Marine Le Pen’s presidential candidacy causes France to reassess
After a recent French court ruling allowed far-right leader Marine Le Pen to run in the presidential election next year, the country’s political landscape has changed. When the polls open on 18 April 2027, the current French President Emmanuel Macron will not be a candidate, having served the two t»»»
Parliament to Debate Legislative Amendments to Collective Investment Activities Act, Election Code
Parliament is expected to debate legislative amendments concerning the operation of collective investment schemes and the Electoral Code. Parliament will hold a second reading of amendments to the Activities of Collective Investment Schemes and Other Undertakings for Collective Investment Act, acco»»»
Trump warns ‘it’s our turn’ to hit Iran after strikes on US bases, gas tanker
A suspected drone has struck a US-owned floating liquefied natural gas facility at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta, setting two vessels ablaze and prompting President Donald Trump to threaten retaliation against Iran. British maritime security firm Ambrey assessed that at least one drone had»»»
Flying from the UAE today? Here's every airline cancellation, travel warning and flight update you need to know
Dubai: Travellers flying to and from the UAE on Thursday, July 30, are being urged to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as fresh military action between the United States and Iran continues to disrupt air travel across the Middle East. The latest escalation came after the Uni»»»
Parliament Expected to Debate Legislative Amendments to Collective Investment Activities Act, Election Code
Parliament is expected to debate legislative amendments concerning the operation of collective investment schemes and the Electoral Code. Parliament will hold a second reading of amendments to the Activities of Collective Investment Schemes and Other Undertakings for Collective Investment Act, acco»»»
Hope dwindles for rescue in southwestern Japan quake as death toll climbs to 23
KUMAMOTO, Japan: Rural communities in southwestern Japan were struggling to get their lives back to normal Thursday, two days after a powerful earthquake set off an explosion at a mall, toppled a factory chimney and flattened homes, killing at least 23 people. Time was running out to find survivors»»»
US-Iran conflict: What UAE residents need to know today (July 30, 2026)
The US-Iran war entered another dangerous phase on Thursday (July 30) as the US Central Command launched a powerful new wave of retaliatory strikes on Iran, while Tehran continued missile attacks against US forces in the region. The latest escalation is significant, not only because of the proximit»»»
Spain eases evacuations as France battles fresh wildfires amid new heatwave
Thousands of evacuees were allowed home in Spain after firefighters gained ground against some of the country's worst blazes in decades, but soaring temperatures and new outbreaks in France underscored the broader wildfire emergency unfolding across southern Europe. Thousands who fled huge wildfire»»»
Tourism sector loses steam despite resilient hotel demand
In June 2026, nearly 1.9 million guests spent 4.3 million tourism nights at tourist (commercial, private and other) accommodation establishments. Tourist arrivals were down by 2.2% and tourism nights down by 2.5% in number compared to a year earlier. In January-June 2026, domestic arrivals at touri»»»
Authorities urge water conservation amid third-level heat alert
As the heat continues to intensify, the national chief public health officer has ordered a third-level heat alert effective from midnight Thursday, while service providers and local authorities across the country are simultaneously calling for water conservation to prevent shortages. According to a»»»
Experts scramble to keep Paks nuclear plant cool as Danube dries up
Water management specialists are on standby to ensure the cooling water supply of the Paks nuclear power plant even amid the Danube's extremely low water levels, the minister responsible for the living environment announced in a Facebook post. László Gajdos wrote that following the declaration of a»»»
Pax Silica: Are Filipinos really afraid of progress — or afraid of the future?
Manila: There is a peculiar argument emerging around Pax Silica. Build data centres in the Philippines and, some critics say, we will merely be eating the leftovers of the West — “kain suka” — becoming a dumping ground for America's technology industry while Filipinos shoulder the environmental cos»»»
US stocks slide as rates unchanged, oil price spikes
Wall Street stocks finished sharply lower Wednesday after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged despite lofty US inflation as escalations in the Middle East war pushed oil prices skyward. Major US indices ended down more than 1.5 percent after initially greeting the Fed's decision to ke»»»
US Federal Reserve keeps benchmark interest rates steady; markets take a hit
New York: The US Federal Reserve is keeping the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.5 per cent to 3.75 per cent in the face of inflation threats. The decision on Wednesday (local time) sent stock markets tumbling, with the Dow Jones falling 1,153 points, or 2.19 per cent, and the NASDAQ down 433»»»
Russia launches missile barrage on Kyiv as Ukraine escalates strikes on Russian oil facilities
KYIV: Russia launched ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv early Thursday, triggering explosions across the Ukrainian capital hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow was preparing a major overnight assault and renewed appeals for Western air defense support. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klits»»»
If China sells weapons to Iran, Trump says he would be 'quite disappointed'
Washington: US President Donald Trump has stated that he would be "disappointed" if China supplied weapons to Iran, reiterating assurances he said Chinese President Xi Jinping had personally given him that Beijing would not sell arms to Tehran. Addressing reporters during an Oval Office interaction»»»
Houthis reportedly considering transit fees for ships using the Red Sea
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement is reportedly considering charging commercial vessels transit fees to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and, ultimately, the Suez Canal. The proposal is still un»»»
UNESCO committee session in S. Korea closes with 25 new heritage sites - UPI.com
South Korea's delegation, including UNESCO Ambassador Kim Ji-hee (R), applauds as Turkey is selected as the next host country at the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan on Wednesday. Photo by Yonhap The first UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting held in South Korea wrapped up Wednesday»»»
Qatar’s 2nd place global ranking in labour market indicator reflects success of government policies
QNA Doha Qatar has achieved a new global milestone by ranking Second in the labour market index according to the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. The rank reflects the strength of the national economy, the efficiency of the labour market and its ability to attract and retain talent in line »»»
EU delegation, Zerohundred bring diplomacy closer to communities
Ashraf Siddiqui The Delegation of the European Union to the State of Qatar, in partnership with Doha-based Italian creative agency Zerohundred, is adopting a new approach to public diplomacy by placing culture, creativity and shared experiences at the heart of community engagement. Moving beyond tr»»»
QC helps 380 families in Bangladesh build livelihoods
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Charity (QC) has implemented an economic empowerment project in Bangladesh to support vulnerable families by providing income-generating assets and helping them build stable and self-reliant lives. The project benefited 380 families, or around 1,900 people. Beneficia»»»
Gaza’s lighter shortage turns making tea into test of endurance
LONDON: Palestinians in the embattled Gaza Strip once flicked a lighter or pushed a button to make tea. Now, brewing a single cup can take mother of four Maysa Yousef nearly an hour as wartime shortages turn a simple flame into a luxury. As Israel’s war in Gaza grinds on, shortages of gas, a near-t»»»
Cyprus’ ethnic split must be resolved to stabilize a tumultuous region, UN chief says
NICOSIA, Cyprus: Resolving Cyprus’ ethnic division is “absolutely crucial” for stabilizing a turbulent region where persistent conflicts have the potential to escalate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday. Guterres made a rare, two-day visit to Cyprus to underline his commitment to»»»
Sexual harassment of female Palestinian detainee revealed
LONDON/RAMALLAH: A female Palestinian prisoner, in a testimony documented by the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs following a visit by her lawyer to Israel’s Damon Prison, revealed that she was subjected to serious abuses since her arrest and through her detention. The detainee said»»»
Cyclosporiasis cases rise to more than 18,000, spread to 45 states - UPI.com
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters are shown in Atlanta. A report by the CDC said Wednesday that the number of suspected cyclosporiasis cases has risen to more than 18,000. File photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE/ July 29 (UPI) -- The number of suspected cyclosporiasis ca»»»
EU needs 'Team Enlargement' coalition to drive next expansion push, think-tank says
The European Union needs a coalition of key member states to overcome political divisions and prepare the bloc for its next enlargement wave, including the possible accession of Ukraine, Moldova and Western Balkan countries, a report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) said. The rep»»»
Senate passes Graham's “hellish sanctions” package during Zelenskiy's trip to Washington in coup for Bankova
The US Senate passed the “sanctions from hell” package advanced by the late Senator Lindsey Graham on July 29 with an overwhelming majority of 86 to 12 in favour, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in attendance. Zelenskiy was in Washington to visit US President Donald Trump to consolidat»»»
How two wars and El Nino could fuel world hunger
Food SecurityGlobal issuesHow two wars and El Nino could fuel world hungerNik MartinThe wars in Ukraine and the Middle East haven't yet crippled global food supplies. Add a powerful weather pattern like El Nino, however, and the risks multiply. https://p.dw.com/p/5HoFlSupplies of rice — consumed by»»»
Netanyahu Proposed Hiking US Military Aid to $16Bln Under Renegotiated MoU - Reports
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested to President Donald Trump a renegotiated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on security assistance for Israel where Washington would hike the contribution to $16 billion, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing officials. Accordi»»»
UAE keeps key interest rate unchanged in July, mirroring US Fed move
Dubai: The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) announced late Wednesday it has decided to maintain the Base Rate applicable to the Overnight Deposit Facility (ODF) at 3.65%. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.This CBUAE decision was taken following the U»»»
Syrian authorities seize 186,000 captagon pills in Afrin
LONDON: Syrian authorities on Wednesday arrested two drug traffickers and seized 186,000 captagon pills during an operation in the Afrin area of Aleppo province in the north of the country. The Drug Enforcement Department said that authorities seized the pills from 186 bags with a combined weight o»»»
Baladna reports H1 2026 results with surges in all financial and operational indicators
Doha, Qatar, 29th July 2026: Baladna Q.P.S.C., Qatar’s leading dairy and juice company, today announced its financial results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2026. The Company delivered continued growth in revenue and profitability, supported by the strong performance of its core business, r»»»
Labor risks rise
The Bureau of Information and Economic Cycles (BIEC) has raised concerns over Poland's labor market after its July Labor Market Index (WRP) increased to 77.7 points, signaling a greater risk of rising unemployment in the months ahead. Although the registered unemployment rate fell to 5.8% in June, »»»
Healthcare funding gap
Poland's chronic underinvestment in healthcare may be contributing to more than 10,000 avoidable deaths each year, according to experts cited in a new report highlighting the economic and human cost of insufficient health spending. The analysis argues that limited funding has led to longer waiting »»»
Israel bombs mosque in Gaza, says it was a weapons depot - UPI.com
Palestinians inspect a destroyed mosque following an Israeli air strike in Gaza, Tuesday. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said at least four people were killed in Israeli attacks across the territory on Tuesday. Photo by Mohammed Saber/EPA July 29 (UPI) -- The Israeli military on Wednesday accus»»»
China hails CXMT debut as challenge to global memory chip leaders - UPI.com
Record Shanghai listing fuels semiconductor ambitions, though company still trails South Korean and U.S. rivals technologically A large screen shows the latest stock exchange and economy data in Shanghai, China, 15 June 2026. Photo by ALEX PLAVEVSKI / EPA July 28 (Asia Today) -- China's successful »»»
Continue the Change's Ribarski: We Shouldn't Be Focusing on Restoring Old Defence Equipment
"We should not focus on restoring old defense equipment," MP Radoslav Ribarski of Continue the Change party told journalists in Parliament on Wednesday. He was commenting on the Ministry of Defence's request for a possible purchase of MiG-29 aircraft for spare parts. "We are for real modernization »»»
Fire incidents fall amid stronger safety compliance: Civil Defense officials to QNA
Doha: Qatar's General Directorate of Civil Defense has intensified fire prevention efforts during the summer season, focusing on public awareness campaigns and compliance with safety requirements to reduce risks to lives and property. Despite increased awareness, officials said some unsafe practice»»»
EU needs 'Team Enlargement' coalition to drive next expansion push, think-tank says
The European Union needs a coalition of key member states to overcome political divisions and prepare the bloc for its next enlargement wave, including the possible accession of Ukraine, Moldova and Western Balkan countries, a report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) said. The rep»»»
EU needs 'Team Enlargement' coalition to drive next expansion push, think-tank says
The European Union needs a coalition of key member states to overcome political divisions and prepare the bloc for its next enlargement wave, including the possible accession of Ukraine, Moldova and Western Balkan countries, a report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) said. The rep»»»
US issues new Iran-related sanctions targeting insurers, more tankers
WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday issued another round of Iran-related sanctions, taking aim at Iran’s efforts to “monetize the Strait of Hormuz” with designations of 10 entities and eight more tankers, the US Treasury Department said. Six of the entities targeted for sanctions were based»»»
Public executions in Iran spark anti-regime protests
The Islamic Republic publicly executed two Iranian protesters in Isfahan at dawn on July 28. Several hundred people gathered near a stage set up in the city’s Alikhani Square, but instead of cheering the execution, they chanted slogans against the police, prompting anti-riot units to disperse the c»»»
Paks nuclear reactor unit shut down as Danube reaches record-low water levels
Hungary has begun shutting down one of the four reactor units at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant after the Danube reached exceptionally low water levels, highlighting the growing impact of the country’s prolonged heatwave and severe drought. The operator, MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant Ltd., announced o»»»
'Climate change is really here: We should seize this crisis moment to create a new momentum'
Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, Climate Scientist and Professor at the Universities of Louvain and Liège in Belgium. Europe's latest heatwave is further evidence of a structural transformation of the continent's climate, warns Professor van Ypersele. His central argumen»»»
The Fed faces interest rate decision as Dow drops 400 points - UPI.com
Chair of the Federal Reserve Kevin Warsh looks on during a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on the Federal Reserve's semi-annual monetary policy report at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 15. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 29 (UPI) -- The stock»»»
Despite praise, Chad to withdraw from the International Criminal Court
Chad announced that it is withdrawing from the Rome Statute and, therefore, from the International Criminal Court, as several other countries in the Sahel region have done. In an official statement, Chad’s government criticised the ICC’s alleged partiality, arguing that most of its investigations h»»»
Firefighter 'morale remains high' despite heatwave coming to France's blazing southwest
In the southwest of France, temperatures are expected to go over 40 degree celsius just as firefighters have managed to stabilise the mass blazes in the forests of the Gironde region. They are expecting the heatwave to set fires going again but 'morale remains high', says FRANCE 24's Carys Garland,»»»
Nepal's tiger numbers rise 20 percent to an estimated 429
The number of tigers in Nepal has risen by roughly a fifth over the past four years, wildlife officials say, strengthening the Himalayan nation's reputation for conservation. But as the number of tigers in the wild has risen, the number of tiger attacks on humans has increased with it. Nepal'»»»
Syrian crews extinguish Latakia forest fire sparked by mine-clearing blast
LONDON: Syrian Civil Defense teams extinguished a large forest fire on Tuesday in Latakia province after more than 10 hours of work in what firefighters described as extremely hazardous conditions. The blaze began in the village of Kabineh during a mine-clearing operation by Syrian Defense Ministry»»»
Russia charges Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with 'promoting terrorism' - UPI.com
Telegram fouinder and CEO Pavel Durov was the target of a international warrant issued by Moscow which wants him on charges the app was used to organize terror attacks in Russia. File Photo by Nick Lubushko/Wikipedia Commons July 29 (UPI) -- Russia issued an international arrest warrant Wednesday f»»»