Doha, Qatar: FIFA has announced the list of referees appointed to officiate matches at the 2026 World Cup finals, which will kick off next June and be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with an expanded 48-team tournament for the first time in its history. The list included a notable »»»

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»»»

Share: Tehran chose Hormuz over its proxies—proving once again that its wars are never its own, but fought by others to serve its interests alone By : Ali Hussein- Lebanese Political Analyst If anyone is still confused about whether Lebanon was included in the ceasefire deal, Iran’s actions—not its»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

Traffic has been building up on major routes out of Athens, as thousands of holidaymakers leave the capital for the Greek Easter. By Thursday afternoon, vehicles were moving at slow speeds on key motorways amid increasing congestion. Along Kifissos Avenue, traffic heading north towards Lamia had co»»»

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»»»

The Spanish Navy training ship Juan Sebastian Elcano, carrying Spanish Crown Princess Leonor, arrives in the port of El Callao in Peru in April 2025. File Photo by John Reyes/EPA April 9 (UPI) -- Peru's government approved issuing sovereign bonds worth up to about $1.2 billion to finance expansion »»»

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»»»

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 »»»

The European development bank said Thursday it was unlocking five billion euros ($5.9 bn) to help shore up economies hit by the Middle East war. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it will "deploy EUR5 billion in 2026 in economies impacted by Middle East conflict". The »»»

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'»»»

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the new Wages Protection System in the UAE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced the inclusion of four new financial institutions in the system, further strengthening wage management efficiency and expanding options for employers.»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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.»»»

Israeli forces shot and killed a young female student on Thursday while she was attending a class held in a tent in the town of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, health and education officials said. The education ministry said third-grade student Ritaj Rihan was hit by a bullet in front of he»»»

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»»»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he ordered his cabinet to open direct talks with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and establish "peace relations" between the two countries. "In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet »»»

Public officials are attempting to exert improper influence over the electoral process, Bulgaria’s caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev said at a briefing in Ruse. He cited specific cases involving a mayor in northwestern Bulgaria and a deputy mayor in a border town. “In one case in northwestern»»»

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»»»

Dubai: Dubai’s real estate sector recorded a strong start to 2026, with total transactions reaching Dh252 billion in the first quarter, marking a 31 per cent year-on-year increase in value and a 6 per cent rise in volume. Data released by the Dubai Land Department showed that 60,303 real estate tra»»»

Ankara, Apr. 9 (SANA) Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shaibani affirmed that Syria and the Republic of Türkiye have inaugurated a new phase of relations based on strategic partnership and mutual respect. Speaking during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hak»»»

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 »»»

Saudia announced on Thursday the partial resumption of its operations to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman starting Saturday, April 11. In a post on its official account on the social media platform X, the airline said the resumption will be carried out through the operation of exceptional daily»»»

Dr. Boyko Takov: Analytical and empirical results from ongoing projects constitute a solid information base A significant number of projects are implemented in Bulgaria every year, financed through European programs, the national budget, and various other international sources. They are developed a»»»

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»»»

While a Northern Fleet Akula-class submarine sailed out from the Kola Peninsula as a diversion, other Russian naval units from the Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research (GUGI) began a covert operation, conducting suspicious activity around critical undersea infrastructure in Norwegian and British m»»»

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»»»

Seoul: Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Korea HE Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Hamar participated in the meeting of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy of the Republic of Korea HE Koo Yun-cheol with the heads of diplomatic missions of the GCC countries accredited to»»»

Doha: CEO of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani met Thursday with Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the State of Qatar, HE Dr. Ashraf Khodjaev. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in investment attraction »»»

Dubai: Dubai is moving to capture a larger share of global shipping revenue by bringing trade, finance and maritime services into a single ecosystem, with the launch of a new Maritime Centre at DMCC. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The initiative is designed to go beyo»»»

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who is on a visit to the UAE. During the meeting, they discussed developments in the Middle East and their serious implications for regional and international securit»»»

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»»»

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»»»

The British Ministry of Defense and Defense Secretary John Healey revealed Russian submarines recently conducted "nefarious activity" around underwater cables and pipelines north of Britain. File Photo by Andy Rain/EPA April 9 (UPI) -- The British Ministry of Defense revealed Russian submarines con»»»

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»»»

Dubai: Dubai Police have called on motorists to exercise heightened caution during rainfall, urging strict adherence to traffic laws and preventive safety measures. Drivers are advised to reduce speed, maintain safe distances between vehicles, and remain fully focused on the road, avoiding any form»»»

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»»»