The European Commission’s yearly State of the Digital Decade report assesses how the EU is progressing on its2030 digital transformation targets. The 2026 report shows that the EU has made progress in key areas. However, structural gaps continue to hold back Europe’s digital transformation, and faster action will be needed to reach the 2030 targets. The report provides clear recommendations for both the EU and Member States on how to close the remaining gaps, including by scaling up successful projects and mobilising investments. The Commission is now calling on EU countries to update their…

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call today from His Excellency Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. At the beginning of the call, His Excellency the Iranian President appreciated the position of His Highness the Amir in establishing security and stability in the region, expressing his thanks and appreciation for His Highness’s efforts in supporting calm, which contributes to consolidating regional and international stability. For his part, His Highness the Emir expressed his congratulations to His Excellency the President Iran…

China has warned Israel against obstructing the implementation of the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), urging all parties to take concrete steps to support regional peace and create conditions for future negotiations.Beijing on Thursday welcomed the signing of the memorandum, reaffirming its support for peace and stability in West Asia and the Persian Gulf region.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warned Israel against undermining the implementation of the deal, as he addressed concerns over the agreement's first phase and the next round of negotiations between Tehran and…

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral relations during their first official conversation since the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).During a 30-minute telephone call on Thursday, Pezeshkian thanked Sharif and Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their mediation efforts, describing their role in facilitating the agreement as vital.Sharif congratulated Pezeshkian, Iran’s leadership, and the Iranian people on the "landmark agreement" aimed at …

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has hailed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed with the United States as a “historic document” and a demonstration of Iran’s strength on the world stage.“This is a historical document and a message from a powerful Iran: Peace will be realized in the shadow of mutual respect,” Pezeshkian wrote on social media on Thursday, sharing images of the signed agreement.The president reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to global peace while preserving its dignity, independence, and national interests.“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been committed and ste…

The national colours blue, yellow, red, white, green, were raised over La Digue and Praslin today as President Dr Patrick Herminie, accompanied by First Lady Mrs Veronique Herminie, led Constitution Day ceremonies on the two islands, joining Seychellois in marking the 33rd anniversary of the Constitution of the Third Republic under the theme, ‘Our Flag, Our People, Our Future.’ The two ceremonies followed the main flag-raising ceremony held earlier in the day at the Monument Lavwa Lanasyon in Victoria, Mahe. The President's programme on the inner islands began on La Digue, where he arrived a…

The results obtained by Benin at the end of the Open Budget survey, 2025 edition, were officially presented this Thursday, June 18, 2026 in Cotonou to public institutions, technical and financial partners, members of civil society and the media. These results result from an international evaluation conducted by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) and published on June 3, 2026. The recorded performances establish Benin among the world references in terms of budget transparency, of citizen participation and budgetary control. From the speech of Mr. Rodrigue CHAOU, Minister Delegate to the…

The Regional Intellectual Property (IP) Club Competition held in Harare, Zimbabwe, aimed at promoting intellectual property awareness among young people and encourage innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship at the secondary school level across Africa. The competition provided a platform for students to showcase their understanding of intellectual property rights, including, patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, and the role of intellectual property in fostering innovation and economic development through presentations, quizzing, debates, and other academic activities desig…

Ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας κ. Νίκος Χριστοδουλίδης, προσερχόμενος σήμερα Πέμπτη, 18 Ιουνίου 2026, στη Σύνοδο του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου στις Βρυξέλλες, απάντησε σε ερωτήσεις δημοσιογράφων. Σε ερώτηση αναφορικά με τη συνάντηση που είχε με τον Πρόεδρο του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου κ. António Costa και τη διασύνδεση του Κυπριακού με τα ευρωτουρκικά, ο Πρόεδρος Χριστοδουλίδης είπε: «Με τον Πρόεδρο του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου συζήτησα τρία θέματα. Συζητήσαμε για τα αποτελέσματα της Προεδρίας και μού μετέφερε τα συγχαρητήριά του για το γεγονός ότι ένα μικρό κράτος μέλος απέδειξε στην πράξη ότι μπορεί να φ…

Ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας κ. Νίκος Χριστοδουλίδης, προσερχόμενος σήμερα Πέμπτη, 18 Ιουνίου 2026, στη Σύνοδο του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου στις Βρυξέλλες, ανέφερε τα ακόλουθα: «Είναι το τελευταίο Ευρωπαϊκό Συμβούλιο, κατά τη διάρκεια της Κυπριακής Προεδρίας [του Συμβουλίου της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης (ΕΕ)]. Είμαι πραγματικά περήφανος για τη χώρα μας. Είμαι περήφανος για τα αποτελέσματα που έχουμε πετύχει αυτούς τους έξι μήνες. Έχουν ξεπεράσει κάθε προσδοκία. Θέλω να σας θυμίσω ότι όταν ξεκινήσαμε είχαμε αναφέρει σε πολλές των περιπτώσεων τρεις βασικούς στόχους, στο πλαίσιο του μότο της Προεδρίας μας γι…

Minister Mike Noersalim of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) received the Cooperative Council (RACO) on Thursday, June 18, 2026 for an introductory visit. The meeting focused on presenting the council's work and exploring future cooperation opportunities. RACO is an advisory body and executive arm of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labour. The council's task is to advise the minister, to stimulate the cooperative sector in Suriname and to provide guidance in the establishment and development of cooperatives. Deputy Labor Secretary Raj Jadnanansing and representatives of RACO led…

Upon arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, President Boakai was warmly received by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, along with members of the Liberian delegation and officials of the Government of Ghana. In a gesture of friendship and solidarity, particularly as Ghana prepares to take on Panama in its FIFA World Cup match later this evening, Foreign Minister Ablakwa presented President Boakai with an official Ghana national team jersey at the airport. The symbolic presentation showed the strong bonds between Liberia and Ghana and reflected the excitement s…

Ushtruesja e Detyrës së Presidentes së Republikës së Kosovës, Albulena Haxhiu, mori pjesë sot në hapjen e Ekspozitës “Sy më sy”. Në fjalën e saj para të pranishmëve, U.D. Presidentja Haxhiu tha se në ekspozitën “Sy më Sy”, shikimi është sjellë para nesh në formën më të veçantë të tij: nëpërmjet irisit. “Irisi është shenjë e papërsëritshme e njeriut. E kemi në sy gjithë jetën, por rrallë ndalemi ta mendojmë. Këtu irisi është nxjerrë nga përditshmëria dhe është sjellë para publikut si shenjë e pranisë së njeriut, me aq afërsi sa kërkon arti dhe me aq përmbajtje sa kërkon dinjiteti”, u shpreh U…

Marina del Rey, California.-The Dominican Republic was recognized for the third consecutive year with the “Destination With the Highest Visitor Satisfaction - Caribbean” award during the TravelAge WAVE Awards 2026 ceremony. This is one of the most prestigious awards in the North American tourism industry, held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Marina del Rey, California. The award, given by TravelAge West, highlights the destination's ability to offer high-quality experiences and exceptional service to travelers, consolidating the Dominican Republic as one of the countries most valued by travel agen…

San Juan.– The Administrative Minister of the Presidency, Andrés Bautista, led this Thursday the ceremony to begin the construction of the La Maguana Botanical Garden, a strategic work that will contribute to the protection of biodiversity, strengthen scientific research and environmental education, promote nature tourism and generate new opportunities for the economic development of San Juan and the entire Southern region. The initiative was declared of high public interest by the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, through Decree No. 38-26, and is coordinated by a Management Committee…

Santo Domingo.- The Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, reported that the National Interconnected Electrical System (SENI) recorded a new historical record of maximum instantaneous demand yesterday, reaching 4,077.97 megawatts (MW) at 10:24 p.m. The official highlighted that this new milestone confirms the sustained growth trend experienced by national electricity demand and demonstrates the need to continue strengthening the generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure to respond to the country's needs. "This record is a sign that the Dominican Republic continues to grow.…

Matanzas, Peravia.- The Minister of Sports, Kelvin Cruz, led the start of work for the construction of the multipurpose roof of the Matanzas Club, in this municipality of the Peravia province. Cruz was accompanied by sports and provincial authorities at the first strike ceremony. The construction of the multipurpose facility will entail an investment of RD 28,166,680.06, corresponding to funds recovered from corruption, which President Luis Abinadero ordered to invest in sports. The work is also part of the program carried out by the Ministry of Sports to build roofs in the country's munici…

Santo Domingo.-The National Health Service (SNS) led the reception of the torch of the Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, as a symbol of the Dominican Government's commitment to guarantee free and quality medical assistance to athletes, delegations, families and the public who will participate in the regional sports event. The ceremony was held at the Dr. Luis Eduardo Aybar Health City, where the official mascot of the Games symbolically handed the torch to the executive director of the SNS, Dr. Julio Landrón, accompanied by directors of the hospital complex, medical sta…

Santo Domingo.-The National Institute of Physical Education (Inefi) and the Dominican Observatory of Physical Education (Odefar) launched the “Schools in Motion” program at the Santa Martha Basic School, located in district 02, of the National District, in the Las Flores sector, in Cristo Rey. The executive director of Inefi, Alberto Rodríguez Mella, highlighted that the “Schools in Motion” initiative seeks to promote more dynamic lifestyles among children and adolescents, encouraging habits that contribute to physical, mental and social well-being. He indicated that with this proposal, Inef…

The event was accompanied by the First Lady of the Nation, Leticia Ocampos; the Minister of Children and Adolescents, Walter Gutiérrez; the political advisor minister to the Presidency, José Alberto Alderete; and the Minister of Public Works and Communications, Claudia Centurión. National legislators, departmental and municipal authorities, as well as representatives of different public institutions also participated. The new center is intended for the comprehensive care of girls and boys from 3 months to 4 years of age and has rooms specially designed for early stimulation, medical offices, …