Residents in several Albanian municipalities staged protests on Friday against a proposed territorial reform that would significantly reduce the number of local governments, arguing the plan would weaken local representation and erase community identities. The governing Socialist Party has proposed»»»

Organisations across the UAE now have until August 14 to apply for the fourth cycle of the Parent-friendly Label, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) has announced. The deadline was extended following strong interest from semi-government, private and third-sector organisations since appli»»»

GENEVA: The Sudanese flashpoint of El-Obeid and surrounding areas are experiencing a spike in malnutrition, gender-based violence and other issues, the United Nations’ children’s agency said on Friday. It said the conflict was “a massive disaster that keeps getting worse.” Now in Khartoum after vis»»»

GAZA/CAIRO: Standing on the roof of ​a war-damaged building overlooking the ruins of Gaza City, beekeeper Ibrahim Al-Dabba gently lifts a honeycomb frame as bees buzz around him. “Bees require trees, we are raising bees among rubble,” he said. For Gaza’s beekeepers, the struggle to rebuild their li»»»

Tokyo: Japan's unemployment rate stayed unchanged at 2.5 percent in June for the third straight month, government data showed Friday. The number of people with jobs in June was down 0.5 percent at a seasonally adjusted 68.46 million, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said. Of thos»»»

Dubai: Emirates ranked among the world’s most operationally reliable airlines in June, recording one of the lowest flight cancellation rates globally despite continued disruption to air travel in parts of the region. According to operational performance data from aviation analytics firm OAG, just 0»»»

Several of Budapest’s best-known landmarks will temporarily go dark as Hungary introduces further energy-saving measures in response to the country’s critical electricity situation. Officials announced on Friday that the decorative lighting of the Hungarian Parliament will be switched off, while th»»»

The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a procedural resolution allowing the chamber to consider and vote on a package of 74 nominations, including Eric Wendt's nomination to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Albania. The measure passed by a vote of 50-47, with three senators abstaining. While Wend»»»

LONDON: In a move that took international commentators by surprise, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense on Thursday announced the launch of a multinational naval force to counter threats to commercial maritime traffic through the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait chokepoint. The unp»»»

TUNIS, July 31, 2026 (TAP) – President Kais Saied held a phone call on Friday afternoon with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to extend his heartfelt condolences following the tragic incident that occurred earlier on Friday in the Algerian...»»»

People watch through special solar glasses as the moon moves across the sun during the 2024 solar eclipse in Milwaukee, Wis., on April 8, 2024. The first total solar eclipse since the 2024 event will take place in August. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo August will feature three majo»»»

London: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, in London. During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of issues of mutual i»»»

LONDON: Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday he had stepped down as Newcastle manager to “recharge and take a break” following a turbulent end to his five-year spell at St. James’ Park. Howe revitalized a club that had struggled for decades, securing a first major trophy in 56 years by winning the League»»»

Hezbollah said Lebanese authorities have taken no action in line with their national and sovereign responsibilities as the Israeli occupation entity continues to destroy villages in southern Lebanon. In a statement, Hezbollah affirmed that the Israeli enemy was continuing, in full view of the Leban»»»

The F-35B is a fifth-generation stealth fighter het that costs more than $100 million. The aircraft is one of the most advanced pieces of equipment in the U.S. military’s arsenal. File Photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook/U.S. Air Force July 31 (UPI) -- A military fighter jet crashed near Miramar Marine »»»

Tunis, July 31, 2026 (TAP) - A fire broke out on Friday at the Al Mahatta post office in Redeyef, Gafsa, with no fatalities reported, according to the Tunisian Post.Two employees and one customer sustained minor injuries and were taken to the...»»»

Rome: Italy decided today to suspend the Schengen Agreement, which guarantees free movement with Spain, for one month following the influx of more than 50,000 migrants into Ceuta from Morocco yesterday (Thursday), despite assurances from Madrid authorities that the incident had been contained. The »»»

Tunis, July 31, 2026 (TAP) - Tunisia's Ambassador in Ankara Ahmed Sghaier invited Turkish companies to establish investment projects in Tunisia, affirming that the Türkiye–Tunisia Business Cooperation and Investment Development Forum represents a...»»»

RIYADH: Princess Sarah bint Bandar bin Abdulaziz, director of the International Dates Council, met on Thursday with Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq at the embassy’s headquarters in Riyadh. The meeting covered the completion of procedures for Pakistan’s accession to the council, »»»

RIYADH: Princess Sarah bint Bandar bin Abdulaziz, director of the International Dates Council, met on Thursday with Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq at the embassy’s headquarters in Riyadh. The meeting covered the completion of procedures for Pakistan’s accession to the council, »»»

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA), in collaboration with the Urban Planning and Permits Centre at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), introduced the Housing Construction Loan on Subdivided Agricultural Land service, aligning with the goals of the Year of Family. Th»»»

DAMASCUS: In a workshop filled with the scent of walnut wood and the sound of hand tools, Syrian craftsman Firas Salka carefully shapes what will eventually become a Damascus oud, one of the Arab world’s most iconic musical instruments. Over several months, each piece of wood is carved, assembled a»»»

Madrid: Spain confirmed today that it has contained the massive influx of migrants to Ceuta, whose numbers exceeded 50,000, noting that the voluntary return of the majority of those who crossed the land and sea borders yesterday has begun. In a statement today, Spanish authorities revealed that res»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hezbollah: The primary responsibility lies with the silent, absent, and even complicit authorities, which granted legitimacy to the Israeli»»»

KINSHASA: Democratic Republic of Congo’s fast-spreading Ebola outbreak is now the world’s second-largest on record, government data showed on Friday, as transmission continues to outpace efforts to contain the epidemic. The number of cases reported across Congo has risen to 3,532, the Communication»»»

Algiers, Algeria: An Algerian bus crashed into a ravine on Friday, killing at least 27 people and wounding dozens more, the country's health minister said. The bus left the road near the coastal town of Boumerdes, east of the capital Algiers, for unknown reasons, according to the civil defence. At »»»

A limited edition passport featuring President Donald Trump is on display at the State Department exhibit at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on June 29. The passports will now be available nationwide. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Departm»»»

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel (C) reacts during the political ceremony marking the 73rd anniversary of the failed assault on the Moncada Barracks in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, on Sunday. Diaz-Canel compared the U.S. government to the Nazis and accused it of implementing a “genocidal policy” against t»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hezbollah: The Israeli enemy continues, in full view of the Lebanese authorities and the international community, to destroy villages and b»»»

We have learned with deep sorrow that the earthquake in the Kumamoto prefecture of Japan has claimed many lives. We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Japan, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.»»»

LONDON: Chelsea were fined £10 million ($13.4 million) and given a suspended two-window transfer ban on Friday after an appeal hearing into sanctions imposed for multiple breaches of Football Association rules. The Premier League club were initially given a suspended six-point deduction along with »»»

The military and political confrontation between the United States and Iran is becoming less a crisis than a permanent feature of the international landscape. A new center of chronic instability is emerging in south-western Eurasia, and it will shape political and economic developments across the w»»»

Statehood Day in Kiev. Very important. Very historical. “So how can I make it all about me?” the EU said. Here comes Brussels to put the “hood” in “statehood” day, and bring some muscle to Kiev’s mobilization hustle. What a great opportunity for the EU to come back into town for another photo op, a»»»

Bodies of the victims are transported to a hospital after a methane gas explosion in the Sorange coalfield on the outskirts of Quetta, Pakistan, on Friday. Photo by Fayyaz Ahmad/EPA July 31 (UPI) -- A coal mine explosion in Pakistan's Balochistan province left at least 34 people dead and rescue wor»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hezbollah condemns the storming of several villages in the occupied West Bank’s Nablus area by Israeli settler gangs, the establishment of »»»

Budapest has set a new daily heat record after temperatures climbed to 39.4°C in the capital’s Újpest district on Friday afternoon, according to preliminary data from Hungary’s national meteorological service, HungaroMet. The new record is 2°C higher than the previous Budapest record for 31 July, w»»»

Rome: Italy has suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain, following the influx of migrants into the latter's Ceuta enclave in northern Morocco, Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Friday. "The temporary suspension of Schengen with Spain is a necessary decision to protect the security of»»»

USS George Washington begins five-day Da Nang visit one day after Russian naval vessels leave Cam Ranh The USS George Washington (CVN-73) nuclear-powered aircraft carrier docks at a naval base in Busan, South Korea. File. Photo by YONHAP / EPA July 30 (Asia Today) -- The nuclear-powered aircraft ca»»»

Macro-Advisory Limited has issued its annual mid-year compilation of the best business, political and general interest books published in 1H26, covering the twelve states in the Eurasia region plus Iran and Afghanistan. The document also includes the updated Recommended Reading list for the region »»»

Smoke rises after an Israeli strike next to the Crusader-period Beaufort Castle, as seen from the Israeli side of the border in the Upper Galilee, northern Israel, in June. File Photo by Atef Safadi/EPA BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 31 (UPI) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Israel on Friday for »»»

Tunis, July 31, 2026 (TAP) - The trading of the Tunisian Glass Company (Société Tunisienne de Verreries, SOTUVER) shares will be suspended during the stock market sessions of August 3 and 4, 2026, the Tunis Stock Exchange (BVMT) announced in a...»»»

NEW YORK CITY: The only good news to emerge from the Middle East in recent days was US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an agreement under which Hamas would relinquish its weapons and Israel withdraw its forces from Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said on Friday as he warned th»»»

“Black Torch” delivers a supernatural action story that combines dark fantasy with emotional storytelling, creating an anime that is as much about its characters as it is about its battles. At the center of the story is Jiro Azuma, a young man with an unusual ability to communicate with animals. Hi»»»

ROME: Italy said on Friday it was suspending the EU's border-free Schengen ​arrangements with Spain for one month in response to a mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco. Italy does not share a land border with Spain but the measure - which looks certain»»»

CAMP ​DAVID, Maryland: US President Donald Trump said on Friday that a US campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court was intended to defend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others from prosecution, not himself. Trump made the comment after Secretary of State Marco Rubio tol»»»

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the renewed Iranian hostile attack targeting Kuwait with drones. In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry affirmed that this hostile attack constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of Kuwait and a threat to its secu»»»

A handout photo made available by Gironde Departmental Fire and Rescue Service shows flames engulfing a road as a wildfire spreads in Lege-Cap-Ferret, south-western France, on July 23. The French wine industry may face a tough year. Photo by Damien Renbert/EPA July 31 (UPI) -- Wildfires in France h»»»

The North Korean economy grew more than 3 percent in 2025, South Korea's central bank said Friday. In this June 2025 photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends an opening ceremony for a tourist zone in Wonsan. File Photo by KCNA/EPA The North Korean economy grew more than 3 percent for the thir»»»

Tunis, July 31 (TAP)- National Defence Minister Khaled Sehili headed to the premises of the 1st Mechanised Infantry Brigade in Gabès where he inspected its functioning and the readiness state of its various units. He familarised with the missions...»»»

South Korea, the United States and nine other countries on Friday issued a joint alert about North Korean IT workers. In this 2016 photo, the North Korean flag flies over its embassy in Beijing. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo South Korea, the United States, Japan and eight other c»»»