Dalic quits after ‘incredible era’ as Croatia coach
ZAGREB: Croatia’s most successful football coach, Zlatko Dalic, resigned on Wednesday, ending a tenure that included taking the team to the 2018 World Cup final. “As much as I still feel the ambition and desire to achieve new successes with Croatia, I feel that this is the right moment to bring thi»»»
Le Pen hits campaign trail morning after announcing run
LA FLECHE, France: France’s far-right supremo Marine Le Pen hit the campaign trail on Wednesday fresh off her announcement she would run for president despite an embezzlement conviction. Surrounded by crowds and journalists in the western town of La Fleche, that was won by her National Rally (RN) p»»»
Riad Salameh's hearing postponed
Lebanon's judiciary postponed a hearing scheduled Wednesday for former central bank governor Riad Salameh, accused of embezzling more than $300 million, a judicial official told AFP. Salameh, who headed the central bank for three decades and was arrested in 2024, has faced numerous accusations incl»»»
Parliament's Social Policy Committee Approves 2026 State Budget Bill at First Reading
The parliamentary Labour, Demographic and Social Policy Committee approved the 2026 State Budget Bill at first reading, with 12 committee members voting in favour and six against, while there were no abstentions. The budget's parameters were presented by Deputy Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova. Ga»»»
Former Judge Hannah Dugan to be sentenced for blocking ICE arrest - UPI.com
Former Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan is set to be sentenced Wednesday for trying to hide an undocumented immigrant from ICE agents. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo July 8 (UPI) -- Former Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday for obstruction for trying to »»»
Nakilat says crew safe after projectile hits LNG carrier 'Al Rakiyat'
DOHA: Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (Nakilat) announced that 'Al Rakiyat', the liquefied natural gas carrier, was struck by a projectile while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, confirming that the incident resulted in no injuries among the crew members, nor did it cause any env»»»
IMF: Serbia to be one of Europe's five fastest-growing economies
WASHINGTON - In its new forecast, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Serbia would become one of Europe's five fastest-growing economies, with average annual GDP growth of 3.52 pct in 2027-2031. The IMF said a large-scale investment cycle associated with hosting EXPO 2027 Belgrade would the »»»
Qatar strengthens state audit powers with amendments introducing criminal penalties and financial disclosure requirements
Doha, Qatar: Amendments to Qatar's State Audit Bureau Law will enter into force on July 25 2026, introducing new enforcement powers, criminal penalties and financial disclosure requirements aimed at strengthening public-sector oversight after nearly a decade of experience under the existing legisla»»»
UAE: Iranian attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait violate sovereignty and threaten stability.
Dubai: The UAE has strongly condemned renewed Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait with missiles and drones. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attacks constituted a blatant violation of the sovereignty of Bahrain and Kuwait, and posed a threat to their security and st»»»
Al-Sharaa and congressional delegation discuss US-Syria ties in Ankara
LONDON: Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the president of the Syrian Arab Republic, has held talks on ties and regional development with American members of Congress and US Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack. The officials met on Wednesday in Ankara, where Turkiye is hosting the 36th NATO Su»»»
CNRD reviews challenges facing communitarian companies
TUNIS, July 8 (TAP) – The challenges and difficulties facing communitarian companies were the focus of a meeting held on Wednesday by the Services and Social Development Committee of the National Council of Regions and Districts (CNRD), in the...»»»
Qatar to host 2026 and 2028 editions of FIP Padel World Cup
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Padel Federation announced that the International Padel Federation (FIP) has awarded Doha the hosting rights for the 2026 and 2028 editions of the FIP Padel World Cup, reinforcing Qatar's position as a global destination for major international sporting events. Both editions »»»
Trump urges cutting off all trade with Spain at NATO summit - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump at the Beştepe Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey on Tuesday. Photo by Turkish Presidency Office/UPI | License Photo July 8 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday at the NATO summit that he wants to cut»»»
Qatar Economic Forum to convene exclusive leadership gathering alongside UNGA 2026
DOHA: The Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will convene a special leadership gathering alongside the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 20. The gathering, titled QEF: UNGA Special Edition »»»
Infected during an epidemic? UAE law says you keep your pay and leave.
Abu Dhabi: Employees infected with communicable diseases during an epidemic or pandemic will be prohibited from attending work without losing their salaries or leave entitlements under amendments to the UAE's federal law on combating communicable diseases approved by the Federal National Council. T»»»
Neutral Status Cannot Erase National Identity - Russian Athlete
Competing under neutral status at international events does not mean you represent only yourself, and Russian athletes still project their country’s image, world champion Alena Efimova said. “Everyone knows us and knows exactly which country we come from. I defend not only myself, but also my entir»»»
Foreign investment in Japanese startups up 70% in H1 2024
Overseas venture capital (VC) funds are demonstrating a growing appetite for Japanese startups, with investments surging nearly 70 % to 22.5 billion yen ($152 million) in the first half of the year. This accounts for about 20% of total VC funding in Japan, marking a notable shift from China due to »»»
Hypatia of Alexandria The Last Light of the Ancient World
Part VII – Why the World Still Remembers Hypatia “Civilizations are remembered not only by the empires they build, but by the ideas they refuse to abandon.” On an ordinary spring day in AD 415, the citizens of Alexandria could not have imagined that the murder of a philosopher would echo across six»»»
Diamond-studded $2 million Hermès Birkin steals the show as Isha Ambani attends Paris Couture Week
Dubai: Owning a Hermes Birkin is already considered the ultimate luxury flex. But carrying one that's worth an estimated $2 million? That's a whole different league. Isha Ambani turned heads at the Paris Haute Couture Week when she arrived at Rahul Mishra's runway show carrying the ultra-rare Hermè»»»
Damage or smuggle heritage in the UAE? You could face 10 years behind bars.
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has approved a new federal Cultural Heritage Law introducing prison terms of up to 10 years and fines of as much as Dh10 million for offences against the country's cultural heritage, as part of a comprehensive framework aimed at protecting archaeological sites, historical assets »»»
UAE, South Korea strike 3-year deal to strengthen patents and AI innovation
Dubai: The UAE has agreed a three-year action plan with South Korea to strengthen cooperation on patent and industrial design examination, while also exploring closer collaboration with Singapore on intellectual property legislation. The agreements were discussed during bilateral meetings held by A»»»
Clipping Flamingo’s Wings – How Russia is Wiping Out Ukraine’s Wunderwaffe Missiles at Their Source
Flamingo cruise missiles have a 3k km range and a 1.1T warhead – enough to deliver a powerful blow beyond the Urals. That makes their systematic destruction imperative, says air defense expert Yuri Knutov, commenting on the latest Russian strikes on a Flamingo assembly plant in Kiev. Flamingos heav»»»
Bulgaria Leads EU in Services Sector Growth with 9.3% Annual IncreaseOpinions
Bulgaria recorded the fastest annual growth in services production among European Union member states in April 2026, according to the latest preliminary figures released by Eurostat. Output in the country's services sector climbed 9.3% compared with April 2025, placing Bulgaria at the top of the EU»»»
INTERVIEW: Uzbekistan's largest lender bets on retail banking as reforms transform financial sector
The National Bank of Uzbekistan, the country’s largest commercial bank, is betting that the next phase of the country's economic transformation will be driven not by state-backed megaprojects but by households and small businesses. After a decade of reforms since Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev »»»
Ajman Bank prices debut $300m AT1 Sukuk at 6.5%
Ajman: Ajman Bank has successfully priced its inaugural $300 million Additional Tier 1 (AT1) Perpetual Non-Call 5.5-Year Sukuk at a profit rate of 6.5 per cent, marking a key milestone in the lender’s capital management strategy. The transaction, the bank’s first-ever AT1 capital Sukuk, reflects st»»»
Trump's Board of Peace planning pilot 'humanitarian zone' in south Gaza
U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace is planning a pilot "humanitarian zone" in southern Gaza which would aim to accommodate tens of thousands of vetted Palestinian civilians, a board official told AFP. The official said the zone could act as a "starting point" for the Palestinian technocra»»»
'Want our normal lives back': Bahrain, Kuwait residents distressed by Iran attacks
People in Bahrain and Kuwait awoke on Wednesday to the now familiar sound of warning sirens and explosions in the distance, as Iranian strikes again dashed hopes of a return to normalcy. The latest round of strikes pushed U.S. President Donald Trump to declare the ceasefire was "over", raising fear»»»
Economy Committee Approves 2026 State Budget at First Reading
Parliament's Committee on Economic Policy, Investment and Industry approved at first reading the 2026 State Budget Bill, submitted by the Council of Ministers on July 1. The bill was backed by 13 committee members, while eight voted against. There were no abstentions. The committee rejected the ver»»»
Interior Ministry Ready to Provide Evidence to OFAC on Magnitsky Sanctions Enforcement
Bulgaria's Interior Ministry has contacted the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury to say it is ready to provide evidence regarding the enforcement of sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act, the Ministry said on Wednesday The Bulgarian authorities are prep»»»
Saudi Arabia connects AI ecosystems between East and West, says minister
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s flagship technology conference, LEAP, opened its first international edition in Hong Kong on Wednesday, marking its expansion beyond the Kingdom as Riyadh seeks to strengthen technology partnerships across Asia. Speaking at the opening of LEAP East, Minister of Communications»»»
DOJ threatens state officials with prosecution for noncitizen voting - UPI.com
The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday sent a letter to all 50 stateds and the District of Columbia threatening criminal prosecution if they allow noncitizens to vote. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Justice sent a letter warning states that i»»»
MP Ammar Responds to German FM’s Remarks: Shamelssly Demanding ‘Israel’ Security, Ignoring Its Crimes
“It was not surprising what the German Foreign Minister stated during his meeting with the Foreign Minister of the terrorist criminal entity. The one who remained silent about the genocide and all the other crimes committed by this entity against Palestine, Lebanon, and the peoples of the region, a»»»
Saudi Arabia tops GCC projects market in Q2: Kamco Invest
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia led the Gulf Cooperation Council’s projects market in the second quarter of this year, while other member states grappled with declines amid the economic fallout from the Iran war, a new analysis showed. In its latest report, Kamco Invest revealed that the Kingdom awarded contr»»»
Jumblatt: “Framework Deal” Turns Israeli Occupation into Bargaining Tool
Lebanon’s Druze Religious Council has endorsed a memorandum submitted by Druze leader Walid Jumblatt warning that the proposed US-backed “framework agreement” with ‘Israel’ marks a “dangerous shift” in the Lebanese-Israeli struggle. In the text, published following an extraordinary council session,»»»
Gulftainer launches US$2b strategy to expand Khorfakkan Port capacity, logistics parks and Etihad Rail-linked trade infrastructure
Dubai: Sharjah-based Gulftainer has unveiled a $2 billion strategy to expand from port operations into a wider global trade infrastructure platform, with Khorfakkan Port, inland logistics parks, maritime services and AI-powered supply chains forming the core of its next phase of growth. Sign up for»»»
Saudi host opens home to give visitors a taste of local life
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia welcomes a growing number of international visitors, locals are opening their homes to tourists, offering firsthand glimpses of daily life, traditions and hospitality beyond the Kingdom’s national museums and historic sites. Among them is Norah Al-Baloud who welcomes guests »»»
Iran reappoints an ultra radical chief justice who calls for avenging Khamenei’s – Ya Libnan
Share: Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei. His appointment as Judiciary Chief paves the way for more political executions, analysts say The judiciary chief has emphasised the need to avenge the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and prosecute foreign ‘aggressors’. Iran has reappointed Gholam-Hossein Moh»»»
Saudi host opens home to give visitors a taste of local life
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia welcomes a growing number of international visitors, locals are opening their homes to tourists, offering firsthand glimpses of daily life, traditions and hospitality beyond the Kingdom’s national museums and historic sites. Among them is Norah Al-Baloud who welcomes guests »»»
Dubai Police unveil next generation of ‘Ghiath’ smart patrols
Dubai: In line with Dubai’s vision to lead in security, sustainability and smart mobility, Dubai Police, in partnership with Al-Futtaim, the exclusive distributor of BYD in the UAE, has launched the second generation of its ‘Ghiath’ smart patrol vehicles. The initiative reflects Dubai Police’s cont»»»
Global Sport at Crossroads as Politics Takes the Field
FIFA's decision to revoke USA striker Folarin Balogun's one-match World Cup suspension has sparked a global debate over the independence of international sporting bodies. FIFA’s disciplinary committee replaced a one-match suspension for USA striker Folarin Balogun with a conditional penalty in the »»»
Tête à tête - 'I feel forgiveness': Daniel Gwynn on life after 30 years on death row
Daniel Gwynn spent 30 years on death row for a murder he did not commit. In an interview with FRANCE 24, the Pennsylvania man, exonerated in 2024 after his conviction was found to be deeply flawed, said he now feels "forgiveness" towards those who wronged him – but that the state has offered him "n»»»
How Iran uses the Strait of Hormuz to pressure the US
BusinessIranHow Iran uses the Strait of Hormuz to pressure the USNik MartinIran's latest attacks show it can easily disrupt shipping, energy markets and draw in Gulf neighbors. DW asks how much leverage Tehran really has over Washington and if its high-risk strategy could backfire. https://p.dw.com»»»
Syria-U.S. relations: From sanctions to partnership
Damascus, July 8 (SANA) Syria-U.S. relations have shifted repeatedly over the past eight decades, from cautious diplomacy and periods of cooperation to political tensions, diplomatic rupture and sweeping sanctions, before entering a new phase after the fall of the ousted regime in late 2024. The ch»»»
Inaugural 3-day Cairo Art Summit launches Thursday
DHAHRAN: The Egyptian capital will be bursting with art this month as the inaugural Cairo Art Summit is held from July 9-11, with further programming lasting until the end of July. Regional artists, architects, anthropologists, museum professionals, developers, policymakers, academics, financiers a»»»
Anthropic reveals Claude hidden workspace for silent reasoning, similar to humans
Anthropic’s latest AI model Claude has evolved an internal workspace that it uses to manipulate concepts similar to how people consciously think, the corporation says. In a paper published on Monday, Anthropic researchers said they had found evidence suggesting that Claude has learned to create abs»»»
International Biodiversity Conference Opens at Plovdiv Agricultural University
The LifeWatch BEeS 2026 international scientific conference opened at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv on July 7. The forum will be held until July 10 and is organized by the European research infrastructure LifeWatch ERIC. The conference brings together scientists from around the world worki»»»
‘Hayy Makers’ program in Jeddah fosters creativity
JEDDAH: Art Jameel’s “Hayy Makers” in Jeddah continues to strengthen its role as a dedicated community space for nurturing creative skills. Through a diverse program of workshops and courses, it brings together traditional crafts and modern technologies, giving participants opportunities for hands-»»»
QIA participates in SambaNova's $1 bn Series E funding round
DOHA: Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has announced its participation in SambaNova's $1 billion Series E financing round alongside General Atlantic, Seligman Ventures, T Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Capital Group, and other new and existing investors. QIA also participated in SambaNova's previous »»»
Historic turnaround? Hungary records biggest June budget surplus ever
Hungary’s central government finances recorded a HUF 424.1 billion (EUR 1.2 billion) surplus in June, marking the strongest June budget balance on record and offering a welcome boost after months of mounting fiscal pressure. According to preliminary data released by the Ministry of Finance, the sur»»»
Dubai Taxi Company completes Dh1.45b National Taxi acquisition to create UAE’s largest taxi operator
Dubai: Dubai Taxi Company has completed its Dh1.45 billion acquisition of National Taxi, creating the UAE’s largest taxi operator with a combined fleet of more than 9,500 vehicles across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The deal gives Dubai Taxi Com»»»