Category: World

MEXICO CITY: A combination of tact and tenacity is credited for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s successful dealings with US counterpart Donald Trump, most recently convincing him to delay a sky-high import tariff meant to come into effect Friday. The pair are known to get along despite sitting on opposite sides of the political aisle, earning… Continue reading Sensible and steely: how Mexico’s Sheinbaum has dealt with Trump

PARIS: Elon Musk-owned social network X on Friday accused Britain’s government of “overreach” with a new law designed to protect children from harmful online content such as pornography. The Online Safety Act’s “laudable intentions are at risk of being overshadowed by the breadth of its regulatory reach,“ X said in a post to its Global… Continue reading Musk’s X accuses Britain of online safety ‘overreach’

PARIS: France said Friday it could not seize $9.7 million worth of women’s contraception products that the United States plans to destroy, after media reports suggested the stockpile would be incinerated in the country. The contraceptives were purchased by the US foreign aid agency USAID under former president Joe Biden to be provided to women… Continue reading France says it cannot save contraceptives US plans to destroy

GAZA CITY, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES: President Donald Trump’s special envoy promised a plan to deliver more food to Gaza after inspecting a US-backed distribution centre on Friday, as the United Nations said Israeli forces had killed hundreds of hungry Palestinians waiting for aid over the past two months. The visit by US envoy Steve Witkoff came… Continue reading US promises Gaza food plan after envoy visit

NEW YORK: Faced with closed restrooms, vandalized facilities and lavatory deserts, New Yorkers and visitors to the city alike confront a host of hurdles to relieve themselves when out and about. In its latest efforts to combat this problem, the Big Apple has turned to a Portland-based company that designs modular public conveniences it claims… Continue reading Bog Apple: NYC discovers stand-alone toilet pods

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is blocking funding for multiple public-health programs managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to a Wall Street Journal report citing unnamed sources. The affected initiatives include youth violence prevention, research on reducing gun-related injuries and deaths, and programs addressing diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and tobacco use.… Continue reading Trump administration blocks CDC health program funding, WSJ reports

CHISINAU: Moldovan business magnate Vladimir Plahotniuc has declared his intention to return to Moldova to clear his name in a high-profile fraud case. In his first major statement since being detained in Greece, Plahotniuc dismissed the allegations against him as politically motivated. Plahotniuc, a former lawmaker and one of Moldova’s wealthiest individuals, is a key… Continue reading Moldovan magnate Plahotniuc seeks return to clear fraud allegations

WASHINGTON: Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler announced her resignation, effective August 8, cutting short her term originally set to end in January 2026. The move could reshape the Fed’s leadership succession as tensions between the central bank and President Donald Trump escalate. Kugler, who joined the Fed in September 2023, will return to Georgetown University… Continue reading Fed Governor Kugler resigns early, Trump gains appointment power

BOGOTA: Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest on Friday for abuse of process and bribing a public official. The ruling stems from a long-running case involving alleged ties to right-wing paramilitary groups. Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia delivered the verdict, which also includes a $578,000 fine and an eight-year… Continue reading Colombia ex-president Uribe gets 12-year house arrest, plans appeal

MIAMI: A Florida jury has ordered Tesla to pay $243 million in damages over a fatal 2019 crash involving its Autopilot system. The verdict marks a rare legal setback for the electric vehicle maker, which faces growing scrutiny over its self-driving technology. Jurors awarded $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages… Continue reading Tesla ordered to pay $243m in fatal Autopilot crash case

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced the repositioning of two nuclear submarines in response to remarks by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, heightening tensions between the nuclear-armed nations. Trump described Medvedev’s statements as “foolish and inflammatory,“ prompting the strategic military move. “Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev… Continue reading Trump orders nuclear submarines moved after Russian ‘provocative statements’

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: President Donald Trump dismissed a senior Labor Department official on Friday, accusing her of manipulating jobs data without evidence. The move intensified worries about the reliability of federal economic reports. In a separate development, Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler unexpectedly announced her resignation, offering Trump an earlier-than-expected opportunity to reshape the central bank’s… Continue reading Trump fires US labor official over data

RUETLI (Switzerland): The Swiss government is disappointed by the U.S. tariffs imposed on Switzerland, President Karin Keller-Sutter told Reuters on Friday, with the 39% figure much higher than expected. “The Federal Council is disappointed,“ Keller-Sutter told Reuters on the sidelines of a Swiss national day event in Ruetli. “It is a pity that there is… Continue reading Swiss President disappointed by unexpected US tariffs

BRUSSELS: The European Court of Justice on Friday ruled that carmakers like Volkswagen remain liable for using unlawful defeat devices, such as temperature-sensitive emissions software, even if the vehicles met EU standards, which doesn’t guarantee the technology’s legality. The case at the European Union’s top court arose from two German lawsuits involving Volkswagen diesel vehicles… Continue reading EU court rules Volkswagen liable for use of defeat devices

WASHINGTON: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History removed a label referencing Donald Trump’s two impeachments last month following pressure from the White House, The Washington Post reported. Trump is the only American president to have been impeached twice — first in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, then in 2021 for… Continue reading Smithsonian removes Trump impeachment display label

LONDON: Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech on Friday lost their bid to overturn a ruling that their Covid-19 vaccine infringed one of Moderna’s patents at London’s Court of Appeal. Last year, the High Court ruled that one of Moderna’s patents relating to the messenger RNA (mRNA) technology which underpinned its Covid-19 vaccine was valid… Continue reading Pfizer, BioNTech lose UK appeal in Moderna patent case

BERLIN: Germany’s Bundeswehr armed forces have started dropping aid supplies over Gaza, starting with two Luftwaffe flights carrying almost 14 tonnes of supplies, the defence ministry said on Friday. “The flights can only make a very small contribution to providing those affected on the ground with the bare essentials,“ Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said, adding… Continue reading Germany begins aid airdrops over Gaza, sends 14 tonnes

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he hoped peace talks between Russia and Ukraine would continue and that working groups could discuss potential compromises, but said Moscow’s goals remained unchanged. Speaking one week before the expiry of a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for Russia to agree a ceasefire in… Continue reading Putin hopes Ukraine talks continue despite Trump deadline

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russian forces were advancing along the entire front line in Ukraine despite the West’s desire to halt its offensive. Putin, who was talking alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, said the Russian army had taken control of the town of Chasiv Yar in Ukraine’s Donetsk region a few… Continue reading Putin: Russia advancing across entire Ukraine front

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that the first batch of mass-produced Oreshnik ballistic missile systems had been delivered to the Russian army. – Reuters

KYIV: Ukraine’s partners had “confirmed positive signals” about imminent White House pressure on Russia following President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s conversations with British, French, German and Italian counterparts, a top Ukrainian official said. “Our partners confirmed positive signals from the White House regarding firm actions against the Russian Federation — particularly on sanctions targeting Russian oil and… Continue reading Zelenskiy aide: Allies confirm US set to pressure Russia

SEOUL: There is no written agreement yet on a trade deal between South Korea and the United States announced by President Donald Trump this week, the Asian nation’s trade minister said on Friday. The U.S. tariff on South Korean imports will be 15%, Trump said after meeting its ministers on Wednesday, down from a threatened… Continue reading South Korea denies written US trade deal amid Trump announcement

SEOUL: South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is in detention while on trial and facing various criminal probes, lay on the floor of his cell on Friday and refused to leave it for questioning, a spokesperson for a special prosecutor said. Yoon was removed from office in April by the Constitutional Court over… Continue reading South Korea’s ex-leader Yoon refuses questioning, lies on cell floor

GENEVA: The Swiss government on Friday said the U.S. tariff of 39% on imports from the country will not apply to its pharmaceuticals sector. Swiss authorities understand that the tariffs should not include the pharmaceuticals sector, a spokesperson for the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs told Reuters. – Reuters

ITALY antitrust regulator said on Friday it had imposed a 3.5 million euro ($4 million) fine on fashion group Giorgio Armani and one of its units for alleged unfair commercial practices. The two companies “issued misleading ethical and social responsibility statements in contrast with the actual working conditions found at suppliers and subcontractors”, the regulator… Continue reading Armani fined €3.5m in Italy over misleading ethics claims

BUDAPEST: Hungary’s government will draw up plans to protect the country’s jobs and manufacturing after the trade deal between the United States and the European Union, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told public radio on Friday. The U.S. and the EU announced a trade agreement on Sunday setting a 15% tariff on the bloc’s exports to… Continue reading Hungary plans job protection after US-EU trade deal impacts exports

FREETOWN: The eco-lodges and tree-covered footpaths of West Africa’s largest chimpanzee refuge have been devoid of tourists for more than two months as its founder stages a protest about rampant deforestation in Sierra Leone. Authorities acknowledge that the country’s rich wildlife is threatened by land seizures and illegal logging, but the founder of the Tacugama… Continue reading Chimp sanctuary shuts to protest Sierra Leone deforestation

PARIS: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Friday that France is sending four flights carrying 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza from Jordan. “This is emergency aid but still not sufficient” in the face of this “revolting” situation, Barrot told broadcaster franceinfo. A global hunger monitor said on Tuesday that a famine scenario… Continue reading France to send 40 tonnes of aid to Gaza amid famine fears

TOKYO: A Japanese labour ministry panel plans to recommend an increase of about 6% in the national average minimum wage for this fiscal year, for the biggest such jump since at least 2002, the Kyodo news agency said on Friday. The proposed hike, to about 1,118 yen ($7.43) per hour, would exceed last year’s increase… Continue reading Japan plans record 6% minimum wage hike: Kyodo news

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa faces a 30% tariff on its exports to the United States starting next week, a move expected to cost tens of thousands of jobs after the country failed to secure a trade deal before a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. In an executive order on Thursday, Trump slapped new tariff… Continue reading South Africa hit with 30% US tariff after failed trade talks

BERLIN/GENEVA: Switzerland’s government said on Friday it was assessing the situation after the White House announced a higher 39% tariff on Swiss imports to the United States in an escalating trade war between the two countries. “Switzerland has been and continues to be in contact with the responsible authorities in the U.S.,“ the Federal Council… Continue reading Switzerland seeks negotiated solution as US hikes tariffs to 39%

FOUR flight attendants on the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 plane that experienced a mid-air cabin panel blowout in January last year are suing Boeing for physical and emotional injuries. In separate lawsuits, they are seeking compensation for past and future economic damages, citing physical and mental injuries, emotional distress and other financial costs. “Each… Continue reading Boeing sued by flight attendants over MAX 9 mid-air panel blowout

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order increasing tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% from 25% on all products not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, the White House said. Goods transshipped to another country to evade the new tariffs would be subject to a transshipment levy of 40%, according to… Continue reading Trump increases tariff on Canada to 35% from 25%, cites fentanyl

BANGKOK: Thailand welcomed on Friday the 19 percent trade tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump as a “major success”, a government spokesman said, averting a threatened levy of 36 percent. Trump ordered stiff tariffs on dozens of trading partners in an effort to reshape global trade in favour of the US economy. Thailand has… Continue reading Thailand welcomes 19% US tariff as ‘major success’

CANADIAN Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was disappointed after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to raise tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% from 25% on products outside the scope of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. The move, which Washington linked in part to what it said was Canada’s failure to stop fentanyl… Continue reading Canada PM says he is disappointed as Trump orders tariff hike

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Friday welcomed a 19 percent trade tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump, avoiding a threatened levy of 36 percent. “This is the best news for the people and economy of Cambodia to continue to develop the country,“ Hun Manet wrote on Facebook. Trump had originally threatened… Continue reading Cambodian PM says 19% US trade tariff ‘the best news’

WASHINGTON: The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History has removed explicit reference to President Donald Trump from an exhibit about impeachment, a spokesperson said on Thursday. The museum in Washington D.C. made the change as part of a review that it agreed to undertake following White House pressure to remove an art museum director,… Continue reading American history museum removes Trump’s name from impeachment exhibit

A tariff rate of 19% on Cambodia’s exports to the United States has helped it avert the collapse of its vital garment and footwear sector, allowing the country to remain competitive with its peers, its deputy prime minister told Reuters on Friday. Sun Chanthol, Cambodia’s top trade negotiator, thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his… Continue reading Cambodia deputy PM says 19% US tariff rate averts collapse of its garments manufacturing sector