Trump vs Pope Leo XIV: A rare clash over Iran war
Donald Trump is accustomed to criticism from coast to coast - Democrats, disaffected Republicans, late-night comedians, massive protests. Yet in his second presidency, Trump’s most influential American critic doesn’t live in the country but at the Vatican. It’s an unprecedented situation, with the »»»
Sleepy Seal Diverts Traffic in Australian Seaside Town
Traffic in a seaside Australian town was briefly diverted on Friday when a local seal decided to take a nap on the road. The dozy pinniped was spotted snoozing on a road in Dromana in the southern state of Victoria. Local police placed cones around the seal -- known to some locals as Sammy -- who c»»»
Pentagon Denies Giving Vatican Envoy 'Bitter Lecture'
The Pentagon on Thursday denied a report that the Vatican's US envoy was summoned in January for a "bitter" dressing down over remarks by Pope Leo that were seen as criticizing the Trump administration's use of military force. According to The Free Press, which shares common ownership with CBS News»»»
On This Day, April 10: 'Great Gatsby' by Fitzgerald published - UPI.com
On April 10, 1925, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published. 1 of 7 | Leonardo DiCaprio arrives on the red carpet for the premiere of "The Great Gatsby" at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center in New York City on May 1, 2013. On April 10, 1925, the book "The Great Gatsby," written by F.»»»
China Slams US Pressure on North Korea on Trip to Pyongyang
China's top diplomat criticized US pressure on North Korea, Pyongyang state media reported on Friday, after he vowed to deepen ties with the diplomatically isolated nuclear state during a visit. The United States has for decades led efforts to dismantle North Korea's nuclear program, but summits, s»»»
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. »»»
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. »»»
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. »»»
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. »»»
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. »»»
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. »»»
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. »»»
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. »»»
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. »»»
Saudi oil output hit as attacks disrupt key facilities, raising fresh global supply fears
Dubai: Saudi Arabia said recent attacks linked to Iran have damaged key parts of its energy network, cutting production capacity and disrupting exports at a time when global supply is already strained. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.An energy ministry official said st»»»
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. »»»
Melania Trump Blasts ‘Lies’ Linking Her to Epstein
US First Lady Melania Trump made a surprise statement on Thursday denying any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse, or that she herself was a victim of the convicted sex offender. The 55-year-old's rare on-camera remarks at the White House came out of the blue, in an extraordinary intervention in a»»»
US Summons Iraqi Ambassador Over Drone Strike on Diplomatic Facility in Baghdad
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau summoned Iraqi Ambassador Nizar Khirullahon Thursday after a drone struck a major US diplomatic facility in Baghdad, the State Department said in a statement. The US Embassy in Baghdad said earlier that Iraqi "terrorist militias," who Washington accus»»»
US President says Iran should not impose Strait of Hormuz fees
Washington, USA: US President Donald Trump said that Iran should not impose fees on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and called on it to stop immediately if it is doing so. In a post on his Truth Social platform today, Trump cited reports of Iran imposing fees on oil tankers passing through the »»»
Citizen ‘Frog Patrol’ Helps Amphibians Survive a Dangerous Road Journey in Poland
On rainy spring nights in a forest near the Polish capital, a citizen “Frog Patrol” springs into action — humans helping amphibians survive dangerous road crossings for a chance to enjoy millennia-old mating rituals. As warmer weather comes to Mlochowski Forest, 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of War»»»
Oil prices jump back toward $100 on Mideast ceasefire doubts
LONDON — Oil prices jumped and most stock markets fell Thursday as investors weighed the prospects of a shaky Middle East ceasefire lasting the Strait of Hormuz fully reopening.Traders were also locking in profits from Wednesday's relief rally as the first-quarter earnings season gets under way, wh»»»
Philippines shifts focus to EVs — scraps multi-year, multi-million incentives for Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage
Manila: Amid the global price shock due to the Middle East war, the Philippines has now cancelled the multi-year, billion-peso incentives for automakers like Toyota and Mitsubishi aimed at encouraging them to "develop" local manufacturing capacity based on internal combustion engines (ICE). In a ma»»»
Asian stocks extend gains on Iran talks optimism, markets watch next move closely
Dubai: Asian equities climbed on Friday, extending their first weekly gain since the Middle East conflict began, with investors leaning into optimism ahead of planned US-Iran talks this weekend. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.8%, whi»»»
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»»»
QU’s Al Bunyan Club wins ‘Akhlaquna’ award in Al Shabab Youth Category
Doha, Qatar: Qatar University (QU) announced that Al Bunyan Club, a student club dedicated to community service and social engagement, has won the Akhlaquna Award in the Al Shabab Category (18–25) during Akhlaquna Day, in recognition of the club’s initiatives that promote ethical values and communi»»»
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. »»»
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»»»
People on Both Sides of the Strait Are Chinese, Xi Tells Taiwan Opposition Leader
People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese and the future of relations lies in the hands of the Chinese people, President Xi Jinping told Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun on Friday. Cheng, chairwoman of Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), is in China on what she»»»
China's Xi hosts Taiwan's KMT chair in landmark Beijing meeting
China’s President Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has met Cheng Li-wun, chair of Taiwan’s main opposition party – the Kuomintang (KMT). Cheng is visiting China at the invita»»»
China's Xi hosts Taiwan's KMT chair in landmark Beijing meeting
China’s President Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has met Cheng Li-wun, chair of Taiwan’s main opposition party – the Kuomintang (KMT). Cheng is visiting China at the invita»»»
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»»»
China's Xi hosts Taiwan's KMT chair in landmark Beijing meeting
China’s President Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has met Cheng Li-wun, chair of Taiwan’s main opposition party – the Kuomintang (KMT). Cheng is visiting China at the invita»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
Pharmaceutical plant to be built in Mailuu-Suu - | 24.KG
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, held a meeting with investors regarding the construction of a pharmaceutical plant. Representatives of the Chinese companies EHD (Eurasian Healthcare Development), Qinhuangdao Taizhi Medical Technology Company Limited, and the »»»
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»»»
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»»»
Venezuela police tear gas protesters calling for pay and pension rises
Police in Caracas on Thursday launched tear gas at thousands of protesters marching towards the presidential palace to demand pay raises and pension increases. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced wage increases on May 1 without disclosing the amount, as many Venezuelans live on salarie»»»
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»»»
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»»»
Eduard Kubatov appointed Director of State Agency for Tourism Development - | 24.KG
Eduard Kubatov has been appointed Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Kyrgyzstan. The corresponding personnel decision was made by the country’s leadership. Eduard Kubatov is a renowned mountaineer, entrepreneur, and public figure in the Kyrgyz Republic. He is the President of t»»»
'Trump abandoned us': ceasefire sparks anger, fear, division among Iranians
Iranians are divided between relief, disappointment, fear and anger after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire and possible peace plan between the USA and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other. The FRANCE 24 Observers team talked to several Iranians inside Iran to capture their responses an»»»
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 »»»