During the war years, the Kirghiz SSR sent one in every four residents of the republic to the front. In total, more than 363,000 Kyrgyzstanis were conscripted. Around 100,000 people were killed. More than 150,000 Kyrgyzstanis were awarded orders and medals. Seventy-four people were awarded the titl»»»

The US Court of International Trade on Friday ruled that US President Donald Trump's latest 10% temporary global duties are unjustified under a 1970s trade law, but blocked the levies only ​for two private importers and the State of Washington. The decision leaves the temporary tarif»»»

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said three hours of talks at the White House with US President Donald Trump on Thursday helped stabilise relations between Brazil and the United States, which have been strained by Trump’s tariff policy. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sai»»»

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Thursday demanded a "public progress update" from the US Department of Justice on the investigation into the Israeli military's killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was gunned down while reporting for Al Jazeera in»»»

Ceci Flores discovered her son’s remains during a search in northern Mexico in late March. He had disappeared in 2019. Flores is a well-known figure in Mexico, where she leads a collective of mothers looking for their missing loved ones, often victims of cartels. Collectives like hers aim to fill t»»»

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson knows how to get and keep an audience. Amid his recent criticism of US President Donald Trump, the controversial podcast host has drawn in fans from unexpected parts of the political spectrum. This week on FRANCE 24's media show Scoop, we look at Carlson's histor»»»

On Thursday, the US and Iran exchanged accusations and fire in the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington saying it intercepted Iranian attacks and struck back at military targets, while Tehran reported retaliatory action and rising regional tensions. The fragile ceasefire faced fresh strain amid wideni»»»

Europe's most powerful warship is inching closer to the strategic waterway whose effective closure has come to epitomise the war in Iran. France is moving its aircraft carrier group towards the Strait of Hormuz, as it works with the UK on a proposal that aims ​to lay the groundwork for safe transit»»»

Two months ago, Donald Trump claimed the United States would liberate the Iranian people when it launched the offensive alongside Israel. Two months into the war, the regime is still there, the repression continues, and the country stands on the verge of economic asphyxiation. Our colleagues at Fra»»»

A new exchange of fire between Iran and the US occurred late Thursday night in the Strait of Hormuz, with both countries accusing each other of firing first. The latest by Simon Moritz.»»»

The United Arab Emirates says it's responded to fresh missile and drone attacks by Iran this Friday. The strikes come hours after the US says three of its navy destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz were targeted. President Donald Trump ordered retaliatory strikes - but then downplayed the hostilities »»»

More than 30 people were killed in central Mali on Thursday after two attacks blamed on al Qaeda-linked militants, according to local, security and administrative sources. The strikes, claimed by JNIM, come amid renewed violence in the West African nation following recent coordinated assaults on th»»»

In the run-up to the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, Mark Owen is pleased to welcome Éléonore Caroit, France's deputy minister for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Citizens Abroad. France is seeking to expand and transform its relationship with the entire African continent»»»

France has sent back its ambassador to Algeria in a bid to ease tensions between Paris and its former North African colony. The envoy was recalled more than a year ago after relations between the two countries soured over France’s decision to back Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Saha»»»

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a Silicon Valley debate: it’s becoming part of Africa’s creative revolution. In Nigeria, filmmakers and digital artists are experimenting with AI tools to create films, archive disappearing oral histories and imagine new African futures. Obinna Okere-keocha»»»

Victory Day commemorations are taking place across Europe. It was on 8 May 1945 that Germany surrendered and the Allied powers celebrated victory in Europe. 81 years later, details of what to expect from the commemorations in France with FRANCE 24 reporter Olivia Bizot.»»»

The number of children diagnosed with cancer in France is on the rise. Other serious medical conditions – birth defects, neurodevelopmental disorders and reduced IQ – are following the same alarming trend. Scientists are increasingly pointing to pesticides as a major risk factor. Yet France remains»»»

Open Cabinet project is being launched by the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan. «The Information Policy Service of the Presidential Administration announces the launch of a large-scale media project «Open Cabinet: Territory of Responsibility». The goal of the initiative is to make the work»»»

Located in the heart of the Indian metropolis of Mumbai, Dharavi is one of the world's most densely populated slums; home to nearly 1 million people. Made famous by the film "Slumdog Millionaire", Dharavi is set to be transformed by a major redevelopment plan that will build skyscrapers, sanit»»»

In this edition of Access Asia, we look ahead to the US president's upcoming visit to China. While both sides will be seeking to reset ties, the war in Iran is set to cloud the trip. We also speak to an Australian artist of Indian descent who is currently in residence in Paris. We explore how Sid P»»»

Paris: A flurry of new schemes to launch Europe-based social networks faces a steep, rocky road to seduce users away from American and Asian giants in the sector. Founders nevertheless see opportunity in the disillusionment and distrust of major platforms that have spiked alongside transatlantic te»»»

Russia and Ukraine on Friday launched major attacks against each other as a two-day truce – declared unilaterally by Moscow to protect its World War II commemoration parade – appeared to be in tatters. Ukraine has said Russian President Vladimir Putin only wanted to pause fighting so he c»»»

Mark Owen is pleased to welcome Melinda Haring, expert on Ukraine, non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center and senior advisor to Razom Advocacy's advisory board. According to Haring, the psychological and military balance between Russia and Ukraine is pivoting. Her centr»»»

The far right are making gains in England as the results of local elections are counted overnight. The governing Labour party has lost control of a number of councils... and pressure is piling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. While most results won’t be declared until later Friday, Reform UK — led b»»»

Russia and Ukraine are accusing each other of violating a two-day ceasefire announced by Moscow to cover the celebrations of the Soviet Union's victory over ​Nazi Germany. Ukraine's air force said it downed 56 Russian drones close to the frontline in the last few hours. On its end, the Russian Defe»»»

As Europe commemorates the 81st anniversary of the Allied victory over the Nazis this May 8, many in Germany are discovering long-buried family secrets. Nazi party membership lists – saved from destruction in 1945 – are now available online. In just a few clicks, the Nazi past of mil»»»

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, May 8: The Italian dailies mark Pope Leo XIV's first year at the Vatican, hailing his "discreet and collegial" papacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with the pope in a bid to appease tensions after a public spat between the pontiff and US President Donald Trump»»»

Moscow lost territory on the battlefield in April 2026 for the first time since Ukraine’s bold August 2024 incursion into Russia's Kursk oblast, according to an analysis published this week. Moscow's losses were equivalent to some 116 square kilometres across several areas of the front line. &»»»

Norway has announced it plans to reopen three old gas fields in the North Sea in order to boost Europe's supply. Already the largest supplier for the EU, Oslo also proposed 70 new offshore locations for oil and gas exploration. Environmental activists accuse the government of using geopolitical te»»»

Over the past year, NATO has been dealing with an unprecedented split between the US and other members of the alliance. Our guest is Marcos Perestrello, the president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, a body that brings together legislators from NATO member countries. Perestrello is a former secr»»»

Nine countries are currently in the process of acceding to the European Union: North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia and Turkey. The European club seems to be growing ever more appealing, to the point where Iceland could»»»

The labor party is on the ropes in England as the results of local elections being counted show the far-right making substantial gains. The governing party has lost control of a number of councils... and pressure is piling on Keir Starmer -- with some calling for the Prime Minister to resign. Detai»»»

Early results from the UK local elections point to a crushing defeat for Starmer’s Labour Party. The hard-right Reform UK looked set to pick up some 400 seats, stealing hundreds from both the Conservative Party and Labour. The Greens and the Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, recorded relatively modest »»»

Dubai: In times of regional uncertainty, many families in the UAE find themselves checking in more often on ageing parents and grandparents living alone, whether in the Emirates or back home. For Sawsan Shalabi, quick phone calls and messages do not always address the emotional impact that uncertai»»»

The list of foreign guests published by the Kremlin for the May 9 events in Moscow does not include the presidents of the Central Asian countries, Telegram channel Politik CA reports. This will be the first Victory Day parade since 2018 to take place without the participation of the region’s leader»»»

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will take part in the official Victory Day events in Moscow. According to presidential press secretary Aibek Smadiyarov, the working visit of the Kazakh leader has been described in the Kremlin as a «friendly gesture.» Related news Central Asian leaders»»»

London: Isolated and traumatised by drones and missiles, seafarers in the Gulf face grave mental suffering after more than two months stuck on board in the Middle East war, maritime charities warn. From captains to cooks, engineers and other officers, the workers who keep global freight flowing hav»»»

THESSALONIKI, Greece: Saudi Arabia’s national mathematics team captured two gold medals and one bronze at the 43rd Balkan Mathematical Olympiad 2026 in Greece, extending the Kingdom’s growing record in international science and mathematics competitions. The Olympiad, held in the Greek city of Thess»»»

RIYADH: In a season marked by turbulence on the pitch and behind the scenes, Al-Hilal will have something to celebrate when the campaign concludes, whatever happens as their battle with Al-Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League goes to the wire. The Blues secured their 12th King Cup title on Frid»»»

The Pentagon has declassified and released a batch of government files on unidentified flying objects (UFOs), describing the move as a “historic transparency effort.” The release, published on a dedicated page on the website of the US Department of War, contains hundreds of documents, videos, intel»»»

The World Health Organization has warned of a possible increase in hantavirus cases, while authorities in the Netherlands have reported two new confirmed diagnoses, BBC News reported. «Five hantavirus cases have been confirmed, and three more are under investigation, including the deceased passenge»»»

The State Civil Aviation Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has urged citizens to refrain from using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) of any type in Bishkek on May 9. The agency specified that drones are prohibited in the following areas: The measure is aimed at ensuring the safet»»»

Consumer prices were 2.1% higher on average in April 2026 than a year earlier. Over one month, consumer prices rose by 0.4% on average. In 12 months, compared to April 2025 food prices increased by 1.5% (and decreased by 0.9% excluding food and beverage serving services), within which the price of »»»

Negotiations between the heads of the water and energy agencies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have concluded in Tashkent. The main outcome of the meeting was the signing of a trilateral protocol that formalized the agreed volumes and schedule of water releases from the Toktogul reservoir»»»

May 9 is a day when official speeches and ceremonial marches give way to the quietness of personal memory. There are virtually no families in Kyrgyzstan untouched by that war. Nearly everyone keeps their own story: a yellowed letter from the front line, medals, or simply the memory of a grandfather»»»

Gulf News Edufair gets under way today at The H Dubai Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, marking the 10th edition of the higher education event with a sharper two-day format focused on helping students make confident academic and career choices. Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Inte»»»

Dubai: Nearly three in ten parents in the UAE are travelling without a child car seat for young children, despite the near-universal recognition of their safety benefits, according to a new survey commissioned by RoadSafetyUAE and Al Wathba Insurance. The study, which surveyed 1,010 UAE residents i»»»