Police break gang that preyed on helpful motorists
Police say they have broken a gang that allegedly scammed motorists in western Athens who stopped to help people in cars that had ostensibly broken down. A police statement said three foreign nationals aged 32, 48 and 61 were arrested near Omonia Square in central Athens on Sunday on suspicion of h»»»
Man with Criminal Record Detained in Lovech Region, Over EUR 40,000 Seized in Vote-Buying Crackdown
A 53-year-old man with a criminal record was detained after police discovered more than EUR 40,000 at his home during a specialized operation in Lovech Region (North Central Bulgaria), acting Interior Ministry Secretary General Georgi Kandev said in a Facebook post. According to Kandev, the operati»»»
Bulgarian Authorities Warns of Disinformation Wave Ahead of April 19 Election
Bulgaria is bracing for an increase in disinformation activity in the run-up to the parliamentary elections on April 19, with authorities warning of coordinated attempts to influence voters and destabilize public trust. Acting Deputy Foreign Minister Velizar Shalamanov said institutions are already»»»
Man Fined $300 for Entering Hippo Moo Deng's Pen
A Thai court has fined a man $300 after he broke into the enclosure of Moo Deng, an endangered baby pygmy hippo and internet sensation, the zoo director said Wednesday. Moo Deng -- whose name translates as "bouncy pork" -- has gained global attention thanks to social media videos showing her adorab»»»
MOI urges adherence to safety guidelines during rainy conditions
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Interior, MOI urged motorists to adhere to essential safety guidelines while driving in rainy conditions to prevent accidents and ensure road safety. In a social media post, drivers are advised to reduce speed, avoid overtaking and maintain a safe distance between vehic»»»
Gold prices stabilize amid anticipation of US-Iranian negotiations
Singapore: Gold prices stabilized on Thursday as investors remained cautious, awaiting clearer signals on ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran, ahead of key US inflation data due later today. Spot gold was steady at $4,715.42 per ounce, while US gold futures for June delivery fell 0.8»»»
Middle East live: Hezbollah says it fired rockets at Israel in response to ‘violation of ceasefire’
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on Thursday said it fired rockets towards Israel in response to its "violation" of the US-Iran truce agreement. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for Israel's massive attacks in Lebanon as the ceasefire appeared to hang by a thread. Follow our liv»»»
Netanyahu fails to address Israel’s failure to achieve war goals in Iran
Reporting from Jerusalem, FRANCE 24’s Noga Tarnopolsky says that when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally made a statement on the US-Iran ceasefire, he failed to “address the fact that Israel has not achieved any of its stated war goals, which included regime change in Iran, the destruction o»»»
US-Iran ceasefire: Why Tehran wants to charge ships for crossing the Strait of Hormuz
As part of its 10-point proposal to end the US-Israeli war on Iran, Tehran is pushing for ongoing control over the vital Strait of Hormuz – including charging what officials suggest could be as much as $2 million per ship to help the country rebuild its bombed-out infrastructure and maintain c»»»
UAE weather alert: Rain and dust forecast as authorities issue traffic warning
Dubai: UAE authorities have issued safety warnings and revised speed limits as a low-pressure system brings unsettled weather and scattered rainfall to the country, a condition expected to persist through Monday. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) confirmed on Thursday that an extension of su»»»
Escaped Wolf Forces School Closure in South Korea
A wolf that escaped from a zoo in South Korea remained at large Thursday, authorities said, prompting a local school to close over safety concerns as the search continued. The male wolf -- born in 2024 and weighing about 30 kilograms - escaped from a zoo at a theme park in Daejeon, about 150 kilome»»»
CAF President visits Dakar following AFCON trophy reversal
Dakar, Senegal: The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was in Dakar yesterday, nearly a month after the body’s shock decision to strip Senegal of its AFCON title and award it to Morocco. Patrice Motsepe announced the trip at the end of March, stating that he would travel to Se»»»
Scattered rain and drop in temperature expected
Clouds and rain are forecast for much of the country Thursday, with high winds in the Ionian Sea, some light snowfall in northeastern mountainous areas and an overall drop in temperature. Rain is expected in the eastern and northern mainland and in the Aegean Sea, with storms potentially hitting th»»»
E-QSL returns for third edition from April 20
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Stars League (QSL) will host the Electronic Qatar Stars League (E-QSL), set to take place from April 20 to 22, 2026. A total of 12 teams from the 2025-2026 Qatar Stars League season will take part, and the official draw saw the teams being divided into two groups of six each.»»»
Al Rayyan and Al Sadd claim victories at Qatar Cup
Doha, Qatar: Al Sadd and Al Rayyan launched their campaigns in the 2025–2026 Qatar Basketball Cup with strong performances, securing important victories in the quarter-finals at Al Rayyan Club Hall yesterday. In the first game, Al Sadd showcased its readiness to contend for the title, defeating Al »»»
Medvedev thrashed 6-0, 6-0 by Berrettini; Zverev battles through
Monte Carlo: Daniil Medvedev slipped to an embarrassing 6-0, 6-0 thrashing by Matteo Berrettini in the Monte Carlo Masters second round yesterday, as Alexander Zverev dug deep to beat Cristian Garin. Medevdev completely unravelled against Berrettini after missing two break points in the opening gam»»»
Dubai gold edges lower as global cues keep market on edge
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai eased slightly on Thursday morning, giving up a small portion of the gains seen earlier this week as global markets weighed fragile geopolitical signals against shifting rate expectations. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The 24-karat rate st»»»
UK to Call for Toll-free Strait of Hormuz, Wants Lebanon in Ceasefire Deal
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will say on Thursday that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around a fifth of the world's oil and gas, must be toll-free, countering a push by Iran to control the vital waterway. Iran has said it wants to charge fees for ships to pass »»»
Trial of Syrian Man Accused of Torture during Syria’s Civil War Begins in the Netherlands
A Syrian man accused of crimes against humanity denied dozens of charges of torture and sexual violence in the opening of his trial in the Netherlands on Wednesday, according to AP. The 58-year-old, identified only as Rafiq al Q. due to Dutch privacy regulations, claimed he was being conspired agai»»»
Visa-free travel introduced for diplomats from Kyrgyzstan and Oman - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov signed a law ratifying the agreement with the government of Oman. The document waives visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports. The agreements reached enshrine the right to visa-free entry, exit, and transit for holders of diplomatic and service pa»»»
Fines for killing wild animals in Kyrgyzstan increased two- to threefold - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan significantly tightened liability measures for harming wildlife, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision reported. According to the ministry, the resolution was signed by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. The document provides for a substantial increa»»»
World Bank Slashes 2026 Middle East Growth Forecast, Saudi Arabia Absorbs Shock
The World Bank has slashed its 2026 growth forecast for Middle East economies, saying overall GDP growth in the region is expected to slow from an estimated 3.6% in January to 1.8% for 2026. The closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and destruction of energy and public infrastructure, had d»»»
Business - Qatar warns Iran war can now 'spiral out of control'
As Donald Trump threatened to wipe out an entire civilisation in Iran ahead of his latest deadline for Tehran to open up the Strait of Hormuz, Qatar's foreign ministry official warned that the world was nearing a point beyond which the war would be out of anyone's control. Oil markets continue to b»»»
Business - Oil prices fall after ceasefire deal as questions over Hormuz Strait linger
A two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran on Wednesday led to a steep drop in oil prices and a rebound in Asian and European equities. In this edition, we see what the various stakeholders are saying the deal means for the future of the Hormuz Strait through which a fifth of»»»
Construction of Min-Oruk—Samarkandek road with bridge underway in Batken - | 24.KG
Construction of Min-Oruk — Samarkandek road continues in Batken region of Kyrgyzstan. Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the region, Mamyrzhan Rakhimov, inspected the progress of the road construction, his press service reported. The head of the region met with construction workers and local gov»»»
Bulgaria’s industrial producer prices post fastest rise in SEE in February
Bulgaria recorded the fastest annual increase in industrial producer prices among EU member states in February, Eurostat data showed on April 8, underlining persistent cost pressures in the bloc's newest eurozone member. I»»»
Shagraan storms home to claim Msheireb Cup at Al Rayyan
Doha, Qatar: Shagraan delivered a commanding performance to land the Msheireb Cup for owner-trainer Saeed Mohammed Shafi Al Shafi at the Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday. Positioned comfortably in midfield for most of the race, the six-year-old bay gelding unleashed a powerful turn of foot in the hom»»»
Qatar stocks rally 377 points as market posts sharp gains
Doha, Qatar: The shares in Qatar’s stock market witnessed a notable bounce-bank as the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index surged 376.67 points or 3.66%, yesterday to close at 10,662.33 points. Global markets reacted quickly to the announced two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, with »»»
IMF: Wars Impose Deep and Prolonged Economic Costs on Countries
Wars cause large and persistent economic losses in countries where fighting takes place, with output declining by roughly 7% over five years on average, and economic scars lasting for more than a decade, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in research released on Wednesday. The IMF examined »»»
347 crimes solved: Results of Arsenal campaign in Issyk-Kul region - | 24.KG
Law enforcement agencies in Issyk-Kul region solved 347 crimes in March as part of Arsenal campaign, detained 20 wanted individuals, and found 23 missing persons, the press service of the regional Internal Affairs Department reported. During the raids, officers inspected 3,647 hunters and 27 licens»»»
QU’s College of Business and Economics receives AACSB Global Impact Award for Leadership
Doha, Qatar: Qatar University (QU) announced that its College of Business and Economics has received international recognition through the selection of its Dean, Prof. Rana Sobh, as a recipient of the AACSB International Global Impact Award in the category of Impactful Leadership. The recognition h»»»
Police seize 165 kilos of marijuana in Athens
Police have arrested four people on suspicion of trafficking large quantities of drugs in the Greater Athens region, and confiscated 165 kilograms of marijuana. A police statement said Wednesday’s arrests followed a surveillance operation in which the suspects were observed loading sacks of drugs f»»»
Ministry of Awqaf honours 48 students who memorised holy Quran at Quranic learning centres
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs honoured 48 students who memorised the holy Quran during the first quarter of 2026. These students were enrolled in Quranic learning centres under the Department of Da’wah and Religious Guidance. The ceremony, part of the “Quran Memorisation Co»»»
UN webinar highlights devastating toll of Middle East crisis on children
Doha, Qatar: The crisis across the Middle East exacted a devastating toll on millions of children, with urgent calls for stronger international action to safeguard their rights, according to speakers at a high-level webinar convened yesterday by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secre»»»
562 entries for fifth edition of Katara Prize for Arabic Poetry ‘Mothers of the Believers’
Doha, Qatar: The Katara Cultural Village Foundation has announced that the fifth edition of the Katara Prize for Arabic Poetry, themed “Mothers of the Believers” (may God be pleased with them), received 562 entries from 25 Arab and international countries. The prize committee selected Sawda bint Za»»»
1,000 students compete across 48 challenges at UDST Skills Day
Doha, Qatar: The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) organised Skills Day 2026, a co-curricular highlight of the academic year, reinforcing its dedication to hands-on learning, creativity, practical problem-solving, and teamwork. The event brought together 1,000 students across 48 »»»
Managing online classes and being a teacher and a parent – all at once
Doha, Qatar: When teachers are parents themselves, they have the opportunity to observe how children learn and behave at home during online lessons. Reflecting on this, Leena Ayoub, a mother of three daughters and a teacher at Qatar Foundation’s Qatar Academy Doha (QAD), the same school her childre»»»
Freezing at work? Why uncertain times are leaving you mentally stuck — UAE experts explain how to break free
I know I have to do this. But I can't. That's the inner monologue that most, have been facing of late. And it could be something as basic as sending an email. Sometimes, it’s almost physically difficult to do it. There's a heaviness that settles on your fingers. You can't finish a task. You’re func»»»
North Korea Tests Advanced Weapon Systems — Reports
The DPRK’s Academy of Defence Science and Missile Administration conducted a series of tests of key weapon systems on April 6–8, KCNA reported. The tests included electromagnetic weapons, carbon fiber bombs, and tactical missile warheads, as well as verification of a mobile short-range anti-aircraf»»»
Vance Claims Lebanon Is Not Part of the Ceasefire
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Halting hostilities in Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire agreement reached between the United States and Iran, Vice President JD Vance claimed o Wednesday, further calling the matter a "misunderstanding". US President Donald Trump earlier on Wednesday said ending hostiliti»»»
Trump Questions NATO Reliability After Talks With Rutte
US President Donald Trump said after the meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that the alliance will not help the United States if it needs assistance. “NATO wasn’t there when we needed them, and they won’t be there if we need them again,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.The statement comes a»»»
Cheng Li-wun leads KMT tour across China
Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun reached Shanghai at midday on April 7 to begin a tour of China set to last until April 12, XinhuaNet reports. The KMT mission represents the first time in a decade that a sitting head of the party has taken a delegation to the r»»»
Windfall tax delay exposes Indonesia’s challenge in capturing commodity gains
Indonesia recently announced that it had delayed the rollout of its windfall tax proposal on coal and nickel exports. The country noted that the complexity of balancing fiscal needs with industrial policy is behind the delay, Indonesia Business Post reports. »»»
Cheng Li-wun leads KMT tour across China
Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun reached Shanghai at midday on April 7 to begin a tour of China set to last until April 12, XinhuaNet reports. The KMT mission represents the first time in a decade that a sitting head of the party has taken a delegation to the r»»»
Falling electrotech costs create a fast catch up path for Global South
A new energy pathway is emerging for developing economies, one that challenges the assumption that fossil fuels are a prerequisite for growth, according to a new report by Ember. More than 700mn people still lack access to»»»
Falling electrotech costs create a fast catch up path for Global South
A new energy pathway is emerging for developing economies, one that challenges the assumption that fossil fuels are a prerequisite for growth, according to a new report by Ember. More than 700mn people still lack access to»»»
Cheng Li-wun leads KMT tour across China
Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun reached Shanghai at midday on April 7 to begin a tour of China set to last until April 12, XinhuaNet reports. The KMT mission represents the first time in a decade that a sitting head of the party has taken a delegation to the r»»»
Falling electrotech costs create a fast catch up path for Global South
A new energy pathway is emerging for developing economies, one that challenges the assumption that fossil fuels are a prerequisite for growth, according to a new report by Ember. More than 700mn people still lack access to»»»
Peru scales up solar capacity as Sunny complex reaches 345 MW
Peru’s photovoltaic sector is moving from a pipeline of announced projects to tangible capacity additions, with recent developments indicating a structural acceleration in utility-scale solar deployment. The most imm»»»
Argentina revokes press credentials amid probe into alleged Russian disinformation network
Argentina’s government revoked press credentials for several local media outlets on April 6 following allegations they were linked to a Russian-backed disinformation campaign uncovered by an international investigation, escalating tensions between President Javier Milei’s administration and th»»»