US hails plan to restore Iraqi-Syrian oil pipeline
The U.S. State Department reported a major oil pipeline between Iraq and Syria, which has been closed for decades, will be restored by the two countries. "The United States welcomes the Government of the Republic of Iraq and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic's intent to advance the rehabil»»»
Six Air Force Helicopters Will Be Available for Firefighting Operations
This year the Bulgarian Air Force has provided six helicopters to be available during the fire-risk season, Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, head of the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Protection of the Population, said in a televised interview. Last year, the number of available heli»»»
Indian activist moved to hospital after 20-day hunger strike
New Delhi, India: New Delhi police moved activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital on Saturday over health concerns after a 20-day hunger strike in protest against India's examination system. Wangchuk, 59, has been fasting since June 28 to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan»»»
'The sands of Dubai never fully leave you': How an Italian expat built a career, family, and community in the UAE
Dubai: There are cities you visit. There are cities you work in. And then there are cities that quietly become part of who you are. For Antonio Ostuni, Dubai is all three. Sixteen years after first arriving in the emirate as a young Italian hotelier eager to prove himself, there is still no one way»»»
Who is Sonam Wangchuk? Activist hospitalised after 20-day hunger strike
Delhi police forcibly moved activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital on Saturday over health concerns after 20 days of his hunger strike to protest against India's examination system. Wangchuk, 59, has been fasting since June 28 to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a»»»
Wanted 160 iPhones, lost Dh692,000: Sharjah court jails fraudster
Sharjah: A Sharjah court has sentenced a man to six months in prison after convicting him of defrauding an Arab buyer of Dh692,000 in a fake wholesale iPhone transaction, ruling that he used deception and false commercial claims to obtain the money without supplying the promised devices. The verdic»»»
US, Iran trade attacks for seventh straight night as strikes spread across Middle East
RIYADH/DUBAI/TEHRAN: The United States and Iran traded attacks across the Middle East for a seventh consecutive night on Friday, with Washington striking Iranian military and infrastructure targets and Tehran launching attacks against US assets and allies including Kuwait and Jordan, as the collaps»»»
US-Iran war: What UAE residents need to know today (July 18)
The US-Iran conflict has intensified, with Iran increasing missile and drone attacks on Gulf states. President Donald Trump states that diplomacy remains possible. The following is a summary for UAE residents. 1. US continues strikes on IranThe US military conducted strikes against Iran for the sev»»»
Oversharing online: How criminals use public information against you
In the age of social media, sharing moments from our personal and professional lives has become second nature. From vacation photos and family celebrations to career updates and daily activities, people routinely post information online without considering who else may be watching. While social med»»»
Hormuz transit fee could add a new cost to global oil trade
Dubai: A proposal by Iran and Oman to introduce transit charges for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz could create one of the world's largest maritime revenue streams while adding a fresh cost to global energy trade. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The propose»»»
US hails plan to restore Iraqi-Syrian oil pipeline
WASHINGTON, United States: The US State Department on Friday reported a major oil pipeline between Iraq and Syria, which has been closed for decades, will be restored by the two countries. “The United States welcomes the Government of the Republic of Iraq and the Government of the Syrian Arab Repub»»»
The World This Week - Ukraine: Trouble at the Top? Adieu Keir, Alright Andy
In a week that’s seen rare wartime demonstrations in Ukraine protesting the ousting of Defence Minister Mykhailo (Misha) Fedorov after six months in a job in which he’s been credited with making a difference on the battlefield and in an anti-corruption drive. But he had reportedly clashed with Ukra»»»
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Yesteryear’
Author: Caro Claire Burke Every so often I pick up a novel expecting a fun escape, only to end up questioning my own assumptions. Caro Claire Burke’s “Yesteryear” did exactly that. What initially seemed like a light historical mystery quickly became a thoughtful reflection on nostalgia, identity an»»»
Israeli strikes kill Palestinians attending Gaza funeral for earlier strike victim
GAZA: An Israeli airstrike killed at least eight Palestinians and wounded 20 attending a funeral in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on Friday for a person killed by another Israeli strike on the area earlier in the day, Gaza health officials said. Those deaths, along with at least three Palestin»»»
Sharjah Police release crash video warning against sudden swerves
Sharjah Police have released dramatic surveillance footage of a serious road accident caused by a sudden lane change, warning motorists that a split-second decision behind the wheel can have devastating consequences. The video, captured by the force's advanced traffic monitoring system, shows a sil»»»
Airlines resume some Middle East flights but disruption continues
DUBAI: More airlines are restoring flights to parts of the Middle East after the conflict that followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran, but some carriers have kept suspensions in place. Below is an update on the status of airlines’ flights, in alphabetical order: AEGEAN AIRLINES Greece’s largest c»»»
The other AI superpower: How Russia and China are building an alternative to Silicon Valley
Artificial intelligence is no longer simply a technological race. It is becoming a question of how the world chooses to govern one of the most transformative innovations of the modern era, who benefits from it, and whether its advantages remain concentrated in the hands of a few companies or are sh»»»
UAE National Ambulance provided care to 58,781 patients in H1, 2026
Abu Dhabi: National Ambulance provided emergency medical care to 58,781 patients and responded to 73,624 emergency incidents during the first six months of 2026, highlighting the growing demand for emergency services across the UAE. According to operational figures released by National Ambulance, i»»»
Dubai is adding more than 10 new food businesses every single day
Dubai: Dubai's food sector continued its rapid expansion in the first half of the year, with 1,898 new food establishments opening across the emirate, equivalent to around 316 new businesses a month or 10.5 every day, according to Dubai Municipality. The latest figures bring the total number of foo»»»
Iran’s New Onslaught on US Gulf Bases Exposes Devastating Success of Spring Counterstrikes
Iran’s March drone and missile attacks disabled numerous critical US radars and forced it to “expend a significant portion of their air and missile defense stockpiles,” military expert and CAST security think tank senior research fellow Yuri Lyamin told Sputnik. Lyamin pointed out, for example, tha»»»
e& completes Vodafone stake sale for $5.95 billion and records $1.3 billion net cash return
Abu Dhabi: e& has completed the sale of its entire stake in Vodafone Group, securing total consideration of Dh21.9 billion, equivalent to $5.95 billion. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The group transferred 3,944,743,685 Vodafone shares to BNP Paribas Financial Markets»»»
Brent oil heads for biggest weekly gain since April amid US-Iran tensions
Dubai: Brent crude may need a prolonged disruption through the Strait of Hormuz or clear evidence of tightening global inventories to break above $90 a barrel, despite heading for its biggest weekly gain since April. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The global benchmark»»»
Pakistan denies reports of Islamabad blocking Afghanistan’s membership in SCO
ISLAMABAD/KABUL: Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected allegations of Islamabad opposing Afghanistan’s bid for full membership on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, following reports that Kabul’s participation was stalled by a member of the region’s most powerful bloc. Founded in »»»
Radev on BOTAS Deal: “We Offered Turkiye a Mutually Beneficial Partnership”Opinions
Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Bulgaria has proposed a mutually beneficial arrangement with Turkiye as part of the efforts to suspend certain obligations under the gas supply agreement between Bulgargaz and the Turkish company BOTAS. Speaking to journalists, Radev said the specific details of the »»»
Geagea questions Hezbollah's fighting capacity as Lebanon pursues Israel talks
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said the two-decade-long campaign to restrict weapons solely to state authorities and bolster national sovereignty has yielded significant milestones. In an interview published Friday in the Saudi daily Okaz, Geagea lauded the Lebanese Cabinet, arguing that its p»»»
Oman moves closer to creating a bigger Islamic banking player
Dubai: Oman's Islamic banking sector could be headed for one of its biggest shake-ups in years after Bank Nizwa proposed acquiring Alizz Islamic Bank and merging it into its operations, while bringing Ominvest on board as a strategic shareholder. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques &»»»
Disruption continues as airlines resume some Middle East flights
DUBAI: More airlines are restoring flights to parts of the Middle East after the conflict that followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran, but some carriers have kept suspensions in place. Below is an update on the status of airlines’ flights, in alphabetical order: AEGEAN AIRLINES Greece’s largest c»»»
UAE residents' update: Iran-US strikes, Gulf states targeted, tanker hit, flight updates and travel advisories
The US and Iran exchanged fresh strikes on Friday, with attacks reported across the Gulf region, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan. UAE residents are advised to follow official updates, check travel notices and avoid sharing unverified information. Get updated faster and for FREE: Downloa»»»
Israeli Occupation Steps Up West Bank Raids, as MKs and Ministers Incite to Expand Al-Aqsa Incursions - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli Occupation Steps Up West Bank Raids, as MKs and Ministers Incite to Expand Al-Aqsa Incursions 17-07-2026 13:36 PM Israeli occupatio»»»
Opposition to data centres grows in cramped urban Japan
Tokyo: The more Yoriko Kitagawa learns of a massive data centre to be built near her home in Hino on the outskirts of Tokyo, the more she worries. "This is a terrible plan," the 94-year-old told AFP. The explosion in resource-hungry data centres -- housing the hardware "brains" of artificial intell»»»
Protest filed over China video of 'monkey' Philippines
Manila: Manila lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing on Friday over a "racist" video posted by Chinese state media portraying the Philippines as a cartoon monkey. The China Daily post was the latest offshoot of a long-running dispute over the Asian neighbours' overlapping South China Sea claims.»»»
How AI and satellites help fight wildfires
BusinessGlobal issuesHow AI and satellites help fight wildfiresInsa WredeWildfires are currently raging in Europe, Canada, and elsewhere. To successfully fight these fires, speed is essential. Early detection from space and AI-powered data analysis can help. https://p.dw.com/p/5H8eLMunich-based sta»»»
Philippines protests Chinese state media’s ‘racist’ video depicting Filipinos as monkeys
MANILA: The Philippines condemned as racist a video posted by the state-run China Daily depicting Filipinos as monkeys, saying on Friday it had lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing over the “offensive, distressing and unacceptable” imagery. Manila has demanded the removal of the video, which it»»»
Japan imperial rules tweaked, but still no woman emperor
Tokyo: Japan's parliament tweaked the imperial succession law on Friday but maintained the bar on women emperors -- despite surveys suggesting wide public support for the idea. The future of the imperial household -- mythically descended from the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu -- depends currently on»»»
UAE creator economy heads towards Dh1.8 billion as gaming, streaming and social commerce accelerate
Dubai: The creator economy, once shorthand for influencers and viral videos, has quietly become one of the fastest-growing digital sectors in the Gulf. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.At its core, the creator economy refers to individuals who build audiences online and»»»
Saudi Arabia launches the world’s largest truck marshalling area at Jeddah port
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has inaugurated the world’s largest truck marshalling area, spanning 1 million sq. meters, at Jeddah Islamic Port while the Saudi Ports Authority signed seven agreements with companies worth investments exceeding SR1 billion ($266.9 million) on the sidelines of the launch. The »»»
Philippines lodges protest over China Daily's 'racist' AI video depicting Filipinos as monkey character
Dubai: The Philippines has formally lodged a diplomatic protest against China's state-owned newspaper China Daily over an AI-generated video and editorial cartoons that Manila says contain “demeaning, dehumanising, and racist depictions of Filipinos.” The protest has come amid a video published on »»»
Flexi tickets are booming, Saudi travel is slowing: How UAE holiday plans are changing
Dubai: Many UAE travellers are still going ahead with their summer holidays, but many are changing how they book. A vast majority of travellers, at least 70 per cent according to one travel agent, who have pre-booked their tickets and hotel bookings for the holidays are going ahead with their trave»»»
PM Radev on BOTAS Gas Supply Deal Suspension: We Have Offered Turkiye Mutually Beneficial Partnership
Turkiye has been offered a most mutually beneficial partnership, said Prime Minister Rumen Radev to journalists on Friday in connection with the freezing of the contract with BOTAS. "I cannot reveal specific parameters because it is a matter of confidentiality between two commercial companies. I ca»»»
Netflix growth slows despite higher profits. What it means for subscription prices
Dubai: Netflix subscribers could face further price increases over time as the streaming company looks to protect revenue growth while spending on live broadcasts, short-form videos, games and new entertainment formats. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.No fresh subscrip»»»
How Saudi Arabia is reclaiming the night sky
JEDDAH: As light pollution increasingly obscures the night sky across much of the world, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea destination is taking an unusual approach to luxury tourism: preserving darkness. Red Sea Global has introduced a destination-wide dark-sky strategy aimed at protecting pristine night ski»»»
UAE visit visa for family and friends explained: Stay up to 120 days a year
Dubai: The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) has clarified the requirements for the UAE's visit visa for family and relatives, a scheme that allows residents to sponsor loved ones and friends for short-term visits, with stays of up to 120 days a year. The authorit»»»
Bank of Sharjah H1 2026 profit rises 35% to Dh362m
Dubai: Bank of Sharjah reported a 35% increase in first-half net profit after stronger lending and higher interest income lifted earnings during the six months ended June 30. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Net profit reached Dh362 million, compared with Dh268 million »»»
Twin oil chokepoints? Yemen war reignites as Houthis threaten Bab Al-Mandab blockade
Renewed fighting in Yemen and fresh threats by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement to disrupt shipping through the Bab Al-Mandab Strait are raising concerns that global energy markets could face a second maritime crisis alongside the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. Get updated faster and for»»»
Asian currencies weaken, boosting dirham value for UAE expats
Dubai: Soft Asian currencies continue to give UAE expatriates more value for every dirham they send home, with the Indian rupee, Philippine peso and Pakistani rupee all trading near some of their weakest levels in recent years. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The India»»»
UAE travel update: Abha flights remain suspended, Etihad delays Toronto service, airlines issue fresh advisories
Dubai: Travellers flying between the UAE and southern Saudi Arabia are facing ongoing disruption, with flights to and from Abha International Airport suspended for a fourth consecutive day on Friday, despite much of the airport's domestic schedule still operating. Passengers travelling on routes be»»»
St Elijah Fair, Friday to Sunday, at National Museum of the Romanian Peasant
A Saint Elijah Fair bringing together many craftspeople, artisans, antique dealers and artists, will be hosted Friday to Sunday by the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant."Craftsmen, artisans, antique dealers and artisans bring to the fair: ceramic objects, pitchforks, dowry chests, icons, pain»»»
The Danube, at the lowest debit in last 30 years
On Thursday, the Danube reached the lowest historic debt in the last 30 years – 1750 cu.m/second, having a dropping tendency for the last 4-5 days, reaching 1,700 cu.m/s, according to the National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management (INHGA). The present debit of the Danube at Bazias can be »»»
Anonimul Festival: Five feature films to compete for Anonimul Trophy, 10-16 August
A total of 26 titles will enter in the short film competitions and five feature films will compete for the Anonimul Trophy at the 23rd edition of the Anonimul International Independent Film Festival, to be held from 10 to 16 August in Sfantu Gheorghe, the Danube Delta, the organisers announced on T»»»
ANIS: Labor productivity in IT&C sector is 16% over the national average
The IT&C industry generates about 14% of Romania's GDP, while labor productivity in the sector is 16% over the national average. However, we rank last in EU in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2025, according to conslusions of a study released on Thursday by the Patrons' Association of the Softwa»»»