Srinagar, July 17: The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday strongly condemned the continued Israeli aggression on Syrian territory.

The organization referred to the unprovoked Israeli strikes on Syria as blatant interference in the internal affairs of the country.

The organization termed the aggression a flagrant violation of international law, international resolutions, and Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to a press statement released on X, “the General Secretariat reiterated the OIC’s full solidarity with, and support for, the Syrian Arab Republic and its people during this critical time.”

It also emphasized the need to respect the sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria.

Furthermore, the General Secretariat called on the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to put an end to the repeated Israeli attacks that threaten regional peace and security.

Srinagar, July 17: Germany offers a rich tapestry of history, vibrant urban culture, and stunning natural beauty. Add to that a strong economy, a flourishing creative industry, and an excellent quality of life, and it’s no surprise that Germany has become a top destination for travelers and creative professionals alike.

If you’ve ever dreamed of living and working in Germany, there’s good news — the country offers a Freelance Visa for non-EU nationals, including Indians.

What is Germany’s Freelance Visa?
Commonly referred to as the Freiberufler visa, this permit is designed for self-employed professionals who want to work independently in Germany. It enables you to live and work in the country without needing an employer, provided you can demonstrate financial stability and relevant professional experience.

Germany’s Freelance Visa, or Freiberufler visa, is open to individuals across a broad range of professions. Eligible applicants include independent scientists, artists, teachers, and those involved in educational work. Legal professionals such as lawyers, notaries, and patent agents also qualify. Others on the list include surveyors, engineers, architects, veterinarians, commercial chemists, accountants, tax consultants, consulting economists, sworn accountants, and tax agents. The visa is also available to healthcare-related professionals such as dentists, non-medical practitioners, and physiotherapists, as well as media professionals like journalists and photojournalists. Interpreters, translators, pilots, and similar occupations are also eligible.

To apply, one must hold a valid passport issued within the past 10 years, with at least two blank pages. You need to show proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself for a year—currently estimated at a minimum monthly income of around €1,280.06 (approximately ₹1,27,844, though this may vary based on your location and cost of living). Applicants must also provide evidence of freelance work and relevant qualifications, such as a university or higher education degree from a recognized institution. Valid health insurance and proof of business contacts in Germany are also required as part of the application proces

Baghdad, July 17: Around 50 people were killed in a massive fire at a hypermarket in Iraq’s Wasit province, the regional governor said on Thursday.

Wasit Governor Mohammed Jamil Al-Mayahi has declared a three-day mourning period following a tragic fire in central Kut.

The incident, which occurred while families were dining and shopping, resulted in the deaths of approximately 50 people, including men, women, and children.

According to the authorities, the death toll might rise further. The search for other missing people is also underway, according to local media reports.

The cause of the fire remains unknown as of now.

In a statement to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), Governor Al-Mayahi expressed deep sorrow, stating, “We mourn the loss of a group of our sons and daughters. This is a devastating tragedy for the people of Kut and all of Wasit.”

He also promised strict action against those responsible for the fire. He confirmed that legal action has been taken against the building and mall owners, along with others involved, and promised that preliminary investigation results would be made public within 48 hours.

“We will not show leniency toward those directly or indirectly responsible for this incident,” the governor added.

The Wasit Police Command announced a full mobilisation of civil defence units to combat the fire at the Corniche Hypermarket.

Governor Al-Mayahi supervised the rescue operations as emergency teams worked to save those trapped inside the five-story building.

According to the Wasit Governorate office, civil defence teams managed to reach and rescue individuals who were stuck on the upper floors of the burning structure.

Videos circulating on social media showed the building engulfed in flames as firefighters battled the blaze through the night.

Authorities continue their investigation into the cause of the fire, as the community mourns the heavy loss.

Further details are awaited.

Damascus, July 17: Syria condemned the Israeli airstrikes that struck government buildings in the capital Damascus, calling them a “blatant violation” of national sovereignty and international law.

In a statement released by the foreign affairs authorities on Wednesday, Syria said the strikes targeted “civilian infrastructure and government institutions” in Damascus and surrounding areas, leaving several civilians, including women and children, injured and causing extensive material damage.

The statement said the attacks reflect Israel’s “systematic policy of escalation” and its ongoing efforts to destabilise Syria and the wider region, describing them as a clear breach of the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law.

“Syria holds Israel fully responsible for this dangerous escalation,” the statement read, adding that Syria will exercise its legitimate right to self-defence by all means permitted under international law.

The statement also called on the United Nations and the international community, including the Security Council, to condemn the repeated Israeli strikes on Syrian territory and to take “urgent and decisive measures” to curb what it called Israel’s repeated violations.

Later Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement condemning the Israeli strikes, reports Xinhua news agency.

“The Secretary-General further condemns Israel’s escalatory airstrikes on Sweida, Daraa and in the centre of Damascus, as well as reports of the IDF’s redeployment of forces in the Golan,” Guterres’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

The strikes came as Israel launched a series of raids targeting Syrian army positions in Damascus and Sweida, amid ongoing violence between Druze militias, Bedouin fighters, and Syrian government forces in southern Syria.

Washington DC, July 17: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday hinted at reaching a new trade deal with India soon. While adding “maybe”, he said that currently the US is in negotiations with India.

Trump, while speaking to reporters during a bilateral meeting with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, emphasised that August 1 will be a significant day, when a lot of money will come into his country.

“… We’ve brought in over $100 billion. The tariffs haven’t kicked in significantly, except for automobiles and steel. August 1st is when a very substantial money comes into our country. We’ve made deals with numerous places. We had one yesterday,” Trump said.

“We have another one (deal) coming up, maybe with India… We’re in negotiation. When I send out a letter, that’s a deal… The best deal we can make is to send out a letter, and the letter says that you’ll pay 30%, 35%, 25%, 20%… We have some pretty good deals to announce… We’re very close to a deal with India where they open it up,” Trump added.

The US President on Tuesday said the United States is working on a deal that gives it access to the Indian markets. He also announced a new trade deal with Indonesia, after which the latter will face a reduced tariff rate of 19 per cent.

Announcing progress on the India part, Trump stated, “We’re going to have access into India. And you have to understand, we had no access into any of these countries. Our people couldn’t go in. And now we’re getting access because of what we’re doing with the tariffs.”

The ongoing bilateral trade talks (BTA) negotiations by India and the United States (US) are progressing as per the decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, said the government officials on Tuesday.

“Our team is back in the US for carrying out the fifth round of negotiations on the bilateral trade agreement, so that agreement is progressing as per the decisions of our leaders and as per the terms of reference decided between the two countries,” the government officials told ANI.

Washington, July 17: President Donald Trump hosted a pair of Arab Gulf leaders at the White House as violence between Israel and Syria renewed doubts about his pledge to impose peace on the Middle East.

Trump held a meeting in the Oval Office with Bahrain’s crown prince and dined privately with Qatar’s prime minister on Wednesday.

The Republican president has lavished attention on the Gulf, a wealthy region where members of his family have extensive business relationships. He has already visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on the first foreign policy trip of his second term.

With little progress to share on the region’s most intractable problems, including the war in Gaza, Trump was more focused Wednesday on promoting diplomatic ties as a vehicle for economic growth.

“Anything they needed, we helped them,” Trump said in the Oval Office while meeting with Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. “And anything we needed, they helped us.”

Bahrain is a longtime ally that hosts the US Fifth Fleet, which operates in the Middle East.

Like other Arab leaders, Al Khalifa was eager to highlight the lucrative potential of diplomatic ties with the US, including USD 17 billion of investments.

“And this is real,” he said. “It’s real money. These aren’t fake deals.”

According to the White House, the agreements include purchasing American airplanes, jet engines and computer servers. More investments could be made in aluminium production and artificial intelligence.

Bahrain’s king, the crown prince’s father, is expected to visit Washington before the end of the year. An important part of the relationship will be an agreement, signed on Wednesday, to advance cooperation on civilian nuclear energy.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar and a member of the country’s ruling family, was at the White House for a private dinner with Trump on Wednesday evening.

Trump visited Qatar during his trip to the region, marvelling at its palaces and stopping at the Al Udeid Air Base, a key US military facility.

The base was targeted by Iran after the US bombed the country’s nuclear facilities. One ballistic missile made impact, while others were intercepted.

Trump wants to use a luxurious Boeing 747 donated by Qatar as his Air Force One because he’s tired of waiting for Boeing to finish new planes. However, the arrangement has stirred concerns about security and the ethics of accepting a gift from a foreign government.

Aaron David Miller, who served as an adviser on Middle East issues to Democratic and Republican administrations, said “the Gulf represents everything that Trump believes is right about the Middle East”.

“It’s rich, it’s stable, it’s populated by authoritarians with whom the president feels very comfortable,” he said.

The fighting in Syria began with clashes between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze factions in the country’s south. Government forces intervened, raising alarms in Israel, where the Druze are a politically influential religious minority.

On Wednesday, Israel launched strikes in the Syrian capital of Damascus. A ceasefire was later announced, but it was unclear if it would hold.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was in the Oval Office for Trump’s meeting with the crown prince of Bahrain, said the fighting was the result of “an unfortunate situation and a misunderstanding.” He said “we think we’re on our way to a real de-escalation” that would allow Syria to “get back on track” to rebuilding after years of civil war.

Despite an international outcry over its punishing military operations in Gaza, Israel has successfully weakened its enemies around the region, including Hezbollah and Iran.

“There’s a growing concern that Israel unleashed…has been a bigger sense of unpredictability,” Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said.

He also warned that “there’s still no game plan to deal with the loose ends of Iran’s nuclear programme and its other activities in the region”, such as support for the Houthis.