Heatwave spreads across eastern Europe, France records 1,000 deaths in a week
The record-breaking heatwave in France is set to come to an end on Sunday, with the country's extreme weather alert expected to be lifted by the evening, bringing relief after temperatures climbed as high as 40°C this week. But the heatwave is far from over, as it shifts eastward, with Germany and »»»
More than 1,300 excess deaths linked to record-breaking Europe heatwave, WHO says
More than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded in connection with Europe's record-breaking heatwave since June 21, according to the World Health Organization on Sunday. Earlier that day, health officials in France reported that there had been around 1,000 more deaths than expected in the cou»»»
Burkina Faso ruling junta cuts diplomatic ties with ex-ruler France
Burkina Faso's military junta on Friday cut diplomatic ties with former colonial power France, accusing Paris of acting against its interests and backing subversive networks and militants in the Sahel. The move deepens the ruling authorities' break with Western allies since Captain Ibrahim Traore s»»»
Heatwave shatters records across Europe, disrupts transport and strains hospitals
An intense heatwave that scorched western Europe this week spread into central and eastern parts of the continent on Saturday, bringing record temperatures from Denmark to Switzerland and Germany. The extreme heat disrupted transport, strained hospitals and renewed concerns over the growing impact »»»
Europol: Bulgaria Used as Key Transit Hub on Turkey-EU Migrant Smuggling RouteOpinions
Europol has identified Bulgaria as a key transit country along a migrant smuggling route running from Turkey toward Western Europe, according to a new report released today. The analysis outlines how criminal networks operating in the region used Bulgaria as part of a broader cross-border trafficki»»»
Germany braces for record temperatures as heatwave moves east
France, Britain, Switzerland and Germany all experienced record heat in June and the weather system could test more records as it rolls across Germany towards Poland Saturday. Germany reached a new record of 41.3°C Friday near the city of Saarbruecken close to the French border while dozens»»»
‘Vespa is a way of life’: Thousands ride through Rome as Italy’s iconic scooter turns 80
Thousands of Vespa enthusiasts rode through Rome on Saturday as Italy celebrated the 80th anniversary of its iconic scooter. Created in the aftermath of World War II, the Vespa has evolved from an affordable means of transport into a global symbol of Italian design, lifestyle and cinematic glamour.»»»
UAE–Bangladesh travel: Etihad launches Dhaka route with sold-out inaugural flight
Etihad Airways has launched its inaugural flight to Dhaka, operating a sold-out Boeing 777 service from Abu Dhabi on 26 June, marking a key expansion in its South Asia network. The new route is designed to strengthen trade and cargo connectivity between the UAE and Bangladesh while meeting sustaine»»»
Central African Republic declares cholera outbreak after 24 deaths
BANGUI: The Central African Republic has declared a cholera outbreak after confirming 24 deaths and 197 cases near the capital Bangui, according to the health minister. “The Ministry of Health... has today, June 26, 2026, confirmed a cholera outbreak in the health districts of Bimbo and Mbaiki,” so»»»
UAE, Lebanese Presidents discuss bilateral ties and regional developments in phone call
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Joseph Aoun, President of the Lebanese Republic, spoke by telephone today to discuss bilateral relations and ways to further strengthen cooperation in support of both countries’ interests and the prosperity and wellbei»»»
Agriculture Minister Abrovski: EUR 170 M to Compensate Farmers for Higher Fertilizer and Fuel Costs
Bulgaria has earmarked EUR 170 million in its budget to compensate farmers for higher fertilizer and fuel costs resulting from the conflict with Iran, Agriculture and Food Minister Plamen Abrovski said on Saturday. The aid scheme will cover up to 70% of the increase in fertilizer and fuel prices. A»»»
Germany gripped by record temperatures as European heatwave moves east
BERLIN/MILAN: Germany and Italy endured sweltering conditions on Saturday as a heatwave linked to dozens of deaths in Western Europe spread eastwards after temperatures broke records above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Britain, France, Switzerland and Germany have all experienced rec»»»
UK to expand refugee sponsorship schemes
LONDON: The UK interior ministry has announced it will create new legal routes for asylum seekers, including allowing community organizations to sponsor refugees based on a similar system in Canada. The system will come into place later this year, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said late Friday, wi»»»
Photos: Over 10,000 Vespas take over Rome as iconic scooter turns 80
Rome: More than 10,000 Vespas putt-putt-putted around the Colosseum and past the Roman Forum on Saturday, marking the 80th anniversary of the iconic scooter. Enthusiasts came from all over. Vespa-borne visitors converged on the Eternal City's cobblestone streets to celebrate a brand they likewise v»»»
Kyrgyzstan seeks public health cooperation with XUAR - | 24.KG
Deputy Minister of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic Bakytbek Kadyraliev participated in the Xinjiang Silk Road Health Forum. According to the Ministry of Health’s press center, Bakytbek Kadyraliev delivered a report. «Today, our task is to build a system in which every patient, regardless of where the»»»
Aoun says Israel deal first step to restoring sovereignty
President Joseph Aoun said a deal signed with Israel on Friday was a first step towards fully restoring Lebanon's sovereignty after the latest war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. "The framework agreement signed today is a first step" that will enable Lebanese "to return to their fully lib»»»
Could this week’s global earthquakes be connected? What scientists say
A string of powerful earthquakes struck different parts of the world on Wednesday, prompting speculation over whether the events could be connected. While seismologists say they were not, the unusual cluster has raised questions about how earthquakes are linked, why some occur in pairs, and what te»»»
Why Germany's Deutsche Bahn will face delays for many years
BusinessGermanyWhy Germany's Deutsche Bahn will face delays for many yearsSabine KinkartzDelayed, unreliable and forced into long detours due to construction: Germany can no longer shine when it comes to rail travel — and this is unlikely to change anytime soon. The company is mired in a deep crisi»»»
How a Qatar-led research project is targeting breakthroughs in treating Parkinson’s
Globally recognized Qatar Foundation researcher Dr. Hilal A. Lashuel discusses the Parkinson’s challenge facing the world, the unanswered questions behind the research he is spearheading, and Qatar’s role in advancing biomedical discovery Doha, Qatar: Backed by a USD 9 million, three-year global re»»»
Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Europe if countries impose tax on US digital services
US President Donald Trump threatened Friday to impose 100 percent tariffs on European countries that implement a digital services tax, even if it means canceling existing trade agreements. US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened a 100 percent tax on imports from any country that imposes a ta»»»
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»»»
Gold, jewellery and cash: What travellers need to know before entering Saudi Arabia
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has introduced tighter anti-money laundering regulations requiring travellers entering or leaving the Kingdom to declare gold bullion, precious metals, gemstones and jewellery valued at SAR40,000 ($10,700) or more, lowering the previous declaration threshold from SAR60,000. Unde»»»
Only two countries outrank the UAE for road quality in 2026
Abu Dhabi: The UAE ranked third globally for road quality in 2026, according to the latest World Population Review ranking, reinforcing the country's standing among the world's leading nations for transport infrastructure. The ranking, based on international infrastructure assessments and reports, »»»
Temperatures between 35°C and 41°C Saturday
Tunis, June 27 (TAP) – The weather, on Saturday, will be clear to slightly cloudy, becoming partly hazy in the afternoon over western regions.Winds will blow from the northeast over the north and center, and from the east in the south. They will...»»»
‘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»»»
Trossard, De Bruyne score and Belgium defeats New Zealand 5-1 to advance at the World Cup
VANCOUVER: With a flurry of of goals, Belgium finally found its footing at the World Cup. Leandro Trossard scored a pair of goals and Belgium overcame a slow start in the tournament to advance to the knockout round atop Group G with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand on Friday night. Belgium will face »»»
AI is helping scientists decode birdsong — and human-animal conversations may be closer than ever
For generations, birdsong has been admired, recorded and studied. Understanding what it actually means has proved far more elusive. That may be starting to change. A scientist who spent more than 15 years studying zebra finches has won one of the world's largest prizes for animal communication rese»»»
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 »»»
Support for euro adoption reaches 75%, says prime minister
Support for Hungary joining the eurozone is exceptionally high, at around 70–75%, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said at a press conference in Budapest on Friday following talks with Kyriakos Pierrakakis, president of the Eurogroup, the finance ministers' body of the eurozone. He stressed that meeting»»»
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»»»
Fuel price cap ends in Hungary today as government lifts emergency measure
Hungary’s temporary fuel price cap comes to an end on Saturday, with motorists once again paying market prices for petrol and diesel. The government says the measure is no longer necessary as global energy markets have stabilised, although new legislation leaves the door open for price controls to »»»
France introduces measures to limit the heatwave's impact on health services
A punishing heatwave that has suffocated large parts of France for days is now shifting east. With highs of 38 degrees Celsius forecast for cities like Paris, Strasbourg and Lyon. With hospitals overwhelmed, authorities have banned evening alcohol sales and public consumption in the capital, while »»»
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 »»»
Planning a weekend out? Here's what to expect from the UAE weather
Abu Dhabi: The UAE is expected to see fair to partly cloudy weather on Saturday, with low clouds appearing over eastern areas and humidity rising overnight and into Sunday morning, the National Centre of Meteorology said. There is a chance of fog or mist forming over some coastal and internal areas»»»
Your fridge is working harder in UAE heat—experts reveal early warning signs to protect your food and health
Warm milk. Warm food. The bottle of water that you placed at 7 am is still lukewarm by the end of the day, ruining your hopes of an ice-cold drink after battling traffic for an hour. Warm, warm, and warmer. Well, the universe isn’t against you, but your refrigerator is waving a white flag. In 45 de»»»
Utah warns southwest region residents of 'rapid fire spread' - UPI.com
A wildfire that started in Beaver, Utah, has prompted the National Weather Service to issue warnings about its potential spread. Photo by Google Maps June 26 (UPI) -- The National Weather Service on Friday evening issued its first Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning in the history of Salt Lake Cit»»»
From kitchen helper to culinary mentor: Why this Filipino expat is committed to giving back in the UAE
Dubai: For many expatriates, arriving in the UAE marks the beginning of an uncertain chapter. There are dreams to pursue, sacrifices to make, and countless challenges to overcome. When Filipino expat Francis Diesto Danganan landed in the UAE in 2003, he was carrying the same hopes shared by million»»»
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»»»
Burkina Faso cuts diplomatic ties with ex-ruler France
ABIDJAN: Burkina Faso’s ruling junta on Friday severed diplomatic ties with former colonial ruler France, accusing Paris of persistently acting against its interests. The military regime led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, in power since a coup in September 2022, is pursuing a policy repressive toward c»»»
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) »»»
Europe on high alert as deadly heat set to move east and south
The unprecedented heatwave that has been hitting Europe since the beginning of the week is spreading east and south across the continent, leading to the cancellation of events as temperatures exceed 35C and hospitals are becoming overwhelmed with demand. Health authorities across Europe were on hig»»»
Lebanon president: Israel deal first step to restoring sovereignty
BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said a deal signed with Israel on Friday was a first step toward fully restoring his country’s sovereignty after the latest war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah. “The framework agreement signed today is a first step” that will enable Lebanese “to r»»»
Massive Saharan dust clouds to approach Florida, Gulf this weekend - UPI.com
Dust in the Caribbean on visible satellite Friday morning. (NOAA/CIRA) It's Saharan dust season in the Atlantic, the time of year when massive clouds of dust from Africa's Sahara Desert are carried westward by winds, sometimes traveling thousands of miles to the United States. Where is the dust now»»»
Sheikh Joaan attends 94th ANOC Executive Council Meeting In Lausanne
Lausanne: Senior Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), President of the Olympic Council of Asia, and the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani attended the 94th ANOC Executive Council Meeting, held today in Lausanne, Switzerla»»»
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»»»
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Shaziz Shawarma’ in Mateen Center, Riyadh
Shawarma is a simple, wholesome food that gives you comfort in every situation, whether you are lonely at home or in your car or cheering on your favorite team with friends during a World Cup match. Who makes the best shawarma, however, is highly debatable. Now, this is not me throwing my hat in to»»»
TIF2026: Electric mobility , new pillar for more competitive Tunisian industry
Tunis, June 26 (TAP) - "Electric mobility today represents a new pillar for a more competitive Tunisian industry, particularly at a time when the global automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation," said Secretary of State for Energy...»»»
What the Khorfakkan Mango Festival offers to local farmers and families
Sharjah: In Khorfakkan, a mango is never just a mango. It is the result of months of care, irrigation, patience, and planning. It is also a competition entry, a source of income, a family project, and, for many growers, a livelihood rooted in the land. From today, June 26, that story has unfolded p»»»
Coal’s unexpected comeback on Middle East conflict energy security fears
The disruption to global energy markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East has triggered an unexpected resurgence in coal demand, as energy security fears outweigh Climate Crisis commitments. Coal prices and consumption both rose following disruptions to natural gas supplies from the Gulf, r»»»