Category: World

ROME: The escalating global tariff tensions, spearheaded by the United States, must be resolved through the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to ensure fairness and stability, according to Italian economist Mario Tirelli. Speaking to Xinhua, Tirelli, a professor of economics at the University of Roma Tre, warned that the US-initiated trade disputes now impact nearly all… Continue reading WTO crucial for resolving global trade tensions, says Italian economist

PRAGUE: Czech military intelligence has exposed a shocking plot by Chinese diplomats to physically intimidate Taiwan’s Vice-President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit to Prague last year. The revelation came on Friday when Czech intelligence confirmed that Chinese diplomats and secret service agents had systematically followed Hsiao throughout her March 2024 visit, gathering intelligence on her… Continue reading Czech Intel: China planned to intimidate Taiwan vice-president

SINGAPORE: Singapore has heightened its security measures in response to the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, according to Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam. Speaking to the media during a community event on Saturday, Shanmugam acknowledged the fragile ceasefire but warned of unpredictable developments. “There is a ceasefire,… Continue reading Singapore boosts security amid Iran-Israel tensions

MARSEILLE: Southern Europe is enduring its first major heatwave of the summer, with temperatures soaring past 40 degrees Celsius in several regions. Scientists warn that the continent, the fastest-warming in the world, is experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change. In Italy, 17 cities, from Milan to Palermo, were placed under red… Continue reading Europe faces first summer heatwave as temperatures soar

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has publicly condemned the ongoing corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling it a “political witch hunt” and vowing that the US would not tolerate it. Trump made the remarks on his Truth Social platform, stating, “The United States of America spends Billions of Dollar a year, far… Continue reading Trump defends Netanyahu amid corruption trial, calls it political witch hunt

ISLAMABAD: A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck central Pakistan early Sunday morning, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor occurred at approximately 3:30am local time (2230 GMT), with its epicentre located 60 kilometres north-northeast of Barkhan in Balochistan province. No immediate casualties or damage were reported following the shallow quake. Pakistan lies along… Continue reading 5.3-magnitude earthquake strikes central Pakistan, no casualties reported

VIENNA: The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has stated that Iran could resume uranium enrichment “in a matter of months” despite recent attacks on its nuclear facilities by the US and Israel. The remarks came during an interview with CBS News, highlighting ongoing concerns over Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. Israel launched… Continue reading Iran uranium enrichment could resume in months despite attacks: IAEA

VENICE: At least 500 protesters flooded Venice’s streets on Saturday, voicing opposition to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ high-profile wedding to journalist Lauren Sanchez. The event, marked by luxury and celebrity attendance, has sparked criticism in the historic city, where locals accuse the billionaire of exploiting Venice for personal extravagance. Chants of “Bezos, out of the… Continue reading Venice protests target Jeff Bezos wedding with “Eat the rich” chants

PARIS: France has offered to assist in ensuring safer food distribution in Gaza amid growing concerns over civilian casualties during aid deliveries. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated on Saturday that France and Europe are prepared to enhance security for humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territory. Barrot’s remarks follow increasing criticism of deadly incidents at Israeli-supported… Continue reading France offers safety support for Gaza food distribution amid crisis

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Tourism Ministry has urged visitors to Mount Rinjani National Park in West Nusa Tenggara to use only licensed operators and certified guides when undertaking extreme activities such as hiking. The appeal follows the death of Brazilian tourist Juliana Marins, 26, who fell while trekking in the park on June 21. Her body was… Continue reading Indonesia urges safer hiking after tourist death on Mount Rinjani

KUALA LUMPUR: A strong earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Scotia Sea at 4.32 pm this afternoon. According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the earthquake with a depth of 10 kilometres (km) occurred at a distance of 3,152 km southeast of Puerto Montt, Chile. However, MetMalaysia informed that there was no tsunami… Continue reading Strong 6.4 magnitude earthquake hits Scotia Sea, no tsunami threat

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling blunting a potent weapon that federal judges have used to block government policies nationwide during legal challenges was in many ways a victory for President Donald Trump, except perhaps on the very policy he is seeking to enforce. An executive order that the Republican president signed on his… Continue reading Trump wins Supreme Court ruling but birthright citizenship fight continues

WASHINGTON: U.S. Senate Republicans will seek to advance President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill on Saturday with a procedural vote that could kick off a marathon weekend session and lead to full congressional approval next week. The 940-page megabill, released late on Friday, would extend the 2017 tax cuts that were Trump’s main… Continue reading US Senate Republicans push Trump tax-cut bill ahead of July 4 deadline

ATHENS: Greece’s government on Saturday said it had replaced Makis Voridis a day after the migration minister resigned over claims he defrauded European farm subsidies while holding the agriculture brief. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said in a statement that Thanos Plevris, a former minister of health and former member of the Greek far-right LAOS party,… Continue reading Greece replaces minister after resignation over EU subsidy scandal

WARSAW: Belarusian exile Asya watched from the sidelines in central Warsaw as a crowd greeted and applauded Sergei Tikhanovsky, the Belarus opposition figure who was unexpectedly released, barely recognisable after five years in prison. A popular blogger, Tikhanovsky, 46, was jailed in 2020, weeks before he was due to stand in presidential elections against Belarus’s… Continue reading Belarusians in Warsaw celebrate prisoner release, hope for more

PESHAWAR (Pakistan): Heavy rains and flash flooding across Pakistan have killed 24 people including 12 children since the start of the monsoon season this week, disaster management officials said. At least 13 people have been killed in the eastern province of Punjab since Wednesday, the area’s disaster management authority said Saturday. Eight of the fatalities… Continue reading Pakistan flash floods kill 24 as monsoon rains wreak havoc

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling tied to birthright citizenship prompted confusion and phone calls to lawyers as people who could be affected tried to process a convoluted legal decision with major humanitarian implications. The court’s conservative majority on Friday granted President Donald Trump his request to curb federal judges’ power but did not decide… Continue reading US Supreme Court’s birthright ruling sparks confusion among immigrants

MARSEILLE: Southern Europeans braced Saturday for the first heatwave of the northern hemisphere summer, as climate change pushes thermometers on the world’s fastest-warming continent increasingly into the red. Temperatures are set to rise to 37 degrees Celsius (99 Fahrenheit) in Rome, driving the Eternal City’s many tourists and Catholic pilgrims to the Vatican alike towards… Continue reading Europe faces first summer heatwave as temperatures soar

BELGRADE: Serbian protesters are expected to gather in their tens of thousands in the capital Belgrade on Saturday, issuing an “ultimatum” for the government to call early elections after months of student-led strikes. Anti-graft protests have rocked the Balkan nation since November when a train station roof collapse in the northern city of Novi Sad… Continue reading Serbian protesters issue election ultimatum amid corruption outcry

CAIRO: Emirates extended its cancellation of flights to and from Iran’s capital Tehran until July 5 due to the “regional situation”, it said in a statement on Saturday. The Dubai-based airline said it will recommence operations to Baghdad on July 1 and Basra on July 2.

PESHAWAR (Pakistan): A suicide attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban killed 16 soldiers and wounded more than two dozen people, including civilians, local government officials and police officers told AFP. “A suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a military convoy,“ said a local government official in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, who… Continue reading Suicide attack kills 16 soldiers in Pakistan’s North Waziristan

DOHA: Gaza mediators are engaging with Israel and Hamas to build on momentum from this week’s ceasefire with Iran and work towards a truce in the Palestinian territory, Qatar foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said. Israel and Iran on Tuesday agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the United States and Qatar just hours after the… Continue reading Qatar pushes Israel-Hamas truce talks amid Gaza ceasefire momentum

NAIROBI: The African Union said on Saturday a peace deal signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda was a “significant milestone” in bringing peace to the deeply troubled region. For more than 30 years the eastern DRC has been riven by conflict, which has intensified in recent years with the advance of an… Continue reading African Union hails DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal as milestone

THE Israeli army said on Saturday that a missile fired from Yemen towards Israeli territory had been “most likely successfully intercepted”, while Yemen’s Houthi forces claimed responsibility for the launch. Israel has threatened Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement – which has been attacking Israel in what it says is solidarity with Gaza – with a naval… Continue reading Israel says missile from Yemen’s Houthis “most likely” intercepted amid rising tensions

SHANGHAI: Heavy rain struck China’s southwestern Guizhou province again on Saturday, half-submerging the already flood-stricken riverside city of Rongjiang for a second time this week and prompting the evacuation of residents to higher ground. Located at the confluence of three rivers and home to 300,000 residents, Rongjiang was inundated earlier this week by record downpours… Continue reading Heavy rain floods Guizhou again as Rongjiang faces second deluge

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Supreme Court on the last day of rulings for its current term gave Donald Trump his latest in a series of victories at the nation’s top judicial body, one that may make it easier for him to implement contentious elements of his sweeping agenda as he tests the limits of presidential power.… Continue reading US Supreme Court backs Trump in key ruling on injunctions

TOKYO: The rate of depressive symptoms was lower among working-age people who consume a Japanese-style diet including rice, miso soup and fish, the first study of its kind recently showed, Kyodo News Agency reported. The Japan Institute for Health Security assessed the benefits of a traditional ‘Japanese-style diet’ comprising of soy products, cooked vegetables, mushrooms,… Continue reading Japanese diet may reduce depression risk, study finds

BEIJING: The former head of China Eastern Airlines is under investigation over corruption allegations, two Chinese anti-graft bodies said Saturday. Liu Shaoyong, who headed the airline from 2009 until his resignation in 2022, is being investigated for “serious violations of discipline and law”, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission said… Continue reading Former head of major Chinese airline under graft investigation

COLOGNE: A German court has ruled that Aldi Süd can no longer sell its “Dubai chocolate” bars after confirming the product was manufactured in Turkey, not Dubai. The Higher Regional Court in Cologne delivered the final verdict on Friday, overturning previous lower court decisions. The legal dispute arose when a confectionery importer challenged Aldi Süd’s… Continue reading German court rules Dubai chocolate must originate from Dubai

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed media reports that said his administration had discussed possibly helping Iran access as much as $30 billion to build a civilian-energy-producing nuclear program. CNN reported on Thursday and NBC News reported on Friday that the Trump administration in recent days had explored possible economic incentives for Iran… Continue reading Trump dismisses reports US is weighing up to $30 billion civilian nuclear deal for Iran

NEW YORK: Sean “Diddy” Combs’s lawyer aimed Friday to skewer the credibility of the music mogul’s accusers, saying in closing arguments they were out for money while rejecting any notion he led a criminal ring. But in their rebuttal — the trial’s final stage before jurors are tasked with deciding the verdict — prosecutors tore… Continue reading ‘Not a god’: arguments end in Combs trial ahead of jury deliberations

BANGKOK: Hundreds of protesters gathered in the Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as her government faces rising anger over a border row with Cambodia. The rally, the largest anti-government protest since her Pheu Thai party came to power in 2023, increases pressure on Paetongtarn, 38, who is… Continue reading Thai protesters call for Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s resignation

JERUSALEM: Israel’s Military Advocate General has ordered an investigation into possible war crimes over allegations that Israeli forces deliberately fired at Palestinian civilians near Gaza aid distribution sites, Haaretz newspaper reported on Friday. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed over the past month in the vicinity of areas where food was being handed out, local… Continue reading Israeli military orders war crime probe into Gaza shootings, paper says

HOLLYWOOD’S home state of California will more than double annual tax incentives for film and television production to $750 million under a measure passed by the Democratic-led legislature on Friday. The increase from the current $330 million was approved as part of a broader tax bill that is expected to be signed into law by… Continue reading California legislature acts to keep film and TV production at home