1 of 2 | Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., on Wednesday criticized a Pentagon strategy that shifts responsibility for deterring North Korea onto Seoul. Wicker, seen here at the U.S. Capitol in September 2025, made the comments during a pre-recorded speech at the Asan Plenum policy forum in Seoul. File Ph»»»

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, seen here leaving No. 10 Downing Street in London in January, is leaving for the Gulf on Wednesday following the announcement of a cease-fire in the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo April 8 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Keir S»»»

Two French nationals arrived in Paris on Wednesday after spending more than three years in an Iranian prison on espionage charges, with President Emmanuel Macron hailing "the end of a terrible ordeal." Cecile Kohler, 41, and Jacques Paris, 72, arrived on a commercial flight, landing at Charles de G»»»

Romania’s central bank, the National Bank of Romania (BNR), decided to keep the monetary policy rate unchanged at 6.5% at its April 7 board meeting, opting for caution amid a rapidly shifting macroeconomic environment shaped by both domestic fiscal uncertainties and external shocks stemming from th»»»

A premeditated murder investigation is underway after a violent incident in the village of Kokalyane near Sofia, where a man is accused of fatally stabbing another person inside a garage that had been adapted for living. According to the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office, the attack took place on Apri»»»

In the current context in Romania, it is becoming increasingly clear that we need strong anchors. These strategic directions have a common element: the need to strengthen the economy’s resilience in the face of external shocks and structural uncertainties. Opinion by Leonardo Badea, First Deputy Go»»»

US Vice President J.D. Vance has met with Viktor Orban in Budapest in a high-profile visit ahead of a critical parliamentary election. The Hungarian prime minister’s party is trailing that of his pro-EU opponent in the polls, and he has accused Brussels of interfering in the vote. Vance touched dow»»»

A 14-year-old boy died in Naryn district on April 1. Nazgul Turdubekova, Director of the League of Defenders of the Rights of the Child, reported. According to her, the boy committed suicide. In his suicide note, he named the school’s deputy principal. The human rights activist noted that despite t»»»

The office of former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is seen in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. On Tuesday, voters in Georgia elected her replacement, Republican Clay Fuller. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 8 (UPI) -- Republic»»»

Dubai: Oil markets are signalling that prices will remain elevated despite a sharp pullback recorded on Wednesday, as a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran eases immediate fears but leaves deeper supply risks unresolved. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - si»»»

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Culture has launched the fifth edition of the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity, one of the UAE’s flagship national initiatives dedicated to supporting creative Emiratis and enabling them to develop impactful cultural and creative projects. The launch re»»»

Not only did Iran fiercely repel US–Israeli aggression, but “it may lock in de facto control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz,” Yury Lyamin, senior researcher at the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, tells Sputnik. Nevertheless, the two-week ceasefire deal agreed bet»»»

Banking and ‌airline stocks led a more than 4% rise in Turkish shares and the lira was on track for a rare daily gain on Wednesday, as the two-week Middle East ceasefire sparked a relief rally across global markets. At 0823 GMT, Türkiye's blue-chip BIST 100 index was up 4.3%, while the banking inde»»»

Israel's military said Wednesday its forces would continue their campaign against Hezbollah fighters, claiming the ceasefire with Iran does not apply to Lebanon. "The battle in Lebanon continues, and the ceasefire does not include Lebanon," the military's Arabic-language spokesman, Colonel Avichay »»»

Israel's military said Wednesday its forces would continue their campaign against Hezbollah fighters, claiming the ceasefire with Iran does not apply to Lebanon. "The battle in Lebanon continues, and the ceasefire does not include Lebanon," the military's Arabic-language spokesman, Colonel Avichay »»»

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has persisted despite the two-week US-Iran ceasefire announced on April 7. US President Donald Trump suspended military operations against Iran hours after his own deadline »»»

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has persisted despite the two-week US-Iran ceasefire announced on April 7. US President Donald Trump suspended military operations against Iran hours after his own deadline »»»

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has commenced exports of a new crude oil grade, Cawthorne, as it seeks to boost production and strengthen its position in global markets. The maiden cargo of the new »»»

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has persisted despite the two-week US-Iran ceasefire announced on April 7. US President Donald Trump suspended military operations against Iran hours after his own deadline »»»

Iran has put forward a sweeping 10-point plan to secure an end to its war with the United States and Israel, centring on a permanent halt to hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of sanctions, as both sides agreed to a fragile two-week ceasefire to allow negotiations. T»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union has begun secretly working on the issue of creating its own nuclear weapons production potential, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said on Wednesday. "In the endless corridors of the European Union headquarters, they have already begun secretly wo»»»

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, calling the agreement a "very good thing," but said he wishes it will include Lebanon. "We expect, in the coming days and weeks, that it will be fully respected throughout the region and will allow negotiations»»»

Lebanon's army warned people against returning to the country's south on Wednesday, where the Israeli military is still launching attacks, as Israel said the ceasefire with Iran did not include its conflict with Hezbollah. "In light of regional developments and reports circulating about a ceasefire»»»

A total of 223 people have so far been detained for election-related offences, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said at the start of the caretaker Government meeting on Wednesday. He stressed that the caretaker Cabinet will not enter the party political arena, but will fight against vote broke»»»

Washington, United States: The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday in an 11th-hour bid to avert all-out destruction threatened by US President Donald Trump. Here's what we know about the truce between two countries, which are set to begin negotiations but remain poles a»»»

Israel's opposition leaders swiftly criticized the ceasefire with Iran on Wednesday, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to achieve the war's objectives. The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire in an 11th-hour bid to avert all-out destruction of Iran threatened b»»»

EU leaders on Wednesday welcomed the two-week ceasefire agreed by the United States and Iran. "I welcome the two-week ceasefire the US and Iran agreed last night. It brings much needed de-escalation", European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on social media platform X, adding ‌it was»»»

American journalist Tucker Carlson has accused President Donald Trump of mocking Christians by issuing an expletive-laden threat to Iran at Easter. On Sunday, Trump again demanded Tehran to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained effectively shut since the US-Israeli attack on Iran on Febr»»»

A total of 223 people have so far been detained for election-related offences, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said at the start of the caretaker Government meeting on Wednesday. He stressed that the caretaker Cabinet will not enter the party political arena, but will fight against vote broke»»»

Bulgaria’s caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky said the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran brought a sense of relief after weeks of escalating tensions in the Middle East, describing it as a moment welcomed by all who hope for an end to the conflict. Spe»»»

Gold prices climbed to a nearly three-week high on Wednesday as markets reassessed near-term risks after US President Donald Trump agreed to suspend bombings and attacks on Iran for two weeks, easing fears of energy-driven inflation. Spot gold was up 2.5% at $4,819.52 per ounce, as of 0726 GMT. Ear»»»

Oil fell below $100 per barrel on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran that was subject to the immediate and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent futures fell $16.32, or 14.9%, to $92.95 a barrel at 0630 GMT, while WTI slid $18.16, »»»

Acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov reported that law enforcement has detained 223 people so far in connection with alleged vote-buying schemes, framing the issue as a central challenge to the legitimacy of Bulgaria’s democratic process. Speaking at the start of a Council of Ministers meeting, he a»»»

An attempt by members of an armed group aligned with Israel to abduct operatives from the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in central Gaza left at least 10 Palestinians dead and about 15 wounded, according to field sources. A source from an armed faction in Gaza said fight»»»

Decisions by Sudan’s transitional Sovereign Council chief and army commander, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to dismiss several senior military leaders and reassign them to other top positions have fueled speculation that the moves are “not isolated” from imminent changes within the army-led governing aut»»»

Washington, USA: Shipping data shows little movement in the Strait of Hormuz more than six hours after the US and Iran announced a ceasefire. According to CNN, analysts warned that vessels and insurance companies will need more positive signs before resuming navigation through this vital waterway. »»»

For women who experience premature menopause, before 45, and especially under 40, the stakes for heart health are higher than most realise. The early loss of estrogen, which naturally protects the cardiovascular system, leaves the heart vulnerable to high blood pressure, inflammation, and stiffenin»»»

Dubai: A Dubai court has ordered a company to pay Dh40,000 to a customer, along with 5 per cent annual interest from the date of filing the case until full settlement, and to bear all court fees and expenses. The ruling was issued by the Court of First Instance in a civil dispute involving a custom»»»

London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to the Gulf on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, to meet with regional leaders in an effort to bolster the ceasefire in the Middle East war, Downing Street said. "I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief»»»

BusinessWill AI doom office space to history?Arthur SullivanArtificial intelligence's potential for disruption is being felt across multiple industries. Now commercial real estate is feeling the heat from what analysts say is a "paradigm shift". https://p.dw.com/p/5BRYXWill AI usher in an era of em»»»

Pro-Iran armed factions in Iraq announced on Wednesday a two-week halt to their attacks on "enemy bases" in the region after the start of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. "The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announces the suspension of its operations in Iraq and the region for two weeks,"»»»

Israel renewed its strikes on southern Lebanon on Wednesday, state media reported, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the Iran war truce does not include Lebanon. The Israeli army also issued an evacuation warning for a building near the southern city of Tyre. "Urgent and repeate»»»

The morning brought relief to everyone hoping for an end to the conflict in the Middle East, caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky said on Bulgarian National Television on Wednesday. She was commenting on the two-week ceasefire that the United States and Iran agreed on late on Tuesday. In her»»»

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle reacted Tuesday night to President Donald Trump's announcement of a two-week cease-fire in the conflict with Iran. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 8 (UPI) -- Following President Donald Trump's announcement of a two-week cease-fire in the wa»»»

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police said they had arrested 375 people of various nationalities for filming sensitive locations and spreading misleading information related to current events on social media platforms. The individuals have been referred to the Public Prosecution for legal action in line with»»»

Australia's most decorated living soldier will remain behind bars after his legal team did not seek bail following his arrest over multiple alleged war crimes, local media reported on Wednesday. Police on Tuesday arrested and charged Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, with five counts of war crimes in connecti»»»

The Central Election Commission (CEC) registered 24 political formations and one initiative committee for the April 19 early parliamentary elections. The Institute for Public Environment Development published on Wednesday a monitoring report on media advertising during the first 20 days of the elec»»»

Singapore: It will take months for jet fuel supplies and prices to normalise even with the Strait of Hormuz open, the head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil, has been virtually paralysed for week»»»

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept, it has become an integral part of modern business environments. Companies are increasingly integrating AI into their operations to improve efficiency, accelerate execution, and enhance decision-making. As a result, the need has shifted from usi»»»

Lebanon's Hezbollah halted fire on northern Israel and on Israeli troops in Lebanon in the early hours of Wednesday as part of the US-Iran ‌ceasefire announced earlier, ‌three Lebanese ‌sources ⁠close to the ⁠group told Reuters. Israel has continued its strikes on southern Lebanon and issued a new »»»