HOUSTON: The end result was as expected, but for 45 minutes the performance was not. After a quintessential game of two halves, Morocco became the first African team in history to twice reach the World Cup quarterfinals, yet it was not the easy game against Canada that many fans anticipated. When t»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector expanded at a four-month high in June, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index rising to 53.3 from 52.8, driven by stronger domestic demand and new orders. The Riyad Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index, compiled by S&P Global, climbed to its highest level since»»»

Despite years of soaring inflation and the rapid spread of digital payments, Hungarians continue to keep surprisingly large amounts of cash at home. According to a new study by experts at the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), the main reason is not everyday shopping but the desire for financial securi»»»

On July 5, 2016, FBI Director James Comey announced the agency wouldn't recommend charges be brought against Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. 1 of 7 | Democratic candidate for president Hillary Clinton gives a speech by the Trump Plaza on the Atlantic City boardwalk in Atlantic Ci»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar and Saudi Arabia basketball teams meet in Jeddah today in the closing fixture of the third window of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 in Qatar. The clash comes amid an intense battle for group leadership. Lebanon currently tops the standings with 9 poin»»»

Doha, Qatar: The General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs continues to direct returns from specialised endowment funds towards addressing evolving community needs, with the Endowment for Supporting Vulnerable Families serving as a key initiative to promote fami»»»

This weekend, the United States marks 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, one of the most influential political texts in modern history. Its assertion that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed, and that all people are endowed with the rights t»»»

Doha, Qatar: Oil prices ended the week little changed as investors weighed improving prospects for a US-Iran agreement against lingering uncertainty over security in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude settled at $72.12 a barrel, up 0.2% on the week, while US West Texas Intermediate closed at $68.78,»»»

Doha, Qatar: The FIFA World Cup entered the knockout stage with 32 teams still dreaming of glory. Over 16 matches played across the United States, Canada and Mexico, football’s biggest names were forced to fight for survival, big nations were sent home, and several nations celebrated the greatest v»»»

Doha, Qatar: Brazil’s pursuit of a record-extending sixth FIFA World Cup crown faces its biggest examination yet when they meet Norway in a Round of 16 clash at the MetLife Stadium, New York New Jersey, today at 11pm Qatar time. A quarter-final against either co-hosts Mexico or 1966 champions Engla»»»

Doha, Qatar: Hamad, Ruwais and Doha ports witnessed an increase in handling of container volumes, general and bulk cargoes and vessels in June this year compared to the previous month. In a post on its X platform yesterday, Mwani Qatar stated “Qatar ports welcomed 121 vessels in June 2026, marking »»»

Sydney: Football Australia have thrown their support behind under-fire coach Tony Popovic despite some questionable decisions in their World Cup penalty shootout loss to Egypt that saw them again fail to clear a knockout round. Popovic sparked criticism from some high-profile former Australia playe»»»

PHILADELPHIA: Kylian Mbappe converted from the spot for his ‌19th World Cup goal and seventh of this tournament as France outlasted Paraguay to reach the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory on Saturday in a steamy round of 16 encounter. With ​the penalty, earned by substitute Desire Doue’s slaloming r»»»

US President Donald Trump is set to take the stage in Washington, DC, to deliver his Freedom 250 address after a storm threat forced a chaotic evacuation of the National Mall and left many attendees unable to get back through security in time for the speech. Thousands had gathered near the Washingt»»»

Dubai: The UAE is expected to see fair to partly cloudy weather today, Sunday, with low clouds forming over the eastern coast and light to moderate southwesterly to northwesterly winds freshening at times, according to the National Centre of Meteorology. Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 47°»»»

German police have deployed pepper spray and batons in a clash with left-wing activists in the city of Erfurt. The demonstrators were attempting to derail a convention of the opposition Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The right-wing party advocates tougher immigration laws and also opposes Ger»»»

Philadelphia, United States: France needed a second-half Kylian Mbappe penalty to break down a stubborn Paraguay side on Saturday, winning a niggly World Cup last-16 clash 1-0 to set up a quarter-final showdown with Morocco. Paraguay's efforts to get under the skin of France's superstars worked for»»»

LONDON: Two gaping holes were blasted into the women’s draw at Wimbledon on Saturday as defending champion Iga Swiatek was outplayed by Filipino crowd-pleaser Alexandra Eala and second seed Elena Rybakina was sent packing by Belgian Elize Mertens. Disgruntled Polish third seed Swiatek lost a titani»»»

EAST RUTHERFORD: Erling Haaland has feasted on defenses throughout the World Cup, and Norway will need their talismanic striker at his ruthless best if they are to topple Brazil in Sunday’s last-16 clash. Haaland’s late winner against Ivory Coast — his fifth goal at the tournament — secured Norway’»»»

Agencies Small business owners in US tourist destinations say they’re seeing more Americans sticking closer to home this summer, trading overseas travel for road trips, choosing daylong sojourns over extended beach stays, and cooking instead of eating out while on vacation to save money. The report»»»

Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Charity (QC) has launched a specialised medical initiative in Sudan to provide paediatric cardiac catheterisation and open-heart surgeries as part of Qatar’s continued humanitarian and healthcare support amid the ongoing conflict. The project was inaugurated at the W»»»

Houston Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Canada on Saturday at Houston Stadium in the opening match of the Round of 16. Morocco continued its impressive tournament run after finishing second in Group C with seven points, earned through victori»»»

After a ‘framework agreement’ was signed between Lebanon and Israel in Washington on 26 June, attention has shifted to its implementation. Sponsored by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, it aims to end hostilities between the two Middle East neighbours, secure the Israeli army’s withdrawal from sou»»»

Nearly half of Polish students plan to take temporary jobs this summer, according to the latest Tikrow Temporary Work Index. Overall, 19% of Poles want to seek casual work, up 1 pp from the previous quarter, while the figure rises to 45% among students, up 11 pp. At the same time, 65% of companies »»»

AMMAN — Exports by the Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) rose by 9.5 per cent during the first half of 2026 to JD3.801 billion, reflecting the resilience of Jordan's industrial sector despite regional challenges.According to the chamber's statistical report released on Saturday, exports increased fro»»»

AMMAN — Chief Executive Officer of the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) Mazen Wathaifi has announced that all listed companies required to submit annual sustainability reports for 2025 have complied with the reporting requirements.A total of 22 companies submitted their sustainability reports within the »»»

A doctor who was being treated for Ebola in France after having tested positive following a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo has recovered and is out of hospital, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said in a statement Saturday. It was the first time that French authorities had detected the dead»»»

On this edition of Access Asia, we find out why anger is brewing in South Korea after the country's national team was eliminated from the World Cup. We also ask our Sports Editor why China hasn't managed to make it to football's top tier despite massive investment. Plus, Japan's prime minister»»»

Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended plans for a proposed multibillion-euro tourism resort near the protected Zvërnec Lagoon, rejecting accusations that his government weakened environmental protections to facilitate the investment. In an interview with German broadcaster ZDF, Rama said the land in»»»

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has become a key diplomatic actor in efforts to end Sudan’s civil war, with the Kingdom uniquely positioned to translate years of stalled negotiations into a ceasefire and political transition, according to the EU’s envoy for the Horn of Africa. “I think it’s key. I think it’s »»»

Houston: Canada became the first of the co-hosts to exit the World Cup as a clinical Morocco won 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals on Saturday in Houston. The 2022 semi-finalists Morocco will face title favourites France or Paraguay as the business end of the tournament in North America approaches. A»»»

NEW YORK: Champion ‌eater Joey Chestnut successfully defended his title on Saturday despite consuming fewer hot dogs than a year earlier. Battling not only other competitors but also extreme heat at the annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City’s Coney Island, Chestnut scored h»»»

ERFURT: Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded a German city on Saturday, blocking major roads and disrupting public transport, but failed to halt a congress of the far-right AfD party. Many Alternative for Germany — AfD — delegates arrived at the conference center in Erfurt in the early hours,»»»

SEATLE, USA: Belgium winger Jeremy Doku ‌deserves more support at the World Cup if he is going to prove decisive for his country, teammate Dodi Lukebakio said on Saturday. Doku had been touted as a potential talisman for Belgium before the tournament but has been largely ineffective despite their p»»»

DOHA: Cabo Verde arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament's biggest underdogs. A nation of just over half a million people making its first-ever appearance on football's grandest stage, few expected the Blue Sharks to leave much of a mark. Instead, they left with something far gr»»»

Hungary’s main opposition party, Fidesz, has sharply condemned the government’s proposed 17th amendment to the Fundamental Law, with parliamentary group leader Gergely Gulyás describing it as “the end of constitutional democracy and the beginning of authoritarian rule in Hungary.” The statement cam»»»

KANSAS CITY: Africa set a record by sending nine of its teams to the knockout rounds of the World Cup. Seven of them were knocked out in the first round. Ghana were the last African team to play in the Round of 32 on Friday night, and the white-clad Black Stars went down with a whimper in a 1-0 los»»»

MEXICO CITY: The Mexican dream at this World Cup can be summed up in a phrase: “And what if we do?” The question omits the ending — and what if we do win? — but captures the hope of two generations of Mexicans who were used to defeats and have waited 40 years to see their national team make it to t»»»

Doha: Qatar and Saudi Arabia national basketball teams will meet tomorrow in the closing fixture of the third window of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 in Qatar. The encounter promises strong competitiveness despite qualification to the second round already being secured»»»

RIYADH: Large-scale concerts, scintillating theme parks, and a booming cinema industry are no longer novelties in Saudi Arabia, with them becoming powerful engines of economic diversification under Vision 2030, according to industry experts. Guided by the ambitious program, Saudi Arabia is affirmin»»»

COLOMBO: A new medical college complex in southwestern Sri Lanka, financed by the Saudi Fund for Development, was inaugurated on Saturday, marking the latest Saudi assistance aimed at improving healthcare and education in the island nation. The $50 million project for the Faculty of Medicine at the»»»

President Donald Trump ushered in the 250th anniversary of American independence on Friday with soaring rhetoric about American exceptionalism before veering into a darkly political speech with warnings about a sinister threat of communism that evoked one of the country’s ugliest chapters. Ian Reif»»»

Washington: Millions of Americans celebrated the country's 250th birthday on Saturday -- a landmark celebration that comes at a time of deep political division, with a president determined to put his stamp on the festivities. Washington's traditional fireworks display on the National Mall -- lined »»»

Russia’s strikes on the Ukrainian military-industrial facilities will intensify, just as President Vladimir Putin has instructed, military analyst Boris Rozhin tells Sputnik. Ukraine is already grappling with mounting logistical chaos triggered by them, the pundit notes.While some lost production c»»»

BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday urged the United States to stand by his country after a recent US-backed framework deal with Israel aiming to permanently end hostilities after the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. The deal reached in Washington calls for the disarmament of Iran-backed»»»

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: The Gaza war was the spark that touched off years of Middle East conflict culminating in the US-Israeli war with Iran, but as Washington and Tehran wrangle over terms for peace, the devastated territory’s fate seems largely out of mind. “Ever since the United Sta»»»

Mexico City: Canada have already made World Cup history, while Mexico and the USA are also on course to beat their best ever runs in the tournament as home advantage has paid dividends. AFP Sports looks at how all three co-hosts have thrived while others have struggled with the sprawling tournament»»»

Lake Velence, Hungary’s third-largest natural lake and one of the country’s most popular recreational destinations, is once again facing a critical summer. Prolonged drought, high evaporation rates and the lack of a long-term water replenishment strategy have pushed water levels to worrying lows. F»»»

In tonight's edition, Ebola is spreading beyond its original hotspot in the DRC as a new case has been detected nearly 600 kilometers away. And another human rights catastrophe is unfolding in Sudan around the besieged city of al-Obeid, the UN says.  Produced by Clarisse Fortuné and Antonia Ci»»»

Europe’s peak travel season is under pressure as the new Entry/Exit System (EES) creates long queues, processing delays and operational bottlenecks at airports across the Schengen Area. Designed to replace passport stamping with biometric checks, the system is intended to modernise border control. »»»