Inside Saudi Arabia’s female economic revolution: leadership, innovation, and SME dominance
RIYADH: Saudi women are driving one of the most striking transformations in the Kingdom’s modern history, with female labor force participation surging from around 23 percent in 2016 to over 34 percent today, and women now owning nearly 45 percent of small and medium-sized enterprises, experts told»»»
Inside the US plan to end the Israel-Lebanon conflict
Washington: Washington on Friday released text of a trilateral framework between Israel, Lebanon and the United States aimed at ending hostilities that have been a violent second front of the Middle East war. The following are highlights of the 14-point agreement signed in the US capital: 'Lasting »»»
Egypt reach World Cup knockouts but dramatic draw with Iran denies them group top spot
DUBAI: Egypt has become the second Arab team to progress to the Round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup following their 1-1 draw with Iran at Seattle Stadium. The result, coupled with Belgium’s 5-1 win over New Zealand, left Egypt second in Group G with five points while Iran finished third with three po»»»
‘An honor’ — eliminated Jordan hope to end on a high note against Argentina
DALLAS: With their debut World Cup all but over, Jordan have nothing to lose when they face Argentina in their final group match in Texas today. Defeats by Austria and Algeria mean Jamal Sellami’s team cannot progress to the Round of 32, but midfielder Amer Jamous insists Al-Nashama have no intenti»»»
Egypt to assess Salah after he asked to be substituted, says coach
SEATTLE: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said Mohamed Salah would be assessed after the captain asked to be substituted during Friday’s 1-1 World Cup draw with Iran, leaving his fitness uncertain ahead of the knockout phaseSalah appeared visibly frustrated as he was replaced 12 minutes into the second »»»
England, Portugal eye top spots as World Cup group stages wrap up
LOS ANGELES: England and Portugal will aim to finish on a high as the World Cup group stages draw to a close on Saturday with the final places in the knockout rounds up for grabs. Both nations have been inconsistent in the opening rounds of the tournament, alternating between labored performances a»»»
Protests in Beirut as Lebanese Gov’t Signs Framework Agreement with ‘Israel’
Representatives of the political authority in Lebanon have reached a US-brokered deal with the Israeli enemy on late on Friday, sparking protests across Beirut and its southern suburb, Dahiyeh. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that a preliminary framework has been agreed upon b»»»
Why Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen is one of Europe’s most influential leaders
First published in Respekt. A portrait of the Danish prime minister who has found an unusual recipe for keeping her country on a liberal course. When, around the turn of the year, Politico drew up a ranking of politicians who would have the greatest impact on events in Europe this year, the podium »»»
Misr El-Gedida for Housing concludes designs for EGP 5B integrated project Arab Finance For Information Technology
Arab Finance: Misr El-Gedida for Housing and Development completed the designs for an integrated entertainment, commercial, and hospitality destination in New Heliopolis City, Sameh El-Sayed, the group’s Managing Director and CEO, announced. Spanning an area of 75 feddans, the development is design»»»
Decision Makers Conference examines Egypt's investment outlook amid global economic shifts Arab Finance For Information Technology
Arab Finance: The eighth edition of the Decision Makers conference, held at the Grand Egyptian Museum under the theme “Investment, Real Estate, and Tourism: Egypt’s Economic Growth Triangle 2026,” examined the impact of global economic and geopolitical developments on the investment landscape, with»»»
The World Cup and the meteoric rise of sports betting
From the moment the referee blew the opening whistle of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the players were not the only ones competing. During the 39-day competition, billions of dollars will be wagered across smartphone apps, betting platforms, and data centres scattered across the globe. In London, a fan »»»
The G7 grapples with the politics of AI access
The G7 summit held in the French town of Évian-les-Bains was far more than another routine gathering of the leaders of the West’s major economies. It offered a glimpse of how artificial intelligence is reshaping power itself, bringing the executives of the companies building the world’s most advanc»»»
Egypt dominates in Global Startup Awards’ NA edition
With the highest number of total winners, Egyptian startups and influential figures secured 11 wins at this year’s North African portion of the Global Startup Awards (GSA). These startups will compete at the regional level with African finalists to be crowned in October at the GSA Africa Summit in »»»
Why Syrian action against Hezbollah is unlikely
When Hezbollah began attacking Israel on 2 March shortly after Israeli and American bombers killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Israel hit back. Their sparring, which has continued ever since, is nothing new—the pair are sworn enemies who have fought several wars in recent decades. What was »»»
Arab teams at World Cup 2026: Saudi Arabia and Iraq knocked out after last game in the group stage
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia exited the World Cup at the group stage for the third tournament in a row, after a goalless draw with Cabo Verde at Houston Stadium on Friday. Cape Verde (0-0-3, 3 points) are now the smallest nation ever to reach the second phase, finishing second in the group above Saudi Arabi»»»
Startup wrap — Funding and acquisition momentum continues in MENA
RIYADH: Startups across the Middle East and North Africa region secured multiple funding rounds and attracted several notable acquisitions across diverse sectors last week, highlighting the region’s continued appeal to global investors. This momentum builds on a record-breaking 2025, when MENA star»»»
Ready for their close-up: Saudi stars dazzle at opening of 12th Saudi Film Festival
DHAHRAN: Film stars from around the Kingdom dazzled on the red carpet at the opening ceremony for the 12th Saudi Film Festival on Friday night. The longest-running celebration of film in the Kingdom, the festival has since its launch in 2008 become a key showcase and driver of Saudi and Gulf cinem»»»
Open web was never built to become free training data for AI chatbots
The rise of AI chatbots has triggered a technological gold rush unlike anything the internet has seen in decades. Companies are racing to build smarter models, faster assistants, and more human-like conversational systems. Behind that race sits one uncomfortable truth: these systems were built on a»»»
Egypt targets $6B in outsourcing service exports by 2026 Arab Finance For Information Technology
Arab Finance: Egypt is aiming to increase outsourcing service exports from around $5.2 billion to $6 billion by 2026 as part of broader efforts to strengthen its position as a regional and global hub for digital and business services, according to a new analysis issued by the Cabinet's Information »»»
Europe rethinks how it fights war as Russian threat looms
LONDON: European allies need to overhaul their war-fighting capabilities for a new era of combat, senior military officials from the region said, while warning of the potential threat Russia poses. Speaking at a defense conference in London this week, NATO’s deputy supreme allied commander in Eur»»»
Full text of Lebanon-Israel framework agreement
Below is the full text of the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement brokered by the Trump administration as published by Axios journalist Barak Ravid: TRILATERAL FRAMEWORK BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE STATE OF ISRAEL, AND THE REPUBLIC OF LEBANON The Government of Israel and the Government»»»
Lebanon, Israel, US sign trilateral framework agreement in Washington
Lebanon, Israel and the United States on Friday signed a trilateral framework agreement aimed at paving the way for a peace deal between the two long-time Middle East adversaries. The agreement -- which officials said includes a pilot effort in which Lebanese soldiers will take control of two areas»»»
Saudi UN envoy warns external arms suppliers are fueling war in Sudan, rejects parallel rule
NEW YORK CITY: Saudi Arabia’s envoy to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, told the Security Council on Friday that there can be no military solution to the civil war in Sudan. He warned that the continued fighting in the country and arms support provided to the warring factions by other countries were wors»»»
D.C. settles lawsuit over arrest for 'Imperial March' protest - UPI.com
The District of Columbia and ACLU on Friday settled a lawsuit brought by a man who was arrested in September 2025 for protesting the presence of National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., by playing Darth Vader's theme near them. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) »»»
More than a month into DR Congo Ebola outbreak, doctors warn 'this epidemic will last'
While France confirmed its first case of Ebola, reports of people successfully treated for the condition are also emerging from Mongbwalu, the epicentre of the epidemic in the eastern part of the DRC. Although successful treatments are sparking hope among teams on the ground, health professionals r»»»
How Lebanon’s conflict is putting pregnant women and girls at greater risk
NEW YORK CITY: When Anandita Philipose, the UN Population Fund’s representative in Lebanon, visited a Beirut shelter in the first days of the crisis, she met a woman who was heavily pregnant, days from her due date, displaced, and entirely alone in a system she no longer recognized. “She didn’t kno»»»
Humanitarian disaster looms in Sudan as Rapid Support Forces encircle El-Obeid, UN warns
NEW YORK CITY: The escalating conflict in Sudan’s North Kordofan state risks triggering a humanitarian catastrophe on the scale of last year’s siege of El-Fasher. The warning from UN officials to the Security Council on Friday came as drone strikes intensified around the city of El-Obeid, putting a»»»
U.S. grants consular accreditation to Syrian Embassy in Washington
Washington, June 26 (SANA) Syrian Consul Ahmad al-Malati met with officials from the U.S. State Department‘s Bureau of Consular Affairs and Office of the Legal Adviser to discuss the legal and procedural arrangements for resuming consular services, including the authentication and verification of o»»»
Saudi Arabia bets on ‘red gold’ for agricultural growth
MAKKAH: As Saudi Arabia expands saffron cultivation across regions including AlUla, Tabuk and Al-Baha, scientists are exploring ways to improve the productivity and quality of one of the world’s most valuable crops. Prof. Salim Al-Babili, associate vice president for research for plant science at K»»»
Trump accuses Iran of breaking cease-fire with attack on ships - UPI.com
People enjoy the beach at the Strait of Hormuz in the Arabian Sea off Muscat, Oman, in May. President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the cease-fire Friday. File Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has attacked ships in th»»»
Syria’s Agriculture Minister, Egyptian businessman Sawiris discuss investment scopes
Damascus, June 26 (SANA) Syrian Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwaidan met on Friday with Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris to discuss investment opportunities in Syria’s agricultural sector and the incentives available to investors under the new investment law, the ministry said. Al-Suwaidan str»»»
Red Sea Global celebrates latest graduates of vocational training program
JEDDAH: The graduation ceremony of the fourth cohort of Red Sea Global’s Vocational Training Program was held on Thursday, with Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah, in attendance, along with Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Red Sea Glob»»»
Mongolia's risky fuel strategy gamble
In Brief Mongolia’s dependence on Russian fuel gives it short-term supply stability but leaves it structurally exposed. Russia’s temporary petrol export ban spared Mongolia through bilateral arrangements, underscoring the strength of the relationship while revealing the risks of relying on Moscow. »»»
Oman Tells Allies Ships Going Through Hormuz May Have to Pay: Bloomberg
Oman has told European officials there’s no way of going back to the pre-war status quo with the Strait of Hormuz and transiting ships may have to be charged some fees, according to people familiar with the matter. While Omani officials said they will always abide by international maritime law, the»»»
Al-Manar correspondent: Israeli occupation forces are carrying out a combing operation using machine guns against the town of Ain Arab - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar correspondent: Israeli occupation forces are carrying out a combing operation using machine guns against the town of Ain Arab 26-0»»»
Velayati Highlights Iran’s Role in Strait of Hormuz Stability
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser on international affairs to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, lashed out at the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council for its recent joint statement with the US against Iran, emphasizing Tehran’s key role in regional maritime stability.In a post on his X account »»»
Trump foe John Bolton pleads guilty to retaining classified information
GREENBELT, United States: Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a deal with federal prosecutors that could allow him to avoid a prison term. Bolton, who became an outspoken critic of Presiden»»»
Doves and hawks vie for Putin's attention to end the Ukraine war, but the “wait-and-see” camp remains in charge
Tensions in the Kremlin are rising as the economy tanks and trust in the president is starting to wane. There is a growing consensus it’s high time to end the war in Ukraine. Two factions have appeared and are vying for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attention: the doves that want to freeze the»»»
UAE says technical malfunction in early warning system resolved
Doha, Qatar: The United Arab Emirates' National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has clarified that a technical malfunction in the country's early warning system on Friday evening, June 26, resulted in the accidental sending of incorrect warning messages. The Authority con»»»
Saudi users more selective on social media as digital maturity rises: Deloitte
LONDON: As governments move to tighten rules around children’s access to social media, Saudi users appear to be sending a different message: not rejection, but growing caution, selectiveness and a demand for stronger guardrails. In the Arab world, the discussion has become more visible following re»»»
Mongolia's risky fuel strategy gamble
In Brief Mongolia’s dependence on Russian fuel gives it short-term supply stability but leaves it structurally exposed. Russia’s temporary petrol export ban spared Mongolia through bilateral arrangements, underscoring the strength of the relationship while revealing the risks of relying on Moscow. »»»
British endurance explorer completes historic 2,000 km desert expedition across Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: Rosie Stancer has completed her 2,000 km crossing with camels through the length of the Kingdom — from the southwest to northwest — in 69 days, entirely on foot. The British polar and endurance explorer chose this route as the setting for her most ambitious expedition to date, leading her a»»»
Shura Council participates in 8th Arab Parliament conference in Cairo
Cairo: The Shura Council, is participating in the 8th Conference of the Arab Parliament and Speakers of Arab Councils and Parliaments, which will be held in Cairo, Egypt on Saturday. Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, will lead the Council's delegation to the conference.»»»
Analysis: Trump’s push for Sharaa to curb Hezbollah revives fears in Lebanon, Syria - UPI.com
U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated suggestions that Syria’s new leader, Ahmad Sharaa, can better curb Iran-backed Hezbollah than Israel have alarmed Lebanon and Syria. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 26 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated suggestion»»»
Authorities sound an incoming missile alert in Dubai
DUBAI: Authorities in the United Arab Emirates on Friday sounded an incoming missile alert for Dubai. It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the warning just after 5:15 p.m. local. Iran is suspected of launching a drone attack against a tanker off the coast of Oman on Thursday as Tehran increasin»»»
Israeli Drone Violations Intimidate Various Lebanese Cities, Towns
The Israeli enemy continued on Friday violating the ceasefire through long-time drone flights with the buzzing annoying for the locals in the various Lebanese towns and cities. The intimidating drone flights concentrated on Beirut’s Southern Suburbs, Bekaa and South Lebanon towns, including Jarjoua»»»
Strait of Hormuz can only be crossed via the routes announced by Iran, state TV quotes IRGC Navy - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Strait of Hormuz can only be crossed via the routes announced by Iran, state TV quotes IRGC Navy 26-06-2026 15:31 PM Latest News Urgent New»»»
TMG Holding, SOKNA partner for BOSTAN cemeteries project in Egypt Arab Finance For Information Technology
Arab Finance: Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG Holding) has entered into a strategic partnership with SOKNA to provide a comprehensive, organized, and dignified cemetery experience in Egypt, according to an emailed press release. This collaboration integrates the group’s extensive experience in real esta»»»
Tunisian rights activist sentenced to 25 years in prison
TUNIS: Prominent Tunisian rights activist Sihem Bensedrine told AFP on Friday that she had been sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges including falsifying part of a transitional justice commission’s final report. Tunisia emerged from the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011 as a beacon of democratic »»»
TOP WOMAN in Real Estate, Construction & Logistics 2026 celebrates industry leaders
On June 23, 2026, the TOP WOMAN in Real Estate, Construction & Logistics Gala took place at the Focus Premium Hotel in Warsaw, bringing together professionals from the real estate, construction, logistics, finance, legal, and advisory sectors to celebrate excellence, leadership, and innovation. The»»»