World

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has ignited a contentious debate by declaring that 80% of Syrians should be repatriated, casting uncertainty over the future of nearly 950,000 Syrian refugees in Germany. This statement, made during a press conference with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Berlin in March, has been met with significant criticism, and both leaders have since attempted to distance themselves from the figure, highlighting the inconsistent stance of the governing coalition of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD), which allegedly aims to encourage large-scale returns.

The new academic year in Gaza began in late March, but the familiar scenes of students waiting for buses and heading to universities and colleges are no more. Their place has been taken by the hardships of displacement.

Hungary's parliamentary election on Sunday could reshape the country's political landscape after 16 years of dominance. Around 8 million voters out of a population of nearly 10 million are poised to choose between stability and change. Recent polls indicate that the Tisza party of Viktor Orban's centre-right, pro-European Union challenger Peter Magyar is comfortably ahead of the ruling Fidesz party, with a strong chance of securing a parliamentary majority.

The government of Uzbekistan has decided to relocate greenhouse farms from Tashkent and Tashkent Region to Surkhandarya Region, citing their negative impact on the environment and public health. According to a Cabinet of Ministers resolution adopted on April 9, a "Surkhon-Agro" free economic zone and its directorate will be established in Sherabad District, serving as the basis for the relocation of these facilities.

The announcement of a ceasefire by United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday has brought some relief to the Gulf region, seafarers, and energy markets. Iran has agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz for commercial traffic as long as vessels coordinate movements with its authorities. However, the future of this temporary calm remains uncertain, whether it leads to a durable peace deal or a resumption of hostilities, highlighting the fragility of the situation.

NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully conducted a flyby of the far side of the Moon with four astronauts, returning them safely to Earth. The Orion spacecraft performed well, and images captured by the crew have sparked renewed interest in space travel possibilities. However, this does not guarantee that children inspired by the mission will live and work on the Moon or reach Mars as promised by the Artemis program, with significant challenges still ahead.

According to Reuters agency citing its own sources, the Peace Council, established on the initiative of the US president and under his leadership, has collected only a small fraction of the $17 billion promised by member states for the reconstruction of the Gaza sector. The Council's first meeting was held on February 19 in Washington, where Donald Trump announced that nine member states, including Uzbekistan, had pledged over $7 billion to aid Gaza. The United States allegedly committed to directing $10 billion to the organization.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has triggered a diplomatic row with Israel by sharing a video on social media that shows Israeli soldiers committing violence against Palestinians, leading to sharp criticism from Israeli authorities. The footage, verified by Al Jazeera, depicts Israeli soldiers pushing an apparently lifeless Palestinian man from a rooftop in the occupied West Bank town of Qabatiya in September 2024, with one soldier appearing to kick the body, in violation of international laws requiring dignified treatment of the dead.

The Asian Championships in sport wrestling are ongoing in Kyrgyzstan, with another medal added to Uzbekistan's tally. Sohibjamol Esbusinova secured a bronze medal in the women's 53 kg weight category, defeating a South Korean opponent in the decisive match for third place.

Israeli strikes across the central and southern Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least seven Palestinians, with many others wounded. A drone attack in the Bureij refugee camp's "Block 9" area targeted a group of civilians, leading to fatalities and serious injuries, as confirmed by medical sources and Gaza's civil defence rescue service.

Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors held late-night discussions on Friday to finalize arrangements for talks scheduled at the U.S. State Department on Tuesday. These negotiations will mark the start of formal peace talks between the two countries, despite the absence of diplomatic relations, as stated by Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed plans to build a 76-meter (250-foot) triumphal arch in Washington D.C., a project that would be over 50% taller than the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Trump hailed it as "the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World," and wrote in a social media post that it would be "a wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come."