Four civilians captured by Israeli troops in southern Lebanon -- two Lebanese and two Syrians -- will be released on Friday. A fifth civilian has already been handed over to the Lebanese army. Lebanon said Thursday its army had received a man returned by the International Committee of the Red Cross»»»

George Lucas and wife Mellody Hobson’s museum opens to the public on September 22 US filmmaker George Lucas has unveiled his long-awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, a futuristic cultural landmark dedicated to the power of visual storytelling. The museum, founded by Lucas and his »»»

In response to a question during Friday's Q&A in Parliament, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said that the new EU priorities, including defence and competitiveness, should not come at the expense of policies such as cohesion and agriculture. He was asked by an MP of the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party»»»

Complaints can be filed through the MOHRE app, website or labour claims centre Abu Dhabi: Workers and members of the public in the UAE can report 11 types of labour violations to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, including forced labour, sexual harassment, unpaid end-of-service ben»»»

Investigators also reveal jet temporarily lost pressure in all three hydraulic systems The captain of an Air India flight that suffered a dramatic altitude drop while flying from Phuket to Delhi tested “non-negative” for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test, according to a preliminary in»»»

Romania’s governing parties have failed to agree on wage reform. The Liberals promoted a more fiscally-restrained proposal, while the Social Democrats demanded billions more for teachers, healthcare workers and civil servants. Now Romania is set to lose €770m from Brussels, even though it had known»»»

Husband said alleged sorcery left the children afraid of the dark and wetting the bed Sharjah: Practices linked to sorcery and superstition brought a marriage in Sharjah to an end after a husband filed a case seeking divorce on the grounds of harm and asking the court to revoke his wife’s custody o»»»

DOHA: The State of Qatar participated in the meetings of the 118th Ordinary Session of the Economic and Social Council at the ministerial level, held at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo, with the participation of the heads and members of Arab delegations. The Qatari delegation»»»

EXPLAIGovernment bets on baseload geothermal to cut reliance on imported fuel TIWI, Philippines: As one approaches the Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant in Albay, about 465km south-east of Manila, the landscape gives little hint that beneath it lies one of the Philippines’ most important energy stories. »»»

UPDATEArrest warrant over alleged threats may reshape dynamics in VP’s impeachment case MANILA: A local court in Quezon City on Friday issued an arrest warrant for Vice President Sara Duterte in connection with three counts of grave threats, a development that could intensify political tensions as »»»

Doha: Qatar revived their AFC U-20 Asian Cup China 2027 qualifying campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Hong Kong, while Saudi Arabia maintained their perfect start with a 3-2 victory over Oman. Qatar, who had suffered a 2-1 defeat to Oman in their opening match, dominated from the start at Abdu»»»

Five years after the opening of Norblin Factory, WBJ sat down with Jan Motz, President of the Management Board of Capital Park Group; Marcin Juszczyk, Managing Partner and Vice President of the Management Board; and Kinga Nowakowska, Board Member and Chief Operating Officer, to discuss placemaking,»»»

President Sadyr Japarov has amended the terms of remuneration for state civil and municipal employees in Kyrgyzstan. The additional payment will be provided to employees of the offices of the presidential envoys in the regions, local state administrations, and municipal employees of local governmen»»»

The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved new rules making liability insurance mandatory for tour operators. The new rules were adopted in accordance with the laws «On Insurance and Insurance Activities» and «On Tourism.» Under the document, insurance liability limits will vary depending »»»

DOHA: Al Arabi climbed to third in the Qatar Stars League standings after beating Al Sailiya 2-0 at Khalifa International Stadium yesterday. Younes Hussein scored the winner as Al Ahli edged 10-man Qatar SC 1-0 in the other match. After draws in their opening two matches, Al Arabi produced an impre»»»

The challenges facing children and teenagers amid rapid digital developments, as well as solutions to protect them online, were in the focus of discussions on Thursday in Chisinau at an international conference on online safety and the impact of the digital environment on mental health. Among those»»»

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) has sharply condemned what it calls "unacceptable actions" by the Save Romania Union (USR) at European level, accusing the party of trying to "save" Dominic Fritz from the legal sanctions applicable in a conflict-of-interest case."USR is misleading European officia»»»

Interim Foreign Minister Oana Toiu informed her EU counterparts about repeated illegal incursions by Russian drones into Romania's national airspace and exclusive economic zone and stressed the need for enhanced measures to protect the Eastern Flank, taking into account the complementarity of EU an»»»

President Nicusor Dan said on Thursday that the "vast majority" of judges and prosecutors in Romania are honest and responsible people who take their duties seriously.President Nicusor Dan attended, unannounced, a debate on the first item on the agenda of the plenary sitting of the Superior Council»»»

Interim Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu held a bilateral meeting on Thursday in London with British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Ed Miliband, context in which they discussed the Romanian diaspora in the UK, but also the bilateral cooperation in the defence»»»

Romania wants an ambitious future European Union budget, with substantial amounts for Cohesion and Agriculture, President Nicusor Dan said on Thursday at a joint news conference with European Council President Antonio Costa.The head of state said the main topic of his talks with the European Counci»»»

Far-right premier touts stability and security while opponents march Rome: Giorgia Meloni on Friday celebrates her hard-right government becoming the longest-lasting in Italy's postwar history, with a rally in Bari expected to draw thousands of supporters, while protesters demonstrate nearby. Italy»»»

DOHA: Represented by its Criminal Studies Institute, Public Prosecution signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State Audit Bureau, for cooperation in the fields of training and development, enhancing institutional cooperation and the exchange of expertise. On the Public Prose»»»

Hungary’s Magyar government has announced a broad package of social, environmental and institutional measures, including a two-stage pay rise for social workers, higher benefits for people with reduced working capacity, major changes to the child protection system and the creation of a new national»»»

DOHA: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) to establish a framework for cooperation in research, education and community services. The MoU was signed on behalf of MoPH by Sheikh Dr Mohamed b»»»

The 5th People’s Kurultai will take place in Bishkek on December 18. President Sadyr Japarov signed the decree. According to the document, 700 delegates will be elected to the Kurultai. The decree approved the quota distribution for delegates, the composition of the organizing committee, and the in»»»

Rome: The 83rd Venice International Film Festival, the world’s oldest film festival, opened on Wednesday on the Lido di Venezia, featuring a broad selection of independent films and a notable Arab cinema presence, including eight films and projects supported by the Doha Film Institute. The festival»»»

Equestrian shows, falconry, police dogs and technology draw visitors to ADNEC The Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2026 (ADIHEX 2026), known as “Abu Dhabi 2026”, is offering visitors a wide range of shows and interactive experiences that combine the authenticity of Emirati »»»

German police have launched an investigation into a suspected arson attack near the Munich premises of defense contractors Rohde & Schwarz and Helsing, detaining two Bulgarian nationals in connection with the incident. Two incendiary devices were thrown from a car at a construction site around midn»»»

The national team of Afghanistan has withdrawn from zher ulak (kokpar) competition at the VI World Nomad Games. The decision followed disagreements over the horses provided to the team. A team representative said this was the reason the players refused to take the field. The federation disagreed wi»»»

Melis Mamadaliev has been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kyrgyzstan to the Republic of Korea. President Sadyr Japarov signed the decree, the Presidential Administration reported. Prior to this appointment, Melis Mamadaliev served as Director of the Department of Internati»»»

Emirates, Etihad and flydubai continue selected services as airlines monitor the situation Dubai: UAE travellers flying today face a mixed picture as airlines continue to operate services amid renewed escalation in the US-Iran conflict, with some flights running normally while others have been canc»»»

Athletes from Kyrgyzstan won five gold medals and one silver medal in tayak tartysh (mas-wrestling) competitions at the 6th World Nomad Games. The events took place on September 1–2 with participation of 79 athletes from 25 countries. Athletes competed in three men’s and three women’s weight catego»»»

Rights advocates condemn Rio Grande chase game as dehumanising and ‘inhuman’ The Trump White House has turned its hard-line immigration agenda into an arcade-style video game, prompting rights groups to condemn the online stunt as “sick,” “cruel,” “inhuman” and deeply insensitive at a time when the»»»

The horseback archery competitions in the Kyrgyz style concluded on September 2–3 at Kyrchyn jailoo (pasture) as part of the VI World Nomad Games. A total of 72 male athletes from 33 countries and 45 female athletes from 32 countries took part in the horseback archery competitions. Winners and runn»»»

US Vice President JD Vance defended the US military amid an investigation into the deadly strike on a wedding in Kuhestak. “The United States never targets civilians in combat. We never will do that. We never have done that,” US Vice President JD Vance declared amid an investigation into the deadly»»»

US President Donald Trump told a British reporter that the US is supposedly protecting Britain from an Iranian nuclear threat. “I’m saving your country from the threat, too. Because if Iran had a nuclear weapon, they’re more likely to use it in Europe, where they do have missile capability, than th»»»

Around 9.5 percent of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP is spent on wages for public-sector employees. The figure is contained in a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on managing public-sector wages and employment. This figure is higher than the level seen in countries in the region with comparable eco»»»

It was a relatively subdued Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit for Chinese leader Xi Jinping. He departed the host city Bishkek having made few attention-grabbing headlines.  There were no big announcements or the viral moments unlike at 2025’s SCO summit on Xi’s home turf in the C»»»

A chill seems to be creeping into Uzbek-Russian relations at a time when the Kremlin needs all the friends it can keep.  A major factor for the sudden frost in relations appears to be Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s tendency to react vindictively when developments aren’t to his liking.  T»»»

The new leadership of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB) has filed a criminal complaint on suspicion of breach of fiduciary duty, negligent management, fraud, and abuse of office in connection with the loss of value of five properties in its ownership, the central bank announced in a statement sent to M»»»

The government has so far filed criminal complaints in cases totalling two thousand billion forints in value, the minister heading the Prime Minister's Office declared to Telex. In the video interview Bálint Ruff said that an investigation of Századvég is currently underway — an organisation that r»»»

GSLV-F17 rocket places 2,367-kg spacecraft in sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit Chennai: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday successfully launched its advanced Earth observation satellite EOS-05 aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, addin»»»

Bessent says Brussels has officially joined the effort to cut Tehran’s financial lifelines Washington: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday (local time) said that the European Union has "officially joined" the US-led "Operation Economic Outcast" against Iran, welcoming what he described »»»

US Vice President JD Vance declines to reveal plans as Washington-Tehran conflict drags on Washington: US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday (local time) said that the Trump administration has a range of options at its disposal to deal with Iran, including economic, military, diplomatic and covert»»»

During the promotion, shoppers can find the featured Thai rice at participating outlets The Thai Trade Center Dubai, part of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, and the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), has announced the continuation of the Think»»»

Most travel businesses start with a spreadsheet. This one started with a bike stuck in no man’s land. FVP Thailand exists because its founders lived the exact problem it now solves. Chris and Tim, the pair behind Dellevart Adventures, set off on a motorcycle world tour in 2023 and rolled into South»»»

Temperatures could reach 46°C inland, with winds of up to 45 km/h in some areas Dubai: Parts of the UAE could see rain on Friday as convective clouds develop over eastern and southern areas, while temperatures rise to as high as 46°C inland, according to the National Centre of Meteorology. Conditio»»»

Psychiatrists gain approval to use psychedelic-assisted MDMA therapy for PTSD Two psychiatrists in New Zealand won approval Friday to prescribe pharmaceutical-grade MDMA to sufferers of severe post-traumatic stress disorder. The move by New Zealand's pharmaceutical regulatory body Medsafe makes the»»»

His friend was travelling with a group when contact was lost near the Nepal-China border Dubai: When devastating floods struck Nepal on August 26, Nepali expatriate Dipesh Poudel initially did not realise the scale of the disaster. (Have you been affected by the floods in Nepal? Write to us here an»»»