Opposition to data centres grows in cramped urban Japan
Tokyo: The more Yoriko Kitagawa learns of a massive data centre to be built near her home in Hino on the outskirts of Tokyo, the more she worries. "This is a terrible plan," the 94-year-old told AFP. The explosion in resource-hungry data centres -- housing the hardware "brains" of artificial intell»»»
You can now casually walk through one of the biggest rivers in Hungary due to excessive drought
The River Drava has fallen to one of its lowest levels on record, exposing large sections of the riverbed and creating the extraordinary sight of people being able to walk across the river beneath the bridge at Barcs, on the Hungarian-Croatian border. One of the country’s biggest rivers can be walk»»»
How AI and satellites help fight wildfires
BusinessGlobal issuesHow AI and satellites help fight wildfiresInsa WredeWildfires are currently raging in Europe, Canada, and elsewhere. To successfully fight these fires, speed is essential. Early detection from space and AI-powered data analysis can help. https://p.dw.com/p/5H8eLMunich-based sta»»»
Media Review: July 17
POLITICS In an op-ed entitled "What is Bulgaria's place, Mr Radev?" and published by Capital, Alexander Detev comments on Prime Minister Rumen Radev's statement that Bulgaria will not join the Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine. Radev argued that lasting peace should be achieved through di»»»
Trump revives election fraud claims ahead of US midterms
Washington, United States: US President Donald Trump on Thursday revived sweeping and unsupported claims of voter fraud and Chinese meddling -- firing a clear warning shot ahead of midterm elections that many expect him to dispute. In a primetime White House address, Trump portrayed the US electora»»»
Japan imperial rules tweaked, but still no woman emperor
Tokyo: Japan's parliament tweaked the imperial succession law on Friday but maintained the bar on women emperors -- despite surveys suggesting wide public support for the idea. The future of the imperial household -- mythically descended from the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu -- depends currently on»»»
In speech to nation, Trump declassifies intelligence claiming Chinese interference in 2020 elections
US President Donald Trump declassified intelligence he said showed Chinese interference in US elections, reviving claims about election security despite intelligence findings that Beijing did not alter the 2020 vote he lost. The move reinforces Trump's push to make election integrity a central issu»»»
The mission after space: Prince Sultan’s journey into Saudi heritage
RIYADH: While most people know Prince Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud as the first Arab and Muslim astronaut to travel into space, the years that followed were devoted to a different mission: reviving Saudi Arabia’s heritage and documenting the people whose lives helped shape the Kingdom’s history throug»»»
Over 70 Leads, No Breakthrough in Search for Missing Bulgarian Girl NataliaOpinions
The search for 11-year-old Natalia Asenova and 40-year-old Asen Simeonov entered its 18th day, with police and volunteers continuing around-the-clock efforts to locate the pair after they disappeared from the Varna village of Konstantinovo. Despite dozens of reported sightings, authorities have yet»»»
China slams Trump claims of US election meddling as ‘pure fabrications’
BEIJING: Beijing accused US President Donald Trump of making “fabrications” on Friday, after he said China had meddled in US election data, reviving his long-standing baseless claims of voter fraud ahead of midterm polls many expect him to dispute. Trump said in a White House address on Thursday th»»»
Old Homes Keep Bulgaria Trapped in Energy PovertyOpinions
Bulgaria’s aging housing stock remains one of the main factors behind the country’s high vulnerability to energy poverty. While across Europe newer and renovated buildings are helping reduce the number of households struggling to heat their homes or pay energy bills, many Bulgarian households conti»»»
Saudi Arabia launches the world’s largest truck marshalling area at Jeddah port
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has inaugurated the world’s largest truck marshalling area, spanning 1 million sq. meters, at Jeddah Islamic Port while the Saudi Ports Authority signed seven agreements with companies worth investments exceeding SR1 billion ($266.9 million) on the sidelines of the launch. The »»»
Flexi tickets are booming, Saudi travel is slowing: How UAE holiday plans are changing
Dubai: Many UAE travellers are still going ahead with their summer holidays, but many are changing how they book. A vast majority of travellers, at least 70 per cent according to one travel agent, who have pre-booked their tickets and hotel bookings for the holidays are going ahead with their trave»»»
Aid group says seven Americans quarantining at Kenya Ebola facility after US travel ban
GENEVA/NAIROBI: Seven American aid workers who had been in Congo to fight the Ebola outbreak are quarantining at an isolation facility in Kenya after the US government introduced new travel restrictions, the head of a US charity employing them told Reuters. The aid workers are the first people to q»»»
Netflix growth slows despite higher profits. What it means for subscription prices
Dubai: Netflix subscribers could face further price increases over time as the streaming company looks to protect revenue growth while spending on live broadcasts, short-form videos, games and new entertainment formats. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.No fresh subscrip»»»
Former PM Barak fears a repeat of Israel's Lebanon quagmire
It was just before sunrise when the last columns of Israeli tanks crossed from Lebanon back into Israel and then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who ordered the withdrawal, said the homecoming of Israeli troops sent "shivers down his spine." That was May 24, 2000, the day Israel ended its 18-year occupa»»»
Bulgaria Shares Magnitsky Sanctions Evasion Schemes With U.S.Opinions
Bulgaria has shared with the United States information related to alleged schemes used to bypass sanctions imposed under the Global Magnitsky Act, Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev announced, saying cooperation between Bulgarian and U.S. authorities will continue. Demerdzhiev said Sofia had provid»»»
Saudi Arabia’s POS spending holds above $3.8bn
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s total point-of-sale transaction value remained above SR14.2 billion ($3.8 billion) in the week ending July 11, despite a weekly drop of 15.9 percent, according to the Kingdom’s central bank. The total number of transactions also eased, dropping 6.8 percent to 250.5 million du»»»
How Saudi Arabia is reclaiming the night sky
JEDDAH: As light pollution increasingly obscures the night sky across much of the world, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea destination is taking an unusual approach to luxury tourism: preserving darkness. Red Sea Global has introduced a destination-wide dark-sky strategy aimed at protecting pristine night ski»»»
Bank of Sharjah H1 2026 profit rises 35% to Dh362m
Dubai: Bank of Sharjah reported a 35% increase in first-half net profit after stronger lending and higher interest income lifted earnings during the six months ended June 30. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Net profit reached Dh362 million, compared with Dh268 million »»»
Singer Aya Samra explores identity and belonging in ‘Madina’
JEDDAH: Berlin-based Palestinian singer-songwriter Aya Samra’s latest single, “Madina” is a reflection on identity, belonging, and the realization that home is something carried within. “I was moving in Germany a lot; so many apartments and so many cities,” Samra tells Arab News. “I was searching f»»»
$10-million bounty on Trump: Iran-aligned Iraqi militia calls for assassination after Soleimani remarks
An umbrella coalition of Iran-aligned Iraqi militias has announced a $10-million reward for the killing of US President Donald Trump, dramatically escalating already fraught tensions between Washington and Tehran's regional proxy network. Get — updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News ap»»»
UAE rises to the top at global coffee championship in Italy
Dubai: One cup of coffee has put the UAE on top of the global barista stage. Competing against 20 national champions from around the world, UAE representative Lablibell Bajarias has been crowned winner of the 2026 International Finals of the Lavazza Barista Challenge, held in Turin, Italy last Marc»»»
Why Israel-Türkiye relations have now hit rock bottom
In late June, Israel’s government moved to formally recognise the Armenian genocide at the hands of the Ottomans, ending decades of official hesitation. Needless to say, it does nothing for Israeli-Turkish relations, which have nosedived in recent years, with major disagreements over Gaza being a p»»»
Budapest launches month-long police crackdown despite shortage of more than 2,000 officers
Budapest is launching a month-long public safety operation that will see increased police patrols and coordinated enforcement across the city, despite facing a shortage of more than 2,000 police officers. The Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) announced the comprehensive operation after assessing »»»
Master and apprentice as Spain, Argentina coaches meet in final
East Rutherford: Master will take on apprentice when Spain coach Luis de la Fuente lines up against his former student, Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni, in the World Cup final on Sunday. Nine years ago, Scaloni was just another former professional player pursuing a career in coaching, studying for his p»»»
Qatar banks remain resilient as lending growth moderates
Doha: Qatar’s banking sector maintained steady financial performance during the first quarter of 2026 despite a slowdown in lending growth and the impact of heightened geopolitical tensions across the region. While regional uncertainty weighed on credit demand and business activity, Qatari banks co»»»
UAE travel update: Abha flights remain suspended, Etihad delays Toronto service, airlines issue fresh advisories
Dubai: Travellers flying between the UAE and southern Saudi Arabia are facing ongoing disruption, with flights to and from Abha International Airport suspended for a fourth consecutive day on Friday, despite much of the airport's domestic schedule still operating. Passengers travelling on routes be»»»
Hegseth orders testosterone screening for US troops
The US military will screen troops aged 30 and older for low testosterone every year and offer hormone replacement therapy to those found deficient, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced. The Pentagon chief unveiled the plan in a nearly three-minute video on X titled ‘The High-T Department of»»»
Dubai gold hits 90-day low after Dh102.50 fall from April peak
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai fell to their lowest level in 90 days on Friday, handing jewellery buyers the cheapest rates seen since April after another difficult week for the precious metal. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The 24-karat variety stood at Dh479.75 per gra»»»
‘Father Amir’s historic transformation of Qatar will be recorded for generations’
Doha, Qatar: The remarkable transformation of Qatar under the late Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary development stories of the modern era, former Prime Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani has said. In an interv»»»
Turkish-Israeli rivalry could determine the new Middle East
Türkiye first recognised Israel in 1949, shortly after Zionist leaders like David Ben-Gurion proclaimed a Jewish state in Palestine. In so doing, it became the first Muslim-majority nation to do so (Iran was the second, its recognition coming in 1950). Six decades later, trade was booming and relat»»»
Oil slips as traders weigh Iran blockade risks, Brent holds above $84
Oil prices edged lower in Asian trading on Friday as investors weighed the impact of the United States' naval blockade of Iran against expectations that global crude supplies remain sufficient to prevent an immediate price spike. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - sim»»»
Trump suspends teleprompter operator over betting allegations
US President Donald Trump has suspended a teleprompter operator over allegations he placed bets with a prediction market on the content of Trump's speeches, the White House said Thursday. Gabriel Perez allegedly made more than $100,000 with bets placed on the prediction market Kalshi about specific»»»
16 hours of study, one big dream: How Aryan Gupta secured NEET UG 2026 with 715/720
For Aryan Gupta, securing the top rank in NEET UG 2026 is not just an academic achievement — it is the first step towards fulfilling a deeply personal mission. The 17-year-old from Ludhiana secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 after scoring 715 marks out of 720, sharing the highest score nationally with »»»
Trump revives election fraud claims ahead of US midterms in primetime White House address
US President Donald Trump on Thursday revived sweeping and unsupported claims of voter fraud and Chinese meddling - firing a clear warning shot ahead of midterm elections that many expect him to dispute. In a primetime White House address, Trump portrayed the US electoral system as dangerously expo»»»
US-Iran war: What UAE residents need to know today (July 17)
The United States and Iran exchanged fresh military and diplomatic warnings Friday as the conflict entered a new phase, with Tehran declaring the Strait of Hormuz an "unbreakable red line," US forces expanding strikes across southern Iran, and Gulf nations tightening security amid fears of a broade»»»
Truth or Fake - Trump changes Reflecting Pool ‘gash’ size again, but offers no evidence
When announcing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool had been drained again, Donald Trump doubled down on his vandalism claims, but his latest account raises fresh questions. Online, Trump said the alleged "slashes" stretched for 300 yards, after previously describing them as 250, 300 and 350 feet.»»»
PERA: Tax-free, state-backed retirement account OFWs can use to secure their future
If you’re an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), you've probably spent years making sacrifices so your family can have a better future. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click hereMany OFWs hope their savings, investments or pension will be enough for retirement. »»»
Rain, fog and dust ahead: Here's what to expect from the UAE weather over the next four days
Abu Dhabi: The UAE is set for unsettled weather over the coming days, with the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasting a chance of rain in eastern and southern areas, humid nights, early morning fog and occasional dusty conditions. The NCM said Friday's weather will be partly cloudy to clo»»»
Global energy security at risk if Strait of Hormuz does not open in weeks, IEA chief says
WASHINGTON: If the US and Iran do not increase oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz soon, the world should worry about energy security, International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said on Thursday. “Oil security is still a critical issue,” Birol told a Council on Foreign Relatio»»»
WHO warns DR Congo Ebola outbreak outpacing response as cases top 2,200
GENEVA: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has become the third largest on record and is spreading faster than any previous one during the first month of exposure, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Thursday. Get updated faster and for FREE: Down»»»
China overtakes US in global favorability – Pew
China and President Xi Jinping are now viewed more favorably than the US and Donald Trump across most of the world, a new Pew Research Center survey spanning six continents has found. Pew says China enjoys a more positive image than the US in 25 of the 36 countries and territories surveyed, includi»»»
House Republicans' $95 billion Iran war package clears first hurdle
WASHINGTON: Republicans on the House Budget Committee advanced a $95-billion package late on Thursday for the Iran war, farm aid and President Donald Trump's push for strict new voter ID requirements, moving forward on a party-line vote despite trouble in the full House — and the Senate. Get update»»»
Brazil calls Trump’s 25% tariff unjust and vows to impose reciprocal tariffs
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil has described the latest US tariffs on certain Brazilian imports as unjust and politically motivated, threatening Thursday to impose reciprocal measures on US products. The country's top diplomat criticised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the move. Get — updated faster »»»
Thick, hazardous wildfire smoke spreads from Great Lakes to East Coast - UPI.com
Smoke from wildfires in Canada drop hazy skies on the Manhattan skyline on Thursday in New York City. All of New York State and parts of New Jersey were under an Air Quality Advisory due to the smoke from more than 100 wildfires burning in Canada. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 16»»»
The mission after space: Prince Sultan’s journey into Saudi heritage
RIYADH: While most people know Prince Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud as the first Arab and Muslim astronaut to travel into space, the years that followed were devoted to a different mission: reviving Saudi Arabia’s heritage and documenting the people whose lives helped shape the Kingdom’s history throug»»»
Sheikh Joaan pays emotional tribute to Father Amir
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani has paid an emotional tribute to the late His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani describing him as a father, mentor and the architect of Qatar’s modern renaissance. In a post on X, accompanied by childhood photogra»»»
Why the mystery of Egypt’s pyramids still refuses to be solved
LONDON: When a team of Egyptian archaeologists revealed details last month of excavations at an ancient burial ground on the east bank of the Nile, there was the usual flurry of international media excitement at the prospect of yet another breakthrough in our understanding of how the great pyramids»»»
Taiwan chipmaker TSMC to invest another $100b in Arizona fabs
TAIPEI — Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC will invest an additional $100 billion in the US state of Arizona, the company said Thursday, as it reported a record quarterly net profit on the back of massive demand for AI hardware.TSMC, the biggest contract maker of microchips used in everything from Apple pho»»»