Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan has declared two days of local holidays in the capital at short notice from Thursday, authorities said, ahead of talks between the United States and Iran due to take place in Islamabad. No reason was given in the notification issued by the Islamabad district administra»»»

Urmatbek Borzhiev has been appointed Director of the National Phthisiology Center. He replaces Abdullaat Kadyrov, the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan reported. According to the ministry, Minister Damir Osmonov introduced the new director to the center’s staff. Urmatbek Borzhiev holds a Candidate o»»»

The Asian Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships concluded in Bishkek. The United World Wrestling website says. The Kyrgyz team took second place overall, behind the Iranian team. Athletes from Uzbekistan placed third. Kyrgyz wrestlers won four gold medals. Razzak Beishekeev, Asan Zhanyshov, Akzhol Ma»»»

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged EU prosecutors to swiftly decide whether to indict lawmakers from his centre-right New Democracy party over a farm fraud probe. European prosecutors have already charged dozens of Greek stockbreeders with faking ownership of pastureland to claim»»»

Today's Focus looks into fraud on social contributions in France. There are many ways to bypass the system, including undeclared work, or fake sick leave forms. Authorities are tracking down these abuses, which cost billions every year. This report specifically looks into undeclared work: employing»»»

Two French nationals released after nearly four years in Iranian detention returned home on Wednesday, vowing to speak out about the “daily horror” of their imprisonment, as President Emmanuel Macron hailed the end of their ordeal. Two French nationals who returned home Wednesday after being held f»»»

French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris returned home on Wednesday after more than three and a half years in Tehran's most notorious jail and a perilous journey through a country at war. Their release, which Iran views as a “prisoner swap”, comes as France has»»»

France will sharply increase its stockpiles of explosive drones – by as much as 400 percent by 2030 – under sweeping new defence plans unveiled Wednesday. Paris is accelerating rearmament in response to what it sees as a growing threat from Russia. France is to ramp up explosive drone sto»»»

Peter Magyar’s centre-right Tisza Party might be comfortably ahead in Hungary’s parliamentary election polls but he is far from guaranteed victory in Sunday’s vote. The country’s electoral system has been designed to support ruling Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party – and any institutions t»»»

France plans to double jail terms for owners and operators of ships that fail to fly the correct flag or refuse to comply with orders to stop, according to a draft update to the country's military planning law, in a move aimed at vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil in violation of Western»»»

France plans to ⁠add a further 36 ​billion euros to its defence spending between now and 2030 under an updated military planning law that expands its nuclear ​arsenal and boosts missile and drone stocks. The increase reflects mounting security pressures from wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and »»»

Consumer prices were 1.8% higher on average in March 2026 than a year earlier. Over one month, consumer prices rose by 0.4% on average. In 12 months, compared to March 2025: Food prices stagnated (and decreased by 3.2% excluding food and beverage serving services), within which the price of other b»»»

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have topped the list of the most affordable destinations for Russians during the May holidays. Prime media outlet reported, citing a study by Yandex Travel service. The average cost of a hotel stay in Kazakhstan has decreased by 15 percent compared to 2025. In Kyrgyzstan, »»»

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Edil Baisalov received his agrément and may soon be appointed Ambassador to the United States. Sources in the Cabinet of Ministers informed 24.kg news agency. An insider claims that the decision to transfer Edil Baisalov to the diplomatic se»»»

Head of the National Investment Agency of Kyrgyzstan, Ravshanbek Sabirov, met with representatives of A-CAR (Chuan Yi LLC), the agency’s press service reported. According to the statement, the parties discussed prospects for investment cooperation in the automotive sector, including the supply and »»»

In an interview with Ultrahang host Tamás Király, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said the upcoming election remains an open contest and argued that it is disrespectful to voters to speak as if the outcome were already settled. “To say that an election is already decided is an unforgivable disrespect t»»»

In February 2026, the volume of retail trade in both raw and calendar-adjusted data was 3.8% higher than in the same month of the previous year. Compared to the same period of the previous year, calendar-adjusted sale volumes expanded by 2.2% in specialized and non-specialized food shops, by 5.0% i»»»

ARIZONA: Two people were killed in a plane crash after an aircraft caught fire at a small airport in the US state of Arizona. John Post, Mayor of the town of Marana, said the aircraft veered off the runway before catching fire. Marana Police Department stated in a press release that the National Tr»»»

Bill Gates will testify before a US congressional committee about his interactions with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to media reports. The Microsoft co-founder is set to sit for a transcribed interview on June 10, multiple outlets said on Wednesday, citing anonymous so»»»

Fencing work on the border with Tajikistan continues in Batken region. The press service of the Presidential Envoy to the region reported. The length of installed fences has reached 44.58 kilometers since March 1. Since the beginning of the year, the length of fences in Leilek district has reached »»»

SEOUL: North Korea on Thursday said its testing spree this week involved various new weapons systems, including ballistic missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads, as it pushes to expand nuclear-capable forces aimed at rival South Korea. The report by North Korean state media came a day after Sout»»»

Rex Concepts Group, a quick-service restaurant operator, plans to list on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, targeting up to PLN 560 million from a share issue. Funds will support expansion, strengthen existing brands and markets, and enable potential acquisitions or new brand launches across Central and E»»»

The Vectra Group has secured nearly PLN 3 billion in long-term financing from a six-bank consortium, led by Bank Pekao, which contributed PLN 1 billion—the largest share. The package includes refinancing existing debt and fresh capital for growth. Funds will support expansion of FTTH access network»»»

Polish Airports (PPL) estimates the Middle East conflict has reduced Warsaw Chopin Airport revenue by 8–10% since its outbreak, with connections down about 9%, said board member Adam Sanocki. Around 80 weekly summer 2026 rotations linked to affected regions were planned. PPL sees long-term upside, »»»

April 8 (UPI) -- Authorities in the Bahamas detained a 59-year-old American man in connection with last weekend's disappearance of an American woman while out at sea. The woman has been identified by Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue as 55-year-old Lynette Hooker. According to the Royal Bahamas P»»»

ABUJA: At least 60 people were killed in armed attacks in northwestern Nigeria. According to local authorities, at least 20 people were killed in the town of Irina in Shiroro area of Niger State, while gunmen carried out deadly raids on several towns in Kebbi State, killing more than 40 others. The»»»

Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, on Wednesday promised a hike in wages, which have been eroded by years of inflation and economic collapse. The minimum hourly wage in Venezuela is currently equivalent to 27 US cents, with annual inflation exceeding 600 percent. For ordinary Venezuela»»»

At 54 Grzybowska Street in Warsaw, construction has begun on Liberty Tower by Cavatina, with 60 top-floor apartments sold even before the sales office opened in February. The 43-story, 140-meter tower—developed by Resi Capital—will offer 587 units, ranging from compact apartments to 100+ sqm pentho»»»

Israel has stepped up air strikes across Lebanon, pounding central Beirut, just hours after the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, according to RT correspondent Steve Sweeney, who was caught up in the attack with his cameraman Ali Rida Sbeity. The escalation comes in an apparent violation »»»

Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah said Thursday it had fired rockets towards Israel in response to its "violation" of the US-Iran truce. It came a day after the Lebanese group said it has a "right" to respond to a deadly wave of Israeli strikes across Lebanon. "In response to the enemy's violati»»»

DOHA: His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, received a phone call from Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. The Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that during the call, they discussed the latest regional and international developments, particularly th»»»

Share: Smoke rises from the sites of Israeli air strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs [AFP]. Hundreds were killed and over a thousand were wounded within 10 minutes of Israel strikes a day after a ceasefire was reached between US and Iran. This was the largest ever attack by Israel in one day»»»

MANAMA: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, received a telephone call from José Manuel Albares, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain. Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported that during the call, the two ministers r»»»

Share: Photo- A fireball rises from a high-rise building hit by an Israeli airstrike in the area of Abbasiyeh, on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, on April 8, 2026. Lebanon’s army warned people against returning to the country’s south on April 8, where the Israeli military is st»»»

ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates is closely following the announcement by US President Donald Trump regarding the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The UAE is also is seeking further clarification on the agreement’s provisions to ensure Iran’s full commitment to an immediate»»»

Greek airline SKY express announced on Wednesday that it will transport the Holy Light from Athens to seven destinations across Greece. The Holy Light is expected to arrive on the afternoon of Holy Saturday at Athens International Airport (AIA) on a government flight from Jerusalem before being tra»»»

ABU DHABI: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed regional developments during phone calls with a number of foreign ministers from fraternal and friendly countries, following the unprovoked and terrorist Iranian missile attacks that tar»»»

Nabeul, April 9 (TAP) - Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Sofiene Tekaya, stated on Wednesday that Tunisian tourism is on an upward trajectory, strengthening the country’s presence on digital platforms.This performance is partly attributed to...»»»

ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates has condemned and denounced in the strongest terms the terrorist attack targeting the premises of the State of Israel’s Consulate in Istanbul. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stressed the UAE’s categorical rejection of such attacks, emphasi»»»

DUBAI: The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD) has signed a framework agreement granting temporary site occupation licences to develop and operate an integrated infrastructure for electric vehicle charging in mosque parking areas across the Emirate, in partnership »»»

Share: Rescuers work at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, April 8, 2026. A ceasefire deal to pause the war in Iran appeared to hang by a thread Wednesday after the Islamic Republic closed the Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The White House demanded »»»

QNA Doha Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani received several messages and cables from ministers of interior and security officials from fraternal and friendly countries, regarding the current situation in the»»»

The Cabinet affirmed that the talks, which focused on developing Qatar’s relations with the two countries and on regional and international developments, have strengthened the existing bilateral cooperation with them across various fields. On the other hand, the Cabinet praised HH the Amir for hono»»»

QNA Doha Director of the Student Assessment Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) Ibrahim Abdullah Rashid Al Muhannadi has emphasised that activating alternative assessment procedures for the mid-term exams of the second semester of the academic year 2025-2026 comes w»»»

QNA Doha The 2025-2026 winter camping season has been described as “largely successful,” with high turnout of citizens and residents supported by well-organised camps and comprehensive services. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Chair of the Winter Camping Committee at the Ministry of Environmen»»»

QNA New York The State of Qatar sent two identical letters — the 12th and 13th — to António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and to Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, permanent representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations and president of the Security Council for April, rega»»»

QNA Doha The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs honoured 48 students who memorised the Holy Quran during the first quarter of 2026. The students were enrolled in Quranic learning centres under the Department of Da’wah and Religious Guidance. The ceremony, part of the “Quran Memorisa»»»

Tribune News Network Doha The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) hosted Skills Day 2026, one of the most anticipated co-curricular events of the academic year, reaffirming its commitment to experiential learning, innovation, real-world problem-solving, and collaborative learning. »»»

QNA Doha The Department of Islamic Research and Studies at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs organised the third seminar in its fourth season of the ‘Ummah Seminar’ cultural project, held this season under the theme ‘Knowledge of Revelation’, at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosq»»»