Without the injured Christian Pulisic, US beats Australia 2-0 to advance to World Cup knockout round
SEATTLE: Christian Pulisic’s injury absence didn’t hurt the Americans one bit.The US national soccer team found a way to advance to the knockout round without the injured forward on the field, beating Australia 2-0 Friday for its second straight victory at the largest World Cup in history.“C.P. is »»»
UN Sudan envoy urges paramilities to halt El-Obeid assault
UNITED NATIONS: The UN secretary-general’s special envoy for Sudan on Friday called the head of rebel paramilitary forces to urge him not to attack the major city of El-Obeid, where the United Nations fears an imminent offensive. In a phone call with General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Pekka Haavisto “m»»»
Trump envoy, Iranian minister head to Switzerland for talks
WASHINGTON: US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi were both headed to Switzerland for talks, Axios said on Friday, as a ceasefire in Lebanon appeared to revive efforts to turn an interim Iran war pact into a lasting regional deal. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasef»»»
Mostly sunny skies expected despite rising humidity
Abu Dhabi: The UAE is expected to experience generally fair weather over the coming days, with temperatures remaining high across much of the country, while cloud cover, humidity and the possibility of fog are forecast in some regions, according to the National Centre of Meteorology. Saturday's wea»»»
Meloni accuses Trump of fabricating G7 photo story as Italy cancels US visit
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused Donald Trump of fabricating a story about her after the US president claimed she had “begged” him for a photo during this week’s G7 summit in France. According to a dubbed Italian-language version of a phone interview released by broadcaster La7 on »»»
What does it mean to 'Dubai-it'? Inside the city's radical new philosophy
Dubai: There’s a very short list of places or companies that have become verbs. Google it. Uber it. Now, apparently, 'Dubai-it'. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, this week launched a campaign called Dubai-it, a bold»»»
After algae clean-up effort, Reflecting Pool's painted blue bottom is peeling - UPI.com
U.S. National Park Service employees are pictured using a vacuum pump to clean algae off the bottom of the newly repainted Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, which on Friday started peeling and floating to the top of the pool. Photo by Bonnie Ca»»»
US secure spot in knockout round with 2-0 win over Australia
SEATTLE: The United States men’s national team secured a spot in the knockout round of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Australia at Seattle on Friday. Playing without injured star Christian Pulisic, who sat out due to a calf injury, the US took advantage of a second own goal in as many»»»
Obama Presidential Center opens to public
CHICAGO: The Obama Presidential Center, which documents the life and administration of former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, officially opened to the public on Friday. Thousands of visitors jammed the 20-acre plaza and building, which includes a museum and library featurin»»»
UN Sudan envoy urges paramilities to halt El-Obeid assault
UNITED NATIONS: The UN secretary-general’s special envoy for Sudan on Friday called the head of rebel paramilitary forces to urge him not to attack the major city of El-Obeid, where the United Nations fears an imminent offensive. In a phone call with General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Pekka Haavisto “m»»»
India probes embezzlement allegations at landmark temple
NEW DELHI: Indian police are investigating allegations of embezzlement at a temple in the country’s north that has been a focal point of Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s Hindu-first politics, a top state official said Friday. The Ram Mandir temple in Uttar Pradesh state, built on grounds where a mosqu»»»
A judge orders ICE to free a Wisconsin mosque leader, citing a ‘substantial’ free speech claim
WASHINGTON: A federal judge ordered immigration officials to release the president of Wisconsin’s largest mosque from detention Thursday, finding that Salah Sarsour has raised a “substantial” claim that he was being targeted for speaking out in favor of Palestinian rights. Sarsour, a Palestinian-bo»»»
German journalist held in Syria back home: lawyer
BERLIN: German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann, who went missing in Syria in January and was later confirmed to be detained there, returned to Germany on Friday, her lawyer told AFP. “It can be confirmed that Eva M. Michelmann was released this morning and returned to Germany this afternoon,” Rolan»»»
Saibari the difference as Morocco edge past Scotland in World Cup
RIYADH: Scotland spent almost 89 minutes searching for a response, but the damage had already been done. Ismael Saibari’s goal in the second minute of the game proved enough to give Morocco a 1-0 victory in Foxborough and send the Atlas Lions to the top of Group C. Saibari’s goal is now officially »»»
Is BRICS changing the world - or just the conversation?
The goal of the ‘BRICS’ (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) strategy is to establish a more equitable international order and reduce the dominance of international institutions currently led by Western countries. The bloc was born of the belief that the emerging giants like these econo»»»
Morocco beat Scotland to close on World Cup knockouts
Foxborough, United States: Morocco edged closer to the World Cup knockout phase as Ismael Saibari's second-minute strike proved enough for a nervy 1-0 win over Scotland at Gillette Stadium on Friday. The 2022 semi-finalists moved to the top of Group C on four points, while Scotland missed a chance »»»
Justice Department blocked from releasing Biden biographer's recordings - UPI.com
A federal judge on Friday ruled that redacted transcripts and recordings of conversations between former U.S. President Joe Biden and his biographer will not be released for at least three weeks, pending an appeal of the judge's ruling that they should be released. File Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | L»»»
More Israel Lebanon talks to take place next week – Ya Libnan
Share: File- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) speaks during a meeting with Lebanon’s Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad (2R) and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter (2L) at the State Department in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026. © AFP, Oliver Contreras The next round of Lebane»»»
Rain-fed revival boosts ecosystems across Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Abundant winter rainfall followed by widespread spring showers has transformed large swaths of Saudi Arabia’s landscape, turning desert expanses green and reviving valleys, ravines, and open plains across the Kingdom. The seasonal rains have highlighted the country’s ecological diversity, w»»»
Passenger trains collide in England, multiple people seriously injured - UPI.com
A train collision on Friday north of London resulted in at least 89 people being injured and Friday commutes into the city halted as emergency services responded to the incident. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA-EFE June 19 (UPI) -- Two passenger trains collided north of London on Friday evening, snar»»»
Poland strips Zelensky of country's highest honour, escalating World War II-era row
Poland's nationalist President Karol Nawrocki said Friday that he was revoking the country's highest award from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after he infuriated Warsaw by naming a Ukrainian unit after a World War II insurgent militia that massacred Poles. Polish Prime Minister Donald»»»
USA defeats Australia 2-0 to reach World Cup last 32
Seattle: The United States advanced to the World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare following an impressive 2-0 win over Australia Friday, stoking the hopes of an already hyped host nation. The US join fellow tournament co-hosts Mexico as the first teams to progress, and could be assured top »»»
TIIF 2026: From airports to biotech clusters Uzbekistan and Korea scale up new industrial partnership
Uzbekistan and South Korea have agreed to establish industrial clusters, expand infrastructure cooperation and elevate investment partnerships across multiple sectors based on a series of agreements and memoranda signed at the Uzbekistan-Korea Business Forum in Tashkent. The forum was held on »»»
Qatar's Permanent Mission in Geneva co-hosts side event on youth leadership in International Humanitarian Law
Geneva: The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva participated on Friday in organizing a side event entitled "The Next Generation of Humanity: Youth Leadership in International Humanitarian Law" in cooperation with the Permanent Missions of the Hashemite Kin»»»
Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire in Lebanon as attacks strain US-Iran interim deal
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire on Friday, a US official said, following the resurgence of strikes in Lebanon that are already testing Wednesday's interim deal between Tehran and Washington to end the war in the Middle East. Israeli strikes have killed 47 people since Thursday night,&nbs»»»
DR Congo's deadly Ebola outbreak is 'evolving fast', WHO warns
The deadly Ebola outbreak in DR Congo is rapidly spreading in spite of accelerating public health measures, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday. The outbreak, which began in mid-May, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus for which there is not yet a vaccine or specific tr»»»
Al-Hajjar: There is no salvation for Lebanon except by rallying around the state – Ya Libnan
Share: Lebanon’s Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmed Al-Hajjar Lebanon Minister of Interior stressed that there is no salvation for Lebanon except by rallying around the state and we have achieved tangible progress in combating drug smuggling by dismantling trafficking networks Minister o»»»
What We Are Reading Today: Top Ten Ideas of Physics
Author: Anthony Zee Could any discovery be more unexpected and shocking than the realization that the reality we were born into is but an approximation of an underlying quantum world that is barely within our grasp? This is just one of the foundational pillars of theoretical physics that A. Zee dis»»»
What does the US-Iran agreement reveal about the true winners and losers of the war?
LONDON: When President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018, Barack Obama, who as his predecessor had forged the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, warned that doing so “without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake.” The US, Obama added, “could even»»»
Tunisia’s new coach faces baptism of fire against ‘best team in Asia’
MONTERREY, Mexico: Tunisia will throw new coach Herve Renard straight into the deep end when they face Japan on Saturday in Monterrey, with the North Africans desperately needing points after their tournament got off to a nightmare start. The French coach has barely had time to settle into his ne»»»
Pitch not perfect: World Cup players find weirdness underfoot on innovative grass
CALIFORNIA, USA: As soon as Switzerland and Bosnia were off the pitch after their World Cup match on Thursday, another team were on it. But instead of tearing at the grass with studs this team were mowing, brushing, seeding, and repairing it. After being battered by some of the world’s best and mos»»»
Analysis: Will Lebanon remain a battlefield, bargaining chip despite U.S.-Iran deal? - UPI.com
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem delivers a televised speech during a gathering in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 27, 2025. Analysts say southern Lebanon could remain a battlefield and a bargaining chip in regional negotiations despite a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran. Photo»»»
Review: Marriott Riyadh’s pool
When temperatures in Riyadh reach a whopping 45 C on the daily, nothing beats the heat better than a refreshing pool day. If you are new to Riyadh or living in an apartment, finding an affordable option to lounge around a pool can be a challenge — or even require a direct invitation if you are look»»»
The Hot Money Story in Egypt
S&P praised and expressed its understanding that the central bank kept out of its announced Capital reserves record most of the hot money ($8 billion until September 2017). Given the seriousness of the nature of this money and its possibility of exit at any time, accordingly the central bank does n»»»
Australian police arrest third suspect in 2024 synagogue arson - UPI.com
People leave flowers and an Australian flag at a tribute at the Adass Israel Synagogue after a arson attack in Melbourne, Australia, in December 2024. A third suspected arsonist was arrested Friday. File Photo by Joel Carrett/EPA June 19 (UPI) -- The Victoria, Australia, Joint Counter Terrorism Tea»»»
U.S. to end funding for South Africa's HIV programs over policy issues - UPI.com
President Donald Trump, pictured meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2025, plans to end U.S. funding for HIV programs in South Africa over political differences, State Department officials said on Friday. File Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo June 19 (UPI) -- The T»»»
A boat with migrants capsized north off Libya, leaving 51 dead or missing, group says
CAIRO: A boat carrying dozens of migrant s bound for European shores capsized off the coast of Libya last week, leaving 51 people dead or missing, a monitoring group said on Friday. Ten migrants survived the shipwreck, which occurred on June 12 in the Mediterranean Sea, off the eastern part of the »»»
Two trains collide north of London and emergency crews rush to the scene
LONDON: Emergency services rushed to the scene of a collision Friday between two trains north of London, and photos posted on social media showed victims with bandages around their heads. The trains collided south of the town of Bedfordshire on lines connecting St. Pancras station in central London»»»
Qatar's Permanent Representative to UN Office in Geneva participates in informal discussion marking 20th anniversary of Human Rights Council
Geneva: HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah participated Friday in the high-level informal discussion marking the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Council, under the theme: "Twenty Years, One Council: What Have»»»
Cuba's sweeping economic reforms met with skepticism - UPI.com
President Miguel Díaz-Canel's package of 174 economic reforms were approved by Cuba's parliament in just one week. File Photo by Ariel Ley Royero/EPA June 19 (UPI) -- Cuba's parliament approved a package of 174 economic reforms in just one week, marking the most significant shift in government poli»»»
Hungary’s Constitutional Court in crisis as seven judges pull out of President case
A major institutional crisis appears to have erupted within Hungary’s Constitutional Court after seven judges reportedly withdrew from a case initiated by President Tamás Sulyok, forcing the court to remove the matter from its agenda. According to HVG, Constitutional Court President Péter Polt had »»»
Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach found guilty of sexual assault - UPI.com
Frank Stronach waves to supporters during an election campaign event in Vienna, Austria, in 2013. On Friday, Stronach, 93, was found guilty of sexual assault in Toronto, Canada. File Photo by Robert Jaeger/EPA June 19 (UPI) -- Canadian auto parts mogul Frank Stronach, 93, was found guilty Friday of»»»
Lamine Yamal says he’s not fully fit and is unlikely to start in Spain’s second World Cup game
ATLANTA, USA: Lamine Yamal is not feeling 100 percent fit and is not likely to start for Spain in the match against Saudi Arabia on Sunday at the World Cup. Yamal came into the tournament nursing a left hamstring injury and was only a substitute in the team’s opener on Monday — a disappointing 0-0 »»»
Kane hails World Cup 'Wonderwall' singalong as England highlight
KANSAS CITY, USA: Harry Kane says England's emotional "Wonderwall" singalong with fans after their opening World Cup win against Croatia was one of his top moments in the national shirt. Thomas Tuchel's side got off to a flying start in their first Group L game in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday, wi»»»
British PM renews vow to fight any leadership challenge
LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday he would not walk away, vowing to fight any challenge from his leading party rival, Andy Burnham, and potentially ushering in a new bout of political instability. Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, won a decisive victory for Labour to »»»
FATF Gives Green Light for Bulgaria’s Exit from Anti-Money Laundering Grey List
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has given the green light for Bulgaria’s removal from the grey list, Bulgaria’s Justice Ministry wrote on Facebook. According to a decision by the FATF, officially announced on Friday, Bulgaria has substantially completed its Action Plan for removal from the l»»»
Aoun, Rubio discuss Lebanon situation, ceasefire ahead of Washington talks
Beirut, June 19 (SANA) Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a phone call Friday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the current situation in Lebanon and the region in light of recent developments, stressing the need for a comprehensive halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory. Acc»»»
How US Big Pharma Profits on Pandemics Treating Americans and Ukrainians Like Guinea Pigs
The US pharma industry "has literally gotten away with murder" during the COVID pandemic, Professor Alfred de Zayas, retired UN independent expert, tells Sputnik. "The courts in the US were activated and instrumentalized to bring frivolous and vexatious claims against China for responsibility in re»»»
Future transport is coming: Abu Dhabi eyes driverless buses
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is exploring the deployment of the Middle East and North Africa's first autonomous public transport bus trial as part of its efforts to accelerate the adoption of smart mobility technologies and self-driving transport systems across the emirate. The Integrated Transport Centre,»»»
Changes ahead for Indian passport and visa services in UAE
Abu Dhabi: The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi on Friday announced that Al Hind Tours and Travel LLC will take over as the new service provider for passport, visa and attestation services in the UAE from July 1, 2026. As part of the transition, the current providers — BLS International, which handles»»»