Business Delivery drivers, unsung heroes who kept Qatar going during Iran war As missiles threatened the Gulf and residents stayed indoors, delivery drivers kept delivering food and medicine across Doha, with many dubbing them heroes. 29/06/2026
Afghanistan Pakistani airstrikes kill 36 civilians in Afghanistan and wound 160 Pakistan carried out airstrikes overnight in eastern Afghanistan, Islamabad said on Monday, adding its operations had targeted militants as the Afghan government reported dozens of civilian casualties. 29/06/2026
Iran Iran and Oman hold first Hormuz talks as US-Iran deal stays on edge Iran's deputy foreign minister said the first Joint Hormuz Committee meeting took place in Muscat, after multiple US media outlets reported that fresh talks between the two sides were planned for Tuesday, a claim Tehran has since shot down, prompting Trump to counter by saying it would go ahead. 29/06/2026
Iran Iran threatens total halt to talks as US warplanes circle near Hormuz The IRGC said the weekend US strikes violated the framework deal and warned that violating vessels would face a "crushing response," as Euronews journalists in Doha observed US refuelling aircraft taking off towards Hormuz in the same formation as the previous night's strikes. 28/06/2026
Sport Heavyweights Deliver a Spectacular Finish in Qingdao The Qingdao Grand Prix ended in style as the heavyweights took centre stage. Yahor Varapayeu claimed gold at -90kg, world No.1 Anna Monta Olek won her fourth Grand Prix title, Adam Sangariev celebrated a maiden gold, Elis Startseva dominated +78kg, and Tamerlan Bashaev returned to the top. 28/06/2026
Iraq Iraqi officials arrested on corruption charges in overnight raid Iraqi security forces sealed off all entrances to the capital’s heavily fortified Green Zone early Sunday and carried out raids inside the compound that houses key government institutions and foreign embassies. 28/06/2026
World News Israel formally recognises Armenian World War I 'genocide' Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Israel had "fulfilled a moral duty by recognizing the historical truth, and rejecting attempts to deny it". 28/06/2026
Iran US and Iran trade strikes amid claims of ceasefire violations The US also carried out strikes on Iran on Friday after a drone attack on the M/V Ever Lovely ship. US aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage locations as well as coastal radar sites, CENTCOM said. 28/06/2026
Israel Israel's Netanyahu welcomes 'historic' US-brokered Lebanon agreement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his country's agreement with Lebanon "a blow to Iran and Hezbollah", while the militant group's leader Naim Qassem declared it void. 27/06/2026
Sport Golden Score Drama and New Champions in Qingdao Day two of the Qingdao Grand Prix delivered world-class judo, with Narumi Tanioka winning a thrilling golden score final, Tatsuki Ishihara claiming his first Grand Prix gold, Lara Cvjetko defending her Qingdao crown, and Zelim Tckaev finishing the day in style at -81kg. 27/06/2026
Iran UK maritime agency raises Strait of Hormuz threat level It comes after the US military carried out strikes on Iran, which it said were in response to Iranian drone attacks on shipping in the Strait. 27/06/2026
Iran Bahrain says it was targeted by Iranian drones Iranian state media reported that strikes hit a telecommunications mast in the Sirik area of southern Iran. 27/06/2026
Destinations Why you should add Guilin to your China itinerary Located in south west China’s Guangxi region, the area is known for its limestone karst scenery which is UNESCO World Heritage listed. In this Guilin travel guide, Dianne Apen-Sadler discovers the city’s top attractions, the cuisines to try and shares her top tips for travellers. 27/06/2026
Markets Beyond the record listing: What's next for the Tashkent stock market? Executives from the London Stock Exchange, Franklin Templeton and Uzbekistan’s government say governance and liquidity remain central to reform. 27/06/2026
China Small plane crashes into Beijing's tallest building Police and emergency crews sealed off the area around Beijing's tallest skyscraper after a small plane crash damaged the building. Images from the scene showed a large hole in the upper floors of the 528-metre CITIC Tower, while witnesses reported seeing aircraft debris at the base of the building. 26/06/2026
Lebanon Rubio announces Israel-Lebanon framework deal as first step The officials did not disclose details of the deal, which was signed by Yechiel Leiter and Nada Hamadeh, Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States. 26/06/2026
Israel Israel declassifies Entebbe raid files ahead of 50th anniversary Secret documents reveal Israeli officials privately weighed negotiations before ordering the daring 1976 Uganda hostage rescue operation. 26/06/2026
Sport Home Heroes and Japanese Stars Shine in Qingdao The Qingdao Grand Prix opened with memorable performances as home favourite Wenna Zhuang delighted the local fans. Hayato Kondo claimed a second Qingdao title, Kokoro Fujishiro earned her first Grand Prix gold, Hifumi Abe added another title, Maysa Pardayeva celebrated a maiden World Tour victory. 26/06/2026
South Korea Watch: South Korea holds first live-fire drill against drone swarms South Korea's air force carried out its first live-fire exercise against a simulated swarm drone attack. Military forces used Vulcan air-defense guns, a portable laser and shotguns to intercept all 50 drones during the drill. 26/06/2026
Focus Tashkent forum closes with 166 investment agreements worth €37.6bn In partnership with Center for the Production of Content for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan More than 10,000 participants, including delegates from 102 countries, examined market access, transport links, green power, digital exports and the policies needed to turn commitments into operating projects. 26/06/2026
No Comment Lebanon: thousands mark Ashoura in Nabatieh amid rubble left by Israeli strikes Thousands of Shiite Muslims marked Ashoura in Nabatieh on 26 June, holding processions through neighbourhoods devastated by recent Israeli airstrikes in a powerful display of resilience. 26/06/2026
No Comment Iraq: Ashoura in Karbala draws thousands of Shiite pilgrims for rituals Thousands of Shiite pilgrims mark Ashoura in Karbala, mourning Imam Hussein’s 680 AD death with processions, prayers and reinforced security. 26/06/2026
No Comment Japan fans flood Shibuya as World Cup draw with Sweden sets up Brazil clash Japan reach World Cup last 32 after 1-1 draw with Sweden on 26 June, prompting celebrations across Tokyo. , sparking huge celebrations in Tokyo’s Shibuya. They now face Brazil in the knockout stage. 26/06/2026
Iran Gulf states weigh living side by side with Iran as Tehran weaponises Hormuz As the frontline countries paying the largest price for the Iran war, pressed by severe economic urgencies, the Gulf states are beginning their own firm process towards regional stability with rival Iran, while Tehran continues weaponising the Strait of Hormuz to sow division with its neighbours. 26/06/2026
Business From payments to lending: How digital finance is evolving As digital payments become mainstream in Uzbekistan, banks are expanding into lending, insurance and investment products to meet rising consumer demand. 26/06/2026
Iran Projectile hits cargo ship in Hormuz as Iran issues renewed warning The British military said a cargo ship on the new Omani UN-backed route sustained bridge damage from a projectile, hours after the IRGC warned that vessels without Iranian permission were transiting "illegally". 25/06/2026