Category: World

GEORGETOWN: Polls have closed in Guyana’s general election where voters cast ballots on Monday to choose 65 members of parliament and a president who will determine how riches from the South American country’s hydrocarbon boom will be spent. The country of 800,000 people has earned some $7.5 billion in revenue from oil sales and royalties… Continue reading Guyana votes in election to decide spending of oil wealth

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed the border into China on his special train early Tuesday to attend China’s celebration of the formal surrender of Japan in World War Two, North Korean state media said on Tuesday. Kim left Pyongyang for China on Monday and crossed into China early Tuesday morning, North Korea’s… Continue reading Kim Jong Un crosses into China by train for WWII surrender event

MADRID: A flotilla of dozens of boats loaded with humanitarian aid for Gaza departed Barcelona port on Monday evening after stormy weather forced an earlier return. Some vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla Mission sounded their horns as they left the Spanish port. Activists at the port chanted “Free, free Palestine” as the boats set… Continue reading Gaza aid flotilla departs Barcelona after weather delay with activists

VIENNA: The United Nations nuclear watchdog has discovered traces of uranium in Syria during its investigation into a building destroyed by Israel in 2007. The International Atomic Energy Agency has long believed the site was probably an undeclared nuclear reactor. The government of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad claimed the Deir al-Zor site was a… Continue reading IAEA finds uranium traces in Syria linked to site bombed by Israel

GENEVA: The United Nations refugee agency will reduce its budget by nearly one fifth next year due to severe financial constraints despite rising global displacement. UNHCR plans to operate with $8.5 billion in 2026 compared to $10.2 billion in 2025 according to budget documents published online. The agency will close its Southern Africa bureau and… Continue reading UN refugee agency to cut budget by 20% and close Southern Africa office

KHARKIV: Ukrainian parents sent their children to underground classrooms for the start of the school year as the ongoing conflict with Russia continues to disrupt daily life. Some 17,000 children in Ukraine’s second-largest city are attending schools set up underground to protect them from frequent Russian attacks. Seven such schools are currently in operation, with… Continue reading Ukrainian children start school year in underground classrooms for safety

ARLINGTON (Virginia): President Donald Trump’s administration plans new measures to tackle the high cost of housing in the coming weeks, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Reuters in an interview on Monday. Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Bessent described it as an “all hands on deck” challenge. Bessent told the Washington Examiner in a… Continue reading US Treasury confident Supreme Court will uphold Trump tariffs legality

ZURICH: Nestle has abruptly dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate, the Swiss food giant said on Monday, a dramatic removal exactly a year after he took the reins. The maker of products ranging from KitKat to Nesquik said that it had appointed veteran insider Philipp Navratil,… Continue reading Nestle CEO dismissed over undisclosed relationship with subordinate

TARTUS (Syria): Syria exported 600,000 barrels of heavy crude oil on Monday from the port of Tartus as part of a deal with a trading firm, a Syrian energy official told Reuters, the first known official export of Syrian oil in 14 years. Syria exported 380,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) in 2010, a… Continue reading Syria exports first crude oil shipment in 14 years after sanctions lifted

GOMA: The Congo River Alliance has accused the Congolese government of violating agreements intended to end the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This coalition of insurgent groups includes the prominent M23 rebels currently engaged in intensified fighting across the region. Fighting in eastern Congo has escalated significantly this year following a major… Continue reading Congo rebels accuse government of undermining peace efforts

CARACAS: Venezuela is facing the biggest threat seen in South America in a century but will not bow to it, President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday in a rare press conference. Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have risen in recent weeks amid a large U.S. naval buildup in the Southern Caribbean and nearby… Continue reading Venezuela’s Maduro says country peaceful but will not bow to threats

GUATEMALA CITY: Guatemala stands ready to accept approximately 150 unaccompanied minors weekly from the United States across all age groups. President Bernardo Arevalo confirmed his government’s willingness to receive these children during a Monday press conference. This announcement followed a US federal judge’s Sunday order halting the deportation of ten Guatemalan children. The Trump administration… Continue reading Guatemala ready to receive 150 deported minors weekly from US

HANOVER: The first group of Afghan families stranded in Pakistan has arrived in Germany following court orders that compelled Berlin to honour its visa commitments. Ten families comprising forty-five individuals landed in Hanover on a commercial flight from Istanbul after months of uncertainty. Germany’s interior ministry confirmed their arrival and stated all individuals had completed… Continue reading First Afghan families arrive in Germany after court rulings on visas

LONDON: The Metropolitan Police have charged an additional 47 individuals with supporting Palestine Action, increasing the total number of accused activists to 114. Those charged range in age from 18 to 81 and will appear in court on October 27 and 28. Conviction could result in a maximum prison sentence of six months according to… Continue reading UK charges 47 more Palestine Action supporters as terror group row deepens

COPENHAGEN: A former Danish government minister received a four-month prison sentence on Monday for possessing thousands of child sexual abuse images. Henrik Sass Larsen, a former senior Social Democrat who served as industry minister, admitted to having over six thousand photographs and two thousand videos depicting child abuse on his computer. He had initially denied… Continue reading Former Danish minister jailed for four months over child pornography

JAKARTA: A helicopter carrying eight people has gone missing on Indonesia’s Borneo island according to rescue officials. Authorities have initiated search efforts for the aircraft which was transporting two crew members and six passengers. Local rescue agency head in Banjarmasin I Putu Sudayana confirmed the operation in a video statement on Monday. “Our search will… Continue reading Helicopter with eight people missing on Indonesia’s Borneo island

KAPLU: An army helicopter crashed in northern Pakistan on Monday, killing all five people on board according to military officials. The helicopter was conducting routine training flights when it developed a technical fault leading to the crash. Two pilots, two crew members and one flight engineer aboard the MI-17 helicopter perished in the incident. A… Continue reading Pakistan army helicopter crash kills five in northern training accident

SARAJEVO: Thousands of Bosnian truck drivers halted deliveries across the country on Monday in protest over European Union travel restrictions. Approximately six thousand truckers brought the majority of the Balkan nation’s deliveries to a grinding halt while causing significant traffic jams. The drivers are demanding more flexible travel conditions and greater support within their leading… Continue reading Bosnian truckers block deliveries in protest over EU travel rules

BRUSSELS: A plane carrying European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS jamming while preparing to land in Bulgaria with Russian involvement suspected. The European Commission confirmed Bulgarian authorities believe Moscow was responsible for Sunday’s incident though it remains unclear whether the aircraft was specifically targeted. Commission spokeswoman Arianna Podesta stated they could indeed… Continue reading EU chief’s plane hit by suspected Russian GPS jamming in Bulgaria

ABIDJAN: Mauritania’s former economy minister Sidi Ould Tah assumed leadership of the African Development Bank on Monday, pledging to foster a robust and prosperous continent amid significant financial headwinds. His inauguration comes during a challenging period for the institution as the United States administration plans to cut five hundred million dollars in funding for projects… Continue reading Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah takes over as African Development Bank head

MADRID: Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared Spain’s preparation for this summer’s deadly wildfires as clearly insufficient during a climate emergency address. Four people died and thousands were evacuated during last month’s heatwave that sparked widespread blazes across southern Europe. The Socialist government and conservative opposition Popular Party have engaged in a blame game over responsibility… Continue reading Spain PM admits wildfire planning was clearly insufficient after deadly fires

BANGUI: Opposition leader Anicet-Georges Dologuele has surrendered his French citizenship to qualify as a presidential candidate against incumbent Faustin Touadera. Dologuele confirmed his decision to AFP while preparing to challenge Touadera for leadership of the Russia-aligned nation. The economist finished second to Touadera during the contentious 2020 election marked by violence and fraud allegations. Touadera… Continue reading Central African opposition leader gives up French passport for election

TIANJIN: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has issued a strong condemnation of civilian casualties and humanitarian disasters occurring in Gaza. Member states including China, India, Russia and Iran expressed deep concern over the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict during their summit. The ten member organisation called for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire alongside unhindered humanitarian aid access. They… Continue reading SCO condemns Gaza civilian casualties and US-Israeli strikes on Iran

TIANJIN: Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menggesa negara-negara Asia merintis laluan kesalingbergantungan berdaulat bagi memupuk kestabilan dan keamanan global. Beliau menegaskan kekuatan Asia terletak pada keupayaan mempertahankan kedaulatan masing-masing sambil kekal terbuka antara satu sama lain. Anwar mengingatkan kelemahan globalisasi tidak sepatutnya dijadikan alasan untuk mewujudkan blok eksklusif atau benteng ekonomi. “Pendekatan sedemikian hanya… Continue reading Anwar gesa Asia laksana kesalingbergantungan berdaulat bina masa depan

TOKYO: Japan has relaxed its strict firearm regulations to permit hunters greater use of rifles in built-up areas following a significant increase in bear attacks. Authorities have observed more wild bears entering residential zones due to factors including human population decline and climate change impacts. Four people have died from bear attacks since April this… Continue reading Japan eases gun rules for hunters amid rising bear attacks

KYIV: Ukrainian authorities have directly linked Russia to the assassination of prominent pro-Western politician Andriy Parubiy over the weekend. National police chief Ivan Vygivsky stated that the killing was not accidental and contained clear Russian connections in a social media announcement. Police arrested a suspect who allegedly shot Parubiy eight times in broad daylight while… Continue reading Ukraine accuses Russia of involvement in lawmaker assassination

JALALABAD: A massive rescue operation continues in Afghanistan after a strong earthquake and multiple aftershocks flattened homes in a remote mountainous region. Taliban authorities confirmed more than 800 people died in the disaster which struck just before midnight on Monday. The earthquake shook buildings from Kabul to neighbouring Pakistan’s capital Islamabad with more than 1.2… Continue reading Afghanistan earthquake kills over 800 in remote mountainous region

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet European leaders in Paris on Thursday according to a source familiar with the planning. The meeting represents part of an international push to broker an end to Russia’s three and a half year invasion of Ukraine. A source confirmed the planned meeting between Zelensky and European leaders on… Continue reading Zelensky to meet European leaders in Paris on Thursday for Ukraine talks

PARIS: European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has warned of serious danger to the global economy if US President Donald Trump gains control over American monetary policy. Lagarde expressed concern about Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to install officials supporting his calls for lower interest rates. She told France’s Radio Classique… Continue reading ECB chief warns of serious danger if Trump controls US monetary policy

HOUSTON: President Donald Trump’s strategy to maintain Republican control of Congress through Texas electoral map revisions particularly impacts Manchester Park, a predominantly Latino, low-income Houston neighbourhood surrounded by chemical plants and oil refineries. This area historically formed part of Democratic-held District 29 but now faces exclusion under the newly redrawn boundaries. Republicans aim to secure… Continue reading Trump’s Texas redistricting threatens minority voting power in Houston

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s interim leader has warned that any deviation from planned elections would be extremely dangerous as violent political rivalries intensify. The warning follows recent protests across the South Asian nation that left a key opposition leader hospitalised. Political parties are fiercely competing for power ahead of the first elections since last year’s uprising that… Continue reading Bangladesh leader warns of extreme danger if elections are derailed

SANA’A: Yemen’s Huthi rebels announced they fired a missile at a commercial tanker in the Red Sea on Monday. This attack occurred just days after an Israeli strike killed their prime minister. The Iran-backed group claimed they successfully hit the Liberian-flagged Scarlet Ray vessel. They previously sank two tankers in July during ongoing regional hostilities.… Continue reading Huthi rebels claim missile strike on Red Sea ship after leader’s death

TOKYO: Japan and South Korea have endured their hottest summers since records began according to official weather agencies. Japan’s average temperature between June and August reached 2.36 degrees Celsius above standard values marking the hottest summer since records started in 1898. The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed this summer marked the third consecutive year of record… Continue reading Japan and South Korea record hottest summer in history for 2025

JAKARTA: Thousands of Indonesians protested nationwide as military forces deployed across the capital following deadly unrest over parliamentary allowances. Six people have died during escalating demonstrations that began as peaceful protests against housing allowances nearly ten times Jakarta’s minimum wage. At least three hundred protesters gathered outside parliament in Jakarta while dozens of soldiers monitored… Continue reading Indonesia deploys military as protests over lawmaker perks turn deadly

SEOUL: South Korea has recorded its hottest summer on record in 2025 according to official data released on Monday. The Korea Meteorological Administration confirmed the average temperature from June first through August thirty first was 25.7 degrees Celsius. This figure represents the highest average temperature since national data collection began in 1973. The previous record… Continue reading South Korea records hottest summer on record in 2025

LILONGWE: Early morning queues of vehicles stretch around the lone fuel station in Dedza district, forming one of many overnight petrol lines across Malawi. This scene of frustration over chronic fuel shortages represents a growing political liability for President Lazarus Chakwera as he seeks a second term in September 16 elections. Nelson Mazola, a motorcycle… Continue reading Malawi fuel crisis threatens ruling party in upcoming September elections

TIANJIN: Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin jointly criticised Western nations during a major regional summit in northern China on Monday. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation gathering brought together leaders from ten member states including India, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian nations. Xi addressed the assembled leaders by highlighting increasing global instability and condemning what… Continue reading Xi and Putin criticise West at SCO summit in China

TIANJIN: Russian President Vladimir Putin defended his Ukraine offensive to Moscow’s allies at a major international summit on Monday. Putin blamed Western powers for triggering the three and a half year war that has killed tens of thousands and devastated eastern Ukraine. “This crisis was not triggered by Russia’s attack on Ukraine, but was a… Continue reading Putin blames West for Ukraine war at China SCO summit

BEIJING: China will showcase a range of new weapons during a major military parade on Wednesday in a display of strength challenging United States military dominance. Military experts have analysed social media photos and footage from recent rehearsals showing anti-ship missiles, cutting-edge underwater drones, and anti-missile systems. Officials have kept secret the list of hardware… Continue reading China to showcase new missiles and laser weapons at Beijing military parade

PHNOM PENH: The World Bank has approved a total of US$105 million in credit and grant to support an education improvement project in Cambodia, expected to benefit over 1.7 million children, it said on Monday, reported Xinhua. The approved amount, including a US$100-million credit and a US$5-million grant, will be used to strengthen foundational literacy… Continue reading World Bank approves US$105 million for education improvement project in Cambodia

COPENHAGEN: A Danish court will deliver its verdict on Monday against former industry minister Henrik Sass Larsen regarding child pornography possession charges. The former Social Democrat minister has admitted possessing over six thousand photographs and two thousand videos depicting child sexual abuse on his computer. Larsen has denied the charges by claiming he sought the… Continue reading Former Danish minister faces verdict in child pornography possession case

SYDNEY: Australian police believe a fugitive gunman accused of killing two officers is receiving assistance from local residents. The manhunt for heavily armed suspect Dezi Freeman entered its seventh day after he fled into bushland following a shootout with police. Freeman allegedly opened fire on officers executing a search warrant at his property in Porepunkah,… Continue reading Australian police say fugitive gunman is being helped by locals

GENEVA: The global cholera situation is worsening, with outbreaks across 31 countries and a surging fatality rate, the World Health Organization said Friday. “Given the scale, severity, and interconnected nature of these outbreaks, the risk of further spread within and between countries is considered very high,“ it said. The UN health agency said the deteriorating… Continue reading Cholera outbreaks worsening, spreading to 31 countries: WHO

CHINIOT: Across the fertile plains of Pakistan’s Punjab, families are struggling to rebuild their lives after the worst flooding in decades swept away homes, destroyed crops, and drowned livestock. “Thirteen of my 15 acres are gone,“ said Muhammad Amjad, 45, a rice and potato farmer in Chiniot, as he stood by submerged fields. “Our rice… Continue reading Punjab floods washed away thousands of villages and farms; now the devastation threatens Pakistan’s economy

KABUL: About 622 people were killed and more than 1,500 injured in an earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan, authorities said on Monday, as helicopters ferried the wounded to safety from rubble being combed in the hunt for survivors. The disaster will further stretch the resources of the South Asian nation already grappling with humanitarian crises,… Continue reading Afghanistan earthquake kills 622 with more than 1,500 injured

KABUL: Hundreds were feared dead and injured after an earthquake of magnitude 6 struck two rugged eastern provinces in Afghanistan, authorities said on Monday, as helicopters ferried the injured to safety from rubble being combed in a hunt for survivors. The disaster will further stretch the resources of the South Asian nation already grappling with… Continue reading Hundreds feared dead, injured as earthquake of magnitude 6 hits Afghanistan