Worldwide

Richard Branson’s private space tourism company has launched its first flight carrying the billionaire, two pilots, and three mission specialists to the fringes of space. The VSS Unity spaceplane was launched in mid-air after dropping from the belly of its mothership at an altitude of about 9.4 miles (15km) before …

Saudi Arabia is funding a digital news platform where the regime will hire some US-based media professionals to exert political pressure on the White House and the US Congress. The new lobbying project, which has not been officially announced, is backed by a subsidiary of the Saudi Technology Development and …

The media bureau of Yemen’s Operations Command Center has published video footage of Yemeni army forces and allied fighters conducting a large-scale anti-Saudi military operation in the central province of al-Bayda, and establishing control over several regions there. The video shows Yemeni troops and their allies, backed by local tribal fighters, engaged …

A powerful explosion has rocked the gas refinery that US forces are using as a military base in the east of the Syrian Province of Dayr al-Zawr. According to a war monitor, the blast was caused by a mortar shell landed in the Conoco Gas Field, where American troops are stationed. A …

The Syrian foreign minister has hailed as an “achievement” a newly-adopted United Nations resolution to extend the cross-border aid operation into the West Asian country, as the move would compel the West to respect the territorial integrity of Syria. According to reports, Faisal al-Mekdad made the remarks in a statement …

The commander of the Iranian Navy said his forces will receive new homegrown equipment within the next few months, including a warship, a destroyer, a missile-launching hovercraft and an oceangoing reconnaissance vessel. According to Tasnim news agency, speaking at a televised interview on Saturday night, Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said …

Negotiators from the Afghan government and the Taliban militant group have held a series of talks in the Qatari capital of Doha to discuss the stalled peace process as fighting escalates between the two sides. According to Press TV, Najia Anwari, a Spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Ministry for Peace Affairs, said …

The Russian Foreign Ministry has denounced the decades-long US embargo against Cuba as a violation of both international law and the human rights of Cubans. According to reports, in a statement posted on its website on Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the restrictive measures that the White House has …

A British police officer on Friday admitted murdering Sarah Everard, whose killing sparked anger, protests and soul-searching across the country about what the authorities and society could do to stop male violence against women. Wayne Couzens, 48, a serving London officer who guarded diplomatic premises, had previously admitted rape and …

An Iranian army commander has assured that the situation is normal along the border with Afghanistan where the Taliban are making gains, stressing that “full security” prevails in the region. In an interview with Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Sunday, Second Brigadier General Mahmoud Mahmoudi, the commander of the …

Heavy rains and flooding have forced thousands of people to evacuate in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan, with authorities on Sunday urging citizens across the country to brace for more downpours. In Sichuan, torrential rain since Friday has raised the water levels of 14 rivers, swept away boats and bridges, …

China and Russia have vigorously denounced new sanctions imposed by the United States against dozens of their companies and entities. The US on Friday announced sanctions against 23 Chinese companies and other entities “for their involvement in, or risk of becoming involved in, activities contrary to interests of United States.” …

At least one explosion has rocked the Conoco gas field in Deir Ez-Zor province, which is occupied by Washington-backed SDF forces, with initial reports suggesting no casualties among American troops stationed in the area. Local sources, cited by Syrian state news agency SANA, noted “unusual movements of the occupation forces” …

Australia reported its first coronavirus-related death of the year on Sunday and a record 77 new virus cases in the state of New South Wales, which is battling an outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant. State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the numbers in and around the country’s biggest city …

Lebanon is on the verge of complete chaos following the pound’s dramatic fall against the US dollar with disgruntled citizens taking to the streets, blocking highways, burning, and attacking public utilities to protest the deteriorating economic conditions. This coincided with the breakdown of public services that has left the country …

A bus carrying Afghan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi migrants crashed in eastern Turkey early on Sunday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 26 others, local authorities said. The crash occurred in Van province’s Muradiye district near the Turkish border with Iran, where the vehicle caught fire after tumbling into a …

Clashes between police and a gang in northwestern Caracas this week have left at least 26 dead, including four officers, and 38 people injured, Venezuelan Interior Minister Carmen Melendez said on Saturday. The casualty count comes after several days of heavy gunfire left some capital residents fleeing their homes and …

India said on Sunday it had temporarily brought back officials from its consulate in Kandahar, a major city in southern Afghanistan, as Taliban fighters continue to gain control amid the withdrawal of international forces. “Due to the intense fighting near Kandahar city, India-based personnel has been brought back for the …

For the first time, a majority of Brazilians support impeaching President Jair Bolsonaro, according to a poll released on Saturday, as serious graft allegations related to vaccine procurement hit the right-wing leader’s already battered image. According to the survey by Datafolha, 54% of Brazilians support a proposed move by the …

Newly appointed Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane is infected with COVID-19, Algerian state TV said on Saturday. The prime minister, who had just formed his new government on Wednesday, will quarantine for seven days, but will continue performing his duties virtually, state TV said. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered his government …