From oil wells to code: can Central Asia become the world's next technology hub?
For most of the post-Soviet era, Central Asia's economic story was written in commodities. Kazakhstan exported oil, uranium and metals. Uzbekistan relied on gold, natural gas and cotton. Turkmenistan sat atop some of the world's largest gas reserves. Technology barely featured in the conversation. »»»
Kerala shigella outbreak: Symptoms, risks and all about the highly contagious infection
Kerala is witnessing a shigella outbreak that has affected schoolchildren across multiple districts, prompting intensified surveillance by health authorities. The situation escalated after a four-year-old girl from Kozhikode died due to the infection, the state’s first reported fatality linked to s»»»
8 tax residency rules entrepreneurs must know before relocating to Dubai
Dubai: Dubai continues to cement its position as a top relocation hub for founders, executives, and high-net-worth individuals from Europe, North America, and Asia. The city's zero personal income tax regime is a headline attraction, yet experts warn that achieving full tax efficiency requires more»»»
Iran FM Abbas Araghchi vows retaliation against US strikes, urges American forces to leave region
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared Tuesday that his country's armed forces would respond to recent U.S. attacks, asserting that Washington had "opted to test our determination" despite battlefield setbacks in the ongoing regional conflict. In a post on X, Araghchi wrote: "Despite»»»
NASA unveils Artemis III astronauts to test technology for a future moon landing
NEW YORK: NASA on Tuesday revealed the crew for its Artemis III mission, the next step in the space agency’s plan to eventually land astronauts on the moon. The announcement came two months after Artemis II’s record-breaking trip around the moon that surpassed the distance record of Apollo 13. NASA»»»
EU announces €16.5 mn in additional support to contain Ebola outbreak
BRUSSELS: The European Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib has announced €16.5 million in additional EU support to stop the Ebola outbreak, after visiting frontline responders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and engaging with the African Union and the Africa Centres for Di»»»
Oil car era may have already ended: Year to be remembered as 'peak' of the combustion engine is not 2026
For more than a century, the internal combustion engine (ICE) powered the world. They powered economic growth, the transformation of cities and geopolitics. Yet according to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), a pivotal moment in automotive history may have already passed largely unnot»»»
Olise treble inspires France to win over spirited Northern Ireland
PAMedia/DPA Lille (France) Northern Ireland were undone by a superb Michael Olise hat-trick as France jetted off to the World Cup with a 3-1 friendly win on Monday. Olise struck either side of half-time, both goals unerring finishes on the rebound, and after Northern Ireland’s Patrick Kelly pulled »»»
At least one person killed protesting Ebola quarantine centre for US citizens in Kenya
At least one person has been killed during a demonstration protesting the construction of an Ebola quarantine centre in the Kenyan city of Nanyuki. The centre is set to host Americans who have been extracted from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where an outbreak is currently taking place. Ke»»»
When fake news meets oil markets: New threat behind crude price spikes
Oil markets have long been vulnerable to wars. Sanctions. Refinery outages. Shipping disruptions. Increasingly, however, analysts are warning of another threat capable of moving prices within minutes: Misinformation and/or disinformation. As tensions in the Middle East continue to unsettle energy m»»»
Lesotho signs $6.2bn hydropower and AI project with aim of becoming power exporter
Lesotho has signed what it describes as the largest investment commitment in the country's history, agreeing a $6.2bn deal with US renewable energy developer Convalt Energy to develop a 1,200MW hydropower project and an artificial intelligence (AI) data centre near the Kobong Dam The agreement, sig»»»
Analysis: Iran, Israel use Lebanon to test deterrence, negotiating power - UPI.com
Smoke rises after an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border in the Upper Galilee on Sunday amid a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. Photo by Atef Safadi/EPA BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 9 (UPI) -- Iran and Israel, who traded missile attacks triggered by a st»»»
Belarusian transport company operating in Europe despite sanctions
Swedish public broadcaster SVT reports that Belarusian transport company Jenty may be operating in Europe despite EU sanctions through DSPL, a related company registered in Poland. The investigation began after a fatal January truck accident near Stockholm involving a vehicle with the Jenty logo th»»»
Gas stocks in EU approaching historic lows
Europe’s underground gas storage sites are filling slowly because gas is much more expensive than a year ago, prompting companies to delay purchases in hopes of lower prices. According to Gas Infrastructure Europe, EU storage levels have reached 42.48%, about 14.3 percentage points below the five-y»»»
NASA's X-59 breaks sound barrier, moves closer to quiet supersonic passenger travel - UPI.com
NASA's experimental aircraft reached a major milestone last week by achieving supersonic speed. It's a first for the agency as it moves closer to demonstrating a new era of quieter high-speed flight. "X-59 is getting ready for its quiet supersonic debut," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a»»»
US Apache helicopter crashes near Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has confirmed media reports of a US Army Apache attack helicopter going down near the Strait of Hormuz amid Washington’s efforts to curb oil shipments by Iran. The Apache choppers are one of the key aircraft used by the US military to enforce the blockade of Iranian ports,»»»
World Cup nears kickoff after pre-tournament turbulence
MEXICO CITY: The World Cup kicks off on Thursday with FIFA betting that the enduring appeal of the greatest footballing show on earth can rise above anger at soaring ticket prices, an uneasy political climate in Donald Trump’s America and the shadow of conflict in the Middle East. A record 48 teams»»»
Rival Palestinian factions discuss Gaza disarmament
CAIRO: Members of Palestinian factions including Hamas agreed in principle for Gaza’s armed groups to hand over parts of their arsenals to a yet-to-be-created, ad hoc Palestinian entity during talks in Cairo, Palestinian sources told AFP on Tuesday. Such a proposal has almost no chance of being acc»»»
Ruling Party Tables Draft Resolution to Dismiss Head of Health Insurance Fund
Draft resolutions calling for the early termination of the terms of office of Petko Stefanovski, Director of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), and Deputy Director Momchil Mavrov have been submitted to the National Assembly by the Progressive Bulgaria (PB) parliamentary group, according to »»»
Global brands return to Argentina amid growing demand - UPI.com
Many of Argentina's country's leading shopping mall operators to expand capacity to meet growing demand for retail space. File Photo by Juan Ignacio Roncoroni/EPA BUENOS AIRES, June 9 (UPI) -- International fashion, luxury and sports brands are accelerating expansion into Argentina after years of a»»»
How to Open Your First Stocks & Shares ISA Without Feeling Out of Your Depth
Stocks and Shares ISAs are among the most beginner-friendly options if you’re planning on taking your first steps into the world of investing, but what measures can you take to ensure that you don’t feel out of your depth when opening an account? Individual savings accounts, or ISAs, can be a highl»»»
Rival Palestinian factions discuss Gaza disarmament
Members of Palestinian factions including Hamas agreed in principle for Gaza's armed groups to hand over parts of their arsenals to a yet-to-be-created, ad hoc Palestinian entity during talks in Cairo, Palestinian sources told AFP on Tuesday. Such a proposal has almost no chance of being accepted b»»»
METIGLA invests €6.2 million in fully automated production lines
The new production capacity includes five completely new lines dedicated to the METIGLA EDGE rectangular rainwater drainage system, covering the entire process—from gutters and downspouts to accessories and fasteners. The lines were developed entirely by the in-house R&D team and are designed to pr»»»
First war crimes complaint against Sudan’s paramilitary forces filed in Kenya
NAIROBI: Victims of alleged atrocities linked to the war in Sudan on Tuesday asked prosecutors in Kenya to investigate allegations of torture and sexual violence by members of a notorious paramilitary group. It is the first attempt to prosecute members of the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, the param»»»
Trump says peace deal with Iran in final stages
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said negotiations over a peace deal to end the Middle East war were in their final stages, after Iran and Israel halted attacks that threatened to reignite the months-long conflict. Iran fired missiles at Israel on Sunday in response to strikes against Lebanon»»»
Anthropic just released its most powerful AI model yet
Dubai: Anthropic has released the most powerful artificial intelligence model in its history to the public, a significant step further intensifying race among AI developers to deliver increasingly capable systems while addressing mounting concerns over safety and misuse. The San Francisco-based com»»»
Opinion | The Illusion of Peace: Lebanon Between Iranian Leverage and Israeli Calculations
Optimism has grown following the latest round of US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel and the announcement of a new ceasefire agreement. The accord stipulates that no state or non-state actor should be allowed to hold Lebanon hostage; an implicit reference to Tehran and Hezbollah, though ne»»»
Sharjah Police take bold stand against drugs
Sharjah: In a renewed effort to safeguard young people from the dangers of narcotics, Sharjah Police has launched a month-long awareness campaign aimed at combating drug abuse and strengthening public understanding of the risks associated with narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The initiat»»»
Strait of Hormuz tensions: US Apache crash, Trump’s call to ‘respond’ and how a navy drone rescued the crew
A US Army Apache helicopter was reported to have gone down near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, amid heightened regional tensions. US President Donald Trump said the aircraft was shot down by Iran and that Washington “must respond”, although there has been no independent confirma»»»
Pechenga joins group of closed military towns
The Russian border municipality hopes for a boost in military investments and has joined a federal association of closed military towns. However, Pechenga is unlikely to see a major military buildup in the near future. "Joining the association is an important step toward the long-term, sustainable »»»
Egypt’s State Ownership Policy Faces a Valuation Test
CAIRO — Egypt’s forthcoming update to its State Ownership Policy Document is expected to reignite debate over how the country values strategic state assets, a question that could influence billions of dollars of future privatizations, public offerings and foreign investment transactions. According »»»
India puts Elon Musk’s Starlink on hold amid Iran conflict concerns
India has effectively put on hold the final approvals needed for Elon Musk’s Starlink to begin commercial satellite internet services in the country, amid security concerns linked to its reported use during the Iran conflict, Bloomberg reported. According to the report, security agencies under the »»»
Trust, security, innovation key to Jordan’s digital payments future, says Visa executive
AMMAN — As Jordan accelerates its digital transformation and strengthens its position as a regional fintech hub, building consumer trust in online payments remains one of the most important challenges facing the sector, according to Mario Makary, Vice President and Levant Country Manager at Visa.In»»»
First War Crimes Complaint Against Sudan’s RSF Filed in Kenya
Victims of alleged atrocities linked to the war in Sudan on Tuesday asked prosecutors in Kenya to investigate allegations of torture and sexual violence by members of a notorious paramilitary group. It is the first attempt to prosecute members of the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, the paramilitary g»»»
US bars first Somali referee to officiate at World Cup from entry
Award-winning football referee Omar Artan, the first Somali national to officiate at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament, has been denied entry to the US. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, has faced scrutiny well before kickoff over a range of organizati»»»
Who is the Somali referee barred from entering the US for the World Cup?
Who is the Somali referee barred from entering the US for the World Cup? 12 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleRob Stevens,BBC Sport AfricaandAbdinasir Ali,BBC Somali Getty ImagesOmar Artan became a Fifa referee in 2018 after working his way through the ranks of the Somali and African ga»»»
Ukraine, Latvia Sign Drone Deal, Zelenskiy Says
Ukraine has signed a drone deal with Latvia, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday as he met with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs on the sidelines of a summit between Ukraine and Nordic and Baltic states in the Estonian capital Tallinn. "These are concrete things to strengthen our jo»»»
Saudi Arabia’s economy hits $1.31 trillion milestone
Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s economy reached a new milestone in 2025 as real gross domestic product expanded to $1.31 trillion, driven increasingly by non-oil sectors that now account for 55 per cent of economic output, according to the National Transformation Program (NTP) 2025 Annual Report. The report »»»
Rival Palestinian Factions Discuss Gaza Disarmament
Members of Palestinian factions including Hamas agreed in principle for Gaza's armed groups to hand over parts of their arsenals to a yet-to-be-created, ad hoc Palestinian entity during talks in Cairo, Palestinian sources told AFP on Tuesday. Such a proposal has almost no chance of being accepted b»»»
Fewer accidents, more deaths: speed is to blame on roads
Tunis, June 9 (TAP) - The number of deaths caused by road accidents in Tunisia has risen from the start of the year to the end of May 2026, despite a decrease in the total number of accidents, information officer for the National Road Safety...»»»
Albanian PM Rama Vows to Push on with Kushner-linked Luxury Resort
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama vowed to press ahead with a billion-dollar luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner despite nine days of protests. Rama described the development as a major investment opportunity, rejecting claims that the government was selling public land. In an interview wi»»»
Somalia backs referee Omar Artan’s ‘integrity’ after US denies him entry
MOGADISHU: Somalia has defended its referee Omar Artan after he was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. In a statement on Tuesday, Somalia’s Ministry of Sports expressed “deep regret” over Artan’s denial of en»»»
Voters in Maine, South Carolina, Nevada, North Dakota head to polls - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Four-term Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., faces five challengers in Tuesday's Republican primary. If no candidate receives 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff election on June 23. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 9 (UPI) -- Five-Term Republican S»»»
‘Burn for us’: The real message of US-EU ‘nuclear sharing’
There’s an old treaty that, if you have signed up to it, says that you can’t spread nuclear weapons. So, if you don’t have any nukes and you sign the treaty, you can’t get any. Simple as that. You’d think. But leave it to the West, with all its ‘values’ and ‘rules-based order’ to, you know, not rea»»»
Bulgaria Says No More Weapons for Ukraine: “They Need People, Not Arms,” Minister Claims
Bulgaria does not intend to provide additional weapons to Ukraine, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov announced while outlining the priorities of the Ministry of Defense during the current government’s mandate. Speaking at a press conference, Stoyanov argued that the conflict has reached a stage whe»»»
Why Anthropic has the edge over OpenAI in IPO race
BusinessNorth AmericaWhy Anthropic has the edge over OpenAI in IPO raceNicolas MartinThe rivalry between Sam Altman and Dario Amodei is entering a new phase. Both AI bosses are planning public listings and hope to use the money to outpace each other in the race to build superintelligent AI. https:/»»»
Technology made everything faster. Why does life feel more expensive?
Last week, I ordered groceries from my phone, paid a utility bill online, renewed a subscription in minutes, and asked an AI tool to summarise a report that would once have taken hours to read. The entire sequence took less than 15 minutes. Twenty years ago, the same tasks would have required phone»»»
Reports of abuse by Israeli tourists spark calls for crackdown on Philippine island
MANILA: When reports of an assault by Israeli tourists at a restaurant in Siargao made headlines nationwide, it was not the first such incident to take place on the southern Philippine island in recent months. This time, however, it went viral, with an increasing number of Filipino influencers call»»»
EGX Slips While Egypt’s Capital-Market Expansion Gains Pace
Cairo — Egyptian stocks retreated as investors locked in profits following recent gains, but market attention increasingly shifted toward a growing pipeline of listings, corporate restructuring plans and renewed Gulf financial support that could reshape Egypt’s capital markets over the coming year.»»»
Oil falls, dollar strengthens as markets assess Iran-Israel ceasefire
Capitals, June 9 (SANA) Global financial markets moved cautiously on Tuesday as oil prices declined, the US dollar strengthened and gold traded near stable levels amid continued monitoring of developments in the Middle East. According to Reuters, crude oil prices fell after reports that Iran and Is»»»