Asian country shipping goods to Pakistan in its own truck. The QTTA route now serves as a stable alternative for any kind of cargo. Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in regional connectivity. The first truck from Kyrgyzstan has arrived in Pakistan throu»»»
Russia-China Military Cooperation Becoming Increasingly Important - Russian Defense Minister
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Bilateral military cooperation between Russia and China is becoming increasingly important in the context of the constantly changing military and political situation, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said on Friday. Earlier in the day, Belousov held talks with Chinese Def»»»
Glaciers in Kyrgyzstan melting faster than normal - | 24.KG
A high-level country session «Mountains and Climate Change: From Vulnerability to Sustainable Development» was held in Astana as part of the Regional Ecological Summit, the press service of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic reported. The event served as a platform for developing joint solutions »»»
Orascom-led consortium to build one of Egypt’s largest green energy sites
An Orascom Construction-led consortium, chaired by Egyptian businessman Nassef Sawiris, has finalized plans to develop a 900 MW onshore wind farm in Ras Shokeir. This major renewable energy venture, located in the high-wind corridor of the Gulf of Suez, is being executed in partnership with France’»»»
Thirteen beaches added to special protection list
Authorities have added 13 beaches to a list of beaches on which umbrellas, food trucks and recreational vessels are prohibited, along with vehicle access, organized gatherings of more than ten people, and the use of music, speakers or amplifiers. With the latest additions, the total number of prote»»»
Macut: We will boost cooperation with Srpska in infrastructure, education
BELGRADE - Serbia and Republika Srpska will boost cooperation in infrastructure and education, Serbian PM Djuro Macut said on Friday, announcing joint construction of roads, rail lines and a border crossing, as well as establishment of daily flights between Serbia and Srpska. Addressing a press con»»»
Pentagon Still Seeks Funds to Restore Missile Stockpile Spent in Iran - Reports
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The Pentagon is still struggling to secure funding to expedite the replenishment of critical munitions used up during the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, The New York Times reported, citing US officials. In January, US defense contractor Lockheed Martin signed a f»»»
Hezbollah’s Raad: Fake Truce Covers iSraeli Violations, Lebanese Gov’t Must Undo Sin of Direct Talks with Israeli Enemy
Head of Hezbollah’s Loyalty to Resistance Parliamentary bloc in Lebanon, Hajj Mohammad Raad, issued on Friday a statement to warn the Lebanese government against insisting on the direct talks with the Zionist enemy. “Any presumed truce that grants the occupying enemy in Lebanon a special exception »»»
Beyond fake news: The real risk in times of conflict
Periods of geopolitical unrest can create uncertainty, and that uncertainty can create space for misinformation and disinformation to thrive. In recent years, we have seen how rapidly unverified claims, edited videos, and misleading commentary, whether accidentally (misinformation) or deliberately »»»
Kyrgyz football reaches new level: KFU receives ISO certificate - | 24.KG
The Kyrgyz Football Union (KFU) has received the international ISO 9001:2015 certificate, confirming the implementation of a quality management system in line with global standards. According to the organization, it is the first national football association in Central Asia to receive certification»»»