Category: World

WASHINGTON: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called Monday for the Federal Reserve to conduct an “exhaustive internal review of its non-monetary policy operations,“ accusing the central bank of “significant mission creep.” In a lengthy post on X, Bessent sought to clarify remarks he made in a CNBC interview earlier in the day, in which he… Continue reading US Treasury chief calls for Fed ‘internal review’

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Justice Department on Monday released more than 240,000 pages of documents related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., including records from the FBI, which had surveilled the civil rights leader as part of an effort to discredit the Nobel Peace Prize winner and his civil rights movement. Files were posted… Continue reading Trump releases Martin Luther King assassination files

WASHINGTON/LONDON: A large-scale cyber espionage campaign targeting Microsoft SharePoint servers has compromised around 100 organizations, according to cybersecurity researchers. The attack exploits a previously unknown vulnerability, allowing hackers to infiltrate systems and potentially install backdoors for persistent access. Microsoft issued an alert on Saturday warning of “active attacks” on self-hosted SharePoint servers, though cloud-based instances… Continue reading Microsoft server hack impacts 100 organizations globally

The World Health Organization said the Israeli military attacked its staff residence and main warehouse in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah on Monday, compromising its operations in Gaza. The United Nations agency said the WHO staff residence was attacked three times, with airstrikes causing a fire and extensive damage, and endangering staff and their… Continue reading WHO reports Israeli military attack on Gaza staff residence

WASHINGTON: The new chief of the agency spearheading efforts to slash the federal workforce said on Monday he had no personal ties to tech billionaire and former Trump advisor Elon Musk, pledging to faithfully execute President Donald Trump’s agenda. “I have zero personal relationship with Elon Musk. I have talked to Elon Musk once on… Continue reading New Trump HR chief denies Elon Musk ties amid administration rift

LOUISVILLE: Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison was sentenced on Monday to 33 months in prison for violating Breonna Taylor’s rights during the raid in which she was shot and killed, after President Donald Trump’s Justice Department asked the judge to imprison him for a single day. Taylor, a Black woman, was shot and killed… Continue reading Ex-cop gets 33 months for Breonna Taylor rights violation in US

WASHINGTON: The U.S. State Department said on Monday that the Chinese government had blocked a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee visiting the Asian country in a personal capacity from leaving. “We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,“ a State Department… Continue reading US government employee blocked from leaving China amid tensions

PHNOM PENH: Laos, the Philippines, and Vietnam remain on high alert as Typhoon Wipha continues its destructive path across Southeast Asia. The storm has caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure while displacing thousands of people. The Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that approximately 800,000 people have been affected by the… Continue reading Typhoon Wipha devastates Philippines, Vietnam, Laos

SWEIDA: Syrian authorities evacuated Bedouin families from the Druze-dominated city of Sweida on Monday following a ceasefire that halted a week of sectarian violence. The clashes, which began on July 13, left more than 1,100 dead, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. An AFP correspondent witnessed buses and vehicles transporting civilians, including women… Continue reading Syria evacuates Bedouin from Sweida as ceasefire holds

MUMBAI: An Indian court acquitted 12 men on Monday who were previously convicted for the 2006 Mumbai train bombings that killed 187 people and injured over 800. The Bombay High Court overturned the 2015 verdict, citing insufficient evidence. Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak stated, “The prosecution utterly failed to establish the offence beyond reasonable… Continue reading Mumbai court acquits 12 in 2006 train blasts case

TEHRAN:** Iran has accused Britain, France, and Germany of failing to respect the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, following threats from the European nations to reimpose sanctions over Tehran’s atomic programme. The agreement, signed between Iran and the UN Security Council’s permanent members—Britain, China, France, Russia, and the US—plus Germany, imposed restrictions on Iran’s… Continue reading Iran accuses Europe of violating 2015 nuclear deal terms

BEIJING: China has confirmed an exit ban on a US bank employee involved in an ongoing criminal investigation. Wells Fargo managing director Chenyue Mao, a Shanghai-born executive based in Atlanta, is restricted from leaving the country while authorities probe the case. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated Mao is “involved in a criminal case… Continue reading US bank employee barred from leaving China in criminal case

BRUSSELS: The European Union is preparing to expand its retaliation options against the United States as hopes for a favourable trade agreement dwindle, according to EU diplomats. With negotiations faltering, Germany and other member states are pushing for the use of the bloc’s “anti-coercion” instrument, which could target US services, procurement, and financial markets. The… Continue reading EU considers wider retaliation as US tariff deal hopes fade

PARIS: Elon Musk’s social media platform X has accused French prosecutors of launching a politically motivated criminal investigation, claiming it threatens users’ free speech. The company denied all allegations and stated it would not comply with the probe. Earlier this month, Paris prosecutors escalated a preliminary investigation into X over suspected algorithmic bias and fraudulent… Continue reading X accuses French prosecutors of politically motivated free speech probe

DHAKA: At least 19 people were killed when a Bangladesh Air Force training plane crashed into a school and college campus in Dhaka on Monday, officials confirmed. More than 50 others, including children, suffered burns and were rushed to hospitals. The incident took place at Milestone School and College in Uttara, a northern district of… Continue reading Bangladesh air force plane crash kills 19 in Dhaka college campus

KYIV: Russia launched a fresh wave of drone and missile strikes on Ukraine in an overnight attack, killing one person, wounding seven others, and causing multiple fires in Kyiv, city officials said. Explosions lit up the night sky as the high-pitched whine of drone engines echoed off the walls of the capital’s high-rise buildings. Kyiv… Continue reading Russia attacks Ukraine with drones and missiles, kills one in Kyiv

QUETTA: Pakistani authorities have arrested 11 suspects following the circulation of a disturbing video showing a couple being executed in the name of “honour.” The incident occurred last month in Balochistan province after the pair married against their families’ wishes. Provincial Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed the arrests, stating that a case has been registered… Continue reading Pakistan arrests 11 in honour killing after viral video shocks nation

MOSCOW: Ukrainian drone attacks caused widespread disruption at Moscow’s major airports on Monday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded amid flight cancellations and delays. Videos shared by Russian media showed long queues and travellers sleeping on the floor at Sheremetyevo, Russia’s busiest airport. Russia’s defence ministry stated that 117 drones were intercepted overnight, including 30 over… Continue reading Ukrainian drone attacks disrupt Moscow airports, stranding thousands

GUANGDONG: Storms continued to drench southern China on Monday, raising concerns over flash floods and landslides, following Typhoon Wipha’s impact on Hong Kong. The storm system weakened upon landfall but brought heavy rainfall to Guangdong cities, including Yangjiang, Zhanjiang, and Maoming. Hong Kong faced disruptions on Sunday as strong winds toppled trees and scaffolding, forced… Continue reading Storms batter southern China after Typhoon Wipha hits

SINGAPORE: The Chinese embassy in Singapore has dismissed allegations connecting an espionage group to cyberattacks targeting the country’s critical infrastructure. In a Facebook statement, the embassy labeled the claims as “groundless smears and accusations.” “The embassy would like to reiterate that China is firmly against and cracks down all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with… Continue reading China denies ties to cyber espionage group targeting Singapore infrastructure

SEOUL: Investigators probing the deadly Jeju Air crash in December have uncovered evidence that pilots shut down the wrong engine after a bird strike, a source familiar with the inquiry revealed. The cockpit voice recorder, flight data, and physical switch positions indicate the left engine was turned off instead of the more severely damaged right… Continue reading Jeju Air crash probe reveals pilots shut wrong engine after bird strike

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to stay in power despite a crushing defeat in upper house elections, with opposition parties considering a no-confidence motion and internal dissent growing within his ruling coalition. Speaking at a press conference, Ishiba emphasized his commitment to addressing urgent economic challenges, including rising consumer prices and looming… Continue reading Japan PM Ishiba vows to stay despite election loss, tariff talks loom

THE HAGUE: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will this week issue a groundbreaking legal framework addressing climate change, defining nations’ responsibilities to curb emissions and protect vulnerable countries. The ruling, though non-binding, is expected to influence global climate litigation, policy, and international law. Experts describe the advisory opinion as the most significant legal development… Continue reading ICJ to issue historic climate ruling with global legal impact

BANGKOK: A passenger ferry carrying 280 people caught fire off the coast of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, forcing passengers to jump into the water. At least one death has been confirmed, according to reports from Sputnik and RIA Novosti. The incident occurred on Sunday when the Barcelona ferry caught fire near Talisay Island, approximately 59.5… Continue reading Passenger ferry fire off Indonesia kills one, 280 rescued

HAMBURG: A German man who accidentally left his wallet containing €10,000 (RM49,430) in a bakery had his money returned after police tracked down the person who took it, according to local authorities. The incident occurred in the village of Mönchhagen near Germany’s Baltic coast. Eyewitnesses reported seeing another man pick up the wallet after the… Continue reading German man hides €10,000 in shoe after finding wallet in bakery

SINGAPORE: Oil prices remained largely unchanged on Monday as traders evaluated the potential effects of new European sanctions on Russian oil, rising Middle Eastern supply, and economic concerns tied to global tariffs. Brent crude futures edged up 5 cents to $69.33 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 2 cents to $67.36. The… Continue reading Oil prices steady as EU sanctions on Russia and Iran talks loom

WASHINGTON: Microsoft has issued an urgent warning about active cyberattacks targeting SharePoint servers used by businesses and government agencies. The company advised immediate security updates to mitigate risks. The FBI confirmed awareness of the attacks and collaboration with federal and private-sector partners but provided no further details. Microsoft clarified that the vulnerabilities affect only on-premises… Continue reading Microsoft warns of SharePoint server attacks, urges immediate updates

PARIS: More than one million people have signed a petition urging the French government to scrap a controversial law allowing the reintroduction of acetamiprid, a pesticide banned since 2018 due to its harmful effects on bees. The petition, launched by a 23-year-old environmental health student, gained rapid support, with over 500,000 signatures added in just… Continue reading French petition hits 1mn signatures against bee-killing pesticide

LOS ANGELES: The Man of Steel continues his box office reign as “Superman” secures the top spot in North America for the second consecutive week, crossing the $400 million milestone worldwide. Industry estimates confirm the Warner Bros and DC Studios blockbuster earned $57.3 million domestically, bringing its total to $235 million in the U.S. and… Continue reading Superman dominates N. American box office again, crosses $400M

OSTEND: A sunken cargo ship off Belgium’s coast has become an unlikely sanctuary for rare flat oysters, marking a significant step in marine ecosystem restoration. The mollusc, nearly wiped out in the North Sea due to overfishing and environmental changes, is being reintroduced to revive underwater habitats. The “Belreefs” project, backed by the Belgian government… Continue reading Rare oysters reintroduced in Belgian shipwreck to boost marine life

LYON: A British woman has died following a white-water rafting accident in the French Alps, according to regional prosecutor Marion Lozac’hmeur. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon on the Guisane river near Briancon in southeastern France. The victim, born in 1956, fell from her raft and was later discovered on the riverbank. Emergency services transported… Continue reading British woman dies in French Alps rafting accident

NUSEIRAT: Malnutrition in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with tens of thousands of children and women in urgent need of treatment, according to the UN. Aid remains scarce as the humanitarian crisis deepens in the war-torn Palestinian territory. Gaza’s civil defence agency reported a rise in infant deaths due to severe hunger and malnutrition, with… Continue reading Gaza malnutrition crisis worsens as children suffer most

LONDON: A performer at London’s Royal Opera House caused a stir by displaying a Palestinian flag during the curtain call of Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore. The incident, captured in online footage, showed a brief scuffle as a staff member attempted to remove the flag. The Royal Ballet and Opera condemned the act, calling it “wholly… Continue reading Scuffle at London opera as performer displays Palestinian flag

SWEIDA: Calm has returned to southern Syria’s Sweida province following a week of sectarian violence that left more than 1,000 dead, according to monitors and AFP correspondents. A ceasefire announced on Saturday appeared to hold, with no clashes reported on Sunday morning. Government forces were deployed to enforce the truce, while the first humanitarian aid… Continue reading Calm returns to south Syria after deadly sectarian violence

BERLIN: European powers are preparing for fresh talks with Iran regarding its nuclear programme, marking the first diplomatic engagement since the US attacked Iranian nuclear facilities last month. A German diplomatic source confirmed that Britain, France, and Germany, collectively known as the E3, are coordinating with Tehran to schedule discussions in the coming week. The… Continue reading European powers set for fresh nuclear talks with Iran amid tensions

LONDON: British consumer confidence suffered its steepest drop in nearly three years last quarter as concerns over job security and persistent inflation weighed on sentiment, according to a Deloitte survey released on Monday. The consumer confidence index fell by 2.6 percentage points to 10.4% in Q2 2024, the lowest level since early 2024. This marks… Continue reading UK consumer confidence drops sharply for first time in 3 years

QUITO: Notorious Ecuadorian gang leader Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, widely known as “Fito,“ has been removed from prison in preparation for his extradition to the United States, according to a statement from the country’s penitentiary system. Fito, the head of the Los Choneros criminal organization, was photographed in handcuffs, wearing a helmet and a vest,… Continue reading Ecuador gang leader Fito removed from prison for US extradition

TOKYO: Japan’s ruling coalition has lost its majority in the upper house following Sunday’s election, public broadcaster NHK reported, further weakening Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s administration ahead of a crucial US tariff deadline. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito failed to secure the 50 seats needed to maintain control of the… Continue reading Japan’s ruling coalition loses upper house control as opposition gains