Flash floods hit southern Germany on Sunday, killing at least one person, turning roads into rivers, and adding to the flooding devastation that has claimed the lives of more than 180 people across Europe in recent days. Some vehicles were swept away and swathes of land were buried under thick …
Read More »Debt and trauma as Israel destroys Palestinian homes, businesses
Hundreds of Palestinians struggle to see a future as Israel demolishes homes and businesses in occupied territories. Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem – Hundreds of Palestinian families are struggling to put their lives back together after their homes and businesses were demolished by Israeli authorities, either as collective punishment …
Read More »Taliban leader ‘strenuously favors’ political settlement to end the Afghan conflict
The Taliban’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on Sunday said he “strenuously favors” a political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan even as the movement has launched a sweeping offensive across the country. “In spite of the military gains and advances, the Islamic Emirate strenuously favors a political settlement in the …
Read More »First competitors in athletes’ village infected with COVID-19
Two athletes have tested positive for the coronavirus in the Tokyo Olympic Village after a team colleague was also infected, officials said on Sunday, raising fears of a cluster just days before the opening ceremony. The first cases involving athletes in the Village come a day after a member of …
Read More »Kenya fuel tanker explosion kills 13 in Siaya County
At least 13 people have died after a petrol tanker overturned and caught fire in western Kenya on Sunday night. The crash reportedly happened as the driver tried to avoid a head-on collision with another lorry on the busy road between Kisumu and Busia. People rushed to the scene with …
Read More »OPEC+ meets to agree oil supply boost as prices surge
OPEC+ ministers are meeting on Sunday in another attempt to agree a quick oil supply boost to address soaring prices as the global economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. An attempt earlier this month by the group, which includes OPEC countries and allies like Russia, to agree on a new …
Read More »Landslides kill at least 30 in Mumbai after heavy rains
At least 30 people died in three Mumbai suburbs when several houses collapsed after landslides triggered by heavy rain, local officials said on Sunday. Rescuers were seen using their hands to dig up the ground and retrieve bodies, local television showed, and authorities said more victims could be trapped inside …
Read More »Death toll rises to 170 in Germany and Belgium floods (Videos)
The death toll in devastating flooding in western Germany and Belgium rose to at least 170 on Saturday after burst rivers and flash floods this week collapsed houses and ripped up roads and power lines. Some 143 people died in the flooding in Germany’s worst natural disaster in more than …
Read More »Iraq voices solidarity, condolences for flood victims in Germany and Belgium
Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed solidarity with the German and Belgian government and people in the aftermath of the horrific floods that stroke the Rhineland. In a statement issued earlier today, Saturday, the Ministry said, “we express sentiments of sympathy for the scores of victims and missing civilians and …
Read More »Biden: American social media platforms ‘killing people’
US President Joe Biden has said that American social media companies, such as Facebook, that allow coronavirus misinformation to spread on their platforms are “killing people.” On Friday afternoon, Biden was asked during a press conference at the White House what his message is to social media platforms on the …
Read More »Russia rejects Guardian article about support for Trump in 2016
Russia has dismissed as “false” and “great pulp fiction” a recent article by The Guardian about Moscow’s alleged secret efforts to ensure Donald Trump’s victory in the United States’ 2016 presidential election. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made the comments during a press conference on Friday, after the British newspaper reported a day earlier, citing …
Read More »Hijab ban: EU court backs businesses who sack religiously dressed women
Shock has rippled through the Muslim community after the European Union’s Highest Court ruled that businesses can sack Muslim women for wearing the hijab if they work face-to-face with customers or if the wearing of the religious clothing causes workplace conflicts.
Read More »Bolton claims US didn’t lose war in Afghanistan
Former US national security adviser John Bolton has insisted that the United States did not lose the war in Afghanistan, but has simply “walked away from it.” In an interview on Friday, Bolton also denounced US President Joe Biden’s order for a full military withdrawal from the country which the …
Read More »Pilgrims arrive in Mecca for the second hajj of Covid-19 pandemic
An Indian family of five burst into tears of joy after being chosen for this weekend’s downsized hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, but hundreds of thousands of rejected applicants were left disappointed. Up to 60,000 Muslims residing in Saudi Arabia are allowed to take part in this year’s hajj, evoking …
Read More »Delta COVID variant now dominant strain worldwide, US deaths surge -officials
The Delta variant of COVID-19 is now the dominant strain worldwide, accompanied by a surge of deaths around the United States almost entirely among unvaccinated people, U.S. officials said on Friday. U.S. cases of COVID-19 are up 70% over the previous week and deaths are up 26%, with outbreaks occurring …
Read More »Biden to host Iraq’s prime minister at White House on July 26
U.S. President Joe Biden will host Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the White House on the 26th of July. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the visit will highlight the partnership between the two countries and advance bilateral cooperation under a 2008 agreement that governed the withdrawal of …
Read More »Dutch remain on high alert for flooding of swollen rivers
Emergency services in the Netherlands remained on high alert on Saturday as overflowing rivers threatened towns and villages throughout the southern province of Limburg. Tens of thousands of residents in the region have been evacuated in the past two days, while soldiers, fire brigades, and volunteers worked frantically throughout Friday …
Read More »China official in Hong Kong says US sanctions, business advisory have “despicable intention”
China’s foreign ministry branch in Hong Kong said new U.S. sanctions on Chinese officials and its updated business advisory on the city are “extremely rude” and “extremely unreasonable” bullying acts with “despicable intention”. The United States imposed sanctions on Friday on seven Chinese officials over Beijing’s crackdown on democracy in …
Read More »German floods kill at least 133, search for survivors continues
Rescue workers searched flood-ravaged parts of western Germany for survivors on Saturday as water levels remained high in many towns and houses continued to collapse in the country’s worst natural disaster in half a century. At least 133 people have died in the flooding, including some 90 people in the …
Read More »Assad takes oath for new term, vows to fight ‘economic war’
President Bashar al-Assad has taken the oath of office for a fourth term in war-ravaged Syria, after taking 95 percent of the vote. Assad was sworn in on the constitution and the Qur’an in the presence of more than 600 guests, including ministers, businessmen, academics and journalists at the parliament …
Read More »