The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has announced a change in the outsourced service provider for Indian passport, visa and consular services in the United Arab Emirates. It said the current service providers, BLS International Services Ltd. and SGIVS Global, will continue to handle applications unti»»»

RIYADH: The Ministry of Interior, in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy, will host the Global Security and Technology Summit in Riyadh from Dec. 18-20 later this year. Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif said that the conference will be held under the patronage of Crown Prince and Pri»»»

Dubai: As South Korea faces the challenges of an ageing population and growing social isolation, AI-powered companion dolls are providing support and companionship to elderly residents living alone. One such user is 78-year-old Bang Chun-ja, who lives by herself in Yongin, south of Seoul. Her AI do»»»

Bulgarian Armed Forces are conducting exercises to enhance operational interoperability, Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov said Friday at Cheshnegirovo Air Base during the Distinguished Visitors Day of the multinational special operations exercise Stealth Dagger 26. "We are in a period of inten»»»

Dubai: SpaceX begins trading on Friday after raising $75 billion in the biggest initial public offering in history, setting up a market debut that could reshape investor portfolios and test demand for one of the world’s most closely watched companies. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheq»»»

Dubai: Dubai Municipality recorded 1,523 violations at construction sites across the emirate in May, following more than 11,000 field inspections aimed at enforcing engineering standards and safeguarding building quality amid Dubai’s sustained development boom. The municipality said inspectors carr»»»

Paris, France: ChatGPT and Claude are betting on Spain. Le Chat from France's Mistral reckons Les Bleus will clinch it. And China's DeepSeek and Qwen have a fondness for Argentina. The 2026 World Cup is the first with widely available generative AI chatbots, and fans and researchers alike are turni»»»

The reported Iran-US ceasefire memorandum, based on Tehran's previously disclosed 14-point proposal, is nearing completion but still requires final approval by Iran's competent authorities, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported. According to the report, the draft follows Iran's proposed two-stage»»»

June 11 (UPI) -- A California city celebrated Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday by gathering 1,037 people dressed as the Hollywood star to break a Guinness World Record. The Monroe impersonators donned the star's iconic dress from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch in Downtown Palm Springs on May 30 t»»»

Beijing: A viral Chinese food merchant dubbed "goose leg auntie", famed for her roadside barbecue, has sparked a national scandal when she admitted that for years she had in fact been selling cheaper duck meat. The vendor, whose real name is Chen Xiufeng, sent shockwaves across the Chinese internet»»»

BENGHAZI: A decade after fierce battles reduced much of the University of Benghazi to rubble, students at Libya’s oldest and largest university are once again looking to the future with optimism. After the 2011 uprisings that toppled and killed longtime ruler Muammar Qaddafi, the university founded»»»

MONTMELO: This was supposed to be George Russell ‘s chance to shoot for the Formula 1 title. Coming into the season as Mercedes’s presumptive lead driver, with his team producing the best car after a rulebook overhaul, Russell looked perfectly positioned to compete for the world championship after »»»

Dubai: Premium Residency holders in Saudi Arabia are required to obtain a dedicated work permit through the Kingdom’s Qiwa digital labour platform at a fee of SR100, according to new guidance issued by the platform and reported by Okaz newspaper. Qiwa, which is operated by the Ministry of Human Res»»»

Dubai: Saudi authorities have referred a social media user to the Public Prosecution after comments made during an online audio discussion were found to have contained offensive remarks directed at a fellow Arab state, according to Okaz newspaper. The General Authority of Media Regulation said the »»»

Doha, Qatar: The International Media Office of the State of Qatar categorically rejected the allegations published by The Washington Post on June 12. Any suggestion that operational decisions relating to energy production were – or have ever been – made in coordination with Iran, for Iran’s benefit»»»

Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat expressed deep distrust of United States foreign policy, accusing Washington of absolute bias toward Israel. "When it comes to Israel, the U.S. is nothing but a proxy mediator relaying Israeli ideas," Jumblat told pan-Arab news channel al-Jaze»»»

The International Media Office of the State of Qatar has categorically rejected allegations published by The Washington Post on 12 June, describing them as “entirely unfounded”. The claims suggested that operational decisions on energy production were coordinated with Iran or influenced by the conf»»»

Dubai: Thick smoke rose over the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Tebnit on Friday after Israeli airstrikes hit buildings in the area, according to video footage circulating online and reports from the ground. The strikes are the latest in the escalating conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed»»»

Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates will screen every match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 live onboard its flights, allowing football fans to follow the tournament from take-off to touchdown. Emirates announced on Thursday, June 11 that passengers will be able to watch every FIFA World Cup 2026 match li»»»

Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand, the eldest child of King Vajiralongkorn, died on Thursday after three years in a coma caused by a severe heart condition. She was 47. File Photo by Rungroj Yongrit/EPA June 12 (UPI) -- Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest child of King Vajiralongkorn, died i»»»

New Delhi: India summoned a senior US diplomat on Friday for a second time in two days, after American strikes on three largely Indian-crewed merchant vessels off Oman killed three Indians. The foreign ministry said it had summoned US Deputy Chief of Mission Jason Meeks to lodge "a strong protest..»»»

Dubai: The Ministry of Education has clarified how Grade 12 students' final scores are calculated in the General Secondary Education Certificate, following questions from parents and students regarding the grading mechanism. The ministry said students' scores are calculated based on the weighted re»»»

Wellington: New Zealand's most prolific run-scorer and arguably greatest batsman Kane Williamson announced his immediate retirement from international cricket on Friday in the middle of their series against England. The 35-year-old former skipper called time ahead of the second Test at The Oval nex»»»

Dubai: International visitors flying to Abu Dhabi on Etihad will automatically receive complimentary medical travel insurance for up to 15 days from July, giving travellers an added layer of cover during their stay in the UAE. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The insura»»»

Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said during Question Time in Parliament on Friday that the contract for the overhaul of the Bulgarian Air Force's An-30 transport aircraft with Ukrainian company Ukrainmash has been extended until August 2, 2026. Responding to a question from Vazrazhdane MP Ivelin »»»

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police has urged motorists to avoid using motorists poor-quality or non-compliant tyres. As part of the “Safe Summer” campaign, Abu Dhabi Police warned drivers of the dangers of using poor-quality or substandard tires, emphasizing that they are among the leading causes of serio»»»

Polish officials from the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party have urged the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia to rename a street honoring Stepan Bandera, the nationalist leader whose movement was responsible for the massacre of more than 100,000 Poles during World War II. Relations between Poland and Ukr»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe War in Lebanon Has Turned into “Strategic Trap” for ‘Israel’, Not Hezbollah: Israeli Analyst 12-06-2026 14:16 PM Hezbollah fighters operati»»»

Dubai Customs has foiled an attempt to smuggle 223 live animals, including lizards, scorpions, snakes and frogs, concealed inside an unclaimed suitcase at Dubai International Airport, in a major operation highlighting efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. The seizure was carried out as part of on»»»

Kyrgyzstan continues to strengthen its position on the international tourism map. During a meeting between Manasbek Samidinov, Chairman of the Board of Airports of Kyrgyzstan OJSC, and a delegation from the United Arab Emirates, they discussed the prospects for expanding air service between Kyrgyzs»»»

London: British artist David Hockney’s paintings captured the world in brilliant colour, from carefree 1960s California to the bucolic landscapes of his native Yorkshire. Hockney, who died Thursday aged 88, always retained his Yorkshire burr and a determined liking for fish and chips and cigarettes»»»

Q Mobility has announced the timings and fees for Darb toll gates and Mawaqif parking services during the Hijri New Year holiday, with motorists set to benefit from free tolls and parking on Monday, June 15. The company said Darb toll charges at Sas Al Nakhl, Al Maqta, Rabdan and Al Saadiyat gates »»»

SAN CRISTOBAL: Pope Leo XIV renewed his support for migrants on Friday in the Canary Islands, saying “all of us are migrants” and urged newcomers to do their part to integrate, on the final day of a weeklong visit to Spain focused on migration issues. Calling integration a “reciprocal journey,” the»»»

Dubai: A long-awaited stroke of luck has given a Sharjah-based salesman the chance to create new memories with his family. Jinoy Kumar, a 42-year-old expatriate from Kerala, has won Dh500,000 in Big Ticket's series 287. The prize has been part of a combined Dh1.95 million in consolation prizes won »»»

Dubai: Majid Al Futtaim has said construction at Tilal Al Ghaf remains on schedule, after recent reporting linked customer notifications to possible delivery concerns at the Dubai residential community. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The developer said the notices wer»»»

OVERVIEW No single topic dominates Friday’s media. POLITICS Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov in an interview for Bulgarian National Television’s morning programme said that ammunition or weaponry cannot be provided if doing so would violate the law and reduce stocks below the required minimum leve»»»

Dubai: Majid Al Futtaim has said construction at Tilal Al Ghaf remains on schedule, after recent reporting linked customer notifications to possible delivery concerns at the Dubai residential community. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The developer said the notices wer»»»

Toronto, Canada: Canada coach Jesse Marsch said Thursday the chance to lead the team in a World Cup on home soil was the reason he took the job, hours before the co-hosts' opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. "If you do this for a living this is where you want to be," the American told reporte»»»

NAIROBI: There are many “blind spots” in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a World Health Organization expert said on Friday, suggesting the spread of the deadly disease may be much wider than official estimates. Congo said on Thursday the disease had spread to three new healt»»»

RIYADH: The liquidity levels of most Fitch-rated sukuk are improving, signaling a gradual stabilization in the Islamic bond market following disruptions caused by the Iran war, according to the credit rating agency. In its latest report, Fitch Ratings warned that sukuk liquidity has not recovered t»»»

Iran said it had yet to make a final decision on an agreement with the United States to end the war, despite U.S. President Donald Trump saying it had been approived and could be signed in the next few days. File photo by Behnam Tofighi/UPI | License Photo June 12 (UPI) -- Iran said it had yet to m»»»

Dubai: For Sharad Kumar Singh, buying Big Ticket entries has become part of his monthly routine. This month, that routine has paid off in a big way. The 44-year-old software consultant from Uttar Pradesh, India, has won Dh250,000 in Big Ticket's series 287, becoming one of five Indian expatriates w»»»

Ahmedabad, India: Families of those killed in last year's Air India plane crash gathered at the site on Friday to mark the anniversary of the disaster, still awaiting answers about its cause. On June 12, 2025, a Boeing 787 crashed into a medical college shortly after take-off in India's western cit»»»

Dubai: Kuwait Airways has launched its first commercial flights to Zurich, adding the Swiss city to its summer network as demand for European travel picks up during the holiday season. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The airline will operate two weekly flights to Zuric»»»

DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre said Thursday he hopes his side can deliver a strong World Cup showing after arriving in the US following an imposed quarantine period linked to the Ebola outbreak. The team, making their first appearance at the tournament since 1974, have relocated preparations abr»»»

Aziz Abu Sarah is Palestinian. Maoz Inon is Israeli. Both their families have been bereaved by the endless conflict between their two communities. With their book "The Future is Peace" published in April, the two authors aim to rally international public opinion behind their project to put an end t»»»

Dubai: A viral video showing a young woman driving on a public road while her female passenger sat on the vehicle’s door in a dangerous position to take photos has prompted Dubai Police to issue a strong warning against reckless and life-threatening traffic behaviour. The act, which placed both occ»»»

The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has instructed state agencies and local authorities to assist energy companies in conducting public outreach among the population and businesses regarding the water accumulation situation in the Toktogul reservoir. The provision is included in the government r»»»

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations issued a warning about possible mudflows in mountainous and foothill areas of the country from June 13 to 17. According to the ministry, the risk is linked to rising air temperatures and expected localized heavy rains. Rising water levels in rivers acro»»»

Paris, France: Massive cuts to international aid have put the world's response to HIV "in peril", the UN's top AIDS official warned Friday, as a new report revealed the scale of disruption to HIV prevention efforts. Last year, the new administration of US President Donald Trump --- with help from t»»»