Mother of Kidnapped 11-Year-Old: “Asen Threatened to Kill Me If Natalia Didn't Go With Him”Opinions
The search for 11-year-old Natalia Asenova from the Varna village of Konstantinovo continued for a third day as her mother described the terrifying events that, she says, led to the girl's abduction by her former partner, 40-year-old Asen Simeonov. Speaking through tears, Natalia's mother, Dora Pet»»»
Iran blames US after ship runs aground in Hormuz. Here's what shipping data shows
On Wednesday (July 1, 2026) the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported that a foreign-flagged “cargo ship attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz using a US-suggested route” had run aground. The Tehran-based broadcaster, affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IR»»»
Awqaf Foundation honours Schools of Research Science in recognition of its contribution to sustainable endowment initiatives
The Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) in Dubai honored Schools of Research Science (SRS) in recognition of its contribution to supporting sustainable endowment (waqf) initiatives. Represented by Al Shamsi, Schools of Research Science received a certificate of appreciation presented on beha»»»
Oman oil price falls to USD 63.41 per barrel
Muscat: The official price of Oman crude oil for August delivery reached USD 63.41 per barrel on Thursday. This represents a decrease of USD 3.66 compared to Wednesday's price of USD 67.7 pb. The monthly average price for Oman crude oil for July delivery stood at USD 102 pb, marking a drop of USD 2»»»
Saudi, Japanese Foreign Ministers discuss regional developments
Riyadh: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah discussed the latest developments in the region in a phone call on Thursday with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi. During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed the latest regional developments, as we»»»
Military convoy expected in Hungary today: what drivers should know
A military convoy will travel between Szolnok and Eger on Thursday, 2 July, and drivers in the area are being asked to use extra caution near the vehicles, according to the official Facebook page of the MH Kiss József 86th Helicopter Brigade. The brigade said it would relocate technical equipment b»»»
UAE oil exports are returning to near-record levels as pre-war flows resume
Dubai: The UAE is restoring crude oil exports to near-record levels following disruption caused by the recent regional conflict, with alternative export routes and infrastructure helping maintain supplies to rest of the world. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply»»»
Israeli Document: Damage to Haifa Refinery is Greater than Reported, and Rehabilitation Will Not Be Completed before 2028
An Israeli government document, obtained by Channel 12, revealed that the damage inflicted on the Bazan petrochemical complex in Haifa Bay by repeated Iranian missile strikes far exceeds what was officially announced, and that the complex will not be fully rehabilitated before 2028. According to th»»»
Dubai Metro overhauls 262 escalators to improve safety and reliability
Dubai: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with Keolis MHI, has completed a major upgrade of escalators across the Dubai Metro network, with 262 escalators refurbished so far. The figure represents about 63% of all escalators at Dubai Metro stations. The programme is aimed a»»»
Expanding conflict drives record hunger in northern Nigeria: WFP
ABUJA: Hunger across Nigeria’s conflict-hit north is at levels not seen in a decade as violence spreads and aid shrinks, the UN’s World Food Programme warned Thursday, with more than three million people “acutely food insecure.” The country has been battling a jihadist insurgency centered in the no»»»
Facing barbs and pressure from Trump, Europe’s leaders close ranks
ROME: US President Donald Trump’s attacks on Italy’s premier have had an unintended consequence. After Trump questioned Italy’s reliability as a wartime ally and claimed Giorgia Meloni had groveled for his attention, European leaders rallied to Meloni’s side, thawing what had been a frosty relation»»»
Amir receives the credentials of UAE and Nigerian Ambassadors
Doha, Qatar: The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received the credentials of two new ambassadors to the State at his office in the Amiri Diwan on Thursday, July 2, 2026.. The Amir received the credentials of HE Saeed bin Abdullah Al Qamzi, Ambassador of the sisterly United Arab Em»»»
Inside UAE summer camps 2026: What Dh125 to Dh5,000 really buys for children
Every year, he does a little countdown. Dubai-based Safia Youssef’s 10-year-old loves a football summer camp more than he loves home, she says. “He waits to register. He enjoys it so much, because he has made more friends at camp than he made in school,” she says. He comes home with such a beaming »»»
How UAE teachers are spending their summer break
Dubai: After months of lesson planning, grading papers, and supporting students, teachers across the UAE are finally pressing pause. While students eagerly count down to the holidays, educators are looking forward to something just as important, time to rest, reconnect with family, and return to th»»»
Oman says no oil spill after vessel runs aground near Hallaniyat Islands reserve
Dubai: Omani authorities have confirmed that no oil spill occurred after a vessel ran aground near the Hallaniyat Islands Marine Buffer Zone, following inspections of the environmentally protected area. The Environment Authority said it was monitoring the incident after the vessel grounded near Al »»»
European stock markets open mixed amid anticipation of US employment report
Brussels: European stock markets opened mixed on Thursday as investors await the US employment report for June and the signals it may carry about the future trajectory of interest rates. Among major European markets, France’s CAC 40 index in Paris rose by 0.30%, Britain’s FTSE 100 index in London d»»»
Hot daytime with relatively humid nights forecast for weekend in Qatar
Doha, Qatar: Sunny conditions will continue, with temperatures ranging from 32°C to 44°C, the country's weather authority has announced. In its weekend weather forecast, the Qatar Meteorology Department said that on Thursday, July 2, there is a slight chance of dust. On Saturday, July 4, visibility»»»
Google makes Gemini Spark smart assistant available for Mac users
Washington: Google has announced that Gemini Spark, its AI agent, is now available to Mac users. The move will enhance its competition with other desktop AI assistants, while also introducing a range of new features that expand its capabilities in task management and interaction with various applic»»»
Seoul shares plunge nearly 8 pct on tech sell-off amid renewed AI concerns - UPI.com
This photo, taken Thursday, shows the trading room of Hana Bank in Seoul as South Korean stocks plunged by almost eight percent on a sharp sell-off in semiconductor shares. Photo by Yonhap South Korean stocks dipped nearly 8 percent Thursday, dragged down by a sharp sell-off in semiconductor shares»»»
Japan’s Nikkei Index falls amid selloff in AI-related shares
Tokyo: Japan’s Nikkei index fell on Thursday, dragged lower by AI-related heavyweights following an overnight tech selloff on Wall Street. The Nikkei 225 index dropped 2.5% to 68,733.15 points, while the broader Topix index closed slightly higher, up 0.09%, supported by buying of cheaper stocks aft»»»
Parkin to roll out ticketless parking at Al Ghurair Centre
Dubai: Parkin Company PJSC, the emirate's largest public parking operator, has signed a five-year agreement with Al Ghurair Centre to introduce a fully ticketless parking system at the Deira mall. The deal was signed by Parkin CEO Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali and Al Ghurair Property Management CEO P»»»
Justice Minister Naydenov Seeks Removal of Sofia City Prosecution Office Administrative Head Rusinova
Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov has requested that the Prosecutors' Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council suspend Emilia Rusinova, the administrative head of the Sofia City Prosecution Office, both from her managerial position and from her office as a prosecutor, the Justice Ministry's press of»»»
'I'm going to stay calm': 48 hours under the rubble in Venezuela
Caraballeda, Venezuela: Andrea Canonico focused on her breathing to stay calm as she lay trapped under a building that had crumbled during the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week. Just 23 years old, Canonico spent almost 48 hours in the same position before being pulled out -- »»»
Air conditioning is the EU’s freedom test
The mercury tops 40C for days on end. So what do you do? Actually, that’s a trick question. I don’t really care what you do – and you shouldn’t care what I do, either. My body, my choice. It’s amazing how quickly that principle becomes negotiable when a liberticidal agenda of mass conformity and co»»»
Diarrhea-inducing parasite spreading across US
US health authorities are struggling to identify the source of a foodborne illness that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. At least 145 people across 17 states have tested positive for the cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged t»»»
Couple caned for kissing on TikTok in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia: A young couple in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province were publicly caned on Thursday after an Islamic Shariah court convicted them of violating Islamic law by kissing during a TikTok livestream. Aceh’s Sharia court ordered the two people to be whipped with a rattan cane 2»»»
Arab companies showcase investments, expand presence at Damascus trade fairs
Damascus, July 2 (SANA) Arab companies are expanding their presence in Syria and exploring new investment opportunities at a series of specialized trade fairs in Damascus, reflecting growing regional interest in the country’s industrial and commercial sectors. The exhibitions have brought together »»»
Beijing tower crash: Pilot had mental health issues, diary revealed suicide thoughts
Beijing: For nearly a week, the question lingered: how did a light aircraft end up crashing into the tallest skyscraper in one of the world's most tightly controlled capitals? On Thursday, Chinese authorities offered an answer. They said the 66-year-old pilot had struggled with insomnia and anxiety»»»
Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque, carry out provocative courtyard tours
Occupied Jerusalem: Settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces. According to the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA), the Jerusalem Governorate said that a number of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, conducted pro»»»
Planning a summer trip? UAE banks urge caution over fake travel deals, scam websites and apps.
Dubai: The UAE Banks Federation (UBF) has urged customers to exercise caution when booking holidays and making travel-related payments, warning that fraudsters are increasingly targeting travellers with fake offers and fraudulent websites during the busy summer travel season. The UBF said scammers »»»
Why a Dh3,000 holiday often ends up costing Dh8,000: Here's where UAE travellers are really spending
Dubai: You find return tickets to Europe for Dh3,000 and think you've landed a bargain. But by the time you've paid for visas, hotel rooms, travel insurance, airport transfers, meals, attraction tickets and baggage fees, that "cheap" summer holiday could easily cost more than Dh8,000—and that's bef»»»
QSE index declines by 0.11% at start of Thursday's trading
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) general index opened lower at the start of Thursday's trading, losing 10.82 points, or 0.11%, to reach 10,280 points, compared to the previous session's close, under pressure from three sectors. Market data showed gains in the Transportation sector by 0.90%, »»»
Qatar Calendar officially opens Qatar Toy Festival
Doha, Qatar: Under the Theme ‘More to Imagine, A Whole World of Fun’, Qatar Calendar has officially opened the fourth edition of the Qatar Toy Festival at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), welcoming families and visitors to experience a month of entertainment, creativity and interac»»»
Coffee with a view: tourists flock to Starbucks overlooking North Korea
Gimpo, South Korea: The contrast cannot be starker: selfie-taking tourists sipping coffee at Starbucks -- an icon of globalisation and capitalism -- while looking out over reclusive, communist North Korea. Welcome to Aegibong Starbucks in Gimpo -- less than an hour's drive from South Korea's capita»»»
Ashghal affirms national cadres' roles in engineering leadership, development projects
Doha, Qatar: The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) affirmed that Qatari nationals continue to play a pivotal role in implementing the country's development projects. This is part of Ashghal's ongoing efforts to attract, train, and empower Qatari talent across various disciplines, thereby enhancing t»»»
Gold price in Qatari market falls by 0.52% this week
Doha, Qatar: The price of gold in the Qatari market edged down by 0.52% during the current week, reaching $4068.80000 per ounce, according to data issued by Qatar National Bank (QNB). The data showed that the price of gold fell from $4090.29150 per ounce recorded last Sunday. It also indicated that»»»
YouTube rolls out supervised children’s accounts to MENA and Turkiye amid mounting regulatory pressure
LONDON: YouTube has rolled out supervised children’s accounts across the Middle East and Turkiye as regulators and governments increase scrutiny of social media platforms’ impact on young people’s wellbeing. The Alphabet‑owned platform on Wednesday unveiled a package of parental controls designed t»»»
As Pentagon stays quiet, AP reconstructs US strike that killed over 100 Iranian children
It was the deadliest reported strike in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Most of the victims were children. In almost any other conflict, these haunting truths would be seared into national memory. Yet more than 120 days since at least one U.S. missile struck an Iranian primary school, there rema»»»
Justice Minister Naydenov Seeks Removal of Sofia City Prosecutor's Office Administrative Head Rusinova
Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov has requested that the Prosecutors' Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council suspend Emilia Rusinova, the administrative head of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office, both from her managerial position and from her office as a prosecutor, the Justice Ministry's press o»»»
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs bids farewell to Malawi's Ambassador
Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met on Thursday with Ambassador of the Republic of Malawi to the State of Qatar HE Roy Akajuwe Kachale, on the occasion of the end of his tenure. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs thanked the Ambassador for hi»»»
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs receives copy of credentials of Maldives' Ambassador
Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received on Thursday a copy of the credentials of Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the State of Qatar HE Adam Shareef Umar. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs wished the Ambassador success in his dutie»»»
Saudi Arabia and France deepen economic ties through private sector cooperation
PARIS: During his first participation in Vision Golfe, Sultan Al-Musallam, secretary-general of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening its economic partnership with France in an interview with Arab News en Francais. According to him, France’s strengt»»»
Hamas Slams US ‘New Gaza’ Blueprint, Defends UNRWA as Unshakeable Witness to the Nakba - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hamas Slams US ‘New Gaza’ Blueprint, Defends UNRWA as Unshakeable Witness to the Nakba 02-07-2026 12:01 PM A Palestinian child stands amid »»»
RAGOZIN: Ukraine’s history row with Poland threatens its EU path
As it repels Russian aggression, Ukraine suddenly found itself at loggerheads with its western neighbour and strategic ally Poland. A quarrel morphing into systemic confrontation was caused by a significant shift in Ukraine’s memory policy, underway since former military intelligence (HUR) chief Ky»»»
Russian manufacturing PMI returns to growth as domestic demand steadies despite export weakness
Russia's manufacturing sector returned to modest growth in June after more than a year of stagnation, as improving domestic demand offset a renewed deterioration in export markets, although businesses remained cautious over the outlook amid weak consumer purchasing power and continued logistical di»»»
Russia turns to Indian gasoline imports as fuel shortages deepen after refinery attacks
Russia has begun importing gasoline by sea from India to ease fuel shortages caused by repeated Ukrainian drone strikes on its refining infrastructure, according to industry sources, Reuters reported. The move comes as fuel supply disruptions spread across Russia, leading to rationing measures, lon»»»
Saudi banks maintain resilience as Q1 deposits rise 3.9%: Alvarez & Marsal
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s largest listed banks posted 3.9 percent deposit growth in the first quarter of 2026, boosting liquidity and reinforcing the sector’s resilience, a new analysis showed. Customer deposits outpaced loan growth during the three months ended March, with aggregate net loans and adv»»»
German Prosecutors Confirm Charges Against Ukrainian Suspect in Nord Stream Terror Blast
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The German Federal Public Prosecutor's Office said on Thursday that it had charged a Ukrainian citizen in the case of the terrorist attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. "On June 30, 2026, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office of Germany charged a Ukrainian citizen ... The ac»»»
UAE President restructures philanthropic council under Sheikh Theyab
Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued Federal Decree No. (94) of 2026 restructuring the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council under the chairmanship of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court f»»»
Search underway for missing Navy aircrewman in Arabian Sea - UPI.com
A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter, like the one seen here, made a water landing in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday. A search has been launched for one aircrewman aboard the helicopter was has since reported missing. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo July 2 (UPI) -- A search is ongoing for an air»»»