ST. PETERSBURG, (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called for decisive action against attempts to disrupt the Russian merchant fleet, treating such acts as piracy. Speaking on Navy Day in St. Petersburg, Putin heard reports from fleet commanders via video link. He mentioned atte»»»

DAMASCUS: United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday urged the removal of all sanctions imposed on Syria during the era of ousted ruler Bashar Assad, as he concluded a two-day visit to the country. Syria’s new authorities, who took power in December 2024, are trying to turn the page after more»»»

Dhaka: Chronic gas shortages in Bangladesh, already compounded by the Middle East war, have worsened after an industrial accident disrupted supplies, affecting homes, businesses and key sectors such as the textile industry. Jubaida Anjum Saba, an NGO worker in the capital Dhaka who cooks for her ex»»»

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief established a new camp in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip to shelter displaced people, particularly those with visual impairments and their families. The camp provides safe and stable accommodation for people whose homes were destroyed during the war in the»»»

DOHA: Qatar Customs has announced the release of an enhanced version of its 'AI-Nadeeb' application, extending its services to other government agencies as part of efforts to strengthen digital transformation and improve the delivery of government e-services. The upgraded application introduces a r»»»

MANILA: Oman wants to expand partnerships with the Philippines in the sectors of food security and the blue economy, its top diplomat said on Sunday after a meeting with his Philippine counterpart in Manila. Oman Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi and Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro met o»»»

Hungary’s Minister for Transport and Investment, Dávid Vitézy, has pledged that by September no Volánbusz service should be cancelled because of spare parts shortages, after inheriting what he described as a severe maintenance and procurement crisis. During a visit to one of Volánbusz’s largest mai»»»

Dubai: Dubai Municipality has opened the Animal Welfare Shelter, a new integrated pet shelter at the Birds and Pets Market in the Warsan area, expanding the emirate's veterinary services while promoting animal welfare, responsible pet ownership and adoption. The project is designed to provide a saf»»»

DOHA: The Ministry of Interior, represented by several of its security and specialized departments, received a delegation from the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral security cooperation and expand the exchange of expertise. The Saudi del»»»

Tehran: Iran said on Sunday it has halted retaliatory attacks against US allies in the Middle East after Washington stopped its strikes on the country for the past two nights. The Iranian declaration came after Washington paused a war nearing its fifth month and reports emerged that concerns over d»»»

MADINAH: A diverse program of cultural and interactive events that combine shopping with family-friendly experiences have ensured Madinah Dates Season continues to attract residents and visitors. Celebrating the date palm as a defining symbol of the city's heritage and identity, the event features »»»

RIYADH: The National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture, known as Estidamah, welcomed 94 students from the Mawhiba Research Enrichment Program, giving them a firsthand look at the innovative technologies and research driving sustainable agriculture in Saudi Arabia. The prog»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 37.27 points, or 0.34 percent, to close at 10,766.84. The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR2.37 billion ($632 million), with 98 stocks advancing and 158 declining. Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel market No»»»

The Russian Navy plays a vital role in achieving the objectives of the special military operation and remains a key element in ensuring Russia's security, President Vladimir Putin said. "Today, we not only remember outstanding geographical discoveries, key battles, and the victories of our illustri»»»

RIYADH: Saudi universities won multiple awards at the finals of the International AI on Education Competition in Hong Kong, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing role in developing artificial intelligence solutions for education. Organized by the Artificial Intelligence Research and Education Alliance»»»

Washington, United States: One hundred days before the US midterm elections, President Donald Trump's Republicans are staring down polling that points to the loss of the House of Representatives and a ferocious battle to retain the Senate. Trump will not appear on the ballot on November 3, but the »»»

GABORONE: The State of Qatar has reiterated its support for peace efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during high-profile talks in Botswana aimed at advancing the African Union (AU)-led peace process. The Gulf state took part in a coordination and planning meeting in Gabor»»»

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has revealed that if he eventually steps away from frontline politics, he would like to work at the football academy he founded, while also spending more time with his six grandchildren and returning to teaching. Speaking in an exclusive interview with H»»»

London: London's Gatwick Airport said Sunday it was suffering from "a water supply issue", with toilets reported to be out of order and restaurants closed at Britain's second busiest air hub. The issue impacting both terminals at the airport south of the capital -- served by several no-frills carri»»»

Accra, Ghana: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and Africa World Airlines, the Accra-based carrier that has connected Ghana and the wider West African region for more than a decade, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic partnership spanning codeshare and »»»

London: London's Gatwick Airport said Sunday it was suffering from "a water supply issue", with toilets reported to be out of order and restaurants closed at Britain's second busiest air hub. The issue impacting both terminals at the airport south of the capital -- served by several no-frills carri»»»

Abu Dhabi: The UAE has expressed its solidarity with Syria over the victims of a collision between two passenger buses on the Damascus-Deir Ezzor highway, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the »»»

Former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gurov said the decision on whether he would run for president should be made carefully and thoughtfully, rather than hastily. "This decision takes time. It must be made carefully and thoughtfully, not hastily, and when I have something to say, I will say it," »»»

Dubai: Oman's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has banned the sale and circulation of the "Na! Na! Na! Surprise" interactive baby doll after identifying potential health risks linked to its chemical composition. In a consumer warning issued on Sunday, the ministry urged the p»»»

The Lebanese Army issued on Sunday a statement that highlights the continuation of the Israeli enemy attacks and violations of existing understandings and international law. The statement affirmed that the Israeli attacks hinder the army’s full deployment according to existing agreements and preven»»»

The Northern Fleet already has a regiment equipped with unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, with a similar unit planned for the Pacific Fleet next year, the Russian Navy’s Commander-in-Chief, Alexander Moiseyev, told Russian media. Moiseyev also said that Russia will build a new, ocean-going »»»

Beijing: A flash flood caused by heavy rain struck a tourist site in northwest China on Sunday, killing 10 people and injuring 23, state media reported. "A mountain torrent triggered by short-term heavy rainfall at a scenic spot in Weiyuan County, Dingxi City, trapped some campers" at the location »»»

Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu has joined the contest to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, the seventh contender to succeed Antonio Guterres when he steps down at the end of this year. Otunnu, a former UN under-secretary-general who served as a special representative for child»»»

Gaza: Five UAE humanitarian aid convoys entered the Gaza Strip, consisting of 76 trucks carrying 938 tonnes of humanitarian assistance as part of ''Operation Chivalrous Knight 3''. The convoys, which entered Gaza during this week, are part of the ongoing efforts of the United Arab Emirates to suppo»»»

Dubai: Filipinos planning overseas holidays this summer have more destinations they can visit with fewer visa requirements. The Philippine passport climbed three places to 72nd in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, up from 75th last year and its best showing since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Filipin»»»

Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, received on Sunday, July 26, HE Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, the Pr»»»

RIYADH: Cargo movement between Saudi Arabia and Australia is set to accelerate after Saudia Cargo launched a direct freighter service between Riyadh and Melbourne, enhancing bilateral trade and supply chain connectivity. The scheduled service, which began on July 25, is operated by a Boeing 747-400»»»

JEDDAH: Three young Saudi boxers gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate before the international stars stepped into the ring at Jeddah Dome on Saturday night at “The Comeback.” Sultan Mohammed, Mohammed Alakel and Ziad Al-Maayouf all emerged victorious in the opening bouts, a clean sweep that high»»»

ABU DHABI: Thousands of fans packed Etihad Arena for an unforgettable night of mixed martial arts action featuring thrilling finishes, memorable performances and exciting bouts. Abu Dhabi Showdown Week came to a spectacular close with UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov, where the main event saw fo»»»

RIYADH: Integrated national efforts to prevent drowning have contributed to a 31 percent decline in drowning deaths across the Kingdom since the National Drowning Prevention Policy was adopted in 2021, according to the Public Health Authority. The decline, through the end of 2025, also helped avert»»»

The Tourism Ministry said additional medical teams and ambulances will be deployed along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast from August 1 under its joint initiative with the Health Ministry. This will provide faster access to medical care during the peak of the summer season, when the number of tourists»»»

Damascus, July 26 (SANA) Syrian Finance Minister Mohamed Yisr Barnieh met with an International Monetary Fund (IMF) consultation mission led by Ron van Rooden, Deputy Director of the IMF‘s Middle East and Central Asia Department, at the conclusion of the mission’s visit to Syria to review economic »»»

Beirut, July 26 (SANA) Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji said on Sunday that the government remains committed to extending state authority across the country and disarming groups operating outside state institutions, describing the effort as an irreversible national priority. In an interview w»»»

Dubai: Major Chinese banks ended some precious-metals trading services for individual customers by July 24, fuelling claims that China was banning “paper gold”, forcing investors into physical bullion and preparing to send prices sharply higher. None of that happened on Friday. Here's why.. Get upd»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia raised $49.34 billion through 58 bond and sukuk issuances in the first half of 2026, up 1.6 percent from a year earlier, accounting for nearly half of Gulf debt issuance, a new analysis showed. The Kingdom represented 48 percent of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s primary debt ma»»»

DUBAI: Saudi dark comedy “A Matter of Life and Death” screened in New York on Saturday, after showing in two Scandinavian locations earlier this year. Starring Saudi actor Sarah Taibah and directed by Anas Ba-Tahaf, the film screened at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, New York. It was»»»

A Romanian fighter jet on Sunday shot down the third drone flying into the country's airspace in as many days, the defence minister said. A government investigation reportedly identified the first of the three drones as a Shahed model used by Russia in its war with Ukraine.  Romania on Sunday »»»

Armenian attitudes toward the LGBTQ community have transformed in recent years, in part due to the war in Ukraine. While a queer club in Yerevan was firebombed in 2012, the capital is now home to a thriving underground drag scene. But despite these events attracting hundreds, police raids and famil»»»

New York, July 26 (SANA) U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said on Sunday that Syria’s Sednayah military prison stands as a symbol of the brutality of the repression carried out by the country’s deposed regime, adding that Syria now has an opportunity to recover from years of conflict and bui»»»

Vessel traffic into Ukrainian Black Sea ports has been fully suspended because of the threat of Russian attacks, Agrarian Policy Minister Taras Vysotskyi said on July 23, as occupied Crimea entered its third month of a deepening, Ukrainian-engineered power collapse. Ports close As recently as the p»»»

DOHA: The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has administratively closed two travel and air cargo agencies and deregistered 10 others as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight and enforce compliance within the country's air transport sector. In a statement, the QCAA said the enforce»»»

The 2026 state budget is unconstitutional and GERB will challenge it before the Constitutional Court, GERB Chair Boyko Borissov said at a party event in Varna on Sunday. He argued that the budget adopted by Parliament violates fiscal rules concerning the permissible budget deficit, which is set at »»»

The majority of Germans do not believe their armed forces are capable of protecting the country, a recent YouGov survey has found. According to the International Flagship Survey published on Friday, 70% of respondents in Germany said they are not confident their armed forces are strong enough to fe»»»

What is it with British ‘knights of the realm’ that they seem to be forever mired in corruption, scandal, and disgrace? Former Olympian Sebastian Coe can never avoid all three of those ‘specialities’, yet like his fellow Lords, Ladies, Sirs, and Dames, he appears to think that sitting high upon tha»»»

RIYADH: Egypt exported more than 2.3 million tonnes of petroleum products worth about $2.3 billion in the first half of 2026, matching its total export volume for all of last year, official data showed. The Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry said exports of products including jet fuel, naphth»»»