Category: World

BEIJING: Beijing wants to strengthen cooperation with Pyongyang and work together to oppose hegemony, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his North Korean counterpart, in a thinly veiled reference to the United States. North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui met Wang Sunday in the Chinese capital, weeks after a rare visit by North Korean leader… Continue reading China calls on North Korea to oppose ‘hegemony’

ISTANBUL: An international aid flotilla is currently less than 399 nautical miles away from the Gaza Strip and expected to reach the blockaded territory by September 30. Organisers confirmed the flotilla’s progress on Sunday through a statement released on social media platform X. The coalition declared that time moves and the flotilla moves with it,… Continue reading International aid flotilla approaches Gaza with expected September 30 arrival

LIVERPOOL: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned his ruling Labour party they are in the fight of their lives against the insurgent hard-right. Starmer made the declaration as Labour gathered for its annual conference amid internal doubts about his leadership. The four-day meeting in Liverpool occurs with Labour trailing the anti-immigrant Reform UK party in… Continue reading Starmer warns UK Labour in fight of our lives against Reform UK

WASHINGTON: Russell Nelson, who headed the Mormon church since 2018, has died at the age of 101. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced his peaceful passing on Saturday night at his Salt Lake City home. A former heart surgeon, Nelson was the oldest president in the history of the church according to… Continue reading Mormon church leader Russell Nelson dies at age 101 in Salt Lake City

MILAN: The main shows at Milan Fashion Week concluded on Sunday with another season of stunning dresses and impeccable tailoring. Designers presented their spring and summer 2026 women’s collections featuring several dominant trends. Ferragamo designer Maximilian Davis revisited the 1920s with a chic collection of speakeasy suits and dresses. Antonio Marras imagined writers Virginia Woolf… Continue reading Key fashion trends from Milan Fashion Week spring/summer 2026

COLOMBO: An eighth Buddhist monk has died from injuries sustained in Sri Lanka’s cable car crash. The death toll now stands at eight in what police describe as the country’s worst accident of its kind. Seven monks including three foreigners died instantly when their cabin plunged down a mountainside last Wednesday. The accident occurred near… Continue reading Eighth monk dies after Sri Lanka cable car crash raises toll

CHENNAI: Police in India have registered a criminal case against leaders of Tamil actor Vijay’s political party following a deadly stampede at his rally. The stampede killed 39 people including children and injured more than 50 others in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Senior police official V. Selvaraj confirmed the case was filed against… Continue reading India police file case against Vijay’s party after stampede kills 39

BRUSSELS: NATO has increased its vigilance in the Baltic region following unauthorised drone incursions into Danish airspace. Alliance spokesman Martin O’Donnell announced reinforced measures including multiple intelligence platforms and an air-defence frigate. O’Donnell confirmed NATO leadership maintains constant communication with Danish officials about these airspace violations. Denmark and Norway have experienced mysterious drone sightings leading… Continue reading NATO boosts Baltic presence after Denmark drone airspace intrusions

TEHRAN: Iran has condemned the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme as completely unjustifiable. The Iranian foreign ministry declared the reactivation of annulled resolutions legally baseless in an official statement on Sunday. It stated that all countries must refrain from recognising this illegal situation regarding the sanctions. The Islamic Republic of Iran… Continue reading Iran condemns UN sanctions return as unjustifiable and illegal

TOKYO: Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation will require its employees to take at least one month of paternity leave starting from October. This new policy aims to encourage greater participation in childcare and improve the overall working environment. The major bank will also pay a 50,000 yen bonus to employees on parental leave and their… Continue reading Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Bank makes one-month paternity leave mandatory

MUMBAI: A stampede that killed dozens at a south India political rally occurred after thousands waited for hours in baking heat without sufficient safeguards. Approximately 27,000 people thronged a public road in Tamil Nadu state hoping to see popular actor-turned-politician Vijay on Saturday. Witnesses cited hours of delays, insufficient police presence and people falling from… Continue reading India rally stampede kills 39 after crowd waits hours in baking heat

HANOI: Vietnam will evacuate more than 250,000 residents from coastal areas ahead of Typhoon Bualoi’s expected landfall on Sunday evening. The storm represents the tenth weather system to affect Vietnam this year and is currently generating winds of 130 kilometres per hour at sea. Central Vietnam’s largest city Danang plans to evacuate more than 210,000… Continue reading Vietnam evacuates 250,000 ahead of Typhoon Bualoi’s landfall

KYIV: Ukraine has reported that overnight Russian strikes wounded at least nine people, prompting Poland to scramble fighter jets to secure its airspace. An air raid alert was activated across the Kyiv region as the local military administration confirmed Russia was attacking with drones and missiles. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the assault on the… Continue reading Russian strikes wound nine in Ukraine as Poland scrambles fighter jets

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will meet with Republican and Democratic congressional leaders on Monday amid the looming possibility of a government shutdown. The Associated Press reported the news, citing a White House source, as the deadline for a funding resolution approaches. The meeting will include House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John… Continue reading Trump to meet US congressional leaders on Monday amid government shutdown threat

BEIJING: The world’s highest bridge has officially opened to traffic in China following a three-year construction period. State media confirmed the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge now holds the record at 625 metres above the river below. This new structure surpasses the previous record holder, the 565-metre Beipanjiang Bridge located in the same Guizhou province. Drone… Continue reading World’s highest bridge opens in China, standing 625 metres above river

CARACAS: Venezuela has conducted military exercises in coastal regions following the United States deployment of naval vessels near its shores. The exercises occurred on Saturday in the northwestern state of Falcon and the northeastern state of Sucre, coinciding with government-ordered natural disaster preparedness drills. Washington deployed military ships to the Caribbean citing drug trafficking interdiction… Continue reading Venezuela conducts military drills following US naval deployment near coast

BUENOS AIRES: Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Saturday to demand justice for three young women whose torture and murders were live-streamed on social media. The victims’ relatives held a banner with their names “Lara, Brenda, Morena” and placards with their images, joined by several leftist groups as they marched… Continue reading Argentina protests demand justice for live-streamed femicide victims

TEL AVIV: Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday demanding a deal to end the Gaza war as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to meet US President Donald Trump. At least 92 people were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza, 45 of them in Gaza City, according to the territory’s civil defence agency.… Continue reading Israelis rally for Gaza deal ahead of Netanyahu-Trump White House meeting

BERLIN: Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of the German capital on Saturday to demand that Israel halt its military campaign in Gaza. Large crowds waved Palestinian flags and banners reading “Free Palestine” and “Food and water are human rights” as they marched from Berlin’s town hall. Dustin Hirschfeld, who took part… Continue reading Tens of thousands march in Berlin demanding end to Gaza war

UNITED NATIONS: India has issued a stark warning to countries against ignoring what it describes as Pakistan’s support for terrorism. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar delivered the statement at the UN General Assembly on Saturday, following Pakistan’s own appeal for talks the previous day. Jaishankar called for “much deeper global cooperation” against terrorism during his… Continue reading India warns against condoning Pakistan as global terrorism epicentre

NEW DELHI: A tragic stampede at a political rally for actor-turned-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu has resulted in at least 36 fatalities. The state’s chief minister M.K. Stalin confirmed the death toll in a statement expressing his profound sadness over the incident. “I am deeply saddened and pained to learn that 36 people, including eight… Continue reading At least 36 dead in Tamil Nadu stampede at Vijay political rally

UNITED NATIONS: Russia’s foreign minister has issued a stern warning about potential consequences for any acts of aggression against his country. Sergei Lavrov delivered his statement during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. He responded directly to recent comments from US President Donald Trump regarding NATO airspace violations. “Russia is being… Continue reading Russian FM warns of decisive response to any aggression against Russia

UNITED NATIONS: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Israel of seeking to “blow up” the entire Middle East. Lavrov criticised Israel’s recent attacks in Iran and Qatar while also voicing strong opposition to calls for annexing the West Bank. “Israel’s illegal use of force against the Palestinians and aggressive actions against Iran, Qatar, Yemen,… Continue reading Russian FM Lavrov accuses Israel of trying to blow up Middle East

ISTANBUL: A humanitarian aid flotilla destined for Gaza is currently 463 nautical miles from the blockaded enclave according to its organisers. The Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed its ships have resumed their journey following a brief stop to resolve mechanical problems. Organisers stated the flotilla is anticipated to reach its destination within four to seven days… Continue reading Gaza aid flotilla 463 nautical miles from destination, organisers confirm

SEOUL: South Korea is unable to pay $350 billion upfront in investment in the United States as President Donald Trump suggested under a deal to cut tariffs and is seeking an alternative solution, Seoul’s presidential adviser said on Saturday. Since a handshake deal by the allies’ leaders in July to lower U.S. tariffs to 15%… Continue reading South Korea rejects $350 billion upfront tariff deal with US

GAZA CITY (Palestinian Territories): Palestinian women wept and wailed Saturday as they mourned a family killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza City, expressing anger at Israel and Hamas for the bloodshed engulfing the city. Five members of the Bakr family were killed overnight in the strike on Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, where… Continue reading Gaza mourners blame Israel, Hamas after deadly airstrike

RIGA: Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics urged NATO on Saturday to increase its protection of the Baltic States, citing Russian violations of the alliance’s airspace, and adding to a similar call from Lithuania. European leaders have said Russia has repeatedly violated NATO airspace, including in the Baltic States and Poland, where earlier this month around 20… Continue reading Latvia urges NATO to boost Baltic air defences after incursions

FRANKFURT: Germany is reportedly considering granting its military the authority to shoot down drones following a series of suspicious aerial incursions across northern Europe. Recent drone sightings over airports in Denmark and Norway have caused temporary closures and heightened security concerns. A drone was also observed late Friday over Denmark’s largest military base, further escalating… Continue reading Germany considers military authorisation to shoot down drones

CHISINAU: Moldova has excluded the pro-Russian political party ‘Greater Moldova’ from participating in Sunday’s parliamentary vote due to suspected illegal financing. Officials announced the decision on Saturday after it was made late on Friday. This marks the second pro-Russian party to be excluded within days of the vote, raising concerns over alleged Russian interference. Moldova’s… Continue reading Moldova bars second pro-Russian party from parliamentary vote

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations will reinstate sweeping sanctions on Iran after nuclear diplomacy failed, with Tehran rejecting what it calls an unacceptable US demand to hand over its enriched uranium. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian slammed a reported American proposal for Tehran to relinquish all its enriched uranium in exchange for a three-month reprieve from… Continue reading UN sanctions on Iran return as nuclear talks collapse

VIENNA: The United Nations will reimpose comprehensive sanctions on Iran this Saturday after European powers activated a unique mechanism in the 2015 nuclear agreement. Britain, France and Germany triggered the “snapback” provision on August 28, alleging Tehran had breached multiple commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. This mechanism allows any party to the… Continue reading European powers trigger snapback of UN sanctions on Iran

ISLAMABAD: More than 4.2 million people have been affected by monsoon floods in Pakistan’s Punjab province, with southern districts suffering the most severe impact. A rapid needs assessment released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) revealed the scale of the disaster on Friday. The survey was conducted jointly with… Continue reading Floods affect 4.2 million people in Pakistan’s Punjab province

SINGAPORE: Many Singapore-based pharmaceutical companies might avoid immediate impact from upcoming United States tariff hikes due to existing American investment plans. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong stated these firms are currently clarifying their eligibility for exemptions with US authorities. “Following the recent announcement, we also reached out to them again and, as I understand,… Continue reading Singapore pharma exports may avoid immediate US tariff impact

COPENHAGEN: Unidentified drones flew over Danish military sites including its biggest base overnight following a slew of earlier sightings that Copenhagen has termed a “hybrid attack”, hinting at possible Russian involvement. Neighbouring Norway was also investigating “possible sightings of drones” early Saturday near its biggest military base, Orland, where its F-35 fighter jets are parked.… Continue reading Denmark and Norway investigate new drone sightings over military bases

BUCHAREST: Six infants have died and three others were infected following a bacterial outbreak at the “Sfanta Maria” children’s hospital in Iasi, northeastern Romania. The country’s Health Ministry confirmed on Friday that nine patients under the age of one had contracted the Serratia marcescens bacteria. It stressed that a direct medical link between the infections… Continue reading Six infants die after bacterial outbreak at Romanian children’s hospital

LILLE: Two women died overnight while attempting to cross the English Channel from France to Britain. French authorities confirmed the deaths on Saturday, adding that approximately 60 other individuals had been rescued from the incident. The tragedy occurred south of the beaches of Neufchatel-Hardelot, where about 100 people were trying to reach the UK on… Continue reading Two women die attempting Channel crossing from France to UK

CANCÚN: Electricity has been fully restored across large parts of southeastern Mexico following a major interconnection line failure. The blackout began around 2:00 pm local time and lasted approximately six hours before power returned to affected areas in Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated late on Friday that nearly half the… Continue reading Power restored in southeast Mexico after blackout affects 2.3 million