LONDON: Crystal Palace have re-signed Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand on loan for the season with an option to buy, the London-based club announced Wednesday. The Ivory Coast international made 14 appearances after moving to Palace in January until the end of last season, but in July the Eagles opted »»»

RIYADH: What kind of relationship binds the Houthis to Iran? Afrah Al-Zouba, the first woman to head Yemen’s Foreign Ministry, has a term for it: “mutual instrumentalization.” “I use the term because it describes the relationship more accurately,” Al-Zouba told Asharq Al-Awsat in her first intervie»»»

PARIS: Xavi Hernandez has been named as the successor to Ronald Koeman as head coach of the Netherlands national team, becoming their first foreign boss in 48 years, the country’s football association announced on Wednesday. The Barcelona great, who won the 2010 World Cup with Spain as a player, ha»»»

A total solar eclipse will sweep across northern Spain on August 12 in one of Europe's most anticipated astronomical events of the decade. From the Sun's corona to animal behaviour and human emotions, these rare celestial events continue to provide scientists with valuable insights more than two mi»»»

Then-Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., speaks at a press conference in Washington, D.C., in 2009. Hoekstra, now the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, is the subject of a Canadian petition to have him removed from the country. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Thousands of »»»

Washington: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to hold the role, will leave at month’s end, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday. Leavitt, 28, just recently returned to the White House after taking a brief leave for the birth of her second child in May. Get upda»»»

Bratislava: The Qatar national skydiving team, affiliated with the Qatar Air Sports Committee under the Joint Special Forces, is currently preparing for the CISM 48th World Military Parachuting Championships (WMPC). Taking place in Slovakia starting Friday until Aug. 23, the WMPC will see the parti»»»

LONDON: Syrian authorities said on Wednesday they had thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of narcotics into neighboring Jordan using balloons. Officers seized 70 kg of hashish, 45,000 captagon pills and equipment allegedly used in the operation, the state-run SANA news agency reported, »»»

AMMAN: Jordanian authorities arrested a woman for begging in downtown Amman after finding $46,600 in her possession, the Ministry of Social Development said on Wednesday. The woman had previously been involved in what the ministry described as professional begging and regularly converted money she »»»

Poland has christened ORP Wicher, the first of three new-generation frigates being built under the Miecznik program for the Polish Navy. President Karol Nawrocki said the vessel will significantly strengthen Poland’s naval capabilities and described the program as an important boost for the domesti»»»

Japan warns companies after several nationals are detained as Beijing tightens controls on rare earths and dual-use goods 1 of 2 | Japanese national flag flies in front of the National Emblem of the People's Republic of China on the Great Hall of the People. Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / EPA Aug. 11 (A»»»

Aug. 12 (UPI) -- A high school football player in Arkansas noticed something unusual about his helmet and brought it to coaches who discovered a venomous snake hiding under the padding. Maumelle High School Athletic Director Kirk Horton said the player noticed unusual movement inside his helmet aft»»»

Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi said the regular settlement of partners’ dues, together with the incentives and corrective measures introduced by the government, has helped rebuild investor confidence and paved the way for increased drilling, exploration and field development,»»»

The Vazrazhdane party said on Wednesday that the fact that the incumbents have revised their governance programme confirms that the pledges they made during the election campaign cannot be fulfilled under the Euro-Atlantic policy line being pursued by the government. In a statement released by its »»»

DOHA: Estithmar Holding QPSCannounced its financial results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2026, following approval by the company's Board of Directors. Estithmar Holding's operations today span 10 countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Algeria, Jordan, Libya, Egypt, the Maldives, and»»»

WASHINGTON: US airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen last year killed more than 150 civilians, according to a Pentagon review of the attacks, which comes as concerns rise over civilian casualties during military campaigns under the Trump administration. The unclassified asse»»»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of a US-backed peace plan for Gaza last week offered a diplomatic victory to Hamas, according to some analysts. The Palestinian Islamist movement had agreed to gradually give up weapons in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, but agreei»»»

Argentine President Javier Milei's government is requiring nonresident foreigners to pay for non-emergency care at federally administered hospitals. File Photo by Matias Martin Campaya/EPA BUENOS AIES, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Argentine President Javier Milei's government is requiring nonresident foreigner»»»

CASABLANCA, Morocco: Morocco said Wednesday it has beefed up security along its border with Spain as calls resurfaced on social media for mass crossings into the Spanish city of Ceuta, raising concerns of another surge, similar to the one last month when tens of thousands of migrants rushed the bor»»»

BUCHAREST: Romania will begin shutting down its only nuclear power plant on Thursday after the Danube’s flow fell to a record low this week and efforts to avert a complete shutdown failed, the government said on Wednesday. It will be the plant’s first shutdown since a 2003 drought, as unprecedented»»»

LOS ANGELES, United States: The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most successful teams in NBA history, are being sold to former Disney CEO Bob Iger and investor Joshua Kushner in a deal valued at $12.5 billion, ESPN reported Wednesday. The sale, which would mark a record-breaking valuation for a Nort»»»

One of nature's greatest spectacles –- a rare total solar eclipse –- cast its shadow on Wednesday, briefly turning day into night in Russia's remote Arctic north before heading towards mainland Europe. The Moon first blotted out the Sun at the northernmost tip of mainland Russia at about 1700 GMT, »»»

Damascus, Aug. 12 (SANA) Two economic experts told SANA that the Tartous Shipyard Agreement, signed between Syria’s General Authority for Ports and Customs and Türkiye’s “DENİZCİLİK SANAYİ VE TİCARET” company to establish an integrated shipyard at Tartous Port, represents a significant step toward »»»

At least 239 people were killed and 3,755 injured across 388 municipalities nationwide. Volunteers remove rubble at the scene of a collapsed building in Pereira, Colombia, on Tuesday after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck a day earlier. Photo by Carlos Ortega/EPA Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Cali, the capital»»»

Doha, Qatar: Estithmar Holding Q.P.S.C. announced its financial results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2026, following approval by the Company's Board of Directors. Estithmar Holding's operations today span 10 countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Algeria, Jordan, Libya, Egypt, the M»»»

An interactive map of youth policies in Bulgaria has been presented in Pernik for the first time, bringing together data on opportunities and conditions for young people across all Bulgarian municipalities. The presentation was part of a national initiative of the National Youth Forum and the Citiz»»»

BAGHDAD: The US military is on track to pull all of its forces out of Iraq by the end of September, officials said Wednesday, marking the end of a presence that started with the 2003 invasion against Saddam Hussein. Washington and Baghdad agreed in 2024 to wind down the much smaller US-led operatio»»»

BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi said he has “serious doubts” about continuing to play football for “much longer” after the death of his father Jorge, in an emotional tribute posted on social media Wednesday. “I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on. I just played football, and n»»»

The Vazrazhdane party said on Wednesday that the fact that the incumbents have revised their governance programme confirms that the pledges they made during the election campaign cannot be fulfilled under the Euro-Atlantic policy line being pursued by the government. In a statement released by its »»»

All possible causes for the explosions at an EMCO storage facility near the village of Belitsa, Tryavna Municipality, are being investigated, and a leading theory is expected to emerge after the site is inspected, Gabrovo District Prosecutor Tihomir Petkov said on Wednesday. Investigators are consi»»»

MARSEILLE: Manchester City have signed Argentina international goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille on a two-year deal, both clubs announced on Wednesday. The 34-year-old will serve as City’s number-two goalkeeper behind Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma. “This is an amazing opportunity for me and o»»»

LONDON: Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans ‌is ready to leave behind a disappointing end to the World Cup as he embraces life at his new club, Manchester United. Tielemans, who joined United from Aston Villa last month, captained Belgium to the quarter-finals but the 29-year-old had to pull out of »»»

ROME: AS Roma completed the signing of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winning right-back Nahuel Molina from Spanish side Atletico Madrid, the Serie A club announced on Wednesday. The 28-year-old, who also featured in last month’s World Cup final when Argentina lost their crown to Spain, cost Roma a rep»»»

Budapest’s long-discussed plan to extend Metro Line 3 could finally be moving towards construction, with the city now reviewing existing plans for a new section reaching Rákospalota-Újpest. But before work can begin, around 24 properties – most of them residential – must be acquired, while the proj»»»

Israel on Wednesday carried out its first air strike in more than a week in Gaza, both sides said, breaking a relative lull as the United States pressed a peace plan. The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas commander, charging that he had been planning attacks against Israeli forces operating»»»

The BG-ALERT system was activated to inform residents about an upcoming controlled disposal of ammunition at the EMCO plant in the village of Belitsa, Tryavna Municipality. The alert was issued by the governor of Gabrovo Region. This is the second activation of the system. The first took place on M»»»

GAZA: Israel on Wednesday carried out its first air strike in more than a week in Gaza, both sides said, breaking a relative lull as the United States pressed a peace plan.The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas commander, charging that he had been planning attacks against Israeli forces oper»»»

Analysts are increasingly skeptical that CD Projekt will meet the PLN 2 bln cumulative net profit target under its 2023-2026 incentive program. A Strefa Inwestorów survey found that 80% of Polish and foreign gaming analysts doubt the target will be reached. After Q1 2026, the company still needs PL»»»

Dubai: An oil spill from a tanker that ran aground off Oman's coast has reportedly begun reaching the mainland, as monsoon winds obstructs containment efforts, the United Nations' maritime agency said Wednesday. An AFP investigation had earlier found that the ship had been stranded for weeks near O»»»

LONDON: Attacks and other incidents affecting healthcare services and facilities in the occupied West Bank have surged this year, placing further strain on a system already hobbled by a worsening financial crisis and shortages of staff and medical supplies. The World Health Organization recorded 98»»»

BANGKOK: The Thai government pledged Wednesday to tighten gun controls and crack down on illegal firearms after two deadly shootings near Bangkok in less than a week. The country has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia despite its fairly restrictive gun laws. The two recent shootings,»»»

PARIS: FIFA is facing a crisis of confidence and needs sweeping governance reforms, the head of players’ union FIFPRO Europe said on Wednesday, as he raised concerns about the concentration of power within world soccer’s governing body. FIFPRO Europe president David Terrier said FIFA was trapped in»»»

ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday accused the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to “remove Palestine” from the world’s agenda.“The aim of the Netanyahu government is to remove Palestine from the common agenda of humanity by profiting from chaos and new »»»

A Hungarian court has ordered a prison to pay HUF 8 million in compensation to a former inmate who was beaten by guards so severely that he required life-saving surgery to remove his spleen. The man was also left with permanent health damage and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Budapest C»»»

Colombia on Wednesday declared three days of mourning after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake killed more than 200 people in the west of the country. Monday's quake was the strongest to hit Colombia this century, and the search for survivors under the rubble is ongoing.  Colombia on Wednesday declare»»»

The search for survivors continues in Colombia, more than 48 hours after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the country. More than 200 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 2,000 are reported missing. The new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has declared a state of emergency, as many »»»

Beirut, Lebanon: Lebanon's parliament on Wednesday passed an amnesty law, the first of its kind since 1991, that is expected to benefit thousands of prisoners and wanted people. The legislation is largely aimed at easing prison overcrowding but critics say it is the result of bargaining among secta»»»

Lebanon's parliament on Wednesday passed a general amnesty law reducing sentences for inmates and people detained for more than 12 years without charges in a bid to reduce prison overcrowding. The legislation was passed a day after Lebanon became the first Middle Eastern country to abolish the deat»»»

The Bulgarian government adopted its Governance Program for 2026-2030 at a meeting on August 12, setting out its priorities for the remainder of the current term and the country's longer-term development. The document is based on the election program of the ruling Progressive Bulgaria coalition and»»»

A young girl helps her mother deposit her ballot in a drop box for the 2020 general election in Los Angeles. On Tuesday, a judge expanded a block on the USPS managing who gets mail-in ballots. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo Aug. 12 (UPI) -- A federal judge expanded a block on Presiden»»»