Abu Dhabi: Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has announced an urgent humanitarian response through the UAE Aid Agency to support those affected by the two earthquakes that struck off the northern coast near the city of Moron in Venezuela. The»»»

Abu Dhabi: Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, said the country's position on regional developments was reflected "clearly and transparently" during Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan's telephone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reaffirming the UAE's suppo»»»

Washington: Lebanon and Israel have signed a US-brokered framework agreement following several days of negotiations in Washington, marking what American officials described as an initial step towards peace. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two sides had reached the agreement after talks i»»»

The TSA said on Friday that it expects roughly 18.7 million people to be screened at U.S. airports during the July 4 holiday week, with more than 3 million people expected to travel on July 2 alone. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- The Transportation Security Administr»»»

Dubai: More than 25 million illicit and controlled pills and 1.1 tonnes of narcotic substances were intercepted by Saudi customs authorities over the past year, Okaz newspaper reported. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) said customs officers seized 25,112,378 narcotic and prohibited pill»»»

MAKKAH: As Saudi Arabia expands saffron cultivation across regions including AlUla, Tabuk and Al-Baha, scientists are exploring ways to improve the productivity and quality of one of the world’s most valuable crops. Prof. Salim Al-Babili, associate vice president for research for plant science at K»»»

RAMALLAH: The Central Committee of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement, known as Fatah, held a meeting chaired by Deputy Chairman Hussein Al-Sheikh to discuss the latest political developments and internal organizational affairs. During the meeting, the committee reviewed current political»»»

CALEFORNIA, USA: Co-hosts Canada and South Africa clash on Sunday in the first of the last-32 ties at the World Cup, both entering unfamiliar territory without any prior experience of the tournament’s knockout stages. For Canada, it is the first time they have advanced past the group stage in three»»»

KINSHASA: The Ebola epidemic has claimed more than 300 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a little over one month after it was declared, health authorities said on Friday. The deadly viral disease, which spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, can cause severe bleeding and organ »»»

PARIS: Pope Leo XIV will hold a mass on Sept. 26 on the Place de la Concorde and adjoining Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris during a state visit, the French capital’s archbishop Laurent Ulrich said on Friday. The pope will be in France from Sept. 25 to 28 for the first official state visit by a ponti»»»

Shawarma is a simple, wholesome food that gives you comfort in every situation, whether you are lonely at home or in your car or cheering on your favorite team with friends during a World Cup match. Who makes the best shawarma, however, is highly debatable. Now, this is not me throwing my hat in to»»»

ABHA: Asir Municipality has intensified preparations for the 2026 summer tourism season, upgrading roads, public facilities, and its network of 671 parks. Asir Mayor Abdullah Al-Jali said a team of 1,500 personnel is executing cleaning and maintenance operations across more than 16 million square m»»»

As the on-again, off-again fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia has revealed its deadly FPV drone fleet: small quadcopters equipped with light explosives. Analysis of videos of the attacks suggests the Israeli army has turned to a Second World War-era trick to»»»

France and Italy have pushed back against an EU proposal to ban Russian servicemen and veterans from entering the bloc, warning that the measure is legally unclear and difficult to enforce, Bloomberg has reported, citing diplomatic sources. Moscow has denounced the proposal as “paranoid,” while cri»»»

People enjoy the beach at the Strait of Hormuz in the Arabian Sea off Muscat, Oman, in May. President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the cease-fire Friday. File Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has attacked ships in th»»»

Lebanon, Israel and the United States on Friday signed a trilateral framework agreement aimed at paving the way for a peace deal between the two long-time Middle East adversaries. The agreement -- details of which were not announced -- is the result of five rounds of talks in Washington aimed at en»»»

The World Gymnastics organization should impose an appropriate penalty on the “renegades” who ignore their policy of “sport must be separate from politics”, journalist Rick Sterling tells Sputnik. If this violation is not penalized, “it will mean the further breakdown of international standards and»»»

Tunis, June 26 (TAP) - "Electric mobility today represents a new pillar for a more competitive Tunisian industry, particularly at a time when the global automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation," said Secretary of State for Energy...»»»

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem seen in June 19, 2024. He spoke in a televised speech Friday, marking Ashura, the culmination of a 10-day mourning period observed by Shiite Muslims. Photo by Wael Hamzeh/UPI BEIRUT, June 26 (UPI) -- Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said »»»

Sharjah: In Khorfakkan, a mango is never just a mango. It is the result of months of care, irrigation, patience, and planning. It is also a competition entry, a source of income, a family project, and, for many growers, a livelihood rooted in the land. From today, June 26, that story has unfolded p»»»

Often called the “grandfather” of modern African music, Highlife was born a century ago in the port cities of Ghana. Blending colonial brass with traditional rhythms, it became the soundtrack of West African independence. Now, the genre has been officially recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’»»»

NEW YORK: Paris St. Germain defender and Morocco international Achraf Hakimi will appeal to France’s highest court after a ruling confirming that he should stand trial ‌on a ‌rape charge, ‌his ⁠lawyer Fanny Colin ⁠told Reuters on Friday. Hakimi’s referral for trial was confirmed by the Versailles C»»»

A Strawberry moon sets just before sunrise behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City on June 4, 2023. The next full moon is Monday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo The first full moon of the summer will rise on Monday evening, and it will also be one of the smallest full moons »»»

The disruption to global energy markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East has triggered an unexpected resurgence in coal demand, as energy security fears outweigh Climate Crisis commitments. Coal prices and consumption both rose following disruptions to natural gas supplies from the Gulf, r»»»

PARIS: Stan Wawrinka announced Friday he will throw a farewell party for fans on December 19 in Geneva with former tennis stars Roger Federer and Andy Murray on the card of the “One last backhand” event. The 41-year-old three-time Grand Slam champion said on Instagram that after more than 20 years »»»

Damascus, June 26 (SANA) Syrian Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwaidan met on Friday with Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris to discuss investment opportunities in Syria’s agricultural sector and the incentives available to investors under the new investment law, the ministry said. Al-Suwaidan str»»»

The EU has effectively separated the accession trajectories of Ukraine and Moldova, with each country now expected to advance towards membership at its own pace after the opening of the first negotiating cluster, reported European Pravda. The shift reflects a more explicitly “merit-based” approach »»»

Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, is shown in his mugshot on Sept. 12, 2025. The prosecutor in his case was found to be in contempt of court Friday for speaking to the press. UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- The Utah prosecutor in the case against Tyler Robinson for the alleged murder of conservativ»»»

LA GUAIRA, Venezuela: More than 50,000 people were missing Friday after twin earthquakes in Venezuela, the United Nations' aid chief told AFP as international rescue teams and sniffer dogs arrived to join a desperate search for survivors. Interim president Delcy Rodriguez said the death toll was no»»»

Citizens gathered in Sofia and other Bulgarian cities on Friday to express their dissatisfaction with what they described as the long-term inaction of institutions and to honour the memory of all children who have died in road traffic accidents. Demonstrations were called in front of palaces of jus»»»

Quito: Ecuador President Daniel Noboa declared Friday a holiday after the national team reached the World Cup knock-out stages by beating four-time champions Germany 2-1 in their final group match. "Thank you to the players and to the coach (Sebastian Beccacece) who, in spite of the critics, insult»»»

Israel ​and Lebanon are ‌expected ‌to ​sign a ‌framework ⁠agreement ​in Washington ⁠on ⁠Friday, ‌senior ‌Israeli officials ​said. The ‌Israeli officials ‌did ‌not immediately provide ⁠further details. More to follow ...»»»

TOKYO: Japan believe they can shock Brazil in the World Cup round of 32, and former coach Philippe Troussier thinks it would be a fitting reward for their progress as a football nation. Frenchman Troussier led Japan when they co-hosted the World Cup with South Korea in 2002 and took them to the las»»»

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to slap a 100 percent tariff on European countries that impose a digital services tax, adding that existing trade deals would be scrapped. "Any Country that imposes such a Tax will immediately be met with a 100% TARIFF on any and all Goods sent to the »»»

No matter how hard Trump may pressure it, saying that Syria can take care of Lebanon is "a big fantasy that has nothing to do with reality," veteran war correspondent and political analyst Elijah J. Magnier tells Sputnik. Syria's military lacks the means to wage war against Hezbollah, as Syrian ars»»»

Jonathan Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty to three charges related to the setting of the Palisades Fire in 2025. File Photo courtesy of Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- A federal judge declared a mistrial Friday after a jury said it couldn't reach a verdict»»»

The National Council for Tripartite Cooperation (NCTC) will hold an extraordinary sitting at the Council of Ministers building on Monday to discuss the draft 2026 State Budget Act, the draft 2026 Public Social Insurance Budget Act and the draft 2026 National Health Insurance Fund Budget Act, the Ca»»»

LONDON: Twenty-two Iranian crew members whose oil tanker was seized by the United States during the recent conflict were transferred to Iran's consulate in Pakistan on Friday. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the sailors were from the ship named Davina, which US forces boarded in the Indi»»»

MOSCOW: ‌The Kremlin said on Friday it would look into a viral video appeal to President Vladimir Putin by a military veteran accusing Russian commanders in Ukraine of torturing and murdering soldiers for not fulfilling “suicidal orders.” Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin had not yet seen th»»»

China's Citic tower stands in Beijing in May. A small plane crashed into the tower on Friday. File Pool Photo by Maxim Shemetov/EPA June 26 (UPI) -- A small plane crashed into the tallest building in Beijing Friday, social media video and eyewitness reports have shown. The Chinese government hasn't»»»

DURBAN: Thousands of Malawian migrants queued for processing at a makeshift camp in the South African city of Durban this week while hundreds of Zimbabweans slept on the pavement outside their consulate in Cape Town. All had the same goal: to leave South Africa before nationwide anti-immigrant prot»»»

In Albania, a widespread protest movement is underway against the current government. The demonstrations erupted after construction began on a luxury resort in a nature reserve in the southwest of the country. The real estate project is spearheaded by Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-»»»

Tunis, June 26 (TAP) - The National Investor Platform was officially launched on Friday- the second day of the Tunisia Investment Forum (TIF 2026) proceedings- in the presence of minsters of economy and trade. The pleatform is a practical mechanism...»»»

Sixty Egyptian IT companies are taking part in the 35th Gitex Technology Week, running from 18 to 22 October at the Dubai Convention Centre. The exhibition is an exclusive platform for the Egyptian technology and solution providers to show off their latest products and technology services under “Eg»»»

JEDDAH: The graduation ceremony of the fourth cohort of Red Sea Global’s Vocational Training Program was held on Thursday, with Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah, in attendance, along with Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Red Sea Glob»»»

In Brief Mongolia’s dependence on Russian fuel gives it short-term supply stability but leaves it structurally exposed. Russia’s temporary petrol export ban spared Mongolia through bilateral arrangements, underscoring the strength of the relationship while revealing the risks of relying on Moscow. »»»

Beltone Financial expects SODIC, 6 October Development & Investment, to hit its sales target of 2016, worth EGP 5bn. SODIC’s recent implementation of Caesar project worth EGP 300m is believed to be the reason behind its sales boom, according to Beltone Finacial report. The company will also propose»»»

Oman has told European officials there’s no way of going back to the pre-war status quo with the Strait of Hormuz and transiting ships may have to be charged some fees, according to people familiar with the matter. While Omani officials said they will always abide by international maritime law, the»»»

Dubai: Dubai Customs seized 406kg of narcotics and 2.3 million illicit pills in the first five months of 2026, carrying out 502 anti-smuggling operations with the emirate stepping up efforts to combat cross-border drug trafficking through advanced technology, artificial intelligence and risk-based »»»

Nearly four months after the U.S. airstrike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, which killed more than 150 people, including 120 children, Amnesty International USA’s National Director for Government Relations & Advocacy, Amanda Klasing, said: “It’s been four months since the»»»