UAE to unlock billions of dollars for Iran: Reuters

The United Arab Emirates has agreed to unlock billions of dollars for Iran, four sources said, in a tactical shift after weeks ​of Iranian attacks on the wealthy Gulf Arab state during the U.S.-Israeli war with the Islamic Republic.

Philippines protests China’s sanctions against its defense chief

The Philippine government said Friday that China’s imposition of sanctions, including an entry ban, against Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. was “an unfriendly act” that could further strain relations, while he vowed to continue defending Manila’s interest against Beijing’s aggression.

Bangladesh cricketer Nayeem Hasan alleges police harassment in Chattogram

Bangladesh Test off-spinner Nayeem Hasan has alleged that he was harassed and assaulted by members of a law enforcement agency in his hometown of Chattogram on Saturday night, with local police authorities promising a full investigation into the incident.

‘Resurrected’ Mexican headlines start of World Cup

It was a moment Raul Jimenez had waited his whole life for - and one that seemed impossible a few years ago.

SpaceX IPO makes Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire

Few business leaders have been as deeply embedded in popular culture as Elon Musk, the ambitious entrepreneur who has become a central figure in internet culture and amassed a fortune that has ​made him the world’s first trillionaire.

Empty seats at World Cup match renews concerns over ticket prices

FIFA reported an attendance of 44,985 for Thursday’s World Cup ​match between South Korea and the Czech Republic in ‌Guadalajara, but swathes of empty seats around the stadium renewed concerns over ticket pricing and demand for the expanded tournament.

Pakistan budget raises defence spending, squeezes development to meet IMF goals

Pakistan proposed an 18.77 trillion rupees ($67.49 billion) budget on Friday, raising defence spending, limiting development expenditure and setting a steep tax target as the government tries to keep its IMF programme on track without provoking political fallout ​at home.

Facebook and Instagram down for millions as users report issues

Facebook and several other Meta-owned platforms appear to have gone down worldwide, leaving millions of users unable to access their accounts.

U.S.-Iran peace memorandum could be signed on Sunday in Geneva, source says

A memorandum between the United States and Iran to halt the war in ​the Gulf could be signed as soon as Sunday, a Western source told Reuters on Friday, with Geneva emerging as the likeliest venue.

India’s workers are training AI robots to take their jobs

With a smartphone strapped to her head, Indian housewife Nagireddy Sriramyachandra films herself slicing mangoes to train artificial intelligence-powered robots to take on household tasks in the future.

Denied a US visa to watch the World Cup? Have a free TV, says Argentine company

Dozens of Argentines who were denied ​visas to travel to the United States to ‌see the World Cup will at least have a new free television to watch the games.

US seizes 13 website domains suspected of Chinese spying

US authorities on Wednesday seized 13 internet domains they suspect were used by Chinese agents to obtain classified information from Americans with security clearances.

Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha dies after more than three years in coma

Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who has been in a coma for more than three years, has died, the royal household has announced. She was 47.

Iran says no final decision made on deal that Trump hopes could be signed soon

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States and Iran could sign a peace deal as soon as this weekend that ​would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, but Iran countered that it had not reached a final decision on an agreement.

The scars of impunity: Pakistan’s failure to end acid attacks

On June 6, Quetta’s Civil Hospital became the site of yet another harrowing act of violence when Dr. Mahnoor Nasir, a young physician, was attacked with acid while on duty. Seventy percent of her body was burned, her face, chest, and legs mutilated in an instant.

Two Indian seafarers killed in US attack on oil tanker

Two Indian seafarers have died and one remains missing after a US attack on the Settebello oil tanker off the coast of Oman on Tuesday night, local news outlet The Hindu reports.

US and Iran exchange strikes across Middle East for second day in a row

The US and Iran have exchanged strikes across the Middle East for a second consecutive day, further straining a shaky ceasefire agreed between the two countries in April.

Philippines urges China to remove shoal structure, warns against island-building

The Philippines said on Wednesday that it is urging ​Beijing to remove a floating structure placed at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, adding that it will ‌not allow the atoll to be turned into a man-made island.

Russia praises Modi for lifting millions out of poverty during record rule

The Kremlin on Wednesday praised Narendra ‌Modi for becoming India’s longest-serving elected prime minister, saying that 250 million people had been pulled ​out of poverty during his rule.

Iran says it struck ships in Strait of Hormuz after US launches new strikes

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has struck ships in the Strait of Hormuz, after the US military launched a new wave of strikes on Iran.

Iran announces closure of Strait of Hormuz after US attacks

Iran’s top ​joint military ‌command announced the closure ​of ​the Strait of ⁠Hormuz ​on Thursday, ​including oil tankers and commercial ​ships, ​saying any vessel ‌that ⁠will attempt passage will ​be ​shot ⁠at.

Trump and Iran trade new threats after strikes exchanged

US President Donald Trump and Iran’s senior officials have traded new threats of further action, after the two sides exchanged strikes.

Firms charged with manslaughter over deadly Hong Kong fire

Hong Kong authorities have charged two companies and seven people over the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk housing complex last November.

India’s arsenal surges to around 190 warheads, says SIPRI report

A new report has revealed that all nine nuclear-armed states, including India, continued efforts to modernise and expand their nuclear arsenals in 2025, with most deploying new nuclear-capable or nuclear-armed weapon systems during the year.

BYD chairman says firm will be world’s biggest automaker in 5 years as shares slide

Wang Chuanfu, chairman of BYD , on Tuesday said he expected the Chinese firm to become the world’s largest automaker within five years, as he sought to ​reassure investors following a steep decline in the company’s share price.

Pakistani airstrikes kill at least 13 in Afghanistan, Taliban says

At ​least 13 people were killed, including 11 children, ‌after Pakistan’s military launched air strikes in three Afghan provinces, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Wednesday, in ​a renewal of a conflict that has killed ​hundreds this year.

Nasa names next astronauts for Artemis Moon programme

NASA has named its crew for its next major Moon mission, Artemis III, though the astronauts will not walk on the Moon or go anywhere near it.

Iran strikes Bahrain and Jordan in retaliation for US attacks in Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed attacks on United States military bases in Bahrain and Jordan in retaliation for US strikes on ports and islands in the Strait of Hormuz.

France bans Israel’s finance minister

France on Tuesday banned Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entry, slamming the far-right politician’s calls for the annexation of the occupied West Bank, new settlements in the area and the “recolonisation” of Gaza. Smotrich was among dozens of Israelis who were slapped with sanctions by France, Britain, Canada, ​Australia, New Zealand and Norway.

US-Iran strikes intensify after American patrol helicopter downed in Hormuz

The US and Iran have exchanged fire after the US threatened retaliation for the downing of an American military helicopter over the Iran Strait of Hormuz on Monday that President Donald Trump attributed to Iran.