Seoul: Calling for resumption of talks to resolve the ongoing conflict in West Asia, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that it would be "unrealistic" to conduct military operation to liberate the Strait of Hormuz. "There are those who advocate for the liberation of the Strait of Hor»»»

The International Criminal Court is alleging that Italy is not complying with the rules of the Rome statute. File Photo by Robin Utrecht/EPA-EFE April 2 (UPI) -- The International Criminal Court on Thursday referred Italy to the Assembly of States Parties over a case in which it alleges the country»»»

Houston: NASA gave the Artemis astronauts the green light on Thursday to head for the Moon and carry out the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. The four astronauts currently circling Earth will fire up the engine of the Orion capsule at 7:49 pm Eastern Time (2349 GMT) to send it on a t»»»

Boris Azarenko is a Russian entrepreneur and co-founder of Vesper, a Moscow-based developer of high-end residential property. With a background in finance, Azarenko held senior positions in banking and corporate investment before moving into premium residential development, where he has helped shap»»»

London: British police on Thursday launched a new national hub aimed at cracking down on the sale of banned knives and machetes, often to children, on an online "grey market". In the year ending September 2025 there were about 50,000 knife crimes in England and Wales, according to the Office for Na»»»

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., joined Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in countering President Donald Trump's renewed overtures that he wants to pull the United States out of NATO. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 2 (UPI) -- Two Republican members of the U.S. Senate have broken with Pre»»»

New York: The UN Security Council today reaffirmed its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and regional safety of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), praising their role in supporting international peace and security. This came in a preside»»»

Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan's government on Thursday drastically raised fuel prices in response to spiking global energy prices caused by the Middle East conflict, the country's petroleum minister said in a press conference. The new prices mark an increase of 42.7 percent in petrol prices and 54.»»»

US President Donald Trump has publicly mocked his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron’s relationship with his wife, Brigitte, sparking outrage in France. Trump made the remarks during a private White House lunch on Wednesday, the feed from which may have been accidentally posted online. Trump was he»»»

US President Donald Trump has called the war on Iran an investment in the future of American children as he delivered his first address to the nation since the start of the conflict a month ago. In his speech on Wednesday, Trump claimed that Washington was never looking for regime change in Tehran,»»»

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority has ordered the administrative closure of Desert Breeze Cafe in the Al Dhafra region, citing repeated food safety violations that pose a risk to public health. The outlet, located in Madinat Zayed Western Souk, was found to be in breach of Abu Dha»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance fighters targeted at 20:00 on Thursday, 02-04-2026, a gathering of “Israeli” enemy soldiers and vehicles in Shamaa town »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Yemeni Ballistic Missiles Hit Tel Aviv, Armed Forces Consider Updating Strikes 02-04-2026 22:07 PM The Yemeni Armed Forces carried out on T»»»

Park Hotel Pirin is cementing its position as one of Bulgaria’s leading spa and wellness destinations through its highly effective treatments, therapeutic mineral water and refurbished facilities, hotel manager Georgi Mitrev told BTA. The hotel is the first in Bulgaria to earn the EUROPESPA WELLNES»»»

Eighteen European countries on Thursday urged Israel and Hezbollah to stop fighting as their latest conflict reached one month and with fears over Israeli plans to control part of southern Lebanon post-war. "Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah's attacks must cease," the foreign min»»»

U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher on Thursday expressed concern that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon could be long-lasting, potentially resulting in a "fresh occupation." "One depressing impression I had, and I think it's shared by so many people in Lebanon -- there was a se»»»

Doha, Qatar: Several governmental and key institutions across Qatar marked World Autism Awareness Day by illuminating their buildings and headquarters in blue, showing solidarity and support for individuals with autism. Observed annually on April 2, the initiative aims to raise awareness about auti»»»

Damascus, April 2 (SANA) Syrian Energy Minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, discussed on Thursday with Iraqi Oil Minister, Hayyan Abdul Ghani, means of enhancing cooperation between the two countries in energy sector, in a way that serves mutual interests and benefits both states. During a phone call, the»»»

International Organization for Migration chief Amy Pope told AFP on Thursday in Beirut that the prospects for prolonged mass displacement in Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah are at war, were "very alarming". "I think those prospects are very alarming because you look right now at the level of de»»»

Kuwait: The Kuwait National Guard announced Thursday that it downed four drones in areas under its responsibility for securing the country during the past 24 hours. Brigadier General Dr. Jadaan Fadhel, the official spokesperson for the Kuwait National Guard, said in a press statement that this acti»»»

Amid mounting geopolitical tensions threatening global supply chains, particularly disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to shield its economy by strengthening private sector readiness to withstand external shocks. Asharq Al-Awsat has learned that the Federation o»»»

Talking to residents of Vratsa on Thursday, Continue the Change Chair Assen Vassilev said that what is evident from the election campaign over the past few days is yet another attempt to scare Bulgarian citizens. Referring to the 10-year bilateral security agreement signed between caretaker Prime M»»»

Iran said on Thursday it was drafting a peacetime protocol that would supervise maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman, state media reported, with Tehran's closure of the vital oil corridor roiling the global economy. Deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi told Russia's Sputnik »»»

New measures for the hospitality sector and wider economy announced this week by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, are set to strengthen business resilien»»»

A Lebanese mother described the sharp decline in one of her last sources of income, once a pillar of her financial stability, as remittances from her son abroad dwindled in the wake of the war. “My son used to send me $600 a month. I lived on it, covered my medication and basic needs. After the war»»»

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday the tallest bridge in Iran had been destroyed, hours after threatening to bomb the country "back to the Stone Ages." Trump posted footage on social media of smoke rising from the B1 bridge in Karaj, around 20 miles (35 kilometers) southwest of Tehran -- and»»»

An appeals court overturned the sentence of Tina Peters, convicted for stealing elections data in Colorado. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo April 2 (UPI) -- A Colorado appeals court on Thursday threw out the sentence of Tina Peters, a former elections clerk, who was convicted in an e»»»

1 of 3 | Police in California responded to a report of a trespasser drinking outside a resident's home and discovered an April Fools' Day dummy. Photo courtesy of the Laguna Beach Police Department April 2 (UPI) -- Police in California responded to a report of a trespasser drinking outside a reside»»»

The fire service received more than 1,100 calls between Wednesday and Thursday afternoon as Storm Erminio continued to sweep across much of Greece, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and widespread disruption, largely from trees toppled by strong winds. The storm has claimed one life – a man found unde»»»

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the county will not modify instant payment system Pix after criticism from the United States that questioned its impact on private financial companies. Photo by Isaac Fontana/EPA April 2 (UPI) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said h»»»

For families with children under the age of 18, the main risk cited is that of a difficult situation arising within the family. In this context, the analysis revealed that life insurance has great potential and can be an important financial solution for alleviating concerns about insufficient incom»»»

The Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) Thursday said it had dismissed an appeal filed by the Velichie party against a Central Election Commission (CEC) decision of March 28, specifically the part determining the locations and number of polling stations in Germany and in the United Kingdom and North»»»

1 of 5 | Attorney General Pam Bondi arrives to hear President Donald Trump deliver a prime-time address to the nation from the Cross Hall in the White House in Washington D.C., on Wednesday. Pool photo by Alex Brandon/UPI | License Photo April 2 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump fired Attorney Genera»»»

Authorities in the eastern Attica district of Zefyri are investigating after a man’s body was found near a stream. Residents alerted police earlier that a man had been swept away by floodwaters near the Eschatia stream. A forensic examination has been ordered to determine the cause of death. Storm »»»

President Donald Trump on Thursday fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, a staunch ally who has drawn fire for her handling of the Epstein files, US media said. CNN and other US outlets said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, would serve as acting attorney general.»»»

Dubai: UK exam board OxfordAQA has cancelled all International GCSE and International A Level exams in the UAE for the May/June 2026 series. The announcement came in an email to UAE schools on Thursday, signed by Rob Bryson, Director of International Delivery, and seen by Gulf News. “After consulti»»»

The top candidate on the GERB–UDF list in Kyustendil, Hristo Terziyski, along with youth members of the local organization, coordinator Neli Tocheva, and PM candidates Mark Kyurkchiev and Polina Mileva, took part in a charitable initiative, “Books Heal,” the GERB-UDF press centre reported. During a»»»

The U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights wants authorities in El Salvador to reconsider constitutional and legal changes that allow life sentences for minors as young as 12. File Photo by Rodrigo Sura/EPA April 2 (UPI) -- The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human»»»

Iranian authorities Thursday executed a teenager convicted over January protests after a fast-track trial rights groups labelled as "grossly unfair", as the country ramps up executions during the war with the US and Israel. Amir Hossein Hatami, 18, was sentenced to death in February along with six »»»

Three new secretaries have been appointed to Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova has appointed three new secretaries in her administration since taking office on January 20: Meglena Plugchieva, Kristiela Simeonova, and Milena Dimitrova, according to information on the President's website. Plugchieva »»»

The recovered golden helmet of Coțofenești and two gold bracelets that were stolen from the Drents Museum are being shown to the press in the presence of a heavily armed officer in Assen, the Netherlands, on Thursday. Photo by Sam van der Wal/EPA April 2 (UPI) -- An ancient golden helmet and two br»»»

The East Wing of the White House was demolished in October. The National Planning Commission will meet today to vote on the ballroom plans. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo April 2 (UPI) -- The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to vote Thursday on President Donald Trump»»»

Amman: The Jordanian Armed Forces announced Thursday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed an Iranian missile targeting a site within the kingdom, with four incidents over the past 24 hours, involving falling debris and projectiles, with no casualties, according to Jordan's Public Securit»»»

A month into Israel's war against Hezbollah, invading Israeli troops are gradually advancing in south Lebanon, raising fears for the area's fate following the last Israeli occupation that lasted nearly two decades. Since war erupted last month, Israeli officials have said Israel intends to establis»»»

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday warned that Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem would pay an "extraordinarily heavy price" for escalating attacks during the ongoing Jewish holidays. "I have a clear message for Naim Qassem... you and your associates will pay an extraordinarily heavy »»»

Long-serving sports journalist Manolis Mavrommatis, a household name in Greece, has been discharged from a rehabilitation center after two years of treatment for injuries sustained in a major fire at his Athens apartment. Mavrommatis and his wife, Rena Venieri, were rescued from the heavily damaged»»»

Copenhagen: More than 200 years after being sunk by Adm. Horatio Nelson and the British fleet, a Danish warship has been discovered on the seabed of Copenhagen Harbor by marine archaeologists. Working in thick sediment and almost zero visibility 15 meters (49 feet) beneath the waves, divers are in »»»

BELGRADE - The head of the Serbian parliamentary friendship group with Venezuela, Marko Milosevic, met with Venezuelan Ambassador to Belgrade Jaidys Briceno on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations, support for Serbia on the Kosovo-Metohija issue and the situation in Venezuela following the event»»»

DOHA: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has said thatradiation levels in the country are within normal and safe limits. The ministryannounced that it is running a radiation monitoring and early warning system that monitors the levels of radiation in the air, land, and sea. "Cur»»»