Messi becomes joint World Cup all-time scorer with hat trick against Algeria
Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 on June 16. Lionel Messi's hat trick of goals came 20 years to the day after his World Cup debut. Messi is now the first man to play in six World Cups and the tournament's joint all-time scorer, alongside Germany's Miroslav Klose, with 16 goals. The player was praised by »»»
A World Cup of exclusion? US immigration policies weigh on FIFA tournament
The Iranian football team have this week criticised their treatment in the US, with the team's head coach saying they're being 'oppressed' at the World Cup. Iran - one of four countries that have been hit by a travel ban - have faced restrictions, visa complications, and logistical disruptions link»»»
Israel's special relationship with US 'seems to have melted into a pretty bad break-up'
Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could use a "softer touch" in the fight against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, the U.S. president's latest public rebuke to his partner in the war on Iran. Reporting from Jerusalem, FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky explains»»»
Trump signs memorandum of understanding with Iran – media
US President Donald Trump has personally signed a memorandum of understanding with Tehran, with a photo of the process sent to the Iranian side and the mediators, according to Axios. Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that the text of the memorandum had been officially finalized and “si»»»
DR Congo Ebola outbreak could become worst in history as thousands not being traced
Healthcare workers and officials are continuing to sound the alarm over the surging Ebola crisis. On June 16, the head of Africa's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said that tens of thousands of people who have been in contact with ill patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo are curre»»»
MSF sacks 18 staff over sexual exploitation and abuse of Sudanese refugees in Chad
Dozens of Doctors Without Borders staff have been accused of sexually abusing Sudanese refugees in Chad, the organisation said Monday, adding that it dismissed 18 workers after investigations found "serious misconduct". The medical charity, which goes by its French acronym MSF, said it had launched»»»
What does it take to add a name to the UN’s list of Yemen sanctions?
NEW YORK CITY: Any addition to the list of sanctions on Yemen must pass through the Security Council’s 2140 Committee, which includes representatives of all 15 council members. Individuals or entities can only be designated for sanctions if there is a consensus among the committee members. Any requ»»»
IGO Launches ‘Yaafour 963’ residential project in Damascus countryside
Damascus Countryside, June 18 (SANA) Invest Group Overseas (IGO) on Wednesday launched its “Yaafour 963” residential project in the Yaafour area of Damascus Countryside, marking the first announced project under the company’s new investment plan in Syria. The launch ceremony was attended by Tourism»»»
UAE, Qatar sign MoU on data protection in joint projects
DOHA: The UAE Ministry of Interior signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar to protect data and information related to joint security projects. The MoU was signed during an official visit by a delegation from the UAE Ministry of Interior, headed»»»
Will US take up Kazakhstan’s offer to host Iran’s uranium stockpile?
President Donald Trump said on June 14 that a deal to solve the US conflict with Iran had been finalised, while announcing the immediate termination of the US naval blockade of the Islamic Republic as well as what he described as the “toll-free” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In a post publishe»»»
US-Iran deal: Key points, by category
OverviewThe United States released the full text of US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) following weeks of negotiations, potentially ending the conflict over Iran's nuclear weapons. Washington and Tehran have agreed in principle to an MOU aimed at immediately ending military hostilities and n»»»
How Israel’s new ‘security belts’ could impact Middle East stability
LONDON: In what it describes as a campaign of self-defense, Israel has seized approximately 1,000 sq. km of land in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria since October 2023 — about 5 percent of its territory within the 1949 borders, according to a recent analysis. The new zones of control, rights groups say, hav»»»
Czechs expect a different South Africa, says coach Koubek
ATLANTA: The Czech Republic face South Africa in their second Group A game after they both lost their opening World Cup fixtures, but the European side’s manager Miroslav Koubek does not expect their opponents to play in a similar way to their first match. The Czechs lost 2-1 to South Korea, while»»»
Trump has nothing but praise for Modi at G7 after tensions over US military strike, trade
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday sought to show there was no daylight between him and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, effusively describing Modi as his loyal friend even as their relationship is tested by trade tensions, oil sanctions and, most recently, a US mil»»»
UAE floating hospital in Al Arish receives five new cases from Gaza Strip as part of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3
AL ARISH: The UAE Floating Hospital at Al Arish Port in the Arab Republic of Egypt has received five patients and injured Palestinians from the Gaza Strip for medical care and treatment, as part of the UAE's ongoing humanitarian and medical efforts under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 to support the»»»
Gulf aviation hubs remain critical to global industry despite regional tensions, says Jetex CEO
ROME: The private aviation sector and the important role of Gulf air-transport hubs are not at risk and will rebound as soon as the “storm goes down,” Adel Mardini, the founder and CEO of Jetex, told Arab News, referring to the recent turmoil in the region. Speaking on the sidelines of the opening »»»
Palestinian Foreign Ministry decries colonizer arson of two mosques in north Ramallah
Ramallah: The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the crimes perpetrated by settler gangs at dawn on Wednesday, following the arson of Jaljulia Grand Mosque and Al-Farooq Mosque in Mazari Al-Nu'man village, north of Ramallah. Those gangs put up inciting and racist graffiti on the wall»»»
Hezbollah chief sets 'mutual security' as ceiling for Lebanon-Israel negotiations - UPI.com
An image grab taken from Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV shows Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem delivering a speech in 2024. On Wednesday, Qassem said negotiations with Israel should be limited to "mutual security." Photo by Al-Manar TV/UPI | License Photo BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 17 (UPI) -- Hezbollah lea»»»
Israel-Lebanon continue strikes against each other - UPI.com
Supporters of Hezbollah hang a banner depicting portraits of late Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah (R) and Hashem Safieddine in a partially damaged building targeted by an Israeli strike, during the first day of Ashura in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday. Israel and Lebanon have»»»
Study: Oldest signs of plague outbreaks found in prehistoric graves - UPI.com
Scientists say in a new study in the journal Nature that they've found DNA from the bacterium that causes plague in prehistoric graves in Siberia, changing long-standing thoughts on the disease. File photo by Tamas Soki/EPA June 17 (UPI) -- Scientists have found the oldest known signs of a plague o»»»
Türkiye prioritizes Syria’s stability and broader cooperation with Lebanon
Ankara, June 17 (SANA) Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said Wednesday that joint efforts contributing to stability in Syria and the development of cooperation with Lebanon across various sectors remain among Ankara’s priorities. According to Türkiye’s Anadolu Agency, Yilmaz made the remarks in»»»
Foreign Minister receives copy of credentials of Saudi Arabias new Ambassador to Tunisia
Tunis, June 7 (TAP) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ali Nafti received on Wednesday Mohamed bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Buraithan, who presented a copy of his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and...»»»
Nigel Farage’s ‘White Britain’: A long-overdue step in the right direction
Nigel Farage’s recent Substack post lays bare the reality of Britain’s “two-tier” system, where native white Britons face systemic disadvantages in policing, housing, employment, and justice while ethnic minorities receive preferential treatment under the guise of “equality.” This is not an aberrat»»»
Nigel Farage’s ‘White Britain’: A misguided fantasy built on his enemies’ logic
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has published a lengthy personal manifesto on his Substack this week. Farage is not noted for making detailed policy pronouncements, and his long-winded writeup provides an interesting insight into Reform’s policy agenda – revealing, as it does, both its intel»»»
Israel-Lebanon continue strikes against each other - UPI.com
Supporters of Hezbollah hang a banner depicting portraits of late Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah (R) and Hashem Safieddine in a partially damaged building targeted by an Israeli strike, during the first day of Ashura in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday. Israel and Lebanon have»»»
Portugal held to 1-1 draw as DR Congo earn historic World Cup point
Houston: Cristiano Ronaldo's record-equalling sixth World Cup got off to a disappointing start as the Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first ever point at the finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K match on Wednesday. Yoane Wissa's header cancelled out Joao Neves's early goal »»»
DR Congo score 1st World Cup goal, pull out surprise draw vs. Portugal
TEXAS: Yoane Wissa scored a goal in first-half stoppage time and the Democratic Republic of Congo pulled off a surprising 1-1 draw against Portugal in the opening World Cup game for each side to begin Group K play at Houston on Wednesday. Portugal dominated possession but had just one shot on goal»»»
Gold holds ground ahead of Fed rate call under new chair Warsh
LONDON: Gold prices were little changed on Wednesday, with market participants focused on the Federal Reserve’s first policy decision under new chair Kevin Warsh and details of the US-Iran peace agreement. Spot gold was little changed at $4,323.50 per ounce by 0852 GMT, after gaining in the previou»»»
World Cup goals record ‘just a number,’ says Messi
KANSAS CITY: Lionel Messi savored a “beautiful moment” after becoming the World Cup’s joint all-time leading goalscorer on Tuesday but said, “ultimately, it is just a statistic, nothing more.” The 38-year-old Argentina captain etched another memorable chapter in his glittering career with a brillia»»»
Iran deal calls for diluting uranium, waiving sanctions, opening strait
WASHINGTON: A memorandum of understanding to be signed Friday by the United States and Iran calls for Tehran to at minimum dilute its enriched uranium and would waive but not permanently end sanctions on the country, according to US officials who read the draft language to journalists. The agreemen»»»
No: 115, 17 June 2026, Regarding the European Parliament’s 2025 Report on Türkiye
The 2025 Türkiye Report adopted today (17 June) at the Plenary Session of the European Parliament (EP) contains flawed assessments based on misinformation and unfounded claims by anti-Türkiye circles. It is clear that the report, which appears to be drafted as part of a deliberate political agenda,»»»
FIFA honours debutants and award winners with special World Cup patches
Doha: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has introduced a new way of recognising individual achievements, with selected players sporting special commemorative patches on their jerseys for the first time in the tournament's history. FIFA has added a unique badge beneath the official World Cup patch on the righ»»»
Millions in Arab, Muslim countries face hunger crisis: UN
LONDON: Acute food insecurity is expected to worsen for millions of people across an array of Arab and Muslim countries, a new report by two UN bodies has warned. The Hunger Hotspots report by the World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization highlighted Palestine, Yemen and Sudan as a»»»
Book Review: ‘The Difference’
Most organizations trying to do good have no idea if they are actually making any difference. They rely on gut feeling, glossy reports, and inspiring stories. But real impact requires clarity, not just good intentions. Matt Stevenson-Dodd’s book, “The Difference,” offers a simple and practical solu»»»
Red Cross transfers 3 Palestinians held in Israel into Gaza
LONDON: The International Committee of the Red Cross transferred three Palestinians who were detained in Israeli prisons into the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The detainees were transferred to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza, where they were reunited with their families, acc»»»
Qatar Central Bank keeps key interest rates unchanged
Doha The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) on Wednesday announced its decision to maintain current interest rates for deposits, loans, and repurchase agreements following a review of the country's monetary policy conditions. In a statement posted on its official X platform, the QCB said the deposit rate (QC»»»
Two injured after dispute sparks shooting in Oman’s Salalah
Two Omani citizens were injured in a shooting following a dispute in the southern city of Salalah on Wednesday evening, the Royal Oman Police said. Police said the incident stemmed from a quarrel between the two men linked to previous disagreements, which escalated into an exchange involving gunfir»»»
Brazil court convicts Bolsonaro's son over efforts to pressure judiciary from U.S - UPI.com
Brazil's Supreme Federal Court convicted former federal lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, and sentenced him to four years and two months in prison for coercion during judicial proceedings. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo June 17 (UPI) -- Brazil's Sup»»»
Interest rates unchanged in Kevin Warsh's first Fed announcement - UPI.com
President Donald Trump speaks to new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh at his swearing in ceremony in May. The Fed decided to keep interest rates where they are at Warsh's first meeting. File Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo June 17 (UPI) -- The Federal Reserve left interest rates as they a»»»
Government phases out fuel price cap due to price fall
With fuel prices at filling stations expected to fall 10–15 forints below the capped level this week, the government decided at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting to propose amendments to the relevant legislation to Parliament and phase out the price cap, the prime minister said on Facebook. Peter Magyar »»»
Qatar updates power bank rules for air travellers
Doha The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced updated regulations governing the carriage of power banks containing lithium batteries on aircraft, in line with the latest safety requirements issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transp»»»
Locally heavy showers expected on Wednesday night
Tunis, June 17 (TAP) - The weather will be cloudy with storms and locally heavy showers are expected on Wednesday night in western, midland and southern regions, getting generally a bit cloudy. The wind will blow east relatively strong near northern...»»»
Foreign Minister meets Mauritanian counterpart
Tunis, June 17 (TAP)- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ali Nafti met on Wednesday in Tunis with Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, who...»»»
Saudi Arabia, Uruguay sign sports cooperation pact
Agreement covers exchange of programs, expertise and technology, with cooperation in sports medicine, anti-doping and Paralympic sport Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal signed a memorandum of understand»»»
beIN MEDIA GROUP extends exclusive Wimbledon broadcast rights across MENA until 2030
DOHA: beIN MEDIA GROUP (“beIN”), the global sports, entertainment and media group, today announced the renewal of its long-standing partnership with The All England Lawn Tennis Club, securing its exclusive broadcast rights to The Championships, Wimbledon across 24 territories in the Middle East and»»»
QCB maintains current interest rates
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) said in an update that it had completed its assessment of the country's current monetary policy and decided to maintain its current interest rates. The Qatar Central Bank Interest Rates are as follows: - QCB Deposit Rate (QCBDR): 3.85% - QCB Lending Rate (Q»»»
European Parliament Approves Albania Progress Report with Majority Vote
The European Parliament has adopted the latest progress report on Albania, voting in favor with 483 votes, alongside 103 votes against and 70 abstentions. The report assesses Albania’s progress on its path toward European Union membership, reaffirming the country’s stated goal of joining the bloc b»»»
US releases text of US-Iran memorandum of understanding
The following is the text of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, as read out by a senior US official to reporters on Wednesday: "The United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran have jointly agreed in good faith on (a date yet to be determined, the official said), on the following: "P»»»
Jordan, EU to hold investment conference at Dead Sea on November 19
AMMAN — Jordan and the EU said on Wednesday that the Jordan-EU Investment Conference will be held on November 19 at the Dead Sea, under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah and with the participation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.In a joint statement issued by the Mini»»»
US Federal Reserve holds rates steady, raises inflation expectations
Washington, United States: The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday held interest rates steady as expected at Kevin Warsh's first meeting in charge of the central bank, raising its year-end inflation expectations and projecting a rate hike by the end of 2026. The Fed decided to hold rates steady at 3.50»»»