Over half of the people evacuated from France's southwest due to massive wildfires were allowed to return to their homes. French firefighters have been battling a massive wildfire west of Bordeaux, which forced the evacuation of 220,000 people. It destroyed more than 200 homes, burned through 42,00»»»

South Korean pop group BTS said Wednesday they will not enter the Grammys' contest next year in protest of the introduction of a new Asian pop category: Best Asian Pop Music Performance. The new category, introduced alongside four others, is slammed by critics for boxing regional artists into »»»

Democratic Bulgaria (DB) submitted a draft declaration seeking urgent measures to improve road safety and infrastructure, the party's press service said on Friday. DB wants the National Assembly to vote on the document when MPs return at the end of August. The declaration would commit the National »»»

BEIRUT/LONDON: A sanctions-hit tanker ​is leaking oil off the coast of Oman and the spill has spread in recent days, increasing concern about possible environmental damage to coastal areas, according to an analysis of satellite imagery and shipping specialists. The Caroline Bezengi took Russian oil»»»

Fantasy anime has become crowded with overpowered heroes and endless battles, which makes “The Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects” feel like a refreshing change of pace. The series, which premiered on July 10, adapts Fuurou’s popular light novel and shifts the focus away from conquest toward r»»»

Spain's Pedro Sanchez criticised a sudden arrival of around 40,000 migrants from Morocco to the north African enclave Ceuta as "an attack, a violation" of Spain's national territory. The prime minister blamed the influx of immigrants on criminal networks manipulating a recent court ruling that imme»»»

In the span of 24 hours, Spanish authorities estimate that over 49,000 migrants crossed in Spain from Morocco, with at least 18 dying as they tried to reach the enclave of Ceuta. The migrants crossed the border by swimming across, sometimes spending hours in the water. The arrivals are way over hal»»»

About 30 kilometres to the west of Naples lies one of the Roman Empire's most prestigious coastal thermal resorts. It gradually sank below sea level over time due to subsidence caused by the volcanic nature of the region. Today, it continues to reveal new secrets. To better understand and preserve »»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Washington must immediately stop threatening Cuba with the use of force, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday. "The US needs to immediately stop threatening the use of force against Cuba, and stop any form of unilateral sanctions and blockade against Cuba»»»

A July 24 Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital hit a drone factory belonging to Terminal Autonomy – a Delaware-HQ’ed maker of low-cost UAV and AI navigation systems. The attack deprived Ukraine’s military of a key long-range strike drone capability in the form of AQ-400 Scythe (32kg payload, 750»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A direct conflict is emerging between Ukrainian new Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi and assault regiments, Ukrainian online media outlet reported on Friday. Now, after the change of command, there are fears that assault units may soon be disbanded, the media outlet reported.»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The imposition of a land blockade on Iran is an option being considered by the United States and Israel, media reported on Friday. The possibility was flaunted during President Donald Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office this week,»»»

State-owned defence repairs group TEREM Holding has been asked to draw up a restructuring and optimization plan and submit it to Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov by August 10. During question time in the National Assembly on Friday, Stoyanov answered a question raised by MPs Nezhdet Shaban and Dzh»»»

Bulgaria has never officially been part of the Coalition of the Willing, Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said in a written reply to an MP's question published on Parliament's website. Atanas Slavov of Democratic Bulgaria asked when and on what legally valid grounds a decision had been taken to w»»»

BELGRADE - Serbia registered 400,000 tourist visits In June 2026, which is a 1.7 pct increase y-o-y, the national statistical office RZS said on Friday. The visitors generated 1,142,000 overnight stays, or 2 pct more relative to the same month of last year. Serbian tourists accounted for 601,000 of»»»

RIYADH: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier and a Public Investment Fund company, has launched its first flight to Kuala Lumpur, making the Malaysian capital the airline’s inaugural destination in Southeast Asia. Flight RX0783 departed King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh Thursda»»»

RIYADH: An increasing number of young Saudis are turning their passion for engines into successful careers and promising investment opportunities. Mohammed Abdullah’s passion for cars began during his childhood, which led him to pursue automotive mechanical engineering. With more than a decade of e»»»

Hungary’s population continued to decline during the first half of 2026, with births once again significantly outnumbered by deaths, according to the latest preliminary figures published by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). While both the number of births and deaths fell compared with»»»

Dubai: Many UAE expatriates frequently travel to Oman for work, family visits, or holidays. With popular tourist destinations like Musandam and Salalah, Oman is a top choice for short getaways. If you are a UAE resident, you may be eligible for either a visa on arrival or a GCC resident eVisa - bot»»»

London: British singer Boy George pulled out of a West End production of the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" after facing a backlash for releasing a pro-Israel song, "We Will Dance Again". The 65-year-old musician "will no longer be appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium", his»»»

British oil giant BP announced plans Friday to sell off its North Sea business ending six decades of exploration and extraction on the U.K. Continental Shelf since the company first struck gas there in 1964. File photo by Neil Hall/EPA July 31 (UPI) -- British oil giant BP announced plans Friday to»»»

One Palestinian was shot and wounded during an Israeli settler march through several West Bank Palestinian towns Friday that sparked clashes with locals, first responders, the army and an AFP journalist said. "Our crews in Nablus are treating a young man who was shot with live ammunition in the abd»»»

CAIRO: A dispute over access regulations at a luxury residential and resort development on Egypt’s North Coast has ignited a wider debate on the balance between private investment and public rights. The controversy, at Emaar Misr’s Marassi project, began when homeowners there objected to the introd»»»

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s oldest women’s group is seeking to form new collaborations and increase cultural exchanges with Saudi Arabia, its chairwoman told Arab News following a meeting with the Kingdom’s envoy in Jakarta. Founded in 1928, the Indonesian Women’s Congress — known as Kowani — is the large»»»

Opposition parliamentary groups voiced concern on Friday over Bulgaria’s foreign policy surrounding the decision to temporarily allow the allied US forces to use Bezmer Air Base, which was followed by a stern response by the West Asian country. On Thursday, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Velislava Pet»»»

Bulgaria's Health Minister Katya Ivkova has ordered an inspection of the state hospital in Lovech after finding serious financial problems and property mismanagement during a visit on Friday. The visit was prompted by reports about the hospital's deteriorating condition, with Ivkova stressing that »»»

TradeUnited States of AmericaHumanoid robots: Trump's latest China trade battle?Nik MartinThe US has banned foreign-made humanoid robots — a market dominated by Chinese tech firms. Although Washington cited national security risks, analysts think Trump is buying time for US robot makers to catch up»»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan attended the opening of Baku Hotel on the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, the press service of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic reported. The event was held as part of an informal consultative meeting of the le»»»

NEW DELHI: The India & Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture on Friday announced a new partnership with one of India’s largest apex industry bodies as it seeks to foster stronger business connections and strengthen India-Arab economic cooperation. The IACCIA has signed a memora»»»

Dubai: Malayalam actor Kunchacko Boban has made a career out of playing men wrestling with their demons. In Unmadham, his latest Malayalam-language psychological thriller, he once again slips into the uniform of a flawed police officer whose biggest battles aren't just with crime, but with his own »»»

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said it stopped two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz after they attempted to pass through an undeclared route under US military air escort, warning that American instructions to ships in the region would not go unanswered. In a statement, the »»»

DOHA: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced its solidarity with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) in their opposition to FIFA's plan to sell a stake in the commercial operation»»»

Cairo: For days, a woman in southern Egypt believed she was being targeted by strangers who had found her missing mobile phone. Police say the investigation instead uncovered an alleged betrayal much closer to home, with her brother accused of stealing the device and helping to blackmail her. The c»»»

A new Chief Physician has been appointed at the National Hospital: Talantbek Arstankulov. According to the Ministry of Health press center, the head of the ministry, Damir Osmonov, introduced the new head to the National Hospital staff. Talantbek Arstankulov, born August 1, 1972, holds a PhD in Med»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut will pay a working visit to North Macedonia on Friday to meet with the country's PM Hristijan Mickoski. A Serbian delegation headed by Macut will also include Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infras»»»

Miami: Brazil star Casemiro sang the praises of new Inter Miami teammate Lionel Messi on Thursday, calling his former La Liga rival a "god of football." "Of course, if I'm here it's because of him and to help him and Inter Miami," the former Real Madrid midfielder said of the Argentine star who now»»»

Brussels, Belgium: The European Union on Friday accused Temu of failing to hand over information during an inspection as part of a probe into the Chinese-owned online retailer. The EU's powerful antitrust sheriff said it carried out surprise raids between December 2 and 5, 2025, seeking evidence in»»»

Hamas said Frsay that it reached an agreement to disarm, a significant move that could help end the war in Gaza — but one that will face many hurdles and could take a long time to achieve, if at all. The group agreed to a road map as long as Israel also makes concessions, including ending hostiliti»»»

Dubai: The European Union has accused Temu of failing to provide information requested during a surprise inspection, prompting the online retailer to reject the preliminary findings and deny receiving foreign subsidies that distorted competition. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques &»»»

Reykjavik: A ship run by a group founded by anti-whaling activist Paul Watson said Friday it had been boarded by Iceland's coast guard overnight while it was monitoring a whale hunt. "The Captain Paul Watson Foundation confirms that its vessel, the Bandero, has been seized at sea by the Icelandic C»»»

Cape Canaveral: A drifting SpaceX rocket is on a collision course with the moon after launching a pair of lunar landers more than a year ago. The rocket's upper stage will unintentionally slam into the moon on Wednesday, carving out a crater and sending up a plume of dust and rubble that scientists»»»

Abu Dhabi: Parts of the UAE could see afternoon showers early next week as unstable weather returns to eastern and southern areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The NCM said convective clouds are expected to develop over the east and south on Monday and Tuesday, bringing a »»»

San Francisco, United States: Anthropic's artificial intelligence (AI) models "gained unauthorized access" to three outside organizations during testing that was supposed to keep them away from "real-world" systems, the company said on Thursday. The announcement comes just days after rival OpenAI f»»»

Most of the world’s fastest-growing megacities will soon be in Africa. Many cities across East Asia and Latin America have grown quickly over the last few decades. Since 1950, São Paulo’s population has grown sixfold. Shanghai’s nearly tenfold, Our World in Data  (OWID)  reports. This rap»»»

BELGRADE – Serbia’s Q2 2026 GDP was up by 3.6 pct y-o-y in real terms, the Serbian national statistical office RZS said in a flash estimate released on Friday. The RZS also said a more detailed GDP calculation for Q2 2026, performed at lower aggregation levels, would be published on August 31. Serb»»»

A North Carolina man said his personal connection to the number 7 led to his winning a $1 million top prize from a scratch-off lottery ticket. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 30 (UPI) -- A North Carolina man said his personal connection to the number 7 led to his winning a $1 »»»

Bulgaria ranks as the least affordable country in the European Union for purchasing a €1 million property, with an average-income buyer needing the equivalent of 7.8 average salaries to cover the mortgage burden. The figure is the highest in the EU, while in Luxembourg the same type of property wou»»»

The Constitutional Court has instituted two cases following referrals by MPs from GERB–UDF and Continue the Change (CC) challenging the State Budget Act, which was adopted conclusively by Parliament on July 24, 2026. The Court has also opened a case following a petition challenging the constitution»»»

ALGIERS: An Algerian passenger bus crashed into a ravine on Friday killing at least 25 people and wounding dozens, the country’s civil defense agency said. The bus left the road near the coastal town of Boumerdes, east of the capital Algiers, for unknown reasons, according to the civil defense. At »»»

Russia has charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with assisting terrorist activity and begun procedures to place him on an international wanted list, sharply escalating the Kremlin's confrontation with one of the country's most prominent technology entrepreneurs. Russia's Federal Security Service ac»»»