Fiscal Council Backs Equal Social Security Contributions but Opposes Salary Compensation
The Fiscal Council supports the government's proposal to gradually align social security contribution rules for civil servants and magistrates with those applying to other employees but opposes compensating them through higher salaries, the Council said in a press release on Thursday. Under the 202»»»
USA, Germany in control as Dutch eye World Cup knockouts
EAST RUTHERFORD, USA: Co-hosts the United States and Germany will bid to complete perfect World Cup group stage campaigns on Thursday, while the Netherlands and Japan look poised to join them in the last 32. The US have clinched top spot in Group D with a game to spare after wins over Paraguay and »»»
Bulgaria to Shut Down Commission on Files Under 2026 Budget Plan
Bulgaria’s government is preparing to shut down the Commission on Files, a long-standing body responsible for reviewing and disclosing links between public figures and the former State Security services. The move is included in the transitional and final provisions of the draft 2026 state budget, w»»»
Bulgaria's PM in Gdansk: Ending the War Is Key to Ukraine’s Reconstruction
Prime Minister Rumen Radev used his address at the High-Level International Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine in Gdansk to reaffirm Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction, while stressing that ending the war remains the most important prerequisite for rebuilding the country. »»»
One United Properties launches Public Tender Offer for repurchasing 4.77 million shares
“Capital allocation is one of the most important responsibilities of a public company. The launch of this Public Tender Offer reflects our confidence in the strength of the business, the quality of our asset base, and our long-term growth prospects. We continuously evaluate how to deploy capital in»»»
Oman says 'no transit fees' in any future arrangement on Hormuz
Oman's top diplomat said no transit fees would be imposed in the Strait of Hormuz Thursday after Muscat and Tehran, which border the key waterway, had earlier said they were discussing service "costs". Badr Albusaidi said "future arrangements regarding the Strait do not entail the imposition of any»»»
NSSI Supervisory Board Approves 2026 Draft Public Social Insurance Budget
The Supervisory Board of Bulgaria's National Social Security Institute (NSSI) approved the draft Public Social Insurance Budget Act for 2026, the Institute said on Thursday. The draft reflects the parameters of the social insurance policies planned for the current year and now proceeds to the next »»»
Oman says 'no transit fees' in any future arrangement on Hormuz
Manama: Oman's top diplomat said no transit fees would be imposed in the Strait of Hormuz Thursday after Muscat and Tehran, which border the key waterway, had earlier said they were discussing service "costs". Badr Albusaidi said "future arrangements regarding the Strait do not entail the impositio»»»
Formula E to launch GEN4 era with season-opening doubleheader in Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will begin a new chapter in electric motorsport when the revolutionary GEN4 era makes its competitive debut under the lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in December. Formula E and the FIA have confirmed the provisional calendar for the 2026-27 sea»»»
Gas, nukes, and historical bad blood: Can Eastern Europe pull itself together?
For the first time in two years, Hungary has convened a summit of the Visegrad Group – a format designed to allow four Central European nations to coordinate, debate current agendas, and work on their own dimension of European integration matters. In recent years, the forum has not spoken with a si»»»
NSSI Supervisory Board Approves 2026 Draft State Social Security Budget
The Supervisory Board of Bulgaria's National Social Security Institute (NSSI) approved the draft State Social Security Budget Act for 2026, the Institute said on Thursday. The draft reflects the parameters of the social insurance policies planned for the current year and now proceeds to the next st»»»
At-risk UK elderly bid to stay cool as heatwave bears down
Hayes, United Kingdom: Fans in bedrooms, cold drinks, iced lollies under canopy cover in the garden: a UK care home has been doing what it can to keep vulnerable residents cool amid Europe's heatwave. Kingsley Court, in the west London suburb Hayes, houses 85 residents, some as old as 100, and most»»»
Philippines grows as foreign retirement ‘haven’ with affordable healthcare, living costs
MANILA: The Philippines is seeing an increase in the number of foreigners choosing it as a retirement destination, the Philippine Retirement Authority said on Thursday, after recent industry awards recognized its accessibility, affordable cost of living and healthcare quality. The Philippines was n»»»
Events canceled, records loom as heatwave reaches Germany
BERLIN: A heatwave sweeping Europe was starting to peak in Germany on Thursday, with several open-air events canceled and temperatures expected to top 40C through the weekend. Large parts of the country are already under “severe to extreme heat stress” with temperatures soaring to around 37C, the G»»»
Rubio says Lebanon and Israel very close to 'very positive' declaration of intent
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said Lebanon and Israel are nearing a "very positive" declaration of intent amid their ongoing talks in Washington. "I think we are very close in our hopes of getting a commitment of inent between the two countries that I think begin to outline a prom»»»
Péter Magyar and health minister Zsolt Hegedűs address hospital cooling upgrades — on top of a hospital building
Prime Minister Péter Magyar and Minister of Health Zsolt Hegedűs visited Budapest’s Uzsoki Street Hospital on Thursday to assess ongoing upgrades to the healthcare facility’s cooling systems as Hungary prepares for an extreme heatwave. Péter Magyar shows progress in hospital air-conditioning modern»»»
Former Prosecutor General, Supreme Court Presidents Not Eligible to Supreme Judicial Council, Parliament Decides
Parliament Thursday adopted on second reading draft amendments to the Judiciary Act related to the criteria for the election of Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) members by Parliament and by judges, prosecutors, and investigators. The MP decided that a person who, during a previous composition of the SJ»»»
National Investigative Service Chief Will No Longer Serve as Deputy Prosecutor General
The head of the National Investigative Service will no longer serve as Deputy Prosecutor General for investigations, under amendments adopted at second reading to the Judicial System Act. Voting on the remaining amendments will continue tomorrow. Parliament also decided that the National Assembly m»»»
Serbian parliament concludes extraordinary session after adopting all items on agenda
BELGRADE - By adopting all items on the agenda, the Serbian parliament on Thursday concluded an extraordinary session that began on June 17. Besides amendments to a set of judicial laws, MPs also passed health care laws related to transplantation, as well as amendments to a law on establishing a gu»»»
Justice Ministry Launches Three-Year Programme for Fighting Corruption and Promoting Integrity
The Justice Ministry is launching a project aimed at strengthening efforts to combat corruption and improving the capacity of the ministry and other state institutions to develop, implement, and maintain effective anti-corruption reforms. The project was presented at a press conference today. The t»»»
Sofra ve Miras: How Hatay is turning gastronomy into a symbol of recovery after the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes - photos
Three years after one of the worst natural disasters in modern Turkish history, Hatay is once again inviting the world to its table. Daily News Hungary was among a group of international journalists, content creators and experts invited to attend the second edition of Sofra ve Miras (“Table and Her»»»
Brexit was a symptom, and the disease still spreads
This week marks the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum – an event that has reshaped British politics over the past decade and may well continue to do so into the future. Brexit had its origins in Britain’s complex relationship with the EU and its predecessor organization, the European Econo»»»
EU Ombudsman probes von der Leyen over messages with Zelensky and EU leaders
An EU watchdog is investigating European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over a secret group chat involving Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky and several other European leaders, according to Dutch outlet Follow the Money (FTM). The probe follows a complaint by FTM after the European Commission »»»
Ukraine reconstruction funds risk bypassing cities and regions, local leaders’ alliance warns
This story was produced by the European Newsroom (enr), which Tanjug is a part of GDANSK/BRUSSELS – Ukrainian cities and regions risk being left out in deciding how billions in reconstruction funds are being used unless they are given a robust role in the planning, governance and implementation of »»»
Russia Vows Legal Fight Against UK’s Tanker Seizure to Bankroll Ukraine - Kremlin
Russia intends to explore all avenues in pursuing legal recourse against Britain’s scheme to sell oil from the seized tanker Smyrtos, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized. On June 14, the United Kingdom detained the Cameroon-flagged tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel. Britain claims the»»»
At least 32 killed and more than 700 injured after powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela
The death toll from Venezuela's devastating earthquakes has risen to at least 164, with 971 people injured, interim president Delcy Rodriguez said on Thursday. Around 30 aftershocks have been recorded following the two strongest quakes on Wednesday, according to Rodriguez. Authorities initially rep»»»
Events cancelled, records loom as heatwave reaches Germany
Berlin: A heatwave sweeping Europe was starting to peak in Germany on Thursday, with several open-air events cancelled and temperatures expected to top 40C through the weekend. Large parts of the country are already under "severe to extreme heat stress" with temperatures soaring to around 37C, the »»»
Auchan Romania’s new sustainability report shows progress on local sourcing, food waste reduction, energy efficiency
Auchan Romania has published its sixth Sustainability Report, covering 2025, marking a year of significant progress in reducing its environmental impact, supporting local producers, and developing an organisational culture based on responsibility and involvement. In the year in which the company ma»»»
Stellar performances by lower ranked teams at Women’s T20 World Cup
LONDON: The words of the West Indies coach, Shane Deitz, resounded during the matches that followed his team’s victory over New Zealand in the 11th match of the 2026 T20 Women’s World Cup. Deitz felt that the gap is gradually closing between the top teams and the rest. This opinion was supported in»»»
UAE petrol prices to drop in July after four months of increases - but by how much?
Dubai: UAE motorists will finally see some relief at the pump in July after four consecutive months of fuel price increases, as global oil prices drop sharply from the highs triggered by the Middle East conflict. The case for lower fuel prices next month is stronger than at any point since the war »»»
Shiite Muslims mark holy day of Ashoura after months of war in Iran and Lebanon
BEIRUT: Shiite Muslims around the world on Thursday marked Ashoura, a holy day symbolizing sacrifice and martyrdom that holds special significance for many this year after months of war in Iran and Lebanon.Ashoura commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the »»»
‘Sorry, Mom’: NEET aspirant dies by suicide after June 21 retest
Dubai: An 18-year-old NEET aspirant allegedly died by suicide in Maharashtra’s Hingoli after reportedly finding the re-examination held on June 21 difficult. Before taking the extreme step, he recorded a 33-second video apologising to his mother and saying, “Sorry, Mom.” Also Read: India's NEET cri»»»
Romania trails CEE peers in attracting and keeping highly skilled talent as global professional mobility slows
The international movement of highly skilled professionals fell sharply in 2025, with cross-border relocations dropping from 3.7 million to 3.3 million—a decline of 11.6% and roughly 430,000 fewer movers than the year prior, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found in its latest talent survey. Several E»»»
Two UAE schools shortlisted among world’s top 10 in global education awards
Dubai: Two schools from the UAE have been named among the world's top 10 shortlists in the World’s Best School Prizes 2026, earning international recognition for initiatives focused on student wellbeing and community engagement. Applied Technology School (ATS) Sharjah and Nord Anglia International »»»
Media Review: June 25
HEADLINES The dominant topic across print, online, television and radio coverage on Thursday is the draft 2026 State Budget presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Galab Donev. Coverage focuses on the planned 5.7% deficit, the projected increase in public debt, the absence of maj»»»
London forum to spotlight Saudi investment opportunities as BMG marks silver jubilee
LONDON: Business leaders, investors, and policymakers will gather in London on July 8-9 for the 25th edition of the BMG Summer Retreat and the annual BMG Economic Forum, two events aimed at highlighting Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and investment opportunities. Hosted by BMG Financial Gro»»»
ADU named among top 400 academic institutions in Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has been ranked among the top 301–400 institutions globally in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, out of 1,603 participating universities worldwide. The university also improved its national standing, ranking joint sixth among 12 par»»»
Rubio warns Hormuz tolls would ‘spread like contagion’ to other waterways
MANAMA: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday warned that Iranian tolls on ships passing the Strait of Hormuz would spread to other waterways, risking “total chaos.” “International waterways do not belong to any nation state. This is a foundational principle in the world today, without whic»»»
Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus more than doubles in April to $6.8bn
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus more than doubled to SR25.43 billion ($6.79 billion) in April as rising oil exports and lower imports strengthened the Kingdom’s external balance, official data showed. The surplus increased 100.8 percent from a year earlier, according to preliminary data releas»»»
Kansas joins DOJ in bid to end in-state tuition for noncitizens - UPI.com
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, seen here as Kansas' secretary of state in 2016 with Donald Trump. entered a consent decree Wednesday to end his state's so-called Dream Act. Pool File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo June 25 (UPI) -- Kansas has joined the Trump administration in asking»»»
Cape Verde match is a final for Green Falcons, say Saudi officials
RIYADH: Not many expected Saudi Arabia to still be in contention for a direct place in the Round of 32 heading into the final matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Then again, few expected Group H to unfold the way it has. The expectation before the tournament was straightforward: Spain and Uruguay »»»
Venezuela declares state of emergency after back-to-back earthquakes leave dozens dead
Venezuela's interim leader declared a state of emergency on Wednesday after two powerful earthquakes and more than 20 aftershocks struck the country, damaging infrastructure and forcing the closure of Caracas' main airport. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes kil»»»
India government clears air on passport-citizenship debate, cites law and court rulings
The Government of India on Thursday clarified that a passport has never been treated as proof of citizenship. It also said there has been no recent change in policy, nor any such decision taken in the past 12 years. The clarification comes amid political debate triggered by recent remarks from the »»»
Romania to be EU's top gas producer, but with major obligations
Romania will certainly be the largest natural gas producer in the European Union (EU), but this also comes with very significant obligations, said Ionut-Sorin Banciu, Vice-President of the National Authority for Mining, Petroleum and Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide (ANRMPSG), on Tuesday at a s»»»
Qatar participates in GCC Justice Undersecretaries meeting
Doha, Qatar: The State of Qatar participated in the 28th meeting of Their Excellencies the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Justice in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, held at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh. The Qatari delegation to the meeting was headed by Un»»»
Dubai reaches its highest-ever global finance ranking after another year of DIFC growth
Dubai: Dubai has reached its highest position ever in the Global Financial Centres Index after another year of strong expansion in the Dubai International Financial Centre, where the number of regulated firms crossed the 1,000 mark for the first time. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheq»»»
On This Day, June 25: John Dean points finger at Nixon in Watergate break-in - UPI.com
On June 25, 1973, White House attorney John Dean told a U.S. Senate committee that President Richard Nixon joined in a plot to cover up the Watergate break-in. 1 of 7 | On June 25, 1973, White House attorney John Dean, pictured in 2019, told a U.S. Senate committee that President Richard Nixon join»»»
Visit Qatar celebrates winners of ‘Qatar Through Your Lens’ competition
Doha: Visit Qatar hosted an awards ceremony to honour the winners of the inaugural “Qatar Through Your Lens” competition, celebrating the creativity and talent of citizens and residents who captured Qatar’s culture, lifestyle, and unique experiences through photography and videography. The submissi»»»
Germany chase perfect record as Ecuador fight to keep World Cup dream alive
Doha, Qatar: Germany and Ecuador meet in their final group-stage match with very different objectives. Germany have already secured their place in the knockout rounds and will look to complete a perfect group campaign by finishing top of the standings. Ecuador, meanwhile, know that only a victory w»»»
2016/2017 budget targets a 5% economic growth rate
Finance Minister: The state is committed to its main role in providing social justice and protection Egypt has a promising economy with abundance of resources and potentials The government’s economic policies, in coordination with the central bank, seek to control inflation rates gradually: Through»»»