Train Derails in Central Bulgaria, Three Injured
Three passengers were injured after a train from Ruse to Plovdiv collided with a landslide on Saturday morning between Tsareva Livada and Tryavna in north central Bulgaria, the National Railway Infrastructure Company said. Train traffic in the section has been suspended. The incident occurred at 8.»»»
Israeli Forces Encircle Bint Jbeil in South Lebanon
Military developments are accelerating in south Lebanon as Israel steps up pressure through a mix of strikes, evacuation warnings and what analysts describe as a strategy of isolating border towns, with Bint Jbeil emerging as a primary focus. The Israeli army on Friday warned residents on the north»»»
Trump seeks $1.5 trillion defense budget as Iran war drives costs
US President Donald Trump on Friday asked lawmakers to approve a massive $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, as the United States faces rising costs from its war with Iran and mounting global security commitments. The proposal would lift Pentagon spending by more than 40 percent in a single year»»»
French, Japanese Ships Cross Strait of Hormuz in First Since War
One French- and another Japanese-owned vessel are among a handful of vessels to have crossed the war-torn Strait of Hormuz, maritime tracking data showed Friday. The passage, a vital maritime route for oil and liquified natural gas, has been virtually blocked by Iran since the start of the war, sai»»»
Al-Manar correspondent in south Lebanon: An Israeli force infiltrated the border town of Shebaa before dawn on Saturday, abducted citizen Sami Saab from his house - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar correspondent in south Lebanon: An Israeli force infiltrated the border town of Shebaa before dawn on Saturday, abducted citizen S»»»
On This Day, April 4: Gates, Allen found Microsoft - UPI.com
On April 4, 1975, Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. 1 of 8 | Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates attends the NBA Finals game on June 10, 1996, in Seattle. On April 4, 1975, Microsoft was founded by Gates and Paul Allen. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo April 4 (UPI) -- On th»»»
Iran Executes Two Linked to Opposition Group
Iran on Saturday executed two men it said were convicted of links to an opposition group, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, and of carrying out armed attacks, domestic media reported. The executions were the latest in recent days of individuals with PMOI links. The PMOI confirmed S»»»
Artemis Astronauts More than Halfway to Moon, Putting Earth in Rearview
The Artemis 2 astronauts have passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon on Saturday as they sped toward a planned lunar flyby, with NASA releasing initial images of Earth taken from inside the Orion spacecraft. Astronaut Christina Koch said the crew had a collective "expression of joy" up»»»
Artemis astronauts more than halfway to the Moon, putting Earth in rearview
Houston: The Artemis 2 astronauts have passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon on Saturday as they sped toward a planned lunar flyby, with NASA releasing initial images of Earth taken from inside the Orion spacecraft. Astronaut Christina Koch said the crew had a collective "expression o»»»
As Trump orders UFO data released, a question hangs: If aliens exist, what would they think of us?
For generations, human beings have wondered: What would alien life from another planet be like? But we rarely ask the opposite: What would they think of us? Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.It's a question that can produce some, well, uncomfortable»»»
Iran, US race to recover missing crew member of crashed American fighter jet
Forces from Iran and the US are racing to recover a missing crew member from the F-15 warplane, shot down by Iran on Friday. US media reported United States special forces had rescued one of its two crew members. Iranian and American forces raced each other Saturday to recover a cre»»»
Iran, US race to find crew member of crashed American fighter jet
Tehran: Iranian and American forces raced each other Saturday to recover a crew member of the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war. Tehran said it had shot down the F-15 warplane, while US media reported United States special forces had rescued one of its two crew »»»
Why Сould Ukrainian Regime Be Interested in Forced Mobilization of Women?
Reports about women’s forced mobilization in Ukraine come as desertion there has reached a massive scale, approaching around 500,000 cases. The number of draft evaders in the country currently exceeds one million people. With a catastrophic lack of manpower, the Ukrainian administration is desperat»»»
Italian Prime Minister to visit Qatar today: Embassy
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister of Italy, HE Giorgia Meloni, will be in Doha this morning, April 4, 2026, as part of a Gulf tour, the Embassy announced. The Embassy stated that, "The visit by the Prime Minister of Italy, HE Giorgia Meloni, expresses solidarity and friendship with the State of Qatar." M»»»
Report: Armed Forces Personnel Shortage Stood at 20.5% in 2025
In 2025, the shortage of military personnel decreased by 1.8% and reached 20.5%, according to the Report on the State of Defence and the Armed Forces, approved by the caretaker government on April 1. Despite the measures taken, vacant positions for military personnel remained close to those in 2024»»»
Met department predicts relatively hot weather during the day, partly cloudy conditions offshore
DOHA: The Meteorology Department expects the weather on the coast to be relatively hot during the day today, becoming partly cloudy with scattered clouds. Offshore, it will be partly cloudy with scattered clouds. Winds on the coast will be southwesterly at less than 5 knots initially, becoming most»»»
Report: Military Personnel Shortage Stood at 20.5% in 2025
In 2025, the shortage of military personnel decreased by 1.8% and reached 20.5%, according to the Report on the State of Defence and the Armed Forces, approved by the caretaker government on April 1. Despite the measures taken, vacant positions for military personnel remained close to those in 2024»»»
Hamas Hopes Pressure Will Amend Gaza Disarmament Plan
Hamas is pressing mediators to secure changes to a plan presented more than a week ago by Nikolay Mladenov, the High Representative of the “Board of Peace,” which calls for the full disarmament of Gaza without exception. A Hamas delegation in Cairo is holding intensive talks with Palestinian factio»»»
'Extraordinary' views of home as astronauts head towards the Moon
Houston: As Artemis 2 astronauts forged Friday on their lunar mission, NASA released initial images taken ahead from inside the Orion spacecraft, including a full portrait of Earth featuring its deep blue oceans and billowing clouds. After a flurry of high-stakes activity including a dramatic blast»»»
Artemis II crew captures stunning earth views on moon mission
Cape Canaveral, Florida: The Artemis II astronauts have captured our blue planet's brilliant beauty as they zoom ever closer to the moon. NASA released the crew's first downlinked images Friday, 1 1/2 days into the first astronaut moonshot in more than half a century. The first photo taken by comma»»»
Baghdad Says Faction Attacks are ‘Individual Attempts’
The Iraqi government moved on Friday to contain the fallout from an escalating regional war, after the US issued sharp warnings of possible attacks on its interests inside Iraq. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani vowed to pursue those behind attacks and the kidnapping of foreigners, saying the »»»
Number of road accidents involving scooters, mopeds increased 12-fold in Bishkek - | 24.KG
In 2025, about 682 road accidents involving scooters were recorded in the capital, with 756 injuries and 14 fatalities—significantly higher than in 2022. It was reported at a road safety forum for scooter, moped, and personal mobility vehicle drivers. Participants discussed the increase in road acc»»»
Daniyar Amangeldiev and Alexey Overchuk discuss economic cooperation - | 24.KG
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk met with First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Daniyar Amangeldiev. The Russian Government’s Telegram channel reported. «Russia and Kyrgyzstan enjoy a strong partnership based on trust and mutual support. We see significant pot»»»
Israeli Army: Hezbollah Disarmament Needs Full Occupation of Lebanon
A senior Israeli military commander said on Friday that disarming Hezbollah was not part of the current war objectives, and that the army’s plan instead focused on razing entire villages in southern Lebanon and forcibly displacing residents to create a buffer zone imposing a new border reality. Def»»»
Four injured in Bahrain from falling debris of intercepted Iranian drone
Manama: Bahraini authorities said that four people were injured after debris fell following the interception and destruction of an Iranian drone. In a post on X, the Bahraini Ministry of Interior confirmed that four citizens sustained minor injuries and several homes in Sitra were damaged due to fa»»»
Two US fighter jets downed in Mideast, one crew member rescued
A US fighter jet was shot down over Iranian airspace on Friday, triggering a search operation by Washington which rescued one crew member. A second US Air Force aircraft went down later in the day, according to a US official. The whereabouts of any other crew were not immediately known. A US f»»»
Over 1,000 police officers to patrol Bishkek over weekend - | 24.KG
More than 1,000 police officers will patrol Bishkek today and tomorrow, following instructions by the head of the city’s Main Department of Internal Affairs. According to the department’s press service, a roll call and briefing of the capital’s police personnel was held ahead of the weekend. Office»»»
Foreign diplomatic missions briefed on Ala-Too Resort mountain cluster - | 24.KG
Chairman of the Board of Ala-Too Resort JSC Zharkynbek Maksutov held a working meeting with representatives of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in the Kyrgyz Republic, the company’s press service reported. According to the statement, the parties discussed key areas of implementation of the al»»»
Kyrgyzstan and Japan discuss earthquake early warning system - | 24.KG
Minister of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan Kanatbek Chynybaev met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kyrgyz Republic Ryuichi Hirano. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the parties discussed expanding cooperation in disaster risk reduction, strength»»»
Israel Says Striking Hezbollah Sites in Beirut after Destroying Bridge
The Israeli military said Saturday it had begun striking "Hezbollah infrastructure" in Beirut after it destroyed a bridge in eastern Lebanon to prevent the Iran-backed group's reinforcements from crossing. An AFP journalist heard two loud explosions in the capital within half an hour early Saturday»»»
Iran Shoots Down 2 US Fighter Jets in One Day — Pilot Missing Inside Iran
The Iranian army confirmed that two US combat aircraft were shot down within 24 hours. One pilot is still missing in Iranian territory. According to US media reports, two rescue helicopters were hit by Iranian fire. An F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran, and an A-10 Warthog crashed near the»»»
Diner stunned as microchip found in meal reveals meat is from retired Turkish racehorse
An electronic identification microchip found in a meat stew served by a Turkish soup kitchen turned out to be from a racehorse retired early with a broken leg. The fate of four-year-old thoroughbred mare Smart Latch, illeg»»»
Diner stunned as microchip found in meal reveals meat is from retired Turkish racehorse
An electronic identification microchip found in a meat stew served by a Turkish soup kitchen turned out to be from a racehorse retired early with a broken leg. The fate of four-year-old thoroughbred mare Smart Latch, illeg»»»
Middle East conflict could cut Indian fertiliser output by 10–15%
Due to supply chain disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, India could potentially see a decline in fertiliser output. According to a recent Bloomberg report, New Delhi has asked China to allow the sale of some urea cargoes. Indian officials have asked Beijing to ease restrictio»»»
Middle East conflict could cut Indian fertiliser output by 10–15%
Due to supply chain disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, India could potentially see a decline in fertiliser output. According to a recent Bloomberg report, New Delhi has asked China to allow the sale of some urea cargoes. Indian officials have asked Beijing to ease restrictio»»»
Middle East conflict could cut Indian fertiliser output by 10–15%
Due to supply chain disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, India could potentially see a decline in fertiliser output. According to a recent Bloomberg report, New Delhi has asked China to allow the sale of some urea cargoes. Indian officials have asked Beijing to ease restrictio»»»
2 US Aircraft Shot Down as War in Iran Escalates. At Least 1 Crew Member is Missing
Iran shot down two US military planes in separate attacks Friday, with one service member rescued and at least one missing, in a dramatic escalation since the war began nearly five weeks ago. It was the first time US aircraft have been downed in the conflict and came just two days after President D»»»
Third arrest in Thessaloniki soccer fan killing
A third suspect has been remanded in custody in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old man in Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, on March 12, authorities said Friday. The 21-year-old appeared before an examining magistrate in Thessaloniki, facing charges of aggravated bodily harm, gang membershi»»»
Artemis II astronauts ignite engines and head for lunar flyby
NASA’s Artemis II astronauts fired their engines and set course for a lunar flyby on Thursday, marking the first human departure from Earth orbit since 1972. The crew of three Americans and one Canadian will break distance records, witness a solar eclipse and pave the way for future lunar missions »»»
Cuba begins prisoner release after announcing more than 2,000 pardoned
Cuban authorities began releasing prisoners on Friday after announcing the day before that 2,010 inmates had been pardoned, marking a second wave of releases in less than a month as Havana faces increased pressure from the United States. Cuban authorities began to free prisoners on Friday after ann»»»
The World This Week - Iran: US fighter jet downed, War “It’s not a show”, The Space Race, Will Syrians leave Germany?
It’s been a week that began with President Trump addressing the nation for the first time since the Iran War began five weeks ago. Expectations that he might signal an end to the conflict—or announce a ground offensive or a split from NATO—were unmet. Instead, his 18-minute speech echoed his social»»»
From 250 to 700 dollars per article: How Russia influenced West African media content
A leak of confidential documents from a network of Russian agents operating on the African continent reveals how Russia managed to place hundreds of articles in 35 different West African French-language media outlets – sometimes without their knowledge. The FRANCE 24 Observers team worked with»»»
Focus - Border town of Tiné caught in the crossfire as Sudan war spills into Chad
The war in Sudan is spilling into Chad with increasing intensity. In mid-March, a drone strike – the fourth and deadliest cross-border attack from Sudan – killed 20 people in the town of Tiné, which has become a frontline in the conflict’s spillover. Chadian authorities have not officially ide»»»
How a Russian influence network is spreading anti-Ukrainian propaganda in Ivory Coast
The Company – a network of Russian agents specialised in disinformation operations – has been carrying out a vast propaganda campaign against the Ukrainian embassy in Ivory Coast. When the pan-African media outlet The Continent received a trove of leaked documents about this operation, the FRANCE 2»»»
French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan to be tried for 'advocating terrorism' in X post
Rima Hassan, a European Parliament member from the France Unbowed (LFI) party who is of Palestinian descent, will face trial in July on charges of "advocating terrorism" online over a message on X she posted last month. The International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism and the Eur»»»
Access Asia - Asian nations ramp up coal power amid Middle East energy crunch
With Iran effectively turning the Strait of Hormuz into a toll gate, energy shortages are worsening across Asia. Amid the supply crunch, countries are increasingly turning back to coal for electricity, potentially slowing efforts to tackle climate change. Also on the show, Japan’s ageing population»»»
Reporters - When jail becomes home: Japan's elderly seek refuge behind bars
Japan’s demographic crisis is playing out even behind bars. The number of elderly inmates has quadrupled over the past 20 years. Around a fifth of people over 65 live below the poverty line, struggling to make ends meet. Some go to extraordinary lengths to improve their circumstances, deliberately »»»
Russia conducts massive rolling aerial attacks on Ukraine
Russia conducted rolling aerial attacks across Ukraine that began with overnight drone barrages followed by daytime missile and drone attacks that killed six people, Ukrainian officials said Friday. Russia has conducted an increasing number of daytime attacks on Ukraine as it attempts to penetrate »»»
Baltic Sea strikes: How Ukraine aims to undermine Russia's oil profits from Iran war
Ukraine has in recent days intensified drone attacks on ports and refineries in Russia’s Leningrad region on the Baltic Sea. Yet Kyiv’s strategy of trying to stop Moscow from reaping the benefits of oil disruption in the Middle East doesn’t come without significant risk. Ukrainian drones struck key»»»