Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon Drops to Lowest Level Since 2019
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell last year to its lowest level since 2019, according to a report published Wednesday that will be seen as good news for leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. South America's biggest country lost 985,000 hectares (2.4 million acres) of native vegetati»»»
Laptop prices are exploding in 2026 — and AI is the biggest reason why
Dubai: The cost of buying a new laptop has surged in 2026 as a global memory shortage, driven largely by artificial intelligence demand, collides with shipping disruptions and rising manufacturing costs. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.Prices for »»»
Marek: Air Serbia has become regional leader
TORONTO - At a reception that marked the launch of direct flights between Belgrade and Toronto, Air Serbia CEO Jiri Marek said the Serbian national airline would keep increasing the number of new long-haul flights and that, with more than a hundred destinations operated, it had become the regional »»»
Bulgaria Holds Strong Position as Wheat Consumption Set to Overtake Production WorldwideOpinions
The global wheat market is entering what experts describe as a structural turning point, with early projections for the 2026 harvest indicating that worldwide consumption will surpass production. This assessment was presented by Vasil Simov, executive director of the Sofia Commodity Exchange (SCE),»»»
Could Bulgaria Benefit From the “1 Euro House” Model?Opinions
The “1 euro house” concept, which gained popularity in parts of Italy and other European countries, is increasingly being viewed as more than just a social experiment. Economists and regional planners now see it as a potential tool for reviving depopulated areas and attracting new investment. The i»»»
Czech government mulls sale of Semtex producer Explosia
The Czech government is mulling the sale of the Explosia plant, known internationally for developing and producing plastic explosive Semtex, which was said to have been used in the 1988 bombing of the 103 PanAm flight that killed 270 passengers, crew and residents near the Scottish town of Lockerbi»»»
South Africa’s Ramaphosa seeks to overturn report on "Phala Phala" cash-in-sofa scandal
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed a legal challenge against a parliamentary panel report that found he may have committed misconduct in connection with the so-called “Phala Phala” scandal, in which large amounts of cash were stolen from a sofa at his private farm, according to broad»»»
ICAO urges airlines to follow COVID-era protocols amid deadly Ebola strain's spread in Africa
As a deadly Ebola strain continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with cases also confirmed in Uganda, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is urging governments and airlines to follow health protocols introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic to limit aviatio»»»
Dead men and prisoners drafted in Ukrainian mobilization fraud – prosecutor general
Ukrainian draft officers have been caught adding dead people and convicts to the mobilization database amid military manpower shortages and growing public anger over forced conscription, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko has said. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Kiev lost around 500,0»»»
Thousands of Hungarian pubs and restaurants are closing at an alarming rate
A years-long decline has been unfolding in Hungary’s hospitality industry, with an increasing number of pubs, restaurants and pastry shops shutting down across the country. Many venues were unable to reopen after the pandemic, while rising costs and falling customer numbers have continued to place »»»
Trump’s latest immigration move clouds the path to green cards
WASHINGTON: When President Donald Trump’s administration announced last week that it would require green card seekers to apply from their home countries instead of in the US, immigration attorney Flavia Santos Lloyd’s phone began ringing off the hook with clients worried about the implications for »»»
US needs years to replenish weapons’ stockpiles after Iran war, analysis says
WASHINGTON: US military contractors need at least three years to replenish stockpiles of three key weapons systems used heavily in the Iran war, according to an analysis released Wednesday, adding to concerns that American forces would have limited firepower in any future conflict with China. The w»»»
Iran Could Open Strait of Hormuz within a Month if Terms Agreed
Tehran would restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month in a framework deal with the US to also include withdrawing US forces from Iran's vicinity, Iranian state television reported on Wednesday. The report said the US would end a naval blockade of Iranian shippi»»»
Ghana Begins Repatriating Citizens from South Africa due to Anti-immigration Tensions
The first group of around 300 Ghanaian nationals flew to their country on Wednesday as their government started a voluntary repatriation program for its citizens in response to anti-immigration tensions in South Africa. Families and travelers gathered at the Tambo International Airport in Johannesb»»»
‘I feel like I’ve come out of prison’: Iranians back online after 88 days
Dubai: For nearly three months, millions of Iranians lived in near silence online — unable to freely message loved ones, read independent news, stream films or even run businesses that depended on the internet. Now, after what internet monitors and activists describe as the longest nationwide inter»»»
Starmer Cites Russian Threat as UK, Poland Seal Defense Pact
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed Wednesday a defense pact with Poland, arguing the European allies faced "no greater challenge" than "Russian aggression" as he welcomed Polish counterpart Donald Tusk to Britain. The new security treaty signed by the NATO allies aims to allow the two countries »»»
Joe Biden sues US government over old interviews
Former US President Joe Biden is suing the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in an effort to block the release of interviews he gave to his ghostwriter, which later became part of a special counsel investigation into the mishandling of classified documents. According to the Daily Intelligencer, the re»»»
Ousted Chair Manifold disputes behavior allegations from BP board - UPI.com
Ousted board Chair Albert Manifold said he takes issue with the way BP has characterized his behavior that caused his removal. Photo by Adam Vaughan/EPA May 27 (UPI) -- Ousted BP board Chair Albert Manifold challenges the allegations of his behavior cited for his removal. In a statement to CNBC, Ma»»»
Europe benchmark gas contract falls on Hormuz re-opening hopes
OSLO: Europe’s benchmark natural gas contract fell around 5 percent on Wednesday afternoon after Iran said a draft US peace deal would lead to the reopening of shipping via the Strait of Hormuz. The benchmark Dutch front-month contract at the TTF hub fell as much as €2.69 to €44.79 per megawa»»»
IDF issues evacuation order for south Lebanon’s Tyre, Hezbollah clash with Israeli troops
JERUSALEM: The Israeli army issued an evacuation warning on Wednesday for residents of the city of Tyre in south Lebanon and the surrounding areas, saying it was about to strike Hezbollah targets there. “Urgent warning to the residents of the city of Tyre and the surrounding camps and neighborhoods»»»
Senior Ukrainian commander sees imminent ‘turning point’ in war
KHARKIV REGION, Ukraine: Ukraine has a six-month window in which to seize the battlefield initiative from Russia and strengthen its hand for peace talks, a senior commander told Reuters, predicting a “turning point” was imminent after more than four years of war. Russian forces have made grinding g»»»
IDF claims it killed Hamas military leader Mohammad Odeh - UPI.com
Palestinians run as smoke billows from the Mushtaha Tower after an Israeli airstrike shortly after the Israeli military announced its intention to target high-rise buildings in Gaza City on Sept. 5. An airstrike in Gaza City hit a residential building Tuesday and killed at least three Palestinians »»»
Ukrainian Forces Cause $8Bln Damage to New Russian Regions - Investigative Committee
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The material damage inflicted by Ukrainian forces on Russia's new regions exceeds 560 billion rubles ($7.8 billion), while damage to border and rear areas amounts to over 140 billion rubles ($2 billion), Russian Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said on Wednes»»»
Senior Ukrainian commander sees imminent ‘turning point’ in war
KHARKIV REGION, Ukraine: Ukraine has a six-month window in which to seize the battlefield initiative from Russia and strengthen its hand for peace talks, a senior commander told Reuters, predicting a “turning point” was imminent after more than four years of war. Russian forces have made grinding g»»»
Lebanese Army Says One Soldier Killed in Israeli Strike in Bekaa
The Lebanese army said on Wednesday that a soldier had been killed in an Israeli air strike near his post in Bekaa and that it had retrieved his body, Reuters reported. It said the retrieval was delayed from the previous day due to the security situation in the area. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its f»»»
Ugandan woman quarantined in India tests negative for Ebola
HYDERABAD/ BENGALURU: A Ugandan woman has tested negative for Ebola infection, India’s health ministry said on Wednesday, after she was quarantined in the tech hub of Bengaluru on suspicion of having the virus, but it did not say if she would be released from isolation. The news comes a day after a»»»
US preparing Ebola quarantine center in Kenya: WSJ
WASHINGTON: The United States plans to open a quarantine center in Kenya, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, as a deadly Ebola outbreak surges in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The facility is primarily intended for Americans who test positive for the virus or have been exposed to it, »»»
Hundreds flee India migrant crackdown toward Bangladesh
NEW DELHI: Hundreds of people in India’s border region with Bangladesh have fled to the frontier, police said Wednesday, after the government ordered the construction of detention centers for undocumented Bangladeshi migrants and Rohingya refugees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist B»»»
World Cup transit sticker shock hits fans with tickets to matches in some US host cities
NEW YORK: Dubbed the “Sommermärchen,” or “Summer Fairy Tale,” the 2006 World Cup in Germany was a widely praised showcase for a modern, unified nation that was welcoming to fans from around the globe. Part of that success was the “KombiTicket,” which gave fans free access to local public transporta»»»
Karameesh children’s channel star Rafat Waseem Awad, 19, dies in Amman car crash
Karameesh children’s channel star Rafat Waseem Awad has died following a vehicle crash in the Jordanian capital, Amman, local media and family members said. The 19-year-old died after a tragic accident on Al Hurriya Street in the Al Muqabalain neighbourhood on Tuesday evening. Get updated faster an»»»
Sarafov Resigns as Investigative Service Chief; Politicians React
Borislav Sarafov resigned as National Investigative Service Director and Deputy Prosecutor General on Wednesday. He tendered his bid in the morning, and it was later accepted by the Prosecutors Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council. "This is a decision I made after careful consideration," Sarafov»»»
Bajatovic meets with Gazprom CEO in St Petersburg
ST PETERSBURG - Srbijagas CEO Dusan Bajatovic met with the CEO of the Russian energy company Gazprom Alexei Miller in St Petersburg on Tuesday to discuss cooperation. The meeting was their third this month, Srbijagas said in a statement. Earlier, Bajatovic has said that, under a new annex to Serbia»»»
Iraqi man kills wife, brother-in-law in drug-fuelled Baghdad assault
Dubai: An Iraqi man has killed his wife and her brother and wounded several other members of her family and neighbours during a violent attack in Al Hurriya neighbourhood of Baghdad, security sources said. Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect was under the influence of crystal meth»»»
Student sports body FISU allows Russians to compete in all disciplines
The International University Sports Federation (FISU) has allowed Russian athletes to compete in its events in all disciplines via a neutral status. In sports where a relevant federation has already lifted restrictions on Russia, they will be able to participate with their national flag and anthem,»»»
Rescuers reach men trapped in Laos cave, getting them out wil be 'tough' - UPI.com
Ani international operation to rescue a group of villagers from a cave found five of the seven men missing alive on Wednesday. However, organizers warned that extreme challenges they would have to overcome to safely bring them to the surface meant the real work had yet to start. Photo by Metta Tham»»»
Iran Says 'Low' Possibility of Return to War with US
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that a return to war with the United States was unlikely, but warned the Islamic republic stood ready to respond to any attack. The statement came a day after Iran accused the US of breaching the ceasefire in place since April, and warned it was prepare»»»
Bill Concerning Special Commercial Administrator's Activity Adopted by National Assembly at First Reading
The National Assembly passed at first reading on Wednesday amendments to the Act on Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities Associated with Oil and Petroleum Products, concerning the activities of the special commercial administrator of critical infrastructure facilities. The amendments we»»»
Trump moves cabinet meeting back to White House citing weather - UPI.com
President Donald Trump moved his Wednesday Cabinet meeting from Camp David to the White House, citing weather. Photo by Kyle Mazza /UPI | License Photo May 27 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said his cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon will be at the White House instead of Camp David, as was pla»»»
Rodrigo Duterte ICC trial date set for November 30 on crimes against humanity charges
Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will face a crimes against humanity trial at the International Criminal Court from November 30, the presiding judge said on Wednesday. Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders»»»
Trump faces mounting pressure to find an Iran exit
Dubai: President Donald Trump will convene his Cabinet at the White House on Wednesday after postponing a planned trip to Camp David, as pressure mounts on the administration to find a way out of the costly and increasingly unpredictable war with Iran. The high-level meeting comes as a fragile ceas»»»
Samsung workers approve bonus deal after big AI profits
Seoul: Samsung Electronics union members on Wednesday approved a deal with management securing massive annual bonuses after threatening a major strike, as the global artificial intelligence boom causes the South Korean chip giant's profits to soar. The agreement means that around 78,000 employees f»»»
Swiatek sees off Bejlek to reach third round at French Open
PARIS: Iga Swiatek navigated her way into the third round of the French Open on Wednesday with a 6-2, 6-3 success over world number 35 Sara Bejlek. The four-time Roland Garros champion is seeking to reclaim the title she won three times consecutively between 2022 and 2024, before losing out at the »»»
Saudi Arabia investigates viral perfume shop rampage video
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched an investigation after a widely circulated video showed a woman damaging items inside a perfume shop at a shopping mall in the Kingdom. The incident triggered widespread reaction on social media after claims circulated o»»»
Social Policy Minister Presents Priorities, Says Social Payments Are Secured
As she presented her priorities on Wednesday, Labour and Social Policy Minister Nataliya Efremova said that social payments were secured. “Social payments are guaranteed - pensions, supplements and assistance for people with disabilities, as well as for families and children, will continue to be pa»»»
Watch: British man becomes world's oldest wing walker at 98 - UPI.com
May 26 (UPI) -- A 98-year-old British World War II veteran officially became the world's oldest wing walker when he stood atop a flying plane in England. Harry Heasman spent more than 9 minutes atop the plane at a height of over 1,000 feet on Saturday at Duxford Airfield in Cambridge. A Guinness Wo»»»
S. Korea targets deployment of nuclear-powered submarines in late 2030s - UPI.com
President Lee says Seoul will accelerate wartime operational control transfer while pursuing domestically built nuclear-powered submarines using low-enriched uranium South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (2-R) presides over a defense strategy committee meeting in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province,»»»
EGX plans trading tool upgrades to attract investors: Radwan Arab Finance For Information Technology
Arab Finance: The Egyptian Exchange (EGX) is working to transform into a financing platform supporting national projects and productive sectors through the development of market tools and trading mechanisms, alongside efforts to improve operational efficiency and attract more local and foreign inve»»»
From Paris, Bulgarian PM Urges Europe to Rethink Strategy Vis-a-Vis Ukraine War
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev believes that Europe is late with its efforts to begin negotiations with Russia and must make a very rapid reassessment of its strategy and its approach to the conflict with Ukraine. The pursuit of a "peace through strength" strategy and attempts to achieve a "c»»»
Through the eyes of first-timers — the workers discovering Hajj from the other side
ALKHOBAR: For millions of pilgrims, Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey. For thousands of workers behind the scenes each season, it is something else entirely: a crash course in pressure, unpredictability and human endurance. Nothing fully prepares first-time Hajj workers for the scale o»»»
Senate walkout rocks Philippine politics: Why minority Senators stormed out — what's next
A dramatic walkout by minority senators halted proceedings in the Senate of the Philippines late Tuesday. It exposed deepening divisions over proposed rule changes that critics say could benefit lawmakers facing legal trouble, including fugitive Senator Ronald dela Rosa. Get updated faster and for »»»