Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Leader: Iran’s Heroic People Definitive Victors in Third Imposed War 09-04-2026 21:47 PM New Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Say»»»

First lady Melania Trump, pictured last month during the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit at the White House, on Thursday delivered a statement denying a friendship with deceased sex predator Jeffrey Epstein, in addition to denying that she "was a victim" of his or that he intr»»»

“Mexico must guarantee its sovereignty. And a fundamental part of sovereignty is energy sovereignty,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has reiterated. Photo by Isaac Esquivel/EPA April 9 (UPI) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signaled a major shift in the country's energy policy aimed at r»»»

DOHA: A team of four, including referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim from Qatar have been named among a record 170 match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the decisive rounds of the AFC Champions League. FIFA on Thursday named 52 referees for the World Cup in the summer, including Poland's Szymon»»»

Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) offers concrete solutions to the problems of Ruse, on the Danube, CC–DB top-of-the-list candidate in Ruse Nadezhda Yordanova said on Thursday. She was speaking to the local media together with Yes, Bulgaria co-chairs Ivaylo Mirchev and Bozhidar Bozhan»»»

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has convened the Industrial Resilience and Supply Chain Continuity Forum in Abu Dhabi, bringing together ministers, senior officials, industry leaders, and financial institutions to accelerate coordinated responses to mounting global trade an»»»

Dubai-based Al Habtoor Group has announced plans to develop a new commercial tower within Al Habtoor City in Dubai, with an investment exceeding Dh5 billion. The project forms part of the group’s broader expansion strategy in the UAE, as it continues to strengthen its footprint in key sectors acros»»»

Former US Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was fired by President Donald Trump last week, will not be required to testify about her handling of the investigation into late financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the Justice Department (DOJ) has announced. In a letter explaining the decisi»»»

A demonstrator faces off with police officers during a protest against Glacier Law reform near Congress in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. Photo by Juan Ignacio Roncoroni/EPA April 9 (UPI) -- Argentina's Chamber of Deputies approved Thursday a reform of the Glacier Law that loosens environmental protect»»»

By a final ruling issued on Thursday, Bulgaria's Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) left without consideration two motions entered by the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) in a case concerning Bulgaria's caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov. A duplicate copy of the ruling will»»»

Former New York Police Department Sgt. Erik Duran was sentenced Thursday after being convicted of second-degree manslaughter in the killing of 30-year-old Eric Duprey in 2023. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo April 9 (UPI) -- A former New York Police Department sergeant was sentence»»»

A 17-year-old accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in Thessaloniki has been conditionally released after testifying before an investigating magistrate. The minor, who is reportedly from Egypt, denied the charges, claiming the acts took place with the consent of the alleged victim and that he was un»»»

People flee from areas the Israeli army has warned could come under attack in Beirut, Lebanon, on Wednesday. Photo by Wael Hamzeh/EPA BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 9 (UPI) -- Lebanese officials engaged Thursday in intensive diplomatic contacts to confirm the country's inclusion in the Pakistan-mediated U.»»»

Dubai: Dubai Police have intensified their visible security presence across the emirate, deploying 379 mounted patrols during the first quarter of 2026, covering residential, commercial and tourist areas. The patrols, carried out by the Mounted Police Station, are part of ongoing efforts to enhance»»»

In an apparent attempt to divert attention from GUGI’s failed North Sea operation, the Kremlin’s propaganda outlet TASS on Thursday accused Norway of assisting Ukraine in preparing attacks on Russian vessels in the Barents and Norwegian Seas. “The criminal Kyiv regime, with the assistance of milita»»»

As Israeli forces press deeper into Syrian territory along the ceasefire line in the occupied Golan Heights, a Syrian official source told Asharq Al-Awsat that increased patrols by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) stem from the 1974 disengagement agreement, not new understand»»»

A total of 101 cases of measles have been registered in Bulgaria, the Health Ministry announced on Facebook on Thursday. The cases have been reported in five regions of the country. The biggest number of cases have been registered in Vratsa - 80. Twelve cases have been reported in the Pleven Region»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has recorded three violations at a central market involving pricing non-compliance, commercial fraud, and misleading practices. In a statement on social media, the Ministry said that legal measures have been taken against the Al Sailiya Cent»»»

1 of 3 | Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber arrives at the COP28 Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on November 30, 2023. As CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, he said the Strait of Hormuz is not unconditionally open. File Photo by Ali Haider/EPA-EFE April 9 (UPI) -- The Strait of Hormuz is not »»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible if the United States complies with its obligations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday. "Safe passage of vessels through this waterway, based on regulations and in coordination with the Ir»»»

1 of 2 | Disney plans to lay off up to 1,000 employees and cut their positions, focusing largely on its marketing department. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo April 9 (UPI) -- Disney plans to lay off up to 1,000 employees and cut their positions, focusing largely on its marketing de»»»

In a potential boost to Middle East ceasefire efforts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that he authorized direct negotiations “as soon as possible” with Lebanon aimed at disarming Hezbollah militants and establishing relations between the two countries. "In light of Lebanon'»»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Negotiations to end the US-Iran conflict depend on the US commitment to ceasefire obligations "on all fronts," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. "The holding of negotiations to end the war depends on the US commitment to ceasefire obligations on all fronts, particula»»»

The administration of US President Donald Trump is “weaponizing Christianity” to justify its actions in the Middle East, while Israel continues to act with impunity as much of the West turns a blind eye, Irish activist and satirist Tadhg Hickey has said. Appearing on RT’s East Meets West show, host»»»

On 28 February 2026, the first day of the US-Israeli war, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, along with several senior military figures and members of his family. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was wounded in the same strike that also killed Mojtaba’s mother, Mansoureh Khojast»»»

NEW YORK - Addressing a UN Security Council session on the work of UNMIK, the UN mission in Kosovo-Metohija, Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Thursday its presence continued to serve as a key guarantee of peace, stability and protection of the fundamental human rights of Serbs living in the province»»»

Not so long ago, US President Donald Trump openly endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of the Hungarian parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12. From a diplomatic standpoint, urging citizens of another country to vote for a specific candidate is contentious, to say the least.»»»

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is seeking to have OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman fired as part of his lawsuit against the artificial intelligence giant, court documents filed on Tuesday show. The mogul sued OpenAI in 2024, accusing it of defrauding him of $38 million in initial fundi»»»

At a campaign rally in Sopron, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered a speech centered on national sovereignty, economic security, and the stakes of the upcoming election, presenting the vote as a decisive choice about Hungary’s future. Opening his remarks, Prime Minister Orbán stressed that the ca»»»

Paris, France: The Cannes Film Festival unveiled its roster of films for this year's edition on Thursday packed with historical dramas, "gentleness" and even football, with the absence of major Hollywood studios set to dial down the American razzle-dazzle of previous editions. Festival director Thi»»»

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange before the closing bell at the NYSE on Wall Street on March 3, in New York City. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis revised the rate of economic growth for the fourth quarter of 2025 down Thursday due largely to slower-than-expected investm»»»

Dr. Akhtar described the situation the US finds itself in as "a strategic failure on all accounts." The United States is ready to make concessions to one degree or another, Professor of Political Economy Dr. Aasim Sajjad Akhtar told Sputnik, commenting on Iran's 10-point settlement plan.Iranian dem»»»

If Iran proceeds to negotiate with the US and reaches an agreement, thus ignoring Israel’s actions in Lebanon, “the Shias in Lebanon will feel abandoned and Tehran would lose face,” Beirut-based regional analyst Yeghia Tashjian tells Sputnik. If, however, Iran insists that Lebanon must be part of t»»»

The US underestimated the importance of Lebanon for Iran when excluding it from the ceasefire deal, Beirut-based security analyst Ali Rizk tells Sputnik. "By once again taking control of the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranians are telling the Trump administration: 'If you want this deal to succeed, you »»»

The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has announced the launch of a new competency-based regulatory framework under the Qudorat Program for the registration of occupational safety and health (OSH) practitioners and service providers, in a step towards enhancing professional competency standard»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Kiryat Shmona settlement for the eighth time with a barrage of rockets: statement 23 09-04-2026 17»»»

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) has notified European institutions and the US Congress of alleged gross interference by Bulgaria's Interior Ministry in the electoral process ahead of the April 19 parliamentary elections, the party said on Thursday. The signals call for an investigation i»»»

The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, on Thursday ruled out accepting any restrictions on the country’s uranium enrichment program, as demanded by the United States and Israel. In an interview with the ISNA news agency, Eslami said: “The demands and conditions set by our e»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance targeted, at 13:47 on Thursday, 09-04-2026, Al-Assi site opposite the town of Mais al-Jabal with a rocket barrage: state»»»

Due to the ongoing military actions in the Middle East and a Level 5 travel risk index for Israel and Palestine issued by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs – advising against all travel and urging departure from the area, the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has decided not to send »»»

Doha, Qatar: Following the announcement of alternative assessment, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has issued a clarification that this announcement does not signal a transition to distance learning after the extended weekend leave. It further confirmed that the mode of study for the»»»

Heavy rain, storms and floods have battered Asian neighbours Afghanistan and Pakistan in the last three weeks, killing at least 222 people, disaster officials in both countries said Thursday. In Afghanistan, which already faces a severe humanitarian crisis, rain, floods, landslides and lightning st»»»

Dubai: The Philippines has expressed "cautious optimism" over the announcement of peace talks between the US and Iran, facilitated by Pakistan, calling for a permanent end to the ongoing conflict. In a statement, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has expressed hope that the move will lea»»»

Dubai: The conflict in the region may have grounded thousands of Keralite expats' election plans this year, but for a determined few, no airfare was too steep and no disruption too great to stop them from exercising their democratic right. Regional tensions that forced airlines to scale back servic»»»

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday he did not want US-Iran war to place any further strain on relations between the United States and its European NATO partners. "We do not want – I do not want – NATO to split. NATO is a guarantor of our security, including and above all in Europe," »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Houthi Praises Iran’s Victory, Underlines Frustration of US-Israeli Scheme in Region 09-04-2026 17:41 PM Sayyed Abdul Malik Badreddine Al-H»»»

Washington, United States: The International Monetary Fund expects to have to provide up to $50 billion in immediate financial assistance to countries affected by the Middle East conflict, its managing director said on Thursday, with the crisis likely to have lasting economic effects. "Given the sp»»»

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street on Feb. 20, in New York City. The personal incomes of American workers fell by $18.2 billion in February as inflation maintained a seasonally adjusted rate of 3%, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Thursday. File Pho»»»

Voters across India’s Assam and Kerala states, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry, turned out in large numbers on Thursday in closely watched Assembly elections seen as a key test of political momentum for both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition alliances. With polling»»»

Dubai: Behind the strength and stamina of Dubai athlete Nikola Aleksic lies a five-year battle with a rare autoimmune condition. On May 24, he will be marking his birthday by running 100 kilometres across the city, not just to test his limits, but to raise awareness for the struggles of people livi»»»