UN Probe Finds Systematic Attacks on Civilians by Syria-Linked Factions

A United Nations–backed investigation has found that factions aligned with Syria’s former government carried out “widespread and systemic” attacks on civilians during sectarian violence along the country’s coast. The Independent International...

Russia FM Sergey Lavrov wears sweater that appears to have 'CCCP' on it

China's July Refining Runs Climb Year on Year

China's Ant Group says Bright Smart deal on track following report of delay

Global Markets Mixed; Treasury Yields Fall as Expectations for Interest-Rate Cut Mount

Popular Dallas area food festival from chef Tiffany Derry back for a second year

Chefs and foodies alike in Dallas-Fort Worth can look forward to the second annual Shef Food + Wine festival this fall. Taking place in Grand Prairie, Dallas chef Tiffany Derry and business partner Tom Foley are back at it again with a festival...

Chinese Textile Giant to invest $100mn in Pakistan’s new Special Economic Zone

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Islamabad, developed by a Chinese textile giant in a project expected to generate $400 million in exports for Pakistan. Chinese group plans to invest $100 million...

Russia to Extend Gasoline Export Ban

Russia has decided to extend a one-month ban on gasoline exports as part of government efforts to keep the domestic market well supplied in the face of recent Ukrainian drone attacks targeting more refineries.

Global Plastics Treaty Talks Stall Again as Oil Interests Loom Large

UN talks aimed at delivering a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution ended Friday in Geneva without agreement, again. It was the second part of the fifth session of negotiations, convened after a previous round in Busan, South Korea,...

Russia Experts Worry KGB Agent-Turned-Murderous Dictator Putin Will Play Trump

As President Donald Trump heads to Alaska to meet with the KGB agent-turned-dictator for whom he has long held a fawning admiration, Russia experts worry that the big loser will be Ukraine, the neighbour Vladimir Putin invaded three and a half...

China's air passenger trips total 440 mln in first 7 months

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's air passenger trips totaled 440 million in the first seven months of 2025, increasing 5.6 percent year on year, data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) showed on Friday. The sector's overall...

China's central bank reports increased support for 5 key sectors

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- China increased credit support for five key sectors this year, according to a report released by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) on Friday. By the end of June, loans to the sci-tech, green development, inclusive...

China’s economy slows

China’s economy slowed across the board last month with factory activity and retail sales disappointing, suggesting the world’s No. 2 economy is losing traction in the third quarter. Production at Chinese factories and mines rose at the slowest...

Russian troops advance ahead of Trump-Putin summit

RUSSIAN troops continued to advance in Ukraine today ahead of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. The Russian military said it had “liberated” seven more villages in Donetsk over the last week, while Ukrainian officers said Russian forces were...

UN urges 'Israel' to stop repeated targeting of Gaza aid security team

The UN urged "Israel" to halt repeated attacks on Palestinians guarding aid convoys in Gaza, warning such strikes worsen famine and violate international law. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Palestine on Friday urged the...

Human Rights Commission calls on 'Open Chats Podcast' remarks to be discussed at National Dialogue

The South African Human Rights Commission has called on the National Dialogue's Eminent Persons to discuss racist remarks made on the Open Chats Podcast The Democratic Alliance lodged a formal complaint against the podcast for statements made...

China calls US 'surveillance empire' over chip shipment trackers

China’s state-run Xinhua news agency said Friday that the U.S. practice of placing location trackers in chip shipments at risk of being diverted to China reflects the “instincts of a surveillance empire.” Reuters reported earlier this week that...

Popular Chelmsford city centre Costa Coffee shop reopens after 'major refurbishment'

A popular coffee shop in an Essex city has reopened after a major refurbishment. The Costa Coffee branch on the High Street in Chelmsford has been closed for several days whilst work was undertaken. Bosses say the modern makeover brings an...

UN plastic pollution talks end in ‘abject failure’ as negotiators reject draft treaties

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

China's Humanoid Robot Games Make History with 500 Robots From 16 Countries

The first Humanoid Robot Games have started in Beijing, bringing together the latest in robotics and artificial intelligence. The three-day event is taking place at the National Speed Skating Oval, a venue built for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Over...