Decision on US Military Aircraft Needed at This Time, Bulgaria Is Not Giving Up Its Sovereignty, Defence Minister Says
"This is one of those decisions that are not taken lightly, but one that is necessary at this particular moment," Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told Parliament on Wednesday while presenting the government's draft decision authorizing the presence at Bezmer Air Base of US military aircraft and p»»»
Kyrgyz Border Service officer sets world record in FPV drone racing - | 24.KG
Kyrgyz Border Service officer Temirlan Ibraimov has set a world record in virtual FPV drone racing. According to the State Border Service, he completed the Hannover track in the LIFTOFF FPV DRONE RACING simulator in 31 seconds, achieving the fastest time. Furthermore, on July 4, 2026, Temirlan Ibra»»»
Institutional flight to quality and pre-leasing surge drive recovery in Romanian office market
Office occupiers in Romania are increasingly pivoting towards premium, sustainable, and professionally managed spaces, securing long-term leases up to two years ahead of delivery to mitigate a looming supply squeeze in core submarkets. Furthermore, the market has demonstrated resilience this year, »»»
Media Review: July 22
OVERVIEW Wednesday’s media coverage focuses on the proposed deployment of US aerial refuelling aircraft and military personnel at Bezmer Air Base in Southeastern Bulgaria, with the National Assembly expected to take the final decision. The upcoming presidential elections, the 2026 State Budget and »»»
Vastint Romania benchmarks sustainable, high-performance offices
Antoniu Panait, managing director of Vastint Romania, talked to BR about the shifting dynamics of the capital’s office market, highlighting their landmark 60,000 sqm fossil-fuel-free development, New Tales, and explaining why highly sustainable, mixed-use urban environments continue to outperform b»»»
Sofia Residents Demand Accountability for Defective Municipal Construction
Residents of Sofia's Poduyane borough held a protest Wednesday against poor-quality municipal construction and a lack of subsequent action by the authorities. Although organizers planned to block Vladimir Vazov Boulevard, the Sofia Municipality did not grant permission, according to protest organiz»»»
Report: Netanyahu fails to arrange Trump meeting as US pushes for Lebanon withdrawal
A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that was set for this week has been postponed at the request of the American side, a source familiar with the details told Israeli newspaper Haaretz. While one source said the situation in Iran was behind th»»»
Kyrgyzstan increases fuel reserves to about six weeks - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan’s fuel and lubricant reserves have been increased from two to three weeks to approximately one and a half months. First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Daniyar Amangeldiev said in an exclusive interview with 24.kg news agency. According to Amangeldiev, the government’s goal i»»»
Ukraine Reels, And It Shows - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The appointment of a new commander-in-chief in Ukraine unlikely to lead to any changes at the front line, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. "All these upheavals, the fact that Ukraine is reeling - that is clear. It is visible to the naked eye," Peskov told report»»»
RAK Police relocate Traffic Violations Branch today
Ras Al Khaimah Police have announced the temporary relocation of the Traffic Violations Branch to the ENOC registration village today while police conduct an exercise. The branch, which operates under the Traffic Investigations and Control Section at the Traffic and Licensing Services Centre, began»»»
Education Employers' Union Head Praises Ministry's Spring Break Choice Proposal
The proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to allow parents to choose between two options for the spring vacation - April 3-11 or April 30 - May 9 is extremely commendable said Diyan Stamatov, head of the Union of Employers in the Public Education System in Bulgaria, on the occasion of t»»»
Zendaya wears Saudi couture label Ashi Studio to ‘Spider-Man’ event
DUBAI: Saudi couture house Ashi Studio found itself in the spotlight this week when Hollywood star Zendaya wore one of its designs to a “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” fan event in Mexico City. The actress, who plays MJ in the franchise, stepped out in a midnight-black floor-length gown from the label’»»»
Scientists sequence DNA of ancient Saka people from burial site in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
An international team of researchers has sequenced the DNA of ancient Saka individuals buried at the Boz-Barmak cemetery in Kyrgyzstan, providing new insights into their ancestry, kinship, and social organization. The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports. The study analyzed the»»»
Video: PM Magyar spat on at Budapest railway station before major rail announcement
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar was spat on by a man at Budapest’s Nyugati railway station on Wednesday morning, shortly before unveiling the government’s new railway development strategy alongside Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy. The incident, which was captured on video, occu»»»
New Dh100 billion Marsa Al Saadiyat development launched in Abu Dhabi
Dubai: Abu Dhabi has launched Marsa Al Saadiyat, a Dh100 billion waterfront development spanning 6.4 million square metres, marking the final phase of the wider Saadiyat Island masterplan. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executi»»»
Daniyar Amangeldiev announces possible market price of AI 92 gasoline - | 24.KG
If the government completely deregulates fuel and lubricant prices, the price of AI 92 gasoline could reach approximately 114 soms per liter, while diesel fuel could reach 148 soms. First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Daniyar Amangeldiev stated in an exclusive interview »»»
Auchan Romania to hire 160 people for two new Bucharest stores
Auchan Romania, one of the leading retailers on the local market, is recruiting 160 people for two new stores scheduled to open this year in Bucharest: the Auchan Floreasca supermarket, located at 159–165 Calea Floreasca, and the Auchan Sun Plaza hypermarket, located at 391 Calea Văcărești. The ava»»»
Investment Minister reviews export initiative, new investment platforms, industrial fund
Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid reviewed a broad package of initiatives and investment programs during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, as part of the ministry’s efforts to expand exports, improve investor services, and strengthe»»»
Bezmer Residents Launch Petition Against Deployment of American Aircraft
A petition has been launched in the village of Bezmer against the deployment of US aerial refuelling aircraft at the nearby air base, Mayor Rosen Rusev told BTA on Wednesday. Residents oppose the plan, are prepared to protest and intend to present the petition to the Defence Minister during his exp»»»
New Electric Vehicle to Support Social Services in Opaka Municipality
A new electric vehicle will help deliver social services across all communities in Opaka Municipality, the Municipality said on Wednesday. Opaka Mayor Gyuner Ashimov said the new car will support the Assistance Support programme, deliver meals under the Warm Lunch service, assist the local nursing »»»
Greece broils on year's warmest day as three-day heatwave peaks
Athens: Greece is expected to experience its hottest day of the year on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching up to 43C according to meteorologists, and several regions placed on alert due to the risk of wildfires. Outdoor work bans have also been announced during the warmest hours of the day for h»»»
Electricity consumption declines in Kyrgyzstan — Energy Ministry - | 24.KG
Electricity consumption in Kyrgyzstan totaled 48.4 million kilowatt-hours over the past 24 hours, down from the levels recorded on previous days, the Ministry of Energy said. As of July 22, 2026, the country’s power system is operating normally, with no overloads or emergency disruptions reported. »»»
Social media influencers now roam EU corridors of power: free trips, selfies with leaders but a grey zone for ethics
Welcome to the new era of Brussels diplomacy, where ‘likes’ matter – and so do content creators on social media, who are gaining increasing access to EU institutions, in a high-stakes bet to win over Gen Z. Facing a generation that increasingly rejects getting news from legacy media, the European C»»»
Japan tells workers to wear shorts as brutal heat grips nation
Tokyo is urging office workers to swap suits for shorts as Japan confronts another summer of extreme temperatures, with authorities expanding a long-running campaign aimed at keeping people cool while reducing energy use. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has updated its “Tokyo Cool Biz” campaign t»»»
Why next-generation developments must be built as active energy system participants
Valentin Zaharia, Technical and Performance Director at Veolia Romania, talked to BR about the shift from energy efficiency to long-term energy resilience, and why integrating local renewable resources and advanced energy management early in the planning process can reduce market exposure, support »»»
Aoun says disarming Hezbollah has requirements to fulfill
President Joseph Aoun has said that ever since he assumed his post, the state has “worked decisively toward one goal: one state, one army, and putting an end to all illegal armed groups operating outside the state's authority.” “What we need now is an institution strong enough to achieve this, and »»»
Russian Scientists Create Heat-Seeking Particles to Burn Up Cancer
Researchers from the National University of Science and Technology MISIS (NUST MISIS) have developed temperature-limiting nanoparticles that could enable the “controlled” destruction of tumours using magnetic fields. The results of the study were published in Ceramics International.The destruction »»»
Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Belarus takes place in Bishkek - | 24.KG
At the invitation of Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov is paying an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic on July 22–23, 2026. On the first day of the visit, July 22, official talks were held between the heads of the two countries’ foreign »»»
Salam from Zawtar: Restoring life to Southern Lebanon a National Goal to which State is Committed
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya on Wednesday, to where the Lebanese Army deployed a day earlier as part of the implementation of the so-called “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon. Salam welcomed the “start of Israel’s withdrawal from our la»»»
DP World secures EUR 25 million EBRD loan for Constanța terminal electrification
DP World and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed a loan agreement of up to EUR 25 million to support the electrification of operations at the DP World-owned Constanța South Container Terminal. The financing is the terminal’s first dedicated green loan and forms p»»»
First look: Inside new Indian passport centres in UAE as rush begins
Thousands of Indian nationals queued outside newly opened Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the UAE on Wednesday as the country’s biggest overhaul of Indian passport and consular services began. The first day saw long queues, busy counters and a new system introduced to streamline »»»
Lebanese-American who stabbed Rushdie to go on trial again
The Lebanese-American man who was convicted of trying to kill Salman Rushdie is going on trial again in the United States, this time in a federal terrorism case that is probing deeper into what allegedly motivated the stabbing on a lecture stage in 2022. Opening statements are set for Wednesday in »»»
Qatar SC part ways with French defender Kimpembe
Doha, Qatar: Qatar SC have announced the departure of French defender Presnel Kimpembe from the club's first-team squad. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the club thanked Kimpembe for his time with the team and wished him success in the future. Kimpembe joined Qatar SC in September 2025 from Frenc»»»
Japan cities 'cruelly hot' for first time
Tokyo: Japanese cities are experiencing "cruelly hot days", a new meteorological term devised this year to warn people of intense heat above 40C, with heatstroke alerts issued across almost the whole country. Three central cities on Tuesday logged scorching heat above the threshold, called "kokusho»»»
Hezbollah threatens Beirut airport shutdown to contest ban on Iranian flights
BEIRUT: Hezbollah has opened a new front in its confrontation with the Lebanese state, with Mahmoud Qamati, deputy head of the group's political council, threatening to prevent aircraft from landing at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport if the government's measures targeting Iranian flight»»»
Lebanese Army calls on Israel to use coordination channel instead of firing at troops
The Israeli military has said that it only fired "warning shots into the air" after Lebanese soldiers entered an area that was "not part of the pilot area" in the Zawtar region, prompting the Lebanese Army to respond in a statement. Insisting its troops were only deployed in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, an»»»
US plans to announce nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia
The United States plans to announce an agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that would give the country a civilian nuclear program, according to media reports, amid renewed fighting between the Gulf oil giant and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Citing two unnamed U.S. officials, the New Yor»»»
New Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya faces ‘dangerous, complex’ challenges
Khalil al-Hayya takes the helm of Hamas at one of the most dangerous and complex moments in the Palestinian group’s history, as it confronts Israel in an unprecedented war it triggered by the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. His election as head of Hamas’s political bureau places him in charge of a movement u»»»
Trump announces 100% tariffs on imported generic pharmaceutical drugs
US President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on imported generic pharmaceutical drugs on Tuesday. The tariff, which aims to bolster US pharmaceutical production, is set to go into effect in August 2028. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that all generic drugs brought into the US will cont»»»
Zakharova Blasts West For Cheering Zelensky's Nuclear Plant Strikes
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union has been preventing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from responding professionally to Ukrainian strikes on nuclear facilities, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday. "The problem with the EU is that they do not jus»»»
Autorun expands OMODA & JAECOO presence with new Dubai showroom
OMODA JAECOO Dubai has expanded its retail presence with the opening of a new Autorun showroom at Oasis Mall, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Operated by Autorun OJC Car Trading LLC, the official dealer for OMODA and JAECOO in Dubai, the facility represents another step in the company’s continued growth »»»
'They knelt on my head': New witness testimonies reveal alleged abuse in Hungary's 'gold convoy' scandal
Newly obtained witness testimonies have shed light on one of the biggest political and diplomatic scandals of the final weeks of Viktor Orbán’s government, with Ukrainian cash couriers alleging they were subjected to physical abuse and unlawful detention after a dramatic counter-terrorism raid in H»»»
How Yemen’s government exposed the Houthis’ misleading ‘blockade’ narrative
RIYADH: A week ago, the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted the runway at Sanaa International Airport to prevent an aircraft operated by Iran’s Mahan Air from landing after departing Tehran. The legitimate government said the flight violated Yemen’s airspace by operating outside the state’s legal framewor»»»
AlRayan Bank reports net profit of QR687m for H1
Doha, Qatar: AlRayan Bank released yesterday its consolidated financial statements for the six-month period ended 30 June 2026 with net profit attributable to the equity holders of the bank of QR687m. H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Board commented: “Our strategic»»»
French parliament backs social media ban for under-15s in EU first
FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali reports from France's National Assembly, where lawmakers have approved a ban on social media for children and teenagers under-15, the first EU country to do so. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with Philippe Coen, lawyer and founder of the NGO Respect Zone.»»»
QNB Group wins multiple Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026
Doha, Qatar: QNB Group, a leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, has been recognised with four major titles at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, reinforcing its continued leadership across digital banking, customer experience, sustainability, and inclusive growth. The »»»
Nakilat achieves QR857m net profit for first half
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) announced its consolidated financial results for the first half of the year ended 30 June 2026, with a net profit of QR857m compared to QR860m for the corresponding period in 2025. Eng. Abdullah Al-Sulaiti, Nakilat’s Chief Executive Officer, commen»»»
What is Pickaxe Mountain, home to Iran’s underground nuclear site threatened by Trump
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly issued threats to bomb an under-construction Iranian nuclear site buried deep under a mountain as the two nations exchange blows over the Strait of Hormuz. The site, known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, or “Pickaxe Mountain,” lies on the south side of Iran’s Natanz»»»
Ant garnish on dessert? Michelin-star restaurant owner faces jail
Dubai: A Michelin-starred restaurant owner in South Korea is facing a possible one-year prison sentence after admitting to serving ants as a garnish on desserts, an ingredient that is not approved for human consumption under the country's food safety laws, according to a BBC report. Prosecutors hav»»»
UDC posts net profit of QR115m on revenues of QR885m in Q2
Doha, Qatar: United Development Company (UDC), a leading Qatari public shareholding company and the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, announced its financial results for the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, reporting net profit of QR115m on revenues of QR885m. The net profit attributable»»»