Astronomers find faintest exoplanet ever imaged from Earth - UPI.com
An illustration from the European Southern Observatory depicts the exoplanet Proxima Centauri b, the closest exoplanet to the sun. A new study by astronomers using the ESO identifies the faintest exoplanet ever imaged from Earth. File Photo by M. Kornmesser/European Southern Observatory July 15 (UP»»»
Amir receives phone call from US Vice President
Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call today from HE JD Vance, Vice President of the United States of America, who extended his sincere condolences and sympathy to His Highness on the passing of His Highness The Late Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa »»»
Human rights groups sue over Trump administration’s sanctions on ICC for investigations into Israel
WASHINGTON: Two human rights groups say Trump administration sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court over its investigations of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza have illegally impeded their ability to advocate for Palestinians. The organizations say in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that»»»
Warsaw offices in demand as new record set
Warsaw’s office market accelerated in Q2 2026, with leasing volume reaching a record 282,800 sq m. Net demand totaled 134,800 sq m, while renegotiations accounted for 52% of activity as many companies chose to retain existing space. The vacancy rate fell from 9.5% to 8.5%, including just 4.8% in th»»»
Avison Young: Poland’s property investment market accelerates in first half 2026
Poland’s property investment market accelerated sharply in the first half of 2026, with transaction volume reaching €3 bln across 66 deals, up 77% y/y and among the strongest first-half results of the past decade. Larger transactions lifted average deal size, although overall liquidity declined. Re»»»
Beam tax may be on its way out
Nearly 46% of Poles have no savings, according to CBOS, highlighting both financial pressures and limited confidence in long-term saving. Poland’s 19% capital gains tax, commonly called the Belka tax, applies to interest, dividends, investment funds, securities, and cryptocurrency profits and gener»»»
Gallup: only 7% of Poles feel committed at work
Nais, an employee benefits and engagement platform used by about 200,000 people at more than 200 companies, argues that motivation depends on more than financial perks. Gallup data show that only 7% of Polish employees feel engaged at work, compared with a 21% global average. Nais offers access to »»»
First ever fine imposed for using cameras to record road and neighbors
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Otomoto: June sees highest level of vehicle registrations since start of year
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Photovoltaics breaks new records, tests power grid
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Israel says killed three Hezbollah members in south Lebanon
JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said it killed three Hezbollah members in south Lebanon on Wednesday, shortly after US-sponsored Israel-Lebanon negotiations were held in Rome. “Earlier today (Wednesday), IDF soldiers identified three armed Hezbollah terrorists in the area of Beit Yahoun, located wi»»»
ICE should keep making traffic stops despite recent shootings, Trump says
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump wants Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to keep pulling over vehicles, signaling his opposition Wednesday to plans announced just a day earlier to suspend most traffic stops following another string of fatal shootings. It’s not clear whether ICE will qu»»»
Twin attacks by militants kill 3 police officers, wound 20 in restive northwest Pakistan
PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Militants ambushed a security convoy and hours later a suicide bomber struck a police station in twin attacks in northwest Pakistan Wednesday that officials said left least three police officers dead and 20 wounded, in the latest sign that violence is escalating in the region bo»»»
Iran’s Ghalibaf Stresses Constant Readiness to Defend Homeland
Top Iranian negotiator and the speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says that the country has to be always prepared to battle the US, stressing the need to preserve the Iranian arrangements in Hormuz. In a message addressed to the Iranian nation released on Wedensday evening, the head of »»»
How Saudi Arabia is promoting the waqf to help finance global development
NEW YORK CITY: As governments scramble to close a multitrillion-dollar funding gap threatening the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Saudi Arabia is promoting a solution rooted not in modern finance but in a 1,400-year-old Islamic tradition. Presenting its third Voluntary National Review at the U»»»
EU pledges €20 million in aid to Venezuela
Brussels: The European Union said Wednesday that it will provide additional aid to Venezuela worth €20 million (a ballpark of $22.8 million) to navigate the aftermath of the twin devastating earthquakes that struck parts of the country last June. In a statement, the EU clarified that this latest fi»»»
Zelensky seeks knowhow to produce Patriot missiles this year
KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday he expects Ukraine to to acquire the knowhow to produce missiles for US Patriot defense systems by the end of this year. Kyiv is suffering from a shortage of ammunition for these air defense systems, considered the most effective against Russian bal»»»
Book Review: ‘Refik Anadol’
Whether we like it or not, the future of artists using artificial intelligence is now. An upcoming book, out this September by a pioneer in this field, named after the artist himself, “Refik Anadol,” dives deep into this digital murky water. Working at the intersection of art, science, and technolo»»»
Italy, Tunisia deepen innovation ties through second Innovation Talks in Tunis
Tunis, July 15 (TAP/ Ahmed Gaddeh) – The second edition of Innovation Talks, an initiative jointly organised by the Embassy of Italy in Tunis and Terna Innovation Zone Tunisia, brought together Italian and Tunisian startups on Tuesday to foster...»»»
FM offers condolences to Qatar’s Emir over passing of his father
Tunis, July 15 (TAP) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ali Nafti, on the instructions of President Kais Saied, on Wednesday extended condolences to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State...»»»
Turkish Black Sea villager takes washed-up Russian drone home after “AI safety check”
When Ali Cabuk spotted a washed-up military drone on a Turkish Black Sea beach, he did not reach for his phone to call the police, military or a bomb disposal unit. Instead, he consulted artificial intelligence. Reassured that the Russian drone was not packed with explosives, he then took it home. »»»
Russia prepares legal offensive against Baltic states over treatment of Russian minorities
Russia is stepping up efforts to pursue legal action against Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, accusing the three countries of discriminating against ethnic Russians and Russian speakers in a case it plans to bring before the International Court of Justice. An investigation by LRT, Re a»»»
Oil prices tumble below $84 a barrel
Singapore: Oil prices tumbled on Wednesday, with Brent crude futures falling $1.11, or 1.31%, to $83.62 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures shed 81 cents, or 1.02%, to $78.53 a barrel. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a draw of 1.7 million barrels i»»»
Wildfires in Canada's Ontario cause severe smog, disrupt rail traffic
Ottawa: Wildfires sweeping across northwestern Ontario, Canada, in recent days have caused severe smog and a sharp deterioration in air quality in several regions, including Ottawa, the nation's capital, and Toronto, Canada's largest city. On Wednesday morning, Toronto's air quality index ranked th»»»
Fleetwood riding a wave of support as the hometown hero at the Open Championship
SOUTHPORT, England: As a kid growing up in Southport, Tommy Fleetwood regarded Royal Birkdale as virtually off limits — except for those rare occasions he sneaked on to hit some shots while accompanying his father on evening dog walks. “Hallowed turf,” is how a young, wide-eyed Fleetwood viewed the»»»
Oman sends medical supplies to Jordanian hospitals in Gaza
LONDON: Oman on Wednesday provided medical supplies and equipment to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, with help from Jordanian authorities. The Jordanian Royal Medical Services and Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization worked with the Oman Embassy in Amman to arrange the shipment which will be sent »»»
Egypt pledges to resolve operational hurdles for French firms to spur $1.56bn investment portfolio
Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid has pledged to streamline regulations and resolve operational hurdles for French businesses during a meeting with the heads of 22 major French companies to discuss expansion plans and boost exports. The meeting, attended by French Amba»»»
UAE pushes stronger women's partnerships at BRICS meetings in India
The UAE, represented by the UAE Gender Balance Council, participated in the BRICS Women Working Group Meeting and BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting held from July 6 to 9 in Kochi, Kerala, India, as part of India's 2026 BRICS presidency. The meetings brought together ministers and officials responsibl»»»
Israel approves new West Bank settlement expansion
Israel has approved more than $400 million to establish dozens of new settlements in the occupied West Bank, despite international condemnation of what critics describe as the de facto annexation of Palestinian territory. The West Bank, which was captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, is home »»»
Temperatures between 26°C and 36°C on Wednesday night
Tunis, July 15 (TAP) - The weather will be clear to a bit cloudy on Wednesday night on most regions. The wind will blow east light to moderate and the sea will be a bit choppy. Temperatures will range between 26°C and 30°C in coastal regions and...»»»
CDC confirms multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis - UPI.com
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA July 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, the parasite-based illness, in at»»»
Blasts heard near US consulate in Iraq’s Irbil: AFP journalists
IRBIL: Several explosions were heard Wednesday near the US consulate in Irbil, the capital of Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region, AFP journalists said. Air defenses were activated near the consulate, which was a target of repeated drone and rocket attacks during the Middle East war. AFP journalists r»»»
UK considering ban on trade with Israeli settlements
LONDON: The UK government is working on plans to ban imports and exports involving Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Speaking before the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee on Wednesday, Trade Minister Chris Bryant said there was a “very strong” moral and legal »»»
Dutch tech giant ASML posts gain in second-quarter profits
THE HAGUE — Dutch tech giant ASML, which makes cutting-edge machines to manufacture semiconductor chips, Wednesday posted a gain in second-quarter net profits compared with the same period in 2025.ASML is a critical cog in the global economy and a key bellwether for the tech sector, as the semicond»»»
Germany's BASF lifts forecasts but Mideast war casts shadow
FRANKFURT, Germany — German chemical giant BASF raised its earnings forecast for the year Wednesday after hiking prices for some products following the outbreak of the Iran war, but warned of heightened uncertainty.BASF now expects EBITDA before special items, a key measure of profitability, to com»»»
ASE recovery lifts market capitalisation to record JD30.5b — JEF
AMMAN — Jordan's capital market is undergoing a significant recovery, driven by higher market capitalisation, stronger liquidity, increased trading activity and rising stock indices, according to a report by the Jordan Economic Forum (JEF).The report "Amman Stock Exchange: Market Transformations, G»»»
Trump says ICE should continue traffic stops, contradicting earlier suspension
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should continue to use traffic stops despite a decision the previous day to suspend the practice. The ban on vehicle stops came after an ICE agent fatally shot a Colombian driver in Maine and another motor»»»
Does Marco Rubio control Venezuela?
Does Marco Rubio covertly control Venezuela? A report from the New York Times suggests that the US Secretary of State now effectively controls the Latin American country's finances, the distribution of its natural resources and its government since the capture of Nicolas Maduro. FRANCE 24's Monte F»»»
Trump threatens strikes on Iran's bridges and power plants
President Donald Trump on Tuesday reimposed a naval blockade of all Iranian ports and threatened to hit power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran resumes negotiations, in the latest U.S. escalation of the conflict.»»»
Why the US is launching naval drones at Iran’s port city of Bandar Abbas
The US has pounded Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas since Tehran and Washington renewed missile strikes last week, including an unprecedented sea drone attack on a submarine maintenance facility. We take a look at why this city of more than half a million people has become a prime target f»»»
Lebanon, Israel conclude 'productive' talks in Rome - UPI.com
Pilot zones, which would allow displaced residents to return and reconstruction to begin, have yet to be finalized. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said efforts are underway to end the war with Israel, secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces and deploy the Lebanese Army along the country's southern »»»
Rep. Ilhan Omar introduces resolution urging U.S. to join International Criminal Court - UPI.com
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn,, speaks during a press conference with other Minnesota representatives ahead of President Donald Trump's 2026 State of the Union address in February at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Omar introduced a resolution Wednesday urging the United States to join the Internati»»»
What We Are Reading Today: ‘How We Disappear’ by Thomas S. Mullaney
Thomas S. Mullaney's “How We Disappear” is a wide–ranging examination of the micro and macro as the author reflects on the deaths of his parents, and on how human lives “disappear.” Lyrical and poignant, his erudite, inspiring meditation offers eye–opening insight on the miracle of existence, and o»»»
Dubai grants 66,000 Golden Visas as 5-year tourist visa surges
Dubai: Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) granted 66,000 Golden Visas, issued more than 1.052 million new residency permits, and completed over 5 million entry permit transactions during the first six months of the year, underscoring the emirate’s continue»»»
France grapples with 'very worrying' drought after successive heatwaves
Large parts of France are facing water restrictions as the country grapples with a drought described as "exceptionally" early and intense. France has been experiencing its third heatwave in as many months, accompanied by fierce wildfires further fuelled by dry conditions. France is experiencin»»»
France’s parliament adopts assisted dying law
PARIS: France on Wednesday moved closer to joining the ranks of countries that guarantee the right to assisted dying, a move championed by President Emmanuel Macron. Macron had promised an assisted dying law when he was re-elected for a second term in 2022, in a change seen as one of the most impor»»»
Perspective - Expert warns 'European temperatures are warming the fastest'
In this edition, a climatologist talks to FRANCE 24 about our changing weather patterns and their effects on wildfires currently raging across Europe. Dr. Alan Kennedy-Asser, Senior researcher at the University of Bristol, sheds light on the issue against a backdrop of hundreds of French firefighte»»»
Press Review - After the 'near oppressive' clean girl era, cigarettes are trendy again
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, July 15: French papers weep, while the Spanish press celebrates the World Cup semi-final. Also in France, papers discuss the assisted dying bill that will be voted on today. Finally: are cigarettes back in vogue? PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, July 15: French pa»»»