Jakarta: Indonesia will suspend its free meal scheme during holiday periods, after mass protests in the capital condemned wasteful spending and demanded that the government address worsening economic conditions. The multi-billion-dollar feeding programme is one of President Prabowo Subianto's signa»»»

Dubai: The UK’s decision to ease its travel advice for the UAE is expected to give a boost to tourism bookings, business visits and investor confidence, several industry representatives, including travel agents and business leaders, told Gulf News. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques»»»

BELGRADE - As part of a preliminary investigation into the death of a female student identified as M Z and the circumstances of a March 26 ignition of pyrotechnic devices inside the building of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, as well as into potential omissions regarding the safety of studen»»»

In today's edition: Leaders from Africa and the Caribbean meet in Ghana for a landmark conference on reparatory justice. Also, Taiwan has accused Kenya of bowing to Chinese pressure to sideline Taiwanese officials who were meant to take part in an international oceans forum that wrapped up in »»»

Ghana is taking the growing call for reparations over the transatlantic slave trade a significant step further towards concrete action. Weeks after the UN called it the 'gravest crime against humanity", leaders from around the continent and the Caribbean were in Accra for a conference on reparatory»»»

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has failed to stop the work of a committee investigating allegations of misconduct against him. If they are confirmed, he risks possible impeachment over scandals sparked by claims that he didn't declare millions of dollars he stashed into a sofa at his Phala»»»

Kenya just held a major conference on ocean protection, bringing together thousands of scientists, policymakers, and philanthropists. The goal is to find solutions to preserve marine resources and prevent environmental degradation. Over the past decade, the East African coast has been particularly »»»

In northeastern Ivory Coast, along the border with Burkina Faso, tension has become a permanent reality. The jihadist threat spreading from the Sahel is no longer the only concern. A new danger has emerged: the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland, or VDPs – auxi»»»

The US-Iran agreement is far more than an understanding to end a months-long war that thrust the Strait of Hormuz back to the forefront of global concern. It marks a pivotal moment—one that forces a re-examination of the Middle East’s political, security, and economic landscape and raises questions»»»

June 18 (UPI) -- A London Underground station once plagued by constant flooding is now staying dry thanks to some recent arrivals in the neighborhood: beavers. The Greenford subway station and surrounding streets in the Ealing borough of London used to experience regular flooding during rainstorms,»»»

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords) June 18 (UPI) -- An Australian man teamed up with cyclists in Britain to break the Guinness World Records for the largest and smallest penny farthings. Dan Bolwell brought his creations to the June 13 City o»»»

MAKKAH: When Taif claimed the top spot among Saudi Arabia’s apricot-producing regions it was no statistical fluke — it was the payoff of a long apprenticeship; generations of farming knowledge passed down, paired with an unusual fit between what the land offers and what its people are willing to pu»»»

Dubai: Dubai Police has launched an interactive traffic awareness quiz on its social media platforms as part of the newly launched ‘Drive with Awareness’ campaign, offering participants the chance to enter a draw to win two Nissan vehicles. The campaign began on June 19 and will run until July 9. T»»»

President Joseph Aoun on Friday condemned the latest Israeli strikes on eastern and southern Lebanon, saying the "killing and destruction constitutes a dangerous escalation". "It effectively targets all ongoing efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and end the war," a statement from the presidency s»»»

The Youth Centre in Svishtov hosted the New Worlds, New Perspectives International Cultural and Educational Exchange on Friday, Youth Centre Director Kristina Alexandrov said. The forum is organized by The Hanna Project Bulgaria and aims for students from Bulgaria and the United States to share ide»»»

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Finance shared its latest advisory on the UAE Retail T-Sukuk with Gulf News, providing details on who can invest, how to apply, subscription dates, minimum investment amounts and what happens after purchase. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Th»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Friday excellent relations with all key international actors in both the West and the East represented Serbia's greatest diplomatic know-how and that, in that regard, President Aleksandar Vucic stood out among other heads of state. "That is what many will »»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has a feeling that the United States may change its approach to the settlement in Ukraine again, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. "We have no concerns. We have a feeling that there may be a change of approach again, as happened after the meeting in An»»»

With Romania playing an increasingly important role within Nestlé’s South-East Europe operations, Giuseppe Carella recently took over as the new Country Manager at a moment of strong momentum and growing regional relevance. Drawing on leadership experience across some of the world’s most complex ma»»»

The Hungarian government has lifted restrictions on Ukrainian news outlets that were blocked by the previous administration in 2025, Minister for Social Relations and Culture Zoltán Tarr announced on Facebook. According to Tarr, the decision was taken jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs an»»»

Prime Minister Rumen Radev's threat to veto a new EU sanctions package against Russia over the inclusion of Russian Patriarch Kirill drew sharp criticism from three opposition parties on Friday, while nationalist Vazrazhdane welcomed the move and urged the government to oppose the entire package. A»»»

In a declaration read by Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov in Parliament on Friday, the parliamentary group demanded comprehensive information on recent negotiations with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding the waters of the Arda, Tundzha»»»

US Vice President J.D. Vance has criticized Israeli hardliners opposed to US President Donald Trump’s Iran deal, warning that the country cannot “kill” its way out of every security problem. Vance’s comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to withdraw troops from the count»»»

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced a six-month review of America’s military footprint in Europe, warning that future deployments, funding and basing arrangements will depend on whether NATO members meet Washington’s demands. Speaking at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, H»»»

Labour's Andy Burnham has won a by-election in northern England, fuelling speculation that he could mount a challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer’s popularity has cratered since he led the center-left Labour Party to a landslide election victory in July 2024. Labour is losing liberal vo»»»

Labour's Andy Burnham won the Makerfield parliamentary by-election on Friday, defeating Reform UK candidate Rob Kenyon and returning to Westminster after years as Manchester mayor. The victory strengthens Burnham's position as a potential successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as speculation gro»»»

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has congratulated Labour's Andi Burnham's win in the by-election that took place in the constituency of Makerfield on June 17, while saying he would fight any leadership challenge he is presented with. Burnham is Starmer's main rival, with many in Labour hoping that t»»»

Ottawa is expected to select a preferred bidder within 30 days for a submarine program that could be worth up to $40 billion Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (C), accompanied by South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (R) and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan during their visit to Hanwha»»»

Lawmaker Andy Burnham said Britain needed ​fundamental change, from its economy to its immigration system, to education and industry, after he won a parliamentary seat ​in the Makerfield by-election. The election was under intense scrutiny as it was triggered to give Burnham the possibility of chal»»»

Andy Burnham, the new Labour Member of Parliament for Makerfield surrounded by supporters on Friday as he celebrates winning the seat in Greater Manchester. Burnham, who has served as the region's mayor since 2017, beat Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon by more than 9,000 votes. Photo by Adam Vaugh»»»

Umm Al Quwain: A student who lost both parents in a tragic road accident has graduated from secondary school after years of support provided under directives from His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain. The support was extended to the family»»»

Dubai: The UAE is the world's most prepared and mature country in adopting artificial intelligence, Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Agentic AI Project Executive Committee, said as the government accelerates plans to embed AI across public services and operations»»»

This is the sun’s time to shine: Sunday is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Sunday is the solstice, marking the start of astronomical summer north of the equator. It’s the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is the shortest day of the year and winter will start. The»»»

Parliament divisions deepened over Bulgaria’s stance on the latest EU sanctions package against Russia, as the debate over the possible inclusion of Russian Patriarch Kirill moved beyond religion and into questions of national interest and geopolitical alignment. Opposition party GERB criticized th»»»

The Macedonia Foundation has announced that it is withdrawing its planned temporary blockade of border crossings between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, scheduled for Sunday. The decision comes after official reactions from Bulgarian institutions and diplomatic concerns linked to rece»»»

Nikolai Denkov, chair of the parliamentary group of “We Continue the Change” (PP), warned that Bulgaria risks political and economic isolation from its European partners due to the current government stance on EU sanctions related to Russian Patriarch Kirill. Speaking to journalists in parliament, »»»

Arab Finance: Prices of basic commodities and vegetables varied on Wednesday, June 17th, according to data from the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC). The price of a kilogram of rice hit EGP 34.6, down 0.6% on a daily basis. Meanwhile, the price of packaged flour increased by 1.5% to r»»»

In the village of Bosteri, Issyk-Kul region, employees of the State Tax Service detected a large batch of tobacco products without excise stamps. During a raid carried out jointly with representatives of Uchkun OJSC, 3,751 packs of cigarettes were seized from illegal circulation. The cost of the di»»»

Alisher Mukazhan, Chairman of the Information Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, spoke at the SCO Media Forum about the transformation of the media market, cooperation with major online platforms, and plans for the further development of the digital »»»

Qalibaf, Araghchi: ‘Leader’s Word Is Our Red Line’ in US Talks Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have jointly vowed to treat the directives of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei as their unwavering compass in upcoming negotiations wit»»»

Hezbollah’s Islamic Resistance vowed on Friday to remain fully mobilized to confront any Israeli aggression, echoing a statement by late Secretary General Martyr Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah when he said: “And between us and you there is a battlefield, and [many] days and nights.” In a statement the Oper»»»

JEDDAH: Late-night and early-morning 2026 World Cup broadcasts are severely disrupting football fans’ routines and habits in Saudi Arabia, with matches from the US, Mexico and Canada airing as late as 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. To cope with this, enthusiasts are adjusting their sleep schedules, taking naps, »»»

Hezbollah vowed to defend Lebanon's territory and people against Israeli attacks on Friday, accusing its foe of violating a ceasefire as fighting flared. "The Islamic Resistance will remain vigilant against any aggression. Its fighters will defend their land and people," the Iran-backed group said »»»

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he can restrain Israel from attacking Lebanon. "They have a lot of respect for me, and they do as I say," he told an interviewer on a televised show. Trump added that if it weren't for him, "Israel would have been eviscerated," noting his relationship wi»»»

Iran has informed Hezbollah that it will not continue the negotiations with the US without a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said. Israel’s military struck targets throughout southern Lebanon overnight into Friday and Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area»»»

Authorities in Varna are beginning the first steps toward removing illegal construction in the controversial Baba Alino area, with demolition orders for 13 buildings set to be issued. Mayor Blagomir Kotsev said the documents will be handed to the investor, who will be responsible for carrying out t»»»

The Bulgarian government is examining the introduction of a progressive property tax system that would differentiate between a primary residence and additional homes, with second and third properties taxed at higher rates. The proposal was outlined following a cabinet meeting with the National Asso»»»

Russia's war economy is under increasing strain, but construction of the Navy's advanced nuclear-powered submarines continues unabated. The keel-laying ceremony took place at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk on 17 June, according to a statement published by the yard on VKontakte. Commander-in-C»»»

Toyota Motor Corporation (TYO:7203; NYSE:TM) has entered Kenya's fully electric vehicle market with the launch of the bZ4X sport utility vehicle, marking the Japanese automaker's first battery electric offering in the country and signalling growing confidence in East Africa's emerging EV sector. Th»»»

Eastern Africa is set to deepen cross-border power flows and accelerate decarbonisation after the World Bank Group approved a $1.6bn financing package for a new 10-year programme to integrate power markets and expand access to reliable electricity across the region. The Regional Energy Transmission»»»