US Man Ends Fight to Reclaim his 12-foot Alligator Seized in 2024
An upstate New York man who had his alligator seized after sharing a home for more than three decades has given up his court fight to get back the reptile he affectionately named Albert. Tony Cavallaro sued the state Department of Environmental Conservation after officers met him with a warrant in »»»
Bishkek asks Moscow to increase duty-free fuel and lubricants supplies - | 24.KG
Bishkek has requested an increase in duty-free fuel and lubricants supplies from Moscow for next year and expects a positive outcome. First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Daniyar Amangeldiev, said. According to him, Kyrgyzstan is counting on Russia’s positive decision on»»»
Up to 10 percent of public posts to be filled without competition in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov signed a decree introducing amendments to the procedure for filling administrative state and municipal positions. The document aims to further regulate the system of public and municipal service. Under the new rules, certain administrative positions may be fill»»»
CGB organises workshop to develop Ministry of Sports and Youth’s unified digital platform
Doha, Qatar: The Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, yesterday held an idea-generation workshop to advance the ministry’s unified digital platform project. According to posts on CGB’s official social media accounts, the sess»»»
Zelenskiy proposes a new European version of Nato that includes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has proposed the creation of a new European-centred security bloc that would include Ukraine, the EU, the UK, Turkey and Norway, as concerns mount over the future of US support for Nato. »»»
IUCN: Emperor Penguins Listed as Endangered Species
The emperor penguin has been declared an endangered species as climate change pushes the icon of Antarctica a step closer to extinction, the global authority on threatened wildlife announced on Thursday. Its change of status from "near threatened" to "endangered", made by the International Union fo»»»
Israel-Lebanon Direct Negotiations Expected Next Week in Washington
Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected next week in Washington, according to a person familiar with the matter, a day after deadly Israeli strikes targeted several areas simultaneously around the country and pounding the capital, Beirut. "We can confirm that the Department will host a»»»
ASIA BLOG: How Taiwan’s KMT risks the nation’s sovereignty
As Taiwan’s opposition leader, Cheng Li-wun leads a senior Kuomintang (KMT) delegation across China this week, complete with ceremonial stops at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and high-level meetings in Shanghai and Beijing, the fine line between opposition outreach and quasi-diplomacy is being delibera»»»
EU paid €2.88bn for Russian Arctic LNG in first quarter
The EU paid an estimated €2.88bn ($3.33bn) to Russia for liquefied natural gas from the Yamal Arctic LNG project, majority owned by Novatek (NVTK.MM), in the first quarter of 2026, according to analysis of shipping data published by campaign group Urgewald on April 10. The payments were driven in p»»»
Peru vote puts new Senate, not presidency, at centre of democracy battle
With polls set to open on April 12, Peru enters its most consequential vote in a generation, defined less by who wins the presidency than by who controls a brand-new Senate — and whether democratic institutions can survive the candidates now vying to lead them. »»»
Lebanon on the brink as government moves against Hezbollah
Lebanon on the brink as government moves against Hezbollah In one of the most consequential moments in Lebanon’s modern history, this could be the moment the country crossed a dangerous threshold: a moment when the aftersh»»»
Lebanon on the brink as government moves against Hezbollah
Lebanon on the brink as government moves against Hezbollah In one of the most consequential moments in Lebanon’s modern history, this could be the moment the country crossed a dangerous threshold: a moment when the aftersh»»»
Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund eyes IPOs in London and Tashkent
Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund (UzNIF) on April 9 announced that it is considering dual initial public offerings (IPOs) on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the Tashkent Stock Exchange (TSE). Its listing»»»
Oil price spike: How does the Kremlin tax its oil industry?
Oil prices have spiked and that should produce a huge windfall for the Kremlin which has been desperately short of cash to fund its war machine in Ukraine since the start of this year. For its part, Ukraine has been workin»»»
EU paid €2.88bn for Russian Arctic LNG in first quarter
The EU paid an estimated €2.88bn ($3.33bn) to Russia for liquefied natural gas from the Yamal Arctic LNG project, majority owned by Novatek (NVTK.MM), in the first quarter of 2026, according to analysis of shipping data published by campaign group Urgewald on April 10. The payments were driven in p»»»
Oil price spike: How does the Kremlin tax its oil industry?
Oil prices have spiked and that should produce a huge windfall for the Kremlin which has been desperately short of cash to fund its war machine in Ukraine since the start of this year. For its part, Ukraine has been workin»»»
EU paid €2.88bn for Russian Arctic LNG in first quarter
The EU paid an estimated €2.88bn ($3.33bn) to Russia for liquefied natural gas from the Yamal Arctic LNG project, majority owned by Novatek (NVTK.MM), in the first quarter of 2026, according to analysis of shipping data published by campaign group Urgewald on April 10. The payments were driven in p»»»
Dubai gold slips again as global rally holds, buyers eye dip after Dh4 drop
Dubai: Dubai gold prices slipped on Friday morning, extending a cautious trend even as global markets point to a stronger weekly finish. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and India.) Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques»»»
Responders search collapsed Philadelphia garage for 2 presumed dead - UPI.com
April 10 (UPI) -- Search-and-rescue teams were scouring the wreckage of a collapsed Philadelphia parking garage on Thursday night for two people still missing, according to officials, who said the individuals were presumed dead. The parking garage, under construction near 30th Street and Grays Ferr»»»
Vijay’s final film ‘Jana Nayagan’ leaked in HD before release, fans furious
Dubai: Tamil actor Vijay’s much-anticipated final film before he plunges fully into politics, Jana Nayagan, has reportedly been leaked online even before its theatrical release, sending shockwaves through the film industry and his fanbase. According to reports, the leak comes at a particularly sens»»»
Qatar advances urban greening and native plant restoration initiatives
Doha, Qatar: Qatar is accelerating nationwide efforts to expand green spaces, restore native vegetation, and promote environmental sustainability as part of a broader strategy to combat desertification and enhance the country’s ecosystem. Officials and environmental experts highlight that Qatar pos»»»
Indonesia Urges 'Thorough' Probe on Lebanon Peacekeeper Deaths
Indonesia said Friday it had submitted a joint statement on peacekeeper security with dozens of allied nations to the United Nations after three of its blue helmets were killed in Lebanon. In the joint statement, the countries urged the UN Security Council to conduct a thorough investigation into t»»»
DIFC moves to ease business costs with payment breaks and fee relief across Dubai’s financial hub
Dubai: Dubai’s financial hub has moved to ease pressure on companies operating within its ecosystem, introducing a package of temporary support measures to stabilise cash flows and give firms breathing space. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Dubai International Financia»»»
Hormuz Strait 'toll': Oil prices drift back to $100/barrel mark — what it will take to get things going again
The Hormuz Strait may be officially “open.” But for the moment, it is still operating more like a high‑risk exclusion zone than a normal shipping lane. News of a two‑week ceasefire briefly sent oil prices plunging and stock markets rallying. But that optimism quickly faded: only a handful of vessel»»»
Calls to invoke the 25th Amendment after Trump's Iran threats 'useless'
US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy “a whole civilisation” in Iran has reignited calls to invoke the 25th Amendment and drawn condemnation across the political spectrum. Yet despite a growing chorus of critics, from Democrats to former MAGA allies, the mechanism remains politically out of»»»
Argentine MPs approve Milei-backed bill to allow mining in glaciers
Argentina's lower house of parliament on Thursday approved a bill backed by President Javier Milei to permit mining in glacier regions. Environmentalists and scientists have warned that mining in in frozen parts of the Andes mountains would threaten water resources. The law takes effect»»»
Melania Trump delivers statement denying Epstein ties, knowledge of his crimes
US first lady Melania Trump gave an extraordinary statement from the White House on Thursday denying any ties to late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump said the "lies" linking her to Epstein were "mean-spirited attempts" to defame her reputation. First lady Melania Tr»»»
Syria Nears Correspondent Bank Account Deal with Türkiye, Mulls Currency Swap
Syria is in the final stages of establishing a correspondent bank account with neighboring Türkiye's central bank and will also discuss a potential currency swap aimed at boosting trade, the Syrian central bank chief said. Türkiye has been the main backer of the Syrian government of President Ahme»»»
Worship Starts Again at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel Approves New Settlements
Thousands of Palestinians prayed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque at dawn Thursday, according to Jerusalem’s Islamic Waqf, the Jordanian religious authority that administers the compound. For the first time in 41 days, Muslim worshippers returned to Al-Aqsa, which had been shuttered since the start of the war»»»
Pro-Iran Groups Have Used AI to Try to Control the War Narrative
Pro-Iran groups have used artificial intelligence to create slick internet memes in English to try to shape the narrative during the war against the US and Israel and foster opposition to it. Analysts say the memes appear to be coming from groups linked to the government in Tehran and are part of a»»»
Bishkek to host Asian Alysh Belt Wrestling Championship for Adults - | 24.KG
On April 13-14, the Asian Alysh Belt Wrestling Championship for Adults will be held at the Zhashtyk Arena in Bishkek. The championship is organized by the Directorate for National Sports jointly with the World Alysh Federation. Leading athletes from Asian countries will participate in the competiti»»»
33 countries to face severe water shortages by 2040 — study - | 24.KG
As many as 33 countries will face extremely high water stress by 2040. A study by the World Resources Institute (WRI) says. The analysis, based on climate models and socio-economic scenarios, indicates that water scarcity will be driven by rising demand and limited resources. Experts say the main c»»»
Sidelined by Trump’s truce with Iran, Israel pummels Lebanon – then agrees to talks
The ceasefire between the US and Iran has sidelined Israel and left its war goals largely unmet, leading Benjamin Netanyahu’s critics to lament a “strategic failure” that has damaged Israel’s standing in Washington. With his hands tied on Iran, the Israeli PM has agreed to peace talks with Lebanon »»»
Netanyahu greenlights Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington amid ceasefire tensions
Israel and Lebanon are set to hold talks in Washington next week as tensions escalate over continued fighting in Lebanon and concerns grow that the fragile US-Iran ceasefire could collapse. The meeting comes amid heavy strikes, rising casualties, and renewed disputes over the scope of the truce and»»»
OPEC Chief Stresses Commitment to Support Market Stability
OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais has reiterated the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ commitment to support market stability and emphasized the need for long-term investment in all energies to meet expected future demand growth. Al Ghais spoke on Thursday at the 16th High-Le»»»
Air Raid Sirens across Israel after Rocket Launches from Lebanon
Air raid alerts rang out across Israel early Friday, including in the commercial hub of Tel Aviv and in the southern coastal city of Ashdod following rocket fire from Lebanon. Continued fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah is testing a fragile truce reached between the United States an»»»
Djibouti election expected to extend incumbent’s 27 years in presidential office
Djibouti’s longstanding leader Ismael Omar Guelleh is expected to win Friday’s presidential election, handing him a sixth consecutive term in a race against one weak opposition candidate. While critics dismiss the election as “token competition”, supporters say the 78-year-old incumbent has brought»»»
Four migrants die in north France trying to board small boat to cross Channel
Two men and two women died on Thursday after being swept away by currents in the English Channel while trying to board a dinghy to travel from France to England. Four people died on Thursday off the coast of northern France as they tried to board a small boat to cross the Channel to England, »»»
Taiwan opposition leader makes rare visit to China
Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun arrived in China on Tuesday for a six-day visit. Although she has long advocated for Taiwan’s independence, she is now working to improve relations with Beijing. Taiwan's main opposition leader landed in China on Tuesday for a rare visit aimed at building cr»»»
US Report: Ethiopia Army Base Used to Support Sudan’s RSF
An Ethiopian military base close to the Sudanese border is lending support to the Rapid Support Forces, according to a report by a research unit at Yale University released Wednesday. The Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) said analysis of satellite imagery and open-sour»»»
IDF Chief of Staff Approves Continuation of Israeli Operation in Southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that IDF Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir visited southern Lebanon to assess the situation, and approved the continuation of army operations in the region. "The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, conducted a tour today (Thursday) in southern Lebano»»»
Trump Claims That Iranian Actions on Strait of Hormuz Not in Line With Ceasefire Agreement
US President Donald Trump claims that the Iranian actions on the Strait of Hormuz are not in line with the ceasefire agreement. "Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz. That is not the agreement we have!" Trump wrote on Truth S»»»
Vance Sets Off to Pakistan to Lead Talks with Iran as War's Ceasefire Remains Shaky
President Donald Trump is tasking the member of his inner circle who has seemed to be the most reluctant defender of the conflict with Iran to now find a resolution to the war that began six weeks ago and stave off the US president's astonishing threat to wipe out its “whole civilization.” Vice Pre»»»
Trump meets NATO’s Rutte as US weighs exit over Iran war
US President Donald Trump held talks with NATO chief Mark Rutte on Wednesday, the White House said, as he weighed leaving the alliance after it did not join the US in its war against Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was also considering withdrawing US troops from some NATO countrie»»»
Trump, Vance support for Hungary's Orban is not 'meddling' in upcoming vote, says US envoy
US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance's endorsement of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban does not constitute "meddling" in Hungary's parliamentary elections, the US ambassador to the EU said on Thursday. Trump last month said nationalist Orban had his "complete and total" s»»»
Business - Rising oil prices: Are we heading for a recession?
Crude oil prices rose again on Thursday as the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump and Iran shows signs of fragility. In this edition, we speak with Ilian Mihov, Professor of Economics at INSEAD, about whether the war and the resulting oil shock could trigger a global recession. He exp»»»
People & Profit - Iran war: Catalyst for a renewable energy push?
The US and Israel’s war with Iran has triggered one of the biggest global energy shocks in decades. Asian economies, in particular, are facing disruptions to oil and gas supplies, while energy prices have surged worldwide. Climate activists say the shock should serve as a catalyst in the switch to »»»
Land transformation procedures to be simplified — Cabinet decision - | 24.KG
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, chaired a meeting of the commission monitoring the implementation of the presidential decree on debureaucratization and improving public administration efficiency. He noted that reforms aimed at reducing excessive regulation ha»»»
US Republicans face backlash over Virginia KKK mailers
A Republican-aligned political group has been accused of sending leaflets featuring Ku Klux Klan imagery to voters in Virginia ahead of a high-stakes referendum. The Washington Post has suggested that the campaign primarily targets black voters. The mailers, reportedly distributed in recent weeks b»»»
Friday Sermon, April 10: The UAE: heroism and victories
First Sermon (Khutbah One)All praise is due to Allah, the All-Powerful, the Ever-Firm, who supports His servants with His clear victory. We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and we bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is the servant of Allah and His Messenger. O »»»