MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia has launched the pilot phase of its new Tourism Package Visa, allowing visitors to obtain an electronic visa as part of a single package that includes flights, accommodation and insurance booked through authorized travel providers. The initiative, introduced by the Ministry of »»»

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hands President Donald Trump the FIFA World Cup trophy after announcing the 2026 World Cup draw in the White House. File Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo July 17 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Friday told FIFA officials they should pick the United St»»»

DAKAR: Senegal’s ex-president Macky Sall, who is campaigning to become the next UN secretary-general, held a meeting in Dakar Friday with his successor, a visit criticized by the former leader’s detractors. The trip marked the first time that Sall, who led the nation between 2012 and 2024, has retu»»»

RABAT: France and Morocco moved on Thursday to strengthen a renewed partnership that has flourished over the past two years, with French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu hailing “exceptionally positive” ties in Rabat. But the high-level visit came as a media consortium published fresh reports that »»»

RABAT: France and Morocco moved on Thursday to strengthen a renewed partnership that has flourished over the past two years, with French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu hailing “exceptionally positive” ties in Rabat. But the high-level visit came as a media consortium published fresh reports that »»»

NEW YORK: Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino is weighing ‌whether to coach the United States Men’s National Team for the next four years, which would include the 2030 World Cup hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Pochettino has been engaged in contract talks to stay with the USMNT side that reached»»»

BARCELONA: Almost two decades ago, photographer Joan Monfort didn’t think much of his photo shoot of a teenage Lionel Messi bathing a cute baby boy in a plastic bathtub. Not until the remarkable twist of fate became clear years later, when that infant blossomed into Lamine Yamal. Now those images o»»»

The Grand Mosque of Paris, built in 1926 in the Latin Quarter as a tribute to Muslim soldiers who died for France during World War I, marks its 100th anniversary this year. French historian Benjamin Stora traces its little-known role as a geopolitical bridge – not only between France and Alger»»»

WASHINGTON: The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday will be refereed by Slavko Vinčić of Slovenia, two years after he was in charge of a Champions League final. FIFA announced the pick late Thursday. It’s the second straight World Cup final where Argentina, now the defending champ»»»

The European Union's renewed drive to expand eastwards could face its biggest political obstacle yet if French far-right leader Marine Le Pen wins the 2027 presidential election, potentially derailing accession hopes for Ukraine and the Western Balkans at one of the most critical moments in the blo»»»

"Football is the most important of the less important things in the world." Those are the words of one of the most successful coaches in the history of football, Carlo Ancelotti. My fingernails, lack of sleep and heightened blood pressure are all evidence that Brazil’s current manager has a point. »»»

East Rutherford: Master will take on apprentice when Spain coach Luis de la Fuente lines up against his former student, Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni, in the World Cup final on Sunday. Nine years ago, Scaloni was just another former professional player pursuing a career in coaching, studying for his p»»»

Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a new policy Thursday to impose visa restrictions against far-left terrorists. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 16 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a new policy to impose visa restrictions on alleged far-left terrorists, as t»»»

If you’re an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), you've probably spent years making sacrifices so your family can have a better future. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click hereMany OFWs hope their savings, investments or pension will be enough for retirement. »»»

The world is not on track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Not because ambition is lacking or the science is unclear. We have the evidence and the solutions. We also have an increasingly clear understanding of the problem and the consequences of inaction. The challenge lies elsewhere. Too »»»

The world is not on track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Not because ambition is lacking or the science is unclear. We have the evidence and the solutions. We also have an increasingly clear understanding of the problem and the consequences of inaction. The challenge lies elsewhere. Too »»»

France briefly explored acquiring the controversial Pegasus spyware in 2019, according to media investigations, even as Morocco was allegedly using the Israeli-made surveillance tool to target French ministers. The report claims President Emmanuel Macron ultimately rejected the purchase to avoid re»»»

France and Morocco moved on Thursday to strengthen a renewed partnership that has flourished over the past two years, with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu hailing their "exceptionally positive" ties in Rabat. Lecornu praised the diplomatic advances Paris and Rabat have achieved since Presid»»»

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»»»