Category: World

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government removed finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati in a cabinet reshuffle on Monday, state secretariat minister Prasetyo Hadi said. He did not say who would replace her. The announcement came after two weeks of protests and unrest across the country, which have included calls for a fairer taxation system. During some of… Continue reading Indonesia removes finance minister, official says

MOSCOW: The Kremlin said on Monday that no sanctions will ever be able to force Russia to change course on Ukraine, the state RIA news agency reported. Europe and Ukraine are doing everything they can to draw the United States into their orbit, Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, commenting on U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks… Continue reading Kremlin says sanctions will never force Russia to change course

GENEVA: The United Nations human rights’ chief warned on Monday that “disturbing trends”, including the glorification of violence and the retreat of some states from the multilateral system, are undermining human rights and the international order worldwide. “Rules of war are being shredded – with virtually no accountability,“ said Volker Turk, who heads the Office… Continue reading Rules of war being ‘shredded’ amid global rights violations, says UN human rights chief

KATHMANDU: Nepali police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds of young people who tried to break into parliament during a protest on Monday against a social media shutdown and alleged government corruption, authorities and witnesses said. Nepal blocked access to several social media platforms, including Facebook, last week after they failed to… Continue reading Nepali police fire tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters outside parliament

MUNICH: U.S. tariffs have cost Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, billions of euros so far, its chief executive said on Monday, adding that its key brand Porsche was being squeezed in a “sandwich” of duties and a weak Chinese market. Speaking to Reuters during the IAA Munich car show, Oliver Blume said “it’s several billion euros… Continue reading Tariffs have cost Volkswagen ‘several billions’ so far, CEO says

BANGKOK: A private jet used by Thailand’s influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra arrived back in Thailand on Monday, according to an online flight tracker, a day before a Supreme Court verdict that could potentially send the tycoon to prison. It was not immediately clear if Thaksin was on board the jet that arrived in Bangkok,… Continue reading Jet used by Thailand’s Thaksin Shinawatra lands in Bangkok, flight tracker shows

TOKYO: Former foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi has become the first candidate to enter the race for Japan’s next prime minister following Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation announcement. The 69-year-old politician, nicknamed the “Trump Whisperer” for his handling of US-Japan trade talks, aims to lead the world’s fourth-largest economy through current challenges including rising food prices and US… Continue reading Japan’s ex-foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi joins PM race

BESANCON: A prominent French anaesthetist stands trial accused of intentionally poisoning 30 patients, resulting in 12 fatalities, in what prosecutors describe as an attempt to demonstrate his resuscitation abilities and undermine colleagues. Frederic Pechier, a 53-year-old father of three, worked at two clinics in Besancon where patients experienced unexpected cardiac arrests under suspicious circumstances between… Continue reading French doctor on trial for poisoning 30 patients in resuscitation scheme

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has issued a warning to foreign companies operating in the United States following the detention of 475 workers at a Hyundai-LG battery plant construction site in Georgia. US immigration officials conducted the raid on Thursday as part of Trump’s nationwide anti-migrant campaign, marking the largest single-site operation under this initiative. “Please… Continue reading Trump warns foreign firms after South Korean workers detained in US

THE HAGUE: The International Criminal Court will from Tuesday hear war crimes charges against fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, who stands accused of leading a brutal reign of terror that killed tens of thousands. Judges will consider 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Kony, including murder, torture, rape, sexual slavery and… Continue reading ICC begins historic in absentia war crimes hearing against Joseph Kony

BOGOTÁ: At least 72 soldiers were detained on Sunday in the guerrilla-controlled Cauca department of southwestern Colombia. Military officials confirmed the detention occurred during afternoon operations in this epicenter of world coca production. A military source provided the information to AFP without offering further details about the incident. Colombian soldiers and police officers face frequent… Continue reading 72 Colombian soldiers detained in guerrilla-controlled Cauca region

LA PLATA: Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei has vowed to accelerate his reform agenda despite suffering a crushing defeat in Buenos Aires provincial elections. The 54-year-old economist acknowledged his party’s clear defeat by the centre-left Peronist movement in elections for the legislature of Argentina’s economic powerhouse province. Milei admitted to unspecified mistakes which he promised… Continue reading Milei vows to accelerate reforms after major election defeat in Argentina

WELLINGTON: A New Zealand father who evaded authorities for nearly four years while hiding with his children has died following a police confrontation. Tom Phillips disappeared with his three children in December 2021 following a dispute with his former partner. He remained at large despite multiple public sightings, including recent CCTV footage showing him and… Continue reading New Zealand fugitive father dies in police confrontation after four year

MELBOURNE: An Australian judge will deliver the sentence for convicted murderer Erin Patterson on Monday following her conviction for killing three people with poisonous mushrooms. Patterson was found guilty in July of murdering her estranged husband’s parents and aunt by serving them a toxic beef Wellington lunch at her home in 2023. The trial attracted… Continue reading Australian judge to sentence Erin Patterson in mushroom murder case

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump issued a final warning to Hamas on Sunday, demanding the Palestinian militant group accept a deal to release hostages held in Gaza. Trump declared that Israel had accepted his terms and warned Hamas about the consequences of rejecting the proposed agreement. Hamas responded with a statement expressing readiness to immediately… Continue reading Trump issues final warning to Hamas over Gaza hostage deal

JERUSALEM: Hamas declared on Sunday its readiness to immediately resume negotiations following what it described as new American ideas for a ceasefire agreement. The Palestinian militant group’s statement came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced he had issued his “last warning” to Hamas to accept a deal for releasing hostages in Gaza. “Hamas Movement… Continue reading Hamas ready to negotiate after Trump’s ‘last warning’ on Gaza deal

BRUSSELS: Tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Brussels on Sunday to express support for the Palestinian cause. Police estimated the turnout at 70,000 participants, while organisers claimed 120,000 people had joined the demonstration. Many marchers were dressed in red and carried red cards, symbolising calls for tougher measures against Israel to… Continue reading Tens of thousands march for Palestinians in Brussels

LONDON: Millions of London residents are preparing for severe transport disruption as Underground workers launched a five-day strike on Sunday. Several Tube lines came to a complete standstill by Sunday evening due to the industrial action. Transport for London confirmed there would be minimal or no service throughout Monday to Thursday. The RMT trade union… Continue reading London Underground strike begins as millions face transport chaos

TUNIS: More than 1,000 people gathered at a Tunisian port on Sunday to welcome an aid boat from Barcelona carrying environmental activist Greta Thunberg and other pro-Palestinian campaigners. The activists are part of a mission seeking to break Israel’s long-standing blockade of the Gaza Strip. “We all know why we are here,“ said Thunberg to… Continue reading Over 1,000 welcome Gaza aid boat with Greta Thunberg in Tunisia

SAO PAULO: Thousands of supporters of Brazil’s far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro demonstrated in several cities days before the Supreme Court decides his guilt in an attempted coup case. The high court will rule this week on whether Bolsonaro conspired to cling to power after losing the 2022 elections to his leftist rival Luiz Inacio… Continue reading Bolsonaro supporters protest in Brazil ahead of coup verdict

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s leading Christian political party has publicly urged Hezbollah to surrender its weapons to the state as the army prepares to implement a government-ordered disarmament plan. The Iran-backed militant group has been severely weakened by a year-long conflict with Israel, including two months of open warfare that destroyed significant portions of its arsenal and… Continue reading Lebanon Christian party urges Hezbollah to disarm and return weapons to state

TEHRAN: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has expressed serious concerns over Iran’s declining oil production levels and outdated extraction methods. Khamenei described the country’s oil production techniques as antiquated during a meeting with cabinet members on Sunday. “Our oil production methods are old methods; the tools are old,“ he stated, acknowledging that Iran lags behind… Continue reading Iran’s Khamenei criticises low oil production and outdated methods

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he expects a powerful American reaction following Russia’s most extensive aerial bombardment of Ukraine to date. The attack on Sunday resulted in four fatalities and ignited fires throughout a government complex containing Ukraine’s cabinet ministers. Officials described this assault as the largest aerial offensive in the three-and-a-half-year conflict. Zelensky… Continue reading Zelensky seeks strong US response to Russia’s largest Ukraine barrage

KYIV: Russia launched its largest-ever aerial assault on Ukraine early Sunday, killing four people and setting government offices in Kyiv ablaze. President Volodymyr Zelensky warned this attack would prolong the war while expressing hope for a strong American response. The assault followed the failed August 15 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader… Continue reading Russia launches largest air attack on Ukraine, strikes government complex

LONDON: The British government confirmed it is evaluating military facilities as potential temporary housing for migrants amid rising public discontent over hotel accommodations for asylum seekers. Defence Secretary John Healey revealed the proposal during a television interview with Sky News on Sunday. “We are looking at the potential use of military and non-military use sites… Continue reading UK considers military sites for migrant housing amid hotel protests

LONDON: Iran has declared its willingness to accept limitations on its nuclear programme and uranium enrichment restrictions in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a Sunday op-ed for The Guardian that Tehran stands ready to establish a realistic and lasting agreement involving ironclad oversight mechanisms. He specifically addressed… Continue reading Iran offers nuclear curbs for sanctions relief in Guardian op-ed

AMMAN: King Abdullah II of Jordan has firmly rejected any Israeli attempts to annex the occupied West Bank during his official visit to the United Arab Emirates. The Jordanian monarch declared his “absolute refusal” towards Israeli measures aimed at annexing Palestinian territories or displacing their residents. His statement followed recent suggestions by Israeli officials about… Continue reading Jordanian King rejects Israeli annexation of West Bank in UAE talks

JERUSALEM: Israel’s foreign minister has declared international efforts to recognise Palestinian statehood a serious mistake that could provoke unilateral Israeli responses. Gideon Saar stated that such recognition would destabilise the region and complicate peace efforts during a press conference with his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen. Several nations including France and Britain have committed to… Continue reading Israel warns of unilateral action over Palestinian state recognition

GAZA CITY: Israeli forces bombed a residential high-rise in Gaza City on Sunday after issuing evacuation orders to residents. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced earlier that day that the military was deepening its assault on the Gaza Strip’s key urban centre. The Israeli military stated it struck Al-Roya Tower because Hamas used it to monitor… Continue reading Israel intensifies Gaza City offensive with third high-rise bombing

ISTANBUL: Turkish prosecutors have initiated an investigation into the girl band Manifest on allegations of obscene acts and public indecency. The probe follows the group’s performance in Istanbul on Saturday, which authorities claim violated public decency standards. Istanbul’s chief public prosecutor’s office stated the group’s on-stage dances and performances constituted an attack on public morals… Continue reading Turkish prosecutors probe girl band Manifest for indecency charges