“Yes, I Will Veto”: Bulgaria’s PM Stuns Brussels With Threat to Block Russia Sanctions Over Patriarch Kirill
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has confirmed that the country will block new sanctions against Russia, linking the decision to objections over proposals that would include Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in the restrictive measures. He argued that the war in Ukraine has expanded far beyond »»»
Train derailed in Hungary while travelling below the speed limit
Rail services across several important routes in Hungary were severely disrupted on Thursday afternoon after a passenger train derailed near the town of Újszász. Although no one was injured in the incident, the accident has caused significant transport restrictions and prompted an immediate investi»»»
Bulgaria Rural Property Market Cools After 2025 Price SurgeOpinions
After the sharp surge in rural and suburban real estate prices in 2025, Bulgaria’s market is now entering a cooling phase, with data indicating a gradual slowdown and even slight declines in some segments, according to industry reports cited by BGNES. The earlier price surge, fueled in part by expe»»»
Russian income inequality highest since 2007
Russia’s income inequality reached its highest level since 2007 in 2025, with the official Gini coefficient rising to 0.422 from 0.410 in 2024, according to Kommersant daily citing Rosstat. As followed by IntelliNews, demographics and equality were main national goals in the economic platform prese»»»
Rio Tinto’s giant Mongolia copper mine blocked by protesters, exports halted
Protesters on June 17 blocked copper concentrate exports from Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) giant Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. The Anglo-Australian miner confirmed shipments were disrupted in a statement posted on Facebook. The demonstration was organised by the Radical Reform Movement. Mini»»»
Saudi Arabia maintains leading cybersecurity ranking for third consecutive year
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has maintained its leading position in the global ranking of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook’s cybersecurity index for 2026. The country’s National Cybersecurity Authority, or NCA, said in a statement that this top ranking was a reflection of the support provided by King»»»
Local and Central Executive Authorities Hold National Meeting, Seek Common Ground on Regional Development
Fiscal decentralization, regional development, investment, infrastructure, social services and the absorption of European Union funds were among the key topics discussed at a National Meeting of Local and Central Executive Authorities in Sofia on Thursday. The forum highlighted both the challenges »»»
Why the Philippines needs more free port zones — and a change of heart
The Philippines is a unique nation. It has more than 116.8 million people inhabiting a huge land area (300,000 km2), 10 times bigger than Belgium, spread across 7,641 islands. The country has nearly four times the population of Canada, living across vastly different geographic and developmental cha»»»
Islamic Resistance targets a Merkava tank in the outskirts of Kfar Tebnit town, South Lebanon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance targets a Merkava tank in the outskirts of Kfar Tebnit town, South Lebanon 18-06-2026 16:33 PM Latest News Urgent News I»»»
IIT Delhi climbs to 118th in QS World University Rankings 2027
New Delhi In a significant boost to India's higher education credentials, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has secured the 118th position in the QS World University Rankings 2027, emerging as the country's highest-ranked institution for the second consecutive year. The prestigious glo»»»
Slovan Bratislava to join ABA basketball league, Cibona Zagreb to return
BELGRADE - The board of directors of the ABA basketball league announced on Thursday the regional competition would feature 20 clubs next season, including Cibona Zagreb, which will return to the fold after a one-season absence, and Slovan Bratislava, which will make a debut. In view of the expansi»»»
Islamic Resistance Has Frustrated All Israeli Attempts to Advance into Ali Al-Taher Area, Inflicting Heavy Losses Upon Enemy Forces: Operations Room
The Islamic Resistance Operations Room issued on Thursday a statement to detail the confrontation with and frustration of the enemy’s attempts to reach Ali Al-Taher Heights. The statement indicated that the Resistance has been targeting the enemy forces with rockets, drones, and loitering gliders [»»»
Syrian and Turkish military officials discuss greater defense cooperation
LONDON: A military delegation from the Syrian Arab Republic visited the National Defense University in Istanbul on Thursday, as Syria and Turkiye deepen their defense cooperation since the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in late 2024. The delegation, led by Maj. Gen. Salim Idris from Syria’s Ministry»»»
Lebanon receives assurances from Syria on non-interference after Trump remarks, official says
BEIRUT: Lebanon has received assurances from Syria that it will not interfere in Lebanese affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri told Arab News on Thursday, rejecting suggestions that Damascus could play a role in confronting Hezbollah as fighting between Israel and the group continues. Mitri’s»»»
NASA’s High-Stakes Gamble vs. China’s Clockwork Advance in Race to Mars
NASA has tapped Relativity Space, a 3D-printing rocket startup led by former Google executive Eric Schmidt, to deliver the Aeolus Mars orbiter mission, targeting a launch in 2028. China's Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission is well on track for the same launch window.The contrast is striking: NASA»»»
Trump says Apple, Intel partnering on U.S. made computer chips - UPI.com
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Apple CEO Tim Cook after announcing an additional $100 billion Apple investment in the U.S., which now will total over $600 billion over the next four years, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 6. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI »»»
UK drops UAE travel warning — what travellers need to know
Dubai: The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for the UAE, removing its warning against all but essential travel, while continuing to caution that the wider regional security situation remains unpredictable. The move is expected to come as a welcome»»»
EBRD Launches Tech Sofia Hub to Support Operations, Boost Digital Innovation in Bulgaria
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Vice President for Banking Matteo Patrone and Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Economy, Investments and Industry Minister Alexander Poulev opened EBRD's Tech Sofia technology hub on Thursday. EBRD Tech Sofia will support the institution's »»»
Greenland sees wildfires earlier in the year
Copenhagen: Greenland has recently been hit by localised wildfires, a rarity at this time of year that could be explained by global warming, a researcher at the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources said Thursday. "It is rare for such fires to occur as early as June, and it is reasonable to thin»»»
Two men jailed in Britain for spying for China
LONDON: Two men, including one who worked as a British immigration officer, were jailed on Thursday after being convicted of spying on prominent pro-democracy dissidents now based in Britain on behalf of Hong Kong, and ultimately China. Chung Biu “Bill” Yuen, 66, and Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 41, who»»»
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to visit Britain with kids in July - UPI.com
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the fourth game of the MLB World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in October. The couple are planning to take their children back to England for a visit in July. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |»»»
Fashion students showcase heritage-inspired collections in Riyadh
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia’s fashion sector expands, designers are increasingly drawing inspiration from the Kingdom’s diverse landscape and heritage. This was evident at the Arts and Skills Institute’s 13th cohort showcase, held under the theme “Beyond the Horizon,” where emerging designers reinterpr»»»
Deputy PM Outlines Broad Reform Agenda Aimed at Improving Investment Climate
Bulgaria's government is making investment a national priority and a key tool for supporting municipalities and businesses, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander Poulev said on Thursday. Speaking at the National Meeting of Local and Central Executive Auth»»»
Iran to start charging vessels using key global shipping route
Dubai: Iran has announced plans to impose charges on ships transiting the strategically important Strait of Hormuz after the expiry of a 60-day fee-free period outlined in a memorandum of understanding with the United States. Speaking in an interview aired on Iranian state television, Iran's chief »»»
Hegseth announces review of U.S. forces in Europe as part of NATO reform - UPI.com
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a meeting of fellow NATO defense ministers in Brussels on Thursday that the Pentagon would be launching a review of U.S. forces deployed in Europe as part of a reboot of the alliance -- but that they would be consulted. Photo by Olivier Hoslet/EPA June 18 (U»»»
Rush-hour congestion on key Dubai and Sharjah roads after incidents
Dubai: A series of traffic incidents and heavy congestion led to significant delays across major roads in Dubai and Sharjah during Thursday evening’s rush hour, with commuters facing slow-moving traffic on key routes. The disruption caused delays for thousands of commuters on key inter-emirate rout»»»
World Cup Debrief - Harry Kane Shines For England As Ronaldo Misfires
The Three Lions began their World Cup campaign with an upbeat win against Croatia. Thomas Tuchel's tactics saw them get ahead and win 4-2 after the two sides were level at halftime. Meanwhile Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in the latest upset of a team consider»»»
U.S. gas prices drop below $4 mark for first time since March 30 - UPI.com
The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the United States dropped below $4 Thursday, marking the first time prices have been this low since March 30. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo June 18 (UPI) -- The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the United States dropped below »»»
Iran declares victory over US
The newly signed memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran is a diplomatic victory for Tehran secured through strength and is evidence that Washington failed to achieve any of its military objectives, Iranian officials have said. The 14-point document was signed remotely by President Dona»»»
A mother's dream comes true as Filipino twins are separated
RIYADH: For the first time in their young lives, Filipino twins Olivia and Gianna Manuel are one step closer to experiencing the world on their own. The two-year-old sisters, who were born joined at the chest and abdomen, were successfully separated on Thursday in a complex operation carried out by»»»
REVIEW: ‘House of the Dragon’ finally delivers the fire and blood we’ve been waiting for
DUBAI: After a divisive second season that often felt like an extended prologue to a war that viewers were desperate to see, “House of the Dragon” returns with a burning and renewed zeal. Showrunner Ryan Condal appears to have taken criticism of the previous outing to heart, wasting little time in »»»
Graft probe into Spanish ex-PM expanded to daughters: court
MADRID: A judge investigating former Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for alleged influence peddling has expanded his politically explosive probe to the Socialist’s daughters, a court said on Thursday. Jose Luis Calama notified Alba and Laura Rodriguez Espinosa “to allow them to »»»
Netanyahu says Israel to keep buffer zone in Lebanon as long as needed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that Israel's "struggle" is not over yet, and that more challenges lie ahead, after the U.S. and Iran signed an MoU to end the war between them, which also inlcudes a clause about stopping the conflict in Lebanon and respecting its sovere»»»
Washington and Tehran release details of MoU to end war
Washington The United States and Iran revealed the text of the MoU that was electronically signed between the two sides. The memorandum includes an immediate and permanent ceasefire, a commitment to negotiate a final agreement within 60 days, as well as measures related to sanctions relief, freedom»»»
World Cup songs: from local themes to global industry
Rewind almost a century, to the 1930s, and the FIFA World Cup had no need to produce an official song or fashion a unified sonic identity. This was a purely sporting event, shaped by the era's politics and communication methods. Match results were printed in newspapers, and fans followed the games »»»
A smarter ball, or a safer one? The header dilemma facing world football
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway in the US, Canada, and Mexico amid mounting controversy, aspects of the world’s most popular sport are under increasing scientific and medical scrutiny. Beyond the questioning of Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein, the denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Abdulka»»»
Trump’s 2026 Iran deal differs from Obama’s 2015 JCPOA
The US-Iran agreement to be signed in Geneva on 19 June cannot really be compared to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that former US President Barack Obama’s team negotiated with European, Russian, and Chinese help from 2013-15 to restrain Iran’s nuclear programme. The most obvious di»»»
Serbian court jails school shooter's parents on retrial
Belgrade: A Serbian court on Thursday found the parents of a teenage school shooter guilty of his neglect and abuse, reinstating a lengthy jail sentence after a high-profile retrial. The killings of nine students and a security guard in the Belgrade elementary school on May 3, 2023, shocked the Bal»»»
Al-Manar correspondent: The Lebanese army detonated munitions left by the Zionist enemy during the aggression against Lebanon in Ghandouriyeh town, South Lebanon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar correspondent: The Lebanese army detonated munitions left by the Zionist enemy during the aggression against Lebanon in Ghandouriy»»»
Senegal's powerful ex-PM Ousmane Sonko opens door to IMF debt talks as fiscal crisis deepens
Senegal’s former prime minister Ousmane Sonko has indicated he is open to discussing a debt restructuring with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), signalling a possible breakthrough in efforts to resolve a fiscal crisis that has disrupted relations between Dakar and the lender. The country’s par»»»
Vucic receives Slovenian parliament speaker
BELGRADE - After a meeting with Slovenian Parliament Speaker Zoran Stevanovic in Belgrade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday he was confident there was space for further advancement of bilateral political, economic and parliamentary ties to mutual benefit, and invited Slovenia to »»»
STIHL Romania inaugurates, in partnership with Metatools Group, the first official STIHL Service Center in the country
STIHL Romania, a global leader in outdoor power equipment technology, officially inaugurates, in partnership with Metatools Group, the first STIHL Service Center in Romania, at its partner’s location in Ploiești. The project marks the introduction of a new premium service standard within the STIHL »»»
Pune horror: Godman held for rape, forcing women to drink urine
Dubai: A self-styled godman and seven associates have been arrested in Pune after police uncovered what investigators describe as a years-long cycle of sexual abuse, psychological manipulation and financial exploitation allegedly carried out from a hidden underground ashram. The main accused, ident»»»
UAE parents and schools welcome social media age limit: "A much-needed step"
Dubai: The UAE has joined a growing global movement to protect children online, setting 15 as the minimum age for social media use under a new Cabinet resolution. The move puts the UAE alongside Australia, the UK, Indonesia, and Malaysia in restricting children from creating or accessing personal a»»»
Péter Magyar meets Metsola in Brussels, who agrees on ending the anti-democracy investigations
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar held talks with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Brussels on Thursday, describing the meeting as successful and highlighting what he called a shared commitment to bringing Hungary’s long-running Article 7 procedure to a close by the autumn. The »»»
Qatar says US-Iran deal ‘solid foundation’ for next stage of talks - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Qatar says US-Iran deal ‘solid foundation’ for next stage of talks 18-06-2026 15:19 PM Latest News Urgent News Qatar says US-Iran deal ‘sol»»»
Residents return to war-ravaged south with hope and sorrow
Adnan Kaour returned on Thursday to check on his home in southern Lebanon's coastal city of Tyre — once known as an idyllic summer getaway spot — just a week after Israel issued warnings for all of its residents to evacuate. The warnings were followed by sweeping airstrikes on the city. What Kaour »»»
Israel military says will keep operating in south Lebanon
The Israeli military said on Thursday it will continue operating in southern Lebanon and "remove threats" beyond its so-called security zone, after the U.S. and Iran signed an agreement to end the Middle East war, including in Lebanon. The military published a map of its declared "security zone" --»»»
US will review its military presence in Europe, Hegseth tells NATO
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told a group of NATO defence ministers Thursday that Washington will carry out a sweeping review of its military presence in Europe. The Pentagon chief slammed some European allies for failing to provide US forces access to bases in Europe during the US-Israeli war»»»
'No one understands what's happening': Confusion in Israeli army over Lebanon
Israeli commanders and soldiers currently involved in the fighting in Lebanon say the Israeli army has changed its open-fire rules in recent days, reducing troops' ability to "prevent and respond to Hezbollah attacks" and leaving soldiers vulnerable. "The open-fire rules right now are only to remov»»»