Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) launched on Thursday the first edition of the School Fees Policy 2026 for private schools and kindergartens 2026, set to take effect from the 2027-2028 academic year. The new policy aims to establish a clear and unified regulatory »»»

RIYADH: “Esports World Cup: Level Up” returns for its second season on June 26, with all five episodes dropping that day exclusively on Prime Video. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker RJ Cutler — “Martha” (Netflix), “Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry” (Apple TV) — the five-part docuseries »»»

The Macedonia Foundation is calling off a 120-minute peaceful civil blockade of all three border crossings between Bulgaria and North Macedonia planned for June 21. The Foundation's President Viktor Stoyanov announced this on Thursday after earlier in the day Bulgaria's Ambassador in Skopje Zhelyaz»»»

Our weekly digest of Hungarian politics continues, as we report on the aftermath of April’s election and on the early days of the new Tisza government. This week we cover: A bill has been submitted to completely overhaul Hungary’s public media system. Layoffs have begun across the media empire link»»»

LONDON: The Saudi permanent representative to the UN on Thursday asked Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for her plan for the UN to resolve the Palestinian issue and bring peace to the region at a dialogue in New York. Rodrigues-Birkett announced her intention to stand as a candidate fo»»»

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has granted a 30-day grace period for individuals affected by exceptional regional circumstances to adjust their status in the country or depart without facing penalties. The grace period runs from June 10 to July 9, 2»»»

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas is accused of comparing Israel to South African apartheid. File Photo by Thomas Traasdahl/EPA June 18 (UPI) -- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced Thursday that he is cutting all contact with Kaja Kal»»»

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has granted a 30-day grace period for individuals affected by exceptional regional circumstances to adjust their status in the country or depart without facing penalties. The grace period runs from June 10 to July 9, 2»»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei confirmed on Thursday that he has given permission to sign a memorandum with the United States. "I, as a matter of principle, held a different view; however, out of the commitment that the esteemed president — as the head of the Supreme Nati»»»

Abidjan: Forward Elye Wahi will miss Ivory Coast's second World Cup match against Germany after he was denied a visa to enter Canada, the Ivorian football federation said on Thursday. "The administrative authorisations necessary for his entry into Canadian territory have not been obtained at this s»»»

BEIRUT: The head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, Mohammad Raad, said on Thursday that Israel’s war in Lebanon had “failed” to eliminate the Iran-backed group. Raad said in a statement that “the enemy’s war aimed at crushing the resistance in Lebanon has failed and will not achieve its objectives»»»

Berlin, June 18 (SANA) The Chargé d’Affaires of the Syrian Embassy in Berlin, Mohammad Baraa Shukri, participated on Thursday in a roundtable discussion entitled “The New Syria: Visions and Prospects for Trade Relations with German Companies,” held on the sidelines of the Arab-German Business Forum»»»

Washington, United States: The US on Thursday lifted a blockade of Iranian ports imposed during the Middle East war after President Donald Trump signed a deal to end the conflict, as uncertainty surrounded planned talks in Switzerland aiming to take the accord further. The signing of the deal by Tr»»»

WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance lashed out at Israeli critics of the Iran deal on Thursday, saying President Donald Trump is Israel’s only ally in a sharp rebuke that referenced the billions in US defense aid the country receives. As the Trump administration defended its deal to end the war »»»

Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, a presidential hopeful and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, unveiled a public security plan that includes chemical castration for convicted rapists and the construction of maximum-security prisons modeled after those implemented by Salvadoran President Nayib »»»

Bulgaria will veto the European Commission’s latest proposal to broaden sanctions against Russia unless Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill is removed from the proposed sanctions list, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Thursday. Radev spoke to Bulgarian journalists after arriving for a European Council»»»

WASHINGTON: The US government on Thursday announced sanctions against several Lebanese officials it said were aligned ‌with Hezbollah and ‌members of ‌the sanctioned ⁠Alaa Hassan Hamieh ⁠business network for obstructing Lebanon’s peace process and delaying the disarmament of Hezbollah. The ⁠US Trea»»»

Argentina is preparing to launch South America's first citizenship-by-investment program. File Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI | License Photo June 18 (UPI) -- Argentina is preparing to launch South America's first citizenship-by-investment program, an initiative that would allow foreign nationals to app»»»

Tunis, June 18 (TAP) - Professor Slim Laghmani has been elected judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the 2026–2035 term during elections held at UN headquarters in New York as part of the 36th Meeting of States Parties to...»»»

GUADALAJARA, Mexico: It’s number-crunching time when it comes to formations at the World Cup. Every team start with a goalkeeper in front of the net, but then it’s up to the 48 coaches to try to arrange their lineups to optimize their players and match up effectively with opponents. On paper, the l»»»

BEIRUT: The Palestine Football Association denied on Thursday issuing any statements or commentaries regarding the Football Association of Ireland’s decision to move its UEFA Nations League match against Israel to a neutral venue. A PFA statement on X said: “First and foremost, the PFA have not iss»»»

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced legislation Thursday that would give the public $1,000 annually for a 50% stake in the largest AI firms in the country. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 18 (UPI) -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced legislation Thursday that would give the»»»

Prime Minister Rumen Radev said he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels on Thursday on the sidelines of the European Council meeting. Radev arrived in Brussels to take part in the meeting of EU heads of state or government and spoke to Bulgarian journalists. Radev sai»»»

The UAE has extradited three wanted suspects by Belgian authorities on allegations of money laundering, drug trafficking and involvement in transnational organised crime, in a move both countries said underscored their commitment to international judicial cooperation. Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nu»»»

ROME: Saudi Transport Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said the contingency measures activated during the Iran crisis were the result of years of planning, and not reactive. “What we have been doing is not a reaction to what has happened,” Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said during a panel discussio»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that the 60-day time frame for US-Iran negotiations aimed at striking a final deal starts today. "I would say the 60-day period officially started today ... So, yes, the deal started yesterday, we're going to start the 60-day clock »»»

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received on Thursday a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping in which the Chinese leader noted that he attached great significance to development of Sino-Serbian relations and that, during Vucic's recent visit to China, he had been impressed by the S»»»

On Thursday, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, denounced international calls for denuclearization, describing the country's nuclear weapons as its "core interests." File Photo Jorge Silva/EPA June 18 (UPI) -- The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday »»»

Peruvian President José María Balcázar confirmed Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV will visit Peru during the first half of November. File Photo by Jose Sena Goulao/EPA June 18 (UPI) -- Peruvian President José María Balcázar confirmed Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV will visit Peru during the first half of N»»»

The EU’s latest Russia sanctions package proposal includes counter-productive measures that could backfire on its own member states, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova has said. The government of Ukraine-skeptic Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who assumed office in May, are reportedly “diggin»»»

TORONTO: Egypt midfielder Emam Ashour scored the fastest goal in the first round of group-stage games at 2026 FIFA World Cup. Data captured by the “Connected Ball” technology inside the official Adidas tournament ball revealed that his strike against Belgium reached a speed of 123.4 kph, surpassing»»»

LOS ANGELES: Mexico and South Korea will aim to punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday when they meet in Guadalajara knowing a win would guarantee a last 32 berth. The Group A rivals head into the fixture at the Estadio Akron fresh from respective victories over South Afric»»»

WASHINGTON: Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the US Navy has allowed more than a dozen ships through to Iranian ports, lifting a blockade as part of an agreement to end the war. Vance made the announcement at a White House press briefing, where he said more oil is now flowing through the »»»

Morristown, United States: Neymar will not travel with the Brazil squad for Friday's second World Cup group game against Haiti as he continues his recovery from a calf injury. The 34-year-old has only returned to training with the national team this week and missed the five-time World Cup winners' »»»

TBILISI - Deputy Chief of Serbian Armed Forces General Staff Lt Gen Tiosav Jankovic attended a South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) deputy chiefs of defence meeting in Tbilisi on Thursday. "At the regular annual meeting of this regional initiative, the implementation of agreed activities»»»

As the Strait of Hormuz reopens and talks between the US and Iran start up again, how are Gulf states emerging from the Middle East war? Previously thought of as the safe haven of the Middle East, the surprise US-Israeli attack on Iran has left them reeling, and triggered a search to diversify defe»»»

RIYADH: The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and other Muslim and Arab countries condemned continued and escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Thursday. The foreign ministers of the Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia,»»»

A wide range of premium mango varieties grown in Sharjah's Eastern Region will take centre stage later this month at the fifth edition of Khorfakkan Mango Festival, an event aimed at promoting local agriculture, tourism and food security. The three-day festival, which will begin on June 26 at Expo »»»

French President Emmanuel Macron courted his US counterpart Donald Trump at the G7 on Wednesday by opening the gilded gates of Versailles, a move that underscored his trademark blend of symbolism and diplomacy. While allies hailed the summit's success, analysts said Macron still faces the challenge»»»

BELGRADE – A total 2,416 construction permits were issued in Serbia in April, which was a 4.3 pct increase relative to the same month of last year. According to figures released by the national statistical office RZS, 82.4 pct of the total permits were issued for buildings, while other structures m»»»

Air Arabia will launch daily non-stop flights between Sharjah and the Syrian city of Aleppo from July 4, the low-cost carrier said on Thursday, expanding its operations in Syria and strengthening air links between the two countries. The new daily service will provide passengers with greater travel »»»

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 »»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

On the sidelines of the MIPIF International Luxury Real Estate Exhibition in Moscow, and in conjunction with the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, one of the world’s largest economic forums, Adel Al-Mari, chairman of Darco Real Estate, and Dr. Omar Al-Qahtani, board member and chief exec»»»

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»»»

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»»»