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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
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»»»
'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»»»
The Debate - Who profits off Iran war? Strait of Hormuz toll talk fuels outrage
A most confusing Wednesday it was. In the space of six minutes during the same press conference, the White House spokesperson first hailed the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz then called on Iran to immediately reopen the planet’s most oil sensitive shipping lane. Five weeks of contradictory »»»
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»»»
Putin Announces Easter Truce in Ukraine - Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a ceasefire in connection with the Easter holiday from 16:00 Moscow time (13:00 GMT) on April 11 until the end of the day on April 12, the Kremlin said. "By decision of the supreme commander-in-chief of the Russian armed forces, Vladimir Putin,»»»
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»»»
Netanyahu reiterates no Lebanon cease-fire, announces talks - UPI.com
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seen here in a March 19, 2026, press conference, announced talks with Lebanon in an address to the nation on Thursday. Pool File Photo by Ronen Zvulun/UPI | License Photo April 10 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Thursday that there wa»»»
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 »»»
Trafficker assaults police in Lefkada
A man was arrested on the Ionian island of Lefkada after he allegedly attacked police officers who stopped his car on the Lefkada-Vasiliki provincial road. According to the police, the suspect “resisted, striking them with his hands and head,” though no injuries were reported. The incident occurred»»»
From pomegranates to cookie tins: Young UAE artist creates paintings that celebrate culture
Dubai: At just 19, Aabidah better known as Abibi, is already building a body of work that resonates far beyond her years. Working primarily with gouache, the UAE-based artist captures cultural moments and everyday objects, turning them into something deeply personal yet widely recognisable. “I’ve b»»»
Putin announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire with Ukraine: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ceasefire with Ukraine for the duration of the Orthodox Easter holidays, the Kremlin said Thursday, after Kyiv also proposed a pause in hostilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this week that he had passed a holiday truce proposal»»»
Artemis II heading back to Earth: What to know
After looping around the Moon and completing its primary objectives, NASA’s Artemis II mission is now on its return journey to Earth, marking a critical milestone in humanity’s push to send astronauts deeper into space than at any time in the past half-century. Artemis II is the first crewed missio»»»
Indian expat in Dubai casts two votes in Kerala Assembly Election 2026
Dubai: While millions of Keralites headed to polling booths across the state on Thursday, one Indian expat in the UAE did something that raised eyebrows and then smiles. Dubai resident Babu MC cast not one, but two votes in the Kerala Assembly Election 2026. And every bit of it was legal. Babu, who»»»
Why the UAE is seeing rain and cooler weather this spring
Dubai: Rain showers and unusually cool temperatures across the UAE this week may feel surprising for April, but meteorologists say such conditions are a natural part of the country’s spring transition between winter and summer. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said the country is experienci»»»
Bahrain Defence Force announces interception of 194 missiles, 515 drones since onset of Iranian aggression
MANAMA: The General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) has announced that air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed 194 missiles and 515 drones targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain since the onset of the Iranian aggression. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app no»»»
Florida AG Uthmeier to probe OpenAI, ChatGPT role in FSU shooting - UPI.com
Flowers are left near the scene after a gunman shot multiple people on April 17 at Florida State University, in Tallahassee. File Photo by Don Hayes/EPA-EFE April 9 (UPI) -- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced plans Thursday to open investigations into the artificial intelligence plat»»»
Hostile drone attack against Kuwait causes damage, no casualties
KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti National Guard announced early on Friday that one of its sites was targeted by hostile drones, resulting in significant material damage without any human casualties recorded. Brigadier General Dr Jadaan Fadel, Director of the Moral Guidance Directorate and spokesperson for the N»»»
Judge rules that government unlawfully canceled Harvard scientist’s visa - UPI.com
The crest adorns a gate on the campus of Harvard University in Allston, Mass. On Tuesday, a federal judge that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol unlawfully canceled a Harvard researcher's visa after smuggling allegations. File Photo by CJ Gunther/EPA-EFE April 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Patrol»»»
Verstappen Red Bull future in doubt as engineer to join McLaren
London: Four-time world champion Max Verstappen's future in Formula One was again cast in doubt on Thursday after it was confirmed that his long-time race engineer will leave Red Bull for McLaren. After details of Gianpiero Lambiase's switch emerged earlier on Thursday, Red Bull and McLaren both co»»»
Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Wednesday killed more than 300
Lebanon's health ministry said Thursday that Israeli strikes across the country a day before killed more than 300 people and wounded at least 1,150. In a statement, the ministry said "the Israeli enemy's airstrikes yesterday, Wednesday, resulted in a preliminary toll of 303 martyrs and 1,150 wounde»»»
Robertson to leave Liverpool at end of season
Liverpool: Andy Robertson will bring down the curtain on his nine-year career at Liverpool at the end of the season, the faltering Premier League champions announced on Thursday. The 32-year-old has made 373 appearances for the club, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League as a k»»»
Putin announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire with Ukraine: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ceasefire with Ukraine for the duration of the Orthodox Easter holidays, the Kremlin said Thursday, after Kyiv also proposed a pause in hostilities. "By the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief... V.V. Putin, in connection with the approaching Orth»»»
Eli Lilly's GLP-1 weight-loss pill now available - UPI.com
April 9 (UPI) -- Eli Lilly announced that its GLP-1 weight-loss pill is available for purchase in the United States starting Thursday, little more than a week after the Food and Drug Administration approved it. The Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company said orforglipron, which goes by the brand»»»
Leader: Iran’s Heroic People Definitive Victors in Third Imposed War - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
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»»»
Paris has even made a ham sandwich chic
Paris, France: From bistro counters to luxury hotels, the humble Parisian ham sandwich or "jambon beurre" has undergone a dramatic luxury makeover. Once the no-frills lunch of hurried, cash-strapped workers, the humble ham and butter baguette has in recent years become a gourmet classic. When he wa»»»
Bondi won’t testify on Epstein files, Justice Department says
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»»»
Argentina approves Glacier Law reform, opens protected areas to mining - UPI.com
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»»»
Former NYPD officer sentenced for death of Erik Duran - UPI.com
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»»»
Lebanon steps up diplomacy to confirm inclusion in U.S.–Iran cease-fire - UPI.com
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.»»»
Lyuben Dilov Jr Donates Nearly 500 Signed Books to Burgas Library, Announces Revival of Graviton Sci-Fi Awards
Writer Lyuben Dilov Jr, top-of-the-list candidate of GERB-UDF for Burgas constituency, has donated nearly 500 books, including signed editions, to the Regional Library Peyo K. Yavorov in Burgas, the institution said. The donation includes works by Bulgarian authors such as Dora Gabe, Elisaveta Bagr»»»
Man arrested on Kythera for antiquities violations
A man arrested on Wednesday on the island of Kythera is facing charges including looting antiquities, failure to report archaeological finds, offering antiquities for sale online and illegal weapons possession, police have said. The suspect was detained after allegedly posting a coin for sale on th»»»
Scientists: World's Oldest Octopus Fossil Isn't an Octopus after All
A 300-million-year-old tentacled sea creature has lost its crown as the world’s oldest octopus, after scientists found evidence that it’s not an octopus at all. Newly published research concludes that fossilized remains listed by Guinness World Records as the earliest known octopus belong instead t»»»