US experts credit Qatar's mediation with helping secure US-Iran ceasefire
WASHINGTON: American experts have praised the State of Qatar's diplomatic efforts in helping to secure a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, saying the Gulf state's mediation played a significant role in reducing tensions and bringing the two sides closer to an agreement. Speaking to Qata»»»
MOI launches awareness exhibition marking International Day against drug abuse
Doha: The Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Drug Enforcement, today launched an awareness exhibition marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse, held this year under the theme "An Aware Community... A Safe Nation". The event coincides with the Arab and GCC Weeks »»»
Briton Onley out of Tour de France with shoulder injury
PARIS: Briton Oscar Onley, who finished fourth in the race last year, has been forced to pull out of next month’s Tour de France due to a shoulder injury, his team said on Thursday. Onley, who has had a season disrupted by injuries and illness, dislocated his shoulder in a crash during the Tour Auv»»»
Minister of Investment highlights transport cooperation during Higer Bus plant visit
AMMAN — Investment Minister Tareq Abu Ghazaleh has concluded on Thursday a working visit to China that included a series of high-level meetings with economic institutions, Chinese and international companies and field visits to industrial and technology projects.At the conclusion of the visit, Abu »»»
Easyjet rejects latest takeover bid but leaves door ajar
LONDON — British no-frills airline EasyJet rejected on Thursday a fourth informal takeover proposal from a US private equity firm, but left the door open to possible talks on a higher offer.EasyJet said the latest offer from Castlelake of 6.50 sterling pounds per share, still totalling about 5 bill»»»
IPI rises 0.04%, PPI falls 0.34% in first four months of 2026 — DoS
AMMAN — Jordan's Industrial Production Index (IPI) rose by 0.04 per cent during the first four months of 2026, driven by stronger mining and electricity production, while the Industrial Producer Price Index (PPI) fell by 0.34 per cent, according to the Department of Statistics (DoS) data released o»»»
US and Iran clash over Hormuz transit fees
The US and Iran have clashed over Tehran’s move to levy a toll on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has insisted that Tehran cannot impose transit fees, while Iran argues it can levy charges for services provided. Iran intends to introduce a system of maritime fees in the strait, af»»»
Middle East live: IDF will only withdraw from Lebanon after Hezbollah disarms, Israel says
Israel said Thursday that it would only withdraw its forces from south Lebanon after Hezbollah was disarmed. Earlier, an Israeli strike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon killed three people, Lebanese state media reported, making it the third deadly incident since Tuesday. Follow our liveblog for the»»»
EU commission cites ‘no overriding public interest’ to keep Gaza reports secret, on day UN calls out genocide
On the same day that the UN human rights office called out genocide in Gaza, the European Commission told me there was no public interest in releasing 17 documents on funding reports it wants to keep secret on the enclave. The refusal was signed on Tuesday (23 June) by Michael Karnitschnig, the act»»»
Tête à tête - Ebola outbreak 'serious' but not 'out of control', head of Africa CDC says
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Dr Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC, said the Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo is "serious" but not "out of control". He warned that "no one is safe" if it is not stopped at the source and argued that the West would already have a vaccine if the disease had struck t»»»
‘Like working in a kettle’: France’s overcrowded prisons swelter under historic heatwave
The deadly heatwave sweeping France has once again exposed the structural problems of the country’s chronically overcrowded prisons, with groups of three or four detainees crammed into airless cells built to hold a lone prisoner. Analysts and prison staff alike have criticised a penal system that c»»»
Saudi Arabia halts travel to and entry from three African countries over Ebola
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has suspended travel by its citizens to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, and halted the issuance of visas and entry for travellers arriving from the three countries as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the Ebola virus. The measures als»»»
Budget deficit after 5 months is half compared to the previous year, from 3.35% to 1.75% of GDP
“The budget execution figures for the first five months confirm the consistency with which we have managed public finances. The deficit has been reduced by nearly half compared to the same period in 2025, from 3.35% to 1.75% of GDP. This is a positive sign, especially since the adjustment was not a»»»
Qatar Shura Council, Azerbaijan Parliament discuss further bilateral cooperation
Baku: Qatar's Shura Council and Azerbaijan's Parliament held official talks in Baku on Thursday, focusing on ways to deepen bilateral relations and enhance parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. The talks were co-chaired by Shura Council Speaker HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim and Sp»»»
Europe swelters as heatwave affects more than 100 million people from Spain to Germany
At least 101 million Europeans will experience temperatures above 35C on Thursday, as Spanish and French authorities begin to tally the deaths linked to the heatwave. At least 101 million Europeans were forecast to swelter in temperatures of over 35C on Thursday, as scores of people were thought to»»»
Poland, Ukraine strike conciliatory tone at reconstruction conference
A landmark conference on Ukraine's post-war reconstruction opened on Thursday in Poland without President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is snubbing the event over a diplomatic row with ally Warsaw and weeks of squabbling over historical differences. Kyiv sent Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko instead »»»
Syrian Foreign Ministry issues emergency hotline for nationals in Venezuela
Damascus, June.26 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of foreign Affairs and Expatriates said on Thursday it was monitoring the situation of Syrian nationals in Venezuela following a deadly earthquake and has provided emergency contact numbers for citizens requiring consular assistance. In a statement, the min»»»
Officially: DARA Becomes Bulgaria’s Face to the WorldOpinions
Eurovision 2026 winner Darina Yotova, known as DARA, has been chosen to represent Bulgaria in a major international promotional campaign aimed at boosting the country’s global image. The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Tourism, will include the production of video clips and advertising cont»»»
Algeria, Nigeria offer biggest opportunities in Africa for low-cost methane emissions cuts, report finds
Africa's key oil and gas producers could cut methane emissions at relatively low cost using existing technologies, with Algeria and Nigeria offering the largest opportunities for reductions, according to a new report by Carbon Limits for the Clean Air Task Force (CATF). The study assessed Algeria, »»»
Russia's meat exports to China rise 26% in five months
Russia's meat and edible offal exports to China rose to more than 53,000 tonnes in the first five months of the year, worth over $156mn, state media Interfax reported on June 25. The reported increase points to deepening agricultural trade between Russia and China as Moscow expands food e»»»
Red tape means Turkmenistan’s modern Caspian Sea port operating at third of capacity, says Middle Corridor official
Turkmenistan's modern multi-billion-dollar Caspian Sea container port of Turkmenbashi is said to be operating at only 25-30% of its potential due to bureaucratic obstacles facing carriers. The dire operating rate at the eight-year-old Turkmenbashi International Seaport was outlined by Jasurbek Chor»»»
‘Everyone stands with Al Annabi’: Fans back Qatar despite World Cup exit
DOHA: After three challenging matches at the FIFA World Cup, Al Annabi finally showed the attacking spirit many supporters had been waiting for in their final match at the World Cup. Although Qatar's tournament came to an end, following a 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle, USA, fans p»»»
Saudi foreign minister holds talks with Rubio
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have discussed the US-Iran agreement during talks on Thursday. The two officials met during a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Bahrain attended by Rubio. Their conversation covered progress made in nego»»»
Prosecutors to drop unresolved Harvey Weinstein rape charge - UPI.com
Harvey Weinstein appears in Manhattan Supreme Court during his retrial in New York City on May 15. Pool photo by Timothy A. Clary/UPI | License Photo June 25 (UPI) -- New York prosecutors will not retry disgraced film producer and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein on an unresolved rape charge»»»
Sharjah Police arrest 4,757, seize Dh392.8m in major drug busts
Sharjah: Sharjah Police have arrested 4,757 suspects, dismantled major drug trafficking networks and seized drugs, psychotropic substances and criminal assets worth nearly Dh392.8 million in a sweeping campaign that combined intelligence-led policing, international cooperation and community-based p»»»
China’s Strategic Investment in Egypt: A $10 Billion Boost to Phosphate Fertilizer Industry
The Chinese Ambassador to Cairo, Liao Liqiang, announced an ambitious investment by a Chinese company, Asia Potash, aiming to establish a major industrial complex for phosphate fertilizer production. The initial investment of US$1.6 billion is set to expand to a total of $10 billion, targeting an i»»»
Antonelli welcomes Mercedes upgrade as Russell says beware Hamilton
Spielberg bei Knittelfeld: Formula One leader Kimi Antonelli said Thursday that a Mercedes upgrade would help him bounce back from a first defeat of the year but team-mate George Russell warned that Lewis Hamilton was back to his 'beautiful best'. Russell, a 28-year-old Briton, was the pre-season f»»»
Syrian Airlines resumes direct flights to Europe with Damascus-Amsterdam route
Damascus, June.26 (SANA) Syrian Airlines said on Thursday it will begin direct flights between Damascus and Amsterdam on July 2, restoring service to Europe for the first time in years. The airline said Amsterdam will become its first European destination since suspending operations on the continen»»»
Etihad Rail’s new passenger route draws 5,000 bookings in just two days
Abu Dhabi: Etihad Rail has witnessed strong demand for passenger train ticket bookings through its digital application and dedicated online booking platform following the opening of reservations on 23 June 2026. Within just two days, 5,000 passengers booked tickets for the inaugural passenger servi»»»
Some rain expected Thursday night on Central-West heights
Tunis, June 25 (TAP) - Local storm cells with some rain are expected on the Central-West heights later Thursday, followed by partly cloudy conditions across the country, according to forecasts from the National Institute of Meteorology (INM).The...»»»
2026 State Budget Draft to Be Submitted to Cabinet on July 1
The 2026 State Budget Bill will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for consideration on July 1 and sent to the National Assembly later the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Galab Donev said on Bulgarian National Television on Thursday. The Finance Minister rejected claims t»»»
Truce brings no relief for displaced from Lebanon’s destroyed, occupied towns
BEIRUT: A long-awaited ceasefire has brought relative calm to Lebanon, but it hasn’t brought peace of mind to Hussein Merhi. He is among tens of thousands who remain displaced because their homes were destroyed in Israeli strikes or their hometowns fall within a swathe of the south occupied by Isra»»»
Why Slavic unity keeps failing: The dream that still haunts Europe
Are Slavs just meme people?According to a popular theory, there is a direct link between the ethnonym ‘Slav’ and the Greek word σκλάβος (sklabos), meaning ‘slave’. This has nothing to do with the Slavic character or will for independence but is rather a grim historical reminder: in Late Antiquity a»»»
Brand new, EUR 2 million water slides injured numerous visitors at one of Hungary's most popular resorts
Just days after their grand opening, a set of newly installed water slides at one of Hungary’s most popular spa resorts has come under scrutiny after several visitors reportedly suffered injuries, with some incidents requiring ambulance assistance. Several bathers injured after opening weekend The »»»
Military ceremony at Kasbah Square marks 70th anniversary of national army establishment
Tunis, June 25, 2026 (TAP) - An official military ceremony was held on Wednesday morning at Kasbah Square to raise the national flag, a symbol of the country's sovereignty and independence, as part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the...»»»
Gulf foreign ministers: Iran proxies, missiles must be addressed for lasting peace
MANAMA: The Gulf’s top diplomats said on Thursday that dealing with Iran’s proxies and missiles was key to lasting peace, and that any trade and investment with Tehran would be reversible and contingent on it respecting its deal with the US. “The Ministers further emphasized that lasting regional p»»»
Syrian engineers rehabilitate “XJ” strategic workover oil rig in central Syria oilfield
Homs, June.26 (SANA) Syrian engineering expertise managed to recommission the XJ workover rig in the central oilfields of Homs after completing a full rehabilitation using domestic engineering and technical expertise, the Syrian Ministry of Energy said on Thursday. Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad a»»»
Killers of 17-year-old French foster teen arrested after filming deadly attack
The brutal beating to death of a 17-year-old boy in France by a group of teenagers, described online as a “migrant gang,” has sparked public outrage across the country. The attack, which authorities have called an ambush, took place last Friday at a construction site in the southern city of Narbonn»»»
German lakeside beach refuses entry to non-German speakers, sparking political backlash
A controversial move by the operator of a lakeside beach in Germany to refuse entry to swimmers who do not sufficiently speak German has sparked a fierce political row. The dispute erupted after the privately run Heidebad nature pool in Halle in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt announced earlier »»»
UK politician convicted of child rape surrenders knighthood
Northern Ireland veteran politician Jeffrey Donaldson has said he will give up his knighthood and seat on the UK Privy Council after being convicted of rape and child abuse. On Monday, a jury found the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) guilty of 18 counts of sexual abuse, includi»»»
Israeli Military Reverses Decision to Leave 2 Areas in Southern Lebanon – Reports
DOHA (Sputnik) - The planned withdrawal of Israeli troops from two areas in southern Lebanon did not take place, a Lebanese military source told the Qatari television channel Al Araby on Thursday. Earlier on Thursday, Israeli news website I24 reported, citing a US source, that Israel started withdr»»»
Latin American zoos warn illegal wildlife trade is increasingly shifting to social media - UPI.com
The Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums warned the region's illegal wildlife trade is increasingly shifting to social media. File Photo by Attila Kovacs/EPA June 25 (UPI) -- The Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums on Thursday launched a regional campaign to combat illegal »»»
Classified SANS Report on Varna Illegal Construction Case Submitted to Parliament
There is a report by the State Agency for National Security (SANS) on the Varna illegal construction case and Ukrainian businessman Oleg Nevzorov, whose company, KYB, is linked to the project. The report has been submitted to the National Assembly's registry, said Rumen Milanov, chair of the Commit»»»
French soccer player drowns in the Rhone River as France swelters in a heat wave
PARIS: A 21-year-old French soccer player with a second-division club has died after drowning during the heat wave that has gripped France. Kenzo Kies, who played for the Guingamp reserve team, died after being pulled from the Rhone River this week. Both Guingamp and Saint-Etienne, where Kies spent»»»
Iran’s Ghalibaf rejects US claim that unfrozen assets will be spent on US goods
DUBAI: Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said on Thursday that the United States’ claims that Iran will spend its unfrozen assets to buy US agricultural products were false. “The US only exports GMO soybeans, broken promises and trash talks,” Ghalibaf said in a post on X. US »»»
Abu Dhabi announces Frank Gehry-designed performing arts center
DUBAI: A major performing arts center designed by the late architect Frank Gehry is to be built in the UAE, according to plans announced on Thursday. Dar Al-Funoon Abu Dhabi will provide a home for ballet, opera and theater, among other performances, and draw talent from across the region and aroun»»»
Lebanon cancels end-year high school exams over security concerns
Dubai: Lebanon has cancelled this year's official secondary school examinations, known as the baccalaureate, because of the country's deteriorating security situation, Education Minister Rima Karami said on Thursday. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Karami said all students registered for the nati»»»
Agritex 2026 agricultural exhibition opens in Damascus
Damascus, June 25 (SANA) The 24th edition of Agritex 2026, Syria’s international exhibition for agriculture and veterinary supplies, opened on Thursday at Damascus Fairgrounds, bringing together government officials and companies from Syria and across the region. Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwai»»»
Supreme Court rules that DHS can end TPS for Haitian, Syrian refugees - UPI.com
Police officers patrol a street after an attack on a public hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 2024. Armed individuals belonging to the Vivre Ensemble coalition attacked Port-au-Prince's General Hospital, killing at least two journalists and a policeman. File Photo by Johnson Sabin/EPA June 25 (»»»