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»»»
Foreign Minister Denies Claims of Bulgarian Commitment to Ukraine Coalition
Bulgaria has not assumed any commitment regarding the coalition of the willing for Ukraine, Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said on Friday, denying allegations of inconsistent actions of the Bulgarian government on the matter. "Absolutely no commitment has been assumed for participation of Bulga»»»
How Britain’s Andy Burnham went from ‘King of the North’ to inheriting the 10 Downing Street throne
Andy Burnham’s unlikely, but then inevitable rise to become UK prime minister is a classic tale of having the politician’s greatest talent: being in the right place at the right time. A month ago, Burnham wasn’t even an MP. But he pounced on Keir Starmer’s deeply unpopular leadership style, making »»»
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»»»
Former PM Barak fears a repeat of Israel's Lebanon quagmire
It was just before sunrise when the last columns of Israeli tanks crossed from Lebanon back into Israel and then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who ordered the withdrawal, said the homecoming of Israeli troops sent "shivers down his spine." That was May 24, 2000, the day Israel ended its 18-year occupa»»»
Bulgaria's PM Defends the Foreign Minister: "She Did Not Sign the Kyiv Declaration"
Prime Minister Rumen Radev dismissed claims of conflicting government positions on Ukraine, insisting that Bulgaria's policy remains consistent and that Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova did not commit the country to any new obligations during her visit to Kyiv. Speaking to reporters in parliament»»»
Bulgaria Shares Magnitsky Sanctions Evasion Schemes With U.S.Opinions
Bulgaria has shared with the United States information related to alleged schemes used to bypass sanctions imposed under the Global Magnitsky Act, Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev announced, saying cooperation between Bulgarian and U.S. authorities will continue. Demerdzhiev said Sofia had provid»»»
Al-Manar correspondent in southern Lebanon reports Israeli demolition operation in the village of Zawtar in Nabatieh district - 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 in southern Lebanon reports Israeli demolition operation in the village of Zawtar in Nabatieh district 17-07-2026 11»»»
Saudi Arabia’s POS spending holds above $3.8bn
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s total point-of-sale transaction value remained above SR14.2 billion ($3.8 billion) in the week ending July 11, despite a weekly drop of 15.9 percent, according to the Kingdom’s central bank. The total number of transactions also eased, dropping 6.8 percent to 250.5 million du»»»
UK police charge man over Iran-linked spying offenses
LONDON: British police said on Friday they had charged a 39-year-old man on suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence service, the latest in a series of incidents involving Tehran and offenses covered under UK National Security laws. Police said the suspect, Vahid Aberi, from Liverpool, northern E»»»
Romania’s leading real estate projects and companies recognised at Realty Awards 2026
Business Review recognised ten companies and projects whose investments, development strategies and operating models have made a significant contribution to Romania’s real estate market at the Realty Forum & Awards Gala 2026. Held on July 15 at Hotel CARO in Bucharest, the event marked the 25th edi»»»
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»»»
Temperatures to climb slightly Friday
Tunis, July 17 (TAP) – Hot weather will prevail on Friday, with partly cloudy skies becoming progressively very cloudy in the afternoon, particularly over the country's western highlands, where localized thundery cells may develop.These storms could...»»»
AI Development Must Not Harm Diversity of Civilizations - Xi Jinping
SHANGHAI (Sputnik) - The development and application of artificial intelligence must not undermine the diversity of world civilizations or the uniqueness of national cultures, so that AI remains under human control, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony of the World Artificial I»»»
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»»»
PM Denies Any Contradictions within Government over War in Ukraine, Says Foreign Minister Did Not Sign Kyiv Declaration
Bulgaria's Prime Minister Rumen Radev Friday said there are no contradictions within the government regarding the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters in Parliament, he was adamant that Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova did not sign the Kyiv Declaration adopted by the Fifth Ukraine-Southeast Euro»»»
Bulgaria Restricts Heavy Truck Traffic on Trakia and Struma Motorways Friday to Sunday
Bulgaria will temporarily restrict the movement of heavy goods vehicles weighing over 12 tonnes on Trakia Motorway, Struma Motorway and a section of the I-1 road through the Kresna Gorge, to ease weekend traffic and improve road safety, said the Road Infrastructure Agency. On Friday, July 17, truck»»»
BTA Provides LIK Typeface to Ministry of Foreign Affairs
BTA provided its LIK typeface to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs free of charge at the BTA National Press Club on Friday. The document settling the rights on the typeface was signed by BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova. In his speech, Valchev said that the co»»»
Volvo Cars sees declining sales in 'challenging' environment
Stockholm: Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars on Friday reported a drop in sales in the second quarter, noting a "very challenging environment," but said it expected sales to pick up in the second half of the year. "The second quarter ends a turbulent first half of 2026. The China market weakened for us a»»»
Saudi brand Lavish Concepts focuses on ‘cultural education’ through London showcase
DUBAI: Luxury lifestyle brand Lavish Concepts, founded by Saudi businesswomen Nada Altobaishi and Hala Al-Sharekh, is staging a permanent exhibition “with seasonal collections and activations that evolve throughout the year” called “Heritage Reframed” at its atelier in Chiswick, London. The most re»»»
DOJ sues Maryland over allegedly discriminatory Dream Act - UPI.com
The Justice Department under acting Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging Maryland's Dream Act. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 17 (UPI) -- The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Maryland laws offering in-state tuition benefits to qualifyi»»»
Iran’s IRGC Targets US Command Center in Syria’s Tanf
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Friday a retaliatory strike on a US special operations command center at Al-Tanf in Syria. In a statement, the IRGC said: “O Islamic people of Iran, makers of epics, brave and vigilant: In response to the attacks of the child-killing Amer»»»
EU, Lebanon strengthen partnership in transportation, energy, environment and water
The European Union and Lebanon held Thursday a 4th meeting of a Sub-Committee on Transport, Energy, Environment and Water, the EU delegation to Lebanon said. "The meeting builds on ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation in key sectors, which the EU has significantly supported in recent years, am»»»