UZ News Updates

Djibouti prepares for presidential elections on Friday, with incumbent Ismail Omar Guelleh poised to win a sixth term, extending his 27‑year rule. Lawmakers removed the age limit that previously barred him, allowing his candidacy. The nation of about one million, strategically located at the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait, hosts numerous foreign military bases and serves as a key port for landlocked neighbours. Around 243,471 citizens are registered to vote, and about 94 % of the population practices Islam. Read on aljazeera.com

The US-Israel war on Iran has affected global supply chains, blocking shipments of critical raw materials from the Gulf, including petrochemicals, helium, and aluminium. The conflict has impacted the production of everyday items, such as plastic packaging and semiconductors. The world's supply chains will continue to feel the effects, and the question remains how they will recover and become more resilient to global shocks. Read on aljazeera.com

The US-Israel war on Iran has ended with a ceasefire, but neither side achieved their goals. Iran's military and economy were severely impacted, and the Gulf region also suffered. The war was sparked by Israel's strategic doctrine and the US provided military capacity. The conflict was not justified under international law, and its consequences were predictable. The ceasefire includes Iran's 10-point peace proposal, and negotiators are set to meet in Islamabad. Read on aljazeera.com

New Israeli air strikes have killed people in southern Lebanon, raising doubts over the US-Iran ceasefire. The attacks have killed at least seven people and wounded several others. Israel claims to have killed a close aide to Hezbollah's leader. The scale and intensity of the attacks point to a broader campaign despite the ceasefire agreement. The ongoing strikes reflect a deeper alignment between Israel and the US. Read on aljazeera.com

A US man, Tim Friede, has been bitten by snakes 200 times on purpose to help deliver new antivenom. He understood the danger but was motivated by the rising number of snakebite deaths amid the climate crisis. Friede's efforts aim to stop snakebite deaths, with numbers appearing to rise. Read on theguardian.com

Spanish police have dismantled a Scottish drugs gang led by Steven Lyons, who was arrested in the Netherlands after being deported from Bali. The Civil Guard said 14 arrests were made in four countries, with 20 others under investigation. Lyons is expected to arrive in Spain in two to three weeks, pending extradition. The operation has also seen assets linked to the Lyons network frozen in Turkey. Read on bbci.co.uk

Strategy’s perpetual preferred stock “Stretch” (STRC) traded about $333 million Wednesday, marking its seventh‑highest daily volume since its July 2025 launch. Despite the heavy flow, the security remained tightly fixed at its $100 par value, prompting executive chairman Michael Saylor to note “one penny of volatility, $330 million of liquidity, closed at par.” The high‑yield, short‑duration instrument reportedly funded over 2,000 BTC purchases via an at‑the‑market issuance program. Read on coindesk.com

HEADING: Zcash privacy strengths rise as blockchain data scales, study shows
SUMMARY: CoinDesk Research’s commissioned report highlights that as blockchain adoption expands, metadata available to machine‑learning models grows, eroding obfuscation‑based privacy methods. In contrast, encryption‑focused solutions like Zcash become more robust, offering durable privacy amid increasing AI capabilities. The analysis compares five major crypto privacy architectures, providing a framework to evaluate which models remain effective as the ecosystem scales and surveillance techniques improve. Read on coindesk.com

HEADING: Bitcoin traders indifferent to U.S. inflation data, expects minimal move
SUMMARY: Despite widespread anticipation of U.S. inflation figures, bitcoin market participants are largely unmoved, pricing in only a 2.5 % price swing around the upcoming report. Implied volatility has fallen to its lowest level since January, even as analysts forecast a 3.4 % March CPI amid an Iran‑driven energy shock. This disconnect suggests traders view the inflation release as a likely non‑event for crypto markets. Read on coindesk.com

The US and Iran will hold talks in Islamabad on April 11, with US Vice President JD Vance and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leading their respective teams. A fragile ceasefire is currently in place after a two-week halt to the war. The talks aim to negotiate a lasting peace, with both sides having proposed multiple points, although the details have not been formally unveiled. Read on dawn.com

Freida McFadden, a best-selling author, revealed her true identity as Sara Cohen. She chose her pseudonym after a medical database called Freida. McFadden has written 29 novels, including The Housemaid, and was the second best-selling author in the UK in 2025. She decided to reveal her identity, tired of keeping it a secret, and has already topped the best-seller charts this year with three books. Read on bbci.co.uk

France is considering an intermediary solution to replace its aging Leclerc main battle tank due to delays in the French-German project for the future Main Combat Ground System. The government plans to spend an additional €36 billion on defense in the 2026-2030 period. The stopgap tank could be based on a KNDS Germany platform with a KNDS France turret. Discussions are ongoing between France's Directorate General for Armament and various manufacturers. The increased spending is part of an update of France's military planning law. Read on defensenews.com

Pakistan’s interior minister, Naqvi, met with U.S. envoy Natalie Baker to discuss arrangements for high‑level US‑Iran cease‑fire negotiations slated for Islamabad. Naqvi assured that security for the talks would be foolproof, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to providing a safe environment for the diplomatic engagement. The Web Desk reported the meeting on April 9, 2026, noting the article’s two‑minute read. Read on tribune.com.pk

Fundstrat co‑founder Tom Lee said the Iran cease‑fire signals the stock market bottom, noting a break above the S&P 500’s 200‑day moving average at 6,617 would trigger a decisive rise. He pointed to equities climbing from 6,300 to 6,600 despite oil jumping to $116 and escalating war news, then rallying 2.5% as de‑escalation began. Bitcoin followed, spiking past $72,000 alongside futures, while its on‑chain price sits 21% below spot, a historic bottom indicator. Lee’s firm recently bought 71,252 ether, underscoring his bullish stance, though he warned a fraying truce could reverse gains. Read on coindesk.com

South Korean exchange Bithumb filed a petition with a local court to freeze seven bitcoin, valued around $8 million, after a February promotion error mistakenly credited winners with 620,000 bitcoin each. Users sold roughly 1,788 BTC before accounts were frozen; most coins were recovered, leaving about 12.3 billion won still outstanding, now reduced to seven bitcoin. Korean law treats the situation as unjust enrichment, requiring recipients to return the assets, and a civil lawsuit is expected. Read on coindesk.com

Last year’s Grand National champion Nick Rockett has pulled out of the upcoming Aintree race, ending his chance to defend the title. The Willie Mullins‑trained horse was to be ridden by jockey Tom Bellamy, who had been preparing for a back‑to‑back victory on Saturday. The withdrawal was announced shortly before the event, with officials indicating further details will be released later. Read on bbci.co.uk

At the DNC’s spring meeting in New Orleans, members will vote on non‑binding resolutions that would recognize a Palestinian state, condition U.S. military aid to Israel, and condemn the influence of AIPAC and other dark‑money groups. Though unlikely to pass, the measures highlight a widening rift between pro‑Israel party leaders and a base that has become increasingly critical of Israel and special‑interest spending. The debate also pressures presidential hopefuls to address the party’s stance on Israel and AIPAC. Read on rss.politico.com

Israeli settlers made seven attempts to smuggle goat or sheep sacrifices into the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound during this year’s Passover, the highest number recorded since 1967, according to the Palestinian Authority’s Jerusalem Governorate. The far‑right “Temple Mount Faithful” groups reached the Old City borders on two occasions before police stopped them, and at least 14 worshippers were detained on April 1. Authorities had sealed the 35‑acre site for 40 days citing a state of emergency linked to the US‑Israel war on Iran, reopening it early Thursday. Experts warn the detentions mask a longer‑term strategy to encroach on the holy site. Read on aljazeera.com

The Veterans’ Theatre, founded in 2024 in central Kyiv, runs a four‑month school for servicemen, their wives and widows to write and perform plays. Their works, like “Twenty One” starring Kateryna Svyrydenko as Maryna, portray personal loss, trauma and hope, offering therapeutic catharsis for creators and audiences. The productions, discussed with veteran peers and professional instructors, travel to other Ukrainian stages, turning battlefield wounds into shared artistic expression. Read on aljazeera.com

Tyson Fury, 37, is returning to the ring for a fifth retirement‑break comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. After the bout, Fury told BBC Radio he wants a clash with fellow British former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who last fought Jake Paul in December and was later hospitalized in Nigeria after a car crash. While Deontay Wilder also challenged Joshua, promoter Eddie Hearn says Joshua needs time to recover, and Fury dismissed a Wilder‑Joshua matchup. Read on aljazeera.com

In a CNN interview, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, praised the recent US‑Iran ceasefire, calling it a triumph for diplomacy and dialogue. He emphasized that the agreement reflects constructive engagement and hopes it will pave the way for lasting stability in the region. Sheikh’s remarks highlight Pakistan’s support for peaceful conflict resolution. Read on tribune.com.pk

Finbar Sullivan, a 21‑year‑old film student who loved movies and making films, was stabbed to death during a fight in north London’s Primrose Hill park on Tuesday evening. He had gone to the park to use a new camera. His father described him as “beautiful, lovely, outgoing, loving” and said, “I’m broken‑hearted.” The tragedy was reported by Jamie Grierson for The Guardian. Read on theguardian.com

Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union confirmed bitcoin is accepted as payment for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, charging a fee of $1 per barrel, up to two million barrels per tanker. The move aligns with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ expanding use of cryptocurrency, documented by Chainalysis, to skirt sanctions in oil trade. Earlier data showed IRGC‑linked financiers moving $178 million in crypto‑facilitated oil sales and nearly a billion dollars in weapons and commodity purchases, while Houthi forces consider a second chokepoint in the Red Sea. Read on coindesk.com

In a recent phone conversation, Dar and the Saudi Foreign Minister addressed violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon, highlighting concerns over ongoing hostilities. Additionally, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s continued backing of Pakistan’s initiatives aimed at securing lasting peace in the region. Both discussions underscore diplomatic engagement on Middle‑Eastern stability and bilateral cooperation. Read on tribune.com.pk

Briton Gianpiero Lambiase, currently Red Bull’s head of race engineering and Max Verstappen’s race engineer, will move to McLaren in 2028 to support team principal Andrea Stella. The precise title has not been disclosed. Insiders confirmed the move, which aims to bolster McLaren’s race‑operations as Formula 1 grows more complex. Lambiase becomes the third senior Red Bull staff to join McLaren, following Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay, and will work alongside racing director Randy Singh to ease Stella’s trackside responsibilities. Read on bbci.co.uk

Bitcoin is trading calmly ahead of Friday’s March CPI release, with market participants pricing only a 2.5% swing in either direction, according to 10x Research founder Markus Thielen. The 30‑day implied volatility (BVIV) has fallen to 46.5%, the lowest level since January 31, implying an expected daily move of about 2.9%, below the 3.4% average. Analysts note the CPI is forecast at 3.4% YoY, driven by an Iran‑war‑induced energy shock, while Fed rate‑cut expectations have been trimmed. Read on coindesk.com

The Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem reopened Thursday morning after Israel lifted a 40‑day closure that had barred most worshippers. Approximately 3,000 Palestinians entered for the dawn prayer, according to Al Jazeera‑verified video. The Israeli Home Front Command issued updated instructions, and hundreds of police and border guards were deployed to secure the site. The ban had been imposed following the outbreak of the US‑Israeli war on Iran and had restricted access to all major holy sites. Read on aljazeera.com

Finbar Sullivan, a 21‑year‑old filmmaking student, was stabbed near the Primrose Hill viewing point shortly after 18:30 BST on Tuesday and died at the scene. His father, Christopher Sullivan, told the Daily Mail his son wanted to be a cameraman like grandfather Michael Seresin, who worked on Harry Potter, and had been using a birthday camera. Finbar studied at the London Screen Academy, made drill‑rap videos as “Sully Shot It”, and was described as an outgoing, loving boy, not a gang member. A second man in his 20s suffered stab wounds. Met Police have appealed for information; no arrests have been made. Read on bbci.co.uk

Andrew Mitrovica argues that despite massive casualties, Iran’s refusal to surrender proves a victory over the United States‑Israel axis. He describes Trump’s threat to end “civilisation” in Iran as a desperate mad‑man tactic that did not force capitulation. Instead, Iranian resistance became a universal symbol, showing that force cannot erase a millennia‑old civilization. Mitrovica concludes Iran is prevailing in a war of attrition on military, strategic and political fronts. Read on aljazeera.com

Eritrea's participation in the Africa Cup of Nations preliminaries is now uncertain after seven of the ten locally-based players vanished following their 4‑1 aggregate victory over Eswatini on March 31. The missing footballers were last seen when the team travelled from Eswatini to South Africa via Egypt, according to a CAF official. Coach Hesham Yakan had selected a 24‑man squad with fourteen abroad, and Ali Suleiman scored three goals in the qualifying tie. The defectors include two goalkeepers, several defenders, a midfielder and a striker, joining a history of Eritrean players abandoning national teams abroad. Read on aljazeera.com

Four people have died off the coast of northern France after a taxi‑boat sank while migrants attempted to cross the English Channel, French authorities said. The incident occurred near Boulogne, between the beaches of Équihen and Écault, south of Calais. Rescue operations are under way and a press conference is planned shortly. The story is being updated as details emerge. Read on bbci.co.uk

Environmental groups are calling on the UK government to curb the rapid rise in glyphosate herbicide use, which has increased ten‑fold over three decades. They argue the country has become addicted to the chemical, first popularised by Scottish farmers in the 1980s to dry damp wheat. Campaigners warn of serious public‑health risks and demand stricter regulation and a shift to safer alternatives. Read on theguardian.com

The Western Australian district court sentenced an 83‑year‑old British man to 14 months in prison for molesting a nine‑year‑old girl. His permanent resident visa had been automatically cancelled following the conviction, but he appealed and a tribunal reinstated the visa. The case highlights the interaction between criminal sentencing and immigration decisions in Australia. Read on theguardian.com

On Wednesday, Israel launched its most intense strike of the conflict, bombarding Lebanon for ten minutes and claiming around 100 hits. Lebanon’s health ministry reports at least 182 deaths and over 800 injuries. BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega reported from Beirut, standing at the location of one of the lethal strikes, documenting the devastation. Read on bbci.co.uk

French local authorities in Calais confirmed that a taxi boat sank today in the English Channel, resulting in four deaths. The incident occurred between France and Britain. Officials said the situation is still being assessed and may change as investigations continue. Further details have not yet been released. Authorities are urging the public to stay informed. Read on theguardian.com

Oil and gas prices rose on Thursday while Asian stock markets fell back, reflecting doubts over the two‑week ceasefire in Iran. Israel continued its attacks on Lebanon, and the United States’ involvement was noted, adding to market unease. Gas prices also increased, and global equity markets slipped after a strong rally on Wednesday, as investors questioned the durability of the Middle East ceasefire. Read on theguardian.com

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that U.S. ships, aircraft and military personnel will remain positioned in and around Iran until the “REAL AGREEMENT” is fully complied with, warning that “the Shooting Starts” if demands are not met. He reiterated calls for Iran to abandon nuclear ambitions and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while boasting that forces are “loading up and resting, looking forward… to its next conquest.” The statement followed a two‑week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, which had paused six weeks of fighting. Read on aljazeera.com

On April 9, 2026, Pakistan’s News Desk reported that the Pakistani government condemned Israeli aggression against Lebanon in the strongest terms. The statement followed reports of smoke and debris rising after a building was struck, highlighting the escalating violence. Pakistan’s condemnation underscores its disapproval of the cross‑border hostilities and calls for restraint. Read on dawn.com

The Masters, one of sport’s most prestigious tournaments, is intertwined with golf’s segregation history. The video outlines the PGA’s former “Caucasian‑only clause,” the role of Black caddies familiar with Augusta, and how Tiger Woods’s 1997 win reshaped the game’s image. Al Jazeera’s Samantha Johnson examines these elements, revealing the tournament’s complicated and racially exclusive past. Read on aljazeera.com

A special National Investigative Agency court in New Delhi sentenced 64‑year‑old Kashmiri separatist Aasiya Andrabi, founder of the banned Dukhtaran‑e‑Millat, to three life terms on March 24, while two associates received 30‑year terms. The verdict, based largely on her speech that allegedly provoked hostility and undermined national integration, came despite a 290‑page judgment finding no evidence for serious terrorism charges. Legal experts say the harsh ruling reflects a broader pattern of suppressing dissent in Kashmir under the expanded UAPA. Read on aljazeera.com

Former Republican Representative Mark Sanford has filed paperwork with South Carolina’s elections commission to re‑enter the race for the state’s 1st congressional district, a seat opened by Rep. Nancy Mace’s gubernatorial bid. Sanford, a longtime Charleston‑area politician noted for his 2009 extramarital scandal, criticism of Donald Trump, and a 2020 presidential challenge, says he will focus on the national debt. He told the Post & Courier he’s “time to get off the bleachers,” while declining a POLITICO interview. Read on rss.politico.com

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to tell London city leaders that Lebanon must be part of any US‑Iran ceasefire agreement, stressing “considerable work to do” and the need for negotiations to progress without a return to conflict. She will speak as Israel intensifies bombing in the region, while U.S. official Vance maintains that Lebanon is currently excluded from the deal. Read on theguardian.com

Bruce Lehrmann has exhausted his legal options after the High Court rejected his final attempt to overturn a defamation judgment. The case, brought by Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson, concluded that, on the balance of probabilities, Lehrmann raped former staffer Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House in 2019. With the court’s dismissal, his bid to clear his name is now permanently blocked, marking the end of his appeal process.Read on theguardian.com

On April 9, 2026 the Al‑Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem reopened after a 40‑day Israeli‑imposed shutdown. At dawn the gates of the Al‑Haram al‑Sharif compound were opened, and hundreds of Palestinian Muslims entered, many breaking into tears and performing prostrations of gratitude in the courtyards. Photographs showed worshippers praying before the Dome of the Rock, using phones, and a woman among the crowd, all amid a two‑week cease‑fire in the Iran war. Read on dawn.com

Veteran Joseph Bolick, a 30‑year‑old Iraq‑Afghanistan veteran who voted for Trump in 2024, told CPAC that he feels betrayed because the president entered a war with Iran lacking a clear objective. Across the Texas gathering, many young MAGA supporters voiced similar frustration, balancing anti‑interventionist slogans with support for the U.S. mission. Their anger threatens to split the GOP base ahead of the November midterms, as older hawks remain supportive while younger voters grow disillusioned. Read on rss.politico.com

Julian Alvarez opened scoring with a superb free‑kick as Atletico Madrid faced a reduced Barcelona side at the Nou Camp. Alexander Sorloth added a second goal, giving the visitors a 2‑0 advantage in the Champions League quarter‑final first leg. Barcelona played most of the match with ten men, leaving them unable to respond. Read on bbci.co.uk

Virginia Democrats fear losing an April special election as Republican early‑voting turnout surges, threatening their broader goal of flipping the House in November. A voter referendum on new congressional maps could grant Democrats a ten‑to‑one seat advantage, adding four seats compared with current districts, despite a fundraising edge tenfold over Republicans. Governor Abigail Spanberger has endorsed the referendum and aired her first ad, yet critics argue her effort is minimal. Lawmaker Beth Macy urged Spanberger to lead the campaign, noting her 2025 landslide win. Read on rss.politico.com

Lebanon declared a national day of mourning after Israeli attacks killed at least 254 people and injured over 1,165, prompting Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to mobilise resources. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Lebanon is not covered by the ceasefire, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who brokered the deal, said it includes a pause in Lebanon. Iran’s foreign minister warned Washington must choose a ceasefire or continued war, and Iran’s president called a Lebanon truce a condition of Tehran’s 10‑point plan. JD Vance will lead the next talks with Iran in Pakistan. Read on aljazeera.com

Al Jazeera reports that former UK business secretary Peter Mandelson tried to secure a visit to 10 Downing Street for a 15‑year‑old girl described as Jeffrey Epstein’s “goddaughter”. The attempt occurred while Epstein was serving a prison sentence for procuring a minor for prostitution. Mandelson held the business secretary post at the time. The allegation is detailed in a video presented by Al Jazeera reporter Caolán Magee. Read on aljazeera.com

At 25, England seamer Lauren Bell reflects on her rapid rise, noting she never imagined leading the pace attack after Anya Shrubsole, Katherine Brunt and Kate Cross stepped aside. A breakout season in The Hundred in 2021, a £140,000 contract and a Women's Premier League title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru boosted her profile, earning 2.2 million Instagram followers. With Cross’s departure, Bell now heads a group that includes Issy Wong, Lauren Filer and all‑rounders, while coach Charlotte Edwards prepares squads for South Africa. Read on bbci.co.uk

Federal regulators, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Justice Department, filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to prevent Arizona from applying its gambling statutes to prediction market operator Kalshi. They argue that contracts tied to sports, elections and other events are financial derivatives, or swaps, falling under the Commodity Exchange Act and thus under exclusive federal jurisdiction. A ruling could shift control of prediction markets from a patchwork of state gambling laws to a single nationwide federal framework. Read on coindesk.com

Fabio Wardley said he would welcome a fight with Tyson Fury if Fury defeats Arslan Makhmudov, but his main goal remains an undisputed bout with Oleksandr Usyk and defending his belt against Daniel Dubois. Wardley noted Fury’s return after a year‑long retirement, calling him a major crossover star, yet doubts Fury can become world champion again unless the titles split, suggesting Fury might win a vacant belt against Lawrence Okolie or Agit Kabayel. He added a Fury‑Joshua clash would still draw massive interest. Read on bbci.co.uk