Category: World

BEIJING: China has granted visa-free access to citizens of 75 countries as part of its efforts to simplify entry procedures and promote international travel, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA). Wang Zhizhong, head of the NIA, stated that the number of countries eligible for visa-free transit to China has risen to 55 under the… Continue reading China expands visa-free access to 75 countries to boost tourism

ISTANBUL: France will airdrop 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip starting Friday, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed. The operation, coordinated with Jordan, involves four flights carrying 10 tonnes of food each. Barrot, speaking to French broadcaster BFM TV, acknowledged that airdrops are “useful” but “not sufficient.” He highlighted that 52 metric tonnes… Continue reading France to airdrop 40 tonnes of aid to Gaza amid blockade

BANGKOK: Thailand has accused Cambodia of a “flagrant violation” of their ceasefire agreement after Cambodian forces allegedly launched an overnight attack near the disputed border. The truce, which began on Tuesday, was meant to halt five days of deadly clashes that left at least 43 dead on both sides. Thailand’s foreign ministry stated that its… Continue reading Thailand accuses Cambodia of ceasefire violation amid border clashes

DHAKA: Bangladesh has recorded more than 20,000 dengue cases this year, with 79 fatalities reported so far, according to the Ministry of Health. The latest data shows a sharp rise in infections, with over 10,000 cases reported in July alone. A total of 393 new cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours, along with… Continue reading Dengue cases surge in Bangladesh with 20,000 infections and 79 deaths

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei’s largest bank, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), has issued a warning over a surge in SMS phishing scams targeting customers. The fraudulent messages mimic official bank communications to steal sensitive data such as passwords, account details, and one-time passwords. In a press release, BIBD clarified that it never requests confidential information… Continue reading Brunei bank warns public about rising SMS phishing scams

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has called for urgent food aid to civilians in Gaza, highlighting the dire situation faced by children in the region. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasized the severity of the crisis, stating, “Whether they talk starvation or not, those are kids that are starving.” The president expressed… Continue reading Trump urges more aid for starving Gaza children, calls situation terrible

NEW YORK: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced in a memo that the league’s New York office will remain closed until at least August 8 following a deadly shooting at their headquarters. The incident occurred on Monday when a gunman, identified by police as Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, opened fire in the high-rise building, killing… Continue reading NFL NYC office closed until Aug 8 after shooting, says Goodell

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, Emil Bove, was confirmed as a federal appellate judge in a narrow 50-49 Senate vote on Tuesday. The Republican-led chamber approved Bove’s lifetime appointment to the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals despite strong Democratic opposition. Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of… Continue reading Trump’s ex-lawyer confirmed as US judge in partisan Senate vote

TOKYO: The first tsunami from a huge earthquake off Russia’s far east that sparked warnings around the Pacific was observed in northern Japan, measuring around 30 centimetres (one foot), broadcaster NHK reported. The wave hit the main northern island of Hokkaido, with NHK warning that subsequent waves could be much higher. Japan’s weather agency said… Continue reading First tsunami of 30 cm (1 foot) observed in Japan: NHK

JERUSALEM: Israel should reoccupy Gaza rather than negotiate with Hamas, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Tuesday at an event marking the 20th anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal of settlers from the Palestinian territory. “Gaza is an integral part of Israel. How to move on to a tangible plan (for resettlement)? We need to need think about… Continue reading Far-right minister says Israel should reoccupy Gaza

SURIN, THAILAND: A shaky ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia remained largely intact on Tuesday, despite initial reports of violations. Military commanders from both sides held scheduled meetings along the border, even as Thailand accused Cambodian forces of launching attacks in disputed zones. The truce, brokered during peace talks in Malaysia, took effect at midnight Monday… Continue reading Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire holds despite early tensions

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND: Behind a car repair business on a nondescript Thai street are the cherished pets of a rising TikTok animal influencer: two lions and a 200-kilogram lion-tiger hybrid called “Big George.” Lion ownership is legal in Thailand, and Tharnuwarht Plengkemratch is an enthusiastic advocate, posting updates on his feline companions to nearly three… Continue reading ‘Absolute madness’: Thailand’s pet lion problem

BALMEDIE: US President Donald Trump officially opened his new golf course in Scotland on Tuesday, capping a five-day trip that included high-stakes diplomacy and business dealings. The event, marked by bagpipes and fireworks, saw Trump praising the transformation of the coastal landscape while reaffirming his global agenda. “We started with a beautiful piece of land,… Continue reading Trump opens Scottish golf course amid global diplomacy push

JOHANNESBURG: US President Donald Trump has indicated he will likely skip the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, repeating controversial claims about the country’s policies. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, “No, I think maybe I’ll send somebody else, because I’ve had a lot of problems with South Africa.” The president cited concerns over… Continue reading Trump likely to skip G20 summit in South Africa over land policy concerns

KYIV: Russian strikes killed at least 25 people in Ukraine on Tuesday, including a pregnant woman and inmates at a prison, as US President Donald Trump shortened his deadline for Moscow to end its invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately targeting a prison in the Zaporizhzhia region, killing 16 and injuring dozens.… Continue reading Russia strikes kill 25 in Ukraine as Trump tightens Moscow deadline

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE: US President Donald Trump disclosed that his falling out with Jeffrey Epstein stemmed from the financier poaching staff from the Mar-a-Lago spa, including Virginia Giuffre, who later accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault. Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, said Epstein repeatedly hired away spa employees despite warnings. “People… Continue reading Trump reveals Epstein fallout over Mar-a-Lago spa staff poaching

NEW YORK: An American Eagle advertising campaign featuring actor Sydney Sweeney has ignited fierce online debate, with critics accusing it of promoting racial undertones while supporters applaud its rejection of “woke” politics. The campaign’s tagline, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,“ alongside the actor’s blue eyes and blonde hair, has drawn accusations of racial insensitivity. In… Continue reading Sydney Sweeney American Eagle jeans ad sparks online debate

STOCKHOLM: US and Chinese officials concluded two days of trade talks in Stockholm with an agreement to pursue an extension of their 90-day tariff truce, though no major breakthroughs were announced. The discussions, described as constructive by both sides, aimed to ease escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. US Treasury Secretary Scott… Continue reading US-China tariff truce holds as Trump weighs extension

UNITED NATIONS/LONDON: Britain has warned Israel it may formally recognise a Palestinian state in September unless immediate steps are taken to alleviate suffering in Gaza, where starvation is spreading. The announcement follows a hunger monitor’s warning that famine thresholds have been reached, with over 60,000 Palestinians confirmed dead in Israel’s offensive. British Prime Minister Keir… Continue reading Britain warns Israel over Palestinian state recognition amid Gaza crisis

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 40%, marking the lowest point of his second term, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. The survey, conducted over three days and ending on Monday, revealed growing concerns among Americans about his economic and immigration policies. The poll, which included responses from 1,023 adults nationwide, has… Continue reading Trump approval rating hits record low at 40% in latest poll

NEW YORK: The gunman who killed four people in a Manhattan skyscraper carried a note blaming the National Football League (NFL) for a degenerative brain disease he claimed to have, Mayor Eric Adams said. The shooter, identified as Shane Tamura, 27, opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle before taking his own life. Tamura, a former… Continue reading NYC shooter blamed NFL for CTE brain disease in deadly rampage

MANHATTAN: The New York police officer and security guard killed in a mass shooting inside a Manhattan skyscraper on Monday are being remembered as heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect others. Officer Didarul Islam, 36, and Aland Etienne, a security guard, were among four victims fatally shot before the gunman took his own life.… Continue reading New York officer and security guard killed in Manhattan shooting hailed as heroes

WASHINGTON: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) failed to take action despite dozens of near-miss incidents before a fatal January crash involving an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Tuesday. “The mistake was that this was not unforeseen. We had 84… Continue reading FAA failed to act before fatal helicopter crash, US transport chief says

WASHINGTON: The women-only dating advice app Tea has temporarily disabled its direct messaging feature after multiple security breaches exposed users’ personal information and private conversations. The company announced the suspension on TikTok, citing an “abundance of caution” following the discovery of the vulnerabilities. The decision comes after tech publication 404media reported last week that Tea… Continue reading Tea dating app suspends messaging after security breaches expose user data

OTTAWA: Australia has ended its 22-year ban on Canadian beef and beef products, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced. The move brings relief to farmers but is unlikely to drive significant new exports due to market conditions. Australia first restricted Canadian beef imports in 2003 after Canada reported its first domestic case of mad cow… Continue reading Australia reopens market for Canadian beef after 22-year ban

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: Cameras at 345 Park Avenue flagged an approaching gunman on Monday as a potential threat that required immediate attention, seconds before he burst into the office skyscraper’s lobby and began firing, according to two former federal officials familiar with New York building security systems. A still frame of CCTV footage obtained by Reuters… Continue reading New York gunman was flagged by security camera system before attack, sources say

SYDNEY: Australia said on Wednesday it will include Alphabet-owned YouTube in its world-first ban on social media for teenagers, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the video-sharing platform. Australia’s internet watchdog last month urged the government to overturn the proposed exemption for YouTube after its research found 37% of children aged 10 to 15 reported… Continue reading Australia adds YouTube to social media ban for children

NEW YORK: Investment firm Blackstone Inc confirmed on Tuesday that senior executive Wesley LePatner was among those killed in a shooting at its Manhattan office building. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at 345 Park Avenue, where Blackstone has its New York headquarters. “We are heartbroken to share that our colleague, Wesley LePatner, was among… Continue reading Blackstone executive killed in Manhattan shooting, firm confirms

FRANKFURT: A Syrian national accused of supporting the Islamic State group has been formally charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a Spanish tourist at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial earlier this year. The 19-year-old suspect, partially identified as Wassim Al M., reportedly targeted the 30-year-old victim at the memorial site in February. Federal prosecutors stated the… Continue reading Syrian man charged for Berlin Holocaust memorial stabbing attack

LONDON: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has summoned ministers back from recess for emergency discussions on a proposed Gaza peace initiative that may lead to Britain recognising Palestinian statehood. The move follows Starmer’s recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Scotland, where the plan was reportedly shared. Trump confirmed US involvement in establishing food… Continue reading UK PM Starmer convenes urgent Gaza peace talks with ministers

GENEVA: The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) has drawn stark parallels between the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and some of the worst famines of the 20th century, including those in Ethiopia and Biafra. “This is unlike anything we have seen in this century,“ said WFP emergency director Ross Smith during a press briefing in Geneva.… Continue reading Gaza crisis echoes Ethiopia, Biafra famines warns UN

TOKYO: The removal of hundreds of tonnes of radioactive debris from Japan’s tsunami-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant has been postponed until at least 2037, operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) announced. Around 880 tonnes of hazardous material remain inside the facility, which suffered one of history’s worst nuclear disasters following a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in… Continue reading Fukushima radioactive debris removal delayed until 2037

AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands has barred two Israeli ministers from entering the country, accusing them of inciting violence and advocating ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir were declared persona non grata following their inflammatory remarks. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stated, “They repeatedly incited settler violence against Palestinians,… Continue reading Netherlands bans Israeli ministers over Gaza violence incitement

PARIS: French prosecutors have raised alarms over a growing trend of teenage boys allegedly plotting terror attacks, with many influenced by violent videos consumed online. Cases range from a 14-year-old planning to bomb an Israeli embassy to a 16-year-old convicted of plotting attacks on far-right bars. The National Anti-Terror Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) noted a sharp… Continue reading Violent videos fuel terror plots among French teens, prosecutors warn

MIYUN: Villagers in northern China waded through muddy waters under a scorching July sun, salvaging belongings swept away by catastrophic floods that have killed dozens and displaced thousands. The mountainous Miyun district, just outside Beijing, was among the worst-hit areas, with over 100 villages losing power and 80,000 residents forced to evacuate. In Taishitun, a… Continue reading China floods devastate villages as residents face once-in-a-century disaster