Lebanon Bets on US Pressure to Win Israeli Concessions
US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, opening the door to direct negotiations between the two sides. Without a truce, the war between Israel and Hezbollah would remain open-ended, bringing more destruction and displacement to southern Lebanon. But a ceas»»»
Bishkek residents, visitors invited to Ooedodaiko Japanese drum show - | 24.KG
On April 25, the Ooedodaiko group, a group from the Kyrgyz-Japanese Center that has been transforming every performance into a true triumph of strength and rhythm for a quarter century, will take the stage at the Toktobolot Abdumomunov Kyrgyz National Academic Drama Theater, the organizers reported»»»
Trump administration to lobby allies to support 'trade over aid' push
The Trump administration is pushing countries worldwide to back a "trade over aid" declaration at the UN, part of a broader effort to overhaul how Washington spends billions of dollars in foreign assistance. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Yinka Oyetade, Eric Pelofsky, Vice President of Global Economic R»»»
Trump hails Iran's reopening of Hormuz Strait during ceasefire
The Strait of Hormuz will be “completely open” to commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media Friday. US President Donald Trump welcomed the move, thanking Tehran for reopening the critical waterway. Read our liveblog to see ho»»»
Lebanon army reports number of ceasefire violations
A 10-day ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel came into effect this Friday, though the Lebanese army has already reported several alleged violations in the southern border region, where these images were taken. US President Donald Trump announced the deal and said he has invited both coun»»»
‘We’ve lost a lot’: Lebanese residents return to bombed-out homes in south Beirut
Residents on Friday began to return to their homes in Beirut's southern suburbs after a 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon came into effect. For many, Israel's relentless bombing campaign has left little to go back to. In cars and on motorbikes, people trickled back into Beirut's southern subu»»»
UAE Foreign Ministry reduces service time by 90%, speeds up to six minutes
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), announced yesterday a major success in fundamentally reengineering its processes, resulting in a reduction of service delivery time by up to 90%. Some transactions can now be completed in as little as six minutes. The Ministry stated that this achi»»»
Macron urges permanent reopening of Hormuz Strait, warns against ‘toll system’
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday hosted a video conference with their European allies to discuss the possible deployment of a multinational force to the Strait of Hormuz once the war in Iran is over. Macron welcomed Iran's announcement that the wate»»»
France, UK host talks on securing Hormuz
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are chairing a meeting of around 40 so-called “non-belligerent” countries this Friday to discuss securing the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of this vital route—now subject to both an Iranian blockade and a retaliatory US one—h»»»
Elderly Frenchwoman held by ICE has returned to France, foreign ministry says
An 85-year-old Frenchwoman who was arrested by ICE after her American veteran husband died has returned to France, the French foreign ministry announced Friday. The detention of Marie-Thérèse Ross – who had moved to the US to marry her long-lost love and was still waiting for her Green Card applica»»»
Starmer, Macron push forward efforts to reopen Strait of Hormuz
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday chair a meeting of allies to consider sending a multinational force to ensure security and free-flowing trade in the Strait of Hormuz once the current conflict between Iran and the US and Israel ends. France24 Internation»»»
The 51% - Jeffrey Epstein and the French connection
On one of Paris's most prestigious avenues stands the former home of Jeffrey Epstein. As the world has discovered, the late convicted paedophile's activities went way beyond simply owning real estate around the world. In a special edition, Annette Young speaks to survivors and their supporters who&»»»
Access Asia - China steps out of the shadows in Iran war
China's President Xi Jinping has broken a six-week silence about the war in Iran, vowing to take a "constructive" role in efforts to end the conflict. Beijing is wary of being drawn into a war it took no part in, and faces a delicate balancing act between its long-term partnership with Iran and its»»»
Spotlight - Irfan Nooruddin: 'Much to be gained by having more women in India's highest parliamentary body'
François Picard is pleased to welcome Irfan Nooruddin, the Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor of Indian Politics in the Asian Studies Program at Georgetown University. As a scholar of Indian politics, he approaches institutional reform not as a question of isolated policy change, but as a re»»»
'Allies, not vassals': How Meloni's break with Trump became a political moment for Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is managing the repercussions of a public rebuke from US President Donald Trump this week over the pope, Iran and a defence deal with Israel. It's a rupture that had been building since the outbreak of the US-Israel war with Iran and may ultimately serve her po»»»
Talking Europe - EU moves to tighten rules on harmful pollutants: The invisible danger of 'forever chemicals'
They are known as "forever chemicals": synthetic compounds that resist breakdown in the human body and the environment. Also known as PFAS, there are thousands of them, and you might not even realise that you are being exposed to them while doing simple everyday tasks like cooking. The EU does have»»»
flydubai opens hiring: Salary, perks and travel benefits revealed – how to apply
Dubai-based airline flydubai has announced new recruitment for its cabin crew team, inviting applications from candidates ready to build a career in aviation and customer service. The airline, which operates a growing network across more than 100 destinations, said the role offers an opportunity to»»»
Cost of war, case for peace: Why US-Iran deal is urgent
The confrontation between the United States and Iran is no longer a conventional political dispute; it has evolved into a multidimensional crisis with military, economic, security, and environmental ramifications that threaten not only the stability of the Arabian Gulf but also the broader internat»»»
Lebanese residents who returned to bombed-out homes in south Beirut found out they” lost a lot” – Ya Libnan
Share: Photo- Blackened buildings and burned-out cars… scenes from Beirut’s southern suburbs. © Fadel Itani, AFP Residents on Friday began to return to their homes in Beirut’s southern suburbs after a 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon came into effect. For many, Israel’s relentless bombing ca»»»
Dubai police arrest alleged Irish organized crime boss - UPI.com
An Irish man alleged to run the day-to-day operations of an international money laundering and firearms trafficking cartel was arrested this week in Dubai. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo April 17 (UPI) -- An Irish man who allegedly laundered money and trafficked drugs and firearms t»»»
Qatar, Türkiye, and Pakistan Discuss Regional Developments
Ankara , April 17 (SANA) Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the latest regional and international developments. The Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that the trilateral meeting, held on the side»»»
Qatar-submitted emergency item adopted by IPU General Assembly
Istanbul: The emergency item submitted by the State of Qatar, represented by the Shura Council, has secured overwhelming approval for inclusion on the agenda of the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), currently underway in Istanbul. The vote marks the first time an emerge»»»
Ambassadors of Korea and Japan visit ice rink at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena
DOHA: Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the State of Qatar HE Yun Hyunsoo and Ambassador of Japan to the State of Qatar HE Naoto Hisajima visited the ice rink at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, located at Al Sadd Sports Club, to review the facilities dedicated to ice sports. The visit came»»»
Analysis: Lebanon set for complex post-truce negotiations with Israel - UPI.com
Heavy traffic develops before the Qasmiyeh Bridge as displaced residents return to their homes near Tyre, southern Lebanon, on Friday. Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day cease-fire, Photo by Wael Hamzeh/EPA BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 17 (UPI) -- The Israel-Hezbollah war, temporarily halted by a»»»
Chinese car company patents voice-activated 'in-vehicle toilet' - UPI.com
April 17 (UPI) -- A Chinese car company successfully filed to patent a voice-activated "in-vehicle toilet" that slides out from under a passenger seat. Chongqing-based automaker Seres filed an application under patent number CN224104011U in April 2025, and the patent was officially authorized earli»»»
Aoun Says Lebanon Enters ‘New Stage’ after Ceasefire
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said, “Negotiations will never come at the expense of Lebanon’s rights, principles or sovereignty”, adding, “They reflect strength rather than weakness”. In an address to the nation, Aoun noted the ongoing negotiations are “not a sign of weakness, retreat or concessio»»»
Ambassadors of Korea and Japan visit ice rink at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena
Doha: Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the State of Qatar HE Yun Hyunsoo and Ambassador of Japan to the State of Qatar HE Naoto Hisajima visited the ice rink at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, located at Al Sadd Sports Club, to review the facilities dedicated to ice sports. The visit came»»»
Aoun says working on 'permanent agreements' after Israel ceasefire
President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that Lebanon is on the verge of a "new phase" of "permanent agreements," after the ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war went into force. "Now, we all stand before a new phase," Aoun said in his first speech to the nation since the truce, adding that "it is the »»»
President Calls on People to Vote but Also Think about Day after Elections When "We Will Live and Work Together"
In an address to the nation regarding the April 19 early parliamentary elections, President Iliana Iotova said: "Let us vote, but let us also think about the day after the elections, when we will live and work together." She added that once the political intrigue has died down, the urgent problems »»»
Hezbollah Tallies Its Dead from Israel War, Estimates Exceed 1,000
Hezbollah said its fighters would “keep their fingers on the trigger” hours after a ceasefire took effect between Lebanon and Israel, warning it would not stay silent over any Israeli violations and would not repeat its past restraint under the October 2024 ceasefire, when Israel continued attacks »»»
Amir meets Turkish President, Pakistani Prime Minister
Antalya (Turkiye): The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani; HE President of the Republic of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and HE Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif held Friday a joint meeting on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026. Discuss»»»
MMA Association established in Kyrgyzstan headed by SCNS Chairman - | 24.KG
An Association of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has been established in Kyrgyzstan, and the head of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS), Zhumgalbek Shabdanbekov, has been elected its President. According to the Association, the decision was made on April 17 at a meeting with representatives»»»
Chile study finds area with 30 years of nonstop tremors - UPI.com
Research identified 1,389 seismic events in southern Santiago, Chile, between 2017 and 2025. Additional records suggest the activity has persisted for more than 30 years. Photo by Alisha Lubben/Pexels SANTIAGO, Chile, April 17 (UPI) -- Researchers in Chile have identified a persistent cluster of mi»»»
President Sadyr Japarov receives CSTO Secretary General - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov received CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov on April 17, the presidential press service reported. During the meeting, the parties discussed strengthening collective security, countering modern threats, including extremism and terrorism, and increasing t»»»
Dubai Police arrest Irish fugitive in 48 hours
Dubai Police, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Interior, have arrested an Irish fugitive for his alleged role in an organised criminal group involved in international crimes in his home country. The arrest comes as part of ongoing efforts to combat organised crime and pursue internationall»»»
Mali: US to sign EXPO 2027 contract in May
WASHINGTON - Serbian First Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali announced on Friday US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers would visit Belgrade in May to sign a contract on her country's participation in EXPO 2027, and noted that this would turn a new page in Serbia-US »»»
Bulgarian Socialist Party Leader Says BSP Expects Strong Election Result in Silistra
Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Krum Zarkov said in Silistra that his party expects an "unexpectedly good result" in the upcoming elections, during a meeting with voters alongside candidates from the BSP - United Left list. Zarkov said the campaign had taken place under conditions of an "unf»»»
UAE President meets Ruler of Fujairah and conducts inspection of Fujairah Port
Fujairah: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today met with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah. During the meeting, Their Highnesses discussed a number of national issues in light of the UAE’s continued developme»»»
UN: Average of 47 Women and Girls Killed Daily During Gaza War
An average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in Gaza, according to figures published by UN Women on Friday, and the agency warned that deaths have continued six months into a fragile ceasefire. More than 38,000 women and girls were killed in Gaza between October 202»»»
Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz, but Trump Says Blockade on Iranian Ships and Ports Will Stay in Force
Iran said Friday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but President Donald Trump said the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragh»»»
Thailand reinforces wildfire response with satellite technology
Bangkok: The Thai government is strengthening wildfire response efforts by using satellite technology to detect and contain fires more quickly, as wildfires intensified across northern and western Thailand. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatana, the approach was recently »»»
Mediation as a Lifeline: Can Pakistan Use the Strait of Hormuz Crisis to Save Its Economy?
For Pakistan, it's critically important not only to serve as a peacemaker, but also to succeed as a peacemaker, economic policy analyst Syed Ali Ehsan told Sputnik. As the world watches the US-Iran conflict de-escalate, Pakistan finds itself trapped in a paradox. It is both one of the crisis' most »»»
Hezbollah Parliamentary Bloc Warns Lebanese Authority against Dangers of Direct Talks with Israeli Enemy
Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc issued on Friday a statement that underlined how the authorities in Lebanon endangered the nation and its integrity by holding direct negotiations with the the Israeli enemy. The Lebanese authority has involved the nation in a stage that endangers its existence as a s»»»
Dubai court sets strict rules for WhatsApp chats in divorce cases
Dubai: Court of Cassation in Dubai has ruled that WhatsApp messages must be carefully examined in divorce disputes when presented as evidence, underscoring their potential legal weight in family law proceedings. Appeal overturned over unexamined digital evidenceIn a significant judgment, the Dubai »»»
Bosch strategy 2030: Structural adjustments strengthen competitiveness
During the presentation of the company’s annual results, Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH, stated: “As a global technology leader, we are committed to shaping trends in the fields of automation, digitalization, electrification, and artificial intelligence, as»»»
Hormuz reopens: What Iran’s move means for oil and war
Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial shipping, marking a significant shift after weeks of disruption during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The move comes as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to be holding, raising cautious hop»»»
Beirut Residents Return to Southern Suburbs After Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire Takes Effect
BEIRUT (Sputnik) - Residents of Beirut's heavily populated southern suburb were returning to their homes on Friday following the entry into force of a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a Sputnik correspondent said. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun a»»»
No more 'anting-anting' politics: Why the Philippines urgently needs a Whistleblower Protection Law
MANILA: In Philippine folklore, the agimat or anting-anting is a talisman believed to make its bearer bulletproof, invisible to enemies — or mysteriously protected from harm. In modern Philippine politics, some officials seem to wear a different kind of anting-anting: impunity. Also Read: Flood con»»»
Oil crashes 10%+ as Iran flips script: Hormuz 'open' after Israel-Lebanon truce
Oil futures tanked on Friday following a statement by Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reflecting trader relief that the immediate risk of a supply shock had receded. The move marks a notable de-escalation by Tehran. Brent crude fell (down 11.26% to $84.03 as of 9.50 Beijing time); US West Tex»»»
GOP wins temporary extension of FISA surveillance powers in House - UPI.com
House Speaker Mike Johnson failed to shepherd an 18-month reauthorization of a key part of FISA through Congress after struggling to find enough votes early Friday, but managed to secure a 10-day extension to allow more time for negotiations. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 17 (UPI) »»»