France wildfires force mass evacuations from southwestern Gironde region - UPI.com
A road in Lege-Cap-Ferret in southwestern France is engulfed by an inferno late Thursday as a huge wildfire threatens the Cap Feret Peninsula, prompting authorities to evacuate tens of thousands of residents and holidaymakers. Photo by Damien Rembert/Gironde Department Fire and Rescue Service/EPA J»»»
Israeli military kills 4 Palestinians after settler killed in West Bank
The Israeli military shot and killed four Palestinians in the village of Tell in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Friday, raising tensions in the occupied territory after an Israeli settler was killed in a confrontation with local residents. Two other Israelis and four m»»»
Netanyahu vows to act 'with force' after deadly clash in West Bank
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a forceful response Friday after a clash in the West Bank killed an Israeli and four Palestinians, while the military announced preparations for a new operation in the occupied area. Violence in the West Bank has surged since the Gaza war began with H»»»
243 Years Since the Birth of Simón Bolívar: The Liberator Ahead of His Time
July 24, 2026, marks the 243rd anniversary of the birth of Simón Bolívar, the great liberator of Latin America and a man whose name became a symbol of the continent’s struggle for independence and unity. He was born in Caracas in 1783 into a wealthy Creole aristocratic family. His background seemed»»»
Qatar to host ONE Championship events for three more years
Doha, Qatar: ONE Championship (ONE), the world’s largest martial arts organization, and Visit Qatar have announced the renewal of their landmark three-year partnership bringing a series of ONE's globally celebrated martial arts events back to Qatar starting March 2027. Building on the success of ON»»»
Wildberries: Russia's Amazon that became a target for Kyiv
Moscow: Ukraine has hit the warehouses of Russia's largest online retailer Wildberries -- Moscow's equivalent of Amazon -- at least three times in a week, killing several employees, causing fires and business losses. Kyiv accuses the e-commerce giant -- which employs thousands of people and has bec»»»
Olimpia Norsesovici, EKN Solutions: Combining advanced AI with human expertise is how we replace open auction volatility with programmatic efficiency
EKN Solutions, a company specialized in marketing and technology solutions and part of the multinational Numatec group, expanded its activities in Romania, one of the most competitive and challenging markets in the CEE region. BR sat down with Olimpia Norsesovici, Country Manager, and discussed the»»»
Watch: Stuffed donkey returned to 5-year-old after social media adventure - UPI.com
July 23 (UPI) -- A pink stuffed donkey found on a British Columbia ferry is back with its 5-year-old owner after taking an adventure chronicled on social media. BC Ferries posted photos of the toy to social media after it was found aboard the Salish Raven ferry following a trip between Victoria and»»»
Gulf News mourns former colleague Patrick Masahud
Dubai: Gulf News is mourning the passing of former colleague Patrick Gayong Masahud, a respected newsroom professional whose dedication and commitment helped shape the organisation's transition from print to digital over more than three decades. Patrick passed away on July 19 after a courageous bat»»»
Firefighters race to stop wildfires merging near Madrid
Madrid: Firefighters raced Friday to prevent two major wildfires from merging west of Madrid, where some residents awoke to the smell of smoke drifting in from blazes burning out of control near the Spanish capital. Strong winds were expected to hamper efforts to contain the blazes, which authoriti»»»
China to refine visa-free policy, streamline entry procedures for foreign visitors
Beijing: China plans to refine its visa-free transit and entry programs while digitizing more of its border and immigration services, a senior police officer said Friday. Qi Yanjun, vice minister of public security, outlined the measures of "institutional openness in immigration management" as bein»»»
EU says TikTok failed to protect children's privacy under digital rules
Brussels: The European Commission on Friday said it found TikTok had not adequately protected children's privacy rights on its platform by allowing adults to view the accounts of minors. The action exposed children to cyberbullying, unwanted contact and predatory behavior, commission spokesperson T»»»
The US Aircraft Deployment in Bulgaria Has Been Delayed!
Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said the planned deployment of US military tanker aircraft at Bulgaria’s Bezmer Air Base has been delayed and is now expected to begin next week rather than as originally scheduled. Stoyanov made the announcement after meeting with mayors from municipalities in the»»»
A Kuwaiti court has replaced a 10-year prison term with life imprisonment in an Iran and Hezbollah espionage case
Dubai: A Kuwaiti court has sentenced a Kuwaiti national to life imprisonment after overturning an earlier 10-year jail term in a case involving espionage for Iran and the Lebanese group Hezbollah. The State Security Court of Appeal found the defendant guilty of seeking to cooperate with foreign ent»»»
UAE pushes UNESCO World Heritage status for Fujairah's Wadi Wurayah
Fujairah: As part of following up on the nomination file for Wadi Wurayah to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the UAE delegation, including the Ministry of Culture and the Government of Fujairah, is participating in the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee of the United Natio»»»
Prime Minister meets UK Foreign Secretary
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, on Friday, July 24, 2026, received HE Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, who is currently visiting the country. »»»
Impulse expands UAE footprint with new warehouse-value store at Century Mall Dubai
Dubai: Impulse Trading LLC has expanded its retail presence in the UAE with the opening of its newest Impulse store on the First Floor of Century Mall, Dubai. The new store offers a wide selection of perfumes, cosmetics, skincare products, watches, handbags, wallets and fashion accessories - all un»»»
You can now invest in Dubai's tokenised property market from just Dh1,000.
Dubai: PRYPCO MINT, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)-licensed platform for tokenised real estate, has cut its minimum investment requirement from Dh2,000 to Dh1,000, lowering the entry threshold for investors seeking exposure to Dubai's digital property market. In a message to c»»»
Give me some sunshine, give me some rain’: How India’s NEET protests found solidarity through song and dance
The kids are doing fine. And neither do they need anyone to tell them otherwise. As protests spread across India over the NEET paper leak in May, eventually prompting the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, each day, and each protest site, seemed to offer something new. There were»»»
Abu Dhabi Police warn drivers not to leave cars running unattended
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police have warned motorists not to leave their vehicles running while shopping, visiting fuel stations, using ATMs or stopping for prayers, saying the practice increases the risk of theft, vehicle fires and other safety hazards. The Directorate of Traffic and Security Patrols »»»
Hungary orders probe into Orban-linked zebras
Budapest: Hungary is investigating the "total chaos" surrounding a herd of zebras that became a symbol of alleged corruption and excesses under nationalist ex-leader Viktor Orban, the environment minister said Friday. References to the animals became a mainstay of anti-government demonstrations, af»»»
US strikes Iran as clashes over shipping routes escalate
Bahrain activated its sirens early Friday, warning residents to shelter from detected fire hours after the U.S. military said it had wrapped up its 13th night of strikes against Iran. The Gulf states have come under frequent fire over the past week as the U.S. and Iran exchange escalating strikes i»»»
Former founder of Vision Group construction company Zamirbek Orozbaev detained - | 24.KG
Security forces have detained Zamirbek Orozbaev, the former founder and director of Vision Group construction company (with an office in Osh), own sources informed 24.kg news agency. Officers from the Main Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs detained the businessman this mo»»»
Friday Sermon, July 24, 2026: Sending Blessings upon the Prophet
First Sermon (Khutbah One) All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds, Who has commanded us to invoke blessings and peace upon the Seal of the Prophets. I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship but Allah alone, and I bear witness that our Master and Prophet, Muḥammad, is the M»»»
Health Minister Says Patients Must Not Be Held Hostage to Hospital Management Dispute
Health Minister Katya Ivkova said during a visit to Silistra General Hospital on Friday that management problems must not affect patient care. She said the government was working to restore the operation of four hospital units that have temporarily suspended services due to staffing shortages. Ivko»»»
Spain declares national emergency in Madrid region over forest fires
Spain late Thursday declared a national emergency in the Madrid region and in the province of Avila, near the capital, in the wake of several wildfires burning out of control. The measure, announced by the interior ministry, aims to speed up the deployment of resources to fight the fires, which in »»»
Spain coach blasts 'unacceptable' behaviour of Argentina after World Cup final
Madrid: Spain head coach Luis De la Fuente has blasted the "unacceptable" behaviour of several Argentina players and their coaching staff after losing the World Cup final. Some Argentina players and staff confronted their Spanish rivals after the final whistle of last Sunday's game in New York whic»»»
Shocking viral video: Bear climbs power pole in New Mexico
At first, nobody was sure what they were looking at. High above a rural New Mexico road, a black bear was stretched across the top of a utility pole, almost motionless. Some motorists thought it was already dead. Then it moved. Cars slowed. People turned around for another look. Phones came out. Th»»»
Lebanon: Southerners Begin Phased Return to Zawtar Al-Gharbiya Under Army Supervision
Residents of southern Lebanese town of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya began on Friday entering the village in a controlled, phased process on the fourth day since the Lebanese Army’s deployment there. Al-Manar correspondent reported the entry of residents, saying it was organized in batches, with five vehicles»»»
Indonesia in talks to expand cross-border digital payment system to Saudi Arabia, India
JAKARTA: Indonesia’s central bank is working to expand its digital payment system to Saudi Arabia, India and Hong Kong, as it seeks to further promote economic connectivity across Asia. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia has been leading the adoption of payments using quick-response code, or QR, part of »»»
Women in Sudan’s Al-Obeid face drone attacks and rape when fetching water, UN says
GENEVA: Women and girls in Sudan’s Al-Obeid face a dire choice between the threat of drone attacks during the day and sexual violence at night when they go out to fetch water in the besieged city, UN Women said on Friday. Access to food and health care is severely limited in Al-Obeid, the capital »»»
How the beauty industry turned self-improvement into self-harm
I recently read about a new trend where men are having fillers injected into their scrotums to make themselves more attractive. Some, trying to save money, turn to unlicensed beauty therapists. Others go even further and inject hyaluronic acid themselves at home and, as a result, they sometimes los»»»
Tucker Carlson says US already ‘at war’ with Russia
The US is engaged in a proxy war with Russia that could escalate into a global conflict within years unless Washington changes course, renowned conservative journalist and podcaster Tucker Carlson has told RT’s Olga Bataman and Tara Reade. There is no convincing strategic, political, or moral justi»»»
US ties Saudi nuclear deal to Israel recognition
A landmark US-Saudi nuclear agreement will only proceed if Riyadh joins the Abraham Accords and establishes diplomatic relations with Israel, the White House said on Thursday. The deal would use American technology and expertise to help the Kingdom develop a civilian nuclear energy program. The cla»»»
Heavy explosions rock Iranian city as US strikes continue
Heavy explosions were reported in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz on Friday local time as the US carried out strikes for the 13th consecutive night. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US forces targeted command centers, drone sites, telecommunications towers, coastal surveillance sites, a»»»
UAE’s ADNOC expands spot crude sales amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions
Abu Dhabi, July 24 (SANA) Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has launched its seventh spot-market tender since June for crude oil cargoes, as the UAE seeks to maintain export flexibility amid heightened regional tensions and disruptions to Middle East shipping routes.The tender covers cargoes s»»»
Pope Leo shares how Christians can strengthen faith this summer
Dubai: As many people go for their summer holidays, Pope Leo XIV has encouraged Christians to use the season as an opportunity to deepen their faith through acts of mercy, simplicity, and service to others. In the July/August edition of the Italian magazine Piazza San Pietro, cited by Vatican News,»»»
Viral post claiming Shah Rukh Khan backed student protests in India: Is it fake or real?
Dubai: A social media post claiming Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan voiced support for a student-led protest has been found to be fake, with no evidence that the actor ever shared the statement on his official platforms. The screenshot, which has been circulating widely online, appears to show K»»»
Hamas: Intensified Israeli Strikes Undermine Ceasefire in Gaza - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hamas: Intensified Israeli Strikes Undermine Ceasefire in Gaza 24-07-2026 13:18 PM National flag of Palestine along Hamas flag in an image »»»
Klopp handed task of reviving Germany’s football fortunes
FRANKFURT, Germany: Jurgen Klopp has been named Germany coach, the former Liverpool manager given the task of rebuilding the struggling European giants, the national federation (DFB) announced on Friday. Klopp’s appointment was widely expected for weeks and his contract will see him through to the »»»
Motor Mania Track Challenge Championship returns with expanded 2026 calendar
JEDDAH: Al-Tawkilat Motorsport has announced the Motor Mania Track Challenge 2026 calendar as an official Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship support series. It marks the latest phase of a growing motorsport platform designed to develop competitive racing in the Kingdom under the Saudi Automobile »»»
Four Palestinians and one Israeli killed in occupied West Bank shooting
Four Palestinians and an Israeli were killed in a shooting in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Friday, Israeli and Palestinian officials said. Violence between Israeli settlers and troops and Palestinians has risen sharply in the occupied Palestinian territory since the start of the Gaza war. Four P»»»
German Prosecutors Link Nord Stream Sabotage to Ukrainian State Bodies
German prosecutors have concluded that the Nord Stream pipelines were sabotaged on the instructions of Ukrainian state agencies, according to lawyers representing a suspect in the case. German prosecutors believe the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines was carried out on the orders of Ukrainian g»»»
Indian activist ends 26-day hunger strike, though student protests continue
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike on Friday after talks with government ministers, but student-led protests over leaked medical entrance exam papers continued, with demonstrators demanding the education minister's resignation and wider reforms. Indian activist Sonam Wang»»»
The UAE passport has retained its title as the world's most powerful, offering access to 182 destinations.
The UAE has retained its position as the world's most powerful passport in the 2026 Passport Index published by Arton Capital, ranking first globally for travel freedom and outperforming passports from many of the world's leading economies. The Emirati passport achieved an overall mobility score of»»»
Flying through Dubai? You can now check your Smart Gates eligibility before reaching passport control
Dubai: Dubai Airports has introduced a new service that allows passengers to confirm their eligibility to use Smart Gates before reaching passport control, in a move aimed at speeding up immigration procedures and making journeys through Dubai International Airport smoother. Developed in partnershi»»»
Media Review: July 24
The second reading of the draft state budget for 2026 and Parliament’s decision to authorize the deployment of US aerial refuelling aircraft at Bezmer Air Base dominate Friday’s news media. POLITICS Under the headline “With One Foot Out: Bulgaria’s Geopolitical Change under Radev,” Mediapool.bg wri»»»
Recharged Klopp back to turn Germany from doubters into believers
Berlin: Two years after stepping down from Liverpool citing a lack of energy, Jurgen Klopp has returned to the dugout to oversee the mammoth task of restoring German football to its former glory. Football's most decorated European nation, the once-formidable Germans have lurched from setback to dis»»»
South Africa court pauses impeachment proceedings against president
CAPE TOWN: A South African court ruled on Friday in favor of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid to pause impeachment proceedings against him over a scandal involving half-a-million dollars stashed in a sofa at his ranch. Ramaphosa asked the Western Cape High Court to stop the work of a parliamentary i»»»
Top German court says Afghan resettlement pledges cannot be revoked en masse
BERLIN: Germany’s top court ruled on Friday that the government could not simply cancel an entire swathe of resettlement places promised to Afghans, and that each case must be considered individually. The Constitutional Court backed a complaint by an Afghan mother and her two sons who had been sel»»»