PERA: Tax-free, state-backed retirement account OFWs can use to secure their future
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. »»»
Syria seizes advanced weapons that were bound for Lebanon’s Hezbollah – Ya Libnan
Share: File photo of Hezbollah flag: Several countries designated Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed, Lebanon-based militia , as a “terrorist” organization.The designation covers the entirety of the group, both the political and military wings . Syrian authorities say they intercepted a shipment includi»»»
Rain, fog and dust ahead: Here's what to expect from the UAE weather over the next four days
Abu Dhabi: The UAE is set for unsettled weather over the coming days, with the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasting a chance of rain in eastern and southern areas, humid nights, early morning fog and occasional dusty conditions. The NCM said Friday's weather will be partly cloudy to clo»»»
Why Dubai's domestic worker platform is getting global attention
Dubai: The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai has been recognised for its “Domestic Workers Management” initiative, which won the Best Digital City Experience award under the Hamdan bin Mohammed Programme for Government Services. Get updated faster and for FREE: Do»»»
Hazardous Canadian wildfire smoke choking millions in US
NEW YORK: The Manhattan skyline was obscured by thick haze and Chicago closed its beaches Thursday as out-of-control Canadian wildfires raged, sending smoke spewing into the United States and exposing millions of people to dangerously unhealthy air.US states near the Canadian border including Minne»»»
US strikes expand toward Tehran as Iran fires missiles, drones at regional allies
DUBAI: Bahrain and Kuwait faced incoming Iranian fire early Friday as US airstrikes expanded to target more bridges in the Islamic Republic.Both countries, which host US forces, have faced repeated rounds of fire in recent days as an interim deal to try to end the Iran war has collapsed over fighti»»»
ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say
AUGUSTA, Maine: The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week is an Army veteran who has struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood and never should have been given a badge and gun to patrol American streets, several of his close »»»
The future of national prosperity begins with family wellbeing
The global competition for talent is entering a new phase. While countries will continue to invest in infrastructure, innovation and technology, these are no longer the only factors shaping where people choose to build their lives. For many professionals, particularly those raising young families, »»»
ICC confirms charges against ex-Libyan prison boss
A former Libyan prison boss dubbed the "Angel of Death" will stand trial at the International Criminal Court for 17 counts of crimes including murder, rape, and torture after judges confirmed the charges Thursday. ICC prosecutors believe Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, 48, was a "notorious torturer" »»»
Army integrating new handheld device to quickly assess brain injuries - UPI.com
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bradley Dengler, the neurosurgery consultant to the Army Surgeon General, with Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, shows Col. Jessica Peck, the command surgeon for 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, how to use the i-Stat Alinity at LRMC, Germany on May 21. The device is a »»»
WHO warns DR Congo Ebola outbreak outpacing response as cases top 2,200
GENEVA: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has become the third largest on record and is spreading faster than any previous one during the first month of exposure, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Thursday. Get updated faster and for FREE: Down»»»
US announces visa restrictions targeting foreign nationals linked to 'far-left terrorist' networks
Washington DC: The United States Department of State on Thursday (local time) announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals accused of supporting, financing, recruiting for, or facilitating activities linked to far-left terrorist and aligned groups. US Secretary of State Marco»»»
Macron pledges 'zero tolerance' for arson after spate of fires in France
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday pledged "zero tolerance" for arson after wildfires scorched thousands of hectares in France, including in a historic forest near Paris. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click hereDozens of people have been arrested»»»
AP Exclusive: ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say
AUGUSTA, Maine: The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week is an Army veteran who has struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood and never should have been given a badge and gun to patrol American streets, several of his close »»»
SpaceX Starship launch aborted on the pad at the last moment
SpaceX’s mega Starship rocket came within a second or so from blasting off on a test flight Thursday but some of the engines failed to start, triggering a launch abort. Elon Musk's company said it will have to figure out what went wrong before making another attempt to send Starship on a space-skim»»»
China overtakes US in global favorability – Pew
China and President Xi Jinping are now viewed more favorably than the US and Donald Trump across most of the world, a new Pew Research Center survey spanning six continents has found. Pew says China enjoys a more positive image than the US in 25 of the 36 countries and territories surveyed, includi»»»
US strike reportedly destroys key bridge near Bandar Abbas, blasts heard near Iranshahr Airport as conflict with Iran escalates
A US military strike reportedly destroyed a key road bridge near Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas, severing a major transportation link across the Shur River, according to reports circulating on social media and regional monitoring accounts. The reports claimed the bridge, which connects B»»»
House Republicans' $95 billion Iran war package clears first hurdle
WASHINGTON: Republicans on the House Budget Committee advanced a $95-billion package late on Thursday for the Iran war, farm aid and President Donald Trump's push for strict new voter ID requirements, moving forward on a party-line vote despite trouble in the full House — and the Senate. Get update»»»
Brazil calls Trump’s 25% tariff unjust and vows to impose reciprocal tariffs
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil has described the latest US tariffs on certain Brazilian imports as unjust and politically motivated, threatening Thursday to impose reciprocal measures on US products. The country's top diplomat criticised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the move. Get — updated faster »»»
Thick, hazardous wildfire smoke spreads from Great Lakes to East Coast - UPI.com
Smoke from wildfires in Canada drop hazy skies on the Manhattan skyline on Thursday in New York City. All of New York State and parts of New Jersey were under an Air Quality Advisory due to the smoke from more than 100 wildfires burning in Canada. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 16»»»
US Marines storm Iranian-linked tanker in dramatic Gulf boarding — 'steel wall' blockade in action
US Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a verification boarding of the tanker M/T Wen Yao on Wednesday as American forces enforced a naval blockade in waters near the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command said. Get — updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - »»»
How high-stakes impeachment case could reshape Philippines: Democracy on trial
As the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte enters its next phase, the proceedings have evolved into something larger than a legal contest over alleged misconduct. They have become a test of the Philippines' constitutional system — its checks and balances, the resilience of its democrat»»»
The mission after space: Prince Sultan’s journey into Saudi heritage
RIYADH: While most people know Prince Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud as the first Arab and Muslim astronaut to travel into space, the years that followed were devoted to a different mission: reviving Saudi Arabia’s heritage and documenting the people whose lives helped shape the Kingdom’s history throug»»»
Iran warns ‘entire region will pay the price’ as US bombs bridges (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
The US has launched yet another round of overnight strikes, reportedly hitting civilian infrastructure, including several bridges across Iran, as Tehran warned that any further escalation would have consequences for the entire region. US Central Command announced its sixth consecutive night of stri»»»
US forces board ship to ensure ‘compliance’ with Iran blockade
WASHINGTON: American forces boarded a ship in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday as part of the renewed blockade of Iran’s ports that began earlier this week, the US military said.US Marines boarded the M/T Wen Yao “to ensure full compliance with the ongoing US naval blockade,” US Central Command (CENTCO»»»
Vets bill shelved after backlash against sleep apnea, tinnitus cuts - UPI.com
A major bill funding veterans benefits was pulled from House floor Thursday after a backlash against its cuts to coverage for sleep apnea and tinnitus. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. House leadership on Thursday shelved a comprehensive veterans' benefits bil»»»
India-UK trade pact takes effect, cut tariffs, boosts services firms
Agencies New Delhi India and Britain’s trade pact took effect on Wednesday, cutting tariffs on thousands of goods and expanding market access for services firms and professionals in both countries. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement gives Indian exporters duty-free access to mo»»»
Passing of Father Amir a loss to international community, says UNESCO Executive Board boss
QNA Paris Chairperson of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Permanent Representative of Qatar to UNESCO Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al Hinzab has described the passing of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, may Allah h»»»
Why the mystery of Egypt’s pyramids still refuses to be solved
LONDON: When a team of Egyptian archaeologists revealed details last month of excavations at an ancient burial ground on the east bank of the Nile, there was the usual flurry of international media excitement at the prospect of yet another breakthrough in our understanding of how the great pyramids»»»
Taiwan chipmaker TSMC to invest another $100b in Arizona fabs
TAIPEI — Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC will invest an additional $100 billion in the US state of Arizona, the company said Thursday, as it reported a record quarterly net profit on the back of massive demand for AI hardware.TSMC, the biggest contract maker of microchips used in everything from Apple pho»»»
Ebola 'spreading faster than any previous outbreak' in DR Congo, WHO warns
The World Health Organization on Thursday warned that the Ebola virus is spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo faster than during any previous outbreak, with more than 2,000 confirmed cases and 796 deaths recorded in just two months. Health officials say the rapid spread, lack of »»»
Syrian authorities seize another 200,000 captagon pills
LONDON: Authorities in Syria seized a further 200,000 captagon pills on Thursday. They were confiscated by the country’s Drug Enforcement Administration during a raid on a criminal network in the southern province of Daraa, along the border with Jordan. Six balloons used to smuggle drugs across the»»»
Climate action has an implementation challenge
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 »»»
Bitter row splits Ukraine's military leadership after defence minister ousted
Ukraine's ousted defence minister directed stunning public criticism at the army's top commander on Thursday, forcing President Volodymyr Zelensky to call for unity amid signs of an emerging split in the military's top ranks. Large protests erupted in several Ukrainian cities against the removal of»»»
Pele’s World Cup jersey fetches $4.9m at US auction
NEW YORK: A jersey worn by soccer giant Pele in the first World Cup final ever won by Brazil sold for $4.9 million at a US auction on Thursday. The Brazilian attacker nicknamed “The King” was 17 when he scored two goals in his country’s 5-2 victory over host country Sweden in 1958. The blue shirt b»»»
Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense intercepts 32 drones
Kuwait: Kuwait's Ministry of Defense announced that the country's armed forces detected 32 hostile drones inside Kuwaiti airspace since dawn today and successfully intercepted and engaged them. In a press statement, Spokesman for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense Col. Saud Al Atwan said the Iranian a»»»
How nature could inspire AI’s next breakthrough
RIYADH: For years, the race in artificial intelligence has been driven by scale, with companies building ever-larger models trained on vast datasets. But researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology believe the next leap forward may come not from making AI bigger, but from lear»»»
Climate action has an implementation challenge
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 »»»
Signs of bird strike in wreckage of deadly NY chopper crash: investigators
NEW YORK: The wreckage of a New York sightseeing helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River, killing six people, showed signs of a bird strike, investigators said on Thursday. A senior Spanish business executive, his wife and three children died along with the pilot when the helicopter malfuncti»»»
Debutant Suber leads Open with stunning 65, solid start for Scheffler
SOUTHPORT, England: Debutant Jackson Suber led The Open with a stunning five-under opening round of 65 on Thursday as fellow Americans reigning champion Scottie Scheffler and big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau also made their mark. England’s Dan Brown and South Korea’s Im Sung-jae had shared the lead a»»»
Houthi escalation threatens Yemen’s imports, deepens humanitarian crisis
ADEN: Concerns are mounting over a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen as renewed military escalation by the Houthis coincides with the fallout from the resumption of the war involving Iran, which has begun to disrupt trade flows and commodity supplies to the country. At the same time, the Unite»»»
FDA approves first pill to significantly lower 'bad' cholesterol - UPI.com
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the anti-cholesterol pill Lipfendra for use in the United States. Backers say its ability to lower bad "LDL-C" cholesterol with just a pill is a breakthrough in the field. Photo courtesy of Merck & Co. July 16 (UPI) -- Heralding what some are ca»»»
Trump to attend World Cup final on Sunday: White House
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, the White House said, saving his first appearance at the tournament for its grand finale. “His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in Am»»»
Trump suspends teleprompter operator over betting allegations
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has suspended a teleprompter operator over allegations he placed bets with a prediction market on the content of Trump’s speeches, the White House said Thursday. Gabriel Perez allegedly made more than $100,000 with bets placed on the prediction market Kalshi ab»»»
Syria seizes advanced weapons shipment on border with Iraq
Damascus: The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced on Thursday that it had foiled an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of advanced weapons from Iraq and seized the shipment before it entered Syrian territory. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the operation led to the seizure of we»»»
June retail sales weaker than expected despite World Cup, Prime Day - UPI.com
June retail sales were slower than expected despite the tourism boost added by the World Cup. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 16 (UPI) -- U.S. retail spending was weaker than expected while tourists from around the world came to the country for the World Cup. Retail sales rose»»»
Forecasts for apartments worrying
Poland’s housing market outlook for the second half of the year will depend largely on who buys homes. If demand is driven by buyers in their 30s and 40s seeking affordable housing, developers are expected to add lower-priced projects, keeping annual price growth near inflation at 2–4%. This is con»»»
Potential investor signs list regarding Roma Tower
BBI Development’s affiliate Realty 4 Management and Liebrecht & wooD have signed a letter with a potential new investor for Warsaw’s planned Roma Tower. The investor has exclusive negotiating rights until September 30, 2026, while due diligence and possible financing terms are discussed. The nonbin»»»
Rental Market Institute: market operates on lack of information, unwritten rules, limited trust
Poland’s new Rental Market Institute aims to bring reliable data, standards and greater transparency to a sector still shaped by fragmented information and limited trust. Its second-quarter survey shows that landlords and tenants face different but related concerns. Nearly 78% of experts identify w»»»