Zurich, July 30 (SANA)FIFAPresidentGianni Infantinodefended plans to establish a commercial subsidiary that would oversee the organization’s business operations, saying the proposal is intended to generate greater financial benefits for football worldwide. The proposal has attracted criticism since details emerged earlier this week about the possible sale of stakes in FIFA’s premier competitions. Infantino said the initiative is voluntary and would require approval from FIFA’s 211 member associations and the FIFA Council before it could be implemented. The company would manage the commercia…

Kuala Lumpur, July 30 (SANA)The Executive Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has awardedSaudi Arabiathe hosting rights for the next three editions of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals, making the Kingdom the permanent host of the tournament after it had previously staged the competition on a temporary basis. Saudi Arabia successfully organized the first two editions of the competition, whose final stages are held under a centralized format in one city, featuring the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. The format was introduced with the launch of the competition’s new s…

Lahore, July 30 (SANA)Heavy monsoon rains caused a residential building to collapse in Lahore on Thursday, leaving 11 people dead and six others injured, authorities said. Local officials said the victims, all members of the same family, included women and children. Rescue workers searched the debris for survivors before recovering the victims’ bodies and transporting the injured to hospital. Officials said persistent rainfall had weakened the three-story building, leading to its collapse. Flooding caused by the seasonal rains has also affected a dozen villages near Lahore, forcing many re…

Damascus, July 30 (SANA)President Ahmad al-Sharaaheld a telephone conversation on Thursday withSaudi Crown Princeand Prime MinisterPrince Mohammed bin Salmanbin Abdulaziz Al Saud, during which the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to enhance prospects for joint cooperation. During the call, President al-Sharaa reiterated Syria’s condemnation of the attempted attack on Saudi oil facilities by Iran-backed militias in Iraq, affirming Syria’s unwavering support for the Kingdom’s security and sovereignty. The conversation also addressed the late…

Damascus, July 30 (SANA)President Ahmad al-Sharaaheld a telephone conversation on Thursday withSheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab Emirates, during which they reviewed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to enhance joint cooperation in a manner that serves their mutual interests. The two leaders also exchanged views on the latest regional developments, underscoring the importance of continuing consultation and coordination to support efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability across the region. At the conclusion of the call, …

Riyadh, July 30 (SANA)Saudi Arabia has announced plans to establish a multinational maritime defense alliance after 14 countries agreed to join the initiative. The proposed coalition is intended to strengthen maritime security, protect international shipping routes and support freedom of navigation and global commerce. Saudi officials said military representatives from 43 countries discussed the alliance’s structure, command arrangements and operational framework during a meeting in Riyadh. The Kingdom is expected to host the alliance’s headquarters, while additional countries may join afte…

London, July 30 (SANA)Britain has condemned Israeli settlement plans and the continuing attacks byIsraeli settlersagainst Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, reaffirming that the settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the prospects of achieving atwo-state solution. In a statement posted on the social media platform X on Thursday, Britain’s Minister for the Middle East, Stephen Doughty, denounced the attacks carried out by settlers against Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank as “appalling and unacceptable,” including the arson of two mosques in two villag…

Damascus, July 30 (SANA)TheSyrian People’s Assemblyratified its new Internal Rules of Procedure in their final form at the conclusion of the second session of the First Extraordinary Session of the First Legislative Term. The new Internal Rules of Procedure comprise 231 articles and were adopted by a majority vote following five consecutive days of extensive deliberations. The sessions featured detailed discussions of the draft rules, accompanied by interventions and proposals from members of the Assembly. Several articles were amended while others were approved, contributing to the formulat…

Damascus, July 30 (SANA)The Directorate of Primary Healthcare at Syria’sMinistry of Health, in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), organized a training workshop entitled “Primary Healthcare in Emergencies”. According to a statement published by the ministry on its Telegram channel on Thursday, the workshop aims to initiate the preparation of emergency response plans in accordance with internationally recognized (globally accepted) standards. The workshop was attended by primary healthcare officials and directors of healthcare centers from across the governor…

Tokyo, July 30 (SANA)The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struckJapan’ssouthwesternKumamotoPrefecture has risen to 28, with dozens of people injured as rescue teams continue to search damaged areas amid persistent aftershocks and intense summer heat. The Japanese government said on Thursday that the toll includes people whose causes of death are still being investigated to determine whether they were linked to the magnitude-7.1earthquake, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. The earthquake, which struck on Tuesday, destroyed homes, damaged bridges, sparked fires and disrupted ele…

Seoul, July 30 (SANA)– Samsung Electronics said Thursday that the global semiconductor supply shortage is expected to continue through 2028, driven by strong demand linked toartificial intelligence technologiesand data center expansion.Jaejune Kim, executive vice president ofSamsung’s memory division, said the shortage is expected to become more severe in 2027 before continuing into 2028.Kim said Samsung has signed long-term supply agreements with five major data center operators and is holding talks with additional customers. He added that the contracts are expected to extend for at least fiv…

Cairo, July 30 (SANA)Egyptsaid on Thursday that a drone caused fires aboard two vessels atDamietta Porton the Mediterranean coast, according to preliminary findings from an official investigation. In a statement posted on Facebook, the Egyptian Cabinet said authorities had concluded that the fires, which broke out on Wednesday, were caused by a drone after initial investigations. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident, the statement said. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and will take “the necessary measures to…

Brussels, July 30 (SANA)TheEuropean Unionon Thursday announced an additional €3.47 billion in military support forUkrainewhile condemning overnightRussian strikesthat Ukrainian officials said killed eight people and injured dozens. TheEuropean Commissionsaid the new funding will finance the purchase of drones, missiles, air defense systems and Gripen fighter jets as part of a broader €90 billion support program for Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the funding aims to strengthenUkraine’s defense capabilities, protect its airspace and expand cooperation between …

Damascus, July 30 (SANA)Syria has received more than 2.5 million tons of wheat from this season’s harvest, theSyrian Grain Establishment (SGE)said, as the government seeks to strengthen domesticfood securityand expandgrainreserves. Director General of the SGEHassan al-Othmansaid the volume collected reflects improved wheat production compared with previous years and supports the country’s efforts to achieve greater self-sufficiency. According to SGE data as of July 12, 2026,Hasakahaccounted for the largest share of wheat receipts with 907,249 tons, followed by Raqqa with 341,440 tons, Aleppo…

La Paz, July 30 (SANA)Bolivia‘s Public Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for former President Evo Morales on charges of “incitement and rebellion” linked to protests over the country’s economic crisis and the government of President Rodrigo Paz. Agence France-Presse quoted Attorney General Roger Mariaca as saying the warrant was issued as part of an investigation into dozens of roadblocks erected during widespread protests in May and June. The roadblocks caused severe shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies, according to the report. Mariaca said the investigation be…

Doha/Amman, July 30 (SANA)Qatar and Jordan on Thursday condemnedIranian attacksonKuwait, voicing support for theGulf stateafter an attack on a building belonging to a Chinese company killed one worker and warning that continued attacks risk further destabilizing the region. Qatar’s Foreign Ministrysaid the attacks targeting Kuwait and Jordan constituted a “flagrant violation” of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries and a breach ofinternational law, theU.N.Charter and the principles of good neighborliness. It said the continued attacks represented a dangerous escalat…

Capitals, July 30 (SANA)Greek authorities evacuated around 8,000 people from the island of Crete as wildfires, fueled by strong winds, continued to spread, while neighboring Türkiye announced it had brought forest fires under control in three provinces. Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that Maria Leon, deputy governor of the tourist city of Rethymno on Crete, said on Greek state television on Thursday that about 8,000 people had been evacuated on Wednesday evening. She added that wind speeds in the southern part of the island reached 125 km/h on Thursday morning. Leon said the fires had d…

Damascus, July 30 (SANA)Japan and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (U.N.-Habitat) on Thursday signed a $9.5 million agreement to support integrated urban reconstruction and strengthen sustainable solid waste management in the city of Homs, under the patronage of the International Cooperation Department at Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. The agreement was signed by Akihiro Tsuji, chargé d’affaires of theJapanese Embassyin Damascus, and Patrick Kanagasingham, regional programmes manager at U.N.-Habitat. The project aims to support Homs’ urban recovery by reha…

Damascus, July 30 (SANA)Minister of Economy and Industry,Nidal al-Shaar, said on Thursday that the government’s decision to reduce the price of industrial fuel oil reflects its commitment to supporting manufacturers and creating a more favorable environment for production and investment. In a statement, al-Shaar said the decision lowers the price offuel oilallocated to the productive sector from $475 to $400 per ton, easing operating costs for industrial facilities and enhancing their capacity to increase production and expand operations. He said the government’s contribution to reducing ene…

Japan and the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) signed a $9.5 million agreement on Thursday to support urban recovery and improve solid waste management in the central Syrian city of Homs. Japan, UN-Habitat sign $9.5 million urban recovery deal for Syria’s Homs President Ahmad al-Sharaa receives credentials of Indonesia’s ambassador to Syria President al-Sharaa receives credentials of Czech Ambassador German carrier LEAV Aviation launches first Düsseldorf Damascus flight in14 years Aleppo hosts Shahba Tech 2026 to promote Syria’s digital transformation The Umayyad Mos…