The Government will adopt a decision to establish an Interinstitutional Coordination Council for the construction of the National Children's Hospital, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said this at the beginning of Wednesday's meeting of the Council of Ministers. "[It will be established] to make up for t»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Zakat Affairs Department at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs participated via video conference in the 18th meeting of the Committee of Specialists from Zakat Authorities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The meeting was held as part of efforts to streng»»»

The Council of Ministers will discuss a draft decision on preparations for and the holding of the presidential and vice-presidential elections scheduled for October 25. The agenda also includes a report on the cash execution of the state budget and the main indicators of the consolidated fiscal pro»»»

The ceasefire that took effect in Gaza in October 2025 brought a sharp decline in the intensity of fighting, but it did not end the conflict. When the US-Israeli war with Iran erupted in February 2026, international media attention shifted decisively toward the Iranian front, while Israeli military»»»

Cairo’s hosting, on Sunday, August 16, 2026, of the conference “The India-Egypt Partnership in BRICS: Towards a Common Agenda for the Global South,” organized by the Embassy of India in Cairo in cooperation with the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), comes at a particularly important juncture »»»

Russia and Myanmar have strengthened financial ties, with two-thirds of bilateral transactions now conducted in rubles, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. “Stable channels for financial settlements have been established, with two-thirds of commercial transactions conducted in Russian rubles,” P»»»

Doha: The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, participated in the 18th specialist committee meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states' Zakat authorities. Held via videoconference on Tuesday, the meeting came in the context of efforts to stren»»»

The United States and Canada have wrangled for decades over trade, poking each other interminably over sore spots like Canadian softwood lumber imports and U.S. access to Canada's protected dairy market. Somehow the two neighbors still managed to remain friends, allies — and trading partners. Canad»»»

Dubai: Parties from the UAE and 22 overseas jurisdictions across five continents opted to use the DIFC Courts during the first half of 2026, with 243 opt-in cases accounting for 30% of the 810 cases filed across all divisions. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply»»»

A US State Department spokesperson told Asharq on Monday that Washington is prepared to work with its partners to support a “genuine and inclusive civilian-led” Sudanese dialogue, to be held at a location agreed upon by the parties and involving a broad range of Sudanese voices, including those dis»»»

RIYADH: Sudanese Foreign Minister and Minister of International Cooperation, Mohi El-Din Salem, told Asharq on Monday that the priorities of the Saudi-Sudanese Coordination Council are in the areas of security, defense and the economy, following the signing of the council’s founding document on Mon»»»

CAIRO: Khalil Al-Hayya, the Hamas chief who met US envoy Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, in Cairo on Sunday, ​emerged as a pivotal figure in the Palestinian militant group during the Gaza war as Israel killed its other leaders. Named Hamas’ overall leader in July, Hayya narrowly»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed his participation in the Russia-Africa summit in October in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday. "In this context, we also discussed the fact that the third Russia-Africa summit, which will be held at »»»

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced its ongoing efforts to expand its initiative for the automatic recognition of academic and professional qualifications issued by higher education institutions in the UAE by bringing more universities into the initiative. The ini»»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran and Oman are continuing talks on the Strait of Hormuz despite the factors that complicate the process, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday. "The talks between Iran and Oman are seriously continuing, with the parties exchanging views on a joint s»»»

RIYADH: Project management directors, engineers and specialists will be among the professions subject to a 70 percent Saudization requirement in the Kingdom from Feb. 14, 2027. The move follows a decision by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in partnership with the Ministry of»»»

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi put young people at the heart of his development agenda in a speech marking India’s Independence Day on Saturday. He announced free online coaching for competitive exams and plans to train 10 million young people in artificial intelligence over the next year. The»»»

The Philippines’ Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) is positioning electric aviation as a potential strategic investment area as it seeks projects that strengthen national resilience and generate at least a 10% economic internal rate of return (EIRR). MIC is mandated to deploy "counter-cyclical»»»

AMMAN — The information and communications technology sector has grown into a $3.6 billion industry employing more than 46,000 people, underscoring its expanding role in investment, exports and the Kingdom’s broader economic modernisation drive.The figures were presented as the Information and Comm»»»

A U.S. State Department spokesperson has said that Hezbollah "bears sole responsibility for Israel's presence on Lebanese soil," following the latest deadly Israeli strikes in south Lebanon. "This is precisely why Hezbollah must be disarmed and dismantled," the spokesperson said. "The pilot zone pr»»»

WASHINGTON DC: A US State Department spokesperson told Asharq on Saturday that the “pilot zones” process remained “the only viable path towards achieving long-term peace and security for Lebanon and Israel”. The spokesperson added that Washington was looking forward to the Lebanese army completing »»»

Arab Finance: Egypt's real estate market has remained resilient despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, with inflation, currency movements, and rising construction costs continuing to reshape property prices and buyer behavior. Official and industry data point to sustained price pressures:»»»

Egypt has unveiled its second tax facilitation package, a cornerstone in its broader reform agenda aimed at easing operational burdens while invigorating capital market activity. Building on the first package’s SME-focused measures, the new framework introduces incentives designed to attract influe»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar has emerged among a select group of economies making significant strides in artificial intelligence (AI), underscoring the country’s growing readiness to harness the technology for productivity, innovation and economic diversification, according to the World Bank Group’s newly re»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss deepening bilateral cooperation and international agenda issues with Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing on August 18, with documents expected to be signed, the Kremlin said on Saturday. "The leaders will discuss prospects for deepening Ru»»»

The foreign policy program of the government of Prime Minister Rumen Radev for 2026-2030 keeps Bulgaria’s membership in the European Union and NATO as the foundation of the country’s international policy, while calling for a more active role in both organizations and a stronger defense of national »»»

LONDON: It is almost 11 months since US President Donald Trump, standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Sept. 29, 2025, unveiled his 20-point peace plan for Gaza. It was, said the president, a “big day, a beautiful day, potentially one of the greatest days»»»

1 of 3 | Judges for the Peace Innovation Challenge pose during the 2026 One Korea Youth Forum in Seoul on Aug. 12. From left are Hyo-geon Kim, manager at Gain Consulting Group; Namsik Yoo, co-representative of Alliance for Korea United USA; Joo-hyuk Kim, producer at New Korea Foundation; Geon-dong »»»

Grants from the European Union and other partners now cover more than a fifth of Ukraine’s budget revenue, masking a wartime financing gap that widened to $20bn in the first half of 2026. Kyiv’s headline deficit tells a reassuring story. After counting $13.1bn in grants, the central budget shortfal»»»

LONDON: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee condemned senior New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman on Wednesday following Friedman’s encouragement of Michigan Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed to “be true to your pro-Palestinian, Arab American roots and stick it to” the pro-Israel lob»»»

Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Burgas is a strong choice to host the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest and expressed confidence that the city will present Bulgaria well on the international stage. He also used a visit to Dolna Mitropolia in the Pleven region to address the water crisis in northern Bulg»»»

Hezbollah's complete surrender of the Ali al-Taher hills to the Lebanese Army is a prerequisite for fully implementing the Framework Agreement, said a political source familiar with Lebanese-U.S. discussions, including the recent visit of the head of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon, Gen»»»

Chief of Defence General Gheorghita Vlad met on Thursday with his Hungarian counterpart, General Zsolt Sandor, to discuss regional security and bilateral defence cooperation.According to a Ministry of national Defence (MApN) press release, the agenda covered the regional security situation, bilater»»»

A bilateral meeting between Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic Erlist Akunbekov and Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aidarbek Saparov took place in Almaty on August 13. The meet»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulations to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif on the country's Independence Day on Friday. "Dear President, Dear Prime Minister, please accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of »»»

Doha: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), represented by Studio 5 and in collaboration with Qatar Youth Hostels, concluded the ‘Enhanced Tourism in Artificial Intelligence Camps’ camp, held under the theme ‘Enhanced Tourism’ and targeting young participants aged 15 to »»»

Qatar participated yesterday in the 18th Arab Conference for Heads of Borders, Airports and Port Security, held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers in the Republic of Tunisia. The Ministry of Interior delegation was headed by Director of the Mari»»»

WASHINGTON: Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the top US priority in the Iran war was keeping oil and gasoline prices low for Americans, with preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon ranking second. The remarks contrasted with President Donald Trump’s repeated framing of the fight»»»

WASHINGTON: The US has received several warnings from Israel over the past year that Iran intended to assassinate President Donald ​Trump, including before a secret Air Force One ruse in Turkiye, that US intelligence officials could not independently verify, according to a current US official and t»»»

Tribune News Network Doha The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), represented by Studio 5 and in collaboration with Qatar Youth Hostels, concluded the “Enhanced Tourism in Artificial Intelligence Camps” camp, held under the theme “Enhanced Tourism” and targeting young part»»»

Scaffolding and tarp covers the building name of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 15. The Kennedy Center voted on Thursday to inscribe U.S. President Donald Trump's name on the building for a second time. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Aug. 13 (UPI) -- The K»»»

RIYADH: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is proving to be more than a box-office hit, particularly in the Gulf, where it has drawn a sizable audience. The film’s global success has spotlighted Greece’s mythology-rich culture and breathtaking landscapes as never before. News outlets across the worl»»»

NEW YORK CITY: Yemen’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdullah Al-Saadi, told the Security Council on Thursday that Saudi Arabia’s sustained political, economic and humanitarian support has been essential in keeping state institutions functioning, even as he delivered a sweeping condemnation o»»»

Dubai: I reluctantly have a confession to make, and it’s not something I’m particularly proud of. And no, it’s not my other terrible habit; privately judging whether every newborn baby is actually as cute as everyone insists. This is worse. Donald Trump’s youngest-ever White House press secretary, »»»

Tunis: The State of Qatar participated Thursday in the 18th Arab Conference for Heads of Borders, Airports and Port Security, held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers in the Republic of Tunisia. The Ministry of Interior delegation was headed by D»»»

LONDON: The government of the Syrian Arab Republic is committed to expanding cooperation with the World Bank to advance financial, economic and institutional reforms, Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh said on Thursday. Barnieh met Dahlia Khalifa, the World Bank’s Middle East director, in Damas»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will participate in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Mongolia on Monday, marking the conclusion of its landmark presidency. The COP17 summit, which runs from Aug. 17 to 28 in Ulaanbaatar, brings together states,»»»

DOHA: The State of Qatar participated in the 18th Arab Conference of Heads of Border, Airport and Port Security Services, held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers in Tunisia. The Qatari delegation was headed by Major General Dr Abdulhadi Mohammed»»»

Sometimes trust develops gradually in settings that most people are unaware of, such as a working group, a ministerial handshake, or an agreement made on the fringes of a summit that garners national attention for a single day. For the better part of a decade, Pakistan and Russia have been developi»»»

For many families, the transition into school or nursery is a milestone filled with excitement. For children of determination, it can also come with a unique set of challenges, new environments, new routines, new social expectations. In Dubai, a new series of sessions is aiming to make that leap a »»»