Category: World

MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s government said on Monday it had immediately addressed a case of an animal infected with the flesh-eating screwworm parasite in the northern state of Nuevo Leon, which borders the United States. Mexico’s agriculture ministry said in a statement that there is no risk of adult screwworm fly emergence due to the early… Continue reading Mexico contains screwworm case near US border, no flies detected

WASHINGTON: The United States stands ready to provide substantial support to stabilise Argentina’s economy, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent confirmed that all options are being considered, including swap lines and direct purchases of Argentine pesos or dollar-denominated government debt. He emphasised that any US action would be both large and forceful, reflecting the… Continue reading US pledges large and forceful support for Argentina’s economy

LONDON: Britain’s health regulator confirmed on Monday that paracetamol remains safe for use during pregnancy. The regulator stated there is currently no evidence suggesting the pain relief treatment causes autism in children. This announcement precedes the United States government’s own findings on autism expected later today. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that… Continue reading UK health regulator confirms paracetamol safety during pregnancy

NEW YORK: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa renewed his call on Monday for Washington to formally lift U.S. sanctions imposed under the 2019 Caesar Act while visiting New York to attend the first U.N. General Assembly of a Syrian leader in nearly six decades. Sharaa, a former al Qaeda leader, led rebel forces that overthrew Bashar… Continue reading Syria’s Sharaa in New York renews call for US to drop sanctions

WASHINGTON: The United States will impose sanctions on other Brazilian officials if necessary according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent issued the warning on Monday after Washington sanctioned the wife of the Brazilian judge who presided over the criminal case of right-wing former President Jair Bolsonaro. He further cautioned Brazilian financial institutions that dealt… Continue reading US warns of more Brazil sanctions if necessary, Treasury’s Bessent says

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s federal government and the Kurdish regional administration have finalised an agreement with oil companies to restart crude exports through a pipeline to Turkey. Two oil officials confirmed the breakthrough, which will end a suspension of exports from Iraqi Kurdistan that has lasted since March 2023. “We will on Tuesday start technical procedures to… Continue reading Iraq and KRG agree to restart oil exports via Turkey pipelines

PARIS: Poland has officially reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on two poultry farms located in the country’s northern region. The World Organisation for Animal Health announced the development on Monday as Europe experiences a seasonal increase in the deadly disease. The Paris-based organisation confirmed the virus was detected on a goose… Continue reading Poland reports bird flu outbreak on northern poultry farms

UNITED NATIONS: The United States sought to build support at the United Nations on Monday for the expansion of an international force to tackle Haiti’s armed gangs, building on a Kenyan-led mission that Kenyan President William Ruto said has struggled with staffing and logistics. Armed gangs have taken control of almost all of Haiti’s capital… Continue reading US pushes for larger Haiti force as Kenya bemoans unreliable vehicles

THE HAGUE/WASHINGTON: The United States is considering imposing sanctions as soon as this week against the entire International Criminal Court, putting the court’s day-to-day operations in jeopardy in retaliation for investigations of suspected Israeli war crimes. Washington has already imposed targeted sanctions on several prosecutors and judges at the court, but naming the court itself… Continue reading US considers entity-wide sanctions against International Criminal Court

MILAN: Protesters against Israel’s Gaza offensive clashed with police in Milan and other Italian cities on Monday as tens of thousands marched in Rome and dockworkers blocked ports in solidarity with Palestinians. Police in riot gear fired tear gas to try to disperse protesters at the central station in Milan, a Reuters witness reported. The… Continue reading Italian ports blocked and Milan clashes in pro-Palestinian protests

WASHINGTON: Republican Senator Rand Paul declared Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr’s threats against Disney and local broadcasters for airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live” as completely inappropriate. Paul stated on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Carr had no business weighing in on the matter and that government pressure on companies over speech was unacceptable. “The government’s… Continue reading Senate Republicans escalate criticism of FCC pressure on Disney over Kimmel

LONDON: Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting high-profile organisations to secure larger ransoms and enhance their reputations within hacking communities. This trend follows a major ransomware attack that disrupted airport check-in systems across Europe over the weekend, stranding thousands of passengers. The European Union’s cybersecurity agency ENISA confirmed the hack on Collins Aerospace, owned by RTX, was… Continue reading Airport chaos highlights rise in high-profile ransomware attacks

MILAN: Striking dockworkers blocked access roads to ports in Italy on Monday and violence flared at a pro-Palestinian protest in the centre of Milan as unions staged a day of protest against Israel’s Gaza offensive. Protesting Italian dockworkers say they are seeking to prevent Italy from being used as a staging post for the transfer… Continue reading Gaza protests in Italy block ports, clashes erupt in Milan

TOURS: Two pandas at a zoo in central France will return to China in November after the female was diagnosed with kidney failure, the park’s director told AFP on Monday. Huan Huan and her partner Yuan Zi arrived at the Beauval Zoo in 2012 as part of China’s “panda diplomacy” programme, which sees the black-and-white… Continue reading French zoo returns poorly panda and partner to China

LONDON: Oil prices dipped on Monday as concerns over Russia and the Middle East were countered by oversupply jitters. Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, has increased oil exports under an OPEC+ agreement, state oil marketer SOMO said. It also expects September’s exports to range from 3.4 million to 3.45 million barrels per day. Brent crude oil… Continue reading Oil prices dip as Iraq increases exports amid demand concerns

GENEVA: Health facilities in the epicentre of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo are overwhelmed and essential supplies are running out, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Monday. More resources are urgently needed to contain the outbreak, the IFRC said, as supplies of clean water and… Continue reading Urgent support needed to prevent Ebola spreading in Congo, says Red Cross federation

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s government said Monday it will suspend taxes on grain exports as it seeks to woo farmers and revive the economy ahead of legislative elections. Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni said on X that these taxes will be eliminated until October 31. The tax change comes as Argentina is seeking a loan from the… Continue reading Argentina suspends tax on grain exports ahead of elections

STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s right-wing coalition promised an 80 billion crown ($8.5 billion) spending bonanza in its 2026 budget on Monday, saying rock-solid finances gave room to speed up sluggish growth ahead of a general election next September. The Nordic country’s financial health is an outlier as others in Europe, like France and Britain, face tough spending… Continue reading Sweden unveils bonanza budget to boost growth with tax cuts, military spending, before election

BERLIN: Several of Europe’s biggest airports still faced disruptions on Monday after hackers knocked out automatic check-in systems provided by Collins Aerospace, owned by RTX, affecting dozens of flights and thousands of passengers since Friday. The disruptions were caused by a cyberattack, the EU’s cybersecurity agency confirmed on Monday, highlighting the growing risks of such… Continue reading European airports work to bring check-in back to normal after cyberattack

LONDON: Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK party will make it harder for foreign nationals to move to Britain if it wins the next election, tailoring the system to higher earners with strong English to reduce overall numbers. Under the plans, which Farage revealed in the Daily Mail newspaper on Monday, Reform would replace the current… Continue reading Farage’s Reform pledges tougher UK residency rules

MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered the Philippines disaster response agency to go on full alert and mobilise all government agencies as Super Typhoon Ragasa threatened the north of the country and set off storm alerts across East and Southeast Asia. Packing winds of 215 kph (134 mph) and gusts of up to 295 kph… Continue reading Super Typhoon Ragasa barrels through northern Philippines, triggers alerts across region

OBERGOMS: Switzerland’s 5.4 km-long Gries Glacier, a focal point for research, is retreating at an alarming pace as climate change accelerates an unprecedented ice melt across the country, the Swiss glacier monitoring service said. “This is a dying glacier,“ said Matthias Huss, Director of Glacier Monitoring Switzerland (GLAMOS), noting the depth of the ice reduced… Continue reading Switzerland’s Gries Glacier melting at an alarming pace

HONG KONG: Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific said on Monday it expected to cancel more than 500 flights as Super Typhoon Ragasa was forecast to hit the Chinese financial hub. “Starting at 6:00 pm tomorrow, September 23, Cathay Pacific’s passenger flights arriving at and departing from Hong Kong International Airport will cease operations until resuming… Continue reading Hong Kong’s Cathay says to axe over 500 flights as typhoon nears

MANILA: The Philippines and Taiwan hunkered down Monday as Super Typhoon Ragasa delivered punishing winds and intense rainfall while lumbering east towards an eventual collision with southern China. The storm intensified further as it moved northwest and was expected to make landfall on the sparsely populated Batanes or Babuyan islands by early afternoon, the Philippine… Continue reading Super Typhoon ploughs towards Philippines, Taiwan

INDIA’S Supreme Court on Monday asked the government to respond to a plea seeking an independent investigation into the Air India plane crash on June 12 that killed 260 people. The top court was responding to a public interest litigation filed by NGO Safety Matters Foundation, marking its first examination of the probe being carried… Continue reading India top court asks for government response on plea for independent Air India crash probe

UNITED NATIONS: France and Saudi Arabia will convene dozens of world leaders on Monday to rally support for a two-state solution, with several of them expected to formally recognise a Palestinian state – a move that could draw harsh Israeli and U.S. responses. Israel and the United States will boycott the summit, said Israel’s U.N.… Continue reading World summit to meet on two-state solution as support grows for Palestinian state

MILAN: Milan Fashion Week opens with a celebration of Italian style that will honour the late Giorgio Armani while introducing new creative talents at major fashion houses. The Spring/Summer 2026 women’s collections will feature presentations from Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta throughout the week. The event carries… Continue reading Milan Fashion Week 2025 honours Armani and debuts new designers

MOSCOW: Russia and Ukraine exchanged accusations over deadly overnight strikes as tensions continued along the conflict frontlines. The Kremlin-backed leader in annexed Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, blamed Ukrainian forces for a drone attack on the resort town of Foros. Aksyonov reported three fatalities and sixteen injuries from the strike, which damaged a sanatorium and school building.… Continue reading Russia and Ukraine trade blame for deadly overnight strikes

TOKYO: Japan’s ruling party leadership contest officially commenced on Monday with five candidates competing to become the country’s next prime minister. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned on September 7 following a series of poor election results for the long-dominant Liberal Democratic Party. Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi emerge as the frontrunners according to recent opinion… Continue reading Japan ruling party leadership race begins with five candidates

KUALA LUMPUR: Palm oil is projected to trade between 4,200 ringgit and 4,500 ringgit per metric ton in the coming weeks according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Council. The forecast reflects a market caught between tight vegetable oil supply and soft demand from key importing regions. Palm oil futures on the Malaysian exchange ended morning… Continue reading Palm oil to trade between RM4,200 and RM4,500 in coming weeks

GLENDALE: Donald Trump sat beside billionaire Elon Musk during a memorial event for right-wing leader Charlie Kirk on Sunday. The US president appeared friendly with Musk, who once led Trump’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency initiative. Both men occupied seats in an Arizona stadium where thousands gathered to honour Kirk, fatally shot on September 10… Continue reading Trump and Musk reunite at memorial after public falling out

GLENDALE: Erika Kirk publicly forgave the man accused of murdering her husband, right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, during a deeply religious memorial speech on Sunday. The 36-year-old widow addressed over 60,000 attendees at a packed Arizona stadium, including US President Donald Trump. “My husband Charlie, he wanted to save young men just like the one who… Continue reading Charlie Kirk’s widow forgives alleged killer in deeply religious memorial speech

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has revealed that media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his eldest son Lachlan could be among the investors taking control of TikTok in the United States. The United States has forcefully sought to remove TikTok’s US operations from Chinese parent company ByteDance for national security reasons. Trump has repeatedly delayed the… Continue reading Trump says Murdochs interested in investing in TikTok’s US arm

UNITED NATIONS: The world’s promise of “never again” after Sudan’s Darfur genocide has proven tragically untrue according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Filippo Grandi stated in an interview that current violence in Sudan with its ethnic connotations directly mirrors atrocities committed two decades ago. Since April 2023, warfare between Sudan’s army and paramilitary… Continue reading UNHCR chief warns Sudan crisis repeats Darfur atrocities

MANILA: Hundreds of families sought refuge in schools and evacuation centres as Super Typhoon Ragasa brought heavy rains and gale-force winds to the northern Philippines and southern Taiwan. The typhoon continues to gain strength while heading toward southern China and was expected to hit the Philippines’ Babuyan Islands around midday. These sparsely populated islands are… Continue reading Evacuees shelter as super typhoon Ragasa nears Philippines and Taiwan

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed openness to future talks with the United States provided he can maintain his nuclear arsenal while recalling positive memories of former President Donald Trump. Kim referenced his three high-profile summits with Trump during the latter’s first term before negotiations collapsed in 2019 over Pyongyang’s unwillingness to… Continue reading Kim Jong Un open to US talks if allowed to keep nuclear weapons

RIO DE JANEIRO: Tens of thousands of Brazilians protested on Sunday against lawmakers seeking an amnesty that could benefit former president Jair Bolsonaro while shielding themselves from criminal charges. Bolsonaro was sentenced last week to 27 years in jail for plotting a coup, prompting the conservative-majority Congress to fast-track an amnesty bill that might include… Continue reading Brazilians protest against amnesty bill for Bolsonaro and lawmakers

PARIS: France’s renowned Pompidou Centre closes to visitors on Monday for a comprehensive five year renovation project estimated at 460 million euros. The iconic museum houses one of the world’s most significant modern art collections within its architecturally celebrated building featuring multicoloured exterior piping and exposed escalators. Designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers… Continue reading Paris Pompidou Centre closes for five year renovation costing 460 million euros