Category: World

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump said he was surprised that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was convicted by a Supreme Court majority on Thursday of plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election. Trump has previously called the case against Bolsonaro a “witch hunt” and slammed Brazil with tariff hikes, sanctions… Continue reading Trump says he was surprised about Bolsonaro’s conviction in Brazil

BRASÍLIA: Brazil’s Supreme Court on Thursday sentenced firebrand ex-president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for coup plotting at the end of a landmark trial that divided the nation and drew US fury. The sentence could see the 70-year-old far-right leader spend the rest of his days in jail. Judges voted 4-1 to convict… Continue reading Brazil’s Bolsonaro given 27-year term for coup plotting

NEW YORK: New York marked the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives and fundamentally changed the United States. Memorial ceremonies took place at Ground Zero in Manhattan where the World Trade Center’s twin towers were destroyed in coordinated terrorist attacks. The attacks also included a jetliner crashing into the… Continue reading New York marks 24th anniversary of 9/11 attacks amid political tensions

VILNIUS: Belarus has released 52 political prisoners in a significant development involving international diplomatic efforts. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda confirmed the prisoners’ safe crossing into Lithuania on Thursday, acknowledging United States involvement in securing their release. The released individuals include six Lithuanian citizens alongside nationals from Latvia, Poland, Germany, France and Britain according to Belarusian… Continue reading Belarus releases 52 political prisoners following US diplomatic intervention

STRASBOURG: European Union lawmakers have called for sanctions against two Israeli ministers and trade restrictions over the Gaza conflict. The European Parliament endorsed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to sanction Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Lawmakers also backed suspending EU bilateral support to Israel and… Continue reading EU lawmakers back sanctions on Israeli ministers over Gaza conflict

BEIRUT: An Israeli drone strike has killed one person in southern Lebanon despite an existing ceasefire agreement with militant group Hezbollah. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed that an Israeli enemy drone targeted a motorcycle on the Ain Baal-Bazuriyeh road in south Lebanon’s Tyre district on Thursday. This marks the latest in a series of Israeli… Continue reading Israeli strike kills one in south Lebanon despite ceasefire agreement

KYIV: Finnish President Alexander Stubb has accused Hungary and Slovakia of funding Russia’s military operations through their continued purchase of Russian oil and gas. Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Stubb delivered one of his strongest criticisms yet against fellow European Union members. Stubb stated that recent Russian drone incursions into Poland demonstrated… Continue reading Finland’s Stubb accuses Hungary and Slovakia of funding Russian war machine

COPENHAGEN: Two South Korean tourists and one Mexican tourist have gone missing within a day of each other near a waterfall in the Faroe Islands. Local police confirmed that extensive searches on both land and sea have failed to locate the missing individuals. South Korean nationals Soo Jung Park and Soo Yeon Park were last… Continue reading South Korean and Mexican tourists missing near Faroe Islands waterfall

BERLIN: German authorities have launched an investigation into far-right politician Maximilian Krah over suspected bribery from Chinese sources. The 48-year-old Alternative for Germany party member had his parliamentary immunity lifted on Thursday following corruption allegations. Krah strongly denied the accusations of money laundering and bribery, calling them politically motivated fabrications. He described the subsequent search… Continue reading German far-right MP investigated for alleged bribery from Chinese sources

PARIS: More than 100 international media groups and industry bodies urged Washington on Thursday not to reduce the time foreign journalists can stay in the United States. President Donald Trump’s plan would reduce the quantity and quality of coverage coming from the US and damage America’s global standing according to AFP and 117 other signatories.… Continue reading Media groups urge US not to cut journalist visas, warn of global image damage

DAMASCUS: Syrian authorities have dismantled a militant cell with links to Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The interior ministry confirmed on Thursday that specialised units working with general intelligence services arrested the cell operating in the Damascus countryside. Preliminary investigations revealed that cell members received military training at camps in Lebanese territory before planning operations inside… Continue reading Syria dismantles Hezbollah-linked cell planning operations in Damascus

MANILA: The Philippines has formally protested China’s proposed nature reserve plan for the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano described the reserve as a pretext for China’s eventual occupation of Philippine territory. China announced plans for a 3,523.67-hectare nature reserve to maintain ecosystem sustainability around Huangyan Island,… Continue reading Philippines protests China nature reserve plan for Scarborough Shoal

MEXICO CITY: Mexico has proposed increasing tariffs on Chinese car imports to 50% from the current 15-20% range amid pressure from the United States. The Mexican government submitted the bill to Congress to prevent China from using Mexico as a back door for goods entering the US market. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged… Continue reading Mexico proposes 50% tariff on Chinese cars amid US pressure and trade concerns

FRANKFURT: A Belgian music festival has cancelled a German orchestra’s performance due to concerns about its Israeli conductor, prompting strong reactions from German officials. The Flanders Festival Ghent cancelled the Munich Philharmonic’s scheduled September 18 performance led by Israeli conductor Lahav Shani, who is set to become the orchestra’s chief conductor for the 2026/27 season.… Continue reading Belgian festival cancels German orchestra over Israeli conductor

JAKARTA: Flash floods across Indonesia’s Bali and Flores islands have claimed 19 lives with five people still missing as rescue operations continue. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Abdul Muhari confirmed the rising death toll on Thursday, with Bali accounting for 14 fatalities and two missing persons. Torrential rainfall since Tuesday triggered devastating floods and landslides… Continue reading Indonesia flash floods death toll rises to 19 with five missing in Bali and Flores

SYDNEY: Australian police are examining over 1.4 million electronic files seized from an alleged child sex offender who worked with minors. The Sydney man, who cannot be named due to court orders, was charged in July as part of an online child abuse material investigation. National broadcaster ABC reported the accused was a childcare worker… Continue reading Australian police examine 1.4 million files in child abuse investigation

ISTANBUL: Turkish prosecutors have seized control of a major conglomerate including three television stations and ordered the arrest of ten executives on fraud charges. The operation targeted Can Holding, a 121-company conglomerate with significant energy and education assets that acquired prominent TV channels last year. Prosecutors in Istanbul’s Kucukcekmece district stated they uncovered evidence of… Continue reading Turkish prosecutors seize three TV stations in major fraud investigation

BEIJING: China’s internet regulator has imposed warnings and strict punishment on executives of popular social media platform Xiaohongshu over content violations. The Cyberspace Administration of China announced on Thursday that responsible individuals at the Instagram-like platform would face punishment for failing to fulfil content management responsibilities. The regulator criticised Xiaohongshu for hosting numerous posts hyping… Continue reading China imposes punishment on Xiaohongshu over content violations

JERUSALEM: The pipes of a medieval organ, buried for centuries and discovered near the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, are once more filling a Jerusalem monastery with ancient melodies. “This is a window into the past… we have the opportunity for the first time in modern history of listening… Continue reading Silent for 800 years, medieval organ sings again in Jerusalem

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s former chief justice Sushila Karki is the leading choice to be interim leader, a representative of the “Gen Z” protesters said Thursday, after demonstrations that ousted the veteran prime minister. Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel held “consultations with related stakeholders and held a meeting with representatives of Gen Z” on Wednesday, a… Continue reading Nepal ex-chief justice tipped to lead political transition

KARACHI: Earthquakes that flattened villages in eastern Afghanistan this month destroyed homes and livestock, the only assets owned by most families, leaving survivors with almost nothing to rebuild as aid runs thin. At least 2,200 people were killed and more than half a million affected when a powerful earthquake struck the region on the night… Continue reading With little aid, Afghanistan’s quakes spell ‘inter-generational’ crisis

KINSHASA: The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday that it is intensifying support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to curb the spread of Ebola, after the country declared an outbreak in Kasai Province, reported Xinhua. Within 48 hours of the Sept 4 declaration, the WHO airlifted 12 tonnes of supplies –… Continue reading WHO steps up support as new Ebola outbreak hits DR Congo’s Kasai province

KATHMANDU: Shaken by deadly protests that ousted its veteran prime minister and set parliament ablaze, Nepal faces the pressing question of who will step into the political void. In the short term, the army has taken charge of the nation of 30 million people since the protests escalated on Tuesday. Nepali Army chief, General Ashok… Continue reading After protests oust PM, Nepal stares into political void

TOKYO: In the week before his fatal shooting, right-wing U.S. political activist Charlie Kirk cheered the boom of conservative young men in South Korea and warned about a “globalist menace” in Tokyo on his first speaking tour of Asia. Kirk, 31, who helped amplify Republican President Donald Trump’s agenda to young voters with often inflammatory… Continue reading Days before death, Charlie Kirk debuted his conservative message in Asia

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to have solidified the status of his daughter Kim Ju Ae as his likely successor after she accompanied him on a visit to China, South Korean lawmakers said on Thursday, citing the country’s spy agency. Ju Ae stayed at the North Korean embassy and avoided the public… Continue reading North Korea leader firming up status of daughter as successor, Seoul spy agency says

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump led prominent voices in the MAGA movement Wednesday to describe right-wing activist Charlie Kirk as a “martyr” for conservative values after he was shot dead at a Utah university. Kirk “fought for liberty, democracy, justice and the American people. He’s a martyr for truth and freedom,“ the 79-year-old Republican said… Continue reading Trump, US right dub Charlie Kirk a ‘martyr’ after murder

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday that a massive US immigration raid on a Hyundai-LG battery factory site was “bewildering” and could have a chilling effect on future investment. Seoul is expecting hundreds of workers detained during last week’s raid in the US state of Georgia to be released from detention on… Continue reading S. Korea says ‘bewildering’ immigration raid could chill investment

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday that South Korean workers detained by US immigration authorities in Georgia will be released at 3 pm (Seoul time), voicing concerns that Korean firms would be hesitant about US investment due to the immigration raid, Yonhap News Agency reported. The US immigration raid on a Hyundai-LG… Continue reading President Lee says detained Korean workers in Georgia set to be released at 3 pm

WASHINGTON: What was meant to be a moment of silence in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday for the slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk erupted in shouting and finger-pointing, an episode that provided a bitter illustration of a nation divided by political acrimony. As news of Kirk’s fatal shooting at a Utah university spread,… Continue reading Death of Charlie Kirk lays bare deep US political divisions

JAKARTA: Flash floods swept two Indonesian islands, including tourist hotspot Bali, killing at least 13 people, with six others missing, the country’s disaster agency said on Wednesday. Torrential rain since late Tuesday triggered flooding across five Bali districts as well as the provincial capital city Denpasar, forcing the evacuation of nearly 200 people, National Disaster… Continue reading Deadly floods inundate Indonesia’s Bali and Flores islands

WASHINGTON: FBI Director Kash Patel said on Wednesday the person who was in custody in relation to the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has been released after being interrogated by law enforcement. “The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release… Continue reading FBI director says subject in custody for Charlie Kirk’s shooting has been released

LOS ANGELES: Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot at a US university on Wednesday, was the eloquent spokesman for a younger generation of Donald Trump’s hard-right Republican movement. The 31-year-old boasted millions of followers on social media who delighted at his whip-smart edits and provocative takedowns of hecklers and ideological challengers. Kirk’s conservative ideology was… Continue reading Charlie Kirk: Young hero of US conservatives

GENEVA: The UN’s health agency said Wednesday its workers will remain in Gaza City despite calls from Israel’s military for people to flee an assault it is mounting there. “To civilians in Gaza: WHO and partners remain in Gaza City,“ the World Health Organization said on its X account. Israel’s army is intensifying its attacks… Continue reading WHO says to remain in Gaza City despite Israel’s call to leave

MEXICO CITY: Nearly 60 people were wounded, 19 gravely, when a gas truck exploded in Mexico City on Wednesday causing widespread damage, municipal officials said. The vehicle blew up on a bridge in the populous Iztapalapa district in the capital’s east, leaving 19 people with second- and third-degree burns, civil protection official Myriam Urzua said.… Continue reading Dozens wounded in Mexico City gas truck blast

LOS ANGELES: Right-wing youth activist and influencer Charlie Kirk, a major ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead Wednesday in a “political assassination” that sparked fears of more political violence in an increasingly febrile United States. Trump confirmed on social media that Kirk, 31, had died from his injuries. “The Great, and even Legendary,… Continue reading Charlie Kirk, a major ally of Trump was killed at a university

U.S. authorities have seized 4.7 million unauthorized e-cigarettes valued at $86.5 million in the largest operation of its kind to date, the Department of Health and Human Services said on Wednesday. The seizures, led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, were part of a joint federal operation in… Continue reading US FDA, border agency seize $86.5 million worth of unauthorized e-cigarettes

LEADERS and lawmakers across the political spectrum reacted with horror to the killing of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old right-wing activist, commentator and ally of U.S. President Donald Trump who was shot on Wednesday as he spoke at an outdoor event at a Utah university. Here are some reactions to his killing: U.S. President Donald Trump… Continue reading Reactions to the fatal shooting of US right-wing activist Charlie Kirk

TUNIS: Tunisia said on Wednesday the “assault” on a ship at Sidi Bou Said port was “orchestrated,“ after the Global Sumud Flotilla, preparing to deliver aid to Gaza, reported one of its boats was attacked by a drone in the second such strike in two days. GSF is set to sail for Gaza in an… Continue reading Tunisia says ‘assault’ on Gaza aid ship was ‘orchestrated’