World – Page 41 – Thesundailymys

Britain’s Duchess of Kent dies aged 92: Buckingham Palace

LONDON: London, Sept 5, 2025 (AFP) – Britain’s Duchess of Kent, known for her links to the Wimbledon tennis tournament and for anonymously teaching music at a primary school, has died aged 92, Buckingham Palace said on Friday. The duchess, a talented pianist, organist and singer, was born Katharine Worsley into an aristocratic family in… Continue reading

The massive debt behind France’s political turmoil

PARIS: France’s growing debt pile is at the heart of the confidence vote that could topple the government of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou next week. Bayrou called the vote to settle a fight over the budget as he seeks 44 billion euros ($51 billion) in savings to cut the debt. But his plan, which includes… Continue reading

China to impose temporary duties on EU pork

BEIJING: China said Friday it would impose temporary anti-dumping duties on European Union pork imports, delivering another blow to shaky ties between the economic powerhouses as Brussels vowed to protect its producers. The two sides have navigated a challenging relationship in recent years, complicated greatly by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Chinese authorities launched the… Continue reading

Read to reduce sentence, Uzbekistan tells prisoners

TASHKENT: Prisoners in Uzbekistan will be able to plead for reduced sentences if they read books selected by authorities to cultivate “correct spiritual and moral values”, officials said. Lawmakers in the Central Asian former Soviet republic passed a penal code amendment on Thursday introducing the scheme for around 13,500 inmates, all except for those sentenced… Continue reading

Protesters picnic outside Indonesian parliament on national holiday

JAKARTA: There were small, peaceful protests outside the Indonesian parliament on Friday afternoon, following more than a week of sometimes violent demonstrations, as the Muslim-majority country celebrated a holiday marking the Prophet Mohammad’s birthday. Students gathered for a “picnic protest”, with poetry and book readings as they criticised politicians’ benefits and called for release of… Continue reading

Trump says India and Russia appear “lost” to “deepest, darkest China”

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said India and Russia seem to have been “lost” to China after their leaders met with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, highlighting his split from New Delhi and Moscow as Beijing pushes a new world order. “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China.… Continue reading

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi health worsening in military custody, son says

MYANMAR’S detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is suffering from worsening heart problems and needs urgent medical attention, her son said on Friday, in an appeal for her immediate release from “cruel and life-threatening” custody. Kim Aris told Reuters that his 80-year-old mother, in military custody since a 2021 coup that deposed her government,… Continue reading

US trans woman challenging Netherlands asylum rejection was surprised to find she was not alone

HEERLEN: Veronica Clifford-Carlos, a 28-year-old artist from San Francisco hoping to win political asylum in the Netherlands, says she had always planned to build her life in the U.S. but changed her mind after getting death threats for being trans. In June Clifford-Carlos – the first trans American to launch a legal challenge in the… Continue reading

Work paused at Hyundai’s US site after hundreds of workers detained in raid

SEOUL: Hundreds of workers at a Hyundai Motor facility being built in Georgia have been detained in a major raid by U.S. authorities, forcing a pause in the construction of a car battery factory that is part of what would be the biggest investment in the state. The raid on Thursday has dealt a setback… Continue reading

FACTBOX: Thailand’s new prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul

BANGKOK: Thailand’s parliament has picked Anutin Charnvirakul, the 58-year-old leader of the Bhumjaithai party, to be the next prime minister. The following is background on Anutin, who was elected following last week’s dismissal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra from the role after the Constitutional Court found she had violated ethical rules. Path to premiership – Bhumjaithai was… Continue reading

Anutin Charnvirakul elected as Thailand’s new PM

BANGKOK: Anutin Charnvirakul waited just hours after the leak in June of a phone call that would bring down Thailand’s prime minister to kick his manoeuvring to take power into a higher gear. The veteran politician swiftly walked out of the ruling coalition led by Pheu Thai’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra, made an initial outreach to the… Continue reading

Russia’s Putin says economy is not stagnating, defends tight monetary policy

VLADIVOSTOK: President Vladimir Putin denied on Friday that Russia’s economy was stagnating and said such a view reflected dissatisfaction with high interest rates that he said were necessary to combat inflation. Sberbank CEO German Gref, one of Russia’s most powerful bankers, said on Thursday that the economy was stagnating and that unless the central bank… Continue reading

Over 750 Malaysians a day ride Indonesia’s Whoosh train

JAKARTA: More than 750 Malaysian tourists a day travelled on Indonesia’s Whoosh high-speed train in early September, boosted by long weekend holidays in both countries, the operator said. Since its launch in October 2023, the service has carried 528,000 foreign passengers, of whom Malaysians made up the largest share with 225,000, or 43 per cent,… Continue reading

Pentagon says Venezuelan planes buzzed US ship in ‘highly provocative move’

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said two Venezuelan military planes flew near a US Navy vessel in international waters Thursday in a “highly provocative” move that marked a new escalation in the standoff over Washington’s Caribbean deployment. “The cartel running Venezuela is strongly advised not to pursue any further effort to obstruct, deter or interfere with counter-narcotics… Continue reading

Ethiopia’s megadam: energy revolution and diplomatic crisis

ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia’s mega-dam on the Nile, being inaugurated on Tuesday, is expected to provide a huge boost to the economy and double electricity production in a country where nearly half the population lacks power. Megastructure The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is touted as the largest hydroelectric facility in Africa. The $4-billion megastructure stretches… Continue reading

Putin threatens to target any Western troops in Ukraine

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine would be a “legitimate” target for Moscow’s army, a day after Kyiv’s allies said they had committed to a troop presence in the event of a peace deal. Two dozen countries, led by France and Britain, pledged Thursday to join… Continue reading

Two powerful aftershocks pummel Afghanistan after earthquakes kill 2,200

JALALABAD: Two powerful aftershocks struck eastern Afghanistan 12 hours apart, triggering fears of more deaths and destruction on Friday in a region where earthquakes have killed about 2,200 people as rescuers battled mountainous terrain and harsh weather. Survivors in the earthquake-prone region are scrambling for basic amenities as the United Nations and other agencies warn… Continue reading

Kim Jong Un tells Xi Jinping of steadfast will to develop ties

BEIJING: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed his steadfast commitment to steadily developing bilateral relations with China during talks with President Xi Jinping. Kim affirmed the friendly feelings between the two countries during their meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Thursday evening. The North Korean leader stated that developing relations… Continue reading

Kim Jong Un tells Xi Jinping of steadfast will to develop ties

Trump confirms upcoming call with Putin after Ukraine discussions

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump confirmed he will soon speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a White House dinner with technology executives. Trump responded affirmatively when questioned about arranging a near-future conversation with the Russian leader following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European counterparts. The president’s call with European leaders occurred after… Continue reading

Trump confirms upcoming call with Putin after Ukraine discussions

Italian teen Carlo Acutis becomes first millennial saint at Vatican

VATICAN CITY: An Italian teenager known as God’s Influencer will become the first millennial saint during a canonisation ceremony at the Vatican this Sunday. Carlo Acutis, who passed away from leukaemia in 2006 at age 15, earned his nickname through his online efforts to spread Catholic teachings. Pope Leo XIV will officiate the solemn ceremony… Continue reading

Italian teen Carlo Acutis becomes first millennial saint at Vatican

Trump defends health secretary RFK Jr after contentious Congress hearing

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump publicly defended his controversial Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr following a contentious congressional hearing about vaccine policy changes and scientific personnel decisions. Trump described Kennedy as “a very good person” who “means very well” despite having “some little different ideas” during a White House dinner with technology executives. The three-hour… Continue reading

Trump defends health secretary RFK Jr after contentious Congress hearing

Trump plans substantial semiconductor tariffs amid US tech rivalry

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced plans to implement substantial tariffs on semiconductor imports during a White House dinner with technology executives. Trump confirmed the upcoming tariffs without providing specific timing or percentage details during the Thursday evening event. The president described the planned semiconductor tariffs as substantial though not as high as his previously… Continue reading

Trump plans substantial semiconductor tariffs amid US tech rivalry

Thai parliament votes for new PM as right-wing tycoon leads race

BANGKOK: Thailand’s parliament will vote on Friday to potentially install right-wing tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister, ending the Shinawatra family’s political dominance after their leader was dismissed by court order. The Pheu Thai party of the powerful Shinawatra family has controlled Thailand’s top office since the 2023 elections, but a court ruling last week… Continue reading

Thai parliament votes for new PM as right-wing tycoon leads race

Thai ex-PM Thaksin leaves country before crucial leadership vote

BANGKOK: Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced his departure from the country hours before a parliamentary vote that could oust his party from power. The influential political figure revealed his exit via social media early Friday morning, stating he had left by private jet. Thaksin’s political dynasty has engaged in decades-long power struggles with… Continue reading

Thai ex-PM Thaksin leaves country before crucial leadership vote

Toronto film festival opens with political speeches and star-studded premieres

TORONTO: The Toronto International Film Festival commenced with strong political undertones as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and former US President Barack Obama delivered opening remarks before Hollywood celebrities took centre stage. North America’s largest film festival celebrates its 50th anniversary with stars including Daniel Craig, Sydney Sweeney and Matthew McConaughey presenting their latest films… Continue reading

Toronto film festival opens with political speeches and star-studded premieres

Former Indonesian minister and Gojek founder detained in corruption case

JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities have named former education minister and Gojek co-founder Nadiem Makarim as a corruption suspect involving alleged improper laptop procurement. Attorney General’s Office investigator Nurcahyo Jungkung Madyo confirmed Makarim would be detained for twenty days while investigations proceed into the Chromebook procurement case. Makarim served as education minister between 2019 and 2024 and… Continue reading

Former Indonesian minister and Gojek founder detained in corruption case

US pledges $20 million and drones to Ecuador for drug gang crackdown

QUITO: The United States has announced nearly $20 million in new security commitments for Ecuador during Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to the Andean nation. The funding includes over $13 million in general security assistance plus an additional $6 million specifically for drones for the Ecuadorean Navy. Rubio described this commitment as merely the… Continue reading

US pledges $20 million and drones to Ecuador for drug gang crackdown

Paramount and Legendary sign three-year deal for Street Fighter film

LOS ANGELES: Paramount Skydance and Legendary Entertainment have announced a three-year global distribution agreement. Under this deal, Paramount will distribute films produced by Legendary Entertainment. The partnership will commence with a “Street Fighter” movie adaptation. Capcom, the creators of the original video game franchise, will co-produce the film. The Street Fighter movie is scheduled for… Continue reading

Paramount and Legendary sign three-year deal for Street Fighter film

Trump pressures Europe to stop Russian oil purchases funding Ukraine war

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump pressured European leaders to stop purchasing Russian oil that finances Moscow’s war against Ukraine during a call with the Coalition of the Willing group. A White House official stated that Trump emphasised Europe must cease buying Russian fuel after the EU paid Russia 1.1 billion euros in energy sales over… Continue reading

Trump pressures Europe to stop Russian oil purchases funding Ukraine war

Warner Bros sues Midjourney for AI copyright infringement over characters

LOS ANGELES: Warner Bros Discovery has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence photo generation company Midjourney for allegedly stealing its copyrighted characters. The entertainment giant claims Midjourney brazenly used its works to generate images of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Bugs Bunny and Scooby-Doo without permission. Warner Bros stated in a complaint filed in Los Angeles… Continue reading

Warner Bros sues Midjourney for AI copyright infringement over characters

Boeing to hire permanent replacements for striking St Louis defence workers

ST LOUIS: Boeing Defence will hire permanent replacement workers for striking machinists who assemble military aircraft and munitions in the St Louis area. Company vice president Dan Gillian announced the hiring process for manufacturing roles in a Thursday message to employees, stating this would ensure proper staffing to support customers. International Association of Machinists and… Continue reading

Boeing to hire permanent replacements for striking St Louis defence workers

North Korea’s Kim pledges support for China’s interests in Beijing summit

BEIJING: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged his country’s continued support for China’s efforts to protect its sovereignty, territory and development interests. Kim made the commitment during a bilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday. The North Korean leader stated that no matter how the international situation changes, the… Continue reading

North Korea’s Kim pledges support for China’s interests in Beijing summit

Hollywood stars and fashion icons pay tribute to Giorgio Armani

PARIS: Leading figures from cinema and fashion paid heartfelt tribute to the enduring legacy of Giorgio Armani following his passing at age 91. Julia Roberts, a frequent wearer of his designs, described the Italian maestro as both a true friend and an undeniable legend in the industry. Claudia Cardinale expressed immense pain at the news,… Continue reading

Afghanistan earthquake death toll exceeds 2,200 in deadliest quake in decades

NURGAL: The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan has risen sharply to more than 2,200 people, making it the deadliest seismic event to hit the country in decades. The vast majority of casualties occurred in Kunar province, where 2,205 people died and 3,640 were injured, with additional fatalities and hundreds of… Continue reading