STARKE, Florida: A Florida man convicted of beating and choking his brother's 13-year-old stepdaughter to death nearly 50 years ago was executed Thursday evening. James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. following a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. He was co»»»

Romania recorded an unemployment rate of 6.1% in March this year, up by 0.1 percentage points compared with February, with a still high level among young people (aged 15-24) of 28.2%, according to data published on Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).According to the same source,»»»

Port Sudan, Sudan: Sudanese 13-year-old Afrah wants to become a surgeon, and nothing will stop her, not even the war that has ravaged her country and forced millions of children out of school. Quiet and determined, she kept learning on her own for months, uprooted by the now three-year conflict bet»»»

The Government adopted, in an extraordinary meeting on Thursday, the draft law that bans the cumulation of pension and salary in the public sector. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced that he will send the draft to Parliament and is asking lawmakers to adopt it under an emergency procedure. The E»»»

The UN Security Council voted Thursday to reduce the ceiling for the peacekeeping force in conflict-torn South Sudan from 17,000 to 12,000 troops with a mandate to prevent a return to civil war in the world's newest nation. The vote on the US-drafted resolution was 13-0 with Russia and China abstai»»»

First Sermon (Khutbah One) All praise is due to Allah, who has made the life of homes lie in their faith, placed their strength in their unity, and set their growth in the abundance of their offspring. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that our master and Prophet Muḥ»»»

TEHRAN, Iran: At her studio in Iran’s capital, Amen Khademi prepared a fashion shoot for a jacket she designed with Persian-inspired motifs. But even as she applied lipstick to the model, she was distracted, worrying if her business would survive after four months without its main link to customers»»»

A police vehicle burns as community members clash with authorities outside Alice Springs Hospital in Alice Springs, Australia, on Thursday. Photo by Rhett Hammerton/EPA May 1 (UPI) -- Authorities in central Australia called for calm Friday after police and rioters clashed overnight in remote Alice »»»

DUBAI: At just 27, Conor Dirks is shaping what modern beachside dining looks like in Dubai. As head chef of Bungalo34, he has been central to the restaurant’s Riviera-inspired identity since its 2022 opening — focusing on ingredient-led cooking and consistency that, he says, allows the kitchen to r»»»

Doha, Qatar: Alqaqaa bin Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani delivered an impressive display to claim top honours in the Amateur class as the 12th round of the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour got under way at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s main arena yesterday. Riding Bon Suela, Alqaqaa delivered a f»»»

The kiwi, New Zealand’s sacred national bird, vanished from the hills around Wellington more than a century ago. Now the capital's residents are waging an improbable citizen campaign to return the endangered flightless birds to the city. “They are a part of who we are and our sense of belonging her»»»

Israel responded on Thursday to Lebanon’s demands for de-escalation with more evacuation warnings for southern towns that will increase internal pressure on the Lebanese state. It issued the warnings even as Lebanese and United Nations proposals have been relayed to Israel over consolidating the ce»»»

ATLANTA: Walking through the frame of his soon-to-be new home on a recent morning, an excited Ozzy Herrera could envision the future. A brown leather sofa to match the floors. Terra-cotta-colored walls. A bar cart near the kitchen. Herrera, who works two jobs at Atlanta's airport, never imagined he»»»

Brazil's Congress approves plan to drastically cut Bolsonaro's jail term 9 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleToby Mann Getty Images Brazil's Congress has overturned a veto of a bill that would dramatically reduce former president Jair Bolsonaro's prison sentence for plotting a coup afte»»»

China scraps tariffs for all but one African nation 6 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleKelly Ng Getty ImagesSino-African trade is marked by a growing imbalance in China's favour China will scrap tariffs for all African countries from Friday – except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Ta»»»

In a propaganda message released to the public, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei promised "new chapter" and "bright future" for the Gulf — "one without the United States". In his statement, Khamenei signaled a sweeping plan to assert Tehran’s authority over the strategic Strait of H»»»

President Iliana Iotova will visit Panagyurishte on Friday to join observances of the 150th anniversary of the outbreak of the April Uprising, the press secretariat of the head of State said. The nationwide commemorations of this landmark anniversary are held under the auspices of President Iotova.»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Engineers Without Borders - Qatar programme and the Qatar Scientific Club discussed ways to integrate their efforts in providing engineering and technical services to the Qatari community during a coordination meeting. During the meeting, the Director of the Engineers Without Borde»»»

BusinessGlobal issuesGender investment gap — Are women catching up with men?Kyra KrallOnline brokers are tapping into the potential of female investors. Tailor-made products and branding campaigns are on the rise. Will this help bridge the gap between women and men when it comes to investing? https»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre (Aman), one of the centres under the Qatar Social Work Foundation, has announced the winners of its “Journey of Safety” competition, which attracted strong participation from students across all educational stages. Launched in mid-January»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatari Hajj Mission has affirmed that a comprehensive, around-the-clock medical system is fully prepared to serve Qatari pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season 2026 emphasising that pilgrim safety remains a top priority. The Medical Services Unit of the Mission announced its full»»»

Sao Tome: HE President of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe Carlos Vila Nova received the credentials of HE Yousef bin Mohammed Al Hail as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (Non-Resident) to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. HE the Ambassador conveyed the g»»»

Doha, Qatar: Children in Qatar with complex diseases who once had to travel abroad for life-saving gene and cell therapies can now receive highly personalised treatment closer to home, thanks to Sidra Medicine’s Advanced Cell Therapy Core (ACTC). “The Advanced Cell Therapy Core brings together, und»»»

The head of Syria's committee for combating illicit enrichment, Basel Al-Suwaidan, has revealed that settlements reached with prominent businessmen accused of ties with former president Bashar Al-Assad had returned to the state treasury as assets belonging to the Syrian people. In remarks to Asharq»»»

Russia's Soyuz-5 rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for the first time, and the test launch proceeded as planned, Russian state space corporation Roscosmos said. "On April 30 at 21:00 Moscow time [18:00 GMT], the Soyuz-5 medium-class launch vehicle was launched from the 45th site at the B»»»

FORT COLLINS, Colorado: President Donald Trump granted a key approval Thursday for a major new oil pipeline from Canada into the US that’s been dubbed “Keystone Light” over its similarities to a contentious project blocked by the Biden administration. The three-foot-wide Bridger Pipeline Expansion »»»

TEHRAN: Tehran’s air defenses were activated to counter small aircraft and drones late Thursday, as the White House signalled that it will not be reined in by a congressional deadline on the Iran war. The Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported that air defense systems, heard in some parts of the Ir»»»

WASHINGTON: Many Republicans who have been uneasy with President Donald Trump’s war in Iran emphasized that there would be a May 1 deadline for Congress to intervene. But the date is now set to pass with no action from GOP lawmakers who continue to defer to the White House. Under the War Powers Res»»»

PARIS: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz as well as tensions in the Red Sea are reshaping trade routes, with Africa becoming a hub of global container ship traffic, according to logistics and maritime sources. Over the past two months, the blockade has also pushed shipowners to find alternative l»»»

Iran’s supreme leader defiantly vowed Thursday to protect the country’s nuclear and missile capabilities, which US President Donald Trump has sought to curtail through airstrikes and as part of a wider deal to cement the war’s shaky ceasefire. In a statement read by a state television anchor, Mojta»»»

The US embassy in Lebanon on Thursday urged a meeting between Lebanese and Israeli leaders as the health ministry said Israeli strikes on the country's south killed at least 17 people despite an ongoing ceasefire. Israeli and Lebanese representatives this month have met twice in Washington -- the f»»»

Iran said on Thursday it would respond with "long and painful strikes" on US positions if Washington renewed attacks and restated its claim to the Strait of Hormuz, complicating US plans for a coalition to reopen the waterway. Two months into the US-Israeli war with Iran, the vital sea channel rema»»»

RIYADH: Khalid Al-Ghannam is making a compelling case for a return to the Saudi national team in time for the World Cup this summer, not least after his starring role in Al-Ettifaq’s 3-1 away victory over Al-Okhdood in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday. It was the 11th league goal of the season for »»»

A psychologist testified at the trial over Diego Maradona’s death, saying the football legend had bipolar disorder, narcissistic personality traits and addiction issues on Thursday in Buenos Aires. The comments came during proceedings into alleged medical negligence following his 2020 death at age »»»

Dubai: Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) has not cut jobs despite fluctuations in demand linked to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, which has disrupted regional travel and mobility patterns. The DFM-listed company’s chief executive told Gulf News that business has remained “f»»»

In a sharp social media jab amid escalating US-Iran tensions, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament and a former IRGC commander, mocked American efforts to pressure Tehran through naval blockade and sanctions. Ghalibaf posted a map overlay comparing Iran’s extensive borders to hypo»»»

Pop star Britney Spears on Thursday was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, prosecutors outside Los Angeles said -- but she could avoid jail time with a plea deal. The criminal complaint does not specify which substance the 44-year-old singer was allegedly using when she »»»

James Garfield Broadnax was executed Thursday evening in Huntsville, Texas, for the June 2008 double murder of Stephen Swan and Matthew Butler. Photo courtesy of Texas Department of Criminal Justice April 30 (UPI) -- The state of Texas on Thursday evening executed a 37-year-old man convicted of a d»»»

BEIRUT: The US embassy in Lebanon on Thursday urged a meeting between Lebanese and Israeli leaders as the health ministry said Israeli strikes on the country’s south killed at least 17 people despite an ongoing ceasefire. Israeli and Lebanese representatives this month have met twice in Washington »»»

WASHINGTON: Federal prosecutors released a video Thursday showing the moment authorities say a man armed with guns and knives tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and attempt to kill President Donald Trump. Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for Washington, posted the video»»»

Share: A message lighting up Times Square , New York City center: last weekend “Neighboring nations deserve better than what stands between them”. The US embassy in Lebanon on Thursday urged a meeting between Lebanese and Israeli leaders as the health ministry said Israeli strikes on the country’s »»»

Dubai: The United States is considering deploying one of its most advanced weapons systems in the Iran conflict — a hypersonic missile known as “Dark Eagle” — in a move that could signal a new phase of escalation even as a fragile ceasefire holds, media reports said. The system, formally called the»»»

Chris Wood scored from the penalty spot to give Nottingham Forest a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in the first leg of their all-English Europa League semifinal on Thursday. In a matchup of two teams hoping to revive former European glory, the win at the City Ground puts Forest a step closer to what »»»

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is arguing that the war in Iran has already ended because of the ceasefire that began in early April, an interpretation that would allow the White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval. The statement furthers an argument laid out by Defense Secr»»»

President Donald Trump dropped tariffs on whiskey coming out of the United Kingdom -- scotch, in particular -- after King Charles and Queen Camilla concluded their trip to the United States this week. File Photo by Billie Jean Shaw/UPI April 30 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday lifted tar»»»

FIFA said Thursday it will review its ticketing strategy for the 2030 World Cup after a backlash over soaring prices for the 2026 tournament in North America, as officials defended costs as a reflection of demand while acknowledging fan anger. FIFA said Thursday it will review its ticketing strateg»»»

A fresh Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Black Sea ​port of Tuapse, the fourth in the past week, sparked a fire at the sea terminal but caused no injuries, local officials said early on Friday. Tuapse has come under repeated attack, particularly the Black Sea port’s oil terminal. The strikes have»»»

WASHINGTON/DUBAI: Iran said on Thursday it would respond with “long and painful strikes” on US positions if Washington renewed attacks and restated its claim to the Strait of ​Hormuz, complicating US plans for a coalition to reopen the waterway.Aerospace Force Commander ​Majid Mousavi was quoted by»»»

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Thursday continued his attacks on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying he was “doing ​a terrible job” with his own country and should spend “less time on interfering” with Washington’s effort to tackle “the Iran nuclear threat.” Trump has been sparring w»»»

Dubai: Nearly nine weeks into the Iran conflict, Washington’s strategy has shifted from rapid escalation to a prolonged economic squeeze — raising a critical question: How long can the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz last, and is the war sliding into a “frozen conflict”?»»»