Serbia accedes to Artemis space programme
WASHINGTON - Serbia has officially acceded to the Artemis space programme. Serbian FM Marko Djuric signed the Artemis Accords at the NASA headquarters in Washington on Thursday. The signing ceremony was also attended by NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson, US Assistant Secretary of State for Oc»»»
Constitutional Court Opens Case over Method of Allocating Election Commission Quotas
The Constitutional Court has opened a case to review the constitutionality of the method used to allocate quotas in the Central Election Commission (CEC), the court's press office said on Friday. The request was submitted by 49 members of the present National Assembly. The rapporteur in the case is»»»
Iran urges citizens to cut electricity use after US strikes
Iran's energy ministry called on citizens to reduce electricity use on Friday after the power grid came under strain following U.S. strikes on energy infrastructure in the south. The ministry in a statement urged people to switch off air conditioners in peak hours "to help ensure a stable electrici»»»
Israel parliament dissolves as it gears up for elections
Israel's parliament dissolved early Friday after passing a marathon of bills in the last moments of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition. The Knesset, which was scheduled to break for its summer recess on Friday, will not reconvene before the elections scheduled on Oct. 27. The e»»»
Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar report Iranian attacks including on power, water plant
Kuwait reported Friday an Iranian attack on a power and water plant on Friday, while Bahrain and Qatar also said they had intercepted missiles after the U.S. attacked power infrastructure in Iran. Kuwait said that a power and water plant had been damaged by an Iranian attack, as the war in the Midd»»»
Spain PM Sanchez to attend World Cup final: govt
Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will attend the World Cup final to see his country take on reigning champions Argentina, his government said Friday. Sanchez, a vocal critic of US President Donald Trump -- who also plans to attend Sunday's final in New Jersey -- will then travel to Alge»»»
Russia Rejects Accusations of Interference in Electoral Processes in US
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia rejects the accusations of interference in the electoral processes in the United States, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. During his address to the nation on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said that Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are allegedly thre»»»
Iran's threat extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz
BusinessIranIran's threat extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz Timothy RooksOil and gas producers in the Gulf are seeking alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz as traffic again comes under fire. But is Iran also turning its attention to the pipelines meant to bypass the waterway? https://p.dw.com/p/5»»»
Russian strikes on Odesa kill two, cause significant damage
KYIV: A Russian strike on the Black Sea port city of Odesa hit a residential building and killed two people, the deputy mayor of the Ukrainian city said Friday. The official, Oleksandr Filatov, confirmed the fatalities and the missile strike at the scene. Other officials said eight people, includin»»»
CPI Romania bets on ESG and asset quality to sustain performance in competitive market
Fulga Dinu, country manager at CPI Romania, talked to BR about the company’s EUR 100 million financing for Sun Plaza, ongoing asset transformation, and investment priorities for 2026. She mentions resilience in prime retail and office markets, evolving consumer behaviour, and the growing importance»»»
WDP Romania forecasts infrastructure-led expansion as logistics demand holds firm
Gijs Klomp, head of business development at WDP Romania, talked to BR regarding the strong demand for logistics in its portfolio, the impact of new infrastructure nodes, and competitive regional rental dynamics through the remainder of 2026. Which sectors do you project will lead demand for WDP Rom»»»
UAE supports safe return of abandoned two-year-old girl to the Philippines
Dubai: A two-year-old Filipino girl who was abandoned as an infant has returned safely to the Philippines after spending most of her early childhood under the care of a Dubai shelter. The child has arrived on July 9 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Manila on a commerci»»»
Riding an e-scooter in Abu Dhabi? 9 safety rules you must know
Abu Dhabi authorities have shared nine safety guidelines for electric bicycle and scooter riders, urging users to follow responsible riding practices and comply with safety rules to protect themselves and other road users. The guidelines highlight the importance of wearing protective equipment, usi»»»
Kuwait says power, water plant hit by Iranian attack
Kuwait City, Kuwait: Kuwait said Friday that a power and water plant had been damaged by an Iranian attack, as the war in the Middle East escalated. "One of the power and water distillation plants was the target of an attack as part of the Iranian aggression... resulting in a fire, damage, and the »»»
Ten-man Vojvodina lose to Ferencvaros away in UEFA Europa League qualifiers
BUDAPEST - Serbian football club Vojvodina Novi Sad have been knocked out of the UEFA Europa League qualifiers after losing 3-0 away to Hungary's Ferencvaros on Thursday evening in the second leg of the two teams' qualifying tie. Ferencvaros won the first leg 2-1. In the ninth minute of the second »»»
Assailants board chemical products tanker off Yemen in suspected pirate hijacking, sources say
LONDON: Armed assailants are believed to have boarded the chemical tanker Asana off the southern coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden on Friday and are in control of the vessel, maritime security sources said. The small tanker, which had no confirmed flag, had listed the Somali port of B»»»
Kuwait says Iran attacked a power and water desalination plant, causing widespread damage
Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said an attack on Friday damaged one of the country’s power generation and water distillation plants. The ministry said the strike caused a fire and affected several electricity generation units, prompting the activation of emergency meas»»»
Media Review: July 17
POLITICS In an op-ed entitled "What is Bulgaria's place, Mr Radev?" and published by Capital, Alexander Detev comments on Prime Minister Rumen Radev's statement that Bulgaria will not join the Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine. Radev argued that lasting peace should be achieved through di»»»
Trump revives election fraud claims ahead of US midterms
Washington, United States: US President Donald Trump on Thursday revived sweeping and unsupported claims of voter fraud and Chinese meddling -- firing a clear warning shot ahead of midterm elections that many expect him to dispute. In a primetime White House address, Trump portrayed the US electora»»»
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»»»
In speech to nation, Trump declassifies intelligence claiming Chinese interference in 2020 elections
US President Donald Trump declassified intelligence he said showed Chinese interference in US elections, reviving claims about election security despite intelligence findings that Beijing did not alter the 2020 vote he lost. The move reinforces Trump's push to make election integrity a central issu»»»
Election fraud claims and threats to media: what to know about Trump's address
US President Donald Trump on Thursday revived sweeping and unsupported claims of voter fraud and Chinese meddling, firing a clear warning shot ahead of midterm elections that many expect him to dispute. What should be remembered from this speech? FRANCE 24's Andrew Hilliar looks at what was said, b»»»
Middle East live: Kuwait says electrical and desalination plant damaged in Iranian attack
Kuwait said on Friday that an Iranian attack on a power and water desalination plant had caused widespread damage to the station. The news came after Iran launched multiple air strikes on its Gulf neighbours in response to US air strikes overnight. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates. (FRANC»»»
The mission after space: Prince Sultan’s journey into Saudi heritage
RIYADH: While most people know Prince Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud as the first Arab and Muslim astronaut to travel into space, the years that followed were devoted to a different mission: reviving Saudi Arabia’s heritage and documenting the people whose lives helped shape the Kingdom’s history throug»»»
Figures revealed: Here's how much taxpayer money was spent on President Sulyok's trips abroad
The Hungarian state spent more than HUF 387 million on President Tamás Sulyok’s official foreign trips between March 2024, when he took office, and the end of 2025, according to figures released following a public information request. The data, obtained by HVG from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a»»»
Radev Explains Turkish Revolver Gift: “I Did Not Want to Violate Its Authenticity”
Prime Minister Rumen Radev addressed questions from MPs during Friday’s parliamentary control session, with the issue of a ceremonial revolver he received as a gift in Turkey being the only inquiry directed at him. The session began at 9:00 a.m., with Radev, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Pulev an»»»
Bulgaria's PM Warns of Nuclear Danger in Ukraine: “We May Witness a Tactical Nuclear Strike”
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev warned that the continued escalation of the war in Ukraine could lead to an even more dangerous phase of the conflict, including a possible tactical nuclear strike. Speaking to journalists after parliamentary oversight, he said that he does not see a clear winne»»»
Over 70 Leads, No Breakthrough in Search for Missing Bulgarian Girl NataliaOpinions
The search for 11-year-old Natalia Asenova and 40-year-old Asen Simeonov entered its 18th day, with police and volunteers continuing around-the-clock efforts to locate the pair after they disappeared from the Varna village of Konstantinovo. Despite dozens of reported sightings, authorities have yet»»»
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»»»
China slams Trump claims of US election meddling as ‘pure fabrications’
BEIJING: Beijing accused US President Donald Trump of making “fabrications” on Friday, after he said China had meddled in US election data, reviving his long-standing baseless claims of voter fraud ahead of midterm polls many expect him to dispute. Trump said in a White House address on Thursday th»»»
PM Confident of Lowering Budget Deficit
Prime Minister Rumen Radev Friday said he was confident that Bulgaria would achieve a lower budget deficit. Speaking to reporters in Parliament, he said that most importantly, the 2026 Budget reveals the full picture of the country's finances, provides a solid foundation and introduces rules for fi»»»
Three strategic islands in the crosshairs of US-Iran war
The expanding U.S. military campaign against Iran has put three small islands that sit at the confluence of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz in the crosshairs once again. The islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb — which were seized in 1971 by Iran from what would become the Unit»»»
Old Homes Keep Bulgaria Trapped in Energy PovertyOpinions
Bulgaria’s aging housing stock remains one of the main factors behind the country’s high vulnerability to energy poverty. While across Europe newer and renovated buildings are helping reduce the number of households struggling to heat their homes or pay energy bills, many Bulgarian households conti»»»
Dinar-to-euro exchange rate at RSD 117.3751
BELGRADE - The Serbian dinar's official median exchange rate against the euro is 117.3751 dinars for one euro on Friday, which is a slight change relative to Thursday, the National Bank of Serbia said. The dinar is steady against the euro m-o-m, down by 0.2 pct y-o-y and down by 0.1 pct relative to»»»
Football’s real triumph is bringing people together
"Football is the most important of the less important things in the world." Those are the words of one of the most successful coaches in the history of football, Carlo Ancelotti. My fingernails, lack of sleep and heightened blood pressure are all evidence that Brazil’s current manager has a point. »»»
tbi bank provides €7.85 million in financing to REDESIGN to continue the Stejeriș project
tbi bank is providing REDESIGN with €7.85 million in financing over a 24-month period to complete the first buildings in the second phase of the Stejeriș project. The loan, with the principal repayable in full at maturity, will support the continuation of construction works on seven boutique reside»»»
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 »»»
Hopes for US-Iran diplomacy still alive as fighting intensifies over Hormuz
Fighting between the U.S. and Iran has intensified over control of the Strait of Hormuz, but hopes for a possible diplomatic solution have shown stubborn signs of life. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Thursday rejected suggestions that Islamabad had abandoned efforts to bring Washington and Tehran b»»»
US strikes bridges, collapses tower at key port as its Iran campaign expands
The United States expanded its airstrike campaign against Iran early Friday by hitting more bridges, electrical equipment and collapsing a tower at a key Iranian port, part of U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to start striking infrastructure to pressure Tehran to ease its chokehold on the Stra»»»
Caught on camera: Dubai Police expose driver speeding at 230km/hr, facing Dh50,000 fine
Dubai Police have taken action against a reckless driver who removed his vehicle’s licence plates in an attempt to evade smart traffic monitoring systems. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.In a social media post sharing video footage of the incident»»»
TUI Romania opens Its first brick-and-mortar travel agency at Sun Plaza
The brick-and-mortar travel agency caters to the needs of a diverse range of travelers. TUI consultants can assist both those seeking affordable last-minute vacations to destinations served by charter flights and those interested in vacations to exotic destinations, with additional benefits tailore»»»
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»»»
Aid group says seven Americans quarantining at Kenya Ebola facility after US travel ban
GENEVA/NAIROBI: Seven American aid workers who had been in Congo to fight the Ebola outbreak are quarantining at an isolation facility in Kenya after the US government introduced new travel restrictions, the head of a US charity employing them told Reuters. The aid workers are the first people to q»»»
Uber acquires Delivery Hero, and Saudi Arabia is the key player
RIYADH: Uber Technologies has acquired Germany’s Delivery Hero in a deal valued at €12.7 billion ($14.53 billion), reshaping the competitive landscape of the global food delivery and quick-commerce sector. According to Al-Eqtisadiah’s financial analysis unit, the acquisition comes at a time when Sa»»»
Canadian wildfire smoke brings dangerously high pollution to US cities
Air quality levels in Chicago, Detroitt and New York reached dangerously high levels on Tuesday as the US cities were shrouded in smoke produced by wildfires raging through swathes of Canadian forestland. More than 130 fires are still active in northwestern Ontario province, with at least 60 o»»»
Saudi Football Federation sets election date following Al-Misehal resignation
JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has announced elections for a new president and board of directors will take place on Aug. 30. The elections follow the resignation of its president, Yasser Al-Misehal, who stepped down after the Kingdom’s group-stage exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. »»»
Iran says it hit U.S. command center in Syria as Hormuz fight escalates - UPI.com
An anti-U.S. billboard that hangs at Palestine Square in Tehran, Iran, features a sentence in Persian that reads "Blood for Blood," on Thursday. Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA July 17 (UPI) -- Iran early Friday said it struck a U.S. special operations command center in southeastern Syria, escalat»»»
Al-Manar correspondent reports Israeli drone activity over Baalbek in eastern Lebanon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar correspondent reports Israeli drone activity over Baalbek in eastern Lebanon 17-07-2026 11:19 AM Latest News Urgent News Al-Manar »»»
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»»»