Lebanon, Israel reportedly agree on 'pilot zones', ceasefire extension
Lebanon and Israel have agreed to extend the ceasefire after concluding a second day of direct negotiations in Washington, sources told Al-Arabiya on Wednesday. "An agreement has been reached on creating military 'pilot zones' in south Lebanon," the sources added, referring to south Lebanon areas f»»»
Colombia's left-wing candidate Cepeda concedes to De la Espriella in presidential election
Colombia's left-wing candidate Ivan Cepeda on Wednesday conceded electoral defeat to right-wing rival Abelardo de la Espriella after Sunday's second-round presidential vote. Progressive candidate Ivan Cepeda on Wednesday conceded Colombia’s presidential election to Abelardo de la Espriella, a»»»
Was JD Vance snubbed by Qatar's prime minister?
A video clip filmed during the US-Iran talks in Switzerland has been circulating on social media, sparking claims that the US vice president was snubbed by Qatar's prime minister. However, the footage does not tell the whole story. “This is BRUTAL. Vance flew to Geneva for the Iran talks and the Qa»»»
Unconvincing Uruguay seek first win against revitalized Spain
WASHINGTON: Uruguay arrive at Friday’s Group H meeting with Spain in urgent need of a first World Cup win after two draws turned a promising start into a precarious path to the knockout rounds. La Celeste, world champions in 1930 and 1950, have two points from two matches after drawing 1-1 with Sa»»»
Germany scraps von der Leyen’s F126 frigate project
Germany has pulled the plug on its largest naval shipbuilding project since the end of WWII, scrapping plans for a fleet of six F126 frigates first ordered under then-Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen. The plans to axe the project were first reported by Der Spiegel on Tuesday, which said the pr»»»
Lithuanian PM steps down as coalition prepares new government
Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene formally resigned on June 23, bringing an end to her Social Democrat-led administration as the country's ruling coalition prepares to install a new government, a government statement said. Lithuania’s ruling Social Democrats has formed a new government after»»»
Bulgaria to Assemble Chinese EVs for EU Market in Lovech AreaOpinions
Bulgaria is preparing to restart passenger car manufacturing, with plans for the country to become the exclusive EU production hub for the upcoming GWM Ora 5, an electric model from Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors. The assembly line will be located in Bahovitsa, near Lovech, a site previously u»»»
While Europe Faces a Housing Crunch, Bulgaria Stands Out for Making Better Use of Living SpaceOpinions
Bulgaria is among the European countries where residential space is used most efficiently, according to recent Eurostat data. While many parts of Europe face growing pressure from housing shortages and rising affordability concerns, Bulgaria reports one of the lowest rates of housing underutilizati»»»
Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor funded by Russian Abramovich, key to Kremlin's sanctions-evasion network
Moldovan fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor has become one of the Kremlin's most important unofficial operatives in Moldova’s domestic politics. He is funded by some of Russia’s richest oligarchs, close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and is helping Russia circumvent the extreme sanctions regime, fin»»»
India’s Russian crude imports hit record level
First and foremost, energy security for India trumps any claims on sanctions the US throws at New Delhi, and Russia for now is a key crude supplier to the subcontinent. What: India is set to post record levels of Russian crude imports in June. Why: Out of options with the Strait of Hormuz ef»»»
Global growth to stabilise in 3Q26 as Iran ceasefire eases energy shock - Erste Bank
A framework agreement between Washington and Tehran has already pulled oil prices lower, but Erste Group's quarterly outlook warns the inflationary scar tissue from the conflict will outlast the crisis itself across the eurozone, the US and emerging markets alike. The third quarter of 2026 looks se»»»
Ukraine, Europe and Global Security - Lavrov
Below is the text of an article by Russia’s veteran Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that was originally planned to be published in the Brussels-based Politico-Europe outlet, but according to reports was pulled at the last minute by editors. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently publis»»»
Bulgaria reaches limit on military aid to Ukraine, PM says
Bulgaria will continue to support Ukraine but has halted further military donations from its armed forces after reaching the limits of its capacity, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on June 23. In a response to a parliamentary question, Radev said the decision reflects the need to preserve Bulgaria’»»»
TIIF 2026: Uzbekistan sees tourism as next engine of growth as it seeks to become Central Asia's travel hub
The great cities of the Silk Road have captivated travellers’ imaginations for centuries. Today, however, Uzbekistan is pursuing a far more ambitious goal than simply preserving its tremendous historic heritage. Backed by billions of dollars of investment, sweeping visa reforms and a drive to turn »»»
Where We Are Going Today: Shrq Coffee Roasters
On the east coast and want a shaded cafe that will brighten your day? Shrq Coffee Roasters have you covered. Derived from the Arabic word for “east,” this Eastern Province staple — now a local chain with branches scattered all around the coast — rose in 2020. They offer the east side the best sides»»»
Just 1 in 4 Americans believes Iran war was worth its costs, poll finds
WASHINGTON: Just one in four Americans believes the war with Iran was worth its costs and a majority worry that a truce with Tehran is unlikely to last, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. The five-day poll, which closed on Monday, also showed the war weighing heavily on President Donald Trump’s popularity»»»
Western Europe bakes under a ‘heat dome’
LONDON: Much of western Europe baked under a “heat dome” Wednesday as temperatures soared toward 40 degrees Celsius in places, and weather agencies warned that the extreme conditions could endanger lives across countries, many of which have limited air conditioning. France recorded its hottest-ever»»»
Two-goal Ronaldo delights in silencing critics after ‘attacks’
HOUSTON: Cristiano Ronaldo declared “I’m back” and said those “attacking” him should never write him off after making World Cup history in a 5-0 hammering of Uzbekistan on Tuesday in Houston. The 41-year-old, under pressure to deliver after a barren recent run at major tournaments, pounced after si»»»
A giraffe named Gracie escaped in Texas and no one can seem to find her
TEXAS, USA: A giraffe named Gracie is missing in Texas, and the search for her has become a tall order. Gracie, who is about 3 years old, has been missing for nearly two weeks after escaping her enclosure at Cedar Hollow Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, said Vic Jones, who owns the remote property »»»
Judge blocks subpoena for medical records of transgender kids in N.Y. - UPI.com
Participants march down Fifth Avenue at the 2025 New York City Gay Pride Parade. Wednesday, a judge in New York blocked a Department of Justice subpoena for medical records of transgender children. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo June 24 (UPI) -- A federal judge in New York on Wednesd»»»
Israeli military: Dozens of Hezbollah fighters trapped in underground complex - UPI.com
Smoke rises in late May as a result of an Israeli strike in the south of Lebanon as seen from the Israeli side of the border in the Upper Galilee, Israel. The Israeli military says it has trapped dozens of Hezbollah fighters in an underground complex in southern Lebanon. Photo by Atef Safadi/EPA Ju»»»
Curacao and Cote d'Ivoire face crucial Group E decider
DOHA: Curacao and Cote d'Ivoire will battle for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stages when they meet in their final Group E fixture at Philadelphia Stadium on Thursday. The match, scheduled for 11:00pm (Qatar time), could prove decisive in determining which teams advance from a competi»»»
Peru’s most polarizing dynasty is back at the gates of power
A long road to powerThe 2026 presidential campaign in Peru could finally bring victory to Keiko Fujimori, daughter of Alberto Fujimori, the country’s former president (1990-2000) and leader of the Popular Force party. In Peru, opinions about Alberto Fujimori are highly divided: Some call him a hard»»»
Sofa ve Miras: How Hatay is turning gastronomy into a symbol of recovery after the 2023 earthquakes - photos
Three years after one of the worst natural disasters in modern Turkish history, Hatay is once again inviting the world to its table. Daily News Hungary was among a group of international journalists, content creators and experts invited to attend the second edition of Sofa ve Miras (“Table and Heri»»»
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha seeks new club after World Cup stardom, doesn’t rule out Brazil move
Vozinha, one of the sensations of the World Cup, is looking for a new club. And the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper hasn’t ruled out playing in Brazil, where fans helped him reach immediate stardom on social media. Vozinha said in an interview with Brazilian journalist and influencer Daniel Braun»»»
'Summer triangle' rises in the night sky, and a telescope reveals 4 nearby objects - UPI.com
Summertime stargazers have a new celestial gathering to look for in the night sky, along with a reason to dust off their telescopes. The Summer Triangle is now visible in the eastern sky after nightfall. It is not a constellation, but rather a formation of three bright stars: Vega, Altair and Deneb»»»
Finance Ministry Releases Updated Medium-Term Budget Forecast for 2026-2028 Period
Bulgaria's Ministry of Finance on Wednesday published on its official website an updated medium-term budget forecast for the 2026-2028 period, which is presented as an explanatory report reasoning the 2026 State Budget Bill. The three-year budget framework takes into account the European Commission»»»
Germany’s rail system recovers from nationwide outage - UPI.com
A passenger walks on a railway platform in 2018 in Frankfort, Germany. The country's railway system is recovering after a nationwide outage late Tuesday that left travelers stranded for hours. Photo by Armando Babani/EPA-EFE June 24 (UPI) -- Deutsche Bahn, Germany's government-owned rail system ope»»»
LIVE MATCH: Qatar vs Bosnia and Herzogovina (FIFA World Cup 2026)
Doha: Al Annabi will take the pitch at 22:00pm local Doha time for their final group stage match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Bosnia and Herzogovina tonight. Coach Julen Lopetegui has called on his players to embrace one final opportunity and fight for Qatar’s World Cup dream as Al Annabi mee»»»
Watch: Iconic Big Banana Car pulled over by Montana Highway Patrol - UPI.com
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Montana Highway Patrol (@montana_highway_patrol) June 24 (UPI) -- The Montana Highway Patrol shared a photo from an interstate traffic stop involving an unusual vehicle: a car modeled after a banana. The MHP posted a photo to social media showing the fru»»»
US promises to protect Gulf states' interests in Iran talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised the United States' Gulf allies that Washington would protect their interests as it seeks to hammer out a final settlement of the Middle East war in talks with Iran. Rubio was on a regional tour to reassure the Gulf states, which were targeted by Tehran's miss»»»
Egypt, Iran face crunch World Cup game in shadow of geopolitics
SEATTLE, USA: Egypt and Iran both go into their final group game on Friday with good chances of progress, but geopolitical tensions between Iran and co-hosts the United States loom large over the match. A first World Cup win for seven-times African champions Egypt, 92 years after their debut, put t»»»
German rail service resumes after nationwide breakdown
BusinessGermanyGerman rail service resumes after nationwide breakdownWesley Rahn | Roshni Majumdar | Wesley Dockery with Reuters, AFP, AP, dpaGerman rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, said a communications system glitch brought nearly the entire network to a standstill for two hours. https://p.dw.com/p/»»»
Pakistan, Iran & the Gulf — a New Islamic Military Alliance Taking Shape?
During his visit to Islamabad, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged the Islamic world to “form a united front against their enemies." This call builds on previous proposals by Pakistan to establish a “NATO-style alliance” for Muslim-majority states:September 2025 — after Israeli strikes on Qat»»»
U.S. airstrike kills senior ISIS leader in Syria - UPI.com
June 24 (UPI) -- A U.S. airstrike launched last week in northwest Syria killed a senior Islamic State leader, U.S. military officials announced Wednesday. U.S. Central Command said the Friday attack killed Ali Husayn al-Ulaywi as "part of ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt and eliminate terrorists see»»»
France suffers power outages, drownings in historic heat wave - UPI.com
A young man jumps from a bridge to cool off in the Canal Saint-Martin, in Paris, France, Saturday. An intense heatwave is gripping Western and Central Europe, breaking records around the continent. Photo by Yoan Valat/EPA June 24 (UPI) -- Massive power outages have put extra strain on France during»»»
Anwar Gargash highlights strength of UAE-US strategic partnership after Marco Rubio's visit
Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, said the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the depth of the strategic partnership between the UAE and the US, describing ties between the two countries as steadily evolving amid regional and international devel»»»
4 Things Dr. Barbara L Robinson Says Business Leaders Should Learn From Healthcare Teams About Making Faster Decisions
Speed matters in both healthcare and business, but acting quickly without sacrificing quality can be difficult. According to Dr. Barbara L Robinson, healthcare teams often make critical decisions under pressure while balancing patient safety, limited resources, and constantly changing information. »»»
19 BJP councillors retake oath after Kerala High Court cancels earlier swearing-in
Following a Kerala High Court order invalidating their earlier oath, 19 BJP councillors of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation were sworn in again on Wednesday, setting off another political confrontation in the state capital. The oath was administered by Mayor VV Rajesh at a special ceremony held a»»»
E-commerce Fraud: The Schemes and How to Stop Them
A chargeback lands on a Tuesday morning for an order that shipped weeks ago. The customer got the package, signed for it, and then told their bank they never authorized the charge. You eat the cost of the goods, the shipping, and a chargeback fee on top. Multiply that by a few hundred a month and y»»»
Driver killed in UK train collision passed red signal: investigators
London: A UK train driver killed in a collision between two trains went past a red stop signal and braked only seconds before the crash, British rail investigators said Wednesday. A London-bound electric train crashed into another that was stationary on the same track on Friday, wounding over 100 p»»»
Where CEE Capital Is Going in 2026: The Case for Dubai’s Villa Segment
Capital allocators across Central and Eastern Europe spent the back half of 2025 doing the same thing their Western peers were doing: asking where private wealth can sit in a way that is liquid, lightly taxed, and insulated from the policy risk that has unsettled several European markets. For a gro»»»
EC: the Hungarian euro is far away, but there is hope
During the election campaign, Péter Magyar pledged that, if victorious, he would do everything in his power to bring about the introduction of the Hungarian euro. After forming a government, he went further, naming 2030 as a target date. For now, however, only the Czech Republic and Sweden appear t»»»
Iraq and Senegal meet in last-chance saloon
TORONTO: Senegal were touted as a team with potential to go far at the World Cup, but successive defeats have them teetering on the brink of elimination and they need a comprehensive win over Iraq on Friday. For Iraq, it is a similar predicament as they have also lost their opening two Group I game»»»
Over 150 baby deaths linked to UK maternity scandal: probe
LONDON: More than 500 mothers and babies suffered potentially avoidable harm or died due to poor care at a UK hospital, according to a damning report published Wednesday, in the country’s latest maternity scandal. At least 156 cases involved the death of babies and six mothers also died at two unit»»»
BRDG3 Capital launches an investment platform to connect UK capital with opportunities in CEE
BRDG3 Capital (“BRDG3”), a new multi-vertical investment platform, today announces its public launch. The company was established to address one of the most persistent gaps in the European investment landscape: the disconnect between world-class opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe and the g»»»
Democratic Bulgaria Warns 5.7% Budget Deficit Draws Comparisons to Zhan Videnov Government
Progressive Bulgaria is proposing a record budget deficit, comparable to that under the administration of former prime minister Zhan Videnov (1995-1997), said Democratic Bulgaria (DB) MP Martin Dimitrov, quoted by the coalition's press centre on wednesday. The comments came after the Finance Minist»»»
Olympic athletes to get cash grants from new $100M fund created by IOC
LAUSANNE, Switzerland: It’s not Olympic prize money officially, but it is a significant amount of cash going directly to athletes after a Summer or Winter Games. The International Olympic Committee pledged Wednesday to pay more than $100 million to athletes through 2028 by creating a fund for $10,0»»»
A Serbian town is known for raspberries that are exported around the world
ARILJE, Serbia: Serbia ‘s town of Arilje is known as the Balkan country’s “raspberry capital,” with its fame reaching beyond borders. Arilje and its surroundings yield berries that are exported as far as the United States and Japan. Serbia is among the top three exporters of raspberries globally. “»»»
Rama Meets New Turkish Ambassador, Reaffirms Commitment to Strong Bilateral Ties
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama met with Turkey’s newly appointed ambassador to Albania, Baris Ceyhun Erciyes, on Wednesday, reaffirming the close relationship between the two countries and their commitment to expanding cooperation. Rama announced the meeting in a post on the social media platform»»»