The Trump administration is ramping up pressure on states to change election practices
President Donald Trump’s administration is threatening to withhold some federal funding from states that don’t make changes to voting practices and is warning state election officials that they face arrest if they don’t remove noncitizens from voter rolls. Letters to states and grant application de»»»
Qatar strengthens State Audit powers with introduction of criminal penalties, financial disclosure requirements
QNA Doha 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 legislation»»»
QF’s Creating Pathways uses volleyball to empowers girls
Tribune News Network Doha As the world celebrates World Volleyball Day, Qatar Foundation’s Creating Pathways programme is using volleyball to help empower the next generation of girls in Qatar, building confidence, leadership and lifelong skills both on and off the court. Volleyball is one of five »»»
Cabinet notes parliamentary approval of a slew of laws
The Cabinet also noted parliamentary approval of a new state property draft law prepared by the Ministry of Municipality, which replaces Law No. 10 of 1987. The legislation establishes a unified and updated legal framework governing public and private state property aimed at improving protection, m»»»
Officials ‘confident’ buckling New York City high-rise is stable - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Spectators watch as engineers, the New York Police Department and Fire Department of New York work to secure the building at 235 E. 42nd Street as a partial collapse was feared Tuesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 8 (UPI) -- New York City officials believe they have st»»»
More than hosts: North America's World Cup coming of age
DOHA: When FIFA awarded the 2026 World Cup to Canada, Mexico and the United States, many expected the topic of discussion to center around logistics, sold-out stadiums, and successful engagement. Few expected all three hosts to build their own story and legacy into the tournament. From Mexico's dis»»»
FBI said to be investigating Argentine soccer federation finances - UPI.com
Argentina players celebrate after defeating Egypt 3-2 in a Round of 16 FIFA World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia on Tuesday. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo July 8 (UPI) -- As Argentina advances in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, prosecutors with the U.S. Departme»»»
Federal appeals court: Trump’s name stays off Kennedy Center - UPI.com
Scaffolding and tarp cover much of the name of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trump's name must remain off the building. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 8 (UPI) -- A federal appeals co»»»
Dubai's economy is off to a strong start: GDP hits Dh232bn in Q1
Dubai: Dubai maintained its strong economic performance in the first quarter of 2026, with the emirate's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching Dh232 billion, representing a 2.4 per cent increase from the same period last year. The performance reflects the strength, resilience, and adaptability of D»»»
IMF cuts 2026 world growth forecast, flags risks from new Mideast fighting
WASHINGTON, United States — The IMF cut its 2026 global growth projection again Wednesday, flagging "uncertainty and risks" to the economic outlook as fighting reignited in the Middle East.Global economic growth is estimated at 3.0 per cent this year, said the International Monetary Fund, down from»»»
How GDRFA turned a complex process into a one-click experience
Dubai: The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai has been recognised with the “Best Digital City Experience” award under the Hamdan bin Mohammed Programme for Government Services for its Domestic Worker Management initiative, marking a major milestone in the emirate’s effor»»»
France's far-right leader Le Pen hits campaign trail after conviction in EU embezzlement case
France's far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen launched her fourth presidential campaign in the small town of La Flèche in the country's Loire Valley Wednesday after an appeals court cleared her to run for office – despite upholding her conviction for misusing millions of euros in public funds. French»»»
Kostyuk makes quick work of Paolini to clinch Wimbledon semifinal slot
LONDON: Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk made quick work of Italy’s 2024 runner-up Jasmine Paolini on a sweltering Center Court to speed into her first Wimbledon semifinal 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday. The 12th seed was a woman in a hurry from the start as she took the opening set in 36 minutes, breaking Paolini t»»»
UN launches urgent inquiry into Sudan’s El-Obeid after finding ‘hallmarks of genocide’ by RSF in El-Fasher
NEW YORK CITY: Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces committed mass killings, systematic abductions of women and girls and mass gang rape in El-Fasher, the UN Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan said in a new report on Wednesday. The findings add further weight to evidence that atrocities committed by the warrin»»»
Israeli strikes, gunfire kill 4 Palestinian children in 6 days
LONDON: At least four Palestinian children in Gaza and the occupied West Bank have been killed by Israeli attacks in the past six days, according to news reports. Palestinian medics said on Wednesday that an Israeli strike hit a tent in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, in the south of the Gaza St»»»
Ukraine’s Black Sea Energy Terrorism Threatens Its Own NATO ‘Partners’
The timing of the Ukrainian drone attack on the Krasnodarskaya compressor station of the Turkiye-bound Blue Stream gas pipeline on July 7, the same day Zelensky arrived in Ankara for the NATO summit, is “very intriguing,” prolific global energy expert Dr. Mamdouh Salameh told Sputnik. Salameh could»»»
Constitutional Court Judge Atanasova Presents Documents to Disprove Interior Minister's Accusation of Joint Flight with MRF Leader Peevski
Constitutional Court Judge Desislava Atanasova did not leave Turkiye while she was in the country between April 5 and 8, 2024, and was not on a business trip, a press release sent to the media by the Constitutional Court’s press office said. On July 2, Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said in Par»»»
Election Code Reform Push Reopens Debate on Machine Voting, Polling Abroad
At Wednesday's plenary sitting of Bulgaria's National Assembly, Continue the Change moved draft amendments to the Election Code, triggering a broad political debate over the future of machine voting, voting abroad, and election integrity safeguards. Parliamentary parties are divided over whether to»»»
Goalkeeper Kobel hails ‘huge achievement’ as Swiss set up Argentina showdown
VANCOUVER: Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel praised his side’s “incredible, incredible achievement” after their 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Colombia in Vancouver on Tuesday took them into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years. The Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper, playing at»»»
Apple expands deal with Broadcom to $30B commitment - UPI.com
Apple CEO Tim Cook gifts President Donald Trump a plaque to commemorate the announcement an additional $100 billion Apple investment in the United States during an event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on August 6. On Wednesday, Apple announced plans to increase its commi»»»
NASA's New Horizons probe awakens after long hibernation near Pluto - UPI.com
The New Horizons probe has awakened after hibernating for nearly a year, billions of miles into deep space, from where it sent this image of Pluto on July 14, 2015. File Photo courtesy of NASA | License Photo July 8 (UPI) -- NASA's New Horizons probe has awakened after hibernating for nearly a year»»»
Trump files motion to stop $5.8M payout to E. Jean Carroll - UPI.com
President Donald Trump filed a court petition to prevent payout to E. Jean Carroll for lawsuits that she won against him. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 8 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump and his attorneys filed a motion to pause the payout of nearly $5.8 million to writer E. »»»
Israeli court filing on detained Gaza doctor Hussam Abu Safiya draws criticism from rights group
LONDON: An Israeli rights group said on Tuesday that a state court filing on 14 detained Gaza doctors failed to answer “serious concerns” about the condition of Palestinian physician Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who has been held by Israel since late 2024 reportedly without charge. Physicians for Human R»»»
UAE, Qatar top Arab countries in cost of living plus rent index: Numbeo
Doha, Qatar: The United Arab Emirates and Qatar ranked as the two most expensive Arab countries in terms of the Cost of Living Plus Rent Index, according to data published by Numbeo. The UAE ranked first among Arab countries and 28th globally with an index score of 48.2, followed by Qatar in second»»»
Bulgaria, Poland Discuss Defence Industry Cooperation
Expanding cooperation between Bulgaria and Poland in defence and the defence industry was the focus of talks between Bulgaria's Deputy Defence Minister Katerina Gramatikova-Ivanova and Poland's Deputy Minister of National Defence Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, who is visiting Bulgaria with a govern»»»
Zimbabwean president signs constitutional amendments extending his term by two years to 2030
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law constitutional amendments extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, a move that will allow him to remain in office until 2030 and delay the country’s next election by two years. The Constitution of Zimbabwe A»»»
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear asks Sen. Mitch McConnell for health update - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on August 19, 2024. On Wednesday, he called for Sen. Mitch McConnell to provide the public with an update regarding his health. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo July 8 (UPI»»»
Woman wanted over Monaco bombing of sanctioned Ukrainian tycoon found shot dead near Kyiv
Two men detained over the killing of Anastasiia Berezovska — among them a serving military intelligence officer — Ukrainian media report, deepening the mystery around the attack on Vadym Iermolaiev. The woman sought by Interpol over the attempted assassination of the sanctioned Ukrainian businessma»»»
Brazil says ‘terrorist’ designation of two criminal gangs carries the risk of US military action
The US decision to brand Brazil’s two biggest criminal groups as terrorist organizations could serve as a pretext for military intervention, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry has warned. Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira issued the warning in a letter sent to Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies last week, respon»»»
Polish MEP rips Ukrainian Nazi collaborator flag at EU Parliament
A Polish member of the European Parliament has publicly torn up a flag of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) – whose fighters massacred up to 100,000 ethnic Poles in one of World War II’s worst atrocities – during a debate on Kiev’s bid to join the EU. On Tuesday, Ewa Zajaczkowska-Hernik, a member »»»
Nepal court convicts ex-ministers over Bhutan refugee scam
Katmandu: A Nepali court has convicted two former government ministers for taking money from citizens with the false promise of international resettlement as refugees, officials said Wednesday. Former deputy prime minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi was convicted of offenses against the state, fraud and»»»
Argentina's Milei proposes U.S.-style government shutdown mechanism - UPI.com
Argentine President Javier Milei said his proposed shutdown mechanism would prevent the government from spending after money in the approved budget has been used up. File Photo by Chema Moya/EPA BUENOS AIRES, July 8 (UPI) -- Argentine President Javier Milei said his administration will introduce le»»»
World Cup quarterfinals feature soccer powerhouses from Argentina and Spain to France and England
WASHINGTON: Eight teams are left in the World Cup, and the quarterfinals feature the top four countries in FIFA’s pretournament men’s world rankings plus two others in the top 10. France look like a juggernaut and are the betting favorite at just under 2-1, followed by Spain and defending champion »»»
Former Yugoslav Army chief Momcilo Perisic released from prison
BELGRADE - Former Yugoslav Army Chief of General Staff Gen Momcilo Perisic has been released from prison after serving more than two thirds of a four-year prison sentence he had received for espionage. On June 25, the Higher Court in Belgrade approved a request for Perisic's conditional release, fi»»»
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen to run for president of France - UPI.com
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen poses before an interview on the evening news broadcast of French TV channel TF1, following the verdict in her appeal trial over misuse of EU funds, in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris Tuesday. Photo by Christian Hartmann/EPA July 8 (UPI) -- Marine Le Pen said »»»
Warning: Hungary is missing 10,000 workers, and it's costing the state billions
Hungary’s road transport sector is facing a growing shortage of qualified drivers, with industry representatives warning that the gap is costing the state up to HUF 200 billion (EUR 555 million) annually. The country’s largest road transport association is now calling on the government to restore s»»»
Istanbul mayor presents defense in corruption case
ISTANBUL: Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a leading opposition figure, is due to present his defense in court on Wednesday, at the latest hearing in his trial for corruption. Imamoglu, considered to be the main opposition challenger to Turkiye’s veteran President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has»»»
Trump Claims Lot of Progress Made Towards Russia-Ukraine Peace Settlement
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that a lot of progress has been over the past week in solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "I think we've made a lot of progress in the last couple of weeks, and we'll see how it all goes." Trump said ahead of his meeting with Vl»»»
EU Parliament Slams Ukraine for 'Disregarding Polish Sensitivities' by Glorifying Nazis
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - European Parliament lawmakers on Wednesday condemned Ukraine for naming a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA, banned in Russia as an extremist organization), arguing that this move disregarded Poland's "sensitivities" as the UPA had committed multiple crimes ag»»»
Starovic, Irish ambassador discuss continuation of Serbia's EU integration process
BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of European Integration Nemanja Starovic received Irish Ambassador to Belgrade Kevin Colgan on Wednesday to discuss the priorities of Ireland's Council of the EU presidency, the continuation of Serbia’s European integration process and opportunities for improving bilater»»»
Kostyuk sets up Wimbledon semi-final against Noskova
London, United Kingdom: Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk cruised past Jasmine Paolini on Wednesday to book a Wimbledon semi-final clash with Linda Noskova, before Alexander Zverev and Flavio Cobolli attempt to set up a rematch of their French Open final. Kostyuk raced to a 6-3, 6-2 victory after just 69 min»»»
Berlin court sentences a doctor to life for murdering 15 patients under palliative care
BERLIN: A Berlin court on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a German doctor to life in prison on charges of murdering 15 of his patients who were under palliative care, in a case involving allegations he torched the homes of victims to try to cover up the crimes. The 41-year-old doctor, who has onl»»»
Saudi Arabia is bringing all visa services under one national platform.
Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved the establishment of a unified national visa platform at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, making it the Kingdom’s official platform for visa services. The decision was taken during a Cabinet session chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minist»»»
Brazilian police search former President Bolsonaro’s home for weapons, lawyer says
SAO PAULO: Brazil’s federal police searched the home of former President Jair Bolsonaro for weapons and ammunition on Wednesday, but did not find anything, one of Bolsonaro’s lawyers said in a post on X. “The defense had already previously informed the whereabouts of all the weapons. Result: Noth»»»
Huge crowds flood Iraq’s holy cities for Khamenei funeral procession
The funeral procession of Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continued to draw massive crowds as it made its way through the holy cities of Iraq, home to some of the Shia faith's most sacred shrines. The six-day funeral ceremony will conclude on Thursday when Khamenei's body is retur»»»
Noskova reaches first Wimbledon semi-final
London, United Kingdom: Czech ninth seed Linda Noskova reached her first Wimbledon semi-final with a 6-3, 7-5 win against Belgium's Elise Mertens on Wednesday. Noskova dominated from start to finish in a last-eight clash lasting one hour and 50 minutes in searing temperatures on Court One. The 21-y»»»
Bulgarian Interior Ministry Contacts US Treasury Office Over Alleged Circumvention of Magnitsky Sanctions
Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior has contacted the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury, saying it is prepared to provide information and evidence related to the implementation of sanctions imposed under the Global Magnitsky Act. According to the ministry, Bul»»»
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»»»