The French Prime Minister along with a retinue of officials has arrived in Morocco. The choice for his first overseas trip is significant - as Paris looks to turn a diplomatic rapprochement into a broader strategic partnership with Rabat. If all goes well - Morocco's Mohammed VI could potentially v»»»

PARIS: France briefly considered acquiring the controversial Israeli-made Pegasus spyware from mid-2019 during a period when Morocco was trying to use it to spy on French ministers, a journalistic investigation said Thursday. An investigation by a consortium of media led by Forbidden Stories first »»»

RABAT: France ​and Morocco are seeking expressions of ‌interest ‌for ​an ‌electricity ⁠interconnection project ​between the ⁠two countries as part ⁠of ‌broader ‌efforts ​to strengthen energy ‌connections ‌between Europe and ‌North Africa, French Prime Minister ⁠Sébastien ⁠Lecornu said in Rabat.»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a phone call on Thursday from His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco, during which His Majesty expressed his sincere condolences on the passing of His Highness the late Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin »»»

Wizz Air is marking two decades of operations in Romania with an expanded fleet, a 50 percent market share, and plans to offer approximately 18 million seats on the local market in 2026. The airline is now prioritising higher frequencies and greater network resilience, while preparing additional ro»»»

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is set to visit Morocco on July 16 in an effort to strengthen ties between Paris and Rabat, whether it is for trade or defence. But as the visit starts, an investigation has revealed that Morocco has used Israeli spyware to spy on several French ministers, in»»»

PRESS REVIEW - Thursday, July 7: we look into new revelations on the Moroccan surveillance apparatus, five years after the first wave of the Pegasus spyware scandal. In other news, support for Israel is floundering on both sides of the political spectrum in Washington ahead of Israeli prime Ministe»»»

Washington: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that he is rolling out a new screening programme for “testosterone deficiency” among troops, calling it necessary to allow them to operate at their “absolute best.” The screenings will be conducted annually as part of service members»»»

WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that he is rolling out a new screening program for “testosterone deficiency” among troops, calling it necessary to allow them to operate at their “absolute best.” The screenings will be conducted annually as part of service members’ req»»»

NEW YORK CITY: For one afternoon, the corridors of the UN traded the vocabulary of resolutions and official statements for the international language of football. The World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England was showing on two large screens in the delegates lounge on Wednesday, distracting»»»

Nais, an employee benefits and engagement platform used by about 200,000 people at more than 200 companies, argues that motivation depends on more than financial perks. Gallup data show that only 7% of Polish employees feel engaged at work, compared with a 21% global average. Nais offers access to »»»

DUBAI: Two Saudi feature film projects have been selected for the 44th Sud Ecriture International Workshop in partnership with the Red Sea Fund. The script development program supports emerging filmmakers from Africa and the Arab world as they develop their first or second feature films. Since its »»»

Mongolia on July 14 marked the first World Horse Day with a spectacular celebration that drew 12,600 riders. Billed as the “Parade of Ten Thousand Horses”, it was organised in the traditional Mongolian military formation of Zuut (hundreds), official news agency Montsame reported. Tough Mongolian h»»»

CAIRO: An Israeli airstrike killed a man, his wife and their six-year-old daughter in the Gaza ​Strip on Wednesday, Palestinian health officials said as talks to advance the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal faltered. The strike on an apartment building in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza killed Omar Ab»»»

Madrid: Thousands of people who travel every day between the southern tip of Spain and the British territory of Gibraltar will no longer have to cross a physical border, beginning on Wednesday. The official opening at midnight on Tuesday — after a border fence was fully removed — allows a new freed»»»

Ashraf Siddiqui Doha The former ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the State of Qatar, Foday Malang, in a condolence message to Qatar Tribune, expressed profound sorrow over the passing of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Malang, who served until recently in »»»

DAKAR: Former Senegalese ‌President Macky Sall will travel to Senegal on Friday, his first public visit to the country since ​leaving office as he campaigns for the post of UN secretary-general. Sall remains a divisive figure in Senegal following his unsuccessful attempt to postpone the 2024 presid»»»

DAKAR: Senegal’s ‌team doctor lacked the specialist background needed to support the squad during the World Cup in North America, the president of the country’s football federation said on Monday, as the governing body took stock of a disappointing campaign. The team doctor was “trained as a gynaec»»»

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s suggestion that the World Cup could eventually expand to 64 teams has reignited one of football’s biggest debates. Critics argue that another expansion would dilute the competition, weaken the qualifying process and create major logistical challenges for host natio»»»

Doha, Qatar: While nations battle for World Cup glory, Europe’s biggest clubs have quietly staged a contest of their own in North America. From goals that have decided knockout ties to assists that have unlocked stubborn defences, players from a handful of elite clubs have left the biggest mark on »»»

Doha, Qatar: France’s bid for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup final faces its toughest challenge today when the two-time champions meet reigning European champions Spain in a blockbuster semi-final in Dallas, with Argentina or England awaiting the winners in Sunday’s final. France have lived up »»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in coordination with the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau, has invited private sector companies across Qatar to participate in the “Business Environment Challenges Submission Form” through the “Sharek” platform, as part of on»»»

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva has sent an opinion to National Assembly Chair Mihaila Dotsova and the Chair of the Education and Science Committee, Dimitar Zdravkov, regarding the bill to amend and supplement the Preschool and School Education Act, the Ombudsman's press office said. In her opinion, D»»»

Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali arrived in Doha on Monday to offer condolences on the passing of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Ethiopian prime minister and the accompanying delegation were received upon arrival at Hamad In»»»

Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali arrived in Doha on Monday to offer condolences on the passing of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Ethiopian prime minister and the accompanying delegation were received upon arrival at Hamad In»»»

First, the European Parliament calls on EU member states to officially designate Sudan's Rapid Support Forces as a terrorist organisation. Then, Kenya's Rastafarian community awaits a High Court ruling on the legalisation of marijuana. And finally, Morocco is still reeling from its 2–0 defeat to Fr»»»

RABAT: A prominent Moroccan journalist and critic of the kingdom’s government was set to appear before a prosecutor on Monday for “spreading false information” after his arrest upon return to the country from Spain, his wife told AFP. Ali Lmrabet, 66, is a leading figure in Morocco’s independent pr»»»

DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met on Monday evening at Lusail Palace with Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco HE Aziz Akhannouch, who offered condolences on the passing of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Also present»»»

Atlanta: Lionel Messi's brilliance has helped carry Argentina into a blockbuster World Cup semi-final with England in Atlanta on Wednesday. But the defending champions' journey to the last four has been engulfed by online conspiracy theories claiming -- without evidence -- that the playing field ha»»»

DUBAI: FIFA, the governing body of world football, is exploring the possibility of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 event that will be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, the association’s president, Gianni Infantino, has confirmed. The ongoing 2026 finals were the first to featu»»»

Sharjah: The Sharjah Academy for Police Sciences has launched the sixth edition of its Scientific Research Award, offering a total prize fund of Dh600,000 to encourage innovative research that supports security institutions and addresses future challenges. The award covers key areas including artif»»»

​The Saudi national team’s elimination at the group stage of the 2026 World Cup — and their failure to defeat Cape Verde — was not surprising at all. Argentina struggled against them, and Spain and Uruguay were unable to defeat them. Perhaps the problem lies with the team or elsewhere, but I rule o»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met on Monday evening at Lusail Palace with HE Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco Aziz Akhannouch, who offered condolences on the passing of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Also present were HH the Deputy Amir »»»

RIYADH: Middle East and North Africa venture funding showed signs of deeper stress in the first half of 2026, with startup investment falling 22 percent year on year to $1.35 billion while deal count dropped 41 percent to 214 transactions, the lowest half-year total since at least 2022, according t»»»

There's a new buzz around campus as the UAE's first native swarm of bees has found a home at Deira International School (DIS). DIS has become the first school in Dubai to join Terra Expo City Dubai's Hundred Hives initiative, bringing a working beehive onto campus and giving thousands of students a»»»

RIYADH: The journey may have ended for all eight Arab nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the tournament will remain ingrained in the memories of Arab fans who supported each nation as one of their own. The JAX District Coca-Cola Fan Zone has been one of the prime spots to watch the World Cup i»»»

China has further consolidated its position at the pinnacle of global banking, with seven Chinese lenders occupying the world’s top 10 positions by Tier 1 capital, including the world’s four largest banks, according to The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks 2026. Compiled annually by The Banker, a Finan»»»

AMMAN — The Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) has welcomed the signing of a letter of intent between the government, represented by the Ministry of Labour, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to launch a technical cooperation programme that supports and promotes decent work in the garmen»»»

Karachi: Pakistani psychiatrist Dr Ayesha I. Mian has been elected president of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) for the 2026-2030 term, becoming the first Pakistani and the first South Asian to head the global organisation since it »»»

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has sent teams of gifted students to represent the Kingdom at two of the world’s most prestigious science competitions this month as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in international academic Olympiads. The Saudi biology team is competing in the International »»»

DUBAI: Watermelon Pictures is conitinuing promotion of hard-hitting films on Palestine, taking to social media this week to share the news that “American Doctor” will be released in US cinemas in August. “From Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Poh Si Teng, ‘American Doctor’ follows t»»»

Rafha: The Omani troupe presented traditional and folkloric performances at the Rafha Shopping and Entertainment Festival’s open-air theater in King Fahd Park, attracting a large audience. Troupe leader Nasser Saif Al-Mazrouei expressed his pleasure at participating in festivals across the Kingdom,»»»

Egypt's Giza Plateau- Pyramids Orascom Pyramids Entertainment, owned by billionaire Naguib Sawiris, is increasing its investment in ancient Egyptian archaeological sites by a third, betting on sporting events and pop concerts by stars like Shakira to help propel tourism to new heights. The new inve»»»

Doha, Qatar: Spain head into FIFA World Cup semi-final against France with growing confidence after their dramatic victory over Belgium, convinced they have what it takes to stop the tournament favourites. Luis de la Fuente’s side booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 win over Belgium on F»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Labour, represented by the Qualifying and Skills Development Department, has launched the “Maharat 2026” Summer Training Programme in cooperation with a number of private sector partners. The programme, one of the Ministry’s human capital development initiatives, is des»»»

JERUSALEM: In spite of the ongoing risk of renewed fighting in Gaza, stakeholders have spent months preparing for the post-war phase. Plans for governance, security and humanitarian relief have begun to take shape, but remain largely theoretical in the absence of a political agreement, credible sec»»»

RIYADH: Investment momentum in the Middle East and North Africa region continued its steady trend in June, with 41 startups collectively raising $148.2 million, representing an annual rise of 190 percent. According to Wamda data, startup investments over the month declined by 76 percent compared to»»»

LONDON: The main focus of the two-day NATO summit in Ankara this week was, overwhelmingly, the alliance’s renewed pledge of “unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” backed by additional military equipment and training. There was also a renew»»»

Egypt’s Minister of Industry, Khaled Hashem, began a field tour of El Mahalla El Kubra—one of the country’s largest industrial hubs—with a visit to the Misr Spinning and Weaving Company complex, reaffirming the government’s commitment to modernising the textile sector, strengthening domestic manufa»»»

JOHANNESBURG: When four-time World Cup winners Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament, then head coach Gennaro Gattuso lamented that Africa had so many places at the global showcase. “Africa deserves fewer World Cup slots,” he said, referring to the number of automatic qualifying places al»»»