Category: World

ITALY antitrust regulator said on Friday it had imposed a 3.5 million euro ($4 million) fine on fashion group Giorgio Armani and one of its units for alleged unfair commercial practices. The two companies “issued misleading ethical and social responsibility statements in contrast with the actual working conditions found at suppliers and subcontractors”, the regulator… Continue reading Armani fined €3.5m in Italy over misleading ethics claims

BUDAPEST: Hungary’s government will draw up plans to protect the country’s jobs and manufacturing after the trade deal between the United States and the European Union, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told public radio on Friday. The U.S. and the EU announced a trade agreement on Sunday setting a 15% tariff on the bloc’s exports to… Continue reading Hungary plans job protection after US-EU trade deal impacts exports

FREETOWN: The eco-lodges and tree-covered footpaths of West Africa’s largest chimpanzee refuge have been devoid of tourists for more than two months as its founder stages a protest about rampant deforestation in Sierra Leone. Authorities acknowledge that the country’s rich wildlife is threatened by land seizures and illegal logging, but the founder of the Tacugama… Continue reading Chimp sanctuary shuts to protest Sierra Leone deforestation

PARIS: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Friday that France is sending four flights carrying 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza from Jordan. “This is emergency aid but still not sufficient” in the face of this “revolting” situation, Barrot told broadcaster franceinfo. A global hunger monitor said on Tuesday that a famine scenario… Continue reading France to send 40 tonnes of aid to Gaza amid famine fears

TOKYO: A Japanese labour ministry panel plans to recommend an increase of about 6% in the national average minimum wage for this fiscal year, for the biggest such jump since at least 2002, the Kyodo news agency said on Friday. The proposed hike, to about 1,118 yen ($7.43) per hour, would exceed last year’s increase… Continue reading Japan plans record 6% minimum wage hike: Kyodo news

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa faces a 30% tariff on its exports to the United States starting next week, a move expected to cost tens of thousands of jobs after the country failed to secure a trade deal before a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. In an executive order on Thursday, Trump slapped new tariff… Continue reading South Africa hit with 30% US tariff after failed trade talks

BERLIN/GENEVA: Switzerland’s government said on Friday it was assessing the situation after the White House announced a higher 39% tariff on Swiss imports to the United States in an escalating trade war between the two countries. “Switzerland has been and continues to be in contact with the responsible authorities in the U.S.,“ the Federal Council… Continue reading Switzerland seeks negotiated solution as US hikes tariffs to 39%

FOUR flight attendants on the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 plane that experienced a mid-air cabin panel blowout in January last year are suing Boeing for physical and emotional injuries. In separate lawsuits, they are seeking compensation for past and future economic damages, citing physical and mental injuries, emotional distress and other financial costs. “Each… Continue reading Boeing sued by flight attendants over MAX 9 mid-air panel blowout

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order increasing tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% from 25% on all products not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, the White House said. Goods transshipped to another country to evade the new tariffs would be subject to a transshipment levy of 40%, according to… Continue reading Trump increases tariff on Canada to 35% from 25%, cites fentanyl

BANGKOK: Thailand welcomed on Friday the 19 percent trade tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump as a “major success”, a government spokesman said, averting a threatened levy of 36 percent. Trump ordered stiff tariffs on dozens of trading partners in an effort to reshape global trade in favour of the US economy. Thailand has… Continue reading Thailand welcomes 19% US tariff as ‘major success’

CANADIAN Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was disappointed after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to raise tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% from 25% on products outside the scope of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. The move, which Washington linked in part to what it said was Canada’s failure to stop fentanyl… Continue reading Canada PM says he is disappointed as Trump orders tariff hike

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Friday welcomed a 19 percent trade tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump, avoiding a threatened levy of 36 percent. “This is the best news for the people and economy of Cambodia to continue to develop the country,“ Hun Manet wrote on Facebook. Trump had originally threatened… Continue reading Cambodian PM says 19% US trade tariff ‘the best news’

WASHINGTON: The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History has removed explicit reference to President Donald Trump from an exhibit about impeachment, a spokesperson said on Thursday. The museum in Washington D.C. made the change as part of a review that it agreed to undertake following White House pressure to remove an art museum director,… Continue reading American history museum removes Trump’s name from impeachment exhibit

A tariff rate of 19% on Cambodia’s exports to the United States has helped it avert the collapse of its vital garment and footwear sector, allowing the country to remain competitive with its peers, its deputy prime minister told Reuters on Friday. Sun Chanthol, Cambodia’s top trade negotiator, thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his… Continue reading Cambodia deputy PM says 19% US tariff rate averts collapse of its garments manufacturing sector

SAN SALVADOR: A ruling party lawmaker in El Salvador on Thursday sent a bill to modify the constitution to drastically overhaul how elections are run in the Central American nation. The amendment would open the door to indefinite presidential re-election, extend terms from five years to six and scrap run-offs. It would also shorten the… Continue reading El Salvador ruling party proposes constitutional overhaul on elections

KYIV: Russia launched waves of missiles and drones on Kyiv before dawn on Thursday, killing 16 people including two children, and wounding well over 100 others, officials in the Ukrainian capital said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking earlier in his nightly video address, put the death toll at 14 and said rescue operations were continuing into… Continue reading Russian strikes kill 16 people in Kyiv, including two children

JERUSALEM: U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in a bid to salvage Gaza truce talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s military assault in the enclave, where a global hunger monitor has warned that famine is unfolding. Shortly after Witkoff’s arrival, President Donald Trump posted on… Continue reading Trump’s envoy meets Netanyahu for Gaza aid, ceasefire push

BANGKOK: Thailand faces a 19% U.S. tariff on its exports, the White House said on its website. Washington had threatened to impose a 36% levy on imports from Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy – REUTERS

LAHORE: A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Thursday sentenced more than 100 members of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party to prison terms on charges related to riots that targeted military sites in 2023, a court order said. Fifty-eight of the defendants, who included parliamentarians and senior officials, were sentenced to 10 years in prison… Continue reading Pakistan jails more than 100 members of ex-PM Imran Khan’s party for 2023 riots

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump ordered the reimposition of tariffs on dozens of trading partners Thursday — his cornerstone strategy for reshaping global trade to benefit the US economy. However in a minor reprieve, the White House said the measures will take effect in a week, not this Friday as previously expected. The tariffs are a… Continue reading Trump orders tariffs on dozens of countries in push to reshape global trade

WASHINGTON: U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Russia after his current trip to Israel, President Donald Trump said on Thursday. Trump did not give an itinerary for Witkoff, who has held extensive talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past. Trump has given Putin until August 8 to reach a… Continue reading Trump says special envoy Witkoff will travel to Russia after Israel trip

LONDON: Britain said the European Union will remove tariffs on key steel products under a quota system from Friday as part of a reset of ties and a recent deal to ease trade barriers. In May, Britain agreed the most significant reset of defence and trade ties with the European Union since Brexit, which included… Continue reading Britain says EU is removing tariffs on steel under quota

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday increasing tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% from 25%, the White House said. The new rates goes into effect on August 1. “In response to Canada’s continued inaction and retaliation, President Trump has found it necessary to increase the tariff on Canada from 25%… Continue reading Trump increases tariff on Canada to 35%, White House says

WASHINGTON: After paving over the Rose Garden and adding gold leaf in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump will embark on his most dramatic addition to the White House yet: a new, $200 million ballroom to be built adjacent to the mansion’s East Wing. Trump, a former real estate developer with a penchant for decorating,… Continue reading Trump to start building $200 million White House ballroom in September

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump sent letters to the leaders of 17 major pharmaceutical companies outlining how they should slash U.S. prescription drug prices to match those paid overseas, the White House said on Thursday. Trump signed a sweeping executive order in May demanding drugmakers cut U.S. medicine prices to match those abroad, saying that if… Continue reading Trump pressures 17 pharma CEOs to cut US drug prices

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law imposing fines on internet users who search for content labelled as “extremist” by authorities. The legislation, criticised as a crackdown on free expression, penalises individuals up to 5,000 rubles ($64) for accessing banned materials. The law targets searches for web pages, books, music, or artwork deemed… Continue reading Putin signs law fining searches for extremist content in Russia

LILLE: A Palestinian student from Gaza is under investigation in France for allegedly posting antisemitic messages online, leading to the revocation of her university accreditation. Officials confirmed she will have to leave the country. France’s Sciences Po university in Lille cancelled the student’s enrolment after accusations surfaced. Lille’s chief prosecutor, Carole Etienne, stated that an… Continue reading Palestinian student in France investigated over antisemitic posts

HONG KONG: One of Hong Kong’s largest LGBTQ events, Pink Dot Hong Kong, has been cancelled after organisers were denied a venue “without explanation”. The annual celebration, held since 2014, was scheduled for October 12 but could not proceed after West Kowloon Cultural District refused to rent the space. Organisers said they had engaged the… Continue reading Hong Kong LGBTQ event cancelled after venue denial without explanation

LISBON: Portugal is evaluating whether to recognise the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s office confirmed on Thursday. The move follows similar signals from France, Britain, and Canada, as global criticism mounts over worsening conditions in Gaza. A government statement said Portugal is “considering recognition of… Continue reading Portugal considers recognising Palestinian state at UN in September

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has branded India and Russia as “dead economies” while confirming plans to impose new tariffs on New Delhi. In a late-night social media post, Trump dismissed concerns over India’s trade ties with Russia, stating, “They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.” Trump criticised India’s high… Continue reading Trump calls India and Russia ‘dead economies’ amid tariff threats

WASHINGTON: The United States announced it will deny visas to Palestinian Authority officials, accusing the governing body of attempting to “internationalise” its conflict with Israel. The State Department stated the Palestinian Authority is pursuing actions through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) while continuing to “support terrorism.” The visa restrictions… Continue reading US to deny visas to Palestinian officials over ICC actions

BRUSSELS: The European Union stated on Thursday that its prized wine industry would likely face new US tariffs alongside most European exports, though negotiations continue to secure exemptions. A weekend trade agreement between Brussels and Washington will impose a 15 percent levy on EU goods starting Friday, with some exceptions like aircraft already confirmed. France,… Continue reading EU seeks wine exemption as US tariffs take effect

ISLAMABAD: The opposition leader in Pakistan’s parliament was among more than 100 people convicted Thursday over nationwide protests in support of Imran Khan in 2023, his party said. A statement from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) said six members of parliament, a senator, and a provincial MP, were given 10-year sentences, a week after several… Continue reading Pakistan opposition leader gets 10-year sentence over Imran Khan protests

KYIV: Ukraine’s parliament voted on Thursday in favour of a new anti-corruption bill, replacing a contentious law that had sparked mass protests. The legislation, pre-approved by anti-graft bodies, introduces measures such as regular lie detector tests for officials. European allies had expressed concerns that the previous law could weaken Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms, crucial for its… Continue reading Ukraine parliament passes new anti-corruption bill amid EU reforms

KATHMANDU: Rights groups on Thursday urged Nepal to reverse a ban on the Telegram messaging app, calling the move a serious threat to freedom of expression and digital privacy. The Himalayan nation blocked access to the app on July 18, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering. “The government’s ban is a serious… Continue reading Rights groups demand Nepal revoke Telegram ban over freedom concerns

LONDON: The UK’s media watchdog said Thursday it has launched investigations into 34 pornography websites over their compliance with new age-check requirements to prevent children accessing harmful online content. Ofcom said it would probe four firms that run the dozens of sites to assess whether they had “highly effective” age verification measures in place, after… Continue reading UK regulator to probe 34 porn sites over age-checks