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»»»

WASHINGTON, United States: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused more than two million military casualties, with Moscow’s forces bearing the brunt of the losses, according to a study published Wednesday by a US think tank. “Combined Russian and Ukrainian casualties have exceeded 2 million,” the C»»»

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his acting spy chief has wide permission to declassify records, including any tied to the 2020 election, even though his close ally is only at the intelligence helm for a short time. Trump appointed Bill Pulte as acting director of nation»»»

QNA Doha Qatari Diar has announced the registration of two world records in the Guinness World Records related to the district cooling system in Lusail City. This is a new global milestone added to Qatar’s record of achievements in the fields of infrastructure and sustainable development, the compa»»»

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 »»»

It aims to regulate the preparation and review of government draft legislative instruments proposed by the competent entities while strengthening government legislative work and enhancing planning, follow-up and governance throughout the government legislative process. The decision also seeks to en»»»

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»»»

Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim met with Ambassador of Kuwait to Qatar HE Ahmad Abdulrahman Al Shuraim on Wednesday. The meeting discussed both countries’ close ties and ways to boost them. (QNA)»»»

QNA Cairo The Shura Council participated in the plenary session of the Arab Parliamentheld at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo. The Shura Council was represented by HE Amina bint Youssef Al Jaidah, HE Nasser bin Mohammed Al Nuaimi, HE Mubarak bin Moh»»»

Tribune News Network Doha As Qatar continues building a knowledge-based economy, investment in digital infrastructure, advanced connectivity and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G and smart infrastructure is creating new opportunities for innovation, growth and digital t»»»

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»»»

Minister of State for Interior Affairs HE Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al Thani met with Deputy National Security Adviser of the United Kingdom Barbara Woodward in Doha on Wednesday. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to enhance cooperation in security, along »»»

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»»»

Tribune News Network Doha Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has announced the launch of its Annual Health Check SMS Awareness Campaign, effective from Tuesday, June 30. The initiative forms part of PHCC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare services, improve accessibility, and »»»

QNA Doha The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) has signed a funding agreement with QatarDebate Center- founded by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development - to support local debating leagues and championships and expand the centre’s educational publications. Under t»»»

Tribune News Network Doha A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Smart Grid Living Lab and advance collaboration in energy innovation, applied research, and workforce development was signed by the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) with Siemens in Qatar in the presence»»»

Tribune News Network Doha As part of its ongoing efforts to support livelihoods and promote economic development in vulnerable communities, Qatar Charity (QC), through its Mali branch, has implemented a qualitative project aimed at empowering 68 beneficiaries, including women, youth, and low-income»»»

Tribune News Network Doha Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 during a graduation ceremony on June 30 to mark its fourth Medical Education Day. The Class of 2026 comprises 75 graduates who completed residency, fellowship, undergraduate and »»»

Tribune News Network Doha Qatar National Library (QNL) has launched its annual Membership Campaign, inviting community members across Qatar to make the Library their summer home. For families and individuals heading away during the break, the Library travels with them: its mobile app and digital of»»»

Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), founded by Qatar Foundation (QF), has opened registration for the eighth edition of “My Career – My Future” 2026, its flagship job-shadowing programme for high school students in Qatar.Registration will remain open until July 30, 202»»»

QNA Doha The Legal and Judicial Studies Center at the Ministry of Justice is hosting a training programme on combating money laundering and terrorism financing. This comes as part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen the legal capabilities of employees working in ministries and government entiti»»»

London: Chelsea football club announced Wednesday the signing of defender Marco Palestra from Italian club Atalanta on a seven-year contract. Chelsea have signed Marco Palestra from Serie A club Atalanta on a contract until 2033, the club said in a statement on its website. The 21-year-old Marco Pa»»»

Ramallah: Chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC) Rawhi Fattouh, warned on Wednesday that the Israeli Knesset’s approval in its first reading of a bill aimed at banning the call to prayer within the 1948 territories constitutes a legislative and racist crime. In a statement, he stressed »»»

Baghdad: The Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology (IMOS) announced the recording of 22 earthquakes during June 2026. The tremors were distributed across the governorates of Diyala, Sulaymaniyah, Kirkuk, Nineveh, Salah Al-Din, Erbil, Wasit, and Basra, said Iraq's Seismological Monitoring»»»

The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), a Catholic priestly fraternity, has consecrated four new bishops without the papal approval, defying a last-ditch appeal by Pope Leo XIV to call the ceremony off. The move reignites an old row between the controversial ultra-traditionalist faction and the Vatican»»»

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 »»»

US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, whose agency was responsible for enforcing controversial security measures targeting the Iranian soccer team at the World Cup, has said the job made him dance with joy and he was happy Iran was eliminated. Iran exited the tournament, which the US is »»»

MUNICH: Bayern Munich have signed Morocco’s World Cup standout Ismael Saibari from Dutch champion PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of $63 million. The 25-year-old Saibari signed a contract through June 2031 and will wear the No. 34 jersey at Bayern, the Bavarian powerhouse announced Wednesday. Saib»»»

Doha, Qatar: Advisor to Prime Minister and Official Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari said on his official X account that Qatar and Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with the US and Iranian negotiators in Doha today, with positive progress made o»»»

LONDON: Kuwait Airways will resume direct flights between Damascus, capital of the Syrian Arab Republic, and Kuwait City on July 15, the first time in 14 years it has offered the route. The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority said on Wednesday the move was part of efforts to enhance air connectivity be»»»

TEHRAN: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Wednesday that Tehran would use some of its frozen assets in Qatar to purchase goods needed by the country following talks in Doha. Under the memorandum of understanding that halted the war between Iran and the United States, Washington»»»

John Brennan, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, testifies in 2017 on Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Brennan is suing the Trump administration, asking a judge to preserve all »»»

MEXICO CITY: Mexican health authorities said Wednesday that four people died during massive celebrations in downtown Mexico City after the national team’s victory over Ecuador secured a place in the World Cup Round of 16. Two women and one man were found unconscious on streets near the iconic Angel»»»

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»»»

Damascus, July 1, (SANA) The Syrian Arab Republic on Wednesday congratulated the Federal Republic of Somalia, its leadership and people, on the occasion of Independence Day. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates extended best wishes for continued security and stability in »»»

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»»»

Bulgaria's Ministries of the Interior, Defence, and Agriculture have drawn up a joint action plan to prevent and combat wildfires during the summer, officials announced at a joint briefing. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said the plan was prepared on the instructions of Prime Minister Rumen Rad»»»

WASHINGTON: The Chinese tech giant Alibaba will pay $600 million to resolve a dispute with the US government over allegations that the Hangzhou-based firm sold and imported illegal pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, regulated chemicals, and pill-making equipment into the US Alibaba operates so»»»

Saudi Arabia’s food delivery market is no longer defined by adoption alone. With delivery apps now embedded in consumer behavior, the next phase of competition is shifting toward merchant performance: how quickly restaurants go live, how effectively they use data, and how well they convert platform»»»

WASHINGTON: A US service member was missing and three others ​wounded but in stable condition after their MH-60S Seahawk helicopter made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday.The US military said there was ‌no indication ​the ‌crash ⁠was ​caused by ⁠hostile action."US Navy assets in »»»

CHESTER-LE-STREET, UK: Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was once more denied an India debut before rain saw the first Twenty20 international against England at Chester-le-Street abandoned after the tourists’ innings. Spectators at Durham’s headquarters were given a tantalising glimpse»»»

OSLO: Norwegian unions representing offshore drilling rig and floating platform workers entered state-mediated wage talks on Wednesday, aiming to avert a strike from Friday that could affect parts of the country’s oil and gas sector. The three unions, Styrke, Safe and DSO, have said more than 600 m»»»

The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes rose to 2,295 an official said on Wednesday as interim president Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of mourning for the victims. Hope of finding more survivors faded Wednesday as Venezuela marked a week since twin earthquakes killed almost 2,30»»»

France's Green Party has said it will launch a no-confidence motion against Sébastien Lecornu's government over its handling of a late-June heatwave that caused at least 1,000 excess deaths according to the public health agency. French Green party ⁠lawmakers have announced plans ​to file a no-confi»»»

Mexican soccer fans react during the Round of 32 match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Mexico, Tuesday. Three people died by asphyxiation during the celebration. Photo by Sashenka Gutierrez/EPA July 1 (UPI) -- Three people died of asphyxiation in Mexico City as»»»

Meteorologists warned that predicted storms could increase the risk of power outages. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo A sprawling and dangerous heat wave gripping much of the central and eastern United States is raising concerns about power demand and outage risks ahead of the Fourth of»»»

Businessman Yorgen Fenech went on trial in Malta on Wednesday accused of orchestrating the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was blown up in 2017 in a car bomb near her home. A Maltese tycoon went on trial on Wednesday accused of ordering the murde»»»

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»»»

NATO-EU Europe, that tense, unhappy realm of deeply unpopular yet aggressively doctrinaire centrist regimes, has many grifts. Its elites, whether national or EU, in business, politics, and the mainstream media and think-tank sinecure system are stunningly inept when it comes to addressing the urgen»»»

Sunlight hits the Empire State Building and the buildings of the Manhattan skyline in March in New York City. Two people were arrested Wednesday after climbing to the top of the building's spire and antenna, a perch more than 1,000 feet in the air. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 1»»»