US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told a group of NATO defence ministers Thursday that Washington will carry out a sweeping review of its military presence in Europe. The Pentagon chief slammed some European allies for failing to provide US forces access to bases in Europe during the US-Israeli war»»»

Israeli commanders and soldiers currently involved in the fighting in Lebanon say the Israeli army has changed its open-fire rules in recent days, reducing troops' ability to "prevent and respond to Hezbollah attacks" and leaving soldiers vulnerable. "The open-fire rules right now are only to remov»»»

CAIRO: The number of Palestinians ‌killed by Israeli fire in Gaza has reached more than 1,000 since a US-brokered ceasefire last October, the enclave’s health ministry said ​on Thursday, as at least three people were reported killed in the latest strike. Medics said an Israeli strike hit a vehicle »»»

Adnan Kaour returned on Thursday to check on his home in southern Lebanon's coastal city of Tyre — once known as an idyllic summer getaway spot — just a week after Israel issued warnings for all of its residents to evacuate. The warnings were followed by sweeping airstrikes on the city. What Kaour »»»

The parliamentary group of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) has submitted a package of draft laws concerning the rights of representatives of the Turkish and Muslim communities, including those who were affected by the so-called “Revival Process” (an internationally condemned assimilation»»»

Gunfire and explosions were heard at the airport in Niger's capital Niamey early Thursday, according to witnesses, and security forces had blocked off the area, residents said. Explosions and sustained gunfire that lasted more than an hour were heard early Thursday morning ​at the ‌airport in Niame»»»

With the French healthcare system now reimbursing the anti-obesity drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro, we explain what the strict conditions are to benefit from them. We discuss France's rates of obesity and the areas where they're highest. Finally, we discuss the common stereotype that French people don't »»»

ROME: The long-term planning behind Saudi Arabia’s east-to-west oil pipeline provided a lifeline for global energy markets during the Strait of Hormuz closure caused by the war in Iran, Public Investment Fund Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan told the FII Priority Europe summit on Thursday. Speaking at th»»»

LONDON: British mosques have been advised to beef up security measures, including holding lockdown drills, to prepare in case of attacks. The recommendations in a framework by the Muslim Council of Britain suggest that mosques forge closer ties with local police and improve CCTV around premises ami»»»

SOUTHAMPTON, USA: For all the concern at the US Open about wind and Shinnecock Hills drying out, another weather issue popped up Thursday morning. Thirty minutes after it began, play was stopped by fog. Fourteen players managed to post scores — no birdies among them — before the horn sounded to sto»»»

RIYADH: Social entrepreneurship — the creation of businesses willing to tackle social, cultural, or environmental challenges — can play a major role in Saudi Arabia’s development, experts in the nonprofit sector told an event in Riyadh this week. The Social Entrepreneurship Week organized by the En»»»

Dubai: Dubai Police have recovered cash lost by an Arab tourist in a shopping centre and transferred it to her bank account in her home country, locating it within two hours and reaching her shortly after she had already left the UAE. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now »»»

Amazon.com Inc has agreed in principle to buy Dubai-based internet retailer Souq.com, one of the best-known names in the Middle East’s online shopping market, sources familiar with the deal said on Wednesday. Souq.com, which sells consumer electronics, fashion, household items and other goods, lays»»»

Over the past two and a half years, Israel has taken control of swaths of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria that amount to its biggest expansion of militarily occupied lands in decades. It is an area larger than many major cities — roughly 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) — and Israel has said it p»»»

PARIS - A delegation of the Serbian Ministry of Defence, headed by Acting Assistant Minister for Material Resources Nenad Miloradovic, visited the Eurosatory 2026 international arms fair in Paris on Wednesday. At the Jugoimport SDPR booth, contracts were signed with French defence sector companies »»»

At the command post, the minister heard reports from the group commander and staff officers on the current situation, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said. The commander of the battlegroup, Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov, reported to the Defence Minister on the advance of troops along the line of c»»»

The New Development Bank (NDB), the multilateral lender established by the original BRICS bloc members, is providing South Africa with a $1bn loan to help finance infrastructure upgrades in the country's eight largest so-called metropolitan municipalities. The funding will be used to improve water »»»

Uganda's €2.7bn ($3.1bn) Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project could be under threat, with Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba proclaiming on June 16 that the contract awarded to Turkey’s Yapi Merkezi had been “cancelled”. There has been no confirmation or denial from the government mini»»»

SICO Capital licensed by the Capital Market Authority and a wholly owned subsidiary of SICO BSC (c), a leading regional asset manager, broker, and investment bank with direct presence in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, today announced the launch of the SICO GCC Dividends Fund, The Fund marks SI»»»

In a show of the pragmatic good relations that continue between Russia and Uzbekistan, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin praised the economic and trade ties between the two countries at the plenary session of the fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) on June 17. “Russia is amo»»»

Tunis, June 18, 2026 (TAP) – Tunisia’s energy trade deficit, including royalties from Algerian gas exports, rose by 19% at the end of April 2026, reaching 4,222 million dinars (MD), compared with 3,548 MD in the same period of 2025, according to the...»»»

Is it better to persuade or to confront? French leader Emmanuel Macron is opting for the royal treatment with Donald Trump at Versailles, what with a dinner to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the King of France's support for the birth of a new nation. It's all about keeping the US president on b»»»

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday restrained the Punjab government from taking any further action regarding the 11.5-kanal Ewing Hall property belonging to Forman Christian College University (FCCU), following a dispute over the cancellation of its lease, Dawn reported. Justice Ahmad Nadeem»»»

“I still wake up in the middle of the night whenever I hear a loud sound.” For Rene, not his real name, the fear did not end when he finally returned home to the Philippines. After weeks stranded near the Strait of Hormuz during the height of tensions between the United States and Iran, sleep remai»»»

KYIV: Russia has handed Ukraine the remains of 522 people it identified as killed soldiers, officials said on Thursday, one of the few acts of cooperation between the warring countries. “As a result of the repatriation efforts, the bodies of 522 deceased individuals have been returned to Ukraine,” »»»

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said on Thursday it will continue operating in southern Lebanon and “remove threats” beyond its so-called security zone, after the US and Iran signed an agreement to end the Middle East war, including in Lebanon. The military published a map of its declared “security»»»

June 17 (UPI) -- An animal control officer responded to the front porch of a South Carolina home where a resident found an alligator "posted up right at the front door." The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office said on social media that its Animal Control officer was dispatched to a home off Charlesfor»»»

Improving transport connectivity across Bulgaria will help place all regions on an equal footing and reduce long-standing regional disparities, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Shishkov said on Thursday. Speaking at a National Meeting of Local and Central Executive Authorities in»»»

Berlin, June 18 (SANA) The 29th Arab-German Business Forum opened on Thursday in Berlin, bringing together senior government officials, diplomats, and business leaders from across the Arab world and Germany to discuss expanding economic cooperation and investment opportunities. The opening session »»»

Far-right MEPs in the plenary in Strasbourg on Wednesday (17 June) chanted “send them back”, with some pumping their fists, after the EU’s deportation bill was voted through with a clear majority. “It’s up to them how they want to yell and scream. It’s not my type of politics, it’s not how I am as »»»

Abu Dhabi: Changer.ae Limited, a regulated virtual asset custodian based in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DeScript Labs INC, a provider of digital asset settlement and merchant technology solutions. The MOU establishes a framework for collaborat»»»

Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from HE Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the call, they reviewed bilateral relati»»»

Dubai: Abu Dhabi’s residential property market recorded its strongest first quarter on record, with Dh38.1 billion worth of sales across 8,100 transactions between January and March, according to Cavendish Maxwell. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The total value of hom»»»

New York: Millions of New Yorkers are expected to turn out for a heavily guarded victory parade Thursday for the city's Knicks basketball team after it won the NBA Finals at the weekend. New York erupted in jubilant scenes Saturday when the Knicks broke a 53-year drought to defeat the San Antonio S»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Pezeshkian Hails Iran-US Deal as ‘Historic,’ Says Peace Hinges on Mutual Respect 18-06-2026 15:06 PM Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in»»»

JERUSALEM: Over the past two and a half years, Israel has taken control of swaths of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria that amount to its biggest expansion of militarily occupied lands in decades. It is an area larger than many major cities — roughly 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) — and Israel ha»»»

According to Israel's Channel 14, the next steps in south Lebanon will be discussed during next week's negotiations with Lebanese representatives in Washington. Israeli security sources said the current agreement does not include an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and that Israel will retain "full »»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov signed an order dismissing Abdupaty Matkalikov from his post as Mayor of Manas city in Jalal-Abad region. Photo Internet Abdupaty Matkalikov had held the post since February 20, less than four months. He was appointed mayor following a reshuffle in the city’s l»»»

BELGRADE - An exhibition of Xinhua News Agency photos documenting the history of the friendship between Serbia and China was ceremonially opened at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Belgrade on Thursday. The ceremony was also attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Chinese Ambassador to Bel»»»

Los Angeles, United States: 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 o»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, received a phone call from HE Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt. During the call, they reviewe»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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 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 »»»