Lusail International Circuit to host three global motorsport championships in five weeks
Doha, Qatar: Lusail International Circuit (LIC) is set to script a defining chapter in global motorsport history by hosting a trio of global championships comprising of the Qatar 1812 KM - FIA World Endurance Championship 2026, MotoGP QATAR AIRWAYS GRAND PRIX OF QATAR 2026, and the FORMULA 1 QATAR »»»
Paunovic, Spanish ambassador discuss cooperation in public administration
BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Snezana Paunovic met with Spanish Ambassador to Belgrade Juan Jose Sanz Aparicio on Wednesday to discuss advancement of bilateral cooperation in areas under the authority of the Ministry of Public Administration and Loca»»»
Trump administration seeks to stop Chicago suburb reparations program - UPI.com
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a roundtable on education at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Daniel Heuer/UPI | License Photo June 17 (UPI) -- The Trump administration has joined a lawsuit Wednesday to stop a housing reparations program for Bl»»»
International Energy Agency forecasts gradual recovery for oil market
London: The International Energy Agency said on Wednesday that the global oil market would gradually recover from the effects of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz before facing a significant surplus in 2027. In its monthly oil market report released on Wednesday, the agency added, "If the agreeme»»»
Philippines: The Senate must represent more than 24 personalities
The recent turmoil in the Philippine Senate has become more than a contest for leadership. It has become a test of whether one of the country's most important democratic institutions can still fulfill its constitutional purpose. The leadership reshuffle, the standoff between majority and minority b»»»
Zelensky says G7 leaders pledge more vital help for Ukraine against Russia
KYIV: Ukraine has won key pledges of further support for its fight against Russia from world leaders attending the Group of Seven summit in France, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday. The leaders of the world’s leading industrial economies promised to strengthen Ukraine’s air def»»»
EU chief says Europe, US need to be ‘strong partners in AI’
EVIAN, France: Europe and the United States must work closely together on artificial intelligence, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday, after US giant Anthropic blocked AI models over national security concerns. “The US and EU need to be strong partners in AI,” she »»»
FIFA hydration breaks spark backlash, blamed for killing momentum at the World Cup
ATLANTA, USA: Curaçao fans went wild. The Germans were in shock. Livano Comenencia had scored a goal for the smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the World Cup against four-time champion Germany. At 1-1 in Houston a famous upset looked possible. Then came the hydration break. Curaçao l»»»
Crown Prince Hussein, Princess Rajwa back Jordan on historic World Cup debut
DUBAI: Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa joined supporters in the stands as the kingdom’s national football team made their historic FIFA World Cup debut against Austria. The royal couple, accompanied by Prince Hashem bin Abdullah, attended the match at San Francisco »»»
China, India, Iraq...: Where Iran's $100 billion is frozen
Dubai: From bank accounts in China and Iraq to restricted funds in Qatar and South Korea, tens of billions of dollars belonging to Iran remain frozen abroad — and gaining access to that money has emerged as one of Tehran's top demands in negotiations with the Trump administration. According to a re»»»
World Defense Show expands global engagement ahead of 2028 Riyadh edition
PARIS: World Defense Show, founded by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, is strengthening its international presence through participation in Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, as preparations continue for its fourth edition in Riyadh in January 2028. During Eurosatory, held from June»»»
What to expect at the 10th Al Dhaid Date Festival in Sharjah
Sharjah: From prized Khneizi and Khalas dates to a new competition for women growing palms at home, this year's Al Dhaid Dates Festival is set to offer more than a showcase of the UAE's finest harvests. Returning for its milestone 10th edition from July 23 to 26 at Expo Al Dhaid, the festival will »»»
QNA partners with Google to augment editors' capabilities via AI-powered technologies
Doha, Qatar: Qatar News Agency on Wednesday held a workshop to enhance the knowledge of almost 25 staffers belonging to the News Department from a variety of editing sections. The workshop held at QNA's Training Centre in collaboration with Google Qatar was part of the agency's constant efforts to »»»
MOCI launches Phase Two of commercial activity update for existing companies
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched Phase Two of the update to registered commercial activities. This phase covers companies whose existing activity corresponds to multiple activities under the Unified Classification of Economic Activities adopted by the Gulf Cooperation»»»
Egypt and US presidents discuss Middle East peace efforts and Nile water security
Evian, France: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has held talks with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian, France, focusing on regional security, bilateral relations and ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. According to the Egyptian presi»»»
Russia Condemns Ukraine's Drone Strike on Bus Carrying Belarusian Children
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow strongly condemns the Ukrainian attack on a bus with children from Belarus, and Vladimir Zelensky deliberately targets children with planned attacks, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, acting governor Egor Kovalchuk »»»
Israeli Army: An Officer, Four soldiers Were Seriously or Moderately Injured in Hezbollah Drone Attack in South Lebanon
The Israeli enemy army announced what it described as “details of the incident that resulted in the injury of five soldiers this morning.” It stated, “At approximately 6:00 AM, an explosive-laden drone detonated near a tank belonging to the Givati Brigade in the Kfar Tebnit area of southern Leb»»»
Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann faces sentencing in seven killings - UPI.com
Rex Heuermann, of Massapequa Park, Long Island, N.Y., will be sentenced Wednesday for the murders of seven women. Photo courtesy of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office June 17 (UPI) -- Rex Heuermann, who pleaded guilty in April to the murders of seven women in Long Island, N.Y., and admitted to one»»»
US and EU spy agencies buy personal data for surveillance
Spy agencies in the EU and the US are spending millions of taxpayers’ money to access commercially available personal data, according to findings published on Tuesday by Interface, a European think tank that gathered evidence from 11 intelligence watchdogs. The practice, known as advertising-based »»»
BLUE STEP project launched in Djerba
Tunis, June 17 (TAP)- A new project entitled the BLUE STEP (Expansion of Social Protection and its Adequacy in the Fisheries Sector) was officially launched on Tuesday in Djerba.The event seeks to scale up social inclusion for actors in the blue...»»»
Prof. Alexandra Savova Elected Head of National Council on Prices and Reimbursement of Medicinal Products
At is regular sitting here on Wednesday, the Cabinet adopted a resolution on changes to the composition of the National Council on Prices and Reimbursement of Medicinal Products. Prof. Alexandra Savova was elected to replace Prof. Ilko Getov as Council head. Assoc. Prof. Iva Pervova takes Prof. Sav»»»
Government Determines Bodies to Screen Third-Country Nationals
The Cabinet Wednesday designated screening authorities pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/1356 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the introduction of screening of third-country nationals at the external borders of the EU, the Government Information Service reported. Bulga»»»
Elsewedy Electric's Rowad Modern Engineering joins Alstom consortium for Egypt rail projects Arab Finance For Information Technology
Arab Finance: Rowad Modern Engineering, a subsidiary of Elsewedy Electric’s (SWDY), has signed, as part of an Alstom-led consortium, an agreement with the Egyptian National Railways to execute a series of railway and logistics infrastructure projects across Egypt, as per an emailed press release. T»»»
Syria restores internet traffic via Tartus-Alexandria cable after ‘sabotage’
LONDON: Syria’s state-owned telecom operator restored internet traffic to normal capacity on Wednesday via the undersea fiber cable connecting the coastal city of Tartus with Alexandria in Egypt. Syria Telecom announced on Monday that the Tartus-Alexandria cable had been subjected to an “act of sab»»»
Iran deal: Trump backs G7 call for more countries to get involved - UPI.com
U.S. President Donald Trump pictured at a round table discussion at the G7 Summit in Evian, France, before leaders issued a statement backing his Iran deal and calling for a "robust and comprehensive follow-on agreement" that would bring peace and security to the whole region. Photo via Ukrainian P»»»
Saudi researchers uncover 34-million-year-old marine formation in Jouf
JEDDAH: An international research team led by scientists from King Abdulaziz University has identified and documented the first marine sediments from the Oligocene Epoch in northwestern Saudi Arabia, a discovery that is reshaping understanding of the region’s geological history. The newly recognize»»»
Ruse University Exceeds Research Targets, Expands International Partnerships
Ruse University has strengthened its position as one of Bulgaria’s leading research institutions, Honorary Rector and Chair of the General Assembly Hristo Beloev said here on Wednesday. He was speaking at a news conference presenting the results of the Ruse Research University project. Ruse Univers»»»
Government Clears Next Step in Project to Procure Seven 3D RadarsGovernment Clears Next Step in Project to Procure Seven 3D Radars
The Council of Ministers on Wednesday cleared the next step in Bulgaria’s project to procure seven new 3D radars. The decision approving the draft order for the acquisition of the 3D radars authorizes negotiations and the signing of the draft order under the framework agreement between Bulgaria’s M»»»
DP World enters exclusive talks to develop terminal at Texas port
RIYADH: Dubai-based logistics giant DP World has entered exclusive negotiations for a long-term lease to develop and operate a container terminal at the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas, a move that would mark its first container terminal on the US Gulf Coast. According to a press release, the agree»»»
One arrested over deadly Croatia ship collision
Zagreb: Police on Wednesday arrested a crew member of a catamaran that collided with a sailboat in Croatia's central Adriatic, killing four Czech nationals. In one of the worst maritime accidents in the country in years, the catamaran carrying more than 100 people hit the French-flagged sailboat wi»»»
Putin Rolls Out Red Carpet: ASEAN Leaders Greeted With Official Reception
Kazan, Russia, takes center stage from June 17–19 as it plays host to the Russia-ASEAN Summit. Sputnik comes to you live from Kazan, where President Vladimir Putin hosts an official reception and holds bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Russia-ASEAN Summit.Kazan rolls out the welcome mat to 11»»»
Iran supreme leader’s funeral procession ‘to pass through Iraq’
TEHRAN: An Iranian official on Wednesday said the funeral procession for late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by US-Israeli strikes in February, will pass through Iraq before his burial in Iran. In a video carried by state media, Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani said the farewell c»»»
New Fed chair Kevin Warsh leads first Open Market Committee meeting - UPI.com
Kevin Warsh will take to the podium Wednesday for the first time as the chairman of the Federal Reserve to reveal the latest interest rate decision. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo June 17 (UPI) -- Kevin Warsh will take to the podium Wednesday for the first time as the chairman of the Fede»»»
NATO Drills in Baltic Are Rehearsal of War With Russia
The Brave Boar 2026 exercise is in fact part of NATO’s plans for total domination in the Baltic region, retired Russian Navy Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin tells Sputnik. Set in the Suwalki Gap – a 65km stretch of land that separates Kaliningrad region from Belarus, the exercise is meant to let»»»
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: UN calls for greater protection and restoration of rangelands
TUNIS, June 17 (TAP) - Every second, the equivalent of four football fields of healthy land is degraded, amounting to 100 million hectares each year, according to the United Nations, which is marking World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought...»»»
South Korea’s Lee asks Trump to lead peaceful diplomacy with North Korea
SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked US President Donald Trump to take the lead in seeking a peaceful resolution of tensions with North Korea during a brief exchange at the Group of Seven summit on Tuesday, Lee’s office said. The two leaders greeted each other during a G7 leaders’ grou»»»
Scorching heat, disease and water shortages push Gaza deeper into crisis
DUBAI: Eight months into a ceasefire that has failed to stop Israeli attacks or fully open Gaza’s borders, the 2.1 million Palestinians inside the besieged enclave are entering a summer that aid agencies warn could accelerate an already unfolding public health catastrophe. As summer temperatures so»»»
Russia to impose flight restrictions on light aircraft, drones in Moscow and adjacent regions
MOSCOW: Russia is introducing restrictions on flights by light private aircraft and drones in Moscow and surrounding regions, setting a minimum altitude requirement, aviation authority Rosaviatsiya said on Wednesday. Russia has in recent months been regularly repelling Ukrainian drone attack»»»
DOJ tries to block environmental lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI - UPI.com
The Department of Justice is trying to block a lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI. File Photo by Fazry Ismail/EPA June 17 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice is trying to quash a lawsuit against a power plant that supports an xAI data center and is arguing that the turbines are essential to national se»»»
Cabinet Allocates EUR 10.2 Mln to Fund Central Election Commission in 2026
The Council of Ministers Wednesday approved the allocation of up to EUR 10.2 million to the Central Election Commission (CEC), the Government Information Service reported. Part of the funds will be used to pay obligations related to the parliamentary elections on April 19, 2026, as well as to pay t»»»
Ukraine Commits Terrorist Attack by Striking Bus With Children in Russia's Bryansk - Kremlin
KAZAN, Russia (Sputnik) - Ukraine committed a terrorist attack by striking bus with a Belarusian youth football team in Russia's Bryansk Region, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, acting governor Egor Kovalchuk said that Ukraine attacked a bus carrying a youth fo»»»
’Heartbreaking’: Afghan govt staff abandon smartphones
KABUL: Government workers in different parts of Afghanistan have started switching off their smartphones, following an order imposed Wednesday that they told AFP came from Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. A letter announcing the ban on smartphones for all government employees started circulati»»»
Lebanon president says negotiations with Israel 'independent' of US-Iran deal
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that his country's negotiations with Israel in Washington were independent of the US-Iran deal to bring an end to the Middle East conflict. Lebanon and Israel have been holding direct talks in Washington since April, seeking to end the hostilities betwe»»»
Israeli settlers torch two West Bank mosques
JILJILIYA, Palestinian Territories Israeli settlers set fire to mosques in two West Bank villages on Wednesday, the local mayors said, while AFP journalists at the site saw signs of arson and vandalism. Israel’s military confirmed to AFP the arson and graffiti on the mosques, but did not identify t»»»
What’s inside ‘leaked’ US-Iran deal?
A purported draft of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding circulating online suggests that Washington could grant Tehran sweeping sanctions relief and access to frozen assets while leaving key nuclear issues to future negotiations. The 14-point list emerged on Tuesday as the administration of US»»»
Saudi FM meets Austrian parliament speaker in Vienna
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with the President of Austria’s National Council Walter Rosenkranz in Vienna on Wednesday. During the meeting, they reviewed Saudi-Austrian relations in various fields and ways to enhance cooperation on issues of common interest, the Saudi»»»
Djuric, Stevanovic discuss Serbia-Slovenia cooperation
BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met on Wednesday in Belgrade with Slovenian Parliament Speaker Zoran Stevanovic to discuss bilateral relations, the situation in the region and the most important geopolitical issues. "The two officials mutually noted that relations between Belgrade and Ljubljana »»»
Egypt’s development projects between the sore eyes and the arms of the builders
By Sherif Abdel Ghaffar I read an article for an expat who used to live in Egypt from 2002 till 2014, this writer apparently also started an English-speaking magazine in Egypt when she lived there. The article in so many words was bashing up the new capital city project in Egypt. I was filled with »»»
Final Evaluation on Bulgaria's FATF Grey List Removal Coming Up, Country Has Met All Recommendations - Justice Ministry
The Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL) Wednesday said that it has closed the 5th evaluation round for Bulgaria. The country has implemented all 40 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations a»»»
Saudi NHC Innovation signs AI, smart-city partnerships with Huawei, Lenovo and ByteDance
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s NHC Innovation, the digital and technological arm of the National Housing Co., signed three strategic partnership agreements with Huawei, Lenovo, and ByteDance in Shenzhen, China. The agreements come as part of the official visit to China by Minister of Municipalities and Hou»»»