Category: World

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

BALI: Indonesia and the European Union will sign a comprehensive trade agreement on Tuesday following nearly a decade of negotiations. The deal represents a strategic response to mitigate the effects of US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies on global trade. This agreement marks the EU’s third trade partnership with Southeast Asian nations after similar deals… Continue reading Indonesia and EU sign trade deal after decade of negotiations

LONDON: Britain, Australia, Canada and Portugal have formally recognised the State of Palestine in a historic shift in Western foreign policy that has drawn swift anger from Israel. While Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip welcomed the recognition as a victory, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded furiously by vowing that a Palestinian state would… Continue reading Western powers recognise Palestinian state, drawing Israeli fury

BRASÍLIA: Thousands of Brazilians protested nationwide on Sunday against congressional moves to boost lawmakers’ immunity and push for amnesty that could include convicted former president Jair Bolsonaro. Demonstrators expressed anger at the conservative-majority Congress for prioritising self-interest over pressing social and economic issues following Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup. Chanting “No amnesty!”… Continue reading Brazilians protest bill boosting lawmakers’ immunity amid amnesty push

PARIS: More than 145 United Nations member states now recognise the State of Palestine following recent announcements from Britain, Australia, Canada and Portugal. France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Malta are expected to join this growing list during a summit on the two-state solution chaired by France and Saudi Arabia at UN headquarters in New York. The… Continue reading Over 145 countries recognise Palestine as Israel rejects statehood

SAN SEBASTIÁN: American actress Angelina Jolie stated she no longer recognises her own country while expressing deep concerns about threats to free expression. She made these remarks during a presentation of her latest film at Spain’s San Sebastián film festival on Sunday. Jolie’s comments emerge amid growing worries about free speech in the United States… Continue reading Angelina Jolie says she no longer recognises her own country

CONAKRY: Polls closed Sunday in Guinea’s constitutional referendum that could enable the military junta leader to seek presidential office while transitioning toward civilian rule. Approximately 6.7 million registered voters participated in the vote boycotted by opposition groups who denounced the process as a charade to legitimise military rule. General Mamady Doumbouya’s junta seized power in… Continue reading Guinea votes on new constitution amid junta rule and opposition boycott

TALLINN: Estonia has announced that the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting regarding Russian fighter jets violating its airspace. NATO forces intercepted three Russian MiG-31 fighters on Friday after they entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland. The Security Council will convene an emergency session Monday in response to Russia’s brazen violation… Continue reading UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Russian air incursion

GLENDALE: Tens of thousands of Americans gathered in Arizona to mourn 31-year-old conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, with President Donald Trump scheduled to lead tributes to the youth leader who was fatally shot last week. The memorial service attracted extraordinary attention and security, with top Trump administration officials in attendance and media outlets comparing the event… Continue reading Trump to address memorial for slain conservative leader Charlie Kirk

LIMA: At least 18 individuals sustained injuries during violent anti-government protests in Peru’s capital over the weekend. Authorities and independent organisations confirmed the casualties on Sunday following clashes between demonstrators and police forces. Hundreds of protesters gathered in Lima on Saturday to voice their discontent with President Dina Boluarte’s administration. The youth-led “Generation Z” collective… Continue reading 18 injured in Peru anti-government protests as police clash with demonstrators

PARIS: French politicians engaged in heated debate on Sunday regarding the appropriateness of displaying Palestinian flags outside town halls ahead of the country’s planned recognition of the State of Palestine. The government instructed town halls not to fly Palestinian flags and to remove any already displayed banners before the landmark move expected to be finalized… Continue reading French politicians clash over Palestinian flags on town halls

GENEVA: The International Committee of the Red Cross will co-host a global high-level meeting next year to uphold humanity in war amid rampant abuses of international law. In a joint statement with Brazil, China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan and South Africa, the ICRC urged states and the international community to act against widespread violations of international… Continue reading Red Cross to host 2026 global meeting on humanitarian law violations

LONDON: Britain, Canada and Australia all recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday in a move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution but which is also bound to anger Israel and its main ally, the United States. The three nations’ decision aligned them with about 140 other… Continue reading Britain, Australia and Canada recognise Palestinian state

NEW YORK: A UN international agreement to protect the high seas is to take effect after at least 60 states ratified it before Saturday’s deadline, reported German Press Agency (dpa). “This is a milestone in ending irresponsible overfishing and advancing global marine conservation,” Dr Sandra Altherr of Pro Wildlife said in a statement published by… Continue reading UN High Seas Treaty to take effect as 60 countries ratify agreement

BENGALURU: Indian aerospace engineering student Sudhanva Kashyap thought he had mapped out everything it would take to get to the United States, only to have his plans upended by Washington’s sudden and expensive change to its skilled worker visas. Friday’s changes to the prized H-1B visas, which included a new $100,000 fee, rattled the tech… Continue reading New visa rules shatter the American dream for many Indians

LONDON: Britain was set Sunday to recognise a Palestinian state with a landmark announcement due from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as several nations were poised to also up pressure on Israel over the Gaza war at upcoming UN talks. Starmer “will set out the position later on today”, his deputy David Lammy told the BBC… Continue reading UK to recognise Palestinian state ahead of UN debate

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a public address on Sunday asked citizens to stop using foreign-made products and instead use local ones, pushing for a self-reliant campaign when trade ties with the United States have soured. After U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on imported Indian goods, Modi has been… Continue reading Modi urges Indians to get rid of foreign products amid strained US ties

CAIRO: Israeli forces blew up more residential buildings in Gaza City on Sunday, killing at least 31 Palestinians and prompting many others to flee, Gazan health authorities said, as Israel’s tanks pushed further into the densely populated city. Nearly two years into the war, Israel describes Gaza City as the last bastion of Hamas and… Continue reading Israeli strikes kill 31 people in Gaza City, medics say, as tanks advance

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said Sunday it had killed a Hamas sniper in a strike the day before, but a senior Gaza doctor who is the man’s brother rejected the claim, saying his sibling was visually impaired. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital, had been working in the emergency department on Saturday when… Continue reading Israel says struck Hamas sniper, brother rejects ‘pure fabrication’

BEIJING: A group of U.S. lawmakers on a rare visit to Beijing told China’s No.2 leader, Premier Li Qiang, that the world’s two largest economies need to step up engagement and “break the ice” as both superpowers made further inroads into stabilising ties. The visit on Sunday was the first House of Representatives delegation to… Continue reading US House lawmakers make rare China visit to stabilise ties

WASHINGTON: The Trump White House is scrambling to preserve the powerful voter mobilization machine built by Charlie Kirk, whose assassination left a leadership vacuum at one of the right’s most influential political organizations, two sources familiar with the matter said. Behind the scenes, the White House has held “preliminary discussions” about Vice President JD Vance… Continue reading Trump White House scrambles to save Kirk’s young voter machine after his death

BERLIN: Some of Europe’s biggest airports, including the region’s busiest, London’s Heathrow, raced to restore normal operations on Sunday after hackers disrupted automatic check-in systems. Hackers on Saturday targeted check-in and boarding systems provider Collins Aerospace, owned by RTX, disrupting operations at Heathrow, Berlin Airport and in Brussels, where passengers faced long queues, cancellations and… Continue reading European airports race to fix check-in glitch after hacking disruption

GLENDALE: US President Donald Trump and top officials in his administration will lead tributes to Charlie Kirk on Sunday at a stadium gathering in Arizona, after the influential conservative activist was gunned down last week. Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck on September 10 while speaking at a Utah university as part of… Continue reading Trump to lead tributes at memorial for US conservative leader Kirk

ELSBETHEN: Three rebel nuns in their 80s have taken back their Austrian convent after fleeing from their care home, with supporters flocking to the nunnery Saturday in a show of solidarity. Sisters Rita, 81, Regina, 86, and Bernadette, 88, have graced international headlines following their flight earlier this month from the care home the Catholic… Continue reading ‘Finally back home’: Rebel octogenarian nuns reclaim Austrian convent

DEDURU OYA: Sri Lanka urged people on Saturday to catch and cook invasive fish species, including the giant snakehead and piranhas, that threaten fragile freshwater ecosystems and are now banned. The Fisheries Ministry launched a nationwide campaign by hosting a fishing competition at a reservoir in central Kurunegala district, where more than 1,000 anglers were… Continue reading Sri Lanka tries to hook anglers on invasive fish species

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said two projectiles were launched from northern Gaza on Sunday, one of which was intercepted while the other landed in southern Israel. “Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in the areas of Lakhish and Ashdod, two projectiles were launched from the northern Gaza Strip,“ the military said. It… Continue reading Israel army says two projectiles fired from Gaza, intercepts one

ISTANBUL: An armed man has been arrested at State Farm Stadium in Arizona for allegedly impersonating a police officer ahead of a memorial event for conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Joshua Runkles, 42, was taken into custody by the Arizona Department of Public Safety and charged with carrying a weapon into a prohibited place and impersonating… Continue reading Armed man arrested at US stadium for impersonating police before memorial

SAN FRANCISCO: Panic and confusion spread among H-1B visa holders from India and China as they scrambled to return to the United States following President Donald Trump’s new immigration order imposing visa fees. Tech companies and banks sent urgent memos advising employees abroad to return before the Sunday deadline and to avoid leaving the country… Continue reading H-1B visa holders race back to US amid Trump order confusion

KUALA LUMPUR: Rampasan dadah bernilai hampir RM600 juta, kebanyakannya jenis ekstasi, daripada beberapa makmal pemprosesan di Lembah Klang harus menjadi peringatan kepada negara, kata Pengerusi Alliance for a Safe Community Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. Beliau berkata pengumuman terbaharu oleh Ketua Polis Negara, Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, menekankan betapa seriusnya ancaman dadah, dengan jumlah… Continue reading Rampasan dadah RM600 juta peringatan untuk tindakan segera – Lee

BEIJING: Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan has been sentenced to an additional four years in prison after documenting the early phases of the COVID-19 outbreak from Wuhan. Reporters Without Borders announced on Saturday that the 42-year-old received the sentence on Friday under China’s “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” charge. This marks the same charge that led… Continue reading Chinese COVID whistleblower Zhang Zhan sentenced to four more years in jail

DAMASCUS: Saudi Arabia is deploying substantial financial aid and strategic investments to expand its influence within Syria following the overthrow of long-time president Bashar al-Assad. The kingdom has provided millions of dollars in assistance alongside major investment pledges aimed at drawing Syria into its political orbit. Syria served as a battleground for external powers throughout… Continue reading Saudi Arabia expands influence in Syria with aid and investment pledges

AJMER: Stepping through the gates of India’s Mayo College feels like journeying back 150 years to an era of royal grandeur and tradition. This historic institution originally reserved for princes now educates a new generation of elite students from diverse backgrounds. The school’s rich history began in 1875 when the first student arrived with immense… Continue reading India’s Mayo College educates new elite with royal heritage and modern vision

QUITO: Ecuador’s constitutional court has suspended a presidential decree seeking to establish a special body for toughening laws against drug trafficking and organised crime. The suspension remains effective while the court evaluates five claims of unconstitutionality against the proposed measure. This decision deepens the ongoing crisis between President Daniel Noboa and the judiciary, which has… Continue reading Ecuador court suspends president’s decree for new constitution

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has publicly urged his Justice Department to take legal action against his political opponents in an extraordinary break from traditional independence. In a social media post addressing Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump expressed frustration over the lack of charges against California Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James.… Continue reading Trump urges Justice Department to charge political enemies in public call

LONDON: Britain and Portugal are expected to formally recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday ahead of a key week at the United Nations General Assembly. A growing number of longtime Israeli allies have shifted their positions in recent months as Israel intensified its Gaza offensive following Hamas’s unprecedented 2023 attack. The besieged Palestinian territory has… Continue reading UK and Portugal to recognise Palestinian state ahead of UN debate

MANILA: Thousands of Filipinos gathered in Manila to protest against a massive corruption scandal involving fraudulent flood-control projects that allegedly cost taxpayers billions of dollars. Public anger has been mounting across the Southeast Asian nation since President Ferdinand Marcos highlighted the issue during his July state of the nation address following weeks of deadly flooding.… Continue reading Thousands protest in Manila over Philippines flood control corruption scandal

HOUSTON: Martina Grifaldo begins each day by posting a special safety message on Facebook for her immigrant community in Spanish. She writes “May everyone who goes out today make it home safely” to her 171,000 followers as a precautionary measure. Grifaldo manages the page alongside fellow activist Francisco Mendoza to warn migrants about possible immigration… Continue reading Texas migrants use social media to warn of ICE raids and avoid arrests

NEW YORK: The Statue of Liberty makes a cameo in the Metropolitan Opera’s season opener, invoking a time when New York stood as a beacon of hope for Jews desperately fleeing Nazism. The image from “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” — which kicks off the Met’s 2025-26 cycle on Sunday — resonates at… Continue reading Met Opera’s new superhero production tackles fascism and immigration

CARACAS: Venezuela organised military training for civilians on Saturday in response to US naval deployments near its coast and new threats from President Donald Trump. The training occurred nearly a month after Washington positioned warships in international waters off Venezuela alongside F-35 fighters in Puerto Rico for anti-drug and anti-terrorism operations. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir… Continue reading Venezuela trains civilians for military defence amid US threats