Indians turn back to medieval stepwells as water runs low
NEW DELHI: Once a community gathering space, the Bansilalpet stepwell in Secunderabad had for decades been reduced to a neighborhood dumping ground. Only a few years ago, an urban restoration initiative revived its 18th-century glory, drawing attention to India’s traditional water systems and their»»»
An ancient oak tree said to have sheltered legendary Robin Hood has died
LONDON: A massive ancient oak tree linked to the legend of Robin Hood may have been loved to death. The 1,200-year-old Major Oak in Sherwood Forest is believed to have died after it didn’t sprout leaves this spring, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said Thursday. Visitors over the past»»»
Parliament Approves at Second Reading Bill to Raise Bulgaria's Debt Ceiling by EUR 3.8 Bln
Until the adoption of the 2026 State Budget Act, the Council of Ministers may incur new state debt of up to EUR 3.8 billion to finance the budget deficit, including refinancing under Bulgaria's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Parliament decided on Thursday by adopting at second reading amend»»»
Foreign Ministry: Bulgaria, Australia Reaffirm Commitment to Deepen Bilateral Cooperation
Bulgaria's Deputy Foreign Minister Hristo Polendakov received Australia's Athens-based Ambassador to Bulgaria, Alison Duncan, on June 17, the Ministry said on Thursday. The sides reaffirmed the excellent state of bilateral relations, founded on shared values and common interests. They also noted th»»»
Hungarian universities slip down the latest QS World University Rankings, only one improves
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, one of the most widely recognised higher education league tables globally, has published its latest rankings for 2027. Ten Hungarian universities were included in this year’s list, but the results reveal a challenging year for the country’s h»»»
DIFC gives firms 30 days to respond to new AI data rules
Dubai: Dubai International Financial Centre has opened a 30-day public consultation on proposed changes to its Data Protection Regulations, with the amendments aimed at strengthening rules around personal data, artificial intelligence systems and governance standards. Sign up for our daily business»»»
Hezbollah Military Media Releases Footage Displaying Drone Attack on Israeli Vehicle in Majdal Zoun, South Lebanon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hezbollah Military Media Releases Footage Displaying Drone Attack on Israeli Vehicle in Majdal Zoun, South Lebanon 18-06-2026 14:25 PM Hezb»»»
Aoun says Israeli war disrupted reforms
President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that the latest war has disrupted the economic, financial, administrative, and judicial reforms in Lebanon. "Lebanon does not need financial aid but investments," he said.»»»
Sharjah Civil Defence introduces rapid-response bikes for faster emergency action
Sharjah: The Sharjah Civil Defence Authority has strengthened its emergency response capabilities with the deployment of advanced rapid intervention motorcycles designed to reach incident sites faster, particularly in congested areas, narrow streets and large public events where conventional fire e»»»
Deputy PM Pekanov Calls for Preserving EU Cohesion Policy
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov Thursday called preserving the European Union's cohesion policy. Speaking during a National Meeting of Local and Central Executive Authorities in Sofia, organized by the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB), he sai»»»
Israeli officials refuse Lebanon concessions, say 'Israel is the loser' in US-Iran deal
Israeli officials have described the emerging Washington-Tehran deal as a deeply disappointing and problematic development that falls far short of Israel’s strategic goals. "This is not what we hoped for," defense officials told Israeli Ynetnews. According to these sources, the Israeli military is »»»
Video Shows Pakistan PM Signing US-Iran MoU
Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif signed on Thursday the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (Islamabad MoU)، as mediator. The Islamabad MOU has been signed by President of USA Donald J. Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Source: Al-Manar English Website»»»
Recycling rare earths in Germany to reduce China dependence
Karl HarenbrockEurope is seeking to reduce reliance on China for rare earths. New recycling technologies aim to make the EU more self-sufficient by recovering key materials from used magnets, which can support EV growth and a circular economy. https://p.dw.com/p/5FXLCAdvertisementRare earth element»»»
Indian teen dies trying to save mother in New York carriage tragedy
NEW YORK: An 18-year-old Indian tourist died after leaping from a runaway horse-drawn carriage to help his mother when she was thrown from the vehicle during a family visit to New York City's Central Park. Romanch Mahajan was on his first trip to New York with his parents and younger brother when t»»»
India: Tiny bees hiding homes could save our food supply
Catherine Gilon | Aditi RajagopalIn Puducherry, India, stingless bees nest in unlikely places. Native pollinators like these could decide the future of our food and our survival. https://p.dw.com/p/5FDDQAdvertisementBehind every fruit and vegetable is an invisible workforce: An army of pollinators.»»»
Vucic: US withhold release order for Zijin Copper products bad news for Serbia
BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday a withhold release order issued by US Customs and Border Protection for copper and copper products made by Serbia Zijin Copper LLC was bad news for Serbia and that talks were underway with the US side to solve the problem. "Evidently, i»»»
Qatar affirms importance of enhancing women's participation in peace and security efforts
Geneva: The State of Qatar reaffirmed the importance of enhancing women's participation in peace and security efforts, stressing that women are a fundamental pillar in achieving sustainable peace and building more stable and prosperous societies. This came in a statement delivered by HE Permanent R»»»
Trump demanded unconditional surrender. Iran forced a deal
DUBAI: On March 6, at the height of the US-Iran war, President Donald Trump delivered an ultimatum to Tehran. “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” he declared, signalling confidence that overwhelming military pressure would force Iran to capitulate. More than three mont»»»
Israeli police violently disperse ultra-Orthodox protest (VIDEO)
Israeli police have clashed with Haredi Jews who blocked a major highway near Tel Aviv in protest over the arrest of a draft dodger from the ultra-Orthodox community. Dozens of protesters blocked traffic in both directions on Route 4 east of Tel Aviv early on Wednesday, sitting on the road and craw»»»
What’s in Rupert Lowe’s rape gangs report?
At least 250,000 British girls suffered sickening sexual abuse by Pakistani gangs, who were enabled by police, social workers, and even Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to commit “child rape on an industrial scale,” British MP Rupert Lowe’s ‘Rape Gang Report’ has detailed. Published on Tuesday, the 218»»»
Two international networks active in drug trafficking, extortion and contract killings dismantled
Tunis, June 18 (TAP)- Two international criminal networks active in drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion and contract killings were dismantled, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday.A total of 25 people - leaders and members of these two...»»»
Ukraine launches more than 550 drones at Moscow, other Russian regions - UPI.com
Russia came under the largest attack from Ukrainian drones in two years with an oil refinery in the Moscow struck for the second time this week. File photo courtesy EMERCOM of Russia Press Service/EPA-EFE June 18 (UPI) -- Russia came under the largest attack from Ukrainian drones in two years early»»»
The only home I’ve known: A Pakistani expat’s 40-year journey in the UAE
Dubai: For Lumia Khan, the UAE is not a place she moved to, it is the only home she has ever truly known. The Pakistani expat and founder and CEO of Furrari Events and Marketing has spent all 40 years of her life in the Emirates. Her father first moved to the UAE more than 50 years ago, becoming pa»»»
Education Minister Says His Ministry Has Prepared Budget According to Finance Ministry Instructions
The Ministry of Education and Science has prepared the budget for 2026 according to the instructions of the Ministry of Finance, the Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Dr. Georgi Valchev, told journalists on Thursday. He attended an event of the "Az-buki" National Publishing House which offic»»»
Prime Minister Backs Financial Decentralization, Calls Municipalities "Backbone of Statehood"
Prime Minister Rumen Radev voiced strong support for financial decentralization on Thursday, arguing that Bulgaria’s highly centralized model of public finance has reached its limits and is increasingly hindering regional development and local initiative. Speaking at the opening of a National Meeti»»»
Sadyr Japarov opens Issyk-Kul Forum in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov spoke at the opening of the Issyk-Kul Forum, which is taking place from June 18 to 22. In his speech, he recalled how 40 years ago, the prominent Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov took the initiative to gather world thinkers to discuss the problems of humanity and»»»
Russia, ASEAN Plan to Deepen Cooperation in Key Sectors, Including Energy - Declaration
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia and ASEAN countries intend to deepen cooperation in key sectors, including energy and food security, according to the Kazan declaration following the Russia-ASEAN summit on Thursday. "To deepen cooperation in key sectors, including energy and food security, transport and l»»»
GCC economy forecast to rebound 8.1% in 2027: ICAEW
RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council economy is forecast to rebound 8.1 percent in 2027 after contracting 2.4 percent in 2026, as regional energy exports, tourism and investor confidence gradually normalize following conflict-related disruptions, a new analysis showed. The forecast, published by th»»»
UAE regulator intensifies oversight of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant operations and safety after recent incident
Abu Dhabi: Hamad Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), visited the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant to review the authority's oversight activities and assess the operational status of the facility. During the visit, Al Kaabi received updates on the operation »»»
UAE launches upgraded Edu Hub to simplify university admissions process
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has launched an updated version of its registration and admissions platform, Edu Hub, aimed at making the university application process easier and more efficient for students across the UAE. The platform, developed in col»»»
Press Review - 'Catastrophic capitulation': Why US and Israel are the biggest losers in Iran deal
PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, June 18: An Israeli paper slams the US's deal with Iran as a "catastrophic capitulation". While Trump sees the US as the big winner, the press says Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz shows that it has set a new status quo. Also, EU leaders scramble to find anti-C»»»
Emirates SkyCargo’s unusual passengers: Two dogs on a mission to protect wildlife
Dubai: Meet Vega and Kuda. Two specially trained dogs are preparing for a journey from London to Zimbabwe — not as pets, but as part of a conservation mission to help track poachers and protect endangered wildlife. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Emirates SkyCargo anno»»»
Transport Ministry attends GCC Transport Ministers’ Extraordinary Committee Meeting
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Transport took part in the 29th extraordinary meeting of the Committee of Transport Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, held via videoconference. The ministers in attendance discussed the implementation of the directives of the GCC country leaders du»»»
Upcoming EU rules could change how Romanians shop on international platforms
According to European Commission data, 4.6 billion low-value parcels entered EU member states in 2024 alone, with 91% originating from China. Starting July 1, 2026, this exemption will be abolished. A flat 3 euro fee will apply to shipments from third countries valued at up to 150 euro, for each ca»»»
Revolut’s goal: 20 million retail customers by the end of 2026
Revolut, the fintech company with over 70 million customers globally, has appointed Wiktor Stopa to lead the Growth and Marketing Department for Central and Eastern Europe. Wiktor is also responsible for coordinating the same types of activities in Western Europe. BR sat down with him to ask him ab»»»
Trump Pledges Fair Nile Settlement During Talks with El-Sisi
Évian-les-Bains, France — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and US President Donald Trump held talks on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, focusing on Middle East stability, Gaza, the recently announced US-Iran agreement and the long-running dispute over the Grand Ethi»»»
Israeli strike targets car in Kfartebnit, killing two
An Israeli drone strike in south Lebanon killed two people on Thursday, hours after the United States and Iran signed an agreement to end the Middle East war, including in Lebanon. The strike targeted a car in Kfartebnit, near the Israeli-declared 'yellow line'. "An enemy drone targeted a car" in t»»»
Israel holds 'stubborn' talks with U.S. to keep troops in south Lebanon, report says
Israel is holding negotiations with the United States as it seeks to maintain its troop deployment in southern Lebanon, media reports said, as the U.S. and Iran signed a deal to end the war including in Lebanon, although Israel and Hezbollah aren't parties to the agreement. Iran insists Israel must»»»
RT editor-in-chief describes Putin’s main trait to Chinese media (WATCH FULL INTERVIEW)
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s main trait is his mercifulness, RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan has said. Simonyan was asked to expand on the Russian leader’s personality during an extensive interview with Zhang Weiwei, a professor of international relations at Fudan University and host of»»»
Sharjah to divert traffic at Imran Bin Taryam and Ahmed Bin Hadid roundabouts
Sharjah's Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) will implement temporary traffic diversions at the Imran Bin Taryam and Ahmed Bin Hadid roundabouts from Sunday as work begins on a project to convert the two roundabouts into signal-controlled intersections. The authority said the changes form part of»»»
PM Radev Expects Fuel Prices to Fall as Oil Prices Edge Down
Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Thursday that he expects fuel prices to decrease as soon as possible, reflecting the recent decline in global crude oil prices. Speaking to journalists after attending the opening of a National Meeting of Local and Central Executive Authorities in Sofia, Radev not»»»
North Macedonia's Leadership Doing Everything Possible to Delay EU Membership, PM Radev Says
The political leadership of North Macedonia is doing everything possible to delay its country's accession to the European Union, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Thursday in response to a journalist's question. Radev was speaking at the opening of a national meeting of local and central executive»»»
Education Minister Says His Ministry of Education Has Prepared Budget According to Finance Ministry Instructions
The Ministry of Education and Science has prepared the budget for 2026 according to the instructions of the Ministry of Finance, the Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Dr. Georgi Valchev, told journalists on Thursday. He attended an event of the "Az-buki" National Publishing House which offic»»»
Breaking — Hungarian government's press briefing: Counter Terrorism Centre to cease to exist, Péter Magyar in Brussels, EU funds optimism
The Hungarian government announced a series of significant policy decisions during Thursday’s government press briefing, ranging from the release of European Union funds and urban development projects in Budapest to major reforms affecting law enforcement, the military and public asset protection. »»»
Starmer on the line as UK holds "most important local election in decades"
Keir Starmer isn’t on the ballot, but the U.K. prime minister’s future is on the line in a special election on June 18. Voters in the Makerfield district of northwest England are electing a new lawmaker. The leading contender is Andy Burnham, the current Labour mayor of Greater Manchester and the f»»»
US tells NATO it will review its force presence in Europe
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO the Pentagon will conduct a review of its force presence in Europe within the next six months. The review will depend on how fast European NATO allies take responsibility for their own security. This comes on the back of a G7 summit deemed a success, as T»»»
Climate-change driven heatwave brings uncertainty to French farmers
The sweltering heat returning to France is hitting farmers particularly hard. Temperatures are set to reach up to 40 degrees celsius , but those in the agriculture sector have no choice but to carry on with their daily work.»»»
Sofia in NATO's Middle Tier as Bulgaria Matches France in Defense Spending
Bulgaria is positioning itself in the middle tier of NATO defense spending rankings, with 2025 data showing the country allocating 2.05% of its GDP to defense, a level that matches France and slightly exceeds Italy. The figures place Sofia within what analysts describe as the Alliance’s “golden mea»»»
Pro-Russian Party Calls for the Expulsion of the Ukrainian Ambassador from Bulgaria
The pro-Russian “Revival” party has called for the expulsion of Ukrainian Ambassador Olesya Ilashchuk, demanding that she be declared persona non grata in connection with the so-called “Baba Alino” case. Speaking from the parliamentary podium, MP Kosta Stoyanov argued that the case goes far beyond »»»
Iran Is a Bigger Defeat Than Vietnam: Foreign Policy
The United States’ war against Iran represents a more serious strategic setback than the Vietnam War, contending that it directly damaged core US interests and weakened Washington’s position on the global stage, a Foreign Policy analyst has reported. Writing in Foreign Policy, Paul Musgrave, an ass»»»