Category: World

SAN FRANCISCO: New artificial intelligence-powered meet-up applications are emerging as innovative solutions to combat modern loneliness by facilitating genuine human connections through carefully curated real-world events. Platforms like 222 use extensive user questionnaires covering values, interests, and personal criteria to match compatible strangers for dinners, yoga sessions, and improv classes. Twenty-five-year-old paramedic JT Mason experienced… Continue reading AI meet-up apps combat loneliness with real-life connections

MONTREAL: Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched an ambitious economic plan to counter the impact of President Donald Trump’s trade policies on Canada. Carney’s “Build, baby, build” strategy includes a new Major Projects Office to fast-track the construction of ports, highways, mines, and a potential oil pipeline. The office was established after the Liberal government… Continue reading Canada PM Carney launches ‘Build, baby, build’ plan to counter Trump

SYDNEY: Australian authorities have deployed drones and a helicopter to monitor waters around a popular Sydney beach following a fatal shark attack on Saturday. Two beaches in Australia’s most populous city remained closed on Sunday after the attack occurred approximately 100 metres from shore at Long Reef Beach. The experienced surfer was pulled from the… Continue reading Sydney beaches closed after fatal shark attack prompts drone surveillance

MILAN: Thousands of mourners visited Milan’s fashion district on Saturday to pay their respects to Giorgio Armani, Italy’s most famous designer who died this week at the age of 91. His wooden casket with white roses placed on top lay in the vast dark exhibition space at his company’s headquarters where catwalk shows are held,… Continue reading Thousands pay silent farewell to Giorgio Armani in Milan

MONTREAL: Air Canada flight attendants have overwhelmingly rejected a proposed wage agreement with a 99.1% vote against ratification. The rejection sends the bitter wage dispute into mediation since workers cannot undertake further legal strike action under existing agreements. Negotiators had initially struck a tentative deal on August 19 to end a four-day strike that stranded… Continue reading Air Canada flight attendants reject wage deal with 99.1% vote

KUALA LUMPUR: Microsoft has confirmed that its Azure cloud service is experiencing increased latency issues following multiple undersea fibre cuts in the Red Sea. The company stated that traffic passing through the Middle East with origins or destinations in Asia or Europe may face heightened disruptions. Microsoft explained in a service health status update that… Continue reading Microsoft Azure faces latency issues from Red Sea fibre cuts

TEL AVIV: Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to demand that US President Donald Trump intervene to end the Gaza war and secure the release of hostages. Protesters filled a public square outside military headquarters, waving Israeli flags and holding placards with images of hostages and messages directed at Trump. One… Continue reading Israelis rally in Tel Aviv urging Trump to end Gaza war and free hostages

VATICAN CITY: In a first for the Vatican, more than a thousand LGBTQ Catholics and their supporters are this weekend holding a pilgrimage, in what they are promoting as an important sign of diversity in the Church. The gathering of some 1,400 people from around 20 countries was part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee holy… Continue reading Vatican hosts first official LGBTQ pilgrimage in Catholic Church history

GENEVA: Switzerland’s vice president described his recent meetings with senior United States officials as constructive amid efforts to address steep new import tariffs. Economy Minister Guy Parmelin expressed optimism about future bilateral relations following discussions in Washington but provided no specific details. President Donald Trump’s administration imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss goods starting August… Continue reading Swiss minister sees opportunity after US tariff talks in Washington

VILLAGARZÓN: Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez has declared his country “absolutely committed” to combating drug trafficking as the United States considers blacklisting the nation for failing to curb cocaine exports. The Trump administration must decide by September 15 whether to decertify Colombia as an ally in the drug battle, potentially jeopardising nearly 500 million dollars… Continue reading Colombia committed to drug fight as US decertification deadline looms

WASHINGTON: More than 300 South Koreans were among 475 people arrested by US immigration officials during a raid on a Hyundai-LG battery plant construction site in Georgia. Thursday’s operation in Ellabell marked the largest single-site raid conducted under President Donald Trump’s nationwide anti-migrant initiative according to US authorities. Footage released by officials showed detained workers… Continue reading Over 300 South Koreans detained in US Hyundai-LG battery plant raid

LONDON: Police in London arrested 150 people on Saturday during a tense demonstration in support of the proscribed Palestine Action group. The Metropolitan Police had warned it would not hesitate to arrest anyone explicitly supporting the organisation banned under terrorism laws. Several hundred demonstrators gathered in front of the UK parliament, with some holding placards… Continue reading UK police arrest 150 at banned Palestine Action protest in London

GAZA CITY: Israeli forces destroyed a high-rise building in Gaza City on Saturday following evacuation warnings to residents ahead of a planned military offensive. This marked the second such demolition in consecutive days as Israel prepares for an assault on the territory’s largest urban centre. The Israeli military has intensified airstrikes and ground operations around… Continue reading Israel intensifies Gaza City strikes as evacuation orders expand

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump threatened to unleash his newly rebranded Department of War on Chicago, escalating tensions over his push to deploy troops into Democratic-led US cities. The move seeks to replicate an operation in Washington where he deployed National Guard troops and federal agents to conduct arrests and deportations, sparking backlash from local residents.… Continue reading Trump threatens Chicago with ‘Department of War’ deployment

VENICE: Italian actor Toni Servillo has won the best actor award at the Venice Film Festival for his performance in Paolo Sorrentino’s film “La Grazia”. Servillo portrays a morally upright Italian president struggling with indecision over signing a bill to legalise euthanasia and pardoning convicted murderers. The prolific performer thanked director Sorrentino during his acceptance… Continue reading Italy’s Toni Servillo wins best actor award at Venice Film Festival

LISBON: Hundreds of firefighters are battling fresh wildfires in Portugal and Spain following a summer of devastating blazes across the region. The largest fire is raging in Seia in central Portugal where 600 firefighters have been deployed to tackle flames fanned by strong winds. Several roads have been closed as the priority remains protecting homes… Continue reading Wildfires erupt in Portugal and Spain with hundreds of firefighters deployed

VENICE: The 82nd Venice Film Festival concluded on Saturday with its prestigious awards ceremony honouring the best in international cinema. American director Jim Jarmusch claimed the top prize, the Golden Lion for Best Film, for his work “Father Mother Sister Brother”. Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania received the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize for her… Continue reading Venice Film Festival 2025 winners announced with top prize for Jarmusch

TORONTO: Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann presented his new film “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” during its world premiere at the Toronto film festival on Saturday. This project represents a seven-year labour of love dedicated to the King of Rock and Roll. The film combines concert footage with documentary elements using previously unseen material discovered during research… Continue reading Baz Luhrmann unveils restored Elvis Presley concert film at Toronto festival

GENEVA: Postal traffic to the United States plunged more than 80 percent following Washington’s imposition of new tariffs, with 88 operators worldwide fully or partially suspending services, the Universal Postal Union said Saturday. The UPU, the United Nations’ postal cooperation agency, is working on “the rapid development of a new technical solution that will help… Continue reading 88 postal operators suspend services to US over tariffs: UN

GENEVA: The number of victims from earthquakes in Afghanistan is expected to rise in the coming days, as new tremors have caused additional road destruction and landslides, complicating rescue efforts, Joy Singhal, the head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) delegation in Afghanistan, told Sputnik/RIA Novosti. Approximately 40 mobile… Continue reading Earthquake death toll in Afghanistan expected to rise – IFRC

BANGKOK: Thailand’s next prime minister on Saturday pledged to make good on his promise to lead the fractured interim government to new polls. Conservative tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul was confirmed by parliament on Friday, ending a week-long power vacuum following the ouster of his predecessor Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The construction magnate cobbled together a coalition of opposition… Continue reading Thailand’s next PM reaffirms fresh polls promise

LONDON: Online searches for vintage Armani clothes have surged since Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani died on Thursday, as shoppers scoured second-hand outlets for his styles. Armani, who led his eponymous company and remained in control of designs right up until his death at 91, was prolific, producing everything from expensive high-end suits to more… Continue reading Shoppers hunt for vintage Armani after designer’s death

BELGRADE: Forty-two people were detained at an anti-government protest in the Serbian city of Novi Sad where police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, the interior minister said on Saturday. Several thousand people rallied in Novi Sad late Friday seeking early elections in the latest in a series of student-led protests across Serbia sparked… Continue reading Dozens detained at Serbia anti-government rally: Minister

MILAN: Thousands of mourners paid homage Saturday to Italian fashion legend Giorgio Armani, who died this week aged 91, as his coffin was put on public display in Milan. Italian fashion icon Donatella Versace was among those who filed past Armani’s closed casket at the headquarters of his multi-billion-euro lifestyle company, which marked its 50th… Continue reading Versace leads crowds bidding farewell to Giorgio Armani

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump is standing by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary who is upending the U.S. healthcare system, despite congressional pressure, public health concerns and the political risks of changing vaccine policies nationwide. Since becoming the top U.S. health official, Kennedy has slashed funding for vaccine research, limited access for COVID-19 shots… Continue reading Trump backs Kennedy on vaccines despite health, political risks

WASHINGTON: More than 300 South Koreans were among 475 people arrested by US immigration officials in a raid on a Hyundai-LG battery plant being built in the southern US state of Georgia, the foreign minister in Seoul said on Saturday. Steven Schrank, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent in Atlanta, earlier said Thursday’s operation was… Continue reading Seoul says over 300 South Koreans held in US battery plant site raid

MONTREAL: Results of a vote by Air Canada flight attendants on a wage agreement are expected on Saturday, with more than a half dozen crew members telling Reuters they don’t expect the tentative deal to get approved. Negotiators said they struck the tentative deal on August 19 to end a crippling four-day strike, after more… Continue reading Air Canada flight attendants wrap up voting on wage agreement

TEHRAN: Iranian authorities executed a man on Saturday after convicting him over a deadly attack on security personnel during nationwide protests in 2022, the country’s judiciary announced. Mehran Bahramian was found to have been among a group of people who opened fire on a vehicle carrying security personnel in the city of Semirom in the… Continue reading Iran executes man over attack on security forces at 2022 protests

HONG KONG: Two warships from Canada and Australia transited the Taiwan Strait while being monitored by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), China’s state media reported on Saturday. China’s state-run Global Times newspaper said in a report the Canadian frigate Ville de Quebec and the Australian guided-missile destroyer Brisbane were the two vessels that passed through… Continue reading Canadian and Australian warships transit Taiwan Strait, China media reports

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered all-out efforts on Saturday to respond to the arrests of hundreds of the nation’s citizens in a U.S. immigration raid on a Hyundai Motor car battery factory. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said the government has set up a team to respond to Thursday’s arrest of over 300… Continue reading South Korea vows support to Koreans arrested in US immigration raid

AROUND 100 firefighters were called to a blaze on Saturday at the former BBC headquarters Television Centre in London’s White City, the British public broadcaster reported. The London Fire Brigade said firefighters from Hammersmith, North Kensington, Kensington, Chiswick and surrounding fire stations were mobilised after it was called to a fire at a nine-storey building… Continue reading Fire breaks out at former BBC headquarters in west London, broadcaster reports

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday New Delhi and Washington still shared “very positive” ties, after US President Donald Trump reaffirmed their personal friendship and downplayed his earlier remarks about “losing India” to China. The exchange comes amid strains after Washington imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian imports, accusing… Continue reading India’s Modi says ties with US still ‘very positive’

SYDNEY: A suspected “large shark” mauled a surfer to death in a rare fatal attack off a Sydney beach on Saturday, Australian police and rescuers said, leading to a string of beach closures. The man was pulled out of the Pacific surf onto shore at northern Sydney’s Long Reef Beach but died at the scene,… Continue reading ‘Large shark’ kills man off Sydney beach

MILAN: Members of the public began paying their respects Saturday to fashion legend Giorgio Armani as his coffin was put on display in Milan. Hundreds of people queued up before the opening of the viewing at 9:00 am (0700 GMT), which will last two days ahead of a private funeral on Monday for Italy’s most… Continue reading Public viewing of Giorgio Armani’s coffin in Milan begins

TEL AVIV: The Israeli military on Saturday said Palestinians in Gaza City, the enclave’s largest urban area, should leave for the south, warning that the military was operating throughout the city. Israeli forces have been carrying out an offensive on the suburbs of the northern city for weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered… Continue reading Israeli military urges Gaza City residents to leave

VENICE: Twenty-one films are competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival’s closing ceremony on Saturday. The selection includes a heart-wrenching docudrama about the Gaza war, a wrestling-themed love story starring Dwayne Johnson, and a darkly satirical South Korean thriller. American director Alexander Payne heads the jury that will announce the… Continue reading 21 films compete for top prize at Venice Film Festival 2025