Qatar, Iran Agree to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)
The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)
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Qatar, Iran Agree to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)
The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)

Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation, stressing their shared commitment to regional stability and prosperity.

During a joint press conference at Saadabad Palace in Tehran, Pezeshkian stated that frequent exchanges between officials from both countries reflect strong historical, economic, and cultural ties, as well as aligned perspectives on regional and international issues.

Pezeshkian stated that his talks with Sheikh Tamim covered “current regional developments” and reaffirmed their commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the right of the Syrian people to determine their own future.

He further stressed Iran’s belief that regional countries can contribute to stability and security through good neighborly relations, mutual respect, and constructive cooperation. He called for the establishment of a joint framework to enhance regional collaboration.

Sheikh Tamim expressed his satisfaction with his visit to Iran, emphasizing the importance of strengthening historical ties based on good neighborly relations. He underscored the need to expand cooperation, particularly in trade and economic sectors, and reaffirmed Qatar’s support for initiatives that promote regional stability and prosperity.

According to the Qatar News Agency, the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, and energy. Both sides explored investment opportunities and exchanged views on key regional and international developments.

The Palestinian issue was also a key topic of discussion. Sheikh Tamim reiterated the importance of maintaining a ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid. He expressed hope that the ceasefire would lead to an end to civilian suffering and pave the way for a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian crisis.

Later, during a meeting with Sheikh Tamim, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to strengthening ties with neighboring countries. He voiced hope that the agreements signed between Iran and Qatar would serve the interests of both nations and called for stronger regional cooperation and increased economic exchanges between Tehran and Doha.

Khamenei described Qatar as a “brotherly and friendly nation” but pointed out unresolved issues, particularly concerning Iranian funds transferred from South Korea to Qatar. He claimed that US pressure was the main obstacle to implementing the related agreement.

“If we were in Qatar’s position, we would not have yielded to such pressure,” he said, adding that Iran still expects Qatar to take decisive action on the matter.

Sheikh Tamim acknowledged the complex and challenging conditions in the region, pointing to the need for stronger cooperation among regional countries. He announced that the Iran-Qatar joint committee would soon commence its work, predicting a significant increase in economic exchanges between the two nations in the near future.



France Opens Terror Probe after Guns Found in Car Near Synagogue

People picnic in the shadow of a tree to protect from the sun during a heatwave by the Daumesnil Lake at the Bois de Vincennes park in Paris on July 11, 2026. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP)
People picnic in the shadow of a tree to protect from the sun during a heatwave by the Daumesnil Lake at the Bois de Vincennes park in Paris on July 11, 2026. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP)
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France Opens Terror Probe after Guns Found in Car Near Synagogue

People picnic in the shadow of a tree to protect from the sun during a heatwave by the Daumesnil Lake at the Bois de Vincennes park in Paris on July 11, 2026. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP)
People picnic in the shadow of a tree to protect from the sun during a heatwave by the Daumesnil Lake at the Bois de Vincennes park in Paris on July 11, 2026. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP)

French anti-terrorist prosecutors on Sunday opened an investigation after weapons were found in a car parked in a Paris suburb that is home to a large Jewish population.

Three hundred people were evacuated on Saturday evening from a neighborhood in Sarcelles, north of Paris, following reports of a suspicious vehicle, which was found to contain "a military-grade weapon", according to the interior minister.

An investigation has been launched "on charges of forming a terrorist criminal organization with a view to preparing crimes involving attacks on persons and the transport, possession and acquisition of weapons in connection with a terrorist enterprise," the prosecutors said.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on BFMTV that the vehicle was found near one of the town's several synagogues.

"We do not yet know the motives," Nunez said, adding that "the individuals have not yet been identified."

A security cordon had been set up on Saturday evening around the car, which was parked in a busy neighborhood near a cinema and restaurants that were evacuated in the early evening.

Bomb disposal experts found no explosives, but according to a police source, the stolen car contained an assault-style rifle and a handgun.

Nunez stated that three attacks had been foiled since the start of the year, including a knife attack last February on a gendarme beneath the Arc de Triomphe during the ceremony to rekindle the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.


Driver in Chile Runs Over and Kills 6 People at Festival

This aerial view shows Punta de Lobos beach in the coastal city of Pichilemu, O'Higgins Region, Chile, on July 8, 2026. (Photo by Rodrigo ARANGUA / AFP)
This aerial view shows Punta de Lobos beach in the coastal city of Pichilemu, O'Higgins Region, Chile, on July 8, 2026. (Photo by Rodrigo ARANGUA / AFP)
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Driver in Chile Runs Over and Kills 6 People at Festival

This aerial view shows Punta de Lobos beach in the coastal city of Pichilemu, O'Higgins Region, Chile, on July 8, 2026. (Photo by Rodrigo ARANGUA / AFP)
This aerial view shows Punta de Lobos beach in the coastal city of Pichilemu, O'Higgins Region, Chile, on July 8, 2026. (Photo by Rodrigo ARANGUA / AFP)

A driver plowed into people at a street festival Sunday in Chile, killing at least six, police said.

The man reportedly lost control of the vehicle at the festival in the city of Vina del Mar, Jorge Guaita, a police official, told AFP.

Another seven people were injured but their lives are not in danger, he added.

Early reports said the driver was speeding on a road running alongside the festival site.

The driver was detained and will be tested for alcohol consumption, Guaita said.


Ukraine's PM Steps Down as Zelenskyy Announces Government Reshuffle

FILED - 12 June 2024, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - Yulia Svyrydenko speaks to journalists at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference. Photo: Britta Pedersen/dpa
FILED - 12 June 2024, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - Yulia Svyrydenko speaks to journalists at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference. Photo: Britta Pedersen/dpa
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Ukraine's PM Steps Down as Zelenskyy Announces Government Reshuffle

FILED - 12 June 2024, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - Yulia Svyrydenko speaks to journalists at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference. Photo: Britta Pedersen/dpa
FILED - 12 June 2024, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - Yulia Svyrydenko speaks to journalists at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference. Photo: Britta Pedersen/dpa

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down on Sunday as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced fresh changes to Ukraine's government, saying he had offered a new and important position to the former premier.

Zelenskyy, who has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited, has periodically reshuffled his government in an effort to bring fresh momentum to his administration.

Svyrydenko, who has served as Ukraine’s economy minister, was named prime minister in July 2025 at the age of 39 after playing a lead role in securing a mineral agreement between Ukraine and the United States, seen as an important way of tying US interests to Ukraine’s security.

In a statement on social media, Svyrydenko said she was “proud to have had the honor of leading the government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine’s modern history.”

She also said she had discussed “next steps” with Zelenskyy, but did not provide further details.

“I remain ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position, defending our national interests and bringing a just peace closer,” she said.

Zelenskyy announced her resignation in a post saying that Ukraine was “changing its political strategy.”

According to The Associated Press, he also said he had offered Svyrydenko the opportunity to lead “a new, important area” in Ukraine’s relations with a key international partner.

“Each priority area of foreign policy will be assigned to a specific person with substantial experience who is capable of implementing what we agree on at the leaders’ level and what the Ukrainian people expect,” Zelenskyy said, describing the impending reshuffle.

The Ukrainian leader also said there would be changes among the top ranks of Ukraine's law enforcement agencies.

Zelenskyy met with a series of senior officials following the announcement, including Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

The overhaul, which Zelenskyy has yet to explain in detail, would be the fourth major reorganization of his government since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.