Hegseth announces new policy to test US troops for low testosterone
WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that he is rolling out a new screening program for “testosterone deficiency” among troops, calling it necessary to allow them to operate at their “absolute best.” The screenings will be conducted annually as part of service members’ req»»»
More than half of House Democrats vote to cut Israel aid in growing split
WASHINGTON: More than half the House Democrats voted Wednesday to strip $3.3 billion in US aid from Israel, the most substantial signal yet that once rock-solid bipartisan support for the country is disintegrating in the aftermath of its war in Gaza that has killed thousands of Palestinians.The vot»»»
Terrorists Despair makes us stronger
By Mahmoud fouda Tarik Bin Ziyad is one of the most admired leaders and heroes of the Arab world, the rock of Gibraltar was named after him (Jabal Tarek). Some say that he had all the ships burned so that his soldiers literally had two options. Either they fought for life against their enemy, or th»»»
Kuwait has launched a 15-year Golden Residency – Here's who can get it
Dubai: In June, Kuwait introduced a new 15-year Golden Residency Permit designed to attract foreign investment and strengthen the country's position as a regional business and investment hub. The programme represents one of the latest initiatives by GCC countries to attract and retain high-value in»»»
Iranian attacks target Bahrain and Kuwait as US intensifies airstrikes on Iran
DUBAI: Iranian attacks targeted Bahrain and Kuwait early Thursday after the US reimposed a naval blockade on Iran and intensified its airstrike campaign in retaliation for Tehran’s attacks on ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The American strikes hit an Iranian army barracks, kille»»»
United States launches fifth straight day of Iran strikes - UPI.com
US President Donald Trump is shown Tuesday in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. The United States military struck Iran for the fifth straight day Wednesday, with Trump saying Iran's leaders "better behave." Photo by Graeme Sloan/UPI | License Photo July 15 (UPI) -- The United S»»»
UN diplomats trade cables for footballs as Argentina take on England in World Cup
NEW YORK CITY: For one afternoon, the corridors of the UN traded the vocabulary of resolutions and official statements for the international language of football. The World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England was showing on two large screens in the delegates lounge on Wednesday, distracting»»»
EU and UK should accept their roles as US ‘vassals,’ Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev says
The EU and UK should abandon their ambitions to act as independent “middle powers” and accept their role as “vassals” under the US, Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev has said. Dmitriev made the remarks on X on Wednesday while commenting on a series of posts by US Under Secretary of War for»»»
House defeats cut to Israel military aid despite large Democrat support - UPI.com
The U.S. Capitol Building is shown Monday. On Wednesday, more than 100 Democrats in the House of Representatives voted for an unsuccessful measure to cut billions in military aid to Israel. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday vote»»»
Father Amir transformed Qatar into a global success story, say prominent int’l journalists
Khaled Al Hameidi Doha The passing of the Father Amir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has inspired an extraordinary wave of reflection across the Arab world and beyond, as political observers, diplomats, journalists, and academics revisit the remarkable transformation that unfolded under his l»»»
Global voices hail Father Amir’s legacy in shaping modern Qatar
Arab and international media figures, academics and political commentators have paid tribute to the late HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, praising his transformative leadership that reshaped Qatar into a modern, influential nation with a prominent role in regional and internati»»»
Lebanese officials pay rich tribute to Father Amir, praise his mediation roles
QNA Beirut Lebanese political figures have praised the legacy of HH the Late Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, describing his leadership as instrumental in elevating Qatar’s regional and international standing while underscoring his longstanding support for Lebanon during pivotal momen»»»
Difaf programme on Alaraby 2 dedicates special episode to HH Father Amir
Tribune News Network Doha A special episode of the Difaf programme on Alaraby 2, was dedicated to reflecting on the legacy and vision of the late Father Amir, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani while also covering the heartfelt public response to this profound loss due to his passing away. “In ho»»»
Human rights groups sue over Trump administration’s sanctions on ICC for investigations into Israel
WASHINGTON: Two human rights groups say Trump administration sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court over its investigations of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza have illegally impeded their ability to advocate for Palestinians. The organizations say in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that»»»
ICE should keep making traffic stops despite recent shootings, Trump says
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump wants Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to keep pulling over vehicles, signaling his opposition Wednesday to plans announced just a day earlier to suspend most traffic stops following another string of fatal shootings. It’s not clear whether ICE will qu»»»
How Saudi Arabia is promoting the waqf to help finance global development
NEW YORK CITY: As governments scramble to close a multitrillion-dollar funding gap threatening the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Saudi Arabia is promoting a solution rooted not in modern finance but in a 1,400-year-old Islamic tradition. Presenting its third Voluntary National Review at the U»»»
Egypt pledges to resolve operational hurdles for French firms to spur $1.56bn investment portfolio
Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid has pledged to streamline regulations and resolve operational hurdles for French businesses during a meeting with the heads of 22 major French companies to discuss expansion plans and boost exports. The meeting, attended by French Amba»»»
UAE pushes stronger women's partnerships at BRICS meetings in India
The UAE, represented by the UAE Gender Balance Council, participated in the BRICS Women Working Group Meeting and BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting held from July 6 to 9 in Kochi, Kerala, India, as part of India's 2026 BRICS presidency. The meetings brought together ministers and officials responsibl»»»
Israel approves new West Bank settlement expansion
Israel has approved more than $400 million to establish dozens of new settlements in the occupied West Bank, despite international condemnation of what critics describe as the de facto annexation of Palestinian territory. The West Bank, which was captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, is home »»»
ASE recovery lifts market capitalisation to record JD30.5b — JEF
AMMAN — Jordan's capital market is undergoing a significant recovery, driven by higher market capitalisation, stronger liquidity, increased trading activity and rising stock indices, according to a report by the Jordan Economic Forum (JEF).The report "Amman Stock Exchange: Market Transformations, G»»»
Lebanon, Israel conclude 'productive' talks in Rome - UPI.com
Pilot zones, which would allow displaced residents to return and reconstruction to begin, have yet to be finalized. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said efforts are underway to end the war with Israel, secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces and deploy the Lebanese Army along the country's southern »»»
Rep. Ilhan Omar introduces resolution urging U.S. to join International Criminal Court - UPI.com
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn,, speaks during a press conference with other Minnesota representatives ahead of President Donald Trump's 2026 State of the Union address in February at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Omar introduced a resolution Wednesday urging the United States to join the Internati»»»
Down to Earth - Meet the millionaires investing in nature conservation
In France, a handful of wealthy entrepreneurs are buying up hundreds of hectares of land with the goal of letting nature reclaim its rightful place. Among them is Rodolphe Landemaine, an artisan baker at the helm of 30 bakeries in France and Japan. He routinely opens the doors to his Normandy »»»
Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant Chief Engineer Killed in Ukrainian Drone Attack
Zaporozhye power plant chief engineer Alexander Yakovlev and his driver were killed when a Ukrainian drone hit their car in a terrorist attack, Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev said. Likhachev said Yakovlev devoted his life to nuclear energy and “died at his post.”Russian political leaders have been in»»»
Two rights watchdogs say US-imposed ICC sanctions stymied their bid to defend Palestinians
Washington: The Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) and the Taxpayer Alliance Against Genocide, stated Wednesday that the sanctions imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump on the International Criminal Court (ICC) had stymied their ability to defend Palestinian rights. In a l»»»
Kuwait Airways operates 1st flights to Damascus in 14 years
LONDON: Kuwait Airways on Wednesday operated the first direct flights between Damascus and Kuwait City in 14 years. It follows the first flight to Syria by Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways, which landed in late June at Aleppo International, the country’s second-largest airport after Damascus. The Civil Avi»»»
Christians in Iran continue to face arrest, detention and ill-treatment, UN experts warn
NEW YORK CITY: UN human rights experts on Wednesday condemned Iranian authorities for confiscating the St. Peter Evangelical Church compound in Tehran and evicting 27 members of the country’s recognized Armenian and Assyrian Christian minorities who lived there. The experts said 20 families, most o»»»
Egypt bourse opens in green
BY: Ahmad Abu el-Hamd The Egyptian Exchange (EGX) opened Monday’s trading on a positive note, backed by purchases by foreign and Arab traders. The benchmark MSM30 index levelled up 0.09% or 11.86 points to the level of 12,985.15 points, the EGX70 index advanced 2.78% to 517.49 points and the EGX100»»»
Pakistani cricket stars hail Kingdom’s plans for international stadium in Jeddah
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Pakistani cricket stars have welcomed Saudi Arabia’s plans to build an international-standard cricket stadium in Jeddah, describing the project as a milestone that could accelerate the game’s growth in the Kingdom and across the wider Gulf. The Pakistan Cricket Board and the Saud»»»
‘There is no one quite like him’: How a Lebanese coach helped shape Erling Haaland into a global football star
BEIRUT: Erling Braut Haaland, the 25-year-old Norwegian football star, returned home from the US with seven World Cup goals, a stuffed raccoon, two stuffed squirrels, a cowboy hat and even more global fame, earned through his phenomenal scoring ability, immense physical strength and exceptional spe»»»
UK charities urge new PM to take action over Gaza, West Bank
LONDON: A coalition of 17 UK charities and advocacy groups has called on Andy Burnham, Britain’s incoming prime minister, to take what it described as urgent action over the war in Gaza and the situation in the occupied West Bank, saying the government must do more to uphold international law and p»»»
"You remain our inspiration": Dubai's leaders unite to honour Sheikh Mohammed at 77
Dubai: Tributes poured in from across Dubai's leadership on Wednesday as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, turned 77, with senior officials praising his visionary leadership, enduring legacy and transformative impact on the emirat»»»
Two Saudi feature film projects take part in Sud Ecriture International Workshop N°44
DUBAI: Two Saudi feature film projects have been selected for the 44th Sud Ecriture International Workshop in partnership with the Red Sea Fund. The script development program supports emerging filmmakers from Africa and the Arab world as they develop their first or second feature films. Since its »»»
Senior Daesh security leader in Syria lived ‘semi-permanently’ in Lebanon
BEIRUT: A senior Daesh security official arrested in Lebanon had been living in the country on a “semi-permanent” basis, Lebanese judicial sources said Tuesday. Investigators suspect he served as the group’s general security emir for its self-proclaimed Southern and Central provinces in Syria. Leba»»»
Nonprofits sue Trump administration over ICC sanctions - UPI.com
Two U.S. based nonprofit organizations filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Wednesday over its sanctions against the International Criminal Court. File Pool Photo by Ronen Zvulun/UPI | License Photo July 15 (UPI) -- Two U.S. based nonprofit organizations filed a lawsuit against the T»»»
HH the Amir meets UAE President
Doha: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met on Wednesday at Lusail Palace with President of the United Arab Emirates HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his accompanying delegation, who offered condolences on the passing of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The r»»»
Dubai Basketball signs American forward Jason Blossomgame from AS Monaco
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball has reached an agreement to sign American forward Jaron Blossomgame on a two-year deal. Blossomgame joins from AS Monaco, where he spent the last four seasons (2022–2026), adding further experience and versatility to Dubai Basketball’s roster ahead of the 2026-27 season. The»»»
UAE launches Global Youth Water Envoys Programme, opens applications worldwide
The UAE has launched the Global Youth Water Envoys Programme, opening applications for young leaders worldwide to help shape international water policy ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. The initiative was unveiled during the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New »»»
War vs diplomacy: What Gulf states got right that Washington didn’t
Dubai: As the US-Iran conflict entered its fifth month with no clear end in sight, one theme has become increasingly apparent: Many of the priorities repeatedly emphasised by Gulf states have proved more durable than several early assumptions made in Washington. While US President Donald Trump and »»»
Syria arrests Assad-era chemical weapons chief over sarin attacks
LONDON: Syrian authorities arrested Ahmad Habib Ali, a former colonel in the Bashar Assad regime, for his involvement in sarin gas attacks between 2013 and 2017 during the country’s civil war. The Interior Ministry said that Ali oversaw the production and storage of chemical weapons, including sari»»»
UAE president arrives in Doha
DOHA: President of the United Arab Emirates HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Doha on Wednesday to offer condolences on the passing of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. His Highness and the accompanying delegation were received upon arrival at Hamad International »»»
Ras Al Khaimah Ruler visits Doha to offer condolences to Qatar's Emir following the death of Father Emir Sheikh Hamad
Doha: His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, on Sunday offered his condolences to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, following the death of Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Sheikh Saud was accompanied by Sheikh Moh»»»
Parliament Denounces Energy Charter Treaty
The Bulgarian Parliament adopted in a single sitting, at both first and second readings, a bill to denounce the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and the Protocol on Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects, which were signed in Lisbon on December 17, 1994. The bill, submitted by the Council o»»»
Saudi mango farm cuts irrigation by 50 percent with AI tech
JEDDAH: Nestled among green valleys and terraced hillsides in the mountains of southern Saudi Arabia, Haswa Mango Farm is using artificial intelligence and smart agricultural tools to improve crop quality, conserve water and increase production. Located in the village of Hiswah, about an 80-minute »»»
US reports 'wave of strikes' on Iran as war returns
The United States launched a wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, after it reimposed a naval blockade in a return to war between the two foes. Nearly a month after they signed a memorandum of understanding towards ending the Middle East war, the two sides resumed fighting with strikes on targ»»»
Israeli NGO slams investment plan for West Bank settlements
An Israeli NGO on Wednesday condemned a government plan to invest around $2.7 billion in infrastructure and thousands of new residential units across several settlements in the occupied West Bank. Since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office in 2022, his government has rapidly expanded settl»»»
KSrelief, UK back $10m food security project in Yemen
RIYADH: Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the supervisor general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, has signed a cooperation agreement to support vulnerable groups in Yemeni governorates and help strengthen their resilience, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The agreement was signed with Carl Skau, acting exe»»»
UAE strongly condemns fresh Iran strikes on Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the renewed hostile attacks by Iran targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with missiles and drones. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that thes»»»
Syrian transport minister chairs regional ESCWA talks on supply chain resilience
Damascus, July 15 (SANA) Syrian Transport Minister Yarub Badr chaired a regional meeting organized by the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) on Wednesday to advance recommendations aimed at strengthening transport networks and supply chain resilience amid disruptions in th»»»
India-UK free trade deal takes effect with $100bn target by 2030
NEW DELHI: A comprehensive trade agreement between India and the UK took effect on Wednesday, slashing tariffs on 99 percent of Indian exports and creating new opportunities for labor-intensive sectors in the world’s most populous country. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement was»»»