Jul 18 Taiwan will 'not provoke confrontation' with China, Vice President Hsiao says By Simina Mistreanu, Associated Press China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly threatened to annex it, by force if necessary. In recent years, Beijing has ramped up its military intimidation of the island, sending jets and ships nearby almost daily. Continue reading
Jul 18 Druze-Bedouin clashes reignite after government forces pull out of southern Syria By Abby Sewell, Ghaith Alsayed, Associated Press Syrian government forces prepared to return to a southern region Friday after renewed clashes broke out between Druze armed groups and members of Bedouin clans, leaving tens of thousands of people displaced in a worsening humanitarian crisis. Continue reading
Jul 18 EU and UK hit Russia with new sanctions. Moscow's energy revenue and spies are targeted By Lorne Cook, Associated Press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the new measures, describing them as a “timely and necessary” step amid intensified Russian attacks. Continue reading
Jul 18 Christian patriarchs make rare visit to Gaza after deadly Israeli strike on church By Wafaa Shurafa, Julia Frankel, Fatma Khaled, Associated Press Since ending a ceasefire in March, Israel has regularly launched far deadlier strikes across Gaza against what it says are Hamas militants, frequently killing women and children. Continue reading
Jul 18 Men deported by U.S. to Eswatini in Africa will be held in solitary confinement for undetermined time By Gerald Imray, Associated Press The Trump administration has sent hundreds of Venezuelans and others to Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama, and deported eight men earlier this month to South Sudan, also an African country. Continue reading
Jul 18 Brazil's former President Bolsonaro ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor By Associated Press Bolsonaro is currently on trial at the Supreme Court accused of leading an alleged attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2022 election in which he was defeated by left-wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Continue reading
Jul 17 Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan have killed at least 54 people in 24 hours, officials say By Associated Press Rainfall has triggered flash floods and inundated several villages as the country experiences 82% more rainfall this month compared to the same period in July 2024, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said. Continue reading
Jul 17 Watch 9:33 Amid a violent week in Syria, a look at the stability of the new government By Stephanie Sy, Sonia Kopelev In Syria, violence continued between rival factions even after a ceasefire deal. Government troops withdrew overnight from a region as Israel said it would not allow Syrian forces south of Damascus, extending its attempted control of the area. Stephanie Sy… Continue watching
Jul 17 What's in the GOP bill clawing back $9 billion from foreign aid and public broadcasting? By Kevin Freking, Associated Press The Senate approved the vast majority of President Donald Trump's request in the early morning hours Thursday, 51-48. Continue reading
Jul 17 Massive fire engulfs shopping mall in Iraq, killing more than 60 By Ali Abdul Hassan and Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press Iraqi officials say a fire engulfed a newly opened shopping center in eastern Iraq, killing more than 60 people in eastern Wasit province. Continue reading