Egypt’s development projects between the sore eyes and the arms of the builders
By Sherif Abdel Ghaffar I read an article for an expat who used to live in Egypt from 2002 till 2014, this writer apparently also started an English-speaking magazine in Egypt when she lived there. The article in so many words was bashing up the new capital city project in Egypt. I was filled with »»»
Bulgaria Has Presented Its Position on Arson of Bulgarian Diplomatic Cars in Skopje in All Formats, Foreign Minister Says
Bulgaria has presented its position over the arson of Bulgarian diplomatic cars in Skopje in all possible formats, Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova told journalists on Wednesday before a meeting of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy. The Bulgarian State, and the Foreign Ministry in par»»»
Partizan vs Una Strassen/La Fiorita, Zeleznicar vs Braga in UEFA Conference League qualifiers
NYON - Serbian football club Partizan Belgrade were on Wednesday drawn to play the winner of the tie between Luxembourgish side Una Strassen and San Marino's La Fiorita in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, with Zeleznicar Pancevo to face Portuguese outfit Braga. The draw ceremony »»»
Riyadh sparkles with exhibition of the world’s finest gems
RIYADH: The chandelier-lit halls of Riyadh’s Four Seasons Hotel sparkled this week with an exhibition of some of the world’s finest gemstones. The “Jewels of the World” exhibition brought with it fine jewelry and displays of high-end craftsmanship. More than 100 of the world’s most celebrated jewel»»»
Wealthy British businessman has vanished from Budapest
Hungarian police have appealed to the public for assistance in tracing 45-year-old British businessman John Robert Joseph Tovell, whose whereabouts remain unknown after he left a nightclub in the early hours of the morning in the Erzsébetváros district. Businessman disappears after night out Accord»»»
UN experts gravely concerned for Britons on hunger strike in Iranian jail
GENEVA: UN experts on Wednesday expressed grave concern for two Britons convicted in Iran of espionage who are now on hunger strike in jail. Craig and Lindsay Foreman were sentenced to 10 years in prison in February on espionage charges, which they deny. Their family said a failed appeal hearing th»»»
French Arab youth targeted with police fines face life-ruining debt: Report
LONDON: Police in France are exploiting broad powers to issue spot fines against Arab youth as a new form of racial profiling, a new report has warned. Published on Wednesday by Human Rights Watch, (RE)CLAIM and Maison Communautaire pour un Developpement Solidaire, the 60-page report documents a co»»»
Italy launches New Africa, Gulf Area to boost business ties and investment opportunities
Genoa: The new Africa and Gulf Area of the Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad is taking shape. It is a coordination body that brings together the Italian Chambers operating in Angola, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Mozambique, Qatar, South Africa and Tunisia. This was announced by the m»»»
Lebanon’s Aoun says Israel talks independent of US-Iran deal
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Tuesday that negotiations concerning Lebanon were being conducted independently by the Lebanese state and were not tied to any external agreements. Speaking to a delegation of Maronite bishops from the diaspora, Aoun said Lebanon had received assurances that i»»»
Aoun: Any settlement will be through us, not at our expense
President Joseph Aoun stressed Wednesday that any settlement for the war in Lebanon will take place through the Lebanese state and not at its expense. "The assurances we have received, and what we insist upon, is that Lebanon's path in the negotiations is independent, although we are certainly in f»»»
World Bank cuts Sub-Saharan Africa growth forecast as energy shock bites
Sub-Saharan Africa's economic expansion is expected to slow modestly in 2026 as higher energy costs, weaker external demand and constrained fiscal space offset gains from structural reforms and improved trade access, according to the World Bank's latest Global Economic Prospects report. The World B»»»
Israel says secretly cooperating with Somaliland for years
JERUSALEM: Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday said his country had been cooperating “under the radar” with Somaliland for years, as he met with the breakaway African state’s president. In December, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland since it »»»
Trump cancels Jay Clayton's confirmation hearing in spat with Congress - UPI.com
Trump threatened Tuesday to block renewal of warrantless surveillance unless it was attached to his voter ID bill in a spat with Congress over key security and law enforcement nominations. Photo by Yoan Valet/EPA June 17 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would not approve any r»»»
Misr Italia aims to open 21 hotels in Egypt by 2032 Arab Finance For Information Technology
Arab Finance: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy has mulled over expansion opportunities in hotel investment across Egypt's tourist destinations with Misr Italia Properties, as per a statement. During a meeting with Karim El Assal and Mohamed Elassal, CEOs and Managing Directors of M»»»
Red Star to face Tre Fiori or Larne in UEFA Champions League second qualifying round
NYON - Serbian football champions Red Star Belgrade were on Wednesday drawn to play the winner of the tie between San Marino outfit Tre Fiori and Northern Ireland's Larne in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. Red Star will play the first leg away from home on July 21 or 22. The retu»»»
AI-driven challenger banks are forcing traditional lenders to rebuild for a faster future
Dubai: Global banks could see profit pools fall by $170 billion by 2030 unless they move faster on AI, data and digital-first operating models, according to a new DIFC report that describes the industry’s biggest structural shift since the 2008 financial crisis. Sign up for our daily business newsl»»»
Al-Manar correspondents across southern Lebanon and Bekaa reports Israeli drone activity in Iqlim Al-Tuffah, Western Bekaa and Baalbek - 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 correspondents across southern Lebanon and Bekaa reports Israeli drone activity in Iqlim Al-Tuffah, Western Bekaa and Baalbek 17-0»»»
Telegram’s Pavel Durov slams India’s temporary ban, says 150 million users ‘punished’ without stopping NEET leak scams
Dubai: Telegram founder Pavel Durov has criticised India's temporary ban on the messaging platform, arguing that the move has "punished" more than 150 million users in the country without preventing the spread of leaked examination materials. In a post on his Telegram channel on Tuesday, Durov said»»»
Deir Qanoun mourns fighters and civilians killed in Israel's war
Gravediggers in a southern Lebanon village prepare tombs for the dead in Israeli strikes during the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, near those killed in the previous conflicts between the foes. In front of recent graves bearing three huge portraits in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, Shourouk Hariri, 32, wept for»»»
More than 277 Tonnes of Goods from Third Countries Stopped from Entering Bulgaria in May, Food Safety Agency Says
In May, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) prevented the import of 43 consignments totalling more than 277 tonnes of goods from third countries following official veterinary and phytosanitary inspections carried out at the country's eight border inspection posts, the agency announced on Wednes»»»
Conflict coltan from DRC entering global supply chains via Rwanda, says Global Witness
Global Witness has alleged that more than 2,000 tonnes of conflict coltan smuggled from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has entered global supply chains via Rwanda, potentially reaching major electronics manufacturers and consumer brands despite international traceability and due dil»»»
Election result boosts Armenia's EU path but Russia-backed opposition still a constraint
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan secured a decisive parliamentary election victory that strengthens his pro-European agenda, but an analysis published by Carnegie Politika says a resilient pro-Russian opposition could still slow his efforts to advance peace with Azerbaijan and deepen ties wi»»»
Hope, gratitude as Saudi doctors prepare Filipino conjoined twins for surgery
MANILA: As two-year-old conjoined twins Olivia and Gianna Manuel prepare for separation surgery on Thursday, their parents are filled with hope that it will give them a childhood and life like other children. Born in Nueva Ecija in the central Philippines in April 2024, the girls are joined from th»»»
What to know about opposition in Albania to a Trump family-linked resort development
TIRANA: A coastal development project in Albania linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is facing growing opposition from environmental advocates which has led to daily protests in the capital, Tirana. The government says the development on the Adriatic coast would be transformational fo»»»
EGX Mixed as Overseas Investors Rotate Beyond Large Caps
Foreign Buyers Shift Toward Mid-Caps as Stronger Fundamentals Continue to Support Egyptian Assets Cairo — Egyptian equities closed mixed on Tuesday as investors rotated away from selected large-cap stocks while continuing to accumulate positions in mid-cap and financial shares, reinforcing a broade»»»
GCC economy faces 2026 shock — but UAE, Saudi resilience point to a strong 2027 recovery
Dubai: The UAE and wider Gulf economies are expected to bounce back strongly in 2027 after absorbing the impact of regional conflict, with GCC GDP forecast to expand by 8.1 per cent. This would happen as energy trade routes normalise, tourism demand returns and business confidence improves, accordi»»»
Oil prices may take up to 8 weeks to stabilise even if Hormuz reopens Friday
Dubai: Oil prices could take 4 to 8 weeks to stabilise even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens on Friday, as tanker backlogs, elevated insurance costs, low inventories and doubts over the ceasefire continue to keep a risk premium in energy markets. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & »»»
Israel, Lebanon reportedly nearing permanent ceasefire agreement
Israel and Lebanon are nearing a permanent ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, following significant progress in recent talks held in Washington, Israel's Channel 12 reported overnight. According to the report, the details of the agreement are currently being finalized, and the Leban»»»
UN chief Guterres visits Haiti as gang violence surges
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited Haiti on Tuesday as gang violence deepens a humanitarian crisis, with more than one in 10 Haitians displaced. The United Nations said 2,300 people have been killed and 100 kidnapped this year, while 1.5 million have been forced from their homes, includi»»»
Israeli strikes on Lebanon likely to continue 'until we get any clarity' on US-Iran agreement
Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on several areas in south Lebanon on June 17 despite an agreement on a peace deal in the Middle East war that includes Lebanon. But the contents of the deal have yet to be revealed, although the US has confirmed Israel will not have to withdraw to the internati»»»
France's Louvre museum 'running out of steam', new director says
The world's largest museum is having a hard time securing investments to upgrade its decaying infrastructure, the Louvre's new director Christophe Leribault told a Senate committee Wednesday. The museum has been hit by a series of public scandals including a water leak, a large-scale ticket fr»»»
In pictures: The Palace of Versailles, Macron's beloved soft power tool
French President Emmanuel Macron plays host to President Donald Trump at a lavish dinner Wednesday night at the Palace of Versailles to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. This is the fourth time the French leader has chosen Louis XIV’s sumptuous palace as a venue to»»»
US signals to return of sanctions on Russia as G7 unites around Ukraine
G7 leaders agreed on June 16 to intensify pressure on Russia to end more than four years of war against Ukraine, with US President Donald Trump saying Moscow should "make a deal" and indicating Washington could re-impose waived sanctions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined the summit at »»»
Iran will reopen Strait of Hormuz and can sell oil freely under deal with US
Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once a tentative deal with the U.S. to end the war is signed and will be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions, according to leaked copies of an interim agreement that officials say broadly matches the document. The accord, due »»»
Archaeologists find musket balls and fort linked to the Battle of Bunker Hill
BOSTON: Generations of Boston families played and picnicked on the grassy, sloping lawns of the Bunker Hill Monument. Musket balls and other artifacts from one of the American Revolution’s most consequential battles were buried just below their feet the whole time. Inspired by a centuries-old map, »»»
Vance says Iran deal includes Lebanon
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said that the expectd agreement between the United States and Iran could lead to a broader regional peace deal involving Gulf states, Israel and Lebanon, provided Tehran complies with the terms of any future agreement. Asked whether Lebanon and Hezbollah would be in»»»
Russia drops plans for Navy Parade to avoid last-minute cancellation
After a spring marked by repeated Ukrainian drone strikes on military facilities and warships in St Petersburg, the Russian Ministry of Defence appears to be abandoning plans for any major public events to mark this year's Navy Day. “You understand, there’s no time for that,” a naval commander told»»»
Health Ministry shuts restaurant following suspected food poisoning cases
Doha, Qatar: With reference to reports circulating about suspected cases of food poisoning in one of the restaurants, the Ministry of Public Health clarified that it has dealt directly with a number of reports in this regard and as a precautionary measures has ordered the closure of the restaurant»»»
The problem with the 'Axis of Resistance' narrative on Palestine
The term ‘Axis of Defiance’ was once associated with a number of Arab states opposed to any peace agreement with Israel, particularly after the defeat of 1967. However, as political alignments evolved, the concept gradually transformed. Over time, its meaning progressively narrowed to the ‘Axis of »»»
Contractor selected for construction of Togolok deposit facilities - | 24.KG
The Chinese engineering company China Nerin Engineering Co., Ltd. has been selected as the EPC contractor for the construction of key production facilities at Togolok gold deposit. According to the Chairman of the Board of Kumtor Operating Company Kanimet Toktosunov, the company was chosen through »»»
GCC investment-grade debt spreads return to pre-war levels, Fitch says
RIYADH: Investment-grade bond and sukuk spreads in the Gulf Cooperation Council have returned to levels seen before the US-Iran conflict as easing geopolitical tensions reduced risk premiums, although borrowing costs remain elevated, Fitch Ratings said. The yield spread between the S&P GCC Sukuk In»»»
Louvre museum 'running out of steam', says new director
Paris, France: The Louvre museum is struggling to find funding to upgrade its ageing facilities, its new director said Wednesday, following a litany of problems that included a brazen $100-million jewellery heist. "Despite its imposing majesty, despite the daily commitment of its staff, the Louvre »»»
No talks to establish Israeli military base in Somaliland, defense minister says
TEL AVIV: There is no Israeli military presence in Somaliland and no talks for Israel to open a base there, Somaliland’s Defense Minister Mohamed Yusef Ali told Reuters on Wednesday. Speaking on the sidelines of a business conference in Tel Aviv, he said Israel was training Somaliland’»»»
President proposes citizens earn 17 % annual return on government securities - | 24.KG
President Sadyr Japarov has urged citizens of Kyrgyzstan to invest in government securities offering an annual yield of 17 percent. The head of state announced the initiative on Facebook. According to President Sadyr Japarov, government securities can now be purchased online through the mobile appl»»»
Bernardo Silva signs two-year deal with Real Madrid: club
MADRID: Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva has signed a two-year deal with Real Madrid, the La Liga giants announced Wednesday. Silva had left Manchester City after nine trophy-laden years when the 31-year-old's contract expired at the end of last season. His contract with Real Madrid runs until Ju»»»
Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok was used in strikes against Iran: US govt
SAN FRANCISCO: Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence tool Grok was used in strikes against Iran, the United States government revealed in a legal briefing seen Tuesday by AFP. The June 15 brief defends the gas turbines used by a giant data center belonging to the trillionaire’s company xAI, which are»»»
NIS receives new OFAC specific licence to continue operations until July 1
BELGRADE - The US Department of the Treasury issued on Tuesday a new specific license to the Serbian oil company NIS that allows it to continue operations until July 1, 2026, the company has announced. "This licence allows for the maintenance of business operations, contracts and other agreements i»»»
PM: Government submits business, tax reform bills to parliament
The government submitted seven legislative amendments to parliament aiming at improving the business climate through customs and tax incentives, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Speaking at the launch of Egypt’s Foreign Trade Information Portal, Madbouly said the governm»»»
Taiwan opposition leader says US trip ‘exceeded expections’
TAIPEI: Taiwan’s main opposition leader said her tour of the United States aimed at mustering support for her stance on China “exceeded expectations,” without detailing any tangible outcomes. Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun returned to Taipei this week to sharp questions over the island’s »»»
Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok was used in strikes against Iran: US govt
SAN FRANCISCO: Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence tool Grok was used in strikes against Iran, the United States government revealed in a legal briefing seen Tuesday by AFP.The June 15 brief defends the gas turbines used by a giant data center belonging to the trillionaire’s company xAI, which are »»»