Category: World

Trump disavows spy chief Gabbard’s take on Iran’s nuclear program

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was wrong in suggesting there was no evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon. Trump contested intelligence assessments relayed earlier this year by his spy chief that Tehran was not building a nuclear weapon when he spoke with reporters at an… Continue reading Trump disavows spy chief Gabbard’s take on Iran’s nuclear program

Trump disavows spy chief Gabbard’s take on Iran’s nuclear program

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was wrong in suggesting there was no evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon. Trump contested intelligence assessments relayed earlier this year by his spy chief that Tehran was not building a nuclear weapon when he spoke with reporters at an… Continue reading Trump disavows spy chief Gabbard’s take on Iran’s nuclear program
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Trump’s immigration enforcers spark fury and fear in US

LOS ANGELES: After night fell on the outskirts of Los Angeles on Thursday, around 50 people clanged metal pots and blasted air horns outside a hotel in a noisy bedtime protest targeting US immigration agents. The “No Sleep For ICE” rally underscored growing anger at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a once obscure agency that… Continue reading Trump’s immigration enforcers spark fury and fear in US

Trump’s immigration enforcers spark fury and fear in US

LOS ANGELES: After night fell on the outskirts of Los Angeles on Thursday, around 50 people clanged metal pots and blasted air horns outside a hotel in a noisy bedtime protest targeting US immigration agents. The “No Sleep For ICE” rally underscored growing anger at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a once obscure agency that… Continue reading Trump’s immigration enforcers spark fury and fear in US
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Iran blocks major Israeli cyber assaults on banking, vital infrastructure networks

ISTANBUL: Iran’s Cyber Security Command announced that since the onset of Israeli cyberattacks amid the conflict, multiple attempts to disrupt critical infrastructure, including the banking network, have been largely thwarted, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, citing Iranian Mehr News Agency on Friday. Key achievements highlighted, according to a statement by the Command, include repelling major distributed… Continue reading Iran blocks major Israeli cyber assaults on banking, vital infrastructure networks
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Iran blocks major Israeli cyber assaults on banking, vital infrastructure networks

ISTANBUL: Iran’s Cyber Security Command announced that since the onset of Israeli cyberattacks amid the conflict, multiple attempts to disrupt critical infrastructure, including the banking network, have been largely thwarted, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, citing Iranian Mehr News Agency on Friday. Key achievements highlighted, according to a statement by the Command, include repelling major distributed… Continue reading Iran blocks major Israeli cyber assaults on banking, vital infrastructure networks

Tesla to build first grid-scale power plant in China

NEW YORK: Tesla announced Friday that it signed an agreement to build its first grid-scale energy storage power station project in mainland China. The project will help with the flexible adjustment of grid resources, and “effectively solve pressures relating to urban power supply,“ Tesla said in a post to the Chinese social media platform Weibo.… Continue reading Tesla to build first grid-scale power plant in China

Tesla to build first grid-scale power plant in China

NEW YORK: Tesla announced Friday that it signed an agreement to build its first grid-scale energy storage power station project in mainland China. The project will help with the flexible adjustment of grid resources, and “effectively solve pressures relating to urban power supply,“ Tesla said in a post to the Chinese social media platform Weibo.… Continue reading Tesla to build first grid-scale power plant in China
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VP Vance says US troops still ‘necessary’ in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES: US Vice President JD Vance said Friday that the thousands of troops deployed to Los Angeles this month were still needed despite a week of relative calm in the protest-hit city. President Donald Trump has sent roughly 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines, purportedly to protect federal property and personnel, after demonstrations… Continue reading VP Vance says US troops still ‘necessary’ in Los Angeles

VP Vance says US troops still ‘necessary’ in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES: US Vice President JD Vance said Friday that the thousands of troops deployed to Los Angeles this month were still needed despite a week of relative calm in the protest-hit city. President Donald Trump has sent roughly 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines, purportedly to protect federal property and personnel, after demonstrations… Continue reading VP Vance says US troops still ‘necessary’ in Los Angeles
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Trump floats firing ‘numbskull’ Fed chair Powell

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday — publicly mulling whether to fire the official and appoint himself to the central bank. The Republican leader, who regularly berates Powell over the bank’s decisions not to lower interest rates, took to Truth Social to smear the banker… Continue reading Trump floats firing ‘numbskull’ Fed chair Powell

Trump floats firing ‘numbskull’ Fed chair Powell

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday — publicly mulling whether to fire the official and appoint himself to the central bank. The Republican leader, who regularly berates Powell over the bank’s decisions not to lower interest rates, took to Truth Social to smear the banker… Continue reading Trump floats firing ‘numbskull’ Fed chair Powell
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Trump confirms DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal, gripes about Nobels

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump took credit Friday for a peace deal negotiated in Washington between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda — and complained that he would not get a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. The warring African nations said in a joint statement on Wednesday that they had initialed an agreement… Continue reading Trump confirms DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal, gripes about Nobels

Trump confirms DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal, gripes about Nobels

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump took credit Friday for a peace deal negotiated in Washington between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda — and complained that he would not get a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. The warring African nations said in a joint statement on Wednesday that they had initialed an agreement… Continue reading Trump confirms DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal, gripes about Nobels
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Pro-Palestinian protest leader released from US custody

NEW YORK: Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student who was one of the most visible leaders of nationwide pro-Palestinian campus protests, was released Friday from a federal detention center. Khalil, a legal permanent resident in the United States who is married to a US citizen and has a US-born son, has been in custody… Continue reading Pro-Palestinian protest leader released from US custody

Israel warns of ‘prolonged’ war against Iran

JERUSALEM: Israel’s war against Iran, now in its second week, will be “prolonged”, military chief Eyal Zamir said Friday as the arch rivals traded fire and European powers held talks with the Islamic republic. “We must be ready for a prolonged campaign,“ Zamir told Israelis in a video statement, eight days after his country launched… Continue reading Israel warns of ‘prolonged’ war against Iran

Putin denies trying to be Iran-Israel mediator

SAINT PETERSBURG: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said he was not seeking to be a mediator between Iran and Israel, and was only suggesting ideas for how the countries could resolve the escalating crisis. The Kremlin has spent much of the week positioning Moscow as a potential peacemaker after Israel launched strikes on Iran,… Continue reading Putin denies trying to be Iran-Israel mediator

European powers urge Iran to continue US nuclear talks

GENEVA: European powers on Friday urged Iran to continue diplomacy with the United States to find a solution in the standoff over its nuclear programme as Israel keeps up its bombardment of the Islamic republic. “The good result today is that we leave the room with the impression that the Iranian side is ready to… Continue reading European powers urge Iran to continue US nuclear talks

US-based NGO says 657 Iranian military, civilians killed in Israeli strikes

PARIS: A US-based NGO said Friday that Israel’s strikes against Iran have killed at least 657 people including civilians and members of the security forces, a toll based on sources and reports in Iran. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said that at least 263 civilians had been killed nationwide since Israel began its… Continue reading US-based NGO says 657 Iranian military, civilians killed in Israeli strikes

In Istanbul, top Arab League diplomats discuss Iran-Israel war

ISTANBUL: Arab League foreign ministers gathered in Istanbul late Friday to discuss the escalating war between Iran and Israel, Turkish state news agency Anadolu said, quoting diplomatic sources. The ministers were in Turkey’s largest city on the eve of weekend gathering of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which was also slated to discuss the… Continue reading In Istanbul, top Arab League diplomats discuss Iran-Israel war

US judge orders release of pro-Palestinian protest leader

NEW YORK: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration on Friday to release Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student who became a leader of pro-Palestinian campus protests. Khalil, a legal permanent US resident who is married to a US citizen and has a US-born son, has been in custody since March facing potential deportation. District… Continue reading US judge orders release of pro-Palestinian protest leader

Trump pushes forward on mass layoffs at Voice of America

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s administration on Friday ordered mass layoffs at Voice of America and other government-funded media, moving ahead with gutting the outlets despite legal disputes and criticism that US adversaries will benefit. Kari Lake, a fervent Trump supporter named to a senior role at the US Agency for Global Media, said the notices… Continue reading Trump pushes forward on mass layoffs at Voice of America

US judge blocks Trump ban on foreign students at Harvard

NEW YORK: A federal judge on Friday indefinitely paused Donald Trump’s bid to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students as the US president said a “deal” with the Ivy League school was in the works. The order by District Judge Allison Burroughs will allow international students to continue to attend the elite universtity while a… Continue reading US judge blocks Trump ban on foreign students at Harvard

Israel has delayed Iran nuclear bomb by ‘at least two or three years’: Minister

BERLIN: Israel estimates its strikes on Iran have delayed Tehran’s potential to develop a nuclear weapon by “at least two or three years”, Israel’s foreign minister said in an interview published Saturday. Israel’s offensive, which has hit hundreds of nuclear and military sites, killing top commanders and nuclear scientists, has produced “very significant” results, Foreign… Continue reading Israel has delayed Iran nuclear bomb by ‘at least two or three years’: Minister

Trump says Iran has ‘maximum’ two weeks, dismisses Europe peace efforts

JERUSALEM: US President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran had a “maximum” of two weeks to avoid possible American air strikes, as Israel claimed it has already set back Iran’s presumed nuclear programme by at least two years. Trump’s latest comments indicated he could take a decision before the fortnight deadline he set a day… Continue reading Trump says Iran has ‘maximum’ two weeks, dismisses Europe peace efforts

Japan core inflation hits 2-year high, keeps rate-hike bets alive

TOKYO: Japan’s core inflation hit a more than two-year high in May, exceeding the central bank’s 2% target for well over three years, keeping it under pressure to resume interest rate hikes despite economic pressure from U.S. tariffs. The data underscores the challenge the Bank of Japan faces in juggling pressure from persistent food inflation… Continue reading Japan core inflation hits 2-year high, keeps rate-hike bets alive

Tesla, Shanghai sign $557 million energy storage station deal, Yicai reports

BEIJING: Tesla’s first China grid-scale battery storage station using its megapack batteries will be located in Shanghai, local media Yicai reported on Friday. The deal involving an investment of 4 billion yuan ($556.8 million) was signed between the U.S. automaker, China Kangfu International Leasing Co and the Shanghai local government on Friday, according to the… Continue reading Tesla, Shanghai sign $557 million energy storage station deal, Yicai reports

China angered by British warship sailing as Taiwan raises alert level

BEIJING: China’s military criticised on Friday the sailing of a British warship through the Taiwan Strait as a deliberate attempt to “cause trouble”, while Taiwan’s president ordered monitoring stepped up in response to Chinese military activities. China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, though Taipei rejects that claim, has stepped up drills around the… Continue reading China angered by British warship sailing as Taiwan raises alert level

BBC threatens legal action against AI startup Perplexity over content scraping, FT reports

THE BBC has threatened legal action against Perplexity, accusing the AI startup of training its “default AI model” using BBC content, the Financial Times reported on Friday, making the British broadcaster the latest news organisation to accuse the AI firm of content scraping. The BBC may seek an injunction unless Perplexity stops scraping its content,… Continue reading BBC threatens legal action against AI startup Perplexity over content scraping, FT reports

Indonesia expects to sign free trade deal with Russia-led union this year, minister says

JAKARTA: Indonesia expects to sign a free trade agreement with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) this year in a move likely to boost demand for its commodity exports, its senior economic minister said in a statement released on Friday. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the agreement would open up new opportunities… Continue reading Indonesia expects to sign free trade deal with Russia-led union this year, minister says

Russia sentences activist who helped Ukrainians flee war to 22 years in prison

LONDON: A Russian activist who helped collect humanitarian aid for Ukraine and evacuate Ukrainians from the war zone was sentenced on Friday to 22 years in prison by a Moscow military court, the RIA state news agency reported. Nadezhda Rossinskaya, also known as Nadin Geisler, ran a group called “Army of Beauties”, which said it… Continue reading Russia sentences activist who helped Ukrainians flee war to 22 years in prison

UK grocery watchdog probes Amazon over alleged supplier payment delays

LONDON: Britain’s grocery regulator on Friday launched an investigation into Amazon, probing whether the U.S. retail giant breached rules on timely supplier payments over a three-year period. The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) said it suspected Amazon of violating paragraph 5 of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice, which mandates prompt payment to suppliers. “The alleged… Continue reading UK grocery watchdog probes Amazon over alleged supplier payment delays

Armed men on motor-bikes kill 34 Niger soldiers, ministry says

NIAMEY: Several hundred armed men, many on motor-bikes, attacked a Niger army base near the border with Mali, leaving at least 34 soldiers dead and 14 wounded, the Defence Ministry said. The attackers – described as “mercenaries” by the ministry – used eight vehicles and more than 200 motor-bikes in the raid on the base… Continue reading Armed men on motor-bikes kill 34 Niger soldiers, ministry says

Pro-Palestinian activists damage planes at UK military base

LONDON: Pro-Palestinian activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in central England on Friday, damaging and spraying red paint over two planes used for refuelling and transportation. Palestine Action said two members had entered the Brize Norton base in Oxfordshire, putting paint into the engines of the Voyager aircraft and further damaging them with… Continue reading Pro-Palestinian activists damage planes at UK military base

US singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty to assault charge in UK court

LONDON: U.S. singer Chris Brown pleaded not guilty on Friday to attacking a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub two years ago. Brown is charged with attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm in what prosecutors said was an “unprovoked attack” with a tequila bottle on Abraham Diaw in a London nightclub in… Continue reading US singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty to assault charge in UK court

UK retail sales record biggest monthly drop since 2023

LONDON: British retail sales volumes recorded their sharpest drop since December 2023 last month, as demand fell back after shoppers splurged on food, summer clothes and home improvements the month before, official figures showed on Friday. Retail sales volumes dropped by 2.7% in May, the Office for National Statistics said, a much sharper decline than… Continue reading UK retail sales record biggest monthly drop since 2023

Russia says any use of tactical nuclear weapons by US in Iran would be catastrophic, TASS reports

MOSCOW: Potential use of tactical nuclear weapons by the United States in Iran would be a catastrophic development, Russian state news agency TASS quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Friday. Peskov was commenting on what he called speculative media reports about that possibility. His comments, as reported by TASS, did not mention any… Continue reading Russia says any use of tactical nuclear weapons by US in Iran would be catastrophic, TASS reports

Leaders of China, New Zealand discuss trade, Pacific security

BEIJING: The leaders of China and New Zealand discussed on Friday the role of trade in boosting ties, while New Zealand also pressed its interests for peace and security in the Pacific, government statements showed. President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met in the capital’s Great Hall of the People as China’s influence… Continue reading Leaders of China, New Zealand discuss trade, Pacific security

Europe pushes diplomacy as Israel-Iran air war enters second week

WASHINGTON: Iran said on Friday it would not discuss the future of its nuclear programme while under Israeli attack, as Europe sought to draw Tehran back to the negotiating table, with a decision on potential U.S. involvement expected within two weeks. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying it aimed to prevent its longtime enemy… Continue reading Europe pushes diplomacy as Israel-Iran air war enters second week

Tax hikes put UK budget deficit on track against official forecasts

LONDON: An influx of taxes paid by businesses put Britain’s budget deficit on track to meet official forecasts at the start of the 2025/26 financial year, welcome news for finance minister Rachel Reeves as she seeks to repair the public finances. Official data on Friday showed public sector borrowing for May was 17.686 billion pounds… Continue reading Tax hikes put UK budget deficit on track against official forecasts

Oil prices fall as US delays decision on direct Iran involvement

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell on Friday after the White House delayed a decision on U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, but remained on course for a third consecutive weekly rise. Brent crude futures fell $2, or 2.5%, to $76.85 a barrel by 0648 GMT but still looked set to gain more than 3% on the… Continue reading Oil prices fall as US delays decision on direct Iran involvement

Monsters and memes: Labubu dolls ride China soft-power wave

SHANGHAI: Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart’s Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher. Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of… Continue reading Monsters and memes: Labubu dolls ride China soft-power wave

Israel army says struck weapons research centre in Tehran

JERUSALEM: Israel’s military said Friday it struck dozens of targets in Tehran overnight, including what it called a centre for the “research and development of Iran’s nuclear weapons project,“ in the eighth day of war between the two foes. In a statement, the army said it had “completed a series of strikes in the heart… Continue reading Israel army says struck weapons research centre in Tehran

Iran-Israel war: Latest developments

JERUSALEM: Israel and Iran exchanged fire again on Friday, a week into the war between the longtime enemies. Here are the latest developments: Iran meetings European top diplomats are meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme. “I’ve received several phone calls reassuring me that the Zionist… Continue reading Iran-Israel war: Latest developments

87 Japanese nationals, family members evacuated from Iran, Israel

TOKYO: A total of 87 Japanese nationals and their family members have evacuated from Iran and Israel amid intensifying tensions in the Middle East, the Japanese government said Friday. According to Kyodo news agency, the evacuees arrived by bus in Azerbaijan and Jordan as local airports remained closed and none had health issues, Foreign Minister… Continue reading 87 Japanese nationals, family members evacuated from Iran, Israel

‘Turkish salmon’: the Black Sea’s new rose-coloured gold

TURKEY: Sitting in his spacious office with a view of the Black Sea, Tayfun Denizer smiles: his rainbow trout, raised in submerged cages, have made him a wealthy man. “Our exports surged from $500,000 in 2017 to $86 million last year, and this is just the beginning,“ said Denizer, general manager of Polifish, one of… Continue reading ‘Turkish salmon’: the Black Sea’s new rose-coloured gold

Australia joins other nations shutting Tehran embassies

SYDNEY: Australia has shuttered its Tehran embassy and ordered officials to leave Iran, the government said Friday, citing a “deteriorating security situation”. It joins a string of countries closing diplomatic missions in Iran since Israel launched air strikes a week ago, claiming its arch enemy was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Australia… Continue reading Australia joins other nations shutting Tehran embassies

Australia joins other nations shutting Tehran embassies

SYDNEY: Australia has shuttered its Tehran embassy and ordered officials to leave Iran, the government said Friday, citing a “deteriorating security situation”. It joins a string of countries closing diplomatic missions in Iran since Israel launched air strikes a week ago, claiming its arch enemy was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Australia… Continue reading Australia joins other nations shutting Tehran embassies
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China’s Xi tells NZ’s Luxon ‘no conflicts of interest’

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that Beijing had “no fundamental conflicts of interest” with New Zealand, as he welcomed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on an official visit. Luxon’s trip comes at a time of tension with New Zealand’s close partner the Cook Islands over its ties with Beijing. The self-governing Pacific island… Continue reading China’s Xi tells NZ’s Luxon ‘no conflicts of interest’