Category: World

MEXICO CITY: Benito Juarez International Airport halted operations for several hours on Sunday after torrential rains caused severe flooding and poor visibility. Authorities announced the suspension of all takeoffs and landings for three hours to address the crisis. The airport’s official social media account stated the decision was made due to heavy rainfall and reports… Continue reading Mexico City airport halts flights amid severe flooding

MANILA: A Chinese navy vessel collided with a coast guard ship from the same country while chasing a Philippine patrol boat in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippine government released video footage showing the dramatic confrontation near Scarborough Shoal on Monday. Commodore Jay Tarriela, a spokesman for the Philippine coast guard, said the incident… Continue reading Chinese and Philippine vessels collide in South China Sea confrontation

TOKYO: Japanese officials have issued urgent evacuation orders for millions of residents after torrential rains triggered widespread flooding and landslides in the country’s southwest. Several people remain missing as rising waters submerged homes and vehicles across Kumamoto prefecture. Television footage from affected areas showed houses, shops and cars under approximately one metre of floodwater. The… Continue reading Japan orders evacuations as heavy rains trigger floods and landslides

MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has warned that his country would be dragged “kicking and screaming” into any war over Taiwan, though he stressed the need for preparation. China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to take the self-ruled island by force if necessary. Marcos expressed concern over the potential… Continue reading Philippines would be dragged into Taiwan war, Marcos warns

TEHRAN: Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani announced the cabinet’s approval to remove four zeros from the national currency, the rial. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting in Tehran, following a motion passed by the parliament’s economic commission last week. Mohajerani clarified that the rial would remain the official currency, with its subdivision called… Continue reading Iran approves removal of four zeros from rial currency

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh has expressed strong interest in Proton Holdings Bhd’s electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities as it seeks to attract investment from the Malaysian automaker. The country’s interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus will prioritise securing investments from Malaysian firms during his three-day visit to Malaysia starting Monday. “They produce a lot of cars. During… Continue reading Bangladesh seeks Proton investment for EV manufacturing and deep-sea fishing

ISTANBUL: A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck western Turkiye late Sunday, according to Anadolu Ajansi (AA). The Disaster and Emergency Management Agency reported the quake was centred in Sindirgi district of Balikesir province. The tremor occurred at a depth of 11 kilometres (6.8 miles). Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed an 81-year-old citizen died after being rescued… Continue reading 6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes western Turkiye, one dead

LONDON: The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised serious concerns over Israel’s plans to expand military operations in Gaza, describing the situation as “deeply worrying” amid an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued the warning on social media platform X, highlighting the severe health and food shortages plaguing… Continue reading WHO chief warns over Israel’s Gaza occupation as crisis worsens

GAZA CITY: Al Jazeera confirmed five of its journalists were killed in an Israeli strike on their tent in Gaza City on Sunday. The Qatar-based broadcaster named the victims as reporter Anas al-Sharif, journalist Mohammed Qreiqeh, and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. The Israeli military admitted targeting al-Sharif, labelling him a “terrorist”… Continue reading Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike on Gaza tent

LONDON: The UK government has announced plans to expand a scheme that forces foreign nationals to appeal convictions from abroad to prevent deportation delays. The initiative will nearly triple its coverage to 23 countries, requiring deportations before appeals can be heard. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood separately revealed plans to change the law, ensuring most foreign… Continue reading UK expands foreign criminal deportations to 23 countries

GENEVA: Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan came within approximately one thousand metres of setting a new altitude record for solar-powered aircraft during Sunday’s test flight. The 53-year-old eco-explorer reached 8,224 metres in his SolarStratos electric plane during a four-and-a-half-hour journey before safely landing at Sion airport in southwestern Switzerland. This achievement brings Domjan closer to his… Continue reading Swiss pilot nears solar plane altitude record with 8,224m flight

LOS ANGELES: The chilling new horror film Weapons has claimed the top spot at the North American box office with an impressive $42.5 million opening weekend. Industry estimates released on Sunday revealed strong audience turnout for the Warner Bros production starring Julia Garner and Josh Brolin. “This is an outstanding opening for an original horror… Continue reading Weapons horror film tops North American box office with $42.5 million

MADRID: More than 1,000 people were evacuated on Sunday in north-west Spain as wildfires spread rapidly due to extreme heat and strong winds. Around 400 residents were displaced from Carucedo and surrounding areas, while another 700 fled towns near the UNESCO-listed Las Medulas site. Regional leader Alfonso Manueco stated investigators believe arsonists deliberately started several… Continue reading Wildfires force over 1,000 evacuations in north-west Spain

BEIRUT: Syrian rights activists have intensified demands for an independent probe into last month’s violence in Sweida province after new footage surfaced showing government forces allegedly killing a volunteer medic inside a hospital. The video published by local outlet Suwayda 24 appears to show armed men in military uniforms shooting a medical volunteer during the… Continue reading Syria hospital killing video sparks demands for Sweida violence probe

LONDON: Several hundred demonstrators marched through central London on Sunday calling for Hamas to release Israeli hostages while condemning Britain’s impending recognition of a Palestinian state. The protest culminated outside 10 Downing Street, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to formally recognise Palestine should Israel refuse a Gaza ceasefire. Participants waved Israeli flags and… Continue reading London march demands hostage release amid UK Palestine state recognition

QUITO: Eight people died and two were injured when armed attackers opened fire outside a nightclub in southwestern Ecuador. Police colonel Javier Chango confirmed officers responded to an emergency call and discovered seven bodies at the scene, with an eighth victim later succumbing to injuries in hospital. The assault occurred at 1:15 am local time… Continue reading Eight killed in Ecuador nightclub shooting as gang violence escalates

STOCKHOLM: Nordic and Baltic nations declared on Sunday that any negotiations to end the Ukraine-Russia war must include Kyiv and occur during a ceasefire. The joint statement came ahead of Friday’s planned meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska. Leaders from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and… Continue reading Nordic and Baltic nations insist Ukraine must join peace talks

TEHRAN: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the deputy director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency will visit Tehran on Monday. This marks the first high-level IAEA visit since Iran suspended cooperation with the nuclear watchdog last month following its 12-day conflict with Israel. “Our talks with the Agency tomorrow will focus on a… Continue reading Iran confirms UN nuclear watchdog deputy chief visit amid tensions

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has declared his intention to relocate homeless individuals “far” from the US capital, escalating his push for greater federal control over Washington DC. The Republican leader made the announcement on his Truth Social platform ahead of a scheduled press conference detailing his plans for the district. Trump stated homeless residents would… Continue reading Trump plans to relocate homeless people far from Washington DC

GENEVA: Switzerland’s defence minister Martin Pfister has expressed willingness to place new arms orders with the United States as part of efforts to address Washington’s steep 39% tariffs. The Swiss government is pursuing further discussions with US officials after failing to prevent the tariffs, which took effect recently and threaten major export sectors. “Military purchases… Continue reading Swiss consider US arms deals to counter high tariff impact

LONDON: Relatives of Israeli hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7 attack gathered in London on Sunday to demand their loved ones’ freedom. The rally outside Downing Street criticised Britain’s planned recognition of a Palestinian state next month without securing hostage releases first. Organisers Stop the Hate UK and Jewish groups urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer… Continue reading Relatives of Israeli hostages urge UK action at London protest

FONTJONCOUSE: Firefighters have contained a massive wildfire in southern France but local officials warned on Sunday that scorching heat and dry conditions could reignite the blaze, as parts of the Mediterranean region face a heatwave. The fire has ravaged a vast area of France’s southern Aude department at the peak of the summer tourist season,… Continue reading Wildfire contained in southern France as heatwave threatens reignition

KYIV: European leaders urged more “pressure” on Russia overnight Saturday, after the announcement of a Trump-Putin summit to end the war in Ukraine raised concern that an agreement would require Kyiv to cede swathes of territory. Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will meet in the US state of Alaska this Friday to try to… Continue reading European leaders urge more ‘pressure’ on Russia ahead of Trump-Putin summit

NEW YORK: The new White House order directing regulators to expand access to alternative investments in 401(k) plans, like crypto or privately owned companies adds a new layer of risk to the retirement portfolios for ordinary investors that they may not fully understand, investment professionals say. “This is brand new; none of it has been… Continue reading Trump’s 401(k) order offers retirement savers crypto, private assets, but also higher fees and more risk

ROME: Italian firefighters on Sunday tackled a wildfire on the flanks of Mount Vesuvius, with all hiking routes up the volcano near Naples closed to tourists. The national fire service said it had 12 teams on the ground and six Canadair planes fighting the blaze, which has torn through the national park in southern Italy… Continue reading Italy’s Mount Vesuvius closed to tourists as wildfire rages

JERUSALEM: Israel’s far right pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go harder against Hamas, ahead of a UN Security Council meeting Sunday on the premier’s plan to conquer Gaza City. Over 22 months into the war in Gaza, Israel is gripped by a yawning divide, pitting those calling for an end of the conflict along… Continue reading Israel far right presses Netanyahu for decisive win against Hamas

THREE swimmers were killed by unexploded objects in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region at two beaches where swimming has been banned, regional officials said on Sunday. Regional governor Oleh Kiper said one man was killed in Karolino-Buhaz and another man and woman killed in nearby Zatoka, both down the coast from the regional capital. “All of… Continue reading Three killed on Ukraine’s Odesa region beaches by unexploded objects

BEIJING: A senior Chinese diplomat considered a contender for future foreign minister has been detained by authorities for questioning, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Liu Jianchao, head of a department under the ruling Communist Party that oversees relations with foreign political parties, was “taken away” after returning to Beijing from a work trip… Continue reading Senior Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao taken in for questioning: WSJ

SEOUL: South Korea’s military shrank by 20% in the past six years to 450,000 troops, largely due to a sharp drop in the population of males of enlistment age for mandatory service in the country with the world’s lowest birthrate, a report said on Sunday. The dramatic decline in the pool of available males for… Continue reading South Korea’s military has shrunk by 20% in six years as male population drops

UKRAINE’S President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Kyiv “values and fully supports” a joint statement by European leaders on achieving peace in Ukraine while protecting Ukrainian and European interests. French, Italian, German, Polish, British, Finnish and European Commission leaders on Saturday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to try to end the war, but… Continue reading Zelenskiy says Ukraine ‘fully supports’ joint statement by European leaders

BEIJING: Nvidia’s H20 artificial intelligence chips have raised security concerns in China, according to a social media account linked to state broadcaster CCTV. The account, Yuyuan Tantian, claimed the chips are neither technologically advanced nor environmentally friendly. It urged consumers to avoid purchasing them, stating, “When a type of chip is neither environmentally friendly, nor… Continue reading Nvidia H20 chips face security concerns in China, says state media

MELBOURNE: One person was killed and multiple buildings were damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Saratov region. Governor Roman Busargin confirmed the casualties on Telegram, stating debris from a downed drone struck residential and industrial sites. “Several residents required medical assistance,“ Busargin said. “Aid was provided onsite, and one person has been hospitalised.… Continue reading Ukrainian drone attack kills one in Russia’s Saratov region

BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has driven sweeping changes in security, economic, and migration policy during his first 100 days in office. His ambitious agenda has faced widening cracks in his uneasy coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD). On election night in February, Merz promised a “rambo zambo” approach, signalling both energy and unpredictability.… Continue reading Germany’s Merz faces coalition discord after bold first 100 days

SANTIAGO: The world’s largest underground copper mine, El Teniente, is set to restart operations following a deadly cave-in that halted production for over a week. Chile’s Mining Ministry suspended activities at the mine on August 1 after a seismic event triggered a tunnel collapse, trapping five miners. Rescuers later recovered the bodies of all five… Continue reading Chile’s El Teniente copper mine to restart after fatal collapse