Spanish ex-PM Zapatero in unprecedented graft probe hearing
MADRID: Former Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Wednesday began two days of unprecedented court hearings on suspected influence peddling, the latest corruption affair threatening the leftist government. The investigation into the Socialist titan comes as a string of graft prob»»»
US military footprint growing in Australia: defense minister
SYDNEY: US Marine Corps plans for a crisis-ready stockpile in Australia are part of a “growing US footprint” in the country and important for national security, Defense Minister Richard Marles said Wednesday. The US Marines will include Australia in a global prepositioning program for weapons, ammu»»»
WCM-Q wins bronze at 2026 MENASA Merit Awards
Doha, Qatar: Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) has been named a bronze winner of the 2026 MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia) Merit Awards in the Student Success category. The MENASA Area of NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) was established to foster engage»»»
UAE Central Bank completes Project Aperta to speed up secure cross-border financial data sharing
Dubai: The Central Bank of the UAE has completed Project Aperta, a cross-border open finance initiative designed to make international financial data exchange faster, safer and more efficient for businesses and financial institutions. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Th»»»
4 killed in Israeli strikes on south, Israel says intercepted Hezbollah rockets
Lebanon said Israeli strikes killed four people in the country's south on Tuesday as Israel said it intercepted Hezbollah rockets and launched raids, despite a U.S.-Iran deal that includes Lebanon. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said Israeli drone strikes targeted two vehicles in the»»»
Akhlaquna Award recognition opens new doors for Feed a Friend initiative
Doha, Qatar: Just weeks after receiving the Akhlaquna Individual Contributions Award in April, ‘Feed a Friend’ is already seeing the recognition translate into new opportunities to expand the reach of the community initiative founded during the COVID-19 pandemic. The award, which honours individual»»»
France braces for heatwave with canal swimming allowed in Paris
Paris, France: France braced for another heat wave on Wednesday, with Paris allowing swimming in one of its canals so residents could cope with the heat. It will be the second spell of hot temperatures this year, after an unusually scorching week in May smashed records in half of the country. "A he»»»
Brave Jordan’s World Cup debut ends in loss to Austria
DUBAI: Jordan’s World Cup debut ended in a 3-1 loss to Austria at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday morning, despite a brave performance that promised a potential point for the newcomers. The loss leaves the Arab nation in third place in Group J, while Austria sit second on goal diffe»»»
France braces for heatwave with canal swimming allowed in Paris
PARIS: France braced for another heat wave on Wednesday, with Paris allowing swimming in one of its canals so residents could cope with the heat. It will be the second spell of hot temperatures this year, after an unusually scorching week in May smashed records in half of the country. “A heatwave e»»»
Saudi Arabia gears up for Spain after Uruguay draw
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia began preparations on Wednesday for its second Group H match at the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Spain, with the Green Falcons holding a training session at Q2 Stadium in Austin under the supervision of coach Georgios Donis. The match against Spain will take place on Sunday as Sa»»»
JR's "The Cave" on Paris' Pont Neuf is finally open to the public
"The Cave" at Pont Neuf has finally opened its doors this Monday. The announcement was made by the artist JR in the afternoon, as repairs were nearing completion after the canvas was torn by strong winds on June 2. It is now possible to explore, free of charge and 24 hours a day, the interior of t»»»
Oil little changed as investors weigh US-Iran peace deal, Hormuz uncertainty
SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell slightly on Wednesday as investors gauged the impact of a US-Iran peace deal, while uncertainty over full resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz limited price declines. Both benchmarks were down about 0.2 percent by 09:30 a.m. Saudi time, with Brent crude f»»»
On This Day, June 17: Charleston, S.C., church shooting leaves 9 dead - UPI.com
On June 17, 2015, Dylann Roof killed nine people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., in a mass shooting. 1 of 2 | A memorial is erected outside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 19, 2015 in memory of the the nine people killed in a June 17 shootin»»»
Austria earn World Cup win against debutants Jordan
Santa Clara, United States: Austria were given a scare by World Cup debutants Jordan on Tuesday before securing a 3-1 win rounded off by a penalty in added time from veteran forward Marko Arnautovic. The Austrians went ahead at Levi's Stadium near San Francisco when Romano Schmid produced a brillia»»»
QIIB launches ‘first-of-its-kind’ promotional campaign in Qatar
Doha, Qatar: QIIB has announced the launch of a new and unprecedented promotional campaign, the first of its kind in Qatar, exclusively for holders of Visa credit and debit cards from both the retail and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) segments. The campaign offers customers an exceptional »»»
PM-designate Vestea: My position does not change - I will not resign
Prime Minister-designate Adrian Vestea announced on Tuesday morning, after the expiration of the ultimatum given by the National Liberal Party (PNL) leadership, that his position does not change and he will not resign."My position does not change: I will not resign, regardless of the pressures on m»»»
England and Croatia renew World Cup rivalry in heavyweight clash
Doha, Qatar: England and Croatia have crossed paths before on football’s biggest stage, and eight years after one of the most memorable nights in recent World Cup history, they meet again to open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign. When the two European sides walk onto the pitch at Dallas Stadium t»»»
Portugal eye winning start against DR Congo
Doha, Qatar: Portugal will begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against DR Congo today, with Roberto Martinez’s side aiming to make a strong start in Group K and take an early step towards the knockout stages. The match, scheduled for 8:00pm (Qatar time) at Houston Stadium, will open the World »»»
El Obour for Real Estate Investment logs 237% YoY profit surge in Q1 2026 Arab Finance For Information Technology
Arab Finance: El Obour Company for Real Estate Investment (OBRI) posted a 236.95% year-on-year (YoY) climb in consolidated net profits after tax for the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, according to a disclosure on June 15th. The company recorded net profits of EGP 18.433 million in Q1 2026, compared to»»»
We believe in our abilities, says Almoez as Qatar prepare for Canada challenge
Doha, Qatar: Almoez Ali is not looking too far ahead. As Qatar target a first-ever place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, Al Annabi’s all-time leading scorer insists belief must be matched by patience and focus. “We are taking things one step at a time. Right now, our entire focus is on the ne»»»
Budapest vs Vienna vs Prague: Which city is really the cheapest to live in in 2026?
For anyone considering a move to Central Europe, three cities inevitably dominate the conversation: Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. All three are rich in history, highly liveable, and increasingly popular among expats, digital nomads, and international students. But when it comes to day-to-day costs,»»»
Africa’s Ebola outbreaks complicated by victims who prefer traditional healers over hospitals
BUNDIBUGYO: Whenever Ebola comes, some of the afflicted choose the road to the nearest hospital. Others take the path to the shrine of a traditional healer, often with devastating consequences. Many view the onset of hemorrhagic fever as a spiritual affliction and seek out herbs and prayers instead»»»
Small plane crashes on Texas highway and people leave vehicles to try to free people inside
LAREDO, Texas: A small plane crashed on a highway in Laredo, Texas, and caught fire Tuesday night, causing chaos as people left their vehicles to frantically try to smash the cockpit window and free people inside. The plane crashed in Laredo shortly after 10 p.m., said Jose Baeza, an investigator w»»»
Qatar to be represented at Geneva signing ceremony
Doha, Qatar: State of Qatar will be represented at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, coming Friday (June 19), said Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry»»»
Dubai gold prices ease after June rebound, but 24K stays above Dh520
Dubai: Dubai gold prices edged slightly lower on Wednesday morning, although the market remained well above the lows seen earlier this month as global bullion held near recent gains. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and India.) Sign»»»
Residency cancelled? Qatar says the exit deadline is now two weeks
Dubai: Expats whose residence permits are cancelled must leave Qatar within 14 days of the cancellation date or face financial penalties, a Ministry of Interior official has said. Speaking during a webinar on safe travel procedures organised by the ministry’s Public Relations Department, Captain Al»»»
Apex Health wins 16 awards and earns highest recognition
Four platinum and twelve gold awards across five institutions, the highest designation the Federation confers. Doha, Qatar: Apex Health, a subsidiary of Estithmar Holding and the fastest-growing healthcare company in the MENA region, has been named a Holistic Role Model by the Arab Hospitals Federa»»»
Christopher Nolan, Tom Holland and Matt Damon are heading to Mumbai for The Odyssey premiere in July
Dubai: Christopher Nolan is coming to India, and he is bringing some serious star power with him. Universal Pictures International announced that Mumbai has been selected as one of four cities, alongside London, Paris and New York, to host a premiere for The Odyssey, Nolan's ambitious mythological »»»
Canada asks some new citizens to return their citizenship certificates
Some newly recognised Canadians are facing renewed uncertainty after what should have been the final step in their immigration procedure. In recent weeks, a number of people who had already received proof of Canadian citizenship were contacted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) »»»
Migrants to be prohibited from working as bus drivers in Yekaterinburg - | 24.KG
The State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of Sverdlovsk Oblast of Russia proposed banning certain categories of labor migrants from working as drivers in public transport, taxis and cargo transportation. The deputy head of the department’s supervisory activities directorate, Alexander Porubenko, announ»»»
Small plane crashes on Texas highway and people leave vehicles to try to free people inside
LAREDO, Texas: A small plane crashed on a highway in Laredo, Texas, and caught fire Tuesday night, causing chaos as people left their vehicles to frantically try to smash the cockpit window and free people inside. The plane crashed in Laredo shortly after 10 p.m., said Jose Baeza, an investigator w»»»
Messi salutes 'beautiful moment' after tying World Cup goals record
Kansas City: Lionel Messi saluted a "beautiful moment" after becoming the World Cup's joint all-time leading goalscorer in his record-breaking sixth finals appearance on Tuesday. The 38-year-old Argentina captain etched another memorable chapter in his glittering career with a brilliant hat-trick i»»»
Former classmate stabs man to death after argument in Uzgen - | 24.KG
A suspect has been detained in Uzgen district of Osh region in connection with the killing of a 21-year-old man, police reported. The incident occurred late on the evening of June 15 following a dispute between former classmates. The Internal Affairs Department of Osh region stated that information»»»
Plot to attack White House fight night thwarted: FBI
US law enforcement on Tuesday said it had foiled an alleged plot to attack the White House during a crowded mixed martial arts event attended by President Donald Trump. "Multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold," FBI Director Kash Patel said. The Depar»»»
Dubai traffic update: E11, E311 and Al Khail Road hit by heavy delays
Dubai: Morning traffic is building on key commuter routes across Dubai and from Sharjah, with slow-moving sections reported on major highways and inner-city roads, according to Google Maps traffic overlays. Delays are being reported on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and Sheikh Rashid Road (D75) intersecti»»»
Germany and Poland to sign a new defense deal as balance of power in Europe shifts
WARSAW: Germany and Poland were set to sign a new defense agreement Wednesday, putting aside their complicated past to strengthen European military cooperation at a time of heightened tension with Russia and growing uncertainty over US engagement in Europe. Relations between the two neighbors in re»»»
Was the drama on Desi Bling real? Adel and Sana Sajan reveal what really happened
Dubai: The hit Netflix reality show Desi Bling was supposed to be about Dubai's fabulously wealthy desis, a slang term many South Asians use to describe themselves. And it is. There's enough bling, bravado and billionaire energy to power a small country. But somewhere between the flamboyant designe»»»
Two trucks overturn on Naryn—Torugart road - | 24.KG
An accident involving two trucks occurred on Naryn — Torugart road. Footage released by eyewitnesses shows both trucks overturned, with their cargo scattered across the roadway. Judging by the footage, part of the road was littered with boxes and other goods that fell from the trucks after the acci»»»
Brazil Supreme Court Eduardo Bolsonaro over US sanctions push
Brazil's Supreme Court on Tuesday sentenced Eduardo Bolsonaro in absentia to four years and two months in prison for seeking US sanctions against Brazil during his father's coup trial. Prosecutors said he threatened judicial authorities by lobbying for sanctions if proceedings against former presid»»»
Kerala expats bag Dh25,000 each in Big Ticket’s first June e-draw
Dubai: Four Kerala expatriates have won Dh25,000 each in Big Ticket’s first weekly e-draw for June, turning ordinary days into memorable moments with a single phone call. The winners have all described feelings of disbelief and excitement after learning they had struck lucky. Get updated faster and»»»
Iran says the deal to end the war with the US requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon
DUBAI: Iran’s top diplomat said Tuesday that the tentative deal to end the war with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon — a condition Israel has already rejected and that could sink the agreement, leading to the resumption of all-out war. The deal, which is between the U»»»
Trump-backed Mike Collins wins Georgia Senate GOP runoff - UPI.com
Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, seen here at the "Justice for J6" rally in September 2021, won the state's GOP Senate primary runoff on Tuesday night. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo June 17 (UPI) -- Rep. Mike Collins was projected Tuesday night to win Georgia's Republican Senate primar»»»
Putin hosts ASEAN leaders amid G7 pressure on Ukraine war
KAZAN: President Vladimir Putin hosts a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in the central Russian city of Kazan from Wednesday, as the West pressures Moscow to end its Ukraine offensive. Putin has sought to deepen political and economic ties with Asia during Moscow’s more than four-year full-scale o»»»
Arab teams at 2026 World Cup: Norway’s Haaland sparkles on World Cup debut with two goals for 4-1 victory over Iraq
Norway’s prolific striker Erling Haaland bagged two goals in his maiden World Cup appearance on Tuesday to guide his team to an opening 4-1 Group I victory over Iraq, and put down a marker for the tournament. The 25-year-old, one of the most exciting forward in world football, was in the spotlight»»»
Iranian tankers exit US blockade zone ahead of peace talks
TEHRAN: The first tankers carrying Iranian oil exited a US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a tracking website said on Wednesday, two days before Washington and Tehran launch talks on an agreed peace deal still scant on details — including Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. The t»»»
Government rejects ownership of 1956 legacy
“We do not want to appropriate, possess or claim as our own either the history of 1956 or that of 1989,” Prime Minister Péter Magyar said in Parliament on Tuesday before the day’s agenda. In his address, the prime minister stressed that they did not want to “decide who the real participants of 1956»»»
Fuel prices may fall below protected cap this week
Due to the decline in global oil prices and the strengthening of the forint, petrol and diesel prices at filling stations may fall below the protected price as early as this week, Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday. As a result of developments in international oil»»»
Haaland brace on World Cup finals debut sets Norway up for victory over gallant Iraq
RIYADH: They have been labeled the dark horses of the 2026 World Cup, but even though Norway ultimately secured a 4-1 victory in their first appearance at the finals in 28 years, they were pushed hard by a dangerous-looking Iraqi side that stole the show for much of the first half. Along the way, E»»»
Insurer paid 86 workers. Dubai Court says employer must foot the bill
Dubai: A Dubai court has ordered a company to repay Dh1.38 million to an insurance provider after the insurer paid the outstanding labour entitlements of 86 workers on the company's behalf under the UAE's workers' insurance scheme. The court also ordered the company to pay legal interest at 5 per c»»»
Pizza Hut sold in $2.7 billion deal, with Yum China and LongRange Capital taking over as fast-food giant exits amid industry and consumer pressures
Yum Brands said on Tuesday it would sell Pizza Hut for $2.7 billion, marking the end of its ownership of the pizza chain as the fast-food industry grapples with intense competition and weaker consumer spending. Under the deal, Yum China Holdings will acquire Pizza Hut's mainland China operations fo»»»