Category: World

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his decision to target Hamas inside Qatar wasn’t wise, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing senior administration officials. Trump made the comments during what the Journal described as a heated phone call on Tuesday after the attack. According to the newspaper,… Continue reading Trump told Netanyahu that striking Hamas inside Qatar was not wise, WSJ reports

QATAR hit back at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a strongly worded statement early on Thursday, describing his remarks about the Gulf country’s hosting of a Hamas office as “reckless”. The heated exchange came more than a day after Israel attempted to kill Hamas political leaders in an air strike on Qatar on Tuesday,… Continue reading Qatar condemns Netanyahu’s ‘reckless’ remarks on hosting Hamas office

WASHINGTON: U.S. Senate Republicans narrowly turned away a surprise effort on Wednesday by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to force a vote on a measure ordering the Trump administration to release its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. An amendment introduced by Schumer, requiring the Justice Department to release all Epstein files within 30… Continue reading US Senate Republicans narrowly reject Schumer bid to force vote on Epstein files

WASHINGTON: U.S. right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk, an influential ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot in the neck on Wednesday at an event at a Utah university in what the governor described as a political assassination. It was not clear whether the suspect had been arrested. A “person of interest” is in… Continue reading Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot dead at Utah event

UTAH Governor Spencer Cox on Wednesday described the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk an “assassination”. “I’ve been in touch with President Trump, with FBI director Kash Patel. We are completely aligned with our state and federal partners as we work through this case,“ Cox said at a news conference. “I want to be very… Continue reading Utah governor describes Charlie Kirk’s death an ‘assassination’

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s army has restored control over Kathmandu following violent protests that ousted the prime minister and set parliament ablaze, marking the country’s worst unrest in two decades. Soldiers now patrol the capital’s streets under an enforced curfew while military leaders initiate talks with protest representatives to stabilise the political vacuum. Armoured personnel carriers move… Continue reading Nepal army restores order after protests oust PM and spark chaos

SYDNEY: A fire surveillance camera captured dramatic video of a tornado towering over thunderstorm-struck countryside in eastern Australia on Wednesday. Authorities issued a severe storm warning after the twister emerged in mid-afternoon over a lightly forested rural area approximately 260 kilometres inland from Sydney. A fire tower camera automatically captured images of the tornado’s tail… Continue reading Surveillance camera captures tornado in eastern Australia near Young

WARSAW: Poland has formally invoked NATO’s Article 4 to request urgent consultations following multiple violations of its airspace by Russian drones. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that Poland identified 19 separate incursions overnight and successfully shot down at least three drones. He described the incident as a “Russian action” but confirmed that no casualties resulted… Continue reading Poland invokes NATO Article 4 after Russian drone incursions

STRASBOURG: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged Europe to assert its independence in what she described as a hostile world during her annual State of the European Union address. She told the European Parliament that battlelines for a new world order based on power are being drawn right now and Europe must… Continue reading Von der Leyen urges EU to fight for place in hostile world order

STRASBOURG: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to sanction extremist Israeli ministers and restrict trade ties with Israel over the Gaza conflict. She warned the European Parliament that famine cannot serve as a weapon of war while condemning catastrophic conditions in Gaza. “What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the… Continue reading EU chief to push for sanctions on Israeli ministers over Gaza

DUESSELDORF: A German court has convicted Syrian citizen Issa Al Hasan for carrying out an Islamic State-inspired stabbing attack at a festival in Solingen during 2024. The attack resulted in three fatalities and left ten other individuals injured. Prosecutors stated that Al Hasan targeted the festival commemorating Solingen’s 650th anniversary because he believed “unbelievers” would… Continue reading Syrian migrant guilty of IS-inspired 2024 stabbing in Germany

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a joint air defence system with European allies following Russia’s overnight drone attack that violated Polish airspace. Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately targeting Poland by flying drones through its territory during the latest barrage aimed at Ukraine. Poland confirmed it had shot down several Russian drones originally… Continue reading Zelensky calls for joint Europe-Ukraine air defence after Poland incident

VIENNA: The European Union’s highest court has upheld the European Commission’s decision to classify investments in natural gas and nuclear power as sustainable. The Court of Justice of the European Union dismissed Austria’s legal challenge against the 2022 decision that granted both energy sources a sustainable finance label. The European Commission had originally approved the… Continue reading EU court upholds green label for nuclear and gas investments

JAKARTA: Flash floods have swept across Indonesia’s Bali and Flores islands, killing at least six people and leaving four others missing according to the country’s disaster agency. Torrential rain since late Tuesday triggered flooding across four districts of Bali, forcing the evacuation of 85 people as confirmed by National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari.… Continue reading Deadly floods hit Indonesia’s Bali and Flores islands, six killed

PARIS: France’s new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu assumed office on Wednesday amid nationwide protests disrupting transport, education and public services. The “Block Everything” demonstrations organised by left-wing groups represent an immediate challenge for Lecornu, a 39-year-old close ally of President Emmanuel Macron who previously served as defence minister. Approximately 80,000 police officers were deployed across… Continue reading France faces nationwide protests as new PM Lecornu takes office

COPENHAGEN: Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk will eliminate 9,000 positions worldwide, representing 11% of its total workforce. The company expects to save eight billion kroner ($1.3 billion) through these job cuts, which include 5,000 positions in Denmark. This marks the third time this year that Novo Nordisk has lowered its earnings forecast, now projecting operating… Continue reading Novo Nordisk to cut 9,000 jobs globally amid rising obesity drug competition

SEOUL: A chartered aircraft departed from South Korea to the United States on Wednesday to repatriate hundreds of South Korean workers detained during an immigration enforcement operation. Korean Air confirmed that a Boeing 747-8I aircraft capable of seating over 350 passengers left Seoul for this specific mission. Immigration authorities revealed that South Korean nationals constituted… Continue reading South Korea sends plane to fetch detained workers from US immigration raid

JERUSALEM: Israel’s UN ambassador has stated his country does not always act in the interests of its ally the United States following Israeli strikes targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. The remarks from Danny Danon came after President Donald Trump issued a rare rebuke over Israel’s decision to conduct military operations on Qatari soil. The White… Continue reading Israel’s UN envoy says country doesn’t always act in US interests

OSLO: Three 1,200-year-old Viking ships are undertaking their final and most perilous journey to a new permanent home in Norway. The Oseberg ship began its relocation on Wednesday, moving slowly from the old Viking Ship Museum to a newly constructed extension designed to preserve these national treasures under optimal conditions. This extremely fragile oak hull,… Continue reading Viking ships begin final high-risk relocation to new Oslo museum home

SEOUL: A South Korean court has acquitted a woman who was convicted six decades ago for defending herself against a sexual assault. Choi Mal-ja was 19 years old in 1964 when a 21-year-old man attacked her in the southern town of Gimhae. The aggressor pinned her to the ground and repeatedly forced his tongue into… Continue reading South Korean court acquits woman in 60-year-old self-defence case

THE HAGUE: A Dutch technology startup has announced a European speed record achievement for its hyperloop transport system during recent testing. Hardt Hyperloop confirmed its vehicle reached 85 kilometres per hour on the 420-metre European Hyperloop Center test track while performing a complex lane-switching manoeuvre. The successful lane-switching demonstration proves no technical barriers exist for… Continue reading Dutch hyperloop test hits European speed record in lane-switching trial

TOKYO: Japan Airlines issued a public apology on Wednesday following an incident involving an intoxicated pilot that delayed three flights. Company president Mitsuko Tottori held a press conference to address the August 28 occurrence where a pilot consumed excessive alcohol in Hawaii and became unfit to operate his scheduled flight to Nagoya. This disruption resulted… Continue reading Japan Airlines receives second warning over drunk pilots incident

CAPE TOWN: A surge of gang-related killings in Cape Town’s dangerous neighbourhoods has sparked community outrage and demands for protection as city officials admit lacking resources to control the violence. Protesters recently chanted “one gangster, one bullet” during marches organised by anti-gang groups in the Cape Flats area following 59 murders recorded over seven days… Continue reading Cape Town gang violence spikes with 59 murders in seven days

SAN SALVADOR: El Salvador seized packages containing 1.4 tons of cocaine floating in the Pacific Ocean. President Nayib Bukele announced the seizure on Tuesday and described it as a strike against international drug trafficking. The shipment was discovered approximately 1,600 kilometres southwest of El Cordoncillo at the mouth of the Jaltepeque estuary. This significant drug… Continue reading El Salvador seizes 1.4 tons of cocaine floating in Pacific Ocean

SAKI: Nigeria’s six-month ban on shea nut exports has created immediate hardship for producers despite government ambitions to transform the industry. Africa’s most populous country produces approximately 40% of the world’s shea nut supply, used to make shea butter for soaps, lotions and cosmetics. The west African nation currently sits at the bottom of the… Continue reading Nigeria shea nut export ban disrupts producers despite growth goals

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s youth-led unrest stems from deep-seated economic frustrations and political disillusionment with an ageing ruling class perceived as disconnected from public needs. Digital-savvy but unemployed young Nepalis reached breaking point this week amid limited opportunities and widespread government corruption. Street protests erupted on Monday after authorities temporarily banned social media platforms, leaving at least… Continue reading Nepal unrest driven by youth unemployment, corruption and social media ban

LONDON: Google has eliminated data transfer fees for organisations operating across multiple cloud platforms within the European Union and United Kingdom. This policy change precedes the implementation of the EU Data Act scheduled for Friday. Regulators in both regions aim to boost competition within the cloud computing sector currently dominated by Amazon Web Services and… Continue reading Google waives EU and UK cloud data transfer fees ahead of new law

KYIV: Russia’s leader is escalating his war on Ukraine and testing the West according to Kyiv’s assessment following the downing of drones that violated Polish airspace. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stated that Russian drones entering Poland during the massive attack demonstrate Putin’s growing sense of impunity due to inadequate punishment for previous actions. “Putin… Continue reading Putin testing West with drone incursions into Poland, Kyiv warns

WARSAW: Poland confirmed that hostile objects were downed by Polish or allied aircraft following multiple violations of its airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine. Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated on social media that aircraft had used weapons against these hostile objects. He emphasised that Poland maintains constant contact with NATO command throughout the ongoing… Continue reading Poland downs hostile objects in airspace during Russian Ukraine attack

STRASBOURG: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will defend her controversial trade agreement with former US President Donald Trump during an address to EU parliamentarians on Wednesday. Many lawmakers view the July accord as a surrender to Washington despite widespread recognition that Europe’s security dependence on America limited its negotiating power during tariff discussions.… Continue reading EU chief to defend Trump trade deal amid parliamentary criticism

BANGKOK: Thailand’s influential former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra began his first full day in prison on Wednesday following a Supreme Court ruling that his previous jail term served in hospital was improper. The court decision represents one of the most significant setbacks for Thailand’s biggest political heavyweight whose clan has opposed the pro-military and pro-royalty… Continue reading Thaksin begins first full day in Thai prison after court ruling

KATHMANDU: Nepali soldiers patrolled the streets of Kathmandu on Wednesday to restore order after protesters set parliament ablaze and forced the prime minister to resign in the worst violence to hit the Himalayan nation in two decades. Protests began Monday in the Nepali capital against the government’s ban on social media and over corruption but… Continue reading Nepal army patrols Kathmandu after deadly protests force PM to resign

WASHINGTON: Protesters jeered US President Donald Trump during a rare public dinner at a Washington restaurant, with viral videos capturing shouts of “Free DC! Free Palestine! Trump is the Hitler of our time!” The 79-year-old Republican approached the shouting protesters and paused just a few feet away, nodding and smiling placidly without offering any verbal… Continue reading Trump jeered as ‘Hitler of our time’ at Washington restaurant dinner

SEOUL: Approximately 300 South Korean workers detained during an immigration raid in Georgia will depart the United States on Wednesday. Yonhap news agency reported the workers would leave around 1430 local time, citing an unidentified diplomatic source. South Korea’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. U.S. Secretary of State Marco… Continue reading South Korean workers detained in US immigration raid to depart Wednesday

LONDON: Obesity has likely surpassed underweight as the more common condition among school-aged children and adolescents worldwide according to a new UNICEF report. The UN children’s agency attributed this shift to increasingly unhealthy food environments across the globe. UNICEF based its estimates on data from 2000-2022 compiled by academics who first predicted this tipping point… Continue reading Obesity now more common than underweight in world’s youth, says UNICEF

WASHINGTON: A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from removing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook in an unprecedented legal battle that challenges central bank independence. US District Judge Jia Cobb issued a preliminary ruling that prevents the president from firing Cook while the court considers whether allegations of pre-appointment misconduct constitute valid grounds… Continue reading US judge blocks Trump from removing Fed Governor Cook temporarily

WARSAW: Poland’s military engaged Russian drones that violated its airspace from Ukraine on Wednesday, marking the first direct engagement of Russian assets during the Ukraine conflict. The military command confirmed that both Polish and NATO allied air defences were scrambled to neutralise the drone-type objects entering from Ukrainian territory. “During today’s attack by the Russian… Continue reading Poland engages Russian drones in airspace, urges citizens to stay indoors

WASHINGTON: Top health officials under US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are compiling examples of harmful effects from COVID-19 vaccines on pregnant women to share with the public. The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary and the agency’s top vaccine official Vinay Prasad… Continue reading US health officials compile COVID vaccine pregnancy harm reports