Global oil prices extended their decline on Thursday morning (July 2, 2026, 8:12 am Tokyo time) as easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the gradual reopening of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continued to ease concerns over supply disruptions. According to OilPrice.com, West T»»»

Commercial shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz is gradually recovering, but traffic remains significantly below normal levels following the recent US-Iran conflict. According to MarineTraffic vessel-tracking data, 34 ships transited the strait on Tuesday, marking a modest impr»»»

TEL AVIV: The ‌International Monetary Fund lowered its estimate for Israel’s economic growth in 2026 to 3.5 percent from a prior 4.8 percent, it said on Wednesday citing ​regional tensions. In a report, the IMF also expects inflation to rise temporarily due to higher energy prices and supply constr»»»

Damascus, July 2 (SANA) President Ahmad al-Sharaa held a phone call on Wednesday with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which the two leaders discussed the fraternal ties between their countries and ways to strengthen cooperation across various fields. The two sides reviewed »»»

QNA Doha With its final meeting next week, the Shura Council will be concluding the first ordinary session of its second legislative term, corresponding to its 54th annual session, marking numerous significant achievements in both its legislative and oversight capacities. These milestones align clo»»»

Ashraf Siddiqui Doha China’s pursuit of high-quality development is creating new opportunities not only for its own growth but also for partners around the world, including Qatar, according to Ambassador of China to Qatar HE Cao Xiaolin. The envoy said that, in recent years, the China-Qatar Strateg»»»

QNA Doha Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met with the United Kingdom’s Deputy National Security Adviser Barbara Woodward in Doha on Wednesday. The meeting discussed bilateral cooperation and ways to strengthen ties between the»»»

Doha: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a phone call on Wednesday from HE President of the Syrian Arab Republic Ahmed Al Sharaa. During the call, they discussed the fraternal relations between the two countries and prospects for strengthening joint cooperation as well as ways to »»»

BEIJIN: A new ethnic unity law came into effect Wednesday in China despite warnings from Taiwan, the United Nations and rights groups that it could threaten freedoms, especially for minorities. The Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress aims to forge a “shared” national identity among ethnic gr»»»

BEIJIN: A new ethnic unity law came into effect Wednesday in China despite warnings from Taiwan, the United Nations and rights groups that it could threaten freedoms, especially for minorities. The Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress aims to forge a “shared” national identity among ethnic gr»»»

The Islamic Development Bank signed a memorandum of understanding to support a strategic road project in Kazakhstan, paving the way for potential funding of up to $1.4bn, state media reported on July 1. The agreement points to the bank's role in financing regional transport infrastructure in Centra»»»

LONDON: Syrian authorities said on Wednesday that they thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of the illicit amphetamine captagon from Lebanon into the Al-Nabek district. The Drug Enforcement Administration, working with the Internal Security Command in Rif Dimashq governorate, seized 832,»»»

Ankara, July 1, (SANA) Türkiye’s Ambassador to Syria, Nuh Yilmaz, affirmed that relations between Damascus and Ankara are strategic, noting that the two countries are currently cooperating across multiple fields under a clear vision for future development. Yilmaz expressed Türkiye’s readiness to ac»»»

LONDON: Military leaders from Syria and Lebanon joined for the first time commanders from across the Middle East at a United States defense conference on Wednesday. The regional security dialogue was held in the Bahraini capital, Manama, and led by US Central Command, which coordinates military ope»»»

Tunis, July 1 (TAP) - Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh on Wednesday presented during a joint session of all the permanent committees of the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP), the document on territorial development, which...»»»

NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN on Tuesday called for strengthened international cooperation, expertise exchange and investment in capacity building to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting new and emerging technologies. Abdulaziz Alwasil was speaking during a UN Gene»»»

The practice of Chinese fishing boats operating illegally has been ongoing for years. Here, several Chinese boats that were caught while reportedly operating illegally in South Korea's exclusive zone are moored at a port in Incheon, South Korea, in 2016. File Photo by Yonhap/EPA SANTIAGO, Chile, Ju»»»

Uzbekistan is Central Asia's rising heavyweight, and its economic story is generally being told through the now-familiar lenses of macroeconomic reform, improving policymaking and an increasingly attractive investment climate. Yet one of the country's most important structural shifts has received f»»»

DUBAI, UAE — International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, announced today the appointment of Imad Fakhoury as the new Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Central Asia (MCA) region effective July 1, 2026.Based in Dubai, UAE, Fakhoury will lead »»»

AMMAN — The value of certificates of origin issued by the Irbid Chamber of Industry (ICI) in April reached $129.2 million, marking a 28.5 per cent increase from $100.5 million in the same month last year.According to chamber figures, the number of certificates of origin issued in April reached 1,58»»»

After months of crisis in the Middle East, France is looking to build its influence in the region by strengthening relations with Oman – a small country long seen as a quiet, neutral regional player. On his first state visit to France, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and French President Emmanuel Mac»»»

Addis Ababa: The Ethiopian government announced that more than 1.4 million international tourists have visited the country during the 2025/2026 fiscal year, which concludes on July 7. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed revealed that the country has generated over 5.2 billion U.S. dollars in foreig»»»

Freedom Holding has received regulatory approval from Turkey’s Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) for its planned acquisition of 99.32% of Turkish Bank, the company said in a press release on July 1. Freedom Finansal Hizmetler, a subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding, announced »»»

Russia's VTB may return to the question of expanding its presence in Iran once regional military action ends, VTB Chief Executive Andrei Kostin said, Interfax reported on June 30. Iran and Russia have dramatically accelerated their banking integration efforts since Russia faced Western sanctions fo»»»

Freedom Holding has received regulatory approval from Turkey’s Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) for its planned acquisition of 99.32% of Turkish Bank, the company said in a press release on July 1. Freedom Finansal Hizmetler, a subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding, announced »»»

A fire broke out at a waste treatment facility operated by Ecobulpak in Sofia, Bulgaria's General Directorate for Fire Safety and Civil Protection said on Wednesday. Firefighters found that two plastic recycling warehouses were ablaze. Six fire engines with firefighting crews, a hazardous materials»»»

TOKYO: Jordanian Ambassador Nasser Shraideh hosted a gala reception in Tokyo on Tuesday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Jordan’s independence. The event drew hundreds of guests, including representatives from the Japanese government, its parliament, academia, the business sector, the diploma»»»

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, on Wednesday approved a package of major initiatives and projects worth Dh18 billion. “During a meeting of The Executive Counci»»»

Grocery chain Kroger announced Wednesday it has reached a $1.65 billion agreement to acquire Giant Eagle's 197 stores and 11 standalone pharmacies. File Photo by Erik S. Lessser/EPA July 1 (UPI) -- Grocery chain Kroger announced Wednesday it has reached a $1.65 billion agreement to acquire regional»»»

KYIV: Ukrainian forces struck Russia’s major Ufa oil refinery for the second time in a week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday. Almost daily long-range attacks on Russian oil facilities have created a fuel crisis and heaped political pressure on the Kremlin as its all-out invasi»»»

Tunis, July 1, 2026 (TAP) - The 2026-2030 Strategic Plan of the COMESA Federation of National Associations of Women in Business (COMFWB) was launched on Wednesday at the opening of the 7th COMESA Federation Regional Trade Fair and Business Summit...»»»

A country is strong and secure when it possesses the necessary information in advance. This reduces risks of institutional errors during times of regional and global crises, President Iliana Iotova said at the opening of the Conference of Heads of Military Attache Services Abroad, the President's p»»»

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways is increasing flights across five international routes, adding more capacity to Brussels, Dhaka, Kraków, Palma de Mallorca and Zanzibar as demand for travel continues to grow. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Abu Dhabi-based airline said it»»»

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»»»

LONDON: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi on Wednesday met Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassem Mohammed Albudaiwi, as both sides discussed strengthening relations and expanding cooperation between Iraq and Gulf states. Albudaiwi conveyed congratulations from Gulf leaders t»»»

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»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia retained the top global ranking in the 2026 Information and Communication Technology Development Index with a score of 99.8 out of 100, driven by continued investment in digital infrastructure and connectivity. The Kingdom ranked first globally for the second consecutive year i»»»

At its regular meeting, the government approved the 2026–2028 Public Debt Management Strategy, under which outstanding debt due for refinancing amounts to EUR 1.41 billion in 2026, EUR 1.8 billion in 2027, and EUR 2.6 billion in 2028, the government information service said on Wednesday. The remain»»»

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»»»

Fujairah: The UAE has stepped up its efforts to secure Unesco World Heritage status for Wadi Wurayah, one of the country’s most ecologically significant protected areas, highlighting Fujairah’s mountain reserve as a global model for biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental stewardshi»»»

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Galab Donev said at a briefing on Wednesday that the Government has approved a draft State Budget, and that he expects "serious, responsible, and meaningful work and debate on it in the National Assembly.” Later in the day, the Council of Ministers' pre»»»

Bulgaria, Romania and Turkiye are expanding the mandate of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Naval Group (MCM Black Sea) to include the protection of critical underwater infrastructure after the Bulgarian government on Wednesday approved amendments to the memorandum of understanding establishing t»»»

Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday at the Amiri Diwan. Following the meeting, HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Moha»»»

Ajman has been ranked the world's safest city for residents' sense of security, while Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah secured second, third and fourth places respectively, according to the Numbeo Mid-Year 2026 report, highlighting the UAE's strong performance in global safety rankings. Dubai »»»

Dubai: The first thing Girley Pineda remembers about arriving in Dubai isn't the skyline or the excitement of starting a new chapter. It's the tears. On April 22, 2017, her birthday, the Filipino expatriate stepped off a plane believing she was beginning the journey that would change her family's f»»»

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»»»

Dubai: Emirates has launched its third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi, increasing services on the route to 21 weekly flights and adding more travel options for passengers heading to Kenya, signalling greater demand for travel to the African continent from UAE. The new service, EK717, arrive»»»

JEDDAH: UAE developers kept construction projects on track despite a 20 to 25 percent surge in imported material costs, with supply chain disruptions having limited impact, according to Moody’s Ratings. In a sector in-depth report, the credit rating agency said real estate developers have maintaine»»»

Dubai: The UAE the wider Arabian Peninsula will enter the year's hottest period on July 3, when the traditional “Jamrat Al Qayth” season begins, bringing extreme heat, dry conditions and daytime temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in some desert areas, the Emirates Astronomy Society said. The»»»

Damascus, July 1 (SANA) Exhibitors at the 12th Syria Specialized Exhibitions 2026 said modern industrial equipment and advanced production technologies are expected to support the recovery of Syria’s manufacturing sector, improve productivity and create new investment opportunities.The exhibition, »»»