Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev told a press conference on Wednesday that his Ministry, as well as the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture are working jointly with the Fire Safety and Civil Protection General Directorate to draw an action plan to tackle wildfires, as instructed b»»»

Dubai: flydubai announced Wednesday it has launched daily flights between Dubai and Bangkok, adding a second destination in Thailand as the airline expands its network in Southeast Asia. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The inaugural flight departed from Terminal 3 at D»»»

RIYADH: The General Authority for Statistics has opened registration for the 6th UN World Data Forum to be held in Riyadh from Nov. 9 to 12. Registration has also opened for the Second Saudi Statistics Forum, one of the preparatory “Road to Riyadh” events, said GASTAT in a recent press release on i»»»

Arab Finance: Misr Italia Properties has fully acquired Misr Italia Holding for Financial Investments and subsidiaries by Khaled El Assal, Mohamed Khaled El Assal, and Karim Khaled El Assal, according to a statement. Following the successful transaction, the company unveiled EGP 8 billion in new in»»»

Doha, Qatar: Invest Qatar, the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar, released its 2025 Annual Report today, marking a remarkable year for foreign direct investment (FDI) and reaffirming Qatar’s position as a leading destination for high value, impact-driven global investment. In 2025, Qatar attract»»»

US-Israeli military action has failed to shift the strategic balance in the Middle East, leaving Iran in a stronger position than before the conflict, geopolitical analyst Brandon Weichert has said. Speaking on RT’s Sanchez Effect on Tuesday, Weichert, senior editor at The National Interest, descri»»»

A record 25.2 million young American adults (about 33%) under 35 have returned to the family nest as the cost of living has become prohibitive. There is a stereotype of Americans living at home with their parents as freeloaders, living in the basement and spending their ample free time playing vide»»»

Roughly 15 million Americans were scammed out of money in 2025, with AI-generated content and deepfakes featuring in a notable share of cases, according to a new survey. Total losses across the country reached an estimated $68 billion last year, or about $186 million stolen every day. The findings »»»

Two English seaside towns have imposed a three-year ban on public alcohol consumption after a wave of anti-social behavior, beach fights, arrests, and complaints from local businesses. The order will take effect on Wednesday in Margate and Ramsgate, on the Kent coast, banning public drinking in key»»»

Police raided offices connected to France’s largest opposition party on Tuesday, National Rally (RN) leader and presidential hopeful Jordan Bardella has said, claiming the searches were politically timed as the country moves closer to election season. The Euroskeptic and anti-immigration politician»»»

Share: Steve Witkoff (R) and Jared Kushner are in Doha for indirect talks with the Iranian delegation DOHA – The U.S. and Iran held technical talks in Doha on Wednesday as they seek to ‌agree on the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, a source with direct k»»»

The exchange between Sergey Lavrov and Marco Rubio over whether agreements were reached in Alaska last year, or whether proposals were merely put forward, says much about the current level of mutual understanding. In substance, however, it is less a basis for further action than a commentary on att»»»

The British government unveiled its long-delayed Defense Investment Plan with a commitment to spend an additional $19.9 billion over the next four years, only a little more than half the $37 billion defense ministers and the military had been seeking. File photo by Andy Rain/EPA July 1 (UPI) -- The»»»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said that Iran has "tried to force" Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, but stressed that such a move "will not happen." He was referring to Iran's negotiations with the United States and its attempt to make withdrawal from Lebanon part of the dea»»»

Israeli forces opened fire Wednesday on a civilian vehicle in Ibl al-Saqi and bulldozed roads and uprooted trees from Hamoul and Naqoura to Aita al-Shaab in south Lebanon. Israeli troops also detonated houses overnight in Beit Yahoun, Hadatha, and al-Tiri, shelled the outskirts of Beit Yahoun, and »»»

The Hague: The executive body of the International Criminal Court Wednesday voiced concern over the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, saying it undermined the global pursuit of justice. The military-led West Africa states announced in September they were pulling out of the ICC, wh»»»

Doha, London, New York, San Francisco: Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) announced its participation in the completed take-private transaction of Janus Henderson Group Ltd. (Janus Henderson) alongside Trian Fund Management L.P. and General Catalyst, as part of a global group of investors. CEO of QIA»»»

Dubai: Emirates has launched its third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi, increasing services on the route to 21 weekly flights and adding more travel options for passengers heading to Kenya, signalling greater demand for travel to the African continent from UAE. The new service, EK717, arrive»»»

The Iranian caretaker defense minister said the country’s defense, missile, and UAV capabilities are a “red line” of national security that will not be subject to any form of negotiation. In a post on X, Brigadier General Majid Ebn al-Reza said he has underscored during a meeting with lawmakers the»»»

DUBAI: As Adidas unveiled the redesigned Golden Boot trophy for the FIFA World Cup 2026, another prize has emerged in one of the tournament’s most intriguing storylines. French striker Just Fontaine’s record of 13 goals in a single World Cup has stood since Sweden 1958. But with the expanded 48-tea»»»

JEDDAH: UAE developers kept construction projects on track despite a 20 to 25 percent surge in imported material costs, with supply chain disruptions having limited impact, according to Moody’s Ratings. In a sector in-depth report, the credit rating agency said real estate developers have maintaine»»»

There are 22 units in the Bulgarian Army who active participate in extinguishing fires with up to 400 people. Seven of these units are located in Northern Bulgaria and 15 in Southern Bulgaria, said Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov during a briefing on Wednesday. “We are fully prepared to provide a»»»

BERLIN: A NATO summit next week in Turkiye will see NATO allies commit to providing sustainable, long-term security assistance ‌for Ukraine, ‌said NATO ‌Secretary ⁠General Mark Rutte. “Allies will ⁠commit to providing sustainable and predictable, long-term security assistance for ⁠Ukraine,” said Ru»»»

PARIS: France will hold the first ​round of its next presidential election on April 18, 2027, with a run-off set ‌for May ‌2, ​the ‌government ⁠spokeswoman, ​Maud Bregeon, said ⁠on Wednesday following a cabinet meeting to officially approve the dates. The race to ‌succeed ‌President Emmanuel ​Macro»»»

THE HAGUE: The executive body of the International Criminal Court Wednesday voiced concern over the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, saying it undermined the global pursuit of justice. The military-led West Africa states announced in September they were pulling out of the ICC, wh»»»

RIYADH: The Asir Region Municipality continues to enhance the investment environment in the tourism sector by offering 44 investment sites during the summer season. This initiative is part of its efforts to empower investors, enrich the visitor experience, and increase the contribution of tourism a»»»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that his pursuit of "total victory" against Iran and its proxies "never ends." In a televised interview with Israeli Channel 14, Netanyahu said Israel "is stronger than ever", adding that "when you’re strong, people form alliances with you, and the»»»

Dubai: The UAE the wider Arabian Peninsula will enter the year's hottest period on July 3, when the traditional “Jamrat Al Qayth” season begins, bringing extreme heat, dry conditions and daytime temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in some desert areas, the Emirates Astronomy Society said. The»»»

Damascus, July 1 (SANA) Exhibitors at the 12th Syria Specialized Exhibitions 2026 said modern industrial equipment and advanced production technologies are expected to support the recovery of Syria’s manufacturing sector, improve productivity and create new investment opportunities.The exhibition, »»»

Al-Manar correspondent in southern Lebanon reported on Wednesday that Israeli occupation forces established two crossing points south of the coastal city of Tyre. Israeli enemy forces established two crossing points, the first in Iskandarouna road, while the second near Reve De La Mer Hotel in Naqo»»»

Brussels: Several people were killed after a fire broke out in an apartment building on Antwerp's Left Bank in northern Belgium on Wednesday, local police said. The Antwerp fire department said it mounted a large-scale emergency response, deploying firefighters to carry out rescue and firefighting »»»

“The opening of the SGB-ALFA factory represents a significant new achievement for Electro-Alfa International, both in Romania and internationally. Over the past 35 years, we have transformed a local company into a competitive business, growing steadily one step at a time. Today, our partnership wit»»»

Share: Photo A displaced woman mourns her home in southern Lebanon after finding it completely destroyed during Hezbollah’s war with Israel which started on March 2 when Hezbollah fired rockets a Israel in support of Iran. BEIRUT- Some 400,000 Lebanese uprooted by war have returned to southern Leba»»»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said that Iran has "tried to force" Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, but stressed that such a move "will not happen." He was referring to Iran's negotiations with the United States and its attempt to make withdrawal from Lebanon part of the dea»»»

Through REDPORT Living, clients gain access to benefits developed together with MOBEXPERT, from dedicated consultancy and Personal Shopper services to furnished and fully equipped kitchens or included wardrobes, depending on the chosen project. “A kitchen exactly as you want it: customized, fully f»»»

Dubai: Multiply Media Group is expanding into Saudi Arabia through a partnership with Cenomi Centers, marking the UAE-headquartered outdoor media company’s entry into the Gulf’s largest advertising market. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The deal will establish BackLit»»»

Parliament rejected a bill obliging the Council of Ministers to take action to terminate the ten-year cooperation agreement between Bulgaria and Ukraine, concluded on March 30, 2026, in Kyiv, signed by the then Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov. Ten MPs voted in favour of the bill, 16»»»

Doha, Qatar: School's out, many families are travelling for the summer and the roads are a little quieter. But if you are spending the season in Qatar, there's no dearth of ways to make the most of your weekend. From the bigger-than-ever Toy Festival and exciting summer camps to trade fairs, exhibi»»»

The UAE property market is undergoing a structural shift as buyers become more informed, brokers more accountable and pricing decisions increasingly driven by data rather than deal volumes, according to new analysis from property portal Bayut. "Real estate decisions are too important to be driven b»»»

During a working visit to Issyk-Kul region, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov reviewed new special-purpose vehicles and buses delivered to support the development of Karakol’s road, utility, and transport infrastructure. At the same time, it emerged that part of the supplied equipment does not »»»

Foreign citizens and stateless persons who have violated Kyrgyzstan’s migration legislation will be allowed to voluntarily leave the country without fines from July 1 to July 31, the Ministry of Labor reported. Related news Illegal migrants given one month to voluntarily leave Kyrgyzstan The measur»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index maintained its strong year-to-date momentum, delivering a 2.9 percent gain in the first six months of this year, according to Kamco Invest. The report revealed that the Kingdom was also the second-best-performing market in the Gulf Cooperation Council »»»

MP Ibrahim Moussawi, a member of Hezbollah's Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, has launched a scathing verbal attack on Lebanon's ruling authorities over the framework agreement that has been signed with Israel. Moussawi emphasized that "in the face of the immense sacrifices, steadfastness, loyalty, »»»

It couldn’t have been a better start to the month for two Kerala-born Dubai expats who have turned millionaires in the latest Dubai Duty Free draw. Kabir Poovathingal, a 48-year-old Indian national based in Dubai, became a $1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 547 with ticket number 34»»»

BusinessEuropeDigital euro: The plan to Trump-proof the EU's economiesNik MartinThe EU’s central bank is preparing a digital euro to cut dependence on Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay. Success hinges on giving consumers an easy-to-use payment system without prompting a flight from bank savings. https»»»

Erbil: Region Trade Bank (RTB) has become the first Iraqi lender to appoint a Board of Directors comprising internationally recognised experts in financial integrity, sanctions policy, banking supervision and payment systems, in a move aimed at strengthening governance and aligning the bank with gl»»»

Doha, Qatar: The General Directorate of Traffic has announced the release of a new selection of significant vehicle plate numbers through the Sooum app. In a social media post, the department stated that the expression of interest feature for the new numbers will open on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 8a»»»

Paris, France: France on Wednesday launched new paid leave for both mothers and fathers, as President Emmanuel Macron seeks to boost the country's sluggish birth rate. In 2024, Macron unveiled a plan to combat infertility and the declining birth rate, saying it would help pave the way towards what »»»

City Day is celebrated today, July 1, in Karakol. One of the most beautiful cities in Kyrgyzstan turns 157 this year. On the holiday, President Sadyr Japarov visited the city and inspected the reconstruction of Pushkin Park in Karakol. The head of state was also presented with a number of infrastru»»»

President Donald Trump made more than $1.2 billion from his family's cryptocurrency activities last year, according to the annual disclosure by the US Office of Government Ethics released Tuesday. The president's earnings included $550 million from his ties to World Liberty Financial, which was co-»»»