Trump says U.S.-Vietnam trade deal nearly complete
U.S. President Donald Trump says a trade agreement with Vietnam is nearly finalized, though key details remain unclear. The pact aims to lower tariffs...
At least 20 people were killed and more than 50 injured after a suicide bomber attacked a church in central Damascus, Syria’s capital, on Sunday, officials confirmed.
The attack took place during a service at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Dweila neighbourhood. According to Syria’s interior ministry, the assailant, identified as a member of ISIL, entered the church, opened fire, and then detonated his explosive vest. A second man was reportedly involved but his fate remains unclear.
This marks the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was ousted by an Islamist-led rebel coalition in December. The incident highlights the persistent threat posed by ISIL despite the group’s territorial defeat.
The health ministry reported 52 people were injured in the blast. A livestream from the scene by Syria’s civil defence, the White Helmets, showed extensive damage inside the church, including bloodstained floors and shattered masonry.
ISIL has previously attempted attacks on churches in Syria, but this is the first successful strike since Assad's removal. A security source told Reuters the group had intensified its focus on religious minorities in recent months.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed power in January for a transitional period, condemned the attack and reiterated his commitment to protecting minority communities.
The Greek foreign ministry also issued a statement, denouncing the bombing as "abhorrent" and urging Syrian transitional authorities to take swift action to secure all religious groups.
ISIL had carried out similar attacks in the past, notably the 2016 bombing targeting Shiite pilgrims in Sayeda Zainab, one of the deadliest incidents during Assad’s rule.
The latest bombing raises concerns over ongoing security lapses and the resurgence of extremist violence in the post-Assad era.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 10th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Chinese automaker Chery has denied an industry-ministry audit that disqualified more than $53 million in state incentives for thousands of its electric and hybrid vehicles, insisting it followed official guidance and committed no fraud.
Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney is reportedly the top contender to become the next Bond girl, as director Denis Villeneuve and Amazon look to modernise the James Bond franchise.
Kazakhstan will remain part of the OPEC+ oil production deal but is opening talks to revise contracts with foreign investors at its largest oil and gas fields, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said on Tuesday.
Kyrgyzstan's GDP surged 11.7 percent year on year in the first half of 2025, driven by gains in services, construction and production, despite a decline in external trade.
Türkiye marks the anniversary of the failed coup attempt now observed as Democracy and National Unity Day. Across the country, people gathered to honour those who gave their lives defending the nation on the 15 July 2016.
Russian writer Boris Akunin (born Grigory Chkhartishvili), who has been designated a "foreign agent" and added to Russia's register of terrorists and extremists, has been sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison. He was found guilty of “aiding and justifying terrorism”.
The European Union has praised Armenia’s recent steps towards fostering stability in the South Caucasus, particularly its efforts to normalise relations with Türkiye and reach an historic peace agreement with Azerbaijan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment