RIYADH: Middle East airlines showed signs of recovery in May as passenger demand decline eased to 28.4 percent from 46.6 percent a month earlier despite the ongoing conflict. The improvement helped limit the global decline in air passenger demand to 2.2 percent from 3.4 percent in April, as disrupt»»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (2-R) sent a congratulatory message to Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) on the 105th founding anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, state media reported Wednesday. In this photo, Xi and Kim are seen at a welcoming ceremony in Pyongyang in June. File Photo by KC»»»

BELGRADE - The Serbian dinar's official median exchange rate against the euro is 117.3578 dinars for one euro on Wednesday, which is a slight change relative to Tuesday, the National Bank of Serbia said. The dinar is steady against the euro m-o-m, down by 0.2 pct y-o-y and down by 0.1 pct relative »»»

BELGRADE - The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has extended an operating licence for the Serbian oil company NIS for 30 more days - until July 31, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic announced on Tuesday evening. "We have just been informed by the OFAC that»»»

Thousands of people marched across South Africa on Tuesday to demand the departure of undocumented foreign nationals after a weeks-long campaign that has sent thousands fleeing and claimed four lives. Police were out in force for nationwide protests which capped demonstrations led by citizen-led gr»»»

Since a 2021 coup ousted Myanmar's democratically elected government and triggered a civil war, 100,114 people have been killed across the country, according to a report by monitoring group Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) released Wednesday. More than 100,000 people have been »»»

“The government has approved a draft state budget, and I expect serious, responsible, and meaningful work and debate on it in the National Assembly,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Galab Donev told a briefing after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. During discussions on the draft budgets »»»

BusinessEuropeDigital euro: The plan to Trump-proof the EU's economyNik MartinThe EU’s central bank is preparing a digital euro to cut dependence on Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay. Success hinges on giving consumers an easy-to-use payment system without prompting a flight from bank savings. https:/»»»

ECONE, Switzerland: Decades after triggering a rift with the Vatican by consecrating bishops in 1988, the Society of Saint Pius X was doing it again on Wednesday — in defiance of Pope Leo XIV. The ultra-traditionalist breakaway group, which has around 600,000 followers worldwide, intends to appoint»»»

THESSALONIKI: Three pre-dawn firebomb attacks apparently targeting the residences of members of Greece’s governing conservative New Democracy party have left five people hospitalized, authorities said Wednesday. The attacks between 4 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. outside apartment buildings in the northern Gr»»»

A couple of weeks back, we asked if the tide was turning in Ukraine. The short answer: a little, but it's hard to cut through the fog of war. Now, we're beginning to wonder if Crimea could be back in play. Kyiv's new line of longer-range missiles and drones are wreaking havoc on fuel and power supp»»»

A Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet was scrambled on June 30 after a passenger aircraft flying from Warsaw to Tel Aviv transmitted transponder code 7500, the internationally recognized signal indicating unlawful interference on board, most commonly associated with a suspected hijacking. The al»»»

The Council of Ministers has launched a round-the-clock hotline and email channel for reporting corruption, abuse of authority, and conflicts of interest, Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced at the start of today’s government session. Alongside the new reporting mechanism, the government is prepar»»»

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, eight individuals were detained in Sofia in connection with an investigation into suspected fraud involving nearly €990,000 in EU-funded employment support schemes. Authorities said the case concerns the alleged misuse of subsidies under la»»»

Most Romanian consumers have not yet adopted a clear position on sustainable consumption, despite growing awareness around environmental and ethical choices, according to the study “The sustainable consumer in Romania in 2026” conducted by MKOR. The study analyses how sustainable consumption behavi»»»

A ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz after not running Iran's approved route through the water, Iranian state television reported Wednesday. The report identified the affected vessel as a foreign container ship, but offered no other immediate details. The Iranian state TV report appeared aime»»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov today, July 1, reviewed investment projects for the construction of a modern fish farm and a ship assembly complex in Pristan Karakol settlement during a working visit to Issyk-Kul region. The head of state was presented with a fish farm project aimed at restor»»»

Sixteen branches of the state-owned pharmacy chain El Aman in Bishkek will sell discounted medicines, Health Minister of Kyrgyzstan Damir Osmonov told journalists. According to him, a pilot project of the Ministry of Health will run in Bishkek from July 1 to December 31. Under the pilot project, me»»»

The UAE is continuing to strengthen its fight against drugs through a nationwide strategy that combines law enforcement, public awareness and community partnerships to protect young people from addiction. Led by the Ministry of Interior and police forces across the country, including Abu Dhabi Poli»»»

Romania’s National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) has drafted an order amending the regulation on electricity supply to final customers, introducing several new requirements for suppliers, including a consumption alert that must be sent to customers when they reach a predefined threshold of up »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar correspondent insouthern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces establish crossing point at their position along Iskenderun road, and »»»

Hanoi, Vietnam: One year after lifting its long-standing two-child limit, Vietnam is offering incentives for people to have more babies as the communist country risks getting old before it gets rich. A new population law and regulations coming into effect Wednesday extend maternity leave from six t»»»

Fujairah: World Zone Shipping Services has awarded Dh2.75 million in employee rewards, incentives and benefits as part of its annual Spotlight 2025 recognition programme. The event brought together staff and leadership from seven countries. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balan»»»

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that the first-ever GOP midterm convention will be held in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 9-10. File Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI | License Photo July 1 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump has announced that the Republican Party will hold a midterm convention, an unpre»»»

DUBAI: A ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz after not running Iran’s approved route through the water, Iranian state television reported Wednesday. The report identified the affected vessel as a foreign container ship, but offered no other immediate details. The Iranian state TV report appear»»»

DUBAI: Officials from the United States and Iran will on Wednesday hold indirect technical talks on their deal aimed at ending the Middle East war, a diplomat with knowledge of the talks told AFP.“US and Iranian officials are to hold indirect technical talks on Wednesday in Doha with Qatari and Pak»»»

János Hajdu, once the personal bodyguard of former prime minister Viktor Orbán and later head of Hungary’s Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK), is said by witnesses to have remained in constant contact with Orbán during the operation against a Ukrainian “gold convoy”. Hajdu stands accused of unlawfully »»»

Qatar’s Prime Minister has reaffirmed Doha’s commitment to mediating talks between Washington and Tehran, as senior US envoys including President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived in the Qatari capital for high-stakes diplomatic discussions. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanese Health Ministry updates toll of Israeli aggression on Lebanon since March 2: 4,278 people martyred and 12,196 other wounded 01-07-»»»

US President Donald Trump “has considered resuming large-scale military action” against Iran in recent days but “has decided to continue diplomatic efforts for now,” the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing US officials familiar with the discussions. According to the WSJ report, Trump he»»»

Egypt’s parliamentary Economic Affairs Committee has called on the National Investment Bank (NIB) to submit a comprehensive development strategy—or a timetable for completing one—as lawmakers seek greater clarity over the institution’s future role in managing state-owned assets under the country’s »»»

Tunis, July 1 (TAP) – The weather, on Wednesday, will be partly cloudy across all regions of the country, with the development of localized thunderstorm cells accompanied by afternoon rainfall in the eastern regions, according to forecasts from the...»»»

The European Union’s obligation to ban trade with Israel’s illegal settlements is not in question, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. The watchdog’s Associate Director and EU Advocacy Claudio Francavilla stressed that the ban is an obligation “to comply with international law,” rather than an opti»»»

DOHA: Asian airlines that gained passengers and charged higher fares on European routes after the start of the war on Iran are seeing those advantages erode, as Gulf carriers restore flights, the Reuters news agency reports, citing industry data. It said Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways carried »»»

At a meeting held on Tuesday with representatives of Litasco, a critically important agreement for the future of the Burgas oil refinery was reached, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said at the start of the regular government meeting. Radev recalled that at the end of last year, Litasco imposed restrict»»»

Romania is looking for solutions to its labour shortage through immigration, digitalization and automation, while leaving underused one of its most important internal reserves of economic growth: women’s participation in the labour market, according to an analysis by the National Confederation for »»»

Doha, Qatar: Whether developing leadership skills, exploring creative talents, staying active through sport, or discovering new passions, people across Qatar will find something to inspire them at Education City this summer. From June to August, Qatar Foundation (QF) is offering a diverse range of »»»

MADRID: The 2026-27 La Liga season kicks off on Aug. 16 with the opening weekend having champions Barcelona taking on Athletic Club at Camp Nou, Real Madrid hosting Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu and Atletico Madrid welcoming Malaga to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The Spanish top tier — of»»»

Arab Finance: NAIA Developments is scheduled to launch its branded serviced residences project within NAIA Bay in partnership with the globally renowned Accor Group under the Swissôtel Residences brand, according to an emailed press release. The project will introduce Ras El Hekma's first internati»»»

All military aerial refuelling tanker aircraft deployed at Vasil Levski Sofia Airport have left the airport within the established deadline, which minimizes the risk of potential attacks in immediate proximity to the Bulgarian capital, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said at the beginning of the cabinet»»»

GlobalizationUnited States of AmericaHow the US shaped the world: 250 years of power and policiesPeter Hille | Gianna-Carina GrünThe United States declared its independence from Britain 250 years ago. Here's how the US's relations with other nations — and its global image — have changed since. http»»»

DUBAI: Turkiye is preparing for next week’s NATO summit with heightened security measures across Ankara, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to use the gathering to reinforce the country’s role as a key player in the alliance. Tens of thousands of police officers have been deployed, air defense»»»

Damascus, July 1 (SANA) Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar said on Wednesday that Syria is entering a new phase of economic development after years of isolation, highlighting significant investment opportunities across the country. Speaking at the opening of the Syrian-British Business»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe China’s Xi vows to strengthen military: We must advance the modernisation of national defence and the armed forces 01-07-2026 10:05 AM Late»»»

The Council of Ministers is launching a 24-hour hotline and an email from July 1 for submitting reports of abuse of power, corruption, and conflicts of interest. The contact details have been published on the Council of Ministers’ website, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said at the start of Wednesday’s»»»

Atlanta: Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will make history when two outfield players aged over 40 face off for the first time in a World Cup as Portugal take on Croatia in Friday's last-32 clash. But both men are facing questions over whether their status as national heroes is now more of a burde»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian-Serbian company Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), which is currently under US sanctions, has received a 30-day operating license extension from the US Treasury Department, Serbian Mining and Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said. On June 26, NIS requested a new »»»

NAIROBI: The Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during their attack on El-Fasher city between 2024 and 2025, Amnesty International alleged Wednesday. Sudan has been mired since April 2023 in a brutal war between the army and the R»»»

Madrid: More than 1,000 deaths in Spain were attributed to the recent heatwave that roasted Europe, as the country posted the hottest first six months ever recorded, officials said on Wednesday.At least 1,028 people died of heat-related issues during the heatwave, the public Carlos III Health Insti»»»

TOKYO: In a tiny Tokyo restaurant filled with the smell of Nepalese dumplings, Budhathoki Samjhana surveys the business she built from scratch but may now have to give up as Japan tightens visa rules. Even though Japan has a rapidly aging population and is suffering labor shortages in many sectors,»»»