Children’s lives at risk from US funding cuts to vaccine alliance: CEO
NAIROBI: The head of a global vaccine organisation told AFP on Friday that aid cuts by the United States and other donors have forced it to slash its malaria programme in Africa, threatening tens of thousands of children's lives. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, brings together government and private do»»»
US still delivering weapons to Ukraine, Zelenskyy says, as Prince Harry visits Kyiv
KYIV: US weapons deliveries to Ukraine haven’t stopped despite the Iran war, and Ukrainian long-range strikes continue to hammer Russian oil production and manufacturing plants, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday. “Of course, we are hitting what is painful for Russia, and it is v»»»
Abha in bloom: Jacaranda season boosts tourism in Asir highlands
ABHA: The southwestern city of Abha is witnessing the peak of its annual jacaranda bloom, as streets and parks turn into sweeping landscapes of vibrant purple, underscoring the distinctive mountain environment of the Asir region and reinforcing the city’s growing appeal as a seasonal tourism destin»»»
Wounded Lebanese journalist recounts hours of agony after Israeli strike killed colleague Amal Khalil
BEIRUT: A Lebanese journalist who was wounded in an Israeli airstrike that killed her colleague this week described hours of agony as they waited for help to arrive, in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday. Zeinab Faraj, a young freelance photographer and video journalist, frequently mo»»»
Is Israel silencing witnesses? Rising journalist deaths raise accountability concerns
DUBAI: The killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil on Wednesday has renewed scrutiny over the rising number of media workers killed in conflicts involving Israel, with press freedom groups questioning accountability and transparency. Khalil, a correspondent for Al-Akhbar, was reportedly shelteri»»»
Leavitt: Witkoff, Kushner heading to Pakistan Saturday for Iran talks - UPI.com
Special envoy Steve Witkoff (L) and President Donald Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading to Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, to have more talks with Iran to make a peace deal. File Photo courtesy Ukrainian President's Office | License Photo April 24 (UPI) -- Talks with Iran are s»»»
Amir, US president discuss regional developments, maritime security and global supply chains
DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the Saate of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a telephone call from President of the friendly United States of America, HE Donald Trump. The two sides reviewed the latest regional developments, particularly the ceasefire agreement between the United Stat»»»
Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games: Qatari Men's Beach Volleyball Teams Qualify for Round of 16
Sanya, China: The Qatari men's beach volleyball teams have qualified for the Round of 16 at the Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games, after securing two more victories today in the final matches of the second round of the preliminary stage. The first team, comprised of Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, def»»»
WHO approves first malaria treatment for infants
GENEVA: The World Health Organization announced Friday that it had given prequalification approval to a malaria treatment for newborns and infants for the first time. Artemether-lumefantrine is the first antimalarial formulation designed specifically for the youngest victims of the mosquito-borne d»»»
Is Israel’s ‘buffer zone’ expansion a bid to control Lebanon’s offshore gas?
BEIRUT: Lebanon faces growing concern over what officials describe as potential Israeli encroachment onto its offshore energy resources, after the Israeli military published a map extending its buffer zone into the Mediterranean, raising questions about the fate of the Qana gas field. The map, rele»»»
Mass trial of MS-13 gang at CECOT prison
El Salvador has launched a mass trial of 486 alleged MS-13 members accused by prosecutors of thousands of murders and other crimes, as President Nayib Bukele continues his sweeping crackdown under a state of emergency that has sharply reduced crime, though human rights groups warn the measures—intr»»»
Sanchez brushes off reported Pentagon email mulling suspending Spain's NATO membership
Spain's centre-left Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday declined to comment on a reported Pentagon email written by top policy adviser Elbridge Colby raising the possibility of suspending Madrid from the NATO military alliance. The note reportedly also suggested reconsidering US suppor»»»
Stars and Stripes ombudsman fired by Department of Defense - UPI.com
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday fired Stars and Stripes' ombudsman, whose job it had to been to protect the newspapers' editorial independence and report to Congress if military officials were interfering with it. File Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo April 24 (UPI) -- Th»»»
Israel, Lebanon extend ceasefire as Trump says ‘great chance’ for peace deal
Israel and Lebanon extended their ceasefire by three weeks on Thursday following a meeting of officials from both sides at the White House. US President Donald Trump said he believed there was a "great chance" the two countries would agree on a peace deal, even though Israel and Hezbollah have»»»
Strait of Hormuz: Iran, US seize ships
US President Donald Trump says he is not rushing into a peace agreement with Iran, downplaying concerns over Iranian small boats even after they seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and arguing that Tehran is unable to strike a deal due to divisions within its leadership, an accusati»»»
Trump orders navy to shoot Iranian boats
The standoff between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz appears to be edging closer to renewed conflict than a peace deal, with President Donald Trump ordering the Navy to target Iranian boats laying mines and Israel signaling it is ready to resume bombing once it receives the go-ah»»»
Hormuz standoff chokes 20% of oil supply
In the Strait of Hormuz, the United States and Iran are locked in a struggle for influence over one of the world’s most strategic waterways, with Washington emphasizing ship seizures to demonstrate its ability to disrupt maritime traffic, while a parallel on-the-water confrontation unfolds over dem»»»
Spotlight - Trump's favourite field marshall: A profile of Asim Munir
One of the notable aspects of Pakistan being the centre of peace talks is just how the country positioned itself as the mediator, or facilitator, between the US and Iran. Analysts point to a number of key moments that made Islamabad the go-to for President Trump. First, after the US mediated talks »»»
US Defense Secretary Hegseth: 'US blockade has gone global'
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Operation Epic Fury has achieved a decisive result in just weeks, focused on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He noted the mission is entering a new phase, giving Iran the chance to pursue a “good and wise” peace deal, while emphasising the streng»»»
Focus - Fleeing war in Sudan, refugees flock to Libya's Kufra province
For the past three years, war has been raging in Sudan betwe en the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, leading to more than 11 million Sudanese being displaced. After Chad, Libya is the largest host country of Sudanese refugees. In the southeastern Kufra province, 250 kilo»»»
'I wasn't in politics before and I'm not going to be after': Macron to quit politics in 2027
French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that he will quit politics in 2027 as the final year in his second term approaches. He added that at this late stage in office, the "hardest thing" was to strike a balance between defending his record and acknowledging what "didn't work out".»»»
Iraq deadlock persists over next prime minister
BAGHDAD: Iraq’s main Shiite alliance failed on Friday to agree on a new candidate for prime minister after US pressure stymied the chances of frontrunner Nouri Al-Maliki. Leaders of the Coordination Framework — a ruling coalition of Shiite groups with varying ties to Iran who had initially nominate»»»
62,000 Somalis displaced by drought since beginning of year UN says
Geneva: The United Nations revealed Friday that the drought plaguing Somalia since the beginning of the year has displaced approximately 62,000 people across five regions. The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), in its latest report, anticipates that the total number of displaced p»»»
Access Asia - India-Pakistan ties 'not good', a year after Kashmir attack
A year after the deadly terror attack in Kashmir, relations between India and Pakistan remain at an all-time low. Since then, Islamabad has emerged as a key mediator seeking to end the war in Iran. On Access Asia, we're joined by Indian MP Dr Shashi Tharoor to find out what India makes of Pakistan'»»»
WWF warns Mediterranean overfishing remains critical
Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization show 58% of assessed Mediterranean fish stocks are overfished, meaning catches exceed sustainable limits, WWF Greece fisheries officer Michalis Margaritis said. The Mediterranean is among the world’s most overexploited seas, he added. Fish consumption»»»
Macron bands Trump with Putin, Xi as ‘dead against’ Europe
ATHENS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday banded US President Donald Trump together with Russia’s Vladmir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping as world leaders who are “dead against” Europe. Macron’s bromance with the mercurial US leader has cooled in recent months, and the White House has made no»»»
Reporters - Why are so many Colombians fighting for Ukraine?
On the most dangerous parts of Ukraine's front line, it's almost as common these days to hear Spanish as Ukrainian. Many Colombian soldiers are now fighting in Ukraine, lured by the comparatively high salaries, but also by a sense of adventure and of helping a good cause. Our reporters Gulliver Cra»»»
Sovereignty of Falklands rests with the UK, Britain tells US
LONDON: The sovereignty of the Falkland Islands rests with Britain, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday after an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing the US position on the Falklands as punishment for Britain’s stance on the Iran war. “We could not be clearer about»»»
Amir receives phone call from US President
Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call today from President of the United States of America HE Donald Trump. During the call, they reviewed the latest regional developments, particularly the ceasefire agreement between the United States of America and the Isl»»»
Gaza Reconstruction Back on the Table, Parallel Track to the Board of Peace
The reconstruction of the Gaza Strip has returned to the agenda in recent days during Egyptian talks with international parties, amid a stalemate in implementing the ceasefire and earlier reports of funding problems facing the “Board of Peace” led by U.S. President Donald Trump. Those reports were »»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
Israel's buffer zone in Lebanon won't stop Hezbollah's fibre optic drones
Israel’s security buffer zone in southern Lebanon is supposed to be a shield against Hezbollah missile and drone attacks that have battered its northern communities for months. But even if the IDF occupies the entir»»»
COMMENT: Iran was the prequel, China is the target
When Alexei Maslov, one of Russia's best-known Sinologists, told Sputnik radio on April 24 that the true purpose of the US campaign against Iran had been to wound China rather than Tehran, the remark read at first like standard Moscow framing. Iran, he argued, had never truly threatened American in»»»
Lebanon urges UN action over Israel's targeting of journalists amid reports of IDF looting
Lebanon has appealed to the United Nations to intervene over what it calls Israel's deliberate targeting of media workers, citing 28 journalist deaths since October 2023, as Israeli soldiers admit to large-scale looting of civilian property in the south of the country. »»»
Lebanon urges UN action over Israel's targeting of journalists amid reports of IDF looting
Lebanon has appealed to the United Nations to intervene over what it calls Israel's deliberate targeting of media workers, citing 28 journalist deaths since October 2023, as Israeli soldiers admit to large-scale looting of civilian property in the south of the country. »»»
Israel's buffer zone in Lebanon won't stop Hezbollah's fibre optic drones
Israel’s security buffer zone in southern Lebanon is supposed to be a shield against Hezbollah missile and drone attacks that have battered its northern communities for months. But even if the IDF occupies the entir»»»
Lebanon urges UN action over Israel's targeting of journalists amid reports of IDF looting
Lebanon has appealed to the United Nations to intervene over what it calls Israel's deliberate targeting of media workers, citing 28 journalist deaths since October 2023, as Israeli soldiers admit to large-scale looting of civilian property in the south of the country. »»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
COMMENT: Iran was the prequel, China is the target
When Alexei Maslov, one of Russia's best-known Sinologists, told Sputnik radio on April 24 that the true purpose of the US campaign against Iran had been to wound China rather than Tehran, the remark read at first like standard Moscow framing. Iran, he argued, had never truly threatened American in»»»
Iran claims bypass to US naval blockade using Jask port
Iran has claimed it is bypassing the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz by using the Jask port on the Gulf of Oman, with oil exports to China holding steady at an average of 985,000 barrels per day in the first half of April, state news reported on April 24. »»»
COMMENT: Iran was the prequel, China is the target
When Alexei Maslov, one of Russia's best-known Sinologists, told Sputnik radio on April 24 that the true purpose of the US campaign against Iran had been to wound China rather than Tehran, the remark read at first like standard Moscow framing. Iran, he argued, had never truly threatened American in»»»
Pakistan playing both sides in US-Iran negotiation is a high-risk balancing act
The war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other has implications for the global economy. While the narrative on negotiations and their nature has been highly divergent between the one communicated by Iranian officials and that trumpeted by US President Donald Trump, one thing th»»»
Iran claims bypass to US naval blockade using Jask port
Iran has claimed it is bypassing the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz by using the Jask port on the Gulf of Oman, with oil exports to China holding steady at an average of 985,000 barrels per day in the first half of April, state news reported on April 24. »»»
COMMENT: Iran was the prequel, China is the target
When Alexei Maslov, one of Russia's best-known Sinologists, told Sputnik radio on April 24 that the true purpose of the US campaign against Iran had been to wound China rather than Tehran, the remark read at first like standard Moscow framing. Iran, he argued, had never truly threatened American in»»»
Slovenia’s political vacuum fuels debate over sweeping economic reform bill
Slovenia has entered a period of political uncertainty following the inconclusive March 22 elections, but the absence of a new government has not prevented a fierce debate over a far-reaching draft development law that could reshape the country’s tax and social systems. »»»
Poland's Tusk warns Russia could attack NATO in months
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Russia could attack a NATO member within months and openly questioned whether the United States would honour its mutual defence commitment in the event of such an attack, Financial Times reported on April 24. »»»
EU’s 20th Russia sanction package introduces full crypto ban
The European Union has approved its 20th sanctions package against Russia, targeting more than 120 individuals and entities, including oil companies, refineries, ports, tankers, banks, crypto platforms and a number of public figures, according to the announcement of the EU Council. »»»