Scars of war linger on Syria’s Saint Simeon monastery
DAYR SIM’AN, Syria: Near the base of a column atop which Saint Simeon Stylites once perched, scattered stones lay bare the damage inflicted on the surrounding Byzantine monastery in northern Syria by war, looting and rampant illegal excavations. AFP accompanied a French archaeological delegation to»»»
MSF demands Israel release detained Palestinian health workers
GENEVA: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) called Monday for the immediate release of all Palestinian health care workers “arbitrarily detained” by Israel. “MSF is outraged by the treatment of health care workers, most of whom are being detained in dire conditions, without justification or cause,” it sa»»»
State AGs granted court order to halt Paramount, Warner merger - UPI.com
1 of 2 | A hearing in a lawsuit seeking to block the merger of Warner Bros. and Paramount is scheduled for Aug. 3. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo July 20 (UPI) -- Twelve state attorneys general won a court order on Monday to halt Paramount's merger with Warner Bros. for at least 14 da»»»
Péter Magyar speaks out after Judit Polgár’s decision
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said he regretted Judit Polgár’s decision not to accept a potential presidential nomination but would respectfully acknowledge it. He also took personal responsibility for communication mistakes surrounding the selection process. Magyar published a video statem»»»
Sharjah Court deports man caught running illegal money transfers
Sharjah: An Asian man has been ordered deported from the UAE after a Sharjah court found him guilty of conducting unauthorised money transfer operations, opting for deportation instead of a one-year jail term. The Sharjah Misdemeanours Court heard that the defendant had been receiving cash from res»»»
Belgian FA announces departure of national team coach Rudi Garcia
Brussels: The Belgian Football Association announced the departure of Rudi Garcia as head coach of the national team following Belgium's campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a statement issued today, the association said Garcia, who took charge in February 2025, will officially leave his positio»»»
India says four nationals killed in attack on ship in Ukraine
NEW DELHI: India said Monday that four of its nationals were killed in attacks, the day before, on a commercial ship near the Ukrainian port in Odesa and another was critically injured. A foreign ministry statement condemned the strike, saying the MV Golden Leo “was attacked while departing the por»»»
Graham's "hellish" Russian sanctions bill moving forward
A US sanctions bill originally promoted by the late Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal has moved close to passage after being stalled in Congress for more than a year. The latest compromise has the support of the White House, Republicans and a significant number of Democrats, Th»»»
Tensions Escalate Inside Tirana Municipality as Senior Official Files Criminal Complaint Against Acting Mayor
Tensions inside Tirana Municipality have escalated after a senior official filed a criminal complaint with prosecutors against the city’s acting mayor, accusing her of refusing to comply with a court order regarding his reinstatement. Alban Dokushi, the Secretary General of Tirana Municipality, who»»»
Trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three children, begins - UPI.com
The trial of Lindsay Clancy, a mother from Duxbury, Mass., who is accused of killing her three children in 2023, begins Monday. Defense attorneys said Clancy was suffering from extreme postpartum mental health issues. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 20 (UPI) -- The trial of Linds»»»
New UK PM Burnham sweeps into office with surprise cabinet appointments
LONDON: New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham took power Monday, purging the cabinet of his predecessor’s loyalists as he promised a 10-year plan to ease cost-of-living pressures and signalled a tilt to the left. He immediately got to work after replacing Keir Starmer in Downing Street, holding calls »»»
Netanyahu will not be arrested while in US, Trump says
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested when he visits the United States, after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was still considering the move. “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, »»»
Bodies recovered in Guyana ferry sinking rise to 10
Georgetown: The number of bodies recovered after the sinking of the MV Barima in Guyana has risen to 10, the Guyanese government said Monday. In a statement, the government said that by 1235 p.m. Monday, eight bodies had been recovered during the operation, bringing the total number of recovered bo»»»
Why does Brazil's PIX payment system bother Donald Trump?
By Juan Sebastian SerranoBRASÍLIA — Whether buying a chilled coconut at the beach or paying rent, Brazil's free PIX system has become the dominant way of making payments in Latin America's largest economy, with just a smart phone.US President Donald Trump does not like it one bit.The payment system»»»
Wilson praises Syria’s political transition after the fall of deposed regime
Washington, July 20 (SANA) U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson praised the transformations Syria has witnessed following its liberation from the ousted regime. In a post on the “X” platform on Monday, Wilson stated that the fall of the deposed regime was followed by the withdrawal of Iranian forces, the el»»»
Hamas elects Khalil al-Hayya as new leader - UPI.com
Hamas announced on Monday that it has elected Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader nearly two years after its previous leader was killed. File Photo courtesy Al-Aqsa TV | License Photo July 20 (UPI) -- Hamas announced Monday that it has elected Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader nearly two years after »»»
Who is Magyar? The Ukrainian drone chief Russia has learned to fear
Robert Brovdi, better known by his military call sign “Magyar”, has become one of the best-known commanders in Ukraine’s drone war against Russia. In recent weeks, his unit—known as Magyar’s Birds—has claimed a series of unprecedented strikes against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea»»»
Dh792,500 donation gives Ajman inmates a second chance at life
Ajman: Ajman Police has received a financial contribution of Dh792,500 from the International Charity Organisation (ICO) to help secure the release of a number of inmates at the emirate’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Institution, offering them an opportunity to overcome financial hardships and s»»»
Israel to begin withdrawal from first Lebanon pilot-zone on Tuesday – Ya Libnan
Share: Israel will begin withdrawing from the first pilot zone in southern Lebanon on July 21, an Israeli official told Axios on Monday, nearly four weeks after the US-mediated framework introduced the mechanism. The US State Department separately claimed that operations have begun in the towns of »»»
Ryanair quarterly profit slides on Mideast war impact
LONDON — Irish no-frills airline Ryanair on Monday said net profit slumped 34 per cent in its first quarter as the Middle East conflict sent jet-fuel prices soaring and impacted ticket sales.Profit after tax dropped to 538 million euros ($616 million) in the three months to the end of June, from 82»»»
At least six dead after earthquake hits Peru's Andes
In the Andes, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake has hit Peru. At least six people died in the quake and more than 30 have been injured, according to local authorities. Damage was compounded by the area's rustic constructions - adding to that that the earthquake's epicenter was close to the surface.»»»
US strikes Iran for ninth consecutive day as more ships targeted in Strait of Hormuz
The United States carried out a new wave of strikes in Iran on Monday as US deaths in the renewed fighting climbed to three and more ships came under attack in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by targeting US military assets in Bahrain, the home of the US Navy's 5th Fleet, a»»»
Egyptian archaeologists discover 3 New Kingdom tombs at Bubasteion necropolis
CAIRO: An Egyptian archaeological mission has discovered three rock-cut tombs from the New Kingdom period at the Bubasteion necropolis in Saqqara. The tombs, in Giza governorate, south of Cairo, date back to the 18th Dynasty, which included rulers such as Tutankhamun and Akhenaten, the Ministry of »»»
Palestinian UN mission’s X account mocks Argentina and Israel after World Cup final
LONDON: The official account of the Palestinian mission to the UN posted a message on social media platform X mocking Argentina and Israel after Spain beat the South Americans on Sunday to win the FIFA World Cup. Alongside a photo of the Spanish national team and the caption “Campeones del Mundo” (»»»
What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Four Winds’
Author: Kristin Hannah Kristin Hannah’s “The Four Winds” is one of those novels that quietly settles in your mind long after you turn the final page. Set during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, it tells the story of Elsa Martinelli, a woman who has spent much of her life believi»»»
Fast-moving wildfire in southern France forces evacuations, burns homes in Var region
A fast-moving wildfire in southern France forced dozens of residents to evacuate on Sunday as more than 600 firefighters and water-bombing aircraft battled the blaze. Fanned by strong winds and dry vegetation, the fire near Draguignan burned 10 homes, damaged nine others and slightly injured one fi»»»
How state actors are exploiting climate crises to spread disinformation
The number of extreme weather events is on the rise, and some states are taking advantage of these climate crises to spread disinformation. A report by France's Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS) says that climate disinformation has become a “tool for destabilisation”. »»»
Ukraine fires 400 missiles at Moscow after deadly Russian attacks
Ukraine fired more than 400 drones toward Moscow in its latest major attack on the Russian capital on July 20. The blitz came hours after Russia bombarded Kyiv and other »»»
Egypt garments chamber to establish 250 sqm Kenya hub as $3.4bn apparel exports drive East Africa expansion
Egypt’s Chamber of Apparel and Home Textile Industries at the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) is launching an integrated support programme to help Egyptian manufacturers expand exports to Kenya and the wider East African market, including the establishment of a 250-square-metre showroom and»»»
EU hits AliExpress with record $629 million fine - UPI.com
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda attend the plenary session at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5. File Photo by Boris Pejovic/EPA July 20 (UPI) -- The European Commission announced a record fine against AliExpre»»»
Cuban dissident says exile to United States came at a cost - UPI.com
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara cannot return to Cuba to see his son; U.S. demands release of more than 700 political prisoners there. The facade of Terminal 3 at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana is shown on Saturday. Cuban artist and dissident Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara departed for the Uni»»»
AliExpress hit with record EU fine
BusinessEuropeAliExpress hit with record EU fineLouis Oelofse with AFP, dpa, ReutersThe Chinese retailer has become the latest major online marketplace to face penalties under the EU’s Digital Services Act. https://p.dw.com/p/5HRxIAliExpress has nearlz 200 million users in the EUImage: Jakub Porzyc»»»
Judit Polgár rejects offer to become Hungary’s president
Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgár has declined Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s invitation to become the country’s next president, saying she did not feel strong enough to take responsibility for uniting a deeply divided nation. Polgár announced her decision in a Facebook post on Monday evening, sho»»»
Fuel price in Hungary rises again: could a price cap return?
The fuel price in Hungary is expected to increase again from Tuesday after another rise in wholesale fuel costs, adding fresh pressure on motorists already facing elevated prices at the pump. The latest increase comes as global oil prices continue to climb and only weeks after Hungary adopted new l»»»
Trump says Iran ‘will pay’ for killing soldiers as Tehran and US widen attacks
DUBAI: President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran would “pay” for killing US soldiers after multiple service members were killed in action over the weekend. The US also conducted a new round of airstrikes against Iran on Monday. Iran responded by launching attacks on American al»»»
Government Seeks Parliament's Approval for US Aircraft Deployment at Bezmer Air Base, Parties Take Positions
The Council of Ministers on Monday proposed that Parliament authorize the deployment of up to eight US KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft, up to 250 US military personnel and related equipment at Bezmer Air Base between July 24 and October 1 to support US operations in the Middle East, prompting mix»»»
South Carolina Rep. Russell Fry enters race to succeed Sen. Graham - UPI.com
Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., announced Monday that he is running for the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 20 (UPI) -- South Carolina Republican Rep. Russell Fry announced Monday that he is running for the Senate seat»»»
Houthis block Saudi Arabia from transiting Bab el-Mandeb Strait - UPI.com
The Houthis said the embargo on Saudi ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait was in retaliation for Saudi attacks on Yemen. Photo by Yahya Arhab/EPA July 20 (UPI) -- The Houthi militants in Yemen announced a blockade on maritime navigation for Saudi Arabia beginning Monday. The embargo blocks Sa»»»
Lithuanian defense minister issue warning about expansion of Russian war into Poland
Russia could attempt to expand the conflict into Poland and the Baltic states if its military position in Ukraine deteriorates, Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas warned. He argued that battlefield setbacks, attacks inside Russia, fuel shortages, and growing public frustration could push t»»»
Indian police fire tear gas at exam protest march
New Delhi: Indian police fired tear gas on Monday to stop thousands of protesters demanding the education minister's resignation and wider examination reforms from marching on parliament. The demonstrators, mostly young students, converged at the Jantar Mantar protest site in the heart of New Delhi»»»
Dubai Airport operating near full capacity despite regional conflict
Dubai: Dubai International Airport (DXB) is continuing to operate normally and is functioning close to its full operational capacity despite ongoing military tensions across the Middle East and regional airspace disruptions, Dubai Airports chief executive Paul Griffiths said. Speaking to Bloomberg »»»
Andy Burnham: ‘King of the North’ in No 10 Downing Street
London: Andy Burnham projects regular man-of-the-people vibes, but behind the casual persona lies ruthless ambition and an ability for reinvention that has helped propel him to the pinnacle of British politics. The 56-year-old veteran figure within centre-left Labour replaced Keir Starmer as prime »»»
PM Rama to Convene Expanded Meeting of Socialist Parliamentary Group and Cabinet
Prime Minister Edi Rama is set to convene an expanded meeting of the ruling Socialist Party’s parliamentary group and the government cabinet on Friday, according to a message sent to Socialist lawmakers. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. local time at the Palace of Brigades in Tirana. »»»
Two women lead Hungary until the next president takes office
Hungary has entered an unusual constitutional transition in which one woman is temporarily performing the duties of head of state, while another has taken over the leadership of parliament. The arrangement will remain in place until Hungary’s next president is elected and assumes office, with chess»»»
Cabinet Proposes that Parliament Authorizes Presence of US Armed Forces Aircraft in Bulgaria
The Council of Ministers is proposing that the National Assembly authorize the presence on Bulgarian territory of up to eight KC-135 aircraft, up to 250 members of the US Armed Forces with personal weapons and ammunition, as well as the necessary airport equipment, the Council of Ministers press se»»»
Andy Burnham becomes UK’s seventh prime minister in a decade
London: Prime Minister Andy Burnham acknowledged his precarious perch Monday as the seventh British leader in just over a decade as he set out an ambitious but vague vision to create a new political and economic establishment. Burnham used his inaugural speech as prime minister to renew his theme o»»»
Opposition MPs Disrupt Parliament Session, Blocking Speaker’s Podium
Parliament was thrown into disruption on Monday after opposition lawmakers from the Democratic Party (PD) blocked the speaker’s podium, preventing the normal proceedings of a plenary session. The lawmakers refused to allow the scheduled presentation by Ombudsperson Endrit Shabani, arguing that his »»»
Syrian, Kuwaiti foreign ministers discuss exchanging ambassadors
LONDON: Asaad Al-Shaibani, the foreign minister of the Syrian Arab Republic, has met Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, his Kuwaiti counterpart, to discuss forming a coordination committee to improve diplomatic, trade, and investment ties between the two countries. The ministers have agreed to »»»
Guyana launches probe after ferry capsizes; more than 60 missing - UPI.com
July 20 (UPI) -- A ferry carrying 133 passengers and crew members capsized off the coast of Guyana, where authorities continued searching Monday for dozens of missing people while investigating possible irregularities in the vessel's operation. The MV Barima departed Georgetown on Saturday afternoo»»»
France warns of consequences after Iranian security services detain embassy staff
PARIS: French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday there would be consequences after two of its embassy officials in Tehran were detained for several hours by Iranian security services. Barrot said the French officials were detained without reason for several hours, interrogate»»»