Category: World

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

RAMALLAH: Palestinian officials confirmed an Israeli settler shot and killed a Palestinian man during a clash in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. The Palestinian Authority’s health ministry identified the victim as 35-year-old Thameen Khalil Reda Dawabsheh, who died from gunfire in the town of Duma. Duma village council head Suleiman Dawabsheh told AFP that… Continue reading Israeli settler kills Palestinian in West Bank clash, says Palestinian officials

MOSCOW: Belarus will conduct deployment exercises for Russia’s nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles during the joint Zapad-2025 military drills near the eastern borders of the EU and NATO. The former Soviet republic remains a crucial ally of Russia, relying heavily on its eastern neighbour for both economic and military support. Belarus previously allowed Russian forces to use… Continue reading Belarus to test nuclear-capable missiles in Russia joint drills near NATO border

GENEVA: The United Nations human rights chief has called on Sri Lanka’s new government to end impunity for war crimes and human rights abuses. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk described the current moment as a “historic opportunity” for the country to reform. “Today, an opportunity presents itself for Sri Lanka to break… Continue reading UN urges Sri Lanka to prosecute war crimes under new government

ANKARA: Turkey and Syria issued a joint warning to Israel over its military activities in Syrian territory during high-level diplomatic talks on Wednesday. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated “certain actors are bothered by the positive developments in Syria” while standing alongside Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani. “Israel is currently one of the biggest actors in… Continue reading Turkey and Syria warn Israel against destabilising actions in war-torn nation

LONDON: Improvements in cancer survival rates in England and Wales have slowed down significantly since 2010, according to a major study released Wednesday, leading to calls for an urgent national cancer plan. The study, conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, measured the survival index for 10.8 million adults diagnosed with cancer… Continue reading England cancer survival improvements slow, prompting calls for new strategy

MOSCOW: Russia has dismissed European diplomatic consultations with Ukraine as “insignificant” ahead of a crucial summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian foreign ministry deputy spokesman Alexey Fadeev stated, “We consider the consultations sought by the Europeans to be politically and practically insignificant.” He accused the European Union of undermining… Continue reading Russia dismisses European Ukraine diplomacy as insignificant ahead of Trump-Putin summit

LONDON: Nine human rights and freedom of expression organisations have demanded the UK government investigate The Telegraph newspaper’s sale to US investment group RedBird Capital over concerns about Chinese influence. An open letter to UK media minister Lisa Nandy cited “RedBird Capital’s ties to China” as threatening “media pluralism, transparency, and information integrity in the… Continue reading NGOs call for UK probe into Telegraph sale over China influence concerns

TALLINN: Estonia has expelled a Russian diplomat for allegedly interfering in the Baltic nation’s internal affairs, marking the latest diplomatic clash between the two countries. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated the diplomat actively participated in actions undermining Estonia’s constitutional order and legal framework. “The Russian embassy’s ongoing interference in the internal affairs of the Republic… Continue reading Estonia expels Russian diplomat over alleged interference in state affairs

YANGON: A Myanmar military air strike struck a civilian supply convoy stranded between junta forces and anti-coup rebels near Mandalay, killing at least eight people according to local witnesses. Two residents from Sagaing region confirmed the attack occurred on Monday when aircraft bombed stationary trucks blocked by ongoing clashes near Taung Yin village, just 17… Continue reading Myanmar air strike kills eight in stranded civilian convoy near Mandalay

LONDON: A £13 million conservation programme in England has successfully protected 150 threatened species but faces urgent calls for further action to reverse biodiversity decline. Natural England revealed its Species Recovery Programme supported animals and plants including water vole, oystercatcher, lady’s slipper orchid, the hazel dormouse and Atlantic salmon through targeted interventions. “From the Lizard… Continue reading 150 species saved in England but wildlife decline continues

BANGKOK: Thailand’s Constitutional Court has set 29 August as the date to deliver its verdict on a case seeking Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s removal from office. A group of conservative senators filed the case accusing the prime minister of misconduct during a diplomatic row with Cambodia that triggered deadly border clashes. The court stated it… Continue reading Thai court to decide on PM’s dismissal case by end of August

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission presented court testimonies on Wednesday alleging power abuses by ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family, including British lawmaker Tulip Siddiq. Three ACC officials detailed accusations in separate cases involving the alleged illegal acquisition of valuable land plots near Dhaka. Siddiq, who resigned as Britain’s anti-corruption minister in January… Continue reading Bangladesh probes ex-leader Hasina’s family in corruption cases

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military confirmed on Wednesday it had authorised operational plans for a renewed offensive in Gaza, following the security cabinet’s directive to capture Gaza City. Armed forces chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir “approved the main framework for the IDF’s operational plan in the Gaza Strip,“ according to an official army statement. Prime Minister… Continue reading Israel approves new Gaza offensive plan amid ceasefire talks in Cairo

KOUROU: A new European satellite designed to improve extreme weather monitoring blasted into orbit aboard an Ariane 6 rocket from French Guiana. The MetOp-SGA1 satellite will provide earlier warnings for deadly heatwaves, storms and other disasters across Europe as part of a US-led global weather tracking system. “Metop-SGA1 observations will help meteorologists improve short- and… Continue reading European satellite launches to boost extreme weather monitoring

GENEVA: Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan has set a new altitude record for solar-powered electric aircraft by reaching 9,521 metres during a landmark flight from Sion airport. The SolarStratos team confirmed the achievement on Wednesday, surpassing the previous 9,235-metre record held since 2010 by Solar Impulse pilot Andre Borschberg. Domjan’s five-hour and nine-minute flight utilised warm… Continue reading Swiss pilot breaks solar plane altitude record with 9,521-metre flight

ATHENS: Firefighters are working tirelessly to control a wildfire threatening Greece’s third-largest city Patras, one of more than 20 fires prompting the country to request European Union support. Strong winds and arid conditions have intensified fires nationwide during a heatwave affecting southern Europe, with Spain, Portugal, Montenegro and Albania also combating blazes. Since early Wednesday,… Continue reading Greece battles wildfire near Patras as heatwave fuels blazes across Europe

KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Ukraine and its allies must resist Russian deception tactics as they prepare for crucial diplomatic talks in Berlin. “Pressure must be exerted on Russia for the sake of a fair peace,“ Zelensky stated on social media ahead of meetings with European leaders and US president Donald Trump. The Ukrainian leader… Continue reading Zelensky urges allies to counter Russian deception in Ukraine war

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet Japan’s prime minister in Tokyo next week on his way to a planned sitdown with US President Donald Trump, both governments said Wednesday. Lee had previously announced an August 25 meeting in Washington where he and Trump are to hammer out details of their recent trade… Continue reading South Korean president to meet Japan PM in Tokyo ahead of US talks

WASHINGTON: The administration of US President Donald Trump has ordered a sweeping review of several Smithsonian museums to ensure their exhibitions promote American exceptionalism and eliminate “divisive or partisan narratives.” The move comes as Trump continues to exert influence over major cultural institutions since beginning his second term in January, alongside significant cuts to arts… Continue reading US to probe Smithsonian museums for removal of partisan narratives

SULAIMANIYAH: Police in the Kurdish autonomous region of northern Iraq confirmed the arrest of Shaswar Abdulwahid, leader of the main opposition party New Generation. Abdulwahid was detained at his home in Sulaimaniyah on Tuesday under a court warrant and is scheduled to appear before a judge on Wednesday. A police spokesman, Sarkout Ahmed, stated that… Continue reading Iraqi Kurdish police arrest opposition leader in Sulaimaniyah

TOKYO: McDonald’s Japan has issued an apology after a promotional campaign offering limited-edition Pokemon cards with Happy Meals led to chaotic scenes and public anger. The campaign, which launched last Friday, quickly spiralled out of control as collectors and resellers rushed to buy meals in bulk. Cards featuring the beloved “little monsters” are highly sought… Continue reading McDonald’s Japan apologises for Pokemon Happy Meal chaos

BEIRUT: Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to supporting Lebanon during a visit on Wednesday, as the Lebanese government ordered its army to draft a plan to disarm the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Larijani’s trip follows Iran’s vocal opposition to Lebanon’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah, a group once considered better armed than… Continue reading Iran security chief pledges ongoing support for Lebanon amid Hezbollah disarmament plans

BEIJING/SINGAPORE: China on Tuesday announced preliminary anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola imports, a new escalation in the year-long trade dispute that began with Ottawa’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports last August. The provisional rate will be set at 75.8%, effective from Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. Canola Council… Continue reading China imposes 75.8% anti-dumping duty on Canadian canola

BRUSSELS/LONDON/KYIV: Europe and Ukraine’s leaders will speak to U.S. President Donald Trump at a virtual meeting on Wednesday ahead of his summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, as they try to drive home the perils of selling out Kyiv’s interests in pursuit of a ceasefire. Trump hosts Putin, a pariah in the West since Russia’s 2022… Continue reading Zelenskiy and EU leaders to discuss Ukraine with Trump before Putin summit

HANOI: The Vietnam Food Association has asked the country’s trade ministry to challenge a move by the Philippines to suspend rice imports for two months, two sources told Reuters, with traders saying it will harm local production. The Philippines, Vietnam’s biggest rice buyer, said last week that it would suspend rice imports for 60 days… Continue reading Vietnam food body urges trade ministry to oppose Philippine rice ban

BEIJING: China’s military said on Wednesday it monitored and “drove away” a U.S. destroyer that sailed near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the strategic busy waterway of the South China Sea. The first known U.S. military operation in at least six years within the shoal’s waters came a day after the Philippines accused Chinese vessels… Continue reading China military drives away US destroyer near Scarborough Shoal

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet President Donald Trump during a visit to the United States next month to attend the UN General Assembly meeting, the Indian Express newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing sources. India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An Indian official familiar… Continue reading Modi likely to meet Trump at UN General Assembly in US

NEW ZEALAND’S Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Wednesday that Israel’s leader Benjamin Netanyahu had “lost the plot” as the country weighs up whether to recognise a Palestinian state. Luxon told reporters that the lack of humanitarian assistance, the forceful displacement of people and the annexation of Gaza were utterly appalling and that Netanyahu had… Continue reading New Zealand PM criticises Netanyahu over Gaza crisis

WASHINGTON: A U.S. judge on Tuesday ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to restore a part of the federal grant funding that it recently suspended for the University of California, Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin in San Francisco ruled that the grant funding suspensions violated an earlier June preliminary injunction where she ordered the… Continue reading Judge orders Trump admin to restore UCLA funding amid protests

YAHIR remembers growing up in Mexico without a bed or a stove. He didn’t own a pair of shoes until he was 10, and in the mid-1990s — when he was 13 — he crossed with a group illegally into the U.S. in search of work. He settled in California and worked on farms across… Continue reading Migrants describe terror in US marijuana farm raids and deportations

A small fire ignited by debris from a destroyed drone was promptly doused at the Slavyansk oil refinery in Russia’s region of Krasnodar, authorities said on Wednesday. Russia’s air defence units destroyed 46 Ukrainian drones overnight, the defence ministry said on Telegram, including five over the Krasnodar region. The ministry reports only drones downed, not… Continue reading Drone debris causes fire at Russian refinery, 46 drones downed

TAIPEI: A large swathe of southern and eastern Taiwan shut down on Wednesday and hundreds of flights were cancelled ahead of the arrival later in the day of Typhoon Podul, with thousands of people evacuated. Taiwan is regularly hit by typhoons, generally along its mountainous, sparsely populated east coast facing the Pacific. The mid-strength Typhoon… Continue reading Southern Taiwan braces for Typhoon Podul with evacuations and flight cancellations

THE U.S. government’s unprecedented use of National Guard troops in Los Angeles to protect officers carrying out President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown was illegal and should be ended, a lawyer for the state of California told a federal judge on Tuesday. The lawyer said evidence presented from the landmark trial that began on Monday showed… Continue reading California challenges Trump’s military deployment in LA protests

BRASILIA: Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday said his government would provide 30 billion reais ($5.55 billion) in credit as part of a plan to support companies that export goods and are affected by steeper tariffs imposed from Washington. In an interview with local news outlet BandNews, Lula said this was an… Continue reading Brazil offers $5.6 billion credit to exporters hit by US tariffs

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and updated him on planned talks the Russian leader will hold with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska this week, the Kremlin said on Tuesday. North Korea’s state news agency KCNA later reported the two leaders’ call without mentioning the… Continue reading Putin and Kim discuss US-Russia talks in phone call, Kremlin confirms

NEW YORK: Do Kwon, the South Korean cryptocurrency entrepreneur behind two digital currencies that lost an estimated $40 billion in 2022, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two U.S. charges of conspiracy to defraud and wire fraud. Kwon, 33, who co-founded Singapore-based Terraform Labs and developed the TerraUSD and Luna currencies, entered the plea at a… Continue reading Do Kwon pleads guilty in $40 billion crypto fraud case

WASHINGTON: Homeless people in Washington, D.C., could face jail time if they do not comply with President Donald Trump’s efforts to crack down on crime and rid the U.S. capital of homeless encampments, the White House said on Tuesday. “Homeless individuals will be given the option to leave their encampment, to be taken to a… Continue reading Trump crackdown may jail homeless refusing services in Washington