TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei confirmed on Thursday that he has given permission to sign a memorandum with the United States. "I, as a matter of principle, held a different view; however, out of the commitment that the esteemed president — as the head of the Supreme Nati»»»

Draft EU summit conclusions undergo changes by nature. Some are more significant than others. The version dated 16 June has removed a line on the Gaza and West Bank, suggesting Germany still won’t budge on trade bans against Israeli settlers, let alone on Israel more broadly. Although later tweaked»»»

1 of 2 | Vice President JD Vance conducts a briefing for the media at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo June 18 (UPI) -- Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that Iran and the United States are complying with their peace agreement but den»»»

BEIRUT: The head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, Mohammad Raad, said on Thursday that Israel’s war in Lebanon had “failed” to eliminate the Iran-backed group. Raad said in a statement that “the enemy’s war aimed at crushing the resistance in Lebanon has failed and will not achieve its objectives»»»

Washington, United States: The US on Thursday lifted a blockade of Iranian ports imposed during the Middle East war after President Donald Trump signed a deal to end the conflict, as uncertainty surrounded planned talks in Switzerland aiming to take the accord further. The signing of the deal by Tr»»»

WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance lashed out at Israeli critics of the Iran deal on Thursday, saying President Donald Trump is Israel’s only ally in a sharp rebuke that referenced the billions in US defense aid the country receives. As the Trump administration defended its deal to end the war »»»

Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, a presidential hopeful and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, unveiled a public security plan that includes chemical castration for convicted rapists and the construction of maximum-security prisons modeled after those implemented by Salvadoran President Nayib »»»

The U.S. Treasury on Thursday imposed sanctions on Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh, Hezbollah political council deputy head Mahmoud Qmati and other individuals for using their influence to "obstruct Lebanon's peace process and delay the disarmament of Hezbollah." “Hezbollah must disarm for »»»

Bulgaria will veto the European Commission’s latest proposal to broaden sanctions against Russia unless Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill is removed from the proposed sanctions list, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Thursday. Radev spoke to Bulgarian journalists after arriving for a European Council»»»

Argentina is preparing to launch South America's first citizenship-by-investment program. File Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI | License Photo June 18 (UPI) -- Argentina is preparing to launch South America's first citizenship-by-investment program, an initiative that would allow foreign nationals to app»»»

Tunis, June 18 (TAP) - Professor Slim Laghmani has been elected judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the 2026–2035 term during elections held at UN headquarters in New York as part of the 36th Meeting of States Parties to...»»»

The Hungarian forint came under pressure on Thursday as a powerful rally of the US dollar swept through global currency markets following the US Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting. Hungarian currency weakens against both the US dollar and the euro While investors continue to monitor geopolitic»»»

GUADALAJARA, Mexico: It’s number-crunching time when it comes to formations at the World Cup. Every team start with a goalkeeper in front of the net, but then it’s up to the 48 coaches to try to arrange their lineups to optimize their players and match up effectively with opponents. On paper, the l»»»

JOHANNESBURG: A South African court has convicted and fined a rhino horn trafficking “mastermind,” ending a trial spanning 15 years, police said Thursday, describing it as the world’s largest such case. The country is home to most of the world’s rhinos and is a hotspot for poaching driven by demand»»»

BEIRUT: The Palestine Football Association denied on Thursday issuing any statements or commentaries regarding the Football Association of Ireland’s decision to move its UEFA Nations League match against Israel to a neutral venue. A PFA statement on X said: “First and foremost, the PFA have not iss»»»

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a Texas man can't be prosecuted for being a regular user of marijuana and owning a gun. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 18 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court said Thursday that a Texas man can't be prosecuted under a law that bans regular use»»»

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced legislation Thursday that would give the public $1,000 annually for a 50% stake in the largest AI firms in the country. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 18 (UPI) -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced legislation Thursday that would give the»»»

Prime Minister Rumen Radev said he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels on Thursday on the sidelines of the European Council meeting. Radev arrived in Brussels to take part in the meeting of EU heads of state or government and spoke to Bulgarian journalists. Radev sai»»»

The UAE has extradited three wanted suspects by Belgian authorities on allegations of money laundering, drug trafficking and involvement in transnational organised crime, in a move both countries said underscored their commitment to international judicial cooperation. Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nu»»»

ROME: Saudi Transport Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said the contingency measures activated during the Iran crisis were the result of years of planning, and not reactive. “What we have been doing is not a reaction to what has happened,” Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said during a panel discussio»»»

British counter-terrorism police announced Thursday that a Border Force officer and another have been sentenced for allegedly spying for the Chinese government. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo June 18 (UPI) -- British counter-terrorism said Thursday a Border Force officer and forme»»»

Peruvian President José María Balcázar confirmed Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV will visit Peru during the first half of November. File Photo by Jose Sena Goulao/EPA June 18 (UPI) -- Peruvian President José María Balcázar confirmed Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV will visit Peru during the first half of N»»»

Head of Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc, Hajj Mohammad Raad called on the Lebanese authorities to carefully read the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding and draw out the facts and prospects that will weigh heavily on the reality of the region and the world, including Lebanon. MP Raad also »»»

The EU’s latest Russia sanctions package proposal includes counter-productive measures that could backfire on its own member states, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova has said. The government of Ukraine-skeptic Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who assumed office in May, are reportedly “diggin»»»

TORONTO: Egypt midfielder Emam Ashour scored the fastest goal in the first round of group-stage games at 2026 FIFA World Cup. Data captured by the “Connected Ball” technology inside the official Adidas tournament ball revealed that his strike against Belgium reached a speed of 123.4 kph, surpassing»»»

LOS ANGELES: Mexico and South Korea will aim to punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday when they meet in Guadalajara knowing a win would guarantee a last 32 berth. The Group A rivals head into the fixture at the Estadio Akron fresh from respective victories over South Afric»»»

GDANSK: Veteran coach Ismail Kartal has returned to Fenerbahce ​for a fourth managerial spell, the Turkish Super Lig side said on Thursday. Fenerbahce said in a statement to Turkiye’s ‌Public Disclosure ‌Platform (KAP) that ​they ‌had ⁠appointed ​65-year-old Kartal ⁠on a one-year contract. Kartal, »»»

WASHINGTON: Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the US Navy has allowed more than a dozen ships through to Iranian ports, lifting a blockade as part of an agreement to end the war. Vance made the announcement at a White House press briefing, where he said more oil is now flowing through the »»»

LONDON: Britain on Thursday said it was no longer advising against non-essential travel to some Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, after the United States and Iran reached an interim agreement this week to end their ‌war. In late ‌February and early March ​Britain ‌ha»»»

TYRE, Lebanon: Adnan Kaour returned on Thursday to check on his home in southern Lebanon ‘s coastal city of Tyre — once known as an idyllic summer getaway spot — just a week after Israel issued warnings for all of its residents to evacuate. The warnings were followed by sweeping airstrikes on the c»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) formalised a landmark five-year Cooperation Agreement, marking a significant step forward in the shared ambition of both organisations to elevate motorsport on the international stage»»»

Morristown, United States: Neymar will not travel with the Brazil squad for Friday's second World Cup group game against Haiti as he continues his recovery from a calf injury. The 34-year-old has only returned to training with the national team this week and missed the five-time World Cup winners' »»»

Dubai/ Abu Dhabi: The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai have announced plans for two landmark events across the UAE to mark the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on Sunday, 21 June 2026. The missions have announced mega events at iconic venues Louvre Abu Dhabi and the»»»

There is no better testament to the work of the Interior Ministry, said Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev in a Facebook post, referring to a complaint filed by Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leader Delyan Peevski against him. Earlier in the day, the MRF announced that a lawyer for leader D»»»

TBILISI - Deputy Chief of Serbian Armed Forces General Staff Lt Gen Tiosav Jankovic attended a South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) deputy chiefs of defence meeting in Tbilisi on Thursday. "At the regular annual meeting of this regional initiative, the implementation of agreed activities»»»

US Vice President JD Vance spoke at a White House press briefing on the interim agreement with Iran on Thursday, saying that some ​12.5 ‌million ⁠barrels ‌of oil have flowed ⁠through the Strait of ​Hormuz following ‌the overnight signing of ‌a memorandum ​of understanding between the United States »»»

The US has announced it is going to cut down on NATO crisis forces and will be reviewing its presence in Europe as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth lashed out against European NATO allies. The United States is piling on the pressure ahead of a NATO summit in July as it seeks to make sure that alli»»»

The US-Iran deal was initially meant to be signed in Switzerland on Friday before US President Donald Trump decided to sign it in the palace of Versailles at a state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron Wednesday night. But Switzerland has confirmed that talks on the implementation of the d»»»

As the Strait of Hormuz reopens and talks between the US and Iran start up again, how are Gulf states emerging from the Middle East war? Previously thought of as the safe haven of the Middle East, the surprise US-Israeli attack on Iran has left them reeling, and triggered a search to diversify defe»»»

1 of 4 | Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama appear on stage as they surprised administration and campaign alumni in Chicago ahead of the dedication ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center, Wednesday. The center opens Thursday and will be open to the public beginnin»»»

A wide range of premium mango varieties grown in Sharjah's Eastern Region will take centre stage later this month at the fifth edition of Khorfakkan Mango Festival, an event aimed at promoting local agriculture, tourism and food security. The three-day festival, which will begin on June 26 at Expo »»»

French President Emmanuel Macron courted his US counterpart Donald Trump at the G7 on Wednesday by opening the gilded gates of Versailles, a move that underscored his trademark blend of symbolism and diplomacy. While allies hailed the summit's success, analysts said Macron still faces the challenge»»»

France has entered a heatwave, as the mercury climbs into the high thirties across parts of the country - up to ten degrees higher than normal for the time of year - with an orange level heat alert declared in twenty-six departments in central and eastern France, leaving people and businesses takin»»»

BELGRADE – A total 2,416 construction permits were issued in Serbia in April, which was a 4.3 pct increase relative to the same month of last year. According to figures released by the national statistical office RZS, 82.4 pct of the total permits were issued for buildings, while other structures m»»»

Air Arabia will launch daily non-stop flights between Sharjah and the Syrian city of Aleppo from July 4, the low-cost carrier said on Thursday, expanding its operations in Syria and strengthening air links between the two countries. The new daily service will provide passengers with greater travel »»»

Polish police on Thursday detained a suspect in the daylight killing of a Russian artist known as ‌Semyon Skrepetsky, who was known for his unsparing caricatures of prominent political figures in the Kremlin. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the man was using a Georgian passport. A ⁠suspect in »»»

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has confirmed that the country will block new sanctions against Russia, linking the decision to objections over proposals that would include Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in the restrictive measures. He argued that the war in Ukraine has expanded far beyond »»»

Rail services across several important routes in Hungary were severely disrupted on Thursday afternoon after a passenger train derailed near the town of Újszász. Although no one was injured in the incident, the accident has caused significant transport restrictions and prompted an immediate investi»»»

After the sharp surge in rural and suburban real estate prices in 2025, Bulgaria’s market is now entering a cooling phase, with data indicating a gradual slowdown and even slight declines in some segments, according to industry reports cited by BGNES. The earlier price surge, fueled in part by expe»»»

Russia’s income inequality reached its highest level since 2007 in 2025, with the official Gini coefficient rising to 0.422 from 0.410 in 2024, according to Kommersant daily citing Rosstat. As followed by IntelliNews, demographics and equality were main national goals in the economic platform prese»»»