Category: World

GURDASPUR: Record monsoon rains have devastated India’s agricultural heartland of Punjab, leaving fields filled with rotting crops and the air thick with the stench of decay. Floods have swallowed farmlands nearly equivalent to the combined size of London and New York City in this region often called the country’s granary. India’s agriculture minister confirmed during… Continue reading Punjab floods devastate India’s breadbasket with record monsoon damage

LONDON: Britain is providing a supersized royal welcome for Donald Trump’s unprecedented second state visit on Wednesday. King Charles III will greet the US president who has previously compared himself to a monarch during the elaborate ceremonies. The visit includes a carriage ride with the king, a joint military flypast, and a lavish state dinner… Continue reading Britain rolls out royal red carpet for Trump’s second state visit

KABUL: Cosmetic surgery clinics in Afghanistan’s capital offer a stark contrast to the austerity of Taliban rule with their fake crystal chandeliers and velvet sofas. Despite the country’s strict theocratic governance and widespread poverty, approximately 20 clinics in Kabul have prospered since the end of decades of conflict. Foreign doctors primarily from Turkey travel to… Continue reading Botox and cosmetic surgery thrive in Afghanistan under Taliban rule

LONDON: Four individuals were arrested on Tuesday following an unauthorised projection of images featuring Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle. The incident occurred as the US president arrived in Britain for his second state visit, during which he is scheduled to be hosted by King Charles at the royal residence.… Continue reading Four arrested after Trump Epstein images projected onto Windsor Castle

SEOUL: The leader of the Unification Church, Han Hak-ja, appeared for questioning by prosecutors on Wednesday over alleged involvement in bribing the wife of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Han declined to answer questions from reporters about the allegations as she arrived at the office of the special prosecutor. She stated she had… Continue reading Unification Church leader questioned in ex-South Korea first lady probe

WASHINGTON: Labor unions, faculty, and students from the University of California system have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration over the freezing of federal funds and other actions they claim aim to stifle academic freedom. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and seeks to… Continue reading University of California system sues Trump administration over funding freeze

TOKYO: Japan has decided against recognising a Palestinian state at this time to preserve its relationship with the United States and prevent further Israeli opposition. The Asahi newspaper reported this development on Wednesday, citing unidentified government sources within the Japanese administration. Several Western nations including Britain, France, Canada and Australia have announced plans to recognise… Continue reading Japan delays Palestinian state recognition to maintain US ties

BRUSSELS: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed discussing enhanced economic pressure on Russia with US President Donald Trump during a Tuesday phone call. Von der Leyen stated they explored strengthening joint efforts through additional measures against Russia concerning the Ukraine conflict. The EU executive will soon propose a nineteenth sanctions package targeting Russia… Continue reading EU and US discuss increasing economic pressure on Russia over Ukraine

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has extended the enforcement delay against TikTok until December 16, marking the fourth postponement of legislation designed to force the app’s sale from its Chinese owner. The executive order announcement followed Trump’s earlier statement to reporters that the United States and China had reached a deal regarding TikTok’s US business ownership… Continue reading Trump extends US TikTok ban delay to mid-December amid deal talks

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Tuesday that last week’s strike against Hamas officials in Qatar was entirely justified due to the Gulf state’s connections with the militant group. Netanyahu stated during a press conference that Qatar actively supports Hamas through funding and providing sanctuary while possessing significant influence it chooses not to exercise.… Continue reading Netanyahu defends Qatar strike citing Hamas funding and support

GAZA CITY: Israel launched its long-anticipated ground offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, targeting Hamas militants and prompting widespread international alarm. A United Nations commission accused Israel of committing genocide in the Palestinian territory, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials had incited the crime. The Israeli military unleashed a massive bombardment of… Continue reading Israel launches ground assault on Gaza City amid UN genocide accusations

MUMBAI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received birthday congratulations from US President Donald Trump alongside praise for his efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump described their telephone conversation as wonderful and thanked Modi for his support on ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Modi responded by thanking Trump for his greetings and… Continue reading Modi and Trump discuss Ukraine peace amid ongoing trade tensions

ASUNCION: Argentina’s President Javier Milei honoured assassinated US activist Charlie Kirk during a South American conservative conference on Tuesday. Milei urged right-wing supporters to persevere in their ideological struggle during the Conservative Political Action Conference’s inaugural Paraguay gathering. “I want to start by remembering Charlie Kirk, one of the best promoters of the ideas of… Continue reading Milei praises slain US activist Kirk at Paraguay rightwing conference

NEW YORK: United States auto safety officials have launched an investigation into the 2021 Tesla Model Y following multiple reports of parents being unable to open vehicle doors from the outside. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received nine complaints specifically involving situations where a child was trapped inside the back seats of the electric… Continue reading US probes Tesla Model Y over child entrapment risk from door locks

BRASÍLIA: Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was urgently hospitalised under police guard after falling ill while under house arrest on Tuesday. His son Flavio Bolsonaro reported the 70-year-old experienced a severe bout of hiccups, vomiting, and low blood pressure. Flavio described the situation as an emergency and asked everyone to pray that it is nothing… Continue reading Brazil’s Bolsonaro hospitalised with severe hiccups and low blood pressure

WASHINGTON: The Georgia Supreme Court has declined to hear District Attorney Fani Willis’ appeal against her removal from the election interference case against former President Donald Trump. This decision effectively ends any possibility of the case proceeding to trial before the November 2024 presidential election. A Georgia appeals court had previously disqualified Willis in December… Continue reading Georgia court rejects appeal to reinstate Trump election case prosecutor

LONDON: US President Donald Trump has arrived in Britain for an unprecedented second state visit, receiving a royal red carpet welcome from the UK government. The 79-year-old Republican leader expressed his affection for the country upon arrival with First Lady Melania Trump at Stansted Airport near London. King Charles III will host President Trump at… Continue reading Trump arrives in UK for historic second state visit with royal welcome

WINDSOR: The historic town of Windsor is preparing for a return to the global spotlight as it hosts United States President Donald Trump on an official state visit. Security measures are extensive throughout the area, with police patrols and mounted officers visible on the cobbled streets. Local residents are experiencing both disruption and potential economic… Continue reading Windsor prepares for Trump state visit with security and protests

WASHINGTON: A research paper on domestic terrorism detailing far-right extremist violence in the United States has been removed from the Justice Department’s website. The National Institute of Justice research summary concluded that far-right extremists have committed more ideologically motivated homicides than far-left or radical Islamist extremists since 1990. This finding contradicts comments made by top… Continue reading US Justice Department removes extremism research paper from website

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced that the Republican Party will hold a convention ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a rare move outside the typical four-year presidential cycle. The Democratic opposition is also reportedly considering holding its own midterm convention according to several US media outlets. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that the… Continue reading Trump announces rare Republican midterm convention for 2026

WINDSOR: Protesters projected images linking Donald Trump to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle hours before the US president’s arrival for his state visit. The activist group Led by Donkeys displayed a video montage featuring Trump’s mugshot and footage of him with Epstein on one of the castle’s towers west of London. Thames… Continue reading Protesters project Epstein video at Windsor Castle before Trump UK visit

LONDON: US technology companies have pledged investments totalling $42 billion in Britain’s artificial intelligence sector during President Donald Trump’s state visit. The UK and US governments simultaneously announced a “Tech Prosperity Deal” involving cooperation on nuclear and space technology development. Microsoft committed $30 billion over four years in its largest ever UK investment, with half… Continue reading US tech giants pledge $42 billion investment in UK AI during Trump visit

LOS ANGELES: A Los Angeles judge has rejected the Menendez brothers’ request for a new trial in their high-profile parents’ murder case. Lyle and Erik Menendez have spent over thirty years in prison for shooting their parents at the family’s Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. Judge William C. Ryan ruled that newly presented evidence did… Continue reading Menendez brothers denied new trial in parents’ murder case

UNITED NATIONS: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is proposing a 15% cut to the UN’s regular budget for 2026 as the organisation grapples with severe liquidity problems exacerbated by US policies. A senior United Nations official confirmed the revised budget would be $3.238 billion, resulting in the elimination of 2,681 positions across the organisation. Guterres had initially… Continue reading UN chief proposes 15% budget cut in 2026 to address liquidity crisis

MISSOULA: A group of young Americans testified that President Donald Trump’s fossil fuel policies are violating their fundamental constitutional rights through climate change impacts. The plaintiffs described smoke-choked air filling their lungs, floods threatening their homes, and debilitating heat as direct consequences of government actions promoting fossil fuels. Lighthiser v Trump represents a growing global… Continue reading US youths sue Trump over climate change impacts on health and rights

PROVO: The suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk appeared in court Tuesday charged with the conservative activist’s murder as prosecutors announced they were seeking the death penalty. Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump and founder of student activism group Turning Point USA, was shot dead last week during an event on a… Continue reading Kirk murder suspect faces death penalty in polarising US case

PROVO: The suspect in the murder of prominent US conservative political activist Charlie Kirk will face charges in a Utah court on Tuesday. Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead last week during a speaking event on a Utah university campus. He founded the influential conservative youth political group Turning Point… Continue reading Suspect in Charlie Kirk murder to face charges in Utah court

LONDON: The first individuals charged with supporting Palestine Action since its UK government ban appeared in London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Hundreds have been arrested at protests accused of showing support for the pro-Palestinian organisation since its July proscription as a terrorist group. The trio appearing in court, two in their seventies, were greeted… Continue reading UK protesters plead not guilty to supporting banned Palestine Action group

GENEVA: The United Nations human rights chief has condemned Israel’s ground assault on Gaza City as utterly unacceptable. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk demanded an immediate end to what he described as carnage in the Palestinian territory. He warned of growing evidence pointing towards genocide during the ongoing military operations. “It… Continue reading UN rights chief condemns Gaza assault as unacceptable carnage

NAIROBI: South Sudanese government officials have stolen billions of dollars in oil revenues since the country gained independence in 2011 according to a United Nations report published on Tuesday. The government received oil inflows worth $25.2 billion during this period yet hardly any money reaches essential services like health and education in one of the… Continue reading UN report reveals billions stolen in South Sudan corruption since 2011

LONDON: Queen Camilla has withdrawn from attending the Duchess of Kent’s funeral to recover from acute sinusitis. Buckingham Palace announced the queen’s absence just hours before US President Donald Trump was to arrive on a state visit. The 78-year-old monarch is scheduled to accompany King Charles III for a busy programme of royal events during… Continue reading Queen Camilla misses royal funeral due to acute sinusitis illness

BRUSSELS: The European Union has issued a strong warning about Israel’s ground assault on Gaza City, stating it will increase death and destruction while worsening the territory’s already catastrophic humanitarian situation. EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni confirmed the bloc’s consistent urging for Israel not to intensify its operation in the Palestinian territory. He stated that… Continue reading EU warns Israel’s Gaza City assault will worsen humanitarian catastrophe

BEIJING: China has formally urged the United States and Japan to withdraw the newly deployed Typhon missile system following its unveiling during joint military exercises. The missile system appeared in Japan for the first time during the ongoing “Resolute Dragon” military drills that began on Thursday and will continue until September 25. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces… Continue reading China urges US and Japan to withdraw Typhon missile system deployment

MADRID: Spain will boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates according to public broadcaster RTVE, which selects the country’s entry for the event. Spain becomes the first major funding nation among the “big five” countries to threaten withdrawal from the competition over Israel’s participation. The European Broadcasting Union will decide whether Israeli public… Continue reading Spain threatens Eurovision boycott if Israel participates in 2026 contest