Category: World

WASHINGTON: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is launching a new effort to overhaul the military’s watchdog agencies, sparking concerns among current and former U.S. officials that wrongdoing could go unreported or unexamined in the largest – and most expensive – branch of the U.S. government. Hegseth signed a memo this week aimed at halting spurious… Continue reading ‘Assault on oversight’: Hegseth overhaul of military watchdogs spurs concern

LONDON: British police said on Thursday four people had been injured after a car was reportedly driven at pedestrians and people were stabbed near a synagogue in Manchester, northwest England, and that officers had shot the suspected offender. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers had been called to the incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation… Continue reading UK police respond to incident outside synagogue in Manchester

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa on Thursday called on Israel to release activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla including Nelson Mandela’s grandson, saying Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound aid boats was a grave offence and violation of international law. South Africa has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide over its devastating… Continue reading South Africa calls on Israel to free Gaza flotilla activists including Mandela grandson

BRASÍLIA: Brazil issued a condemnation on Wednesday after the Israeli navy intercepted a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, with several Brazilian nationals on board including a lawmaker. The Global Sumud Flotilla — involving around 45 vessels carrying politicians and activists — left Spain last month, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory, where… Continue reading Brazil condemns Israel’s interception of Gaza flotilla

ISTANBUL: The Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office on Thursday announced that it had opened an investigation after Israeli forces arrested Turkish citizens on board a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying activists and humanitarian aid. The probe concerns “24 Turkish citizens arrested following the attack carried out by elements of the Israeli navy in international waters against the Global… Continue reading Turkey opens probe into Gaza flotilla interception

GENEVA: There are not enough new tests and treatments in the pipeline to tackle the growing spread of drug-resistant bacteria, the World Health Organization warned Thursday. The WHO says the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) — particularly the growing resistance of harmful bacteria to antibiotics — is one of the top global public health… Continue reading WHO urges ramping up arms race against drug-resistant superbugs

JERUSALEM: Israel said on Thursday it will deport to Europe pro-Palestinian activists on an aid flotilla headed towards Gaza as the Israeli navy intercepted vessel after vessel in the Mediterranean. The Global Sumud Flotilla of around 45 vessels began its voyage to Gaza last month, with politicians and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg… Continue reading Israel to deport intercepted Gaza flotilla activists

SEOUL: South Korea’s president has apologised for the first time over state-sanctioned malpractices in sending tens of thousands of children overseas for adoption. President Lee Jae Myung acknowledged that unjust human rights violations were committed during overseas adoption procedures. An official enquiry held the government accountable earlier this year for facilitating adoptions through fraudulent practices.… Continue reading South Korea president apologises for overseas adoption failures

BOGO: The death toll from a powerful earthquake in the central Philippines has risen to 72 as officials shift focus to the hundreds injured and thousands left homeless. Firefighters successfully rescued a woman and her child from the rubble of a collapsed hotel in Bogo city near the quake’s epicentre overnight Wednesday. The body of… Continue reading Philippine earthquake death toll rises to 72 with thousands homeless

STOCKHOLM: US President Donald Trump has openly expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize when it is announced next week. Experts predict he has minimal chance against individuals working quietly on forgotten causes away from public attention. The prestigious award will be revealed on Friday, October 10th following other Nobel announcements throughout the… Continue reading Trump unlikely to win Nobel Peace Prize despite desire, experts say

LONDON: Britain’s government will announce plans on Thursday to end a scheme allowing family members to join refugees already in the country. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to outline plans to scrap the family reunion scheme at an EU leaders’ summit in Copenhagen. The government will also remove automatic settlement rights for refugees as… Continue reading UK to scrap refugee family reunion scheme in immigration overhaul

WASHINGTON: Scammers have become some of the top political ad spenders on Meta’s platforms by using deepfake videos of American politicians including President Donald Trump. The nonprofit Tech Transparency Project identified 63 scam advertisers that collectively spent $49 million on Facebook and Instagram. These advertisers often targeted seniors with ads promoting fake stimulus checks, government… Continue reading Deepfake political scam ads surge on Meta platforms, watchdog finds

WASHINGTON: Elon Musk is nearly halfway to becoming the world’s first trillionaire according to a Forbes magazine report. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO briefly became the first person to achieve a net worth of 500 billion dollars. His wealth reached 500.1 billion dollars on Wednesday before dipping back to 499.1 billion dollars. Musk’s fortune rebounded… Continue reading Elon Musk halfway to becoming world’s first trillionaire

GAZA: Israeli forces have stopped 13 boats carrying foreign activists and aid bound for Gaza, according to flotilla organisers. Thirty boats are continuing to sail towards the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave despite the interception. A verified video from the Israeli foreign ministry showed Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg sitting on a deck surrounded by soldiers. The… Continue reading Israel stops 13 Gaza aid boats, 30 continue sailing despite interception

HANOI: The death toll in Vietnam from Typhoon Bualoi and the resulting floods has increased to 36 people according to a government disaster agency report released on Thursday. The typhoon struck northern central Vietnam on Monday with massive sea swells, powerful winds and torrential rainfall. This severe weather event has also left 21 individuals missing… Continue reading Typhoon Bualoi death toll rises to 36 in Vietnam with extensive damage

JAKARTA: Freeport Indonesia confirmed on Thursday that the search for five missing workers at the Grasberg copper and gold mine remains ongoing. The operation continues more than three weeks after a deadly mud flow disaster struck the mine site on September 8. Approximately 800,000 metric tons of wet material flooded the mine during the incident,… Continue reading Freeport Indonesia continues search for five trapped Grasberg mine workers

SYDNEY: Convicted Australian murderer Erin Patterson will appeal her guilty verdict for killing three people with toxic mushrooms. Her lawyer Richard Edney informed Victoria’s Supreme Court during an administrative hearing that Patterson intends to appeal against conviction. Edney did not specify the grounds for the appeal during Thursday’s court proceedings. Patterson’s legal team now has… Continue reading Erin Patterson to appeal mushroom murder conviction in Australia

RABAT: Two people died when officers opened fire on a group attempting to storm a police station in Morocco on Wednesday. State media reported the incident occurred in Lqliaa near the coastal city of Agadir during ongoing nationwide protests. Morocco’s interior ministry confirmed more than 400 arrests and nearly 300 injuries during rallies demanding public… Continue reading Two killed as police open fire during Morocco protest clashes

JERUSALEM: A humanitarian flotilla carrying aid to Gaza confirmed dozens of its ships continue sailing toward the war-battered Palestinian territory despite Israeli naval interceptions. The Global Sumud Flotilla involving approximately 45 vessels carrying politicians and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg departed Spain last month aiming to break Israel’s blockade. Israeli naval forces intercepted… Continue reading Gaza aid flotilla continues despite Israeli naval interception

BOGOTÁ: Colombian President Gustavo Petro has expelled all remaining Israeli diplomats from the country following Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Petro announced the expulsion on Wednesday over Israel’s reported detention of two Colombian activists participating in the humanitarian mission. The president identified the detained women as Manuela Bedoya and Luna Barreto, who were… Continue reading Colombia expels Israeli diplomats over Gaza flotilla incident

CHERNECHCHYNA: A Russian drone strike has killed an entire Ukrainian family in the village of Chernechchyna, leaving the small community in profound shock. Neighbour Natalya recalled seeing Alyona Lesnichenko, a 26-year-old mother of two, shortly before the tragedy during a shopping trip for her children. “She bought them everything they wanted,“ Natalya said of Alyona.… Continue reading Ukrainian family killed by Russian drone in Chernechchyna village

WASHINGTON: Efforts to quickly end the United States government shutdown collapsed on Wednesday as Democrats in Congress departed without resolving their funding stand-off with President Donald Trump. Federal funding expired at midnight after Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to maintain government operations. The White House then threatened public sector jobs while… Continue reading White House warns of imminent firings as US government shutdown begins

WASHINGTON: The White House defended President Donald Trump’s hardline migration policy after US-born Pope Leo XIV criticised the “inhuman” treatment of migrants in the United States. Pope Leo questioned whether someone could be considered pro-life while supporting harsh immigration policies during remarks to journalists at his summer residence Castel Gandolfo. “Someone who says ‘I’m against… Continue reading White House rejects Pope Leo comments on ‘inhuman’ migrant policy

SIDOARJO: Rescuers are attempting to dig a tunnel through unstable rubble to reach an estimated 59 people still missing under a collapsed Indonesian boarding school. Part of the multi-storey school on Java island suddenly gave way on Monday while students were gathering for afternoon prayers. School records indicated 91 people were buried under the debris,… Continue reading Rescuers dig tunnel for 59 trapped under collapsed Indonesian school

NUSEIRAT: Israel issued a final warning on Wednesday for people to flee Gaza’s main city as Hamas considered US President Donald Trump’s plan to end nearly two years of war. Witnesses reported heavy bombardment in Gaza City while Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz announced the army was tightening its encirclement of the urban area. Katz… Continue reading Israel issues final warning for Gazans to flee main city amid truce talks

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused Russia of deliberately staging attacks that cut power to the decommissioned Chornobyl nuclear power station. Zelenskiy stated Moscow was attempting to create the risk of nuclear incidents through these actions. He also claimed Russia was doing nothing to fix the external power cutoff at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear… Continue reading Zelenskiy accuses Russia of deliberate nuclear plant attacks

WINDHOEK: Government authorities have declared the massive fire that scorched through Namibia’s Etosha National Park is no longer active. The blaze at this top tourist destination and one of Africa’s largest game reserves began on September 22 and spread rapidly due to high winds and parched vegetation. It forced the deployment of 500 soldiers to… Continue reading Namibia’s Etosha National Park fire declared no longer active

WASHINGTON: The White House has warned of imminent public sector firings as efforts to swiftly end the US government shutdown collapsed on Wednesday. Democrats in Congress rejected proposals to resolve an acrimonious funding stand-off with President Donald Trump. Federal departments have been closing since midnight after Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal… Continue reading White House warns imminent firings as US government shutdown deepens