Category: World

SAN SALVADOR: A ruling party lawmaker in El Salvador on Thursday sent a bill to modify the constitution to drastically overhaul how elections are run in the Central American nation. The amendment would open the door to indefinite presidential re-election, extend terms from five years to six and scrap run-offs. It would also shorten the… Continue reading El Salvador ruling party proposes constitutional overhaul on elections

KYIV: Russia launched waves of missiles and drones on Kyiv before dawn on Thursday, killing 16 people including two children, and wounding well over 100 others, officials in the Ukrainian capital said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking earlier in his nightly video address, put the death toll at 14 and said rescue operations were continuing into… Continue reading Russian strikes kill 16 people in Kyiv, including two children

JERUSALEM: U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in a bid to salvage Gaza truce talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s military assault in the enclave, where a global hunger monitor has warned that famine is unfolding. Shortly after Witkoff’s arrival, President Donald Trump posted on… Continue reading Trump’s envoy meets Netanyahu for Gaza aid, ceasefire push

BANGKOK: Thailand faces a 19% U.S. tariff on its exports, the White House said on its website. Washington had threatened to impose a 36% levy on imports from Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy – REUTERS

LAHORE: A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Thursday sentenced more than 100 members of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party to prison terms on charges related to riots that targeted military sites in 2023, a court order said. Fifty-eight of the defendants, who included parliamentarians and senior officials, were sentenced to 10 years in prison… Continue reading Pakistan jails more than 100 members of ex-PM Imran Khan’s party for 2023 riots

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump ordered the reimposition of tariffs on dozens of trading partners Thursday — his cornerstone strategy for reshaping global trade to benefit the US economy. However in a minor reprieve, the White House said the measures will take effect in a week, not this Friday as previously expected. The tariffs are a… Continue reading Trump orders tariffs on dozens of countries in push to reshape global trade

WASHINGTON: U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Russia after his current trip to Israel, President Donald Trump said on Thursday. Trump did not give an itinerary for Witkoff, who has held extensive talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past. Trump has given Putin until August 8 to reach a… Continue reading Trump says special envoy Witkoff will travel to Russia after Israel trip

LONDON: Britain said the European Union will remove tariffs on key steel products under a quota system from Friday as part of a reset of ties and a recent deal to ease trade barriers. In May, Britain agreed the most significant reset of defence and trade ties with the European Union since Brexit, which included… Continue reading Britain says EU is removing tariffs on steel under quota

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday increasing tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% from 25%, the White House said. The new rates goes into effect on August 1. “In response to Canada’s continued inaction and retaliation, President Trump has found it necessary to increase the tariff on Canada from 25%… Continue reading Trump increases tariff on Canada to 35%, White House says

WASHINGTON: After paving over the Rose Garden and adding gold leaf in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump will embark on his most dramatic addition to the White House yet: a new, $200 million ballroom to be built adjacent to the mansion’s East Wing. Trump, a former real estate developer with a penchant for decorating,… Continue reading Trump to start building $200 million White House ballroom in September

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump sent letters to the leaders of 17 major pharmaceutical companies outlining how they should slash U.S. prescription drug prices to match those paid overseas, the White House said on Thursday. Trump signed a sweeping executive order in May demanding drugmakers cut U.S. medicine prices to match those abroad, saying that if… Continue reading Trump pressures 17 pharma CEOs to cut US drug prices

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law imposing fines on internet users who search for content labelled as “extremist” by authorities. The legislation, criticised as a crackdown on free expression, penalises individuals up to 5,000 rubles ($64) for accessing banned materials. The law targets searches for web pages, books, music, or artwork deemed… Continue reading Putin signs law fining searches for extremist content in Russia

LILLE: A Palestinian student from Gaza is under investigation in France for allegedly posting antisemitic messages online, leading to the revocation of her university accreditation. Officials confirmed she will have to leave the country. France’s Sciences Po university in Lille cancelled the student’s enrolment after accusations surfaced. Lille’s chief prosecutor, Carole Etienne, stated that an… Continue reading Palestinian student in France investigated over antisemitic posts

HONG KONG: One of Hong Kong’s largest LGBTQ events, Pink Dot Hong Kong, has been cancelled after organisers were denied a venue “without explanation”. The annual celebration, held since 2014, was scheduled for October 12 but could not proceed after West Kowloon Cultural District refused to rent the space. Organisers said they had engaged the… Continue reading Hong Kong LGBTQ event cancelled after venue denial without explanation

LISBON: Portugal is evaluating whether to recognise the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s office confirmed on Thursday. The move follows similar signals from France, Britain, and Canada, as global criticism mounts over worsening conditions in Gaza. A government statement said Portugal is “considering recognition of… Continue reading Portugal considers recognising Palestinian state at UN in September

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has branded India and Russia as “dead economies” while confirming plans to impose new tariffs on New Delhi. In a late-night social media post, Trump dismissed concerns over India’s trade ties with Russia, stating, “They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.” Trump criticised India’s high… Continue reading Trump calls India and Russia ‘dead economies’ amid tariff threats

WASHINGTON: The United States announced it will deny visas to Palestinian Authority officials, accusing the governing body of attempting to “internationalise” its conflict with Israel. The State Department stated the Palestinian Authority is pursuing actions through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) while continuing to “support terrorism.” The visa restrictions… Continue reading US to deny visas to Palestinian officials over ICC actions

BRUSSELS: The European Union stated on Thursday that its prized wine industry would likely face new US tariffs alongside most European exports, though negotiations continue to secure exemptions. A weekend trade agreement between Brussels and Washington will impose a 15 percent levy on EU goods starting Friday, with some exceptions like aircraft already confirmed. France,… Continue reading EU seeks wine exemption as US tariffs take effect

ISLAMABAD: The opposition leader in Pakistan’s parliament was among more than 100 people convicted Thursday over nationwide protests in support of Imran Khan in 2023, his party said. A statement from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) said six members of parliament, a senator, and a provincial MP, were given 10-year sentences, a week after several… Continue reading Pakistan opposition leader gets 10-year sentence over Imran Khan protests

KYIV: Ukraine’s parliament voted on Thursday in favour of a new anti-corruption bill, replacing a contentious law that had sparked mass protests. The legislation, pre-approved by anti-graft bodies, introduces measures such as regular lie detector tests for officials. European allies had expressed concerns that the previous law could weaken Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms, crucial for its… Continue reading Ukraine parliament passes new anti-corruption bill amid EU reforms

KATHMANDU: Rights groups on Thursday urged Nepal to reverse a ban on the Telegram messaging app, calling the move a serious threat to freedom of expression and digital privacy. The Himalayan nation blocked access to the app on July 18, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering. “The government’s ban is a serious… Continue reading Rights groups demand Nepal revoke Telegram ban over freedom concerns

LONDON: The UK’s media watchdog said Thursday it has launched investigations into 34 pornography websites over their compliance with new age-check requirements to prevent children accessing harmful online content. Ofcom said it would probe four firms that run the dozens of sites to assess whether they had “highly effective” age verification measures in place, after… Continue reading UK regulator to probe 34 porn sites over age-checks

MOSCOW: Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani expressed his country’s desire for Russia to remain a key ally, stating Syria wants Moscow “by our side” during a visit to the Russian capital. The remarks came amid ongoing uncertainty over Russia’s military presence in Syria following the overthrow of the Moscow-backed Assad regime last year. “The current… Continue reading Syrian FM seeks Russia’s support during Moscow visit

BEIJING: City officials admitted on Thursday they were unprepared for the heavy rains that flooded parts of Beijing, killing 44 people and leaving nine missing. Northern China has faced deadly rainfall since last week, forcing mass evacuations. The hardest-hit areas were Beijing’s rural suburbs, where the death toll rose from the previously reported 30. Xia… Continue reading Beijing admits flood readiness gaps after deadly rains kill 44

STOCKHOLM: Sweden has called on the European Union to suspend the trade provisions of its association agreement with Israel, citing violations linked to the Gaza conflict. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated the move was necessary due to Israel’s failure to meet humanitarian obligations. “The situation in Gaza is absolutely appalling, and Israel is failing to… Continue reading Sweden urges EU to suspend Israel trade pact over Gaza war conduct

HELSINKI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for international efforts to push for “regime change” in Russia during a virtual address at a Helsinki conference. He warned that without such action, Moscow would continue destabilising neighbouring countries even after the war in Ukraine ends. The conference marked 50 years since the signing of the Helsinki Final… Continue reading Zelensky calls for regime change in Russia at Helsinki conference

TOKYO: Japan has lifted all tsunami advisories following a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula. The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed coastal alerts ended at 4:30 pm local time after determining wave heights wouldn’t increase further. Initial fears of a catastrophic repeat of 2004’s Indian Ocean disaster proved unfounded, though the quake did trigger Pacific-wide… Continue reading Japan lifts tsunami advisory after Russia’s 8.8 magnitude quake

MUMBAI: An Indian court acquitted former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and six others on Thursday in connection with a 2008 bombing near a mosque that killed six people. The blast in Malegaon, Maharashtra, injured over 100 when explosives strapped to a motorcycle detonated. Judge AK Lahoti dismissed terrorism and conspiracy charges… Continue reading Indian court clears ex-MP Thakur in 2008 mosque bombing case

BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared on Thursday his government’s determination to disarm Hezbollah, emphasising the need for state control over all weapons. The statement follows Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem’s warning that calls for disarmament serve Israeli interests. Aoun stressed in his Army Day speech that Beirut demands “the extension of the Lebanese state’s authority… Continue reading Lebanon president vows to disarm Hezbollah amid rising tensions

HELSINKI: Finland on Thursday hosts a conference marking 50 years since the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, a landmark agreement on respecting borders and territorial integrity. The event takes place amid heightened tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has severely tested the principles enshrined in the 1975 accord. Keynote speakers include Ukrainian President… Continue reading Finland marks 50 years of Helsinki Accords amid Ukraine war tensions

BEIJING: Chinese authorities have called in US tech firm Nvidia to discuss potential security vulnerabilities in its artificial intelligence chips, escalating scrutiny over semiconductor exports amid strained US-China relations. The Cyberspace Administration of China stated it demanded explanations regarding “serious security issues” linked to Nvidia’s H20 processors designed for the Chinese market. The meeting follows… Continue reading China questions Nvidia over AI chip security concerns

SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors have filed for a new detention warrant to compel former president Yoon Suk Yeol to appear for questioning after he repeatedly ignored summonses. The move comes amid an ongoing political crisis stemming from Yoon’s alleged attempt to subvert civilian rule in December 2024. Yoon, who was detained in January after resisting… Continue reading South Korean prosecutors seek warrant to question ex-president Yoon

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has formally sought the intervention of the Malaysian military, acting as ceasefire coordinator, to facilitate the release of 20 Cambodian soldiers held by the Thai army. Prime Minister Hun Manet confirmed the diplomatic efforts through state media Agence Kampuchea Presse. Cambodian military officials have been negotiating with Thai counterparts, while General Tan… Continue reading Cambodia seeks Malaysian military help to free 20 soldiers held by Thailand

PARIS: Celebrated French chef Alain Passard has rewritten culinary history by converting his three-Michelin-starred restaurant L’Arpege into France’s first entirely plant-based fine dining establishment. The 68-year-old maestro, who has helmed the Parisian institution for nearly four decades, eliminated meat, fish, dairy, and eggs from his menu on July 21, retaining only honey from his personal… Continue reading French chef Alain Passard launches first vegan menu at 3-star restaurant

ARNHEM: With striking blue eyes and a nervous expression, the reconstructed bust of Mos’anne, a woman who lived around 10,500 years ago, offers an eerily lifelike glimpse into the past. Created through a collaboration between science and art at Belgium’s Ghent University, the project aims to explore the lives of the region’s last hunter-gatherers during… Continue reading Prehistoric woman Mos’anne brought to life by artists and scientists

WASHINGTON: The deadline for higher US tariffs approaches as President Donald Trump expands his trade offensive, targeting more economies while offering limited reprieves through last-minute negotiations. With the August 1 deadline looming, Trump confirmed no further extensions, calling it “a big day for America” in a Truth Social post. New measures include a 25 percent… Continue reading US tariff deadline looms as Trump expands trade wars globally

MEXICO CITY: Behind the global acclaim of Quintonil, ranked third in “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,“ lies a love story between two gourmets passionate about redefining Mexican cuisine. Named after an aromatic Oaxacan plant, the restaurant merges traditional flavors with modern techniques, earning praise for its “boundary-pushing” dishes. Alejandra Flores, co-founder of Quintonil, embodies Mexican… Continue reading Quintonil: Mexico’s boundary-pushing culinary love story