Mexico City, June 12 (SANA)The2026 FIFA World Cupofficially got underway inMexicoCity late Thursday with a spectacular opening ceremony at the iconicAzteca Stadium, where Mexican culture andfootballtook center stage in a celebration watched by fans around the world. The ceremony featured vibrant Latin-inspired performances and appearances by international music stars Shakira and J Balvin, highlighting Mexico’s cultural heritage as the tournament begins. Azteca Stadium also made history by becoming the first venue to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches, having previously staged the tour…

Damascus, June 10 (SANA)Syrian officials and representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) met in Damascus on Wednesday to review the country’s commitments under the Montreal Protocol and discuss ongoing projects aimed at reducing ozone-depleting substances. The consultative meeting, organized by theMinistry of Local Administration and Environment, brought together government officials and stakeholders involved in implementing environmental policies and international commitments. Participants reviewed progress related to the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, inclu…

Baghdad, June 10 (SANA)Iraq remains committed to ending the military mission of the U.S.-ledinternational coalitionby the end of September, a government spokesman said, describing the move as part of broader efforts to strengthen state authority and national sovereignty. Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of theIraqi Armed Forces, said the planned conclusion of the coalition’s mission is “not subject to postponement” and will be followed by a transition to bilateral security partnerships that respect Iraq’s sovereignty. Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Numan s…

Damascus, June 10 (SANA)Syrian and Turkish officials discussed the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey, reconstruction efforts and ways to expand bilateral cooperation during talks in Damascus, theMinistry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriatessaid. Qutaiba Qadeesh, Director of the International Cooperation Department at the ministry, met with Turkish Ambassador to Damascus Nuh Yilmaz to review a range of issues of mutual interest. According to the ministry, the discussions focused on the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey and ongoing efforts related to reconstruction and recovery inSyria…

Abu Dhabi, June 10 (SANA)The United Arab Emirates and Egypt discussed regional developments and ways to deepen bilateral cooperation during a phone call between their foreign ministers on Wednesday, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). UAE Foreign MinisterSheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan andEgyptian Foreign MinisterBadr Abdelatty reviewed ongoing regional challenges and efforts aimed at promoting security, stability and peace across the Middle East. The ministers also discussed the situation in theGaza Strip, stressing the importance of supporting initiatives that contribute to re…

Johannesburg, June 10 (SANA)At least 12 people were killed and nine others wounded after gunmen opened fire at an informal settlement east ofJohannesburg, police said on Wednesday, in the latest deadly shooting to hit South Africa. According to Reuters, the attack took place on Tuesday evening in the Cleveland area, where unidentified assailants opened fire on residents. Police said 12 people were killed at the scene, while nine others sustained injuries. Authorities have launched an investigation and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding theshooting. No arrests have been a…

Hama, June 10 (SANA)The ancient Syrian city ofApameahas regained international attention following its inclusion on the heritage lists of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), a move highlighting the significance of one of the region’s most important archaeological sites. The designation is seen as a boost to ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Syria’scultural heritage, while drawing renewed attention to a city whose history spans more than two millennia. Located on the eastern bank of the Orontes River about 55 kilometers northwest ofHama, Apamea …

New York, June 10 (SANA)Syria’s Minister of Social Affairs and LaborHind Kabawatcalled on international partners on Tuesday to increase support fordisability rightsand rehabilitation programs inSyria, saying 1.5 million Syrians are living with disabilities caused by more than a decade of war. Speaking at the 19th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights ofPersons with Disabilities(COSP19)atUnited NationsHeadquarters inNew York, Kabawat said the humanitarian impact of the war continues to affect millions of Syrians. “Today, 1.5 million Syrians are living wit…

Beirut, June 10 (SANA)Three people were killed and others injured on Wednesday inIsraeli airstrikeson the Tyre district insouthern Lebanon, amid continued attacks on several areas in the south of the country, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). The agency reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted the town of Siddiqin in theTyre districtearly Wednesday, killing two people and wounding several others. Another strike on Tayr Dibba in the same district resulted in one fatality, while civil defence teams continued efforts to recover the victim’s body from under the rubble. Israel…

Damascus, June 10 (SANA)The Syrian Artificial Intelligence Olympiad (SOAI2026) concluded its 2nd edition, organized by Syrian Computer Society, with the participation of Communications and Information Technology Minister,Abdul Salam Haykal, at the Syrian National Library inDamascus. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Minister Haykal said that the ministry is working to strengthen partnership in the field of artificial intelligence, stressing that this file is considered a top priority in cooperation with national partners. Chairman of Syrian Computer Society Board, Sinan Hatahet, said that mo…

Homs, June 10 (SANA)Defense Minister, Major GeneralMurhaf Abu Qasra, accompanied by the head of the Training Department, Brigadier General Abdul Rahman Al-Sarhan, made an inspection visit to the Military Academy in Homs. Abu Qasra met with the academy’s Commander, Brigadier General Ahmad Al-Hussein, and a number of its officers, and delivered a speech in which he praised the efforts exerted in preparing and qualifying a generation of officers, combining military training with field competence.

Occupied Jerusalem, June 10 (SANA)The death toll from Israel’s war on theGaza Stripsince October 2023 has risen to 72,991, with 173,212 people injured, bringing the total number of reported casualties to more than 246,000, according to Palestinian medical sources. The Palestinian news agencyWAFAreported on Wednesday that hospitals in Gaza received three bodies and five injured people over the previous 24 hours. The sources added that since the ceasefire took effect on April 10, the death toll has reached 981 while 3104 people have been injured. A total of 783 bodies were also recovered durin…

Washington, June 10 (SANA)Syrian Energy MinisterMohammad al-Bashirmet with U.S. Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to discuss challenges facingSyria’s energy sectorand opportunities for future cooperation and investment. The meeting, held at theU.S.Congress in Washington, focused on infrastructure needs, energy supply security, attracting investment and developing technical and professional capabilities within the sector, according to the Ministry of Energy. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance cooperation and exchange expertise to support the mode…

London, June 10 (SANA)Amnesty International said on Wednesday that Israel is carrying out a state-backed campaign of “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank aimed at accelerating the annexation of Palestinian land. According toAFP, Amnesty’s report, Erasing Palestine: Israeli State-backed Ethnic Cleansing in theWest Bank, said Israeli authorities are advancing annexation through the forced displacement of Palestinian Bedouin and herding communities, particularly in Area C, which accounts for around 60 percent of the West Bank. The report documented the displacement …

Geneva, June 10 (SANA)TheGeneral Federation of Trade Unionsin Syria held a series of bilateral meetings with Arab and international trade union leaders on the sidelines of the 114th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. The discussions were led by Abdelalim Al-Bakkour, President of the General Federation of Trade Unions in Syria, and focused on strengthening joint trade union cooperation and expanding frameworks for institutional exchange. Meetings included talks with Fayez Al-Mutairi,Director-General of the Arab LabourOrganisation, as well as several regional and interna…

Damascus, June 10 (SANA)Two women were killed and 23 people injured in traffic accidents and fires across Syria, emergency authorities said on Wednesday. The fatalities occurred in a traffic accident before dawn on the Athriya road in western Raqqa province, where a passenger bus collided with a combine harvester transporter, according to theRaqqaDirectorate ofEmergency and Disaster Management. The crash killed two women and injured four others, including two children. Syrian Civil Defense teams responded to the scene, provided emergency assistance and transported the injured to al-Tabqa Nat…

Damascus, June 10 (SANA)Syria on Wednesday condemnedIranianattacks targeting the territories ofBahrain,KuwaitandJordan, warning that such actions risk further destabilizing the region and threatening civilian lives. In a statement, theMinistry of Foreign Affairsand Expatriates denounced the use of drones and ballistic missiles launched from Iran against the three Arab countries. The ministry saidSyriaconsiders the security and stability of Arab states an integral part of the security and stability of the region as a whole. “Syria condemns any actions that target the sovereignty of states an…

Washington, June 10 (SANA)Lucy Milgrim, a 10-year-old girl fromNew York State, has attracted widespread media attention after achieving record-setting performances in weightlifting while also excelling in wrestling. According to TheNew York Times, Milgrim has posted notable results in her age category, lifting weights that in some exercises exceed twice her body weight, particularly in the deadlift. She began training at an early age in a home gym under the supervision of her family and has since set U.S. records within her age group. Videos of her performances have also gained significant a…

Beirut, June 10 (SANA)At least 11 people were killed and several others wounded in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, according toLebanon’sstate-run National News Agency (NNA), as attacks targeted multiple towns in the country’s south. The deadliest strike hit the town of Tayr Debba near Tyre, where eightIsraeli airstrikeskilled six people and injured several others, the agency reported. A number of civilians were also reported missing under the rubble. Two more people were killed in a separate strike on the town of Siddiqine, while three others were killed in earlier a…

Kuwait, June 10 (SANA)Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have condemned reported missile and drone attacks targeting Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, describing the incidents asviolations of sovereigntyand a threat to regional security and stability. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement posted on X on Wednesday that the attacks constituted a dangerous escalation that endangered civilian lives and vital infrastructure and represented a violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty. The ministry said such actionscontravene international lawand the United Nations Charter and undermine re…