Category: World

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump will hold direct talks aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict during their summit in Alaska. The meeting is scheduled for Friday at a US air base near Anchorage, marking Putin’s first visit to a Western nation since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr… Continue reading Putin and Trump to hold one-on-one talks on Ukraine in Alaska

LAMPEDUSA: Rescue teams resumed their search on Thursday for missing migrants after two overcrowded boats sank near the Italian island. At least 27 people have been confirmed dead, while 60 survivors were brought ashore on Wednesday. Two survivors required urgent medical evacuation to Sicily, while the rest were housed at a Red Cross reception centre.… Continue reading Rescue efforts continue after deadly migrant shipwreck off Lampedusa

SRINAGAR: Flash floods triggered by intense monsoon rains have killed at least 34 people in a remote Himalayan village in Indian-administered Kashmir. District Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma confirmed the toll, stating 35 injured individuals were rescued from the disaster-hit Kishtwar district. Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the situation as grim, attributing the devastation to… Continue reading Kashmir flood kills 34 as monsoon rains trigger deadly disaster

MOSCOW: Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange on Thursday, releasing 84 detainees each. The swap comes just before a high-level meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska. The Russian defence ministry confirmed the exchange on Telegram, crediting the United Arab Emirates for mediation. Released Russian personnel are reportedly… Continue reading Russia and Ukraine swap 84 prisoners ahead of Putin-Trump summit

TEL AVIV: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has approved a contentious settlement plan that would sever East Jerusalem from the occupied West Bank. His office stated the move would “bury the idea of a Palestinian state,“ escalating tensions in the region. The revived E1 scheme, frozen since 2012, involves constructing 3,401 homes for Israeli settlers… Continue reading Smotrich approves East Jerusalem settlement plan dividing West Bank

MOSCOW: Ukrainian drone strikes targeted two Russian cities, wounding at least 16 people ahead of a critical US-Russia summit on the Ukraine conflict. Thirteen people were injured, two seriously, after a drone hit an apartment building in Rostov-on-Don, according to the acting regional governor. In Belgorod, near the Ukrainian border, three civilians were wounded, with… Continue reading Ukrainian drone strikes wound 16 in Russian cities ahead of US-Russia summit

BEIJING: China has voiced its support for Thailand and Cambodia in settling their long-standing border dispute. Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China’s willingness to assist both nations based on their mutual interests. Wang emphasised the importance of dialogue and rebuilding trust between the two Southeast Asian countries. The discussions took place during the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation… Continue reading China backs Thailand and Cambodia in border dispute resolution

GENEVA: War crimes were likely committed by both interim government forces and fighters loyal to Syria’s former rulers during sectarian violence in coastal areas, a UN report stated. The violence, which peaked in March, reportedly killed around 1,400 people, mostly civilians from Alawi communities. “The scale and brutality of the violence documented in our report… Continue reading UN reports war crimes in Syria sectarian violence by both sides

ANKARA: Turkey will supply Syria with weapons systems and logistical equipment under a newly signed military cooperation agreement. A Turkish defence ministry source confirmed the details on Thursday, stating that Ankara is prepared to train Syrian forces if required. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) focuses on military training and consultancy, marking the first step toward… Continue reading Turkey to assist Syria with weapons and training under new military MoU

SEOUL: North Korea has denied reports of removing propaganda loudspeakers along its border with South Korea. Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, dismissed the claims as misinformation. South Korea’s military had earlier stated that both sides halted propaganda broadcasts in June. Seoul later reported detecting North Korean troops dismantling loudspeakers. Kim Yo… Continue reading North Korea denies removing border loudspeakers amid rising tensions

SEOUL: South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the global children’s hit “Baby Shark” does not constitute plagiarism. The decision dismissed a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by US-based composer Johnny Only against South Korean education firm SmartStudy. The viral “Baby Shark Dance” video remains YouTube’s most-viewed content with over 16 billion views, surpassing Luis… Continue reading South Korea’s top court clears Baby Shark of plagiarism claims

BOGOTA: Colombia laid to rest slain presidential candidate Miguel Uribe on Wednesday amid emotional pleas to end the nation’s cycle of political bloodshed. The 39-year-old conservative senator was fatally shot in June while campaigning in Bogota and succumbed to his injuries this week. “Our country is going through the darkest, saddest, and most painful days,“… Continue reading Colombia mourns assassinated presidential candidate Miguel Uribe

HONG KONG: The closing arguments in jailed media mogul Jimmy Lai’s national security trial were postponed due to severe weather conditions. The city’s weather observatory issued the highest-level rainstorm warning, leading to the cancellation of court hearings. Lai, the 77-year-old founder of Apple Daily, faces charges of foreign collusion under Hong Kong’s national security law.… Continue reading Jimmy Lai trial postponed in Hong Kong due to severe weather

RIO DE JANEIRO: Defence lawyers for former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro formally requested his acquittal during closing arguments at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The 197-page legal document submitted to justices declared Bolsonaro innocent of all charges related to alleged coup attempts. His legal team emphasised what they called an absolute lack of evidence presented… Continue reading Bolsonaro’s lawyers seek acquittal in Brazil coup trial

TOKYO: Bitcoin reached an all-time high during early Asian trading on Thursday, climbing above $124,000. The cryptocurrency briefly surpassed $124,500 before pulling back slightly. This surge follows a previous peak set in July, signalling renewed bullish momentum. US stock market gains, including record highs for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, contributed to Bitcoin’s upward trend.… Continue reading Bitcoin surges past $124,000 amid US regulatory shifts

LA PAZ: Bolivia’s presidential candidates intensified their campaigns on Wednesday, just days before an election poised to end two decades of socialist governance. Two right-wing candidates lead the race for the first time since 2005, reflecting voter frustration with the ruling Movement Towards Socialism party. Centre-right businessman Samuel Doria Medina and former president Jorge Quiroga… Continue reading Bolivia presidential candidates make final push ahead of crucial vote

BOGOTÁ: A conservative Colombian lawmaker narrowly avoided injury after his vehicle was shot at on Wednesday. The attack occurred the same day murdered presidential candidate Miguel Uribe was laid to rest in an emotional ceremony. Julio Cesar Triana, a prominent critic of Colombia’s leftist government, confirmed the assault happened in the southern Huila region. The… Continue reading Colombian lawmaker survives attack as political violence escalates

ALMATY: Starlink satellite internet is now officially available in Kazakhstan, as confirmed by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry. The service will provide nationwide access to reliable internet through Starlink’s low-orbit satellite network. It ensures stable connectivity even in remote and hard-to-reach areas, improving digital inclusion across the country. The ministry highlighted… Continue reading Starlink satellite internet launches in Kazakhstan for remote connectivity

BUENOS AIRES: At least 87 people have died in Argentina after being administered bacteria-infected fentanyl in hospitals, a judge investigating the deaths said Wednesday. Since May, a court has been trying to determine how many deaths are linked to batches of the drug contaminated with the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii. The suspected toll… Continue reading Tainted fentanyl blamed for 87 hospital deaths in Argentina

BEIJING: Tropical storm Podul on Thursday dumped torrential rain on southern China, still reeling from record downpours last week, and disrupted hospitals, schools and courts in Hong Kong after tearing through Taiwan and leaving 143 people injured. The hearing of Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai was cancelled after authorities put in… Continue reading Tropical storm Podul disrupts southern China schools, courts

PATRAS: Greece battled a dozen major wildfires on Wednesday, including one threatening its third-largest city Patras, as a heatwave stoked blazes and forced the evacuation of thousands in southern Europe. Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, the Balkans and Britain have this week wilted in high temperatures that fuel wildfires and which scientists say human-induced climate change… Continue reading Thousands battle Greece fires as heatwave bakes Europe

MADRID: Three men died and thousands were forced from their homes on Tuesday as wildfires fuelled by a heatwave scorched southern Europe. Heat alerts were issued in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the Balkans, with temperatures expected to soar above 40C. The heatwave is another sign of climate change, which is fuelling longer, more intense… Continue reading Three killed in European wildfires as heatwave intensifies

GOLD extended gains to a third straight session on Thursday, supported by rising expectations of an interest rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve in September following tame inflation data, which also weighed on the dollar. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $3,367.53 per ounce as of 0156 GMT. U.S. gold futures for December delivery added… Continue reading Gold extends rise on Fed rate cut hopes, softer dollar

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to streamline federal regulation governing commercial rocket launches, a move that could benefit Elon Musk’s SpaceX and other private space ventures. Trump’s order, among other things, directs the U.S. transportation secretary to eliminate or expedite environmental reviews for launch licenses administered by the Federal… Continue reading Trump orders easing of commercial spaceflight rules, in boon to Musk’s SpaceX

MADRID: Spain is seeking help from its European partners to tackle wildfires raging across the country, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Wednesday. In particular, it requested two Canadair planes, he said in an interview with local media Cadena SER. “At the moment we don’t need the two Canadair planes urgently, but, given the weather… Continue reading Spain seeks help from European partners to tackle wildfires

TOKYO: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Japan is being late in handling monetary tightening during an interview with Bloomberg Television. Bessent also said that U.S. Treasury yields are feeling the impact of overseas developments, including from Japan and Germany. “There’s definitely leakage from — the Japanese have an inflation problem,“ Bessent said in the… Continue reading Bessent says Japan ‘behind the curve’ in monetary tightening, in Bloomberg interview

WASHINGTON: A federal appeals court on Wednesday lifted an injunction that required the U.S. State Department to continue making foreign aid payments, handing a victory to President Donald Trump. In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said a lower court erred by ordering… Continue reading US appeals court lets Trump cut billions in foreign aid

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump threatened “severe consequences” if Russia’s Vladimir Putin does not agree to peace in Ukraine but also said on Wednesday that a meeting between them could swiftly be followed by a second that would include the leader of Ukraine. Trump did not specify what the consequences could be, but he has… Continue reading Trump threatens ‘severe consequences’ if Putin blocks Ukraine peace

WASHINGTON: Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers divert international aid by force and other means, block minority communities from receiving aid and may collude with U.N. officials to seek kickbacks, a U.S. watchdog said on Tuesday. The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said its findings were based on input from nearly 90 current and former… Continue reading Taliban use force to divert international aid, US watchdog says

SEOUL: The North Korean leader’s powerful sister said on Thursday that the country has never taken down propaganda loudspeakers and will not do so, calling South Korea’s belief that Pyongyang was responding to its peace overtures a “pipedream.” Kim Yo Jong, who is a senior official in the North’s ruling Workers’ Party, also said a… Continue reading North Korea says South Korea’s peace overtures a ‘pipedream’

U.S. PRESIDENT Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at ensuring a “resilient” supply chain for essential medicines in the U.S. by filling the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve (SAPIR) with critical drug components, the White House said on Wednesday. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the Department of Health… Continue reading Trump signs order to ensure ‘resilient’ supply chain for essential medicines in US

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday revoked a 2021 executive order on promoting competition in the U.S. economy issued by his predecessor Joe Biden, the White House said. The move by Republican Trump further unwinds a signature initiative by Biden, a Democrat, to crack down on anti-competitive practices in sectors from agriculture to drugs… Continue reading Trump revokes Biden-era order on competition, White House says

ALPHABET’S Google said on Wednesday it will spend an additional $9 billion in Oklahoma over the next two years to expand cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company will build a new data center campus in Stillwater and expand its Pryor facility to bolster U.S. AI and cloud capacity, alongside education and workforce programs. Intensifying… Continue reading Google pledges $9 billion to expand AI, cloud infrastructure in Oklahoma

WASHINGTON: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has not divested certain assets as required under government ethics rules and needs to guard against conflicts of interests in policymaking, the Office of Government Ethics reported has said. In a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo dated Monday, OGE Deputy Compliance Director Dale Christopher wrote that… Continue reading US Treasury’s Bessent not in compliance with ethics agreement

WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday announced it was revoking the visas of two Brazilian officials who allegedly played a role in Cuba’s program to send doctors abroad, which Washington calls “forced labor.” “Today, the Department of State took steps to revoke visas and impose visa restrictions on several Brazilian government officials, former Pan American… Continue reading US revokes visas of Brazilians involved in Cuban medical missions

TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for Iranians to revolt against their government during ongoing power and water shortages. Netanyahu’s video message on Tuesday urged Iranians to “take risks for freedom” and demand accountability from Tehran while offering Israeli water expertise to address shortages. “The regime that… Continue reading Iran president rejects Israeli PM’s call for uprising amid shortages