Category: World

WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump stated he was very disappointed in Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump mentioned his administration would take unspecified actions to help reduce casualties in the conflict during a radio interview. The president expressed no concern over warming relations between Russia and China despite their… Continue reading Trump expresses disappointment with Putin over Ukraine war actions

QUETTA: A bomb blast killed at least eleven people at a public rally in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta late on Tuesday. Government official Hamza Shafaat confirmed the rally was held to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Sardar Ataullah Mengal, a nationalist leader and former provincial chief minister. His son Sardar Akhtar… Continue reading Bomb blast kills 11 at rally in southwestern Pakistan, officials say

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has announced the relocation of US Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama. This decision reverses a previous move made under the administration of former President Joe Biden. Trump stated that his overwhelming electoral support in Alabama did not influence this strategic decision. The relocation is expected to cost… Continue reading Trump moves Space Command headquarters to Alabama from Colorado

PARIS: French investigating judges have issued arrest warrants for seven former top Syrian officials including ex-President Bashar al-Assad over a 2012 bombing in Homs. The warrants relate to a rocket attack on an informal press centre in Homs on 22 February 2012 that killed American journalist Marie Colvin and French photographer Remi Ochlik. Three other… Continue reading France issues arrest warrants for Assad and six Syrian officials over 2012 attack

BEIJING: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin joined Chinese President Xi Jinping at a major military parade in Beijing on Wednesday morning. The three leaders appeared together in a highly choreographed display that capped a week of diplomatic activities positioning China against Western powers. China showcased its military capabilities with… Continue reading Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin join Xi Jinping for China military parade

OSLO: The son of Norway’s crown princess will face trial in February on charges of raping four women, an Oslo court confirmed on Tuesday. Marius Borg Hoiby could face up to 10 years imprisonment if convicted in what represents the most significant scandal to hit the Norwegian royal family. The 28-year-old, who is Crown Princess… Continue reading Norway crown princess son Marius Borg Hoiby faces rape trial in February

PARIS: French judicial authorities have issued arrest warrants for ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and six other top former officials over the 2012 bombardment of a rebel-held city that killed two journalists. The warrants target those responsible for the attack in Homs that killed American journalist Marie Colvin and French photographer Remi Ochlik on February… Continue reading France issues arrest warrant for Syria’s Assad over journalist killings

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will make an exciting announcement on Tuesday about the Department of Defence according to the White House. This follows his recent statements about renaming the defence department to the Department of War. Trump is scheduled to make the announcement from the Oval Office at 2:00 pm local time or 1800… Continue reading Trump to make exciting defence announcement at White House

LONDON: Police have arrested five key spokespeople for Defend Our Juries during dawn raids in London over protests against the Palestine Action ban. The organisation campaigns against the UK government’s July 5 designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Defend Our Juries had organised several demonstrations against the contentious… Continue reading UK arrests Palestine Action critics in dawn raids over terror ban protests

FRANKFURT: Europe must urgently catch up with the United States in digital capabilities according to German software giant SAP. The company announced a twenty billion euro investment in cloud computing on Tuesday while warning about Europe’s technological lag. SAP board member Thomas Saueressig emphasised the immediate need for action during a press conference. “We cannot… Continue reading Europe must catch up with US digital capabilities says SAP

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has vowed to swiftly resolve Chicago’s crime problem, suggesting a potential troop deployment into the city he labelled the world’s most dangerous. Trump announced his intention to address urban violence in Chicago through his Truth Social platform, drawing parallels with his recent deployment of National Guard reservists to Washington DC.… Continue reading Trump vows to end crime in Chicago with possible troop deployment

BEIJING: President Xi Jinping told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian that China supports Iran’s right to civilian nuclear energy and opposes the use of force to resolve differences. “The use of force is not the right way to resolve differences,“ Xi told Pezeshkian during talks in Beijing according to state broadcaster CCTV. “Communication and dialogue… Continue reading Xi tells Iran president China opposes force to resolve differences

ISTANBUL: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged the United States to reverse its decision denying visas to Palestinian Authority members for this month’s United Nations General Assembly. A United States official confirmed on Saturday that Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas and eighty other officials would be barred from attending the summit. This controversial move further… Continue reading Erdogan urges US to reverse Palestinian UN summit visa ban

PARIS: A French investigating judge has ordered cinema icon Gerard Depardieu to stand trial over alleged rape and sexual assault of actor Charlotte Arnould in 2018. The decision follows a Paris court handing Depardieu an 18-month suspended sentence in May after convicting him of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021. Depardieu… Continue reading Gerard Depardieu ordered to stand trial for 2018 rape allegations

BEIJING: Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Slovakia’s Moscow-friendly prime minister for the country’s independent foreign policy during a meeting in China. Putin suggested Bratislava should retaliate against Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure by cutting off its own gas supplies to Ukraine. “Ukraine receives a significant volume of energy resources through its neighbours in Eastern… Continue reading Putin urges Slovakia to cut Ukraine energy supplies in Beijing meeting

LONDON: An artificial intelligence tool that rapidly analyses brain scans of stroke patients has significantly improved recovery outcomes across England’s healthcare system. The National Health Service confirmed this technology has helped boost chances of full recovery since its nationwide implementation last year. This innovative system diagnoses stroke type and severity from brain scans while assisting… Continue reading AI brain scan tool boosts stroke recovery rates in England

PARIS: Russian forces continued their advance in eastern Ukraine throughout August despite a slight decrease in territorial gains compared to previous months. Moscow’s troops captured 594 square kilometres from Ukrainian control during the month according to analysis of Institute for the Study of War data. This represents a reduction from the 634 square kilometres seized… Continue reading Russia advances in Ukraine as peace talks with Trump fail to progress

GENEVA: The United Nations warned on Tuesday that the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan which has killed more than 900 people could impact hundreds of thousands of individuals. UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan Indrika Ratwatte stated that casualty numbers are expected to rise exponentially as assessments continue. More than 900 people are confirmed dead with thousands… Continue reading UN warns Afghan quake could impact hundreds of thousands of people

TOKYO: An 80-year-old Japanese woman lost thousands of dollars after falling victim to an online romance scam involving a man pretending to be an astronaut. The Hokkaido resident met the fraudster on social media in July, where he presented himself as a male astronaut working in space. Their online communication progressed, and the woman developed… Continue reading Japanese octogenarian scammed by fake astronaut in romance fraud

GENEVA: The United Nations expressed serious concerns on Tuesday about growing restrictions in Cameroon affecting voter freedom in the upcoming presidential elections. Veteran President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state at 92 years old, seeks another seven-year term to extend his nearly 43-year rule in elections scheduled for October 12. UN human rights… Continue reading UN fears Cameroon election restrictions threaten voter freedom

LONDON: Two ageing British nuclear power plants will operate for an additional year to support national energy security and net zero targets. Operator EDF announced that Heysham 1 in northwest England and Hartlepool in northeast England will continue generating electricity until March 2028. The French energy company’s British partner Centrica confirmed the extension following positive… Continue reading UK extends ageing nuclear plants to boost energy security and net zero goals

GENEVA: The United Nations has declared Myanmar’s humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly with scenes resembling the 2017 atrocities against Rohingya minorities. UN human rights chief Volker Turk stated both Myanmar’s military and Arakan Army ethnic fighters have operated with near total impunity against civilians. “Videos and pictures show death, destruction and desperation, distressingly similar to… Continue reading UN warns Myanmar atrocities mirror 2017 Rohingya genocide

NEW DELHI: India will begin commercial semiconductor production by the end of 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. Modi touted his nation as a future global hub for chip innovation during his speech at the annual Semicon India conference launch. He confirmed that test chips from Micron and Tata were already being produced… Continue reading India to start commercial chip production by 2025, says PM Modi

JAKARTA: At least twenty people are missing after violent protests in Indonesia sparked by lavish perks for lawmakers that have widened to include anger against police. A rights group confirmed the disappearances on Tuesday as unrest continues across Southeast Asia’s largest economy. At least six people have been killed since protests erupted last week, intensified… Continue reading 20 missing after deadly Indonesia protests over lawmaker perks

TOKYO: Suntory Holdings CEO and Chairman Takeshi Niinami has tendered his resignation following a police investigation into whether he violated the law prohibiting possession of cannabis. Niinami, a high-profile and outspoken business leader who often served as the face of corporate Japan at Davos and other international events, has denied breaking the law. Police questioned… Continue reading Suntory CEO resigns after police probe into cannabis-related investigation

TIANJIN: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) must play a leading role as a model for implementing the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), stated Chinese President Xi Jinping. He made these remarks while chairing the SCO Plus meeting at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre during the 2025 SCO Summit on Monday. Xi emphasised that the principles… Continue reading SCO should lead global governance initiative model says Xi Jinping

KABUL/MAZAR DARA: Rescue teams in Afghanistan are attempting to reach isolated villages in the eastern Kunar region following a devastating earthquake that claimed over 800 lives and injured more than 2,800 people. Provincial disaster management head Ehsanullah Ehsan confirmed that rescue operations began in four villages on Monday and will now focus on more remote… Continue reading Afghanistan earthquake rescue efforts target remote mountain villages

ROSTOV-ON-DON: More than 300 people were evacuated from their apartments overnight following a Ukrainian drone attack on the capital of the Rostov region. The Russian defence ministry said air defence units destroyed 13 Ukrainian drones over the Rostov region overnight. “An unexploded (drone) shell was discovered in one of the apartments,“ Rostov region’s acting governor,… Continue reading Ukrainian drone attack forces hundreds to evacuate in Russian city

JAKARTA: Indonesian police deployed tear gas against crowds near two universities in Bandung, escalating tensions amid nationwide protests that have turned deadly. Student bodies from the Islamic University of Bandung and Pasundan University reported security forces fired tear gas canisters near their campuses on Monday evening. Local police official Hendra Rochmawan stated authorities did not… Continue reading Indonesia police use tear gas near campuses amid escalating protests

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is likely seeking to restore closer ties with China and get economic assistance by visiting Beijing this week for a war anniversary, a South Korean lawmaker said on Tuesday, citing a report by the country’s spy agency. Kim crossed the border into China early on Tuesday and is… Continue reading Kim Jong Un seeks to restore China ties on Beijing visit, says South Korean MP

BEIJING: In a show of solidarity with the aggressors in Europe’s worst war in 80 years, China’s Xi Jinping will convene with his Russian and North Korean counterparts for the first time as Donald Trump and other Western leaders watch from afar. Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un’s visit to Beijing for a massive military… Continue reading China’s Xi hosts Putin and Kim in Beijing amid Ukraine war tensions

BEIJING: Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed heartfelt gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the exceptionally warm reception extended during his official visit to China. Putin specifically addressed Xi as his “dear friend” during their formal meeting, highlighting the personal rapport between the two leaders. “Our close communication reflects the strategic nature of Russia-China relations,… Continue reading Putin thanks Xi Jinping for warm welcome during China visit

TOKYO: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will ask ministers to compile an economic stimulus package addressing inflation and Trump administration tariffs as early as this week. The Sankei newspaper reported this development on Tuesday citing government sources as its reference. This plan follows a Tuesday meeting between secretaries-general of the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition… Continue reading Japan PM to ask ministers for economic stimulus package this week

BEIJING: Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared his country’s sincere commitment to strengthening ties with both China and Mongolia during a trilateral summit. Putin emphasised Russia’s dedication to building comprehensive and equal partnerships that benefit all nations involved. He stated that Moscow genuinely seeks multifaceted development of relations with its Asian neighbours. The Russian leader… Continue reading Putin seeks stronger ties with China and Mongolia in Beijing talks

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping will host his country’s largest-ever military parade this week, as he seeks to recast Beijing as the custodian of a post-U.S. international order at a time of deep geopolitical uncertainty. More than 20 world leaders including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will gather in… Continue reading Xi to showcase China’s new global order vision at military parade

BRUSSELS: Belgium will officially recognise the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in September. Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot confirmed the decision in a social media post, stating that Belgium would join other nations in this diplomatic move. “Palestine will be recognised by Belgium at the UN session,“ Prevot wrote, adding… Continue reading Belgium to recognise Palestine at UN General Assembly in September

SYDNEY: South Australia has implemented a ban on plastic fish-shaped soy sauce containers to address environmental concerns about plastic pollution. These popular sushi accessories, known as shoyu-tai, frequently escape waste management systems and contaminate natural environments. Environment Minister Susan Close explained that “single-use plastics are often used for seconds but they last a lifetime in… Continue reading South Australia bans plastic fish soy sauce containers to reduce waste

TOKYO: Elon Musk expressed support for an anti-immigration demonstration in Japan, a nation with relatively few foreign-born residents and growing populist political movements. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who previously advised US President Donald Trump, has endorsed far-right parties internationally including Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD). Musk commented “Good” on a video of the small… Continue reading Elon Musk supports anti-immigration rally in Japan amid rising populism

KHARTOUM: A massive landslide in Sudan’s western Darfur region has killed more than 1,000 people, a rebel group that controls the area said late Monday, adding there was just one survivor. The disaster struck Sunday after days of heavy rain, devastating the village of Tarasin in the Marra mountains, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army said in… Continue reading Sudan landslide kills over 1,000 in Darfur with one survivor

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday visited a missile laboratory researching carbon fibre composite materials to be used in engines for intercontinental ballistic missiles, state media KCNA said on Tuesday. Since then, Kim has crossed the border into China on his special train early Tuesday to attend China’s celebration of the formal… Continue reading North Korea’s Kim visits lab researching intercontinental missiles

LONDON: Britain has announced emergency funding support for victims of the recent earthquakes in Afghanistan. The assistance will be channelled through international partners to ensure it does not reach the country’s Taliban administration. Sunday’s disaster ranks among Afghanistan’s worst earthquakes, killing over 800 people and injuring at least 2,800 according to authorities. Rescue operations continue… Continue reading UK provides £1 million aid for Afghanistan earthquake victims