European climate watchdog says ocean temperatures hit record in June - UPI.com
European Union climate scientists issued warnings that weather patterns, global climate, and marine ecosystems could be impacted in unexpected ways -- none of them positive -- after the temperature of world's oceans spiked in June to levels that eclipsed all previous records. File photo by Miguel T»»»
Russians Living in Bulgaria and Russia Donate 17 Off-Road Vehicles in Support of Ukrainian Armed Forces
Russian citizens have donated 17 off-road vehicles in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Gennadiy Vorobyov of the Bessarabian Front told journalists in Sofia on Wednesday. The vehicles, bearing Ukrainian flags on their windscreens, were parked in the morning near the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathe»»»
Beslac: New US licence for NIS to put Russia under more pressure to finish talks or give up
BELGRADE - A new operating licence issued to Serbia's Russian-majority owned oil company NIS by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) will put Russia under additional pressure to bring talks with Hungary's MOL on selling its stake in the firm to a conclusion or give up on them, says Serbia»»»
Heavyweight boxing enters a new era after Usyk vacates his belts. Here’s where they’re all headed
BEIRUT: Heavyweight boxing is entering a new era after Oleksandr Usyk’s decided to stand down as unified champion and sent his belts to different parts of the world. That’s given a bunch of globally unheralded fighters the chance to emerge from the shadows in the sport’s glamor division. Usyk recen»»»
Trump says Iran talks were 'very good'
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, United States: President Donald Trump hailed the progress on Wednesday of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, saying there had been "very good meetings" in Doha. "As far as things are going, the denuclearization of Iran is moving along well. They've had very good »»»
Ukraine reports new locust outbreak in southern Kherson region
KYIV: Ukrainian officials on Wednesday reported a new locust outbreak, this time in the southern Kherson region. Outbreaks of locust development had been detected in Ukraine’s eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, the Ukrainian state service on food safety and consumer protection said last mo»»»
US signs agreement to build permanent embassy in Jerusalem
The United States on Wednesday signed an agreement to build a new embassy compound in Jerusalem, in a move that Israel said reflected the "unbreakable alliance" between the countries. During his first term, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017 and or»»»
Amir discusses latest developments with U.S. envoys
Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received on Wednesday the U.S. envoys HE Steve Witkoff and HE Jared Kushner at his office at Lusail Palace. During the meeting, they reviewed the latest developments in the region, particularly recent progress in the negotiation track between»»»
U.S., Iran to continue negotiations on Day 2 of talks in Qatar - UPI.com
Iran and U.S. negotiators will meet with intermediaries Wednesday to discuss the cease-fire agreement. Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA July 1 (UPI) -- Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and their Iranian counterparts are planning to meet with Qatari negotiators Wednesday for ongoing peace talk»»»
US signs agreement to build permanent embassy in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM: The United States on Wednesday signed an agreement to build a new embassy compound in Jerusalem, in a move that Israel said reflected the “unbreakable alliance” between the countries. During his first term, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December 20»»»
US, Iran officials hold indirect talks in Doha
Indirect talks in Doha between officials from the United States and Iran aimed at ending the Middle East war have started, a diplomat with knowledge of the talks told AFP on Wednesday. The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, confirmed negotiations were under»»»
Trump says Iran talks were 'very good'
U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the progress on Wednesday of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, saying there had been "very good meetings" in Doha. "As far as things are going, the denuclearization of Iran is moving along well. They've had very good meetings, and we'll see," Trum»»»
India raises concerns over WhatsApp's new username feature
The India government is considering issuing a notice to Meta over WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, amid concerns that it could be misused for fraud and impersonation, according to media reports citing government sources. The feature, which is yet to be rolled out widely, will allow WhatsApp us»»»
Planning Armenia travel? Visa-free entry rules extended for UAE residents until 2027
Dubai: Armenia has extended its temporary visa waiver programme for UAE residents and citizens of several Gulf countries until July 1, 2027, state news agency Armenpress reported. Armenia implemented a full visa-free entry regime specifically tailored to citizens and residents of the GCC region las»»»
Qatar attracts $3.4bn in FDI in 2025, official data reveals
RIYADH: Qatar attracted $3.4 billion in foreign direct investment project capital expenditure across 373 initiatives in 2025, generating 15,051 jobs, according to the agency responsible for promoting opportunities in the country. More than half of the total FDI capital expenditure was directed towa»»»
Trump Says Iran 'Fine' in Terms of Adhering to Memorandum of Understanding
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran has been "fine" when it comes to meeting the terms of a memorandum of understanding reached with Washington. "Well, I think they've come a long way. We hit them very hard last week. I think they're fine," Trump told report»»»
Oman-based Kerala entrepreneur strikes Dh25,000 win in Big Ticket e-draw
Dubai: For Kamaludeen Anvarsha, a 45-year-old Kerala entrepreneur based in Oman, an ordinary day turned memorable when a phone call delivered unexpected news, he has won Dh25,000 in the Big Ticket e-draw. Anvarsha, who has been living in Oman for the past 24 years while his family remains in India,»»»
Middle East live: Israeli troops will stay ‘indefinitely’ in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, Katz says
Israeli forces will remain in so-called security zones established in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, without any timeline for withdrawal, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday. In Qatar, an Iranian team holds talks with mediators but Iranian officials denied a claim by President Donald Trum»»»
World Bank to Support Bulgaria in Making More Effective Use of Education Data
The Council of Ministers Wednesday approved the signing of an amendment to an agreement between the Education and Science Ministry and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), part of the World Bank Group, on the implementation of a project to strengthen the preparation and»»»
Bulgaria: Radev's Party Rejects Pro-Russian Party's Bid to End 10-Year Ukraine Cooperation Deal
The National Assembly rejected a proposal by "Revival" to instruct the government to end Bulgaria’s 10-year cooperation agreement with Ukraine, signed in Kyiv on May 30. The motion, described by its authors as “enslaving for Bulgaria,” aimed to cancel a deal that formalizes long-term security and s»»»
EU issues new steel and e-commerce regulations to reduce trade imbalance with China
The European Union rolled out two measures to protect its steel industry and limit e-commerce small parcels on Wednesday as the 27-nation bloc grapples with its staggering trade imbalance with China. "Today's change is about restoring fairness for European businesses and better protecting our consu»»»
Clause 5: The one clause that could make — or break — US-Iran peace deal
Clause 5 of the fragile US-Iran interim deal has become a flashpoint, a trigger for the series of escalating maritime incidents. This specific clause of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on June 18, 2026, has emerged as one of the most contentious provisions. Despite the rather »»»
Romanian air quality solutions company Ecovent becomes local partner for Zehnder Group
Ecovent, a Romanian company specialised in indoor air quality solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Zehnder Group, becoming the Swiss company’s distributor on the local market. The agreement strengthens Ecovent’s position in Romania’s heat recovery ventilation segment and expands it»»»
Police turn water cannon on crowds at Heroes’ Square
A suffocating heat dome sweeping across Western Europe brought record-breaking temperatures to Hungary yesterday, with 42C recorded in Szécsény — the highest ever measured in the country. The capital also sweltered in oppressive heat, prompting police to deploy water cannon at Heroes’ Square. Rathe»»»
US-Israeli war on Iran failed to shift regional balance – analyst
US-Israeli military action has failed to shift the strategic balance in the Middle East, leaving Iran in a stronger position than before the conflict, geopolitical analyst Brandon Weichert has said. Speaking on RT’s Sanchez Effect on Tuesday, Weichert, senior editor at The National Interest, descri»»»
Jordan Bardella says police raids on National Rally contractors are election lawfare
Police raided offices connected to France’s largest opposition party on Tuesday, National Rally (RN) leader and presidential hopeful Jordan Bardella has said, claiming the searches were politically timed as the country moves closer to election season. The Euroskeptic and anti-immigration politician»»»
US and Iran enter indirect technical talks to secure peace deal, shipping restart – Ya Libnan
Share: Steve Witkoff (R) and Jared Kushner are in Doha for indirect talks with the Iranian delegation DOHA – The U.S. and Iran held technical talks in Doha on Wednesday as they seek to agree on the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, a source with direct k»»»
Anchorage’s hollow spirit: Why Trump’s Ukraine diplomacy is stalling
The exchange between Sergey Lavrov and Marco Rubio over whether agreements were reached in Alaska last year, or whether proposals were merely put forward, says much about the current level of mutual understanding. In substance, however, it is less a basis for further action than a commentary on att»»»
Britain's defense spending blueprint through 2030 comes in $17B light - UPI.com
The British government unveiled its long-delayed Defense Investment Plan with a commitment to spend an additional $19.9 billion over the next four years, only a little more than half the $37 billion defense ministers and the military had been seeking. File photo by Andy Rain/EPA July 1 (UPI) -- The»»»
ICC says Mali, Burkina, Niger withdrawals undermine justice
The Hague: The executive body of the International Criminal Court Wednesday voiced concern over the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, saying it undermined the global pursuit of justice. The military-led West Africa states announced in September they were pulling out of the ICC, wh»»»
NATO summit will see allies commit to more assistance for Ukraine, says Rutte
BERLIN: A NATO summit next week in Turkiye will see NATO allies commit to providing sustainable, long-term security assistance for Ukraine, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. “Allies will commit to providing sustainable and predictable, long-term security assistance for Ukraine,” said Ru»»»
ICC says Mali, Burkina, Niger withdrawals undermine justice
THE HAGUE: The executive body of the International Criminal Court Wednesday voiced concern over the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, saying it undermined the global pursuit of justice. The military-led West Africa states announced in September they were pulling out of the ICC, wh»»»
Asir expands tourism investment opportunities with 44 seasonal sites to boost summer economy
RIYADH: The Asir Region Municipality continues to enhance the investment environment in the tourism sector by offering 44 investment sites during the summer season. This initiative is part of its efforts to empower investors, enrich the visitor experience, and increase the contribution of tourism a»»»
Parliament Rejects Vazrazhdane Bill to Terminate Cooperation Agreement Between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Parliament rejected a bill obliging the Council of Ministers to take action to terminate the ten-year cooperation agreement between Bulgaria and Ukraine, concluded on March 30, 2026, in Kyiv, signed by the then Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov. Ten MPs voted in favour of the bill, 16»»»
Saudi main index continues YTD growth momentum, advances 2.9%
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index maintained its strong year-to-date momentum, delivering a 2.9 percent gain in the first six months of this year, according to Kamco Invest. The report revealed that the Kingdom was also the second-best-performing market in the Gulf Cooperation Council »»»
US export controls lifted on powerful Anthropic AI models
Fable and Mythos are coming back online. Leading US AI company Anthropic says the US Commerce Department has lifted export controls on the AI models, less than three weeks after the company was ordered to suspend access to them over national security risks. Washington has stepped up oversight of ne»»»
NOVA Power & Gas plans EUR 1 billion investments to expand customer portfolio
After nearly 20 years of investment in energy infrastructure and the development of an integrated business model, NOVA Power & Gas is entering a new phase focused on expanding its household and industrial customer base. The company has launched an investment programme estimated at EUR 1 billion for»»»
Iranian media says container ship ran aground after sailing non-designated Hormuz route - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Iranian media says container ship ran aground after sailing non-designated Hormuz route 01-07-2026 12:23 PM Latest News Urgent News Iranian»»»
“This Minimizes the Risk of Potential Attacks Near Sofia”: Bulgaria Ends U.S. Aircraft Deployment
Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced at the start of today’s government meeting that U.S. military tanker aircraft have now fully departed Bulgaria, with the withdrawal completed by the end of June as planned. He linked the departure to security considerations in the capital area. “This minimizes t»»»
Russia Wants ICRC to Be Strengthened Based on Independence, Impartiality - Lavrov
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia wants the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to be strengthened based on the principles of independence and impartiality, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday. "Of course, we want to strengthen the International Committee of the Red Cross b»»»
Syria announces presidential list to People’s Assembly, first session set for July 6
Damascus, July 1 (SANA) Syria’s Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections on Wednesday announced the names of the members of the new People’s Assembly, including those elected by voters and those appointed by the President of the Republic in accordance with his constitutional powers. Speakin»»»
COMMENT: Steadily but surely, Erdogan has broken with Putin
Steadily but surely, almost imperceptibly, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has in the past two years broken from his accommodation with Vladimir Putin. At least that’s the contention of a good many Turkey analysts as the country’s president prepares to host the July 7-8 Nato leaders’ summit that should at lon»»»
COMMENT: Steadily but surely, Erdogan has broken with Putin
Steadily but surely, almost imperceptibly, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has in the past two years broken from his accommodation with Vladimir Putin. At least that’s the contention of a good many Turkey analysts as the country’s president prepares to host the July 7-8 Nato leaders’ summit that should at lon»»»
North Korea's unlikely economic revival reshapes life in Pyongyang as Russia and China deepen support
Pariah no longer, since the war in Ukraine started, Russian and Chinese money has poured into Pyongyang, fuelling a rapid economic development and unexpected real estate boom in a country better known for repression and poverty. Decades of sanctions, international isolation and chronic shortages le»»»
Global shares trade mixed while dollar hits 40-year high against yen
Global shares were mixed on Wednesday as uncertainty persisted over conflict in the Middle East and access to the crucial Strait of Hormuz despite an initial deal to end the U.S.-Iran war. France's CAC 40 declined 0.3% in early trading to 8,379.92, while the German DAX added 0.3% to 25,069.53. Brit»»»
US, Canada, Mexico begin bumpy negotiations to renew North American trade pact
Tourists from Chattanooga check into beach resorts in Cancun. Canadian auto parts feed factories in the American Midwest – and vice versa. Happy Hour revelers raise glasses of Mexican tequila and mezcal at bars in Seattle. It adds up. The United States trades $1.9 trillion a year -- $5 billion a da»»»
Seoul mayor begins 5th term with promise of more opportunities for young people - UPI.com
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon takes the oath of office during his inauguration ceremony at Seoul City Hall on Wednesday. Pool Photo by Yonhap Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon promised Wednesday to provide more opportunities for the younger generation, who are facing severe economic threats, including drastic change»»»
Russia Surges Into World's Top Two Ranking for Fastest-Growing Household Wealth
Over the five years leading up to 2025, Russia climbed to second place globally in household asset growth, according to the 2026 UBS Global Wealth Report. Wealth, as defined in the report, is the total value of financial and real assets minus all outstanding liabilities, with all figures adjusted f»»»
Russian Citizens Living in Bulgaria, Russia Donate 17 Off-Road Vehicles in Support of Ukrainian Armed Forces
Russian citizens have donated 17 off-road vehicles in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Gennadiy Vorobyov of the Bessarabian Front told journalists in Sofia on Wednesday. The vehicles, bearing Ukrainian flags on their windscreens, were parked in the morning near the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathe»»»
Romania remains broadly pro-EU but reports lower quality of life satisfaction than bloc average – Eurobarometer
Romanians remain broadly positive about the European Union and see membership as beneficial, but they are significantly less satisfied with their quality of life than the EU average, according to the European Parliament’s Spring 2026 Eurobarometer. The survey, carried out between April 9 and May 4 »»»