Category: World

WASHINGTON: The United States has announced its first direct funding of $30 million for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial relief effort backed by Israel. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott called on other nations to support the initiative, emphasizing its role in addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Israel’s blockade on food and essential supplies since… Continue reading US pledges $30 million for Gaza relief amid controversy

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Congress to pass his sweeping $4.5 trillion tax cuts package during a White House event Thursday, framing it as vital for economic growth and border security. The legislation, dubbed the “One, Big Beautiful Bill,“ seeks to extend Trump’s first-term tax reductions while triggering contentious cuts to Medicaid… Continue reading Trump urges Congress to approve $4.5 trillion tax cuts package

LONDON: British car exports to the United States slumped by over half in May in large part due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, data showed Friday, but are set to recover thanks to a US-UK trade deal. Britain’s automotive trade body SMMT said that exports of new vehicles fell more than 55 percent last month… Continue reading US tariffs slash UK car exports in May: data

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has strongly defended the success of recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites while launching sharp criticism against media outlets for their coverage of an intelligence assessment that cast doubt on the operation’s effectiveness. Last weekend, American B-2 bombers targeted two Iranian nuclear facilities with GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, while a guided… Continue reading Trump admin defends Iran strikes success amid media criticism

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi revealed on Thursday that the recent 12-day conflict with Israel inflicted “serious” damage on the country’s nuclear sites. Authorities have begun evaluating the full extent of the destruction as diplomatic efforts to seek reparations gain momentum. “A detailed assessment of the damage is being carried out by experts from… Continue reading Iran assesses serious damage to nuclear sites

TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claims that American strikes severely damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling them exaggerated. In his first public appearance since a ceasefire took hold, Khamenei declared Iran’s “victory” over Israel and vowed resistance against US pressure. “The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways,… Continue reading Khamenei dismisses Trump’s claims on Iran nuclear strikes impact

NEW YORK: Anna Wintour, the legendary editor of US Vogue, has stepped down from her role after 37 years of shaping the fashion industry. The 75-year-old British-American icon, known for her signature bob and sunglasses, will no longer oversee the magazine’s daily operations but will retain her position as global editorial director for Vogue and… Continue reading Anna Wintour steps down as US Vogue editor after 37 years

ZAGREB: Temperatures soared across the Balkans on Thursday, with parts of the region expected to hit 41 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit), triggering heatwave health warnings. In Croatia, the capital Zagreb and the country’s east were at the highest risk of heat, according to the national Meteorological and Hydrological Service. Authorities remained on high alert after… Continue reading Heatwave triggers health warnings across Balkans

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted Thursday that American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites were a success, backing President Donald Trump and berating the media for questioning the results of the operation. American B-2 bombers hit two Iranian nuclear sites with massive GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs last weekend, while a guided missile submarine struck a… Continue reading Pentagon chief backs Trump on success of Iran strikes

WARSAW: Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Thursday that a new arms race could lead to the fall of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “regime”, just like it toppled the Soviet Union. The NATO member’s top diplomat spoke after the Western defence alliance agreed to massively ramp up defence spending, seen as vital to counter the… Continue reading Poland’s Sikorski says arms race could lead to Putin’s fall

BRUSSELS: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took part in a meeting of EU immigration hawks in Brussels Thursday, participants confirmed, in a sign of Berlin’s hardening stance on migration. It marked the first time a German leader has attended the gathering, which has become a stable fixture on the sidelines of EU summits of the bloc’s… Continue reading Germany’s Merz joins EU migration hawks meet

HONG KONG: The top American diplomat in Hong Kong defended US Independence Day celebrations as “perfectly normal” on Thursday after local education officials reportedly warned teachers and students to stay clear due to national security risks. Relations between Hong Kong and the United States frayed after Beijing imposed a national security law on the city… Continue reading US Independence Day event no threat to Hong Kong security: consulate chief