
Wildfire blazing in Thasos as terrain hampers firefighting efforts
A large wildfire that broke out late Wednesday night in the forested area of Glykadi on the northern Aegean island of Thasos continued to burn on Thursday morning, with the situation described as difficult, according to reports. The fire is burning in rugged, hard-to-access terrain, complicating co»»»


Allowances, bonuses to school staff during official holidays to resume
Doha: Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al-Khater has announced that allowances and bonuses to school staff during official holidays will resume. The Minister made this remark on her X account, explaining the Decision No. 23 of 2025, which amends certain»»»


EU chief von der Leyen faces no confidence vote
STRATSBOURG: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen faces a confidence vote Thursday that has little chance of succeeding but has exposed frictions between her backers and complaints about her leadership style. European lawmakers will vote on the rare challenge pushed by a far-right faction against the Euro»»»


S Korea’s disgraced ex-president Yoon detained, again, over martial law
SEOUL: South Korea’s disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol was detained for a second time Thursday over his declaration of martial law and held in a solitary cell as investigators widened their insurrection probe. Yoon plunged South Korea into a political crisis when he sought to subvert civilian ru»»»


Britain and France try again to tackle English Channel migrant crossings
LONDON: After the bonhomie and banquets of a formal state visit, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron are turning to a topic that has stymied successive British and French governments: how to stop migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats. At a UK-France summit »»»


31 workers have been safely removed after part of an industrial tunnel in LA collapsed
LOS ANGELES: Thirty-one workers have been safely removed from an industrial tunnel under construction in Los Angeles after part of it collapsed on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. The collapse occurred 5 to 6 miles (8 to 9.7 kilometers) from the tunnel’s sole entrance in an industri»»»


Burkina Faso’s only eye doctor for children sees the trauma of both play and conflict
BOBO-DIOULASSO: Isaka Diallo was playing with friends when a stone struck his left eye. For two weeks, his parents searched hospitals in western Burkina Faso for an eye doctor. The village clinic only prescribed painkillers. Other health workers did not know what to do. When they eventually found D»»»


Top Russian official terms Pakistan ‘important partner’ in economy and energy development
ISLAMABAD: A top Russian official on Thursday described Pakistan as an “important partner” in the region’s economic and energy development and called the two countries “natural allies” during a meeting in Moscow, according to an official statement issued by the foreign office in Islamabad. The rema»»»

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Utility tariffs expectedly spike Russian weekly inflation
Russian consumer prices jumped to 0.79% growth week-on-week in the week ending July 7, up from 0.07% seen in the previous week, according to the latest data by RosStat. (chart) As warned previously by bne IntelliNews, inflation was expected to spike in the beginning of July due to the utility tarif»»»
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Samsung's brand new Flip7, Fold7 opens up new entry price - and brings in more AI for the buck
Dubai: AI doesn’t need to get all too complex for everyday users. That’s exactly how Samsung has integrated AI-enabled features into its latest flagship releases – the Galaxy Z Flip7 and Fold7. Need AI help? Just ask your phoneNowhere is this on better display than the Flip7’s cover screen, where t»»»


Proactive plans ensure stable power supply during summer
Doha: With 11 power generation stations and over 400 substations, the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has reaffirmed its full readiness to meet the country’s electricity demands during the summer peak season, a period marked by increased consumption. Speaking on the corpo»»»


US Envoy: Syria’s Government and Kurds Still at Odds over Merging Forces after Latest Talks
A US envoy said Wednesday that Syria’s central government and the Kurds remain at odds over plans on merging their forces after the latest round of talks, a persistent obstacle as the new authorities in Damascus struggle to consolidate control after the country's yearslong civil war. US Ambassador »»»


31 workers have been safely removed after part of an industrial tunnel in LA collapsed
LOS ANGELES: Thirty-one workers have been safely removed from an industrial tunnel under construction in Los Angeles after part of it collapsed on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. The collapse occurred 5 to 6 miles (8 to 9.7 kilometers) from the tunnel’s sole entrance in an industri»»»

Burkina Faso’s only eye doctor for children sees the trauma of both play and conflict
BOBO-DIOULASSO: Isaka Diallo was playing with friends when a stone struck his left eye. For two weeks, his parents searched hospitals in western Burkina Faso for an eye doctor. The village clinic only prescribed painkillers. Other health workers did not know what to do.When they eventually found Dr»»»

Which countries have received Trump's tariff letters? – Statista
US President Donald Trump has delayed his so-called “reciprocal” tariffs once more, with the new deadline set for August 1, Statista reports. At the same time, he has also sent out letters to 14 countries announcing that tariffs of 25 to 40% will hit them should they fail to reach a trade deal with»»»


US Supplies Ukraine With Artillery Shells, Mobile Rocket Artillery Missiles - Reports
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States is delivering to Ukraine artillery shells and mobile rocket artillery missiles, Reuters reported, citing two US officials. In particular, Kiev gets 155-mm artillery shells and GMLRS missiles. The number of shells and missiles transferred to Ukraine is not sp»»»


Which countries have received Trump's tariff letters? – Statista
US President Donald Trump has delayed his so-called “reciprocal” tariffs once more, with the new deadline set for August 1, Statista reports. At the same time, he has also sent out letters to 14 countries announcing that tariffs of 25 to 40% will hit them should they fail to reach a trade deal with»»»

Oil steady as traders weigh rising US stockpiles, Trump’s levies
Oil steadied as traders weighed a large increase in US crude stockpiles and a wave of new tariff rates from President Donald Trump. Brent held near $70 after closing little changed on Wednesday, while West Texas Intermediate was around $68. US inventories rose by about 7.1 million barrels last week»»»

Hungary Vows to Fight EU If It Bypasses Budapest on Ukraine’s Membership - Orban
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union has no legal means to bypass Hungary's opposition over accepting Ukraine into the entity, and if it tries to do so by deceiving, Budapest will fight and protest, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday. The process of Ukraine's integration into »»»


S Korea’s disgraced ex-president Yoon detained, again, over martial law
SEOUL: South Korea’s disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol was detained for a second time Thursday over his declaration of martial law and held in a solitary cell as investigators widened their insurrection probe. Yoon plunged South Korea into a political crisis when he sought to subvert civilian ru»»»


Media and civil society mourn the passing of trailblazing journalist Zubeida Mustafa at 84
KARACHI: Zubeida Mustafa, a pioneering figure in Pakistani journalism who opened the door for women in mainstream newsrooms and became a powerful advocate for social justice, passed away at the age of 84, the Karachi Press Club (KPC) confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday. Mustafa studied Int»»»


Explainer: Where Trump’s global tariff strategy stands now, what’s next?
President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, effective August 1, alongside strong criticism of the trial of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, calling it an “international disgrace.” Bolsonaro faces charges over an alleged coup plot after narrowly losing the 2022 electi»»»


China calls on Asean to back openness as US levies loom
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Southeast Asian nations to uphold openness and cooperation Thursday, delivering a message of inclusivity as President Donald Trump threatens sweeping tariffs on nations across the region. “Together with the Asean countries, we will promote the Asian values»»»


Rubio-Lavrov Meeting Set for Thursday on ASEAN Sidelines – State Dept.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - A meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) events is scheduled for 10:00 GMT on Thursday, according to the US State Department schedule. "6:0»»»

Britain and France try again to tackle English Channel migrant crossings
LONDON: After the bonhomie and banquets of a formal state visit, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron are turning to a topic that has stymied successive British and French governments: how to stop migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats.At a UK-France summit o»»»

Dubai issues rule on marine vessels' displaying Hull Identification Number for licensing - and renewal
Dubai: The 'hull identification number' must be included and properly displayed by all marine vessels in Dubai. This will apply to these vessels' registration, licensing and renewal processes, according to the Dubai Maritime Authority. Manufacturers of marine vessels, their owners, operators, and i»»»


Dubai proptech SmartCrowd is bought by Egypt's Nawy as digital real estate investments turn popular
Dubai: The Dubai property fintech, SmartCrowd, has sold a majority stake to Egypt’s Nawy at a time when new digital ways of property investment are turning popular in the GCC. SmartCrowd allows individual investors to take fractional ownership in properties through their platform. (Dubai real estat»»»


Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy named interim NASA administrator - UPI.com
U.S. Department of Transportation Sean Duffy testifies at a House Appropriations subcommittee on May 14. He was also named interim administrator of NASA. File photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI .. | License Photo July 10 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Monday named Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy»»»


EU chief von der Leyen faces no confidence vote
STRATSBOURG: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen faces a confidence vote Thursday that has little chance of succeeding but has exposed frictions between her backers and complaints about her leadership style. European lawmakers will vote on the rare challenge pushed by a far-right faction against the Euro»»»


US imposes sanctions on UN human rights expert investigating Israeli abuses in Gaza
The US on Wednesday said it is sanctioning Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, after failing to have her removed from the international body over her investigation of Israel's human rights violations in Gaza. Albanese, a human rights lawyer, »»»


Trump hits Brazil with 50% tariffs on steel, demands end to Bolsonaro trial
US President Donald Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on a key Brazilian steel supplier on Wednesday after Trump's administration called Brazil's trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro on charges of attempting a coup an "international disgrace," a move Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silv»»»


Strong earthquake tremors felt in Delhi-NCR
Residents across the Delhi-NCR region felt strong earthquake tremors on Thursday morning, prompting concern and temporary panic in some areas. The tremors were felt around 9:00 am (local time). This is a developing story. Related Topics:indiaEarthquake»»»


Israel’s Bedouin communities use solar energy to stake claim to land
TIRABIN AL SANA: At the end of a dusty road in southern Israel, beyond a Bedouin village of unfinished houses and the shiny dome of a mosque, a field of solar panels gleams in the hot desert sun. Tirabin Al-Sana in Israel’s Negev desert is the home of the Tirabin (also spelled Tarabin) Bedouin trib»»»


Israel’s Bedouin communities use solar energy to stake claim to land
TIRABIN-AL-SANA, Israel: At the end of a dusty road in southern Israel, beyond a Bedouin village of unfinished houses and the shiny dome of a mosque, a field of solar panels gleams in the hot desert sun. Tirabin Al-Sana in Israel’s Negev desert is the home of the Tirabin (also spelled Tarabin) Bedo»»»


Trump praises Liberian leader on English — his native tongue
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump complimented the president of Liberia Wednesday on his English-speaking skills — despite English being the official language of the West African nation. Trump was hosting a White House lunch with African leaders Wednesday, and — after brief remarks from Preside»»»


Pakistani startup Bookme eyes $20 million annual revenue from Saudi Arabia expansion
ISLAMABAD: The founder of a Pakistani leading e-ticketing platform, Bookme, said this week he expects the startup to generate $20 million annually from its expansion into Saudi Arabia, following its recent deal with the Kingdom’s leading delivery platform, Mrsool. Founded in 2013, Bookme is Pakista»»»


Israel’s Bedouin communities use solar energy to stake claim to land
TIRABIN AL SANA: At the end of a dusty road in southern Israel, beyond a Bedouin village of unfinished houses and the shiny dome of a mosque, a field of solar panels gleams in the hot desert sun. Tirabin Al-Sana in Israel’s Negev desert is the home of the Tirabin (also spelled Tarabin) Bedouin trib»»»


UAE gold buyers keep waiting for decisive drop to Dh360 levels - will it happen?
Dubai: The Dubai gold price remains stuck in the Dh368-Dh372 a gram range, leaving shoppers disappointed that there has been no decisive break towards the Dh360 mark so far. There’s been a dip in shopper activity over this week as many buyers switch to ‘let’s wait’ mindset on their purchases. “The »»»


DOJ subpoenas more than 20 gender-affirming care doctors, clinics - UPI.com
The Justice Department on Wednesday announced it was subpoenaing more than 20 doctors and clinics that perform gender-affirming care for minors as the Trump administration ramps up its attacks against this marginalized group of Americans. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo July 9 (UPI)»»»


UAE: What legal steps to take when a contractor abandons villa project
Question: Six months ago, I signed a contracting agreement with a contractor to build my villa. The contractor completed only about 30 per cent of the work, while I paid him for about 50 per cent of the work. Two months ago, the contractor left the work without any reason. What is the appropriate l»»»


Domestic workers in Kuwait not subject to exit permit rule, manpower authority confirms
Dubai: Domestic workers in Kuwait are not yet required to obtain exit permits to leave the country, the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) confirmed, refuting a wave of misleading reports that circulated widely on social media. In an official statement, the authority described as “entirely false” »»»


US sanctions UN expert Francesca Albanese, critic of Israel's Gaza offensive
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is imposing sanctions on the UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, an outspoken critic of Israel's military offensive in Gaza.Secretary of State Marco Rubio linked the move to her support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), some»»»


50% US tariff on Brazil: What’s behind Trump’s ‘witch hunt’ tariff on Brazilian imports?
President Donald Trump has unveiled another wave of tariff demand letters, targeting several countries and industries ahead of the August 1 implementation date. The most notable move: a 50% levy on Brazilian imports, one of the steepest yet. The tariff campaign is part of Trump’s so-called “recipro»»»


Choc shock! Prices soar, bars shrink, and your favorite treats just got bitter
Dubai: Chocolate lovers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia may have noticed their favorite treats are either getting smaller, more expensive, or simply less chocolatey. There’s a reason: the world is in the middle of a severe cocoa crisis, and it's hitting both chocolate makers and consumers hard. Accordi»»»


Philippines: How reforms unlock economic potential
The Philippine is ushering in a new era of economic openness, thanks to long-overdue reforms. In recent years, Filipino legislators have enacted landmark laws aimed at transforming the country’s economic landscape. One of the most significant reforms involves easing foreign ownership restrictions i»»»


Search for survivors after Houthis sink second Red Sea cargo ship in a week
CAIRO — Six crew members have been rescued and at least three others killed after a cargo ship was attacked by Yemen's Houthis and sank in the Red Sea, a European naval mission says.The Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated Eternity C was carrying 25 crew when it sustained significant damage and lost al»»»


Trump praises ‘good English’ of Liberian president, prompting criticism across Africa
MONROVIA — US President Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his strong grasp of the English language on Wednesday. But the African leader was educated in Liberia, where English is the official language.As he hosted five African leaders at the White House, Trump asked Boakai: “»»»

Ex-sandalwood smuggler turned bike thief caught in Bengaluru with 40 stolen two-wheelers
Bengaluru: A former Red Sanders smuggler who turned to two-wheeler thefts after being cornered by the Anti-Smuggling Task Force has been arrested by Yelahanka police, bringing an end to a two-year-long vehicle lifting spree across Bengaluru and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Ravi Kumar Naik, 45, a reside»»»

Trump threatens 50% tariffs on Brazil if it doesn’t stop the Bolsonaro ‘witch hunt’ trial
NEW YORK — USPresident Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened Brazil with a crippling tariff of 50% starting August 1, according to a letter he sent to the country’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.In the letter posted on Truth Social, Trump alleged Lula is undertaking a “Witch Hunt that should »»»


Dubai Police extend compassion to inmates through Dh6.5 million aid package
Dubai: Dubai Police have stepped in to offer a helping hand to inmates, providing more than Dh6.5 million in financial and material support during the first six months of 2025. The aid, totalling Dh6,599,116, was delivered through the Humanitarian Care Section in cooperation with several partners. »»»
