Saudi literary initiative reaches 1 million people across Kingdom
RIYADH: The fifth Literary Partner initiative reached more than 1 million beneficiaries across 57 Saudi cities, marking a cultural journey delivered through five specialized tracks. The milestone was announced during the initiative’s closing ceremony, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Tra»»»
New Saudi education law changes how schools are governed, taught and regulated
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has approved a landmark General Education Law that reshapes the governance of its school system, introduces new protections for students and teachers, and opens the door to greater private sector participation, in one of the Kingdom's most comprehensive education reforms under V»»»
Orbán shifts tone at Tusványos: Fidesz recast its role as “resistance politics” shift into gear
Viktor Orbán used his address at the Bálványos Summer University in Baile Tusnad to argue that Fidesz must move away from traditional opposition politics and adopt what he called “resistance politics”. He said the party’s immediate task is no longer mainly self-criticism after defeat, but defending»»»
Diriyah’s JAX district hosts ‘Intermix Residency’ open studio
RIYADH: The Saudi Visual Arts Commission is hosting the “Intermix Residency” open studio from July 28 to 30 in Diriyah’s JAX District, bringing together a select group of artists for an immersive and interactive experience that invites direct engagement with the public. The event marks the culminat»»»
Sofia Gains Tourism Sector Support in Eurovision 2027 BidOpinions
The Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and Travel Agents (ABTTA) has backed Sofia’s bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, saying the capital has the necessary conditions to organize one of Europe’s biggest music events. In an official statement, the organization highlighted Sofia’s »»»
Republic Day: Strengthening institutions to meet tomorrows challenges
Tunis, July 25 (TAP) - Tunisia is celebratingon Saturday the 69th anniversary of Republic Day, a decisive milestone in the history of the country, which brought an end to the monarchy and laid the foundations for the republican system. This...»»»
Historic moment: Wadi Wurayah makes UNESCO history for the UAE
Fujairah: Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah has been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, becoming the first site in the UAE to be recognised for its Outstanding Universal Natural Value and the country's third World Heritage property. The decision was announced during the 48th session of»»»
Trump to speak at rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner following failed April shooting
Nearly three months after a botched shooting cut the annual White House press gala short, US President Donald Trump is expected to speak at a rescheduled dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel Friday. The event will take place under heightened security. US President Donald Trump will address the »»»
The purge of Orban’s Hungary has begun
On Monday, July 20, Hungary officially entered a new political reality. For the first time in 16 years, the Fidesz party lost control of the country’s most important institution – its presidency. Viktor Orban’s last remaining pillar of power collapsed. The situation, initially perceived by Fidesz s»»»
ICC dismisses chief prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations
Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday voted to dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct. The International Criminal Court member states voted to dismiss prosecutor Karim Khan for serious misconduct, the ICC said on Friday. Diploma»»»
Bulgaria's Yotova Confirms 2026 Presidential Bid
President Iliana Yotova announced that she will run in Bulgaria's presidential election in the fall of 2026, confirming for the first time that she will seek a full term as head of state. Speaking on BNT's Panorama program, Yotova gave a direct answer to months of speculation about her political fu»»»
On This Day, July 25: Air France Concorde jet crashes, killing 113 - UPI.com
On July 25, 2000, an Air France Concorde supersonic jet crashed on takeoff from Paris, killing 113 people, including four on the ground. 1 of 5 | Rescue workers put out the fire that consumed the wreckage of an Air France Concorde after it crashed killing all on board plus four on the ground outsid»»»
Pension increase in Kyrgyzstan planned for autumn — Daniyar Amangeldiev - | 24.KG
A pension increase in Kyrgyzstan is planned for the autumn, First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Daniyar Amangeldiev said on Birinchi Radio. According to him, the size of the indexation of the basic pension component will depend directly on the actual revenues of the republican budget.»»»
Trump returns to White House press dinner months after shooting chaos
Washington, United States: US President Donald Trump returned to the White House Correspondents' Dinner amid heightened security Friday, three months after an alleged assassination attempt forced his chaotic evacuation from the event. Defying threats from what he called "lunatics," Trump is set to »»»
Guterres set to be first UN chief to visit Syria since before 2011 war
BEIRUT: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Syria on Saturday in the first trip by a serving UN chief since the start of a nearly 14-year war that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions in the country. The visit represents another milestone for Syria since reb»»»
The Vance Doctrine
We chose this week’s cover story because US Vice President JD Vance, who could take over from his boss in 2028, recently outlined a wider political vision that could reshape the contours of America’s Middle East policy, especially with regards to Israel and Iran. Speaking to podcaster Joe Rogan for»»»
Sadyr Japarov meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi - | 24.KG
On July 24, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Cholpon-Ata. The presidential press service reported. According to the press service, they discussed issues related to the development of trade and economic cooperation, the implementation of infrastructu»»»
Trump orders Smithsonian to post signs about 'inaccurate' history - UPI.com
President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the Smithsonian to add signs to certain exhibits that a White House report alleges push "radical" revisions to American history. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 24 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the Smithsonian's National Mus»»»
Israeli military ups pressure in West Bank as settler violence rises - UPI.com
Relatives of Palestinians killed during clashes with Israeli settlers mourn at Nablus hospital in the West Bank. Photo by Alaa Badarneh/EPA July 24 (UPI) -- The Israeli military is launching a major operation in the occupied West Bank after a clash between settlers and Palestinians left six people »»»
Nicaragua begins constitutional reforms after Ortega's remarks - UPI.com
Nicaragua's government began the process Friday of reforming the Constitution and the legal framework governing the electoral system, File Photo by Jorge Torres/EPA July 24 (UPI) -- Nicaragua's government began the process Friday of reforming the Constitution and the legal framework governing the e»»»
Peru and Venezuela restore diplomatic ties
LIMA: Peru and Venezuela will resume diplomatic relations after severing ties over now ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s disputed election win in 2024, both foreign ministries announced Friday. Caracas had cut bilateral relations in July of that year after Lima recognized Venezuela’s opposi»»»
South Carolina to be the first Democratic primary in 2028 - UPI.com
The Democratic primaries in 2028 will start with South Carolina then Nevada. Iowa was edged out of the early primary schedule. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo July 24 (UPI) -- South Carolina should be the first state to vote in Democratic primaries in 2028, according to the Democratic»»»
Analysis: Lebanon walks diplomatic tightrope in bid to end Israel war - UPI.com
Soldiers stand watch at a Lebanese army checkpoint in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, southern Lebanon, on Friday. Zawtar al-Gharbiya is among the designated pilot zones under the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, from which Israeli forces are scheduled to withdraw. Photo by EPA BEIRUT, Lebanon, »»»
Trump pressures Senate Republicans to move forward with budget draft - UPI.com
President Donald Trump is pressuring Senate Republicans to plow ahead with a $95 billion budget framework before they leave for recess in August. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 24 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Friday pressured Senate Republicans to plow ahead with a $95 billion »»»
Head of State Iliana Iotova to Run for President in Upcoming Election
President Iliana Iotova said on Friday she will run for president in the upcoming election in November. Her candidacy will be put forward by a nomination committee. Iotova broke the news in an interview with Bulgarian National Television. Asked which political party she will seek support from, Ioto»»»
US court rules abortion pill restrictions 'unlawful'
Washington: A US federal court in Virginia has ruled that restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump's administration on the abortion pill mifepristone are "unlawful" and must be reconsidered. The case was brought by the nonprofit Center for Reproductive Rights in May 2023 on behalf of abortion»»»
No breakthrough as Rubio and Lavrov meet in Manila amid hardening Kremlin line
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met on the sidelines of an ASEAN foreign ministers' gathering in Manila on July 23, in the highest-level US-Russia contact in months on ending the war in Ukraine — but both sides signalled no breakthrough and little optimi»»»
Spanish minister enters race to lead UN labor agency, amid US funding concerns
GENEVA: Spain has nominated Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz to head the United Nations labor agency, potentially making her the first woman to lead the organization, as it faces a financial crisis over US non-payments. The Spanish government said Diaz’s candidacy for the top job at the International L»»»
Police in Northern Ireland intercept car bomb near Irish border
LONDON: An “extremely significant” car bomb was intercepted earlier this week near the Northern Ireland border during an investigation of dissident republicans, Irish police said Friday. A woman driver in her 20s was arrested Wednesday near Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, and remained in custody F»»»
Europe Rendezvous - Giorgia Meloni's Italy: An authoritarian drift? (Part 2)
In this edition of Europe Rendezvous, we travel to Italy, one of the European Union's founding members, to examine how the country's democratic institutions have come under increasing pressure. It may be the season of la dolce vita, but life ha»»»
Vucic: Elections will not be easy by any means, another term would be sufficient
BELGRADE/ZURICH - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says he has decided in favour of early elections for several reasons, including a need to have a legitimate government and people with legitimacy. In an interview for the Swiss Weltwoche weekly, Vucic said that, during last year's protests in the»»»
New general education law approved by royal decree
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s General Education Law has been approved by royal decree. The new law overhauls how the sector is governed, provides the enablers needed to meet its objectives, and aims to raise the quality of the educational environment and its outcomes, spanning educational stages, the Gene»»»
Law enforcement intercepts ‘extremely significant’ car bomb in Ireland - UPI.com
Law enforcement officials in Ireland stopped a vehicle containing a car bomb earlier this week during an intelligence sweep of republican dissidents. File Photo by Adam Vaughan/EPA July 24 (UPI) -- Law enforcement officials in Ireland stopped a vehicle containing a car bomb earlier this week during»»»
Japan PM's 3-hour sleep routine reignites debate over overwork culture
In Japan, many people see Marine Day as a chance to get away. Families go to the beach. Office workers take a real break. Trains are crowded with people hoping to escape the summer heat, even if just for a little while. But Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi used the day to catch up on something differe»»»
Movement for Rights and Freedoms Proposes Optical Ballot Scanners
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) proposed introducing optical ballot scanners, the party said on Friday. The proposal was submitted between the bill’s first and second readings. MRF said the scanners combined the advantages of paper and machine voting and had proved reliable, having been »»»
Wildberries: Russia's Amazon that became a target for Kyiv
Moscow: Ukraine has hit the warehouses of Russia's largest online retailer Wildberries -- Moscow's equivalent of Amazon -- at least three times in a week, killing several employees, causing fires and business losses. Kyiv accuses the e-commerce giant -- which employs thousands of people and has bec»»»
Cardamom Okra: Al-Ahsa’s vibrant green crop with a distinctive flavor
AL-AHSA: Al-Ahsa Governorate is renowned for the rich diversity of its summer produce. During this season, local markets come alive with an abundant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, attracting growing demand from across the Eastern Province and neighboring countries, particularly for Al-Ahsa »»»
Fact or Fake - Meloni's Italy: Fortress Europe?
Migration was at the heart of Giorgia Meloni's successful 2022 election campaign. Promising a tougher approach to irregular migration helped propel her to power, but what has her government achieved since then? One of its flagship policies was&»»»
Hungary orders probe into Orban-linked zebras
Budapest: Hungary is investigating the "total chaos" surrounding a herd of zebras that became a symbol of alleged corruption and excesses under nationalist ex-leader Viktor Orban, the environment minister said Friday. References to the animals became a mainstay of anti-government demonstrations, af»»»
Hydrogels emerge as next frontier in Saudi desalination
RIYADH: In a country where fresh water is manufactured rather than naturally abundant, every advance in desalination carries significant value. Saudi Arabia’s vast desalination network supplies millions of homes, businesses and industries every day, transforming seawater into one of the Kingdom's m»»»
UN urges evacuation of 6,000 sailors stranded in Hormuz strait
Geneva: The United Nations on Friday urged countries involved in the Middle East war to help evacuate and repatriate some 6,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. UN human rights chief Volker Turk called for urgent action to remedy the plight of thousands of stranded seafarers, who are facin»»»
UN urges evacuation of 6,000 sailors stranded in Hormuz strait
GENEVA: The United Nations on Friday urged countries involved in the Middle East war to help evacuate and repatriate some 6,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. UN human rights chief Volker Turk called for urgent action to remedy the plight of thousands of stranded seafarers, who are facin»»»
Media Review: July 24
The second reading of the draft state budget for 2026 and Parliament’s decision to authorize the deployment of US aerial refuelling aircraft at Bezmer Air Base dominate Friday’s news media. POLITICS Under the headline “With One Foot Out: Bulgaria’s Geopolitical Change under Radev,” Mediapool.bg wri»»»
South Africa court pauses impeachment proceedings against president
CAPE TOWN: A South African court ruled on Friday in favor of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid to pause impeachment proceedings against him over a scandal involving half-a-million dollars stashed in a sofa at his ranch. Ramaphosa asked the Western Cape High Court to stop the work of a parliamentary i»»»
Top German court says Afghan resettlement pledges cannot be revoked en masse
BERLIN: Germany’s top court ruled on Friday that the government could not simply cancel an entire swathe of resettlement places promised to Afghans, and that each case must be considered individually. The Constitutional Court backed a complaint by an Afghan mother and her two sons who had been sel»»»
UN rights chief Volker Turk faces opposition to new term
GENEVA: United Nations Human Rights chief Volker Turk, an outspoken critic of Russia’s war in Ukraine and Israel’s conduct in Gaza, faces opposition from both countries to a second four-year term ahead of a vote on Friday, diplomats told Reuters. Turk, a lawyer who has worked for the United Nation»»»
Moroccan captain Ghizlane Chebbak dreams of lifting Women’s AFCON trophy
CAIRO: Ghizlane Chebbak does not remember a time without a ball at her feet. Her late father, Larbi Chebbak, who helped guide Morocco to the Africa Cup of Nations title back in 1976, gave her a football when she was a little girl — and it was love at first sight. She would play in the streets of he»»»
Turkiye’s Ozel quits opposition CHP to found new party
ANKARA: Ousted as leader of Turkiye’s main opposition, Ozgur Ozel on Friday resigned from the CHP alongside 90 other lawmakers, setting up his own party to lead the fight against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In a video broadcast by Turkish media and posted on X, Ozel could be seen sitting at his»»»
UAE school transport fees to rise at some schools in 2026-27: What parents need to know
As UAE families prepare for the new school year, some parents are facing an additional expense before their children have returned to the classroom, which involves higher school transport fees. Also Read: New schools opening in the UAE for 2026/27: Full list, locations, and feesSome parents at GEMS»»»
Fidesz MPs challenge 17th constitutional amendment at Constitutional Court
Fidesz and KDNP members of parliament have turned to the Constitutional Court (CC) over the 17th constitutional amendment, which, among other things, terminated the mandate of President of the Republic Tamás Sulyok, introduced a 12-year (or three-term) time limit on parliamentary mandates, and set »»»