FIFA says its committed to discussions over private investments in World Cup
Zurich: FIFA reiterated today its commitment to holding open and democratic consultations with all member associations on its proposal to establish an independent commercial entity to manage its commercial activities and organize its flagship tournaments, saying all member associations would have t»»»
US-Iran war: What UAE residents need to know tonight (July 31, 2026)
Heightened maritime security, air travel disruptions and uncertainty over regional stability remain key concerns for Gulf countries as the military confrontation between the US and Iran continues. Although daily life in the UAE remains largely unaffected, the conflict is continuing to disrupt regio»»»
Funeral director gets 20 years for keeping bodies, stealing money - UPI.com
A funeral director was sentenced to 20 years in Hull, England, for not burying or cremating bodies. July 31 (UPI) -- A funeral director in Hull, England, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for failing to bury or cremate the bodies of his clients and stealing money raised for charities. Robert Bush»»»
Oil spill from shadow fleet tanker spreading off Oman, satellite images show
BEIRUT/LONDON: A sanctions-hit tanker is leaking oil off the coast of Oman and the spill has spread in recent days, increasing concern about possible environmental damage to coastal areas, according to an analysis of satellite imagery and shipping specialists. The Caroline Bezengi took Russian oil»»»
Russian Strike on US Drone Factory in Kiev Makes Clear – NATO’s Overseas MIC Footprint Is Fair Game
A July 24 Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital hit a drone factory belonging to Terminal Autonomy – a Delaware-HQ’ed maker of low-cost UAV and AI navigation systems. The attack deprived Ukraine’s military of a key long-range strike drone capability in the form of AQ-400 Scythe (32kg payload, 750»»»
New Ukrainian Army Chief in Conflict With Assault Units – Reports
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A direct conflict is emerging between Ukrainian new Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi and assault regiments, Ukrainian online media outlet reported on Friday. Now, after the change of command, there are fears that assault units may soon be disbanded, the media outlet reported.»»»
Defence Repairs Group TEREM Expected to Submit Structural Adjustment Plan by August 10
State-owned defence repairs group TEREM Holding has been asked to draw up a restructuring and optimization plan and submit it to Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov by August 10. During question time in the National Assembly on Friday, Stoyanov answered a question raised by MPs Nezhdet Shaban and Dzh»»»
Bulgaria Has Never Officially Been Part of Coalition of the Willing, Foreign Minister Says
Bulgaria has never officially been part of the Coalition of the Willing, Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said in a written reply to an MP's question published on Parliament's website. Atanas Slavov of Democratic Bulgaria asked when and on what legally valid grounds a decision had been taken to w»»»
Young Saudis steer passion for wheels toward promising career
RIYADH: An increasing number of young Saudis are turning their passion for engines into successful careers and promising investment opportunities. Mohammed Abdullah’s passion for cars began during his childhood, which led him to pursue automotive mechanical engineering. With more than a decade of e»»»
Opposition Forces Criticize Radev Cabinet over Foreign Policy Concerning Iran, Call for Security Council Meeting
Opposition parliamentary groups voiced concern on Friday over Bulgaria’s foreign policy surrounding the decision to temporarily allow the allied US forces to use Bezmer Air Base, which was followed by a stern response by the West Asian country. On Thursday, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Velislava Pet»»»
Casemiro keen to team with Messi at Miami
Miami: Brazil star Casemiro sang the praises of new Inter Miami teammate Lionel Messi on Thursday, calling his former La Liga rival a "god of football." "Of course, if I'm here it's because of him and to help him and Inter Miami," the former Real Madrid midfielder said of the Argentine star who now»»»
Russia puts Telegram founder Pavel Durov on international wanted list over terrorism allegations
Russia has charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with assisting terrorist activity and begun procedures to place him on an international wanted list, sharply escalating the Kremlin's confrontation with one of the country's most prominent technology entrepreneurs. Russia's Federal Security Service ac»»»
Still alive: why the US-Saudi nuclear agreement remains possible
One of the Trump administration’s more measured hands in national security and foreign policy, US Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz was rushed out in front of the cameras last week to extinguish a diplomatic fire. In live interviews with Face the Nation and Meet the Press, he was asked»»»
Lebanese military delegation to take part in Rome talks with Israel
The Lebanese delegation to the upcoming Rome talks with Israel will include members of the military delegation that had participated in one of the Washington meetings prior to the signing of the framework agreement, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Friday. “The military delegation is expected to car»»»
Man in custody after attacking train conductor on Budapest-Vienna service
A Hungarian court has ordered the pre-trial detention of a man accused of violently attacking a train conductor on a Budapest–Vienna service, before allegedly threatening to kill the railway employee and resisting police officers at Komárom railway station. The Tatabánya District Court ordered the »»»
Defence Minister Stoyanov: No MiG-29 Talks with Poland Yet
Bulgaria has not opened talks with Poland on acquiring MiG-29 fighter jets because Warsaw has not responded to its inquiry, Minister of Defence Dimitar Stoyanov told Parliament on Friday. He was answering a question from Vazrazhdane MP Ivelin Parvanov during Question Time. Parvanov asked what price»»»
Oil prices fall as supply concerns ease amid increased shipping flows
London, July 31 (SANA) Oil prices fell by more than $1 a barrel on Friday as increased supply flows through key maritime routes eased concerns over potential disruptions, despite continued geopolitical tensions in the region. Brent crude futures fell $1.03, or 1.2%, to $88 a barrel, while U.S. West»»»
Palestinian Foreign Minister Calls Russia Influential Force Supporting Palestinians
CAIRO (Sputnik) - Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin has described Russia as an influential global power that has consistently supported the rights of the Palestinian people at the United Nations and beyond. "We reaffirm Russia's key role as an influential international actor tha»»»
Kuwaiti forces intercept hostile Iranian drones, shrapnel causes material damage
Kuwait's Armed Forces detected hostile drones inside the country's airspace since dawn on Friday and successfully intercepted and destroyed them, the Ministry of Defence's official spokesperson said, marking the latest incident in a region on edge amid the ongoing Iran conflict. Colonel Staff Saud »»»
'Not an infringement on freedom of expression': French minister defends expulsion of Russian pundit
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez defended the decision to expel pro-Kremlin commentator Xenia Fedorova, saying on Thursday that the measure was "not an infringement on freedom of expression". Authorities ordered her to leave France on Wednesday amid allegations that she had relayed Kremlin »»»
New intelligence body meets in 'spy paradise' Japan
Tokyo: Japan's National Intelligence Bureau held its first meeting Friday, a body aimed at centralising information-gathering and addressing accusations that the country is a "spy paradise". Under a bill enacted in May, Japan has upgraded an existing intelligence body to serve as the central comman»»»
She carried Oman's flag to the top of Everest. Her final climb ended on Broad Peak, Pakistan
Muscat: Oman is mourning the death of pioneering mountaineer Nadhira Al Harthy, the first Omani woman to summit Mount Everest, after she was killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan, bringing to an end the career of one of the country's most accomplished adventurers. The Alpine Clu»»»
Democratic Bulgaria Seeks National Security Meeting over "Iran Row"
The Democratic Bulgaria (DB) coalition on Friday urged President Iliana Iotova to convene the Consultative Council for National Security over developments concerning Iran. The DB said the President should not sideline this format. DB MP Bozhidar Bozhanov told journalists that "the whole row over Ir»»»
Trump convenes Cabinet at Camp David amid simmering Iran war
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump convenes a Cabinet meeting on Friday at his Camp David retreat as he grapples with how to resolve his war against Iran and bring down gasoline prices that are threatening Republicans in November midterm elections. Unlike some past presidents, Trump has largely st»»»
Cauvery protests force theatres across Karnataka to suspend screenings of Thalapathy Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan'
Dubai: Protests over the long-running Cauvery river water-sharing dispute have disrupted screenings of Thalapathy Vijay's latest film, Jana Nayagan, across Karnataka, with several theatres voluntarily suspending shows as a precaution against possible unrest. The film, which was released on July 23,»»»
Trump pours cold water on Kiev’s Patriot dream
US President Donald Trump has cast doubt on whether Washington will allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles, despite previously promising to grant Kiev a production license. Trump told the Financial Times in a telephone interview on Thursday that he was “not sure” whether Ukraine »»»
Djedovic Handanovic, US envoy discuss NIS issue
BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic spoke with the special envoy for energy integration at the US Department of Energy, Joshua Volz, on Thursday to discuss the issue of the Serbian oil company NIS, which is under US sanctions due to its Russian majority own»»»
Russia donates over 1,700 tons of food aid to Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
Russia donated over 1,700 tons of enriched flour and over 200 tons of vegetable oil to Kyrgyzstan to provide food aid to citizens in need. A ceremony to hand over the humanitarian aid, as part of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), took place in Bishkek. Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Sergei Vakun»»»
Jumblat dubs Lebanon-Israel framework deal 'a huge trap'
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat once again criticized the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which he argued does not mandate a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Speaking to a Turkish newspaper, Jumblat called the framework deal "a huge trap" as it »»»
Jumblat dubs Lebanon-Israel framework deal 'a huge trap'
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat once again criticized the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which he argued does not mandate a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Speaking to a Turkish newspaper, Jumblat called the framework deal "a huge trap" as it »»»
Asman Airlines extends special offer for Bishkek—Naryn flights through August - | 24.KG
Asman Airlines has extended its special offer for domestic flights on Bishkek — Naryn — Bishkek route. The special fare will be valid until August 31, 2026. The promotion was originally scheduled to end on July 31, but due to high passenger demand, it has been extended for another month, Airports o»»»
Spain sends in military to Ceuta amid influx of illegal migrants - UPI.com
Spain announced Friday that it was deploying troops to Ceuta, a tiny Spanish territory on the coast of North Africa, to deal with an influx of tens of thousands of migrants who entered from Morocco illegally, overwhelming border security by their sheer numbers. File photo by Jalal Morchidi/EPA July»»»
Ilham Aliyev invites Sadyr Japarov to Azerbaijan for state visit - | 24.KG
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev invited President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov to visit Azerbaijan on a state visit. He made the statement during a joint press statement following talks in Cholpon-Ata. «For my part, I would like to invite you to visit Azerbaijan again on a state visit at a time c»»»
Sadyr Japarov and Ilham Aliyev sign number of cooperation agreements - | 24.KG
Following the talks between the Presidents of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the parties signed several bilateral documents. Related news Six cities in Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan establish sister-city relations According to the administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Rep»»»
10 Palestinians, Including Four Children, Injured as Israeli Settlers Raid Nablus Towns
Ten Palestinians, including four children, were injured during a raid by Israeli settlers and occupation army forces targeting the Junaid neighborhood west of Nablus, the Palestinian Red Crescent said on Friday, as renewed clashes erupted in the area. Dozens of settlers, escorted by Israeli militar»»»
Media Review: July 31
LABOUR MARKET SHIFT According to a signed commentary in Capital.bg (“The Labour Market Is Beginning to Turn”), after several years of exceptionally strong demand for workers, Bulgaria's labour market is beginning to show signs of cooling. So far, these changes have translated into fewer job adverti»»»
Russian Forces Liberate Verovka Settlement in Kharkov Region - MoD
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces have taken control over the settlement of Verovka in the Kharkov region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. "Yesterday control was established over the village of Verovka in the Kharkov region," the ministry said in a statement. Additionally, th»»»
Swiss Neutrality Bends Where Convenient - Russia's Zakharova
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Swiss neutrality bends exactly where it is convenient, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday, adding that in the 1940s it leaned toward Berlin, while today it bends toward Kiev and Brussels. Citing the Swiss foreign ministry, Zakharova said that on S»»»
Spain Deploys Military to Ceuta Border as Thousands of Illegal Migrants Enter
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - More than 20,000 migrants have crossed the land border into the autonomous Spanish city of Ceuta in North Africa without encountering resistance from Moroccan security forces, a Spanish newspaper reported, citing law enforcement sources. After the bulk of the migrants had already»»»
Democratic Bulgaria Calls for Resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov
The Democratic Bulgaria (DB) parliamentary group called in a declaration for the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov and expressed their expectation for a different approach in the consideration of the reformist and non-partisan bills tabled to the Parliament's registry office. Democra»»»
Oil companies are expected to reap big profits because of US-Iran conflict
Analysts are expecting major oil companies to report raking in large spring profits while fighting between Iran and the U.S. impeded petroleum shipments and consumers around the world paid more for fuel and confronted shortages. The conflict, now in its sixth month, halted most shipping through the»»»
Climate change made France, Spain wildfire conditions far more likely, scientists say
Researchers warn that hotter, drier conditions are making severe wildfire seasons increasingly frequent across Europe. Human-caused climate change made the extreme weather fuelling wildfires in southwestern France twice as likely, and made the conditions driving blazes in central Spain 20 times mor»»»
Former AC Milan captain Franco Baresi, one of Italy’s most acclaimed defenders, dies at 66
MILAN: Franco Baresi, the former AC Milan captain who was one of Italy’s most acclaimed defenders, has died. He was 66. His death was announced on Friday by Milan, the soccer club where he spent his entire 20-year playing career. No cause of death was given. “The entire history of AC Milan is in te»»»
Ex-Ukrainian minister says anti-corruption drive led to dismissal
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov has claimed he was dismissed because reforms to overhaul military procurement and tackle entrenched interests within the ministry triggered a backlash. Fedorov was removed by Vladimir Zelensky earlier this month after just six months in office as pa»»»
Sheikh Hamdan begins his Bahrain visit with a royal meeting and the Bahrain Shield military exercise
Manama: Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE at the start of the Dubai Crown Prince's official visit to the kingdom. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant G»»»
Trump announces Gaza agreement on disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawal
Washington, July 31 (SANA) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that a new agreement had been reached to advance his plan for ending the war in Gaza, including the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. Agreement details Trump said»»»
Zendaya shows off jewels by Lebanese label amid Arab fashion run
DUBAI: US actress Zendaya turned to an Arab label yet again at this week’s premiere of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” in London, showing off jewels by Lebanese brand Mouawad. The star wore the Mouawad Majestic earrings and ring. “Together, the creations showcase 46.55 carats of D–F color, FL–VS2 clari»»»
The fastest way to end the US-Iran War isn’t more missiles: It's sharing the Strait of Hormuz
Wars often end not because one side wins decisively, but because both sides discover they have more to gain from stability than perpetual escalation. If there is one place where that logic applies today, it is the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which one-fifth »»»
BMW to Volkswagen: How deep is Germany's auto industry cull?
TradeGermanyBMW to Volkswagen: How deep is Germany's auto industry cull?Nik MartinBMW joins VW, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz in cutting thousands of jobs, as Chinese rivals erode their market share. DW recaps the major reforms German automakers are pursuing to safeguard their future. https://p.dw.com/»»»
Defense Minister: Bulgaria Will Keep Flying MiG-29s Until F-16s Are Ready
Bulgaria will continue operating its MiG-29 fighter jets to protect its airspace and meet its NATO obligations until the new F-16 Block 70 aircraft become fully operational, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said in a written response to a parliamentary question. The response, published on the Nati»»»