Guterres arrives in Syria for first UN secretary-general visit since before civil war
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres touched down in Damascus Saturday for a three-day visit where he is expected to reaffirm support for the multi-confessional country's efforts to rebuild after more than a decade of bloody civil war. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrive»»»
Man arrested in Bishkek over online calls to join unauthorized rally - | 24.KG
A man has been detained in Bishkek on suspicion of calling for participation in an unauthorized rally through the internet, the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Bishkek reported. According to the police, during monitoring of social networks, officers identified a Threads account Slivy_telegra»»»
Azimzhan Askarov’s case: Bir Duino calls for implementation of court decisions - | 24.KG
Human rights organization Bir Duino—Kyrgyzstan issued a statement marking the anniversary of the death of human rights defender and journalist Azimzhan Askarov, who died on July 25, 2020, at correctional facility No. 47. The organization stated that Kyrgyz authorities have still not conducted an in»»»
Yemen's Houthis say they hit Saudi Arabia as Trump weighs harder Iran strikes
Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the city of Jizan in Saudi Arabia on Saturday as the fallout of the US-Israeli war against Iran spreads further across the Middle East. The Iran-backed group last week announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and has tar»»»
US pummels Iran as Tehran targets regional bases stationing US forces
Iran on Friday said it carried out attacks targeting US military assets and bases with US forces in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait in retaliation for Washington's latest strikes across the country. The US meanwhile bombarded sites across Iran as the conflict escalated, leading US embassies to alert its»»»
The purge of Orban’s Hungary has begun
On Monday, July 20, Hungary officially entered a new political reality. For the first time in 16 years, the Fidesz party lost control of the country’s most important institution – its presidency. Viktor Orban’s last remaining pillar of power collapsed. The situation, initially perceived by Fidesz s»»»
ICC dismisses chief prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations
Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday voted to dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct. The International Criminal Court member states voted to dismiss prosecutor Karim Khan for serious misconduct, the ICC said on Friday. Diploma»»»
Authorities shut down 1,291 drug-related websites and accounts in the fight against online trafficking
Dubai Police have disclosed new details of one of the most complex anti-narcotics investigations carried out by the force, revealing how a five-year intelligence operation led to the conviction of a man investigators dubbed the "drug emperor" for allegedly running an international trafficking netwo»»»
On This Day, July 25: Air France Concorde jet crashes, killing 113 - UPI.com
On July 25, 2000, an Air France Concorde supersonic jet crashed on takeoff from Paris, killing 113 people, including four on the ground. 1 of 5 | Rescue workers put out the fire that consumed the wreckage of an Air France Concorde after it crashed killing all on board plus four on the ground outsid»»»
ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan dismissed
New York,USA: Members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has voted to dismiss Prosecutor Karim Khan. Diplomatic sources reported that more than 80 of the 125 member states of the court voted in a secret ballot at the United Nations headquarters in New York to remove Khan from his post. The s»»»
Can Saudi Arabia turn supply chain disruptions into long-term opportunities?
RIYADH: The recent escalation of tensions involving the US, Iran and Israel, coupled with prolonged disruption to Red Sea shipping, has accelerated a rethink of global trade routes and supply chain strategies. As businesses seek more resilient logistics networks, Saudi Arabia sees an opportunity to»»»
Paramount agrees to delay Warner Bros. merger
San Francisco, United States: Paramount Skydance agreed on Friday to delay its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery while a US lawsuit seeking to block the deal moves forward. Paramount agreed to delay the deal through June 2027, the company said in a court filing on Friday. Rob Bonta, a»»»
Work of Kyrgyzstan’s Constitutional Court to be adjusted - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov signed a law introducing amendments to the Law «On the Constitutional Court of the Kyrgyz Republic.» The amendments regulate procedures for reviewing appeals, preparing cases, and implementing decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Kyrgyz Republic. Under »»»
Will Dharmendra Pradhan resign? Delhi CJP protest seeks Centre’s answer
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Saturday said it wants a clear “yes or no” response from the Centre on whether it will seek the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the group’s representatives are s»»»
Trump says Israeli PM Netanyahu will visit US next week
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the US next week. Trump’s comments came in his speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Friday, while he was falsely casting US Senator Chuck Schumer as Palestinia»»»
Poker, fraud and Spider-Man: Prominent lawyer gets 6 years in prison - UPI.com
"Spider-Man" star Tobey Maguire testified that Thomas Goldstein assisted him in recovering a gambling debt from a billionaire. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo July 24 (UPI) -- A prominent Supreme Court litigator in Maryland has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for tax evas»»»
US military says it fired on another vessel breaching Iranian blockade
IRBIL, Iraq: The US military said Friday that it fired on another merchant vessel that was trying to breach its blockade of Iran’s ports, while the Islamic Republic targeted American strongholds around the Arabian Gulf.The US and Iran showed no sign of backing away from their conflict after a 13th »»»
Paramount to postpone Warner Brothers merger amid lawsuits - UPI.com
Paramount Skydance on Friday told a court that it will pause its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery to allow a potential trial to happen after 12 state attorneys general sued to prevent the deal. File Photo by Allison Dinner/EPA July 24 (UPI) -- Paramount Skydance said that it has paused its merger»»»
Saudi-led Coalition Forces in Yemen strike Houthi sites as conflict flares
RIYADH/SANAA: The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said it carried out airstrikes targeting Houthi military sites in the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah on Friday that were linked to attacks on Saudi shipping. “We carried out a proportionate military response operation against legitimate military targets»»»
ICC chief prosecutor ousted over sexual misconduct allegations - UPI.com
Allegations against Karim Khan first emerged in 2024, when a female ICC lawyer reported that the chief prosecutor had repeatedly sexually harassed and abused her. File Photo courtesy International Criminal Court | License Photo July 24 (UPI) -- Chief prosecutor Karim Khan was ousted from the Intern»»»
Nicaragua begins constitutional reforms after Ortega's remarks - UPI.com
Nicaragua's government began the process Friday of reforming the Constitution and the legal framework governing the electoral system, File Photo by Jorge Torres/EPA July 24 (UPI) -- Nicaragua's government began the process Friday of reforming the Constitution and the legal framework governing the e»»»
LeBron James is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers, saying it will be his ‘last decision’
PHILADELPHIA: LeBron James’ first “final” decision was that he would retire. Weeks of deep reflection led him to change his mind, however, with all the familiar options in front of him to extend his career; a third trip with Cleveland, a second stop in Miami, maybe even stay in California for a hig»»»
Chinese add two Polish companies to list of export control companies
China’s Ministry of Commerce has imposed export controls on 14 European Union entities in retaliation for the EU’s latest sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong companies. The affected organizations include Polish technology company Vigo Photonics and Wrocław University of Science and Technology, as we»»»
Czech NASA Capital to debut in Polish commercial real estate
Czech commercial real estate investor NASA Capital is entering Poland through a locally regulated closed-end investment fund managed by Ipopema TFI. The fund will primarily target existing income-producing office buildings and other commercial properties in Warsaw and major regional cities. NASA Ca»»»
US imposes tariffs on EU because of fines against American tech companies
The Trump administration has announced new tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, continuing its aggressive trade policy despite recent legal setbacks. Countries accused of failing to enforce forced-labor bans will face a 10% tariff, while most others will be subject to a 12.5% rate. European»»»
Writers getting PLN 3 for book that costs PLN 60 in Polish publication market
Polish authors earn an average of just PLN 2.87 per copy sold, even though the average retail price of a book is about PLN 58.50. The Literary Union is therefore campaigning for a statutory minimum royalty equal to 10% of the cover price. Most publishing contracts currently calculate royalties usin»»»
South Carolina to be the first Democratic primary in 2028 - UPI.com
The Democratic primaries in 2028 will start with South Carolina then Nevada. Iowa was edged out of the early primary schedule. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo July 24 (UPI) -- South Carolina should be the first state to vote in Democratic primaries in 2028, according to the Democratic»»»
Trump pressures Senate Republicans to move forward with budget draft - UPI.com
President Donald Trump is pressuring Senate Republicans to plow ahead with a $95 billion budget framework before they leave for recess in August. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 24 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Friday pressured Senate Republicans to plow ahead with a $95 billion »»»
Chris Brown pleads guilty to lesser charge in London nightclub attack - UPI.com
Chris Brown leaves Southwark Crown Court where he entered a plea of not guilty June 20, 2025, over an alleged assault in February 2023 of a man in a Mayfair night club in London. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge Friday. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo July 24 (UPI) -- Musician C»»»
Intense storm system in Chile leaves 13 dead, more than $700 million in losses - UPI.com
A person walks along a street flooded after the Bellavista Canal overflowed in the Mirador de la Hacienda neighborhood of La Serena, Chile, on Monday. President Jose Antonio Kast declared a state of constitutional exception of catastrophe for the Coquimbo Region and Huasco province in response to t»»»
Massive wildfire engulfs Madrid region, thousands evacuated
The worst wildfire in the Madrid region's history raged west of the Spanish capital on Friday, with around 40,000 people evacuated or ordered to remain indoors. Strong winds and scorching temperatures hampered efforts to contain the flames, which had destroyed dozens of homes and forced the closure»»»
Magyar government announces new dismissals
The Ministry of Social Relations and Culture has terminated the employment of the directors of the Natural History Museum, the National Széchényi Library and the Museum of Applied Arts, following a comprehensive institutional review of cultural background institutions, aimed at ensuring workplace s»»»
US court rules abortion pill restrictions 'unlawful'
Washington: A US federal court in Virginia has ruled that restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump's administration on the abortion pill mifepristone are "unlawful" and must be reconsidered. The case was brought by the nonprofit Center for Reproductive Rights in May 2023 on behalf of abortion»»»
India says citizen killed in Black Sea ship attack
New Delhi: India said Friday that one of its nationals was killed in an attack last week on a commercial vessel transiting the Black Sea. The foreign ministry condemned the strike, saying that the MV Omorfi -- which had three Indian nationals on board -- was attacked on July 18 "while transiting th»»»
Trump says EU to pay 'very big price' for Google fine
Washington: US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to hit the European Union with tariffs and a formal trade investigation over Brussels' latest antitrust penalty against Google. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the bloc "will pay a very big price for this illegal and high»»»
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Building National Children's Hospital
The construction of a national children's hospital in Sofia remains a government priority despite the current legal deadlock, Health Minister Katya Ivkova told reporters on Friday. She said that the funding for the design of the future hospital, amounting to more than EUR 46 million, is included in»»»
Another oil artery under threat? The Houthis are testing Riyadh
The Ansar Allah movement of Yemen (the Houthis) has announced what it calls a “maritime embargo” against Saudi Arabia. The group’s military spokesman, Yahya Saree, framed the move as retaliation for what he described as 12 years of Saudi-led blockade by sea and air against Yemen. The wording itself»»»
Colt Gray changes plea to guilty in Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia - UPI.com
Colt Gray faces up to life in prison with no chance of parole for allegedly killing four people at a high school in Georgia. File Photo courtesy Barrow County Sheriff's Office | License Photo July 24 (UPI) -- A Georgia teenager changed his plea to guilty Friday in the shooting deaths of four people»»»
British PM Andy Burnham opens 'No. 10 North' office in Manchester - UPI.com
Police officers guard the entrance to Heron House, which will house No. 10 North while another site is under construction, in Manchester, England. The bee is the symbol of Manchester. Photo by Adam Vaughan/EPA July 24 (UPI) -- New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham held his first meeting at No. 10»»»
Opposition Slams 2026 State Budget after Final Approval
Parliament's final approval of the 2026 State Budget Act on Friday prompted criticism across the opposition, with parties attacking the government's fiscal policy, spending priorities and lack of reforms. The budget projects a consolidated fiscal deficit of 5.7% of GDP and sets the ceiling for new »»»
Spanish minister enters race to lead UN labor agency, amid US funding concerns
GENEVA: Spain has nominated Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz to head the United Nations labor agency, potentially making her the first woman to lead the organization, as it faces a financial crisis over US non-payments. The Spanish government said Diaz’s candidacy for the top job at the International L»»»
Russia says it will wait for new Trump proposals on ending Ukraine war
MOSCOW: Russia believes US President Donald Trump is sincere in his efforts to end the Ukraine war and will wait for Washington to put forward new proposals, even though the US is continuing to provide weapons to Kyiv, the Kremlin said on Friday. In the meantime, Russia will keep fighting to achiev»»»
India, Pakistan get direct quarter-final entry in Asian Games cricket
New Delhi: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been handed a direct entry into the men's knockouts of the Asian Games cricket after the draw was announced. Defending champions India along with its seeded neighbours will start from the quarter-finals of the 10-team men's competition start»»»
Foreign investors return to Ukraine as M&A activity rises in 2026
Foreign buyers completed 10 acquisitions of Ukrainian assets in the first half of 2026, double the five recorded a year earlier, with disclosed value rising to $415mn from $26mn, KPMG in Ukraine said in its M&A Radar report. The rebound in inbound dealmaking sits against foreign direct investme»»»
Confirmed cyclospora outbreak expands to 9 states - UPI.com
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta announced Friday that the cyclospora outbreak has officially spread to four new states. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA July 24 (UPI) -- The cyclosporiasis outbreak has expanded to four new states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and P»»»
Guinea Bissau opposition leader leaves prison for treatment in Portugal
BISSAU: Guinea-Bissau opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira, who was being held in prison for alleged involvement in coup attempts, has been released for medical treatment in Portugal, judicial and security sources say. Pereira, leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cap»»»
Europe Rendezvous - Giorgia Meloni's Italy: An authoritarian drift? (Part 2)
In this edition of Europe Rendezvous, we travel to Italy, one of the European Union's founding members, to examine how the country's democratic institutions have come under increasing pressure. It may be the season of la dolce vita, but life ha»»»
New general education law approved by royal decree
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s General Education Law has been approved by royal decree. The new law overhauls how the sector is governed, provides the enablers needed to meet its objectives, and aims to raise the quality of the educational environment and its outcomes, spanning educational stages, the Gene»»»
Russian entrepreneurs see stock go up in flames as Ukraine targets Wildberries
MOSCOW: Russian fashion designer Viktoria Terekhova shipped virtually her entire summer collection of children’s clothes last week to the giant warehouse of online retailer Wildberries at Elektrostal, east of Moscow. Within a couple of days, it was destroyed in a Ukrainian drone strike. Terekhova s»»»
Bulgarian Parliament Adopts 2026 State Budget with 5.7% Deficit, EUR 10.1 Bln New Debt Ceiling
After two days of debate and voting, Parliament adopted the 2026 State Budget Act at second reading on Friday, approving a budget framework with a projected deficit of 5.7%. The bill was passed by a vote of 125 to 84, with no abstentions, following more than five hours of voting and over 12 hours o»»»