China warns of ‘security backdoor’ in Anthropic’s Claude Code
China has accused Anthropic’s AI coding tool Claude Code of containing “security backdoor vulnerabilities” capable of transmitting sensitive user information without consent, warning the mechanism poses a “serious security risk.” Claude Code, developed by the US startup with close ties to the Penta»»»
A united Gulf is the strongest response to regional challenges: Anwar Gargash
Dubai: Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, has stressed that strengthening unity among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states is essential to confronting threats to the region's security and stability In a post on X, Gargash said enhancing a unified GCC position remained »»»
EU moves closer to barring kids off social media
Brussels: Restrictions on children’s use of social media in the European Union could come as early as this summer, as a long-awaited expert report next week is expected to recommend limiting minors’ access to online platforms. After Australia became the first country in the world to ban under-16s f»»»
Bulgarian Parliament Approves 37 Million Increase in Stryker Combat Vehicle Deal
Bulgaria's Parliament approved an increase in the cost of the country's contract for Stryker armored combat vehicles, backing amendments to the investment project for equipping battalion battle groups within a mechanized brigade. The decision passed with 156 votes in favor, while the 11 MPs from th»»»
“Rheinmetall Plant At Risk?” Opposition Parties Accuse Radev’s Cabinet of Jeopardizing Strategic Investment
GERB and Democratic Bulgaria (DB) accused Prime Minister Rumen Radev's government of putting Bulgaria's planned partnership with German defense company Rheinmetall at risk after Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Alexander Pulev said the state currently lacks the funding needed to move the »»»
UAE's LEONAV-1 marks space technology milestone
Al Aini: The National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) announced the successful launch of “LEONAV-1”, the first Emirati satellite dedicated to satellite navigation technologies. Supported and funded by the UAE Space Agency, the LEONAV-1 proje»»»
US strike on Iranian railway bridge hits China-Russia trade corridor near Turkmenistan
The US struck the Aq Tekeh-Khan railway bridge in Iran's northern Golestan province with cruise missiles, hitting a link on the rail corridor connecting Iran to China and Russia, state media reported on July 9. The strike marks one of the deepest US attacks inside Iranian territory since the confli»»»
Petkovic meets with Dutch ambassador, points to Pristina's unilateral, anti-Serb moves
BELGRADE - The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic met with Dutch Ambassador to Belgrade Martijn Elgersma on Thursday to discuss the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, pointing to unilateral, anti-Serb moves by the Albin Kurti-led authorities in Pristina. Petkovic conv»»»
China floods unleash nearly 900 escaped snakes as bite reports grow
The floods were already forcing people from their homes. Then came another warning: watch where you step. Authorities in southern China say nearly 900 snakes escaped after floodwaters swept through commercial breeding farms in Hengzhou, Guangxi. The authorities said the floods sent both venomous an»»»
UN urges immediate end to fighting in eastern DR Congo
GENEVA: The United Nations called Thursday for an immediate end to fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between the armed forces and the M23 militia. The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group has seized vast swathes of territory since it re-emerged in 2021 in mineral-rich eastern DR Congo, »»»
Trump initiates removal of Syria from US list of state sponsors of terrorism
US President Donald Trump formally began the process of removing Syria from his country's list of state sponsors of terrorism on Wednesday, notifying Congress after telling Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa the move would help rebuild the war-ravaged country. The decision marks a major shift in Wash»»»
Trump’s Iran dilemma: War again or a flawed deal?
Dubai: Just three weeks after declaring he had secured a breakthrough with Iran, President Donald Trump once again finds himself weighing military escalation against diplomacy as the Strait of Hormuz crisis threatens to spiral. Iran’s renewed attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, »»»
China floods unleash nearly 900 escaped snakes as bite reports grow
The floods were already forcing people from their homes. Then came another warning: watch where you step. Authorities in southern China say nearly 900 snakes escaped after floodwaters swept through commercial breeding farms in Hengzhou, Guangxi. The authorities said the floods sent both venomous an»»»
Samsung Electronics expected to continue strong performance - UPI.com
The entrance to Samsung Electronics’ campus in Suwon, South Korea. The memory chipmaker posted record operating profit during the second quarter of this year. Photo by Hyojoon Jeon / UPI July 9 (UPI) -- South Korea's Samsung Electronics has become one of the world's most profitable companies after »»»
Bitterly divided Iran grapples with Khamenei's legacy
He is the grandson of an influential Shiite cleric, born in Qom — the heart of religious studies in Iran — and raised in a traditional family that embraced the theocracy. But by his late 20s, he had stopped praying and given up on clerical rule. Now, he can barely discuss politics or religion with »»»
Oil tanker traffic through Hormuz at near standstill as attacks strain Iran truce
LONDON: Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was at a near standstill on Thursday, according to data and sources, as shipping risks escalated after the US renewed airstrikes on Iran, triggering retaliation by Tehran in the Gulf. Just two tankers had so far sailed through the strait in th»»»
India's TCS posts revenue bump as deal momentum slowly recovers
Mumbai, India: Indian IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) reported on Thursday double-digit growth in revenue for the April-June quarter, with Asia's largest outsourcer helped by a weak rupee and greater spending from banking customers. The leader of India's $315 billion software services indu»»»
Ukraine launches drone strikes against Russian tankers, energy targets - UPI.com
Ukrainian forces said Thursday that they attacked energy infrastructure, tankers and military assets overnight as part of a campaign targeting Russian forces' supply logistics and sources of finance. File Photo by Vladimir Mordunov/UPI | License Photo July 9 (UPI) -- Ukrainian forces said Thursday »»»
FIA launches MENA safety program
DUBAI: A major road safety initiative has been introduced in the Middle East and North Africa by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, motorsports’ global governing body and the worldwide federation for mobility organizations. FIA Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life aims to support the FIA’s memb»»»
Kremlin rejects US claim Ukrainian strikes will help end war
MOSCOW: Russia on Thursday hit out at the United States for saying Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy sites could help end the war between Moscow and Kyiv. Ukraine has mounted a retaliatory strike campaign using long-range drones against Russian energy and military facilities, in what Kyiv calls f»»»
Sofia Council Approves Creation of Municipal Electricity Trading Company
The Sofia Municipal Council approved on Thursday a proposal to establish a municipal electricity trading company wholly owned by the Sofia Municipality. The company, Sofia Energy Trade, will supply electricity to municipal entities at a minimal trading margin. According to independent councillor Dr»»»
Petromidia – 50 years since the first foundation pillar was poured for Năvodari refinery
On July 9, 1976, construction began on an industrial platform unlike any previously developed in Romania: approximately 480 hectares of land were dedicated to this strategic project, including more than 35 hectares reclaimed from the sea to enable the development of the future refinery. The pouring»»»
Central Bank Holds Policy Steady as Egypt’s June Inflation Slips to 14.3%
CAIRO — The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) kept its benchmark interest rates unchanged on Thursday after new data showed annual urban consumer inflation eased modestly to 14.3% in June, reinforcing expectations that policymakers may resume their monetary easing cycle later this summer if disinflation »»»
Analysis: Has FIFA abandoned fair play?
DUBAI: For a few joyous weeks, those nagging concerns were put to bed. The FIFA World Cup has a habit of doing that to football fans. As the game’s flagship event kicked off across Mexico, the US and Canada, supporters from the 48 competing nations, not to mention millions of others around the glob»»»
Syria presents intellectual property strategy at WIPO assemblies in Geneva
Geneva, July 9 (SANA) Syria presented its strategy for strengthening intellectual property protection and supporting innovation during the 68th Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), held in Geneva. According to the Ministry of Economy and Industry, »»»
Saudi Arabia, UAE drive Pakistan remittances to record $41.6bn
Dubai: Pakistan received a record $41.6 billion in workers’ remittances during fiscal year 2025-26, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates accounting for nearly half of the total inflows, underscoring the Gulf’s continued importance to the country’s economy and external finances. Data relea»»»
NBS retains key policy rate at 5.75 pct
BELGRADE - The National Bank of Serbia (NBS) Executive Board decided on Thursday to keep the key policy rate at 5.75 pct, and also kept the deposit facility and lending facility rates at 4.5 and 7.0 pct, respectively. "In making this decision, the Executive Board primarily took into account actual »»»
Russia bans oil exports as Ukraine strikes cause fuel shortages
On July 8, Russia imposed a ban on diesel exports in response to widespread domestic gasoline and diesel supply issues caused by ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure by Kiev. Ukraine has also been striking ships, as part of a new strategy to bring the war back to Russia by increasing the pain e»»»
EU moves closer to kicking kids off social media
Brussels, Belgium: Restrictions on children's use of social media in the European Union could come as early as this summer, as a long-awaited expert report next week is expected to recommend limiting minors' access to online platforms. After Australia became the first country in the world to ban un»»»
Inside Iran's ‘golden weapon’: The real story behind Tehran’s tanker attacks
SDubai: When three commercial tankers came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz this week, many saw it as another act of escalation in the long-running confrontation between Iran and the United States. But analysts say the attacks were driven by a deeper concern in Tehran: A growing belief that it »»»
US-Iran escalation raises market volatility risk for investors and defensive sectors
Dubai: Investors facing renewed US-Iran tensions should avoid chasing sudden market moves and focus on diversification, liquidity, and defensive sectors that tend to hold up better during periods of geopolitical stress, analysts advised. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances»»»
Woman arrested in Japan for sewing shut housemate's lips
Tokyo: Japanese police arrested a woman near Tokyo for allegedly sewing shut the lips of her housemate, officials said Thursday. The 42-year-old female victim escaped the house in the city of Koga, rushed to a nearby shop and held up a piece of paper that read "please help me", Makoto Hiyama, a sen»»»
Bulgaria Ranks Among EU Leaders in Household Electricity Use and Renewable HeatingOpinions
Bulgarian households are among the most electricity-dependent in the European Union, while also ranking among the bloc’s leading countries in the use of renewable energy sources for heating homes, according to the latest Eurostat data on household energy consumption in 2024. The figures highlight B»»»
Australian sprint star Gout out of U20 worlds with hamstring tear
Sydney: Teenage Australian sprint star Gout Gout on Thursday pulled out of next month's under-20 world championships after suffering a serious hamstring injury in training. The 18-year-old has set the athletics world alight with a series of scorching runs. He won the 200m at the Australian champion»»»
Foreign Buying Absorbs EGX Profit-Taking Amid Reform Momentum
Egyptian equities retreated on Wednesday, July 8, as investors took profits after a strong rally, while renewed regional tension weighed on risk appetite. The benchmark EGX30 fell 1.84% to 52,028.37 points, after opening at 53,006.11 points and touching an intraday low of 51,820.41 points, accordin»»»
Iraq will not leave OPEC but seeks fair output quota, PM says
Iraq will not leave OPEC, but is seeking a fair output quota within the oil producer group, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi said in an interview with Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV, according to his office. Reuters reported in an exclusive in June that Iraq, the group’s second-largest produ»»»
Romanians’ view of public administration improves, but bureaucracy remains high – APSAP study
Nearly half of respondents in a national study conducted by APSAP Training Centre, cited by Agerpres, describe their experience with public services as mediocre, while more than 8 in 10 said they had queued at public institution counters over the past year. The overall perception has become more mo»»»
Timothee Chalamet, Denis Villeneuve unveil ‘Dune: Part Three’ trailer
ABU DHABI: Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and actor Timothee Chalamet have unveiled a new, action-packed trailer for “Dune: Part Three.” The IMAX fan event on Wednesday offered audiences their most extensive glimpse yet of the eagerly awaited conclusion to the director’s sci-fi trilogy. The film sees C»»»
Media Review: July 9
No single topic dominates the news media on Thursday. POLITICS Commenting on the proposed amendments to the Election Code, Dimitar Petrov from Progressive Bulgaria told Bulgarian National Television's morning programme that these will ensure more transparent and fair presidential elections later th»»»
Romania’s economy contracted by 1.2% in the first quarter
Gross Domestic Product (GDP), seasonally adjusted, estimated for the first quarter of 2026 was RON 499.73 billion at current prices in nominal terms, and in real terms, down 1.1% compared to the first quarter of 2025. On a gross basis, the estimated gross domestic product for the first quarter of 2»»»
Bulgaria: New Footage Reveals Last Movements of Missing 11-Year-Old Natalia and Her Former StepfatherOpinions
New security camera footage has provided investigators with more details about the final known movements of 11-year-old Natalia and her former stepfather Asen Simeonov, who have been missing for 10 days. The search operation continues, involving police teams, specialized equipment and dozens of vol»»»
Big Ticket rewards five expats from India, Bangladesh with Dh5m in consolation prizes
Dubai: Five expatriates from India and Bangladesh have received a major financial boost after winning Dh1 million each in Big Ticket’s Series 288, taking home a combined Dh5 million in consolation prizes. The latest winners have included long-time participants who stayed hopeful through years of mo»»»
Air defence discussions will dominate the Ankara Nato summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Turkey on July 7 for the Nato summit where he said he will discuss the supply of badly needed Patriot missiles and boosting Ukraine’s air defences. "We expect a strong and productive Nato Summit. Decisions are needed now that will provide greater p»»»
UPDATE: Revolutionary Guards says it hit US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain as US strikes across Iran
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said its forces had struck key infrastructure and facilities at four US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, in a statement issued after renewed US strikes on Iran on July 9. The Iranian strikes follow more than 90 sites across Iran, which were targeted by the »»»
Zelenskiy arrives at Nato summit full of confidence, but has everything to play for at a meeting with Trump
Ukraine arrived at this week's key Nato summit in Turkey determined to persuade US President Donald Trump that the momentum in the war has shifted in Kyiv's favour, despite Russian forces continuing to make slow but steady territorial gains in the Donbas. Trump struck an optimistic tone ahead of th»»»
UPDATE: Revolutionary Guards says it hit US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain as US strikes across Iran
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said its forces had struck key infrastructure and facilities at four US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, in a statement issued after renewed US strikes on Iran on July 9. The Iranian strikes follow more than 90 sites across Iran, which were targeted by the »»»
Business - US revokes waiver for Iranian oil sales amid renewed Gulf strikes
The US Treasury Department has announced it will no longer allow Iranian oil sales to be conducted in US dollars on global markets after several tankers were hit by projectiles while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The move has left more than 60 million barrels of Iranian crude stranded a»»»
Taiwan warns of 'destructive' winds as typhoon nears
Keelung, Taiwan: Taiwan's weather forecaster warned on Thursday of "destructive" winds as the biggest typhoon in years swept towards the island after pounding US Pacific territories. Typhoon Bavi is whipping up waves several metres high and is expected to batter the island's north on Friday and Sat»»»
Dinar-to-euro exchange rate at RSD 117.3605
BELGRADE - The Serbian dinar's official median exchange rate against the euro is 117.3605 dinars for one euro on Thursday, which is a slight change relative to Wednesday, the National Bank of Serbia said. The dinar is steady against the euro m-o-m, down by 0.2 pct y-o-y and down by 0.1 pct relative»»»
Devastating Cuba: The American Empire is declining and is trying to drag everyone down with it
Despite US attempts to sabotage and manipulate the event, the UN General Assembly has followed the request of the Cuban delegation to debate the “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.” While this debate has been an a»»»