Middle East war live: US delegation arrives in Pakistan for peace talks with Iranian officials
Top US officials landed in Islamabad on Saturday to meet with representatives from Iran for peace talks aimed at ending the six-week-old war that has killed thousands of people across the Middle East. Read our liveblog to follow the latest developments. • US Vice President JD Vance »»»
UAE praises resilience through national unity and effective institutions
Abu Dhabi: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chai»»»
Kyrgyzstan releases Kazakhstani suspected of financing Kolbaev’s crime group - | 24.KG
A citizen of Kazakhstan, Anuar Zhetybaev, suspected of financing an organized criminal group linked to crime boss Kamchy Kolbaev, has been released in Kyrgyzstan. Orda.kz reports, citing his lawyer. Zhetybaev was detained in the summer of 2025 and held in the pre-trial detention facility of the Sta»»»
Dubai ties residency and property services in new move
Dubai: The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai and the Dubai Land Department have signed a memorandum of understanding to bring real estate and residency services under one system. The agreement, signed by Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri and Omar Hamad Bu Sheha»»»
World Bank Chief: Middle East War to Cut Growth, Deliver Cascading Impact
The war in the Middle East will have a cascading impact on the global economy, even if a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump takes hold, World Bank President Ajay Banga told Reuters in an interview on Friday. And the damage will be far deeper if the ceasefire fails and the conflict esc»»»
North Korean Leader Kim Backs China’s Push for ‘Multi-polar World’ in Talks with FM
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un voiced support for China’s push to build a “multi-polar world” and called for deeper ties between the traditional allies during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, state media said Saturday. During the meeting Friday, Kim said his government will fully s»»»
Maritime transport: CTN reschedules Genoa and Marseille crossings amid rising fuel costs
Tunis, April 11 (TAP) – The Tunisian Navigation Company (CTN) has announced a rescheduling of several Mediterranean crossings in response to rising fuel costs driven by the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East.To help maintain ticket...»»»
TikTok Removes 34 Election-Linked Accounts in Bulgaria Amid Manipulation Claims
TikTok has removed 34 accounts linked to what it described as coordinated inauthentic activity connected to Bulgaria’s upcoming parliamentary elections. The platform stated that the operation was aimed at artificially boosting political narratives in favor of the DPS party and was detected with the»»»
KHDA rolls out home-based learning options for children aged 0-6
Dubai: The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has launched two new services that will allow private early childhood centres to offer centre-led home-based learning (CLHL) groups and centre-supervised home tutoring for children aged up to six years in home settings. The initiative has »»»
Taiwan Spotted Chinese Warplanes as Xi Met Opposition Leader in Beijing
Taiwan's defense ministry said on Saturday that it spotted 16 Chinese warplanes operating near the island the previous day, around the same time China's president was meeting the Taiwanese opposition leader. Late on Friday morning, Chinese President Xi Jinping met Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwa»»»
South Korea President Clashes with Israel on Rights, Disinfo Claims
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday accused Israel of failing to "reflect" on allegations of rights abuses by its forces, after Israel decried him for amplifying social media "disinformation". The Seoul leader irked Israel's foreign ministry this week with his comments on a social medi»»»
Report: Iran’s New Supreme Leader Has Severe and Disfiguring Wounds
Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is still recovering from severe facial and leg injuries suffered in the airstrike that killed his father at the beginning of the war, three people close to his inner circle told Reuters. Khamenei's face was disfigured in the attack on the supreme leader's»»»
NASA’s Artemis II astronauts splash down on Earth after lunar mission
WASHINGTON: NASA’s Artemis II astronauts have returned safely to Earth, completing the first crewed mission to travel around the Moon in more than 50 years. The Orion spacecraftsplashed downin the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07pm local time (00:07 GMT) on Friday, following a high»»»
Mellitah successfully brings well R11 back into production at 2,062 barrels per day
Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) reported yesterday that technical teams at Mellitah Oil & Gas Company successfully rehabilitated well R11 and brought it back into production after installing an electronically controlled submersible pump (ESP). Oil production has reached approximately 2,062 b»»»
Number of Filed Conflict of Interest Reports Grows Nearly 2.5 Times in Q1 of 2026, Y/Y
The number of reports of conflicts of interest filed in the first quarter of 2026 increased nearly 2.5 times compared with the same period last year, the National Audit Office said on Saturday. The largest number of reports concern municipal councillors, mayors and school headteachers. For the peri»»»
Russia and Ukraine Set to Begin Easter Truce
A temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine for Orthodox Easter is set to begin on Saturday afternoon, as US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war falter. The Kremlin said it had ordered a temporary truce from Saturday at 4:00 pm (1300 GMT) until the end of Sunday, a 32-hour period, AFP said. »»»
UAE economy defies global turbulence, accelerates growth with strong resilience
The UAE economy has once again demonstrated exceptional resilience and agility in the face of global financial and geopolitical volatility, emerging as one of the fastest-recovering economies worldwide. Built on strong fiscal foundations, diversified growth strategies, and forward-looking policies,»»»
Colombia retaliates with 100 percent tariffs on Ecuador
Bogotá: Colombia slapped 100 percent tariffs on Ecuadorean imports on Friday in response to a similar move by its South American neighbor the day before, the Ministry of Commerce said. The two countries have been engaged in a trade war for months, with Ecuador's right-wing President Daniel Noboa cr»»»
Dubai Bling star Farhana Bodi busts ‘do models eat’ myth before Mumbai Fashion Week showstopper walk
Dubai: “We’ve always had this conversation: Do models actually eat before a show?” laughs Farhana Bodi. “Yes, we do.” And just to prove it, the Dubai Bling star is mid–ragi dosa, minutes before she hits the runway as showstopper for Vazaneh by Prbhjit Maniktala at the recently-concluded Mumbai’s Fa»»»
US Trade Representative: China Involvement in Iran Would Complicate Matters
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday that the United States is trying to maintain a stable relationship with China, but if Beijing gets involved with Iran in a way that is counter to US interests, that would complicate matters. “The underlying goals of our economies are so differ»»»
Cabinet introduces ban on drywall imports to Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has introduced a temporary restriction on the import of gypsum boards, panels, and similar products without ornamentation, faced with paper or cardboard, classified under the Foreign Economic Activity Commodity Nomenclature Code 6809 11 000 0. The ban on impor»»»
Investor protection strengthened: Disputes to be resolved through arbitration - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov signed a law introducing amendments to legislation on investments and arbitration courts. The document clarifies procedures for protecting investors and resolving investment disputes. In particular, it stipulates that disputes should first be settled through ne»»»
Iran Counts its Human, Material Losses in 5 Weeks of War
More than 125,000 civilian facilities have been damaged or destroyed in the US-Israeli attacks across Iran, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said on Friday. Pir-Hossein Kolivand told Iranian state television that around 100,000 homes and at least 23,500 shops were hit during the »»»
Pressure Mounts on Hamas as It Weighs Response on Disarmament
Diplomatic momentum is building around a Gaza ceasefire, as Hamas and other Palestinian factions prepare their final response to a “Board of Peace” plan on the movement’s disarmament and the second phase of the deal. Talks were set to begin in Cairo on Friday and Saturday, with more meetings possib»»»
US, Iran Teams in Pakistan ahead of 'Make-or-Break' Talks
Senior US and Iranian leaders were in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Saturday for negotiations to end their six-week-old war, although Tehran threw the talks into doubt by saying they could not begin without commitments on Lebanon and sanctions. The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance»»»
Sadyr Japarov opens new school in Aravan district of Osh region - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov arrived in Aravan district of Osh region, where he attended the opening of secondary school No. 47 named after Ergesh Kebekbaev. The educational institution has been commissioned and is designed to provide students with modern learning conditions. The day befor»»»
Philippine carriers flight suspensions: Key dates, affected flights, and what to do
Dubai: Travellers flying between the Philippines and the Middle East are facing disruptions after flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) have suspended several routes due to ongoing security concerns. With many passengers affected, especially overseas Filipin»»»
Dubai places of worship update visiting hours as Gurudwara, temple and church reopen
Dubai: Places of worship across Dubai have announced updated schedules and phased reopenings, reflecting a coordinated effort to balance community access with safety and regulatory compliance under guidelines issued by the Community Development Authority (CDA). The updates include revised visiting »»»
Türkiye, Syria Advance Strategic Partnership to Support Reconstruction
Türkiye and Syria are moving to forge a broad strategic partnership spanning all areas of cooperation, backing reconstruction and efforts to restore stability after 14 years of war. A flurry of meetings in recent days has aimed to accelerate coordination between the neighbors across multiple sector»»»
PIN to be assigned for life: Kyrgyzstan updates citizen registration rules - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov signed a law introducing changes to the system of personalized registration of citizens for the purposes of mandatory social insurance. The document clarifies the status of the Personal Identification Number (PIN). Under the new rules, the PIN will be assigned »»»
Lebanon Asserts Itself at Israel Negotiations, Undermining Hezbollah and Iran
Lebanon is set to enter direct negotiations with Israel for the first time, marking a fundamental shift in how the state manages the conflict and underscoring its insistence on sovereign decision-making free of external tutelage. The shift follows Iranian attempts to preserve what is known as the “»»»
LIVE UPDATES: Negotiators arrive in Pakistan for Iran-US ceasefire talks
Doha, Qatar: High-profile officials from Iran and the US are in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, for the highly-anticipated ceasefire talks, which Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described as "make or break". Pakistan has declared a two-day holiday, and deployed 10,000 security personnel o»»»
No, Emmanuel Macron did not share a (fake) photo of Melania Trump with Jeffrey Epstein
Social media users are claiming that French President Emmanuel Macron circulated a photo of Melania Trump, the wife of US President Donald Trump, appearing with Jeffrey Epstein. However, the image has been digitally altered and was never shared by Macron. The misinformation began circulating after »»»
Iranians Look at Pakistan Talks with Mixture of Skepticism, Outright Fear
Everyday Iranians are awaiting planned negotiations between Washington and Tehran with a mixture of skepticism and outright fear, caught between a government they say does not understand peace and an American president who has threatened to destroy a “whole civilization.” Talks between the US and I»»»
Kamchybek Tashiev questioned at Interior Ministry again - | 24.KG
Former head of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan, Kamchybek Tashiev, has once again been summoned for questioning at the investigative department of the Interior Ministry, sources in law enforcement agencies told 24.kg news agency. Photo Internet According to the sources, the »»»
Iran sets 'preconditions' ahead of ceasefire talks as Vance warns Tehran not to 'play' US
Iranian and US delegations headed for Islamabad on Friday ahead of ceasefire negotiations between the two countries that threaten to be derailed by deep disagreements. While Iran said it would only begin talks if Washington accepted its "preconditions", Vice President JD Vance warned Teh»»»
Pakistan slashes fuel prices as Middle East tensions ease
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a reduction in fuel prices, saying the country is offering relief to the public as regional tensions ease. Addressing the nation, PM Sharif said petrol prices have been reduced by 12 rupees per litre and diesel by 135 rupees per litre, with conti»»»
Lebanon Between 2026 War and Negotiation Talks Next Week
Lebanon, under sustained Israeli air strikes and an open war, is entering a pivotal week as it prepares for preliminary meetings expected next week that could open a new negotiating track to secure a ceasefire, stabilize the border, and regulate the south. The move brings Lebanese-Israeli negotiati»»»
Tête à tête - 'We can provide more durable cooperation with Gulf countries', Ukraine defence industry chief says
Speaking to FRANCE 24, Ihor Fedirko, CEO of the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry, said Kyiv is seeking “sustainable and durable cooperation” with Gulf states on drone defence technology – a partnership he says has accelerated since the war in the Middle East. He added that Ukraine has the»»»
Family trek ends in tragedy: Kerala girl found dead after four-day hill search
A 14-year-old girl from Kerala who went missing during a family trek in Karnataka’s Chandradrona hill range has been found dead after a four-day search operation, according to media reports. Sri Nanda, a Class 10 student from Palakkad, was travelling with around 40 relatives when she disappeared du»»»
Lebanon Says Israel Talks Set for Tuesday in US, Israel Won’t Discuss Hezbollah Ceasefire
Lebanon's presidency said Friday that a meeting would be held with Israel in Washington next week to discuss a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war and the start of negotiations between the neighbors. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has repeatedly expressed readiness for direct talks with Israel si»»»
Israel Adopts Phased Approach to Lebanon Negotiations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had opted for a gradual approach in negotiations with Lebanon, sources close to Netanyahu said on Friday. This means that Israel will start with technical and procedural issues before moving to major files, depending on the trajectory of US-Iran talks that »»»
US, Lebanon Ask Israel to Pause Attacks on Lebanese Territory Ahead of Talks - Reports
Lebanon, through US intermediaries, has asked Israel to suspend attacks on its territory ahead of talks, Axios reported citing sources. The US has supported the Lebanese request and is demanding Israel accept it, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet made a decisin on the matter»»»
Iranian Delegation Lands in Islamabad Ahead of 'Make-or-Break' Talks
Iran's negotiating team arrived in Islamabad on Friday for peace talks with the United States, even as Tehran insisted on measures it said needed to be addressed first, throwing last-minute doubt over the meetings. US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire in the six-week war on Tues»»»
Seoul’s missing $7.8bn central bank surplus
South Korea submitted a KRW26.2trillion ($19.2bn) "war supplementary budget" to the National Assembly that unusually omits surplus funds from the Bank of Korea (BoK), drawing fire from legislative watchdogs on April 9, Chosun Daily reports. »»»
Venezuelan opposition calls for elections citing "absolute absence" of Maduro
Venezuela's opposition moved on April 10 to force the question of presidential elections, arguing that the constitutional window for addressing the power vacuum left by the removal of Nicolás Maduro has now closed, and that a vote must follow within 30 days. »»»
PANNIER: Taliban look north for friends
Central Asia’s governments were probably not best pleased when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, but most of them have since tried to make the most of the status quo. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turk»»»
Brazil bets on AI data hub ambitions as companies pour billions into smart logistics
Brazil's government unveiled plans to position the country as a major global hub for artificial intelligence data processing and storage, just as Brazilian and multinational companies race to automate their logistics networks in a sign of the country's broader digital transformation ambitions. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»
Iran's military warns forces 'on the trigger' as Islamabad talks set to begin
Iran's central military command warned on April 10 that its armed forces remain at full combat readiness and will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the statement hours before US and Iranian delegations are due to sit down for ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. »»»