Submit your Article

US tech firm Astronomer has placed CEO Andy Byron on leave following a viral video from a Coldplay concert showing a man and woman embracing and then ducking away when shown on the big screen. Online speculation linked the pair to Byron and the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, according to BBC.

In a statement, Astronomer confirmed an internal investigation and reaffirmed its commitment to leadership accountability. Co-founder Pete DeJoy has been appointed interim CEO. The company clarified that no official statements were made by Byron and that no other employees were involved.

Syria will deploy new forces to the south to stop deadly clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups, the presidency announced Friday. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa urged restraint and pledged to protect the Druze community, blaming “outlaw groups” for rejecting dialogue, according to BBC.

Over 700 people have died since violence erupted near Suweida on Sunday, with reports accusing government troops of killing civilians and carrying out extrajudicial executions.

Israel reportedly struck Syrian positions to pressure a withdrawal from the area. A ceasefire deal between Syria and Israel, brokered with support from Turkey and Jordan, was announced by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, though both sides have yet to confirm it publicly.

Israel also agreed to a 48-hour entry of Syrian Internal Security Forces into Suweida to protect Druze civilians.

UN human rights Chief Volker Turk condemned the violence and called for accountability, citing credible reports of summary executions by both state forces and local armed groups, BBC reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syria’s interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa have reached a ceasefire agreement, according to US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack. The truce, announced Saturday, is supported by Turkey, Jordan, and other neighboring countries.

Barrack urged all Syrian communities, including Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis, to lay down arms and work toward a peaceful, united future for Syria, Xinhua reported.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday voiced firm opposition to the US decision to build a new segment of the border wall in New Mexico, calling it unilateral and unsupported by Mexico.

She stressed that Mexico is not involved or funding the project, and reaffirmed that border security should be achieved through cooperation, not barriers. The Trump administration began constructing a 9.6-km secondary fence near Santa Teresa, bordering Ciudad Juarez, according to Xinhua.

G20 finance ministers and central bank governors wrapped up their two-day meeting Friday with a joint pledge to strengthen multilateral cooperation in response to mounting global economic risks, Xinhua reported.

In a communique, they cited ongoing conflicts, trade tensions, supply chain disruptions, high debt levels, and climate-related disasters as key concerns. South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana acknowledged the difficulty of reaching consensus but said the group remained committed to cooperation.

The ministers agreed to promote long-term growth through sound macroeconomic policies, investment, and central bank independence. They also backed reforms to make the World Trade Organization more responsive and called for urgent action on debt burdens in developing nations, along with stronger representation in global financial institutions, according to Xinhua.

US President Donald Trump on Friday hinted that major trade agreements could be announced soon, suggesting they are nearly finalized.

Speaking at the signing of the Stablecoin Act at the White House, Trump emphasized the impact of US tariffs in driving negotiations. “When I send out the paper that you’re paying 35 to 40 percent tariff, that’s a deal,” he said, adding that such measures often prompt countries to return to the table, according to Reuters.

Trump also confirmed that the 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs, previously extended to August 1, will not be delayed further. Tariffs will take effect as scheduled if no agreements are reached.

At least 40 schools in Bengaluru received bomb threats via email on Friday, prompting swift police action. The messages claimed explosives were hidden in classrooms, triggering evacuations and searches by bomb squads and sniffer dogs. No explosives were found, Xinhua reported.

The incident follows a series of recent hoax threats in Delhi and at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, adding to growing concerns over such false alarms disrupting public life.

El Salvador has repatriated around 250 Venezuelans in exchange for 10 US nationals held in Venezuela, both governments confirmed Friday, BBC reported.

The Venezuelans, previously deported from the US and held in El Salvador’s high-security Cecot prison, were accused of gang ties—claims some families deny. President Nayib Bukele said the exchange also included several Venezuelan political prisoners.

US officials confirmed all American detainees in Venezuela are now free. One was identified as former Navy SEAL Wilbert Joseph Castaneda. Others remain unnamed due to privacy concerns.

The deal, finalized once the Americans were safely in the air, highlights growing ties between Bukele and US President Donald Trump, who thanked El Salvador for aiding migrant detentions, according to BBC.

Officials said the agreement did not involve lifting US sanctions on Venezuela.