Category: World

MISSOULA: Young American activists expressed pride after testifying against President Donald Trump’s fossil fuel policies in a landmark climate change lawsuit. Nineteen-year-old Joseph Lee described the profound significance of participating in the legal challenge against his own federal government. The case targets three executive orders that plaintiffs argue violate their constitutional rights by promoting fossil… Continue reading Young plaintiffs challenge Trump climate agenda in landmark US court case

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised a test of new attack drones and instructed military officials to accelerate artificial intelligence development for defence applications. State media released images showing an unmanned vehicle successfully launching and destroying a designated target during the demonstration. The official Korean Central News Agency reported that the exercise… Continue reading Kim Jong Un oversees North Korean drone test, orders AI military development

WASHINGTON: The assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has ignited a fierce national debate about the limits of free speech in the United States. High-ranking Democrats accused President Donald Trump of waging war on free speech after he celebrated ABC’s suspension of talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel had accused the political right of using… Continue reading Charlie Kirk killing sparks fierce US free speech debate

NEW YORK: The annual United Nations General Assembly summit will focus heavily on the future of Palestinians and Gaza when more than 140 world leaders gather next week. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas will miss the event after Washington denied US visas to him and his officials. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza following Israel’s offensive, triggered by… Continue reading Gaza and Palestinian future to dominate UN General Assembly gathering

LONDON: Britain hosted US President Donald Trump with full ceremonial honours during his historic second state visit, combining royal pageantry with carefully managed diplomacy. Protesters numbering around 5,000 demonstrated in both London and Windsor while Trump enjoyed red-carpet treatment at Windsor Castle located 35 kilometres away. The president remained unaware of the demonstrations as he… Continue reading Trump’s UK visit highlights pomp, protests, and political diplomacy

LOS ANGELES: The widow of slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk will assume leadership of youth action campaign group Turning Point USA, officials announced Thursday. Erika Kirk addressed supporters two days after her husband was fatally shot on a university campus, allegedly by a 22-year-old gunman, vowing to continue his movement. The organization’s board unanimously elected… Continue reading Charlie Kirk’s widow to lead Turning Point USA after his death

WINDSOR: US First Lady Melania Trump and Princess Catherine of Wales participated in their first joint official engagement during the final day of President Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain. Both women appeared relaxed and smiling as they engaged with young scouts from the “Squirrels” group, aged four to six, in the picturesque Frogmore Gardens… Continue reading Melania Trump and Kate meet children in first joint public appearance

BEIRUT: Israeli forces conducted air strikes on five towns in southern Lebanon on Thursday following explicit evacuation warnings to residents. Lebanese state media and the Israeli military both confirmed the coordinated attacks targeting border communities. The National News Agency of Lebanon reported one injury in Mais al-Jabal from the strikes, which also hit Debbin, Burj… Continue reading Israel strikes five south Lebanon towns after evacuation warnings

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military intercepted a missile launched from Yemen toward Israeli territory on Thursday after air raid sirens sounded in several areas including Jerusalem. The military confirmed the interception in a statement following the activation of warning systems across multiple regions. Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels have repeatedly launched drone and missile attacks against Israel… Continue reading Israel intercepts missile from Yemen as Huthi attacks continue

CHEQUERS: Donald Trump declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin had “really let me down” during his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday. The US president made these comments on the final day of his historic state visit to the United Kingdom following royal hospitality from King Charles III at Windsor Castle. Trump… Continue reading Trump says Putin let him down during UK state visit conclusion

CHEQUERS: President Donald Trump revealed on Thursday that his administration is attempting to reclaim the Bagram airbase from Afghanistan following its abandonment before the Taliban’s 2021 takeover. Trump made the announcement during a press conference alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stating “We’re trying to get it back, by the way, that could be a… Continue reading Trump seeks to reclaim Bagram airbase from Afghanistan for US

CHEQUERS: US President Donald Trump confirmed he will speak with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Friday regarding a deal to transfer ownership of the popular video-sharing app TikTok. Trump has repeatedly delayed a ban against TikTok under legislation designed to force its sale from Chinese parent company ByteDance due to national security concerns. The president… Continue reading Trump to discuss TikTok deal with Xi Jinping on Friday

ROME: Local officials in Italy have blocked a shipment of explosives to Israel in protest against the ongoing military offensive in Gaza. The decision was taken by the city administration of Ravenna, an Adriatic port controlled by the centre-left Democratic Party which opposes Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government. Mayor Alessandro Barattoni confirmed that dock… Continue reading Italian port blocks explosives shipment to Israel over Gaza offensive

NEW YORK: A US medical panel reconfigured under presidential influence has implemented its first modification to the standard childhood immunisation schedule. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to advise against administering the combination MMRV shot to children under four years old. Panel members recommended offering separate measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox injections instead… Continue reading US panel alters childhood vaccine schedule under RFK Jr influence

UNITED NATIONS: The United States has once again exercised its veto power to block a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. This action shielded Israel from significant diplomatic pressure while the other fourteen council members supported the resolution. The resolution was initiated in August following the UN’s official declaration of… Continue reading US vetoes UN Security Council Gaza ceasefire resolution again

MEXICO CITY: Canada and Mexico intend to use next year’s review of their free trade agreement with the United States to make it fairer and more effective. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced this shared objective following his meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City. Carney stated that both leaders remain committed to… Continue reading Canada and Mexico seek fairer US trade deal in 2025 review

MADRID: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez openly acknowledged their governments’ differing positions on the Gaza conflict during Thursday’s talks in Madrid. Merz stated at a joint news conference that both nations hold “divergent views” on the situation and draw “different conclusions” regarding appropriate responses. The German chancellor reaffirmed his country’s… Continue reading Merz and Sanchez acknowledge divergent Gaza views in Madrid talks

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council will vote Friday on reimposing deep economic sanctions on Iran over its resurgent nuclear program. Britain, France and Germany allege that Iran has broken its promises under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action intended to stop Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons. Diplomatic sources expect the resolution will not… Continue reading UN Security Council votes on reimposing Iran nuclear sanctions

PARIS: Hundreds of thousands of people protested across France on Thursday over President Emmanuel Macron’s planned austerity policies, disrupting much of the country’s public life. Heeding a call from trade unions, protesters staged a day of actions that saw public transport stalled, schools closed and people taking to the streets for demonstrations marked by sporadic… Continue reading Mass protests disrupt France in nationwide day of anger against Macron

GAZA CITY: Israeli military forces intensified aerial and ground attacks across Gaza City on Thursday, triggering mass civilian displacement towards southern areas already overwhelmed by humanitarian crises. The Israeli army confirmed four soldiers died from an explosive device detonation in Rafah, underscoring the ongoing combat operations occurring simultaneously in multiple regions. Palestinian civilians described desperate… Continue reading Israel intensifies Gaza City bombardment as four soldiers killed in Rafah

WASHINGTON: American small business owners have voiced strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies during a gathering outside the Supreme Court. Travis McMaster of travel goods brand Cocoon USA shared how shifting manufacturing from China to India backfired when new tariffs hit Indian products harder. US tariffs of 50% took effect on many Indian… Continue reading US small businesses slam Trump tariffs as legal fight proceeds

WASHINGTON: US Democratic lawmakers announced plans to introduce legislation protecting free speech on Thursday. Senator Chris Murphy declared that President Donald Trump is exploiting tragedies to censor political opponents. Murphy cited the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Utah last week as a national tragedy. He stated that Trump’s administration is using this event… Continue reading US Democrats to introduce free speech protection bill against Trump

PARIS: French fashion icon Christian Louboutin has appointed Jaden Smith as chief menswear designer, a surprising decision that reignited debates about celebrity nepotism in the industry. The 27-year-old son of Will Smith will now oversee four annual men’s collections for the renowned luxury brand famous for its red-soled stilettos. Louboutin expressed confidence in Smith’s creative… Continue reading Jaden Smith named Louboutin menswear designer sparks nepotism debate

LONDON: Humanoid has unveiled the United Kingdom’s first humanoid robot designed for industrial applications, marking a significant entry into the artificial intelligence robotics sector. The startup introduced its wheeled robot, named HMND 01 Alpha, which will undergo testing in various industrial environments to identify areas for functional refinement. This testing phase will directly inform the… Continue reading UK startup Humanoid unveils first industrial humanoid robot HMND 01 Alpha

THE HAGUE: Qatar has engaged with the International Criminal Court president to explore legal action against Israel following last week’s unprecedented strike on its territory. The emirate’s chief negotiator Mohammed al-Khulaifi met Judge Tomoko Akane in The Hague to pursue every available legal and diplomatic avenue for accountability. Last week’s deadly Israeli strike targeted Qatar-based… Continue reading Qatar meets ICC head to pursue legal action against Israel strike

CHEQUERS: US President Donald Trump held talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his country residence on Thursday following a day of royal ceremonies. The discussions focused on challenging issues including trade relations, the Ukraine conflict, and the situation in Gaza after Trump described his second state visit as the “highest honour”. Starmer announced… Continue reading Trump and Starmer hold talks on trade and Ukraine after UK state visit

LA PAZ: Bolivia’s parliament has approved legislation to prohibit marriages and civil unions involving minors, aligning the nation with thirteen other Latin American countries that have already outlawed this practice. A 2014 law previously restricted marriage to adults but included an exception permitting sixteen and seventeen-year-olds to marry with parental or guardian consent. Official data… Continue reading Bolivia passes bill to end child marriages and protect minors

PARIS: A previously unknown portrait by Pablo Picasso depicting one of his lovers was unveiled at a Paris auction house on Thursday. The painting entitled “Bust of a woman with a flowery hat” portrays Dora Maar, a French photographer, painter and poet who served as Picasso’s most famous muse. Created with oil, the colourful work… Continue reading New Picasso portrait of Dora Maar unveiled at Paris auction house

PARIS: French protesters launched a nationwide day of disruption on Thursday in a major show of anger against President Emmanuel Macron’s budget policies. Mass protests erupted across the country with significant transport chaos and clashes between police and demonstrators in multiple cities. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu took office last week vowing a break from the… Continue reading France faces nationwide disruption in major anti-Macron protest

ZURICH: Swiss exports to the United States fell to their lowest level since 2020 in August when massive US tariffs came into effect. The Alpine country’s exports to the United States reached 3.1 billion Swiss francs ($3.9 billion) in August, a 22.1% drop from July. Donald Trump imposed a 39% tariff on goods from Switzerland… Continue reading Swiss exports to US drop 22% after Trump’s 39% tariff hike

DAMASCUS: Syria will finalise several security and military agreements with Israel by the end of 2025, a foreign ministry official confirmed to AFP on Thursday. This development represents a significant milestone following the removal of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad from power. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani simultaneously arrived in Washington for the first such high-level visit… Continue reading Syria to sign security deals with Israel by end of 2025, says official

GAZA CITY: Israeli tanks and warplanes intensified their bombardment of Gaza City on Thursday, creating what a top United Nations official described as new waves of mass displacement. Witnesses and AFP journalists observed a continuous stream of Palestinians fleeing south on foot, in vehicles, and on donkey carts, carrying their limited belongings. Aya Ahmed, a… Continue reading Israeli tanks and jets bombard Gaza City as mass displacement continues

JERUSALEM: An Israeli military van transporting arrested ultra-Orthodox Jewish draft evaders was attacked overnight by protesters from their community. Thousands of draft notices have been sent recently to ultra-Orthodox Jews who have traditionally enjoyed broad exemptions from mandatory military service. The army faces increasing pressure as Israel continues its devastating war against Hamas in Gaza… Continue reading Israeli army van with ultra-Orthodox draft evaders attacked

BEIJING: Chinese tech juggernaut Huawei plans to launch powerful computing setups that allow chips to connect at high speeds, an executive said Thursday, as Beijing looks to bolster domestic AI prowess and reduce reliance on Western firms. Geopolitical tensions between China and the United States have intensified technological competition between the countries, each seeking to… Continue reading Huawei unveils new computing tech as China seeks AI strength

CHINA is ending an antitrust probe into Google, as trade talks between Beijing and Washington intensify over TikTok and Nvidia amid rising tensions between the two countries, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. Google declined to comment to the FT, and did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment. China’s State Administration for Market… Continue reading China ends Google antitrust probe amid US trade talks, FT reports

LONDON: Donald Trump meets British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday for talks designed to focus the U.S. leader’s unprecedented second state visit firmly on global affairs rather than domestic political problems. After a day of pomp and ceremony in which Trump rode in a carriage with King Charles and feasted at a state banquet,… Continue reading Starmer and Trump to discuss foreign affairs, investment after pomp-filled royal welcome