Category: World

ZURICH: Swiss mining and commodities trader Glencore has reported deeper losses for the first half of 2025. The company posted a $655 million loss, compared to $233 million in the same period last year. Core earnings from its mining division dropped 17% to $5.4 billion, driven by weaker coal prices and reduced copper output. Its… Continue reading Glencore reports deeper losses amid coal price slump and tariffs

MUMBAI: India’s central bank left its key interest rate unchanged at 5.50 percent on Wednesday. The decision comes as US President Donald Trump escalates threats to raise tariffs on Indian imports. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained the repurchase rate following a unanimous vote by its six-member panel. Most analysts had expected a pause… Continue reading India holds interest rates steady amid US tariff threats

HONG KONG: Cathay Pacific has announced a US$8.1 billion deal to purchase 14 Boeing 777-9 aircraft. The airline confirmed the order in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange. Cathay also secured the option to buy seven additional Boeing 777-9 jets. The new aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2034. Cathay currently operates… Continue reading Cathay Pacific orders 14 Boeing jets in US$8.1 billion deal

NEW DELHI: India’s national security adviser was reportedly in Moscow on Wednesday as tensions escalated over US threats to increase tariffs on Indian imports. The visit came after US President Donald Trump warned of “substantially” higher tariffs due to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Indian media, including The Hindu and NDTV, reported that security… Continue reading India’s security chief in Moscow amid US tariff threats over Russian oil

TEHRAN: Iranian authorities executed a man on Wednesday for spying on behalf of Israel, the judiciary confirmed. Roozbeh Vadi was hanged after his death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court, according to Mizan Online. The judiciary stated Vadi leaked classified information about a nuclear scientist killed during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June.… Continue reading Iran executes man for spying for Israel in nuclear scientist case

LAGRASSE: A wildfire in southern France has left one woman dead and nine others injured, with flames consuming 11,000 hectares of land. The blaze, which began on Tuesday afternoon, has damaged or destroyed 25 homes in the Aude department, prompting a massive response from 1,500 firefighters. The Aude prefecture confirmed the fatality, stating the woman… Continue reading Wildfire in southern France kills one, injures nine

SAN JOSE: ChatGPT maker OpenAI has launched two new “open” artificial intelligence (AI) models that can be customised and run locally on a laptop, the company said on Tuesday, reported German Press Agency (dpa). Dubbed “gpt-oss-120b” and “gpt-oss-20b,“ the two models are so-called “open-weight language models” which allow users to access the AI’s parameters and… Continue reading OpenAI launches two new AI models that can be customised

PANDEGLANG, INDONESIA: At a shrimp farm in Indonesia, more than 16,000 km (9,942 miles) from Washington D.C., U.S. President Donald Trump ‘s import tariffs have left Denny Leonardo’s expansion plans in disarray. Leonardo had aimed to add about 100 new ponds this year to his 150-pond farm on the southwestern tip of Java island, but… Continue reading Hit by US tariffs, Indonesia plans to sell shrimp to China instead

WASHINGTON: US tariffs on many Brazilian products surged Wednesday, as President Donald Trump moved ahead with a pressure campaign against the trial of his right-wing ally Jair Bolsonaro. Trump’s latest salvo brings duties on various Brazilian goods from 10 percent to 50 percent, although broad exemptions — including for orange juice and civil aircraft —… Continue reading Steeper US tariffs take effect on many Brazilian goods

UTTARAKHAND: Heavy rains and landslides have severely hampered rescue operations in India’s Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where four people have died and dozens remain missing. Flash floods and mudslides struck Dharali village, a key tourist stop near the pilgrimage town of Gangotri, cutting off access as highways were blocked. Army and disaster response teams worked… Continue reading Heavy rains trigger landslides in Uttarakhand, dozens missing amid rescue efforts

WARSAW: Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian aligned with Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, will be sworn in as Poland’s president today, marking a setback for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-EU agenda. Backed by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, Nawrocki’s victory signals potential policy clashes and a cooling stance toward Ukraine. Nawrocki’s presidency is expected… Continue reading Karol Nawrocki sworn in as Poland’s president amid political tensions

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has created a federal taskforce to oversee preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This marks the first Olympic Games hosted in the US since the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Trump signed the executive order on Tuesday alongside Los Angeles Organizing Committee chair Casey Wasserman.… Continue reading Trump forms taskforce for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics prep

SEOUL: South Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan stated on Wednesday that additional discussions with Washington are necessary to finalize the timing of promised tariff cuts on the country’s auto exports to the US, currently set at 25%. President Donald Trump announced last week that the US would impose a 15% tariff on imports from South… Continue reading South Korea seeks clarity on US auto tariff cut timing

MANILA: The Philippines, among the world’s largest buyers of rice, will suspend rice imports for 60 days from September 1 to protect local farmers impacted by falling prices during the harvest season, the government said on Wednesday. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered the suspension, Communications Secretary Dave Gomez told reporters, adding tariff increases on imported… Continue reading Philippines suspends rice imports for 60 days to protect farmers

ROME: Francis Ford Coppola, the acclaimed American director of “The Godfather” movies and “Apocalypse Now,“ underwent a non-emergency cardiac procedure in a Rome hospital and is doing fine, he and a U.S.-based representative said on Tuesday. “Mr. Coppola went in for a scheduled update procedure” performed by renowned Italian-born cardiologist Dr. Andrea Natale “and is… Continue reading Francis Ford Coppola recovers after scheduled heart procedure in Rome

SEOUL: Former South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee appeared before a special counsel on Wednesday to face questioning over alleged involvement in stock manipulation, election meddling and other charges. Kim, the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, arrived late at the office of special counsel Min Joong-ki. She is the first spouse… Continue reading S Korean ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee faces public questioning in criminal probe

MOSCOW: US envoy Steve Witkoff will hold meetings with Russian officials on Wednesday, a US source confirmed, as President Donald Trump’s deadline to impose new sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine approaches. The source did not clarify whether Witkoff would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, though the two have held discussions multiple times before. Trump… Continue reading US envoy Witkoff heads to Moscow amid Ukraine war tensions

WASHINGTON: The State Department said Tuesday that Malawians and Zambians will be required to pay a bond of up to $15,000 to travel to the United States on business or tourist visas. The decision takes effect August 20 as part of a one-year pilot project aimed at reducing visa overstays in the United States, where… Continue reading US imposes $15,000 visa bond for Malawi, Zambia visitors

WASHINGTON: Switzerland’s president was in Washington on Tuesday in a last-minute push to stop steep new tariffs, but with no appointment to plead her case to US President Donald Trump. Switzerland faces a 39-percent duty, one of the highest among the dozens of economies that will be hit by new tariffs expected to come into… Continue reading Swiss president races to US to prevent 39% tariff hike

WASHINGTON: The US government has terminated 22 federal contracts for mRNA-based vaccines, raising questions about the safety and effectiveness of a technology widely credited with curbing the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision, announced by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reflects growing skepticism within the administration regarding mRNA vaccines. “We reviewed the science, listened to the… Continue reading US cancels mRNA vaccine contracts amid safety concerns

MIAMI: A luxurious superyacht seized by the US authorities from sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov is headed to the auction block. The 348-foot (106-metre) Amadea has a helipad, pool, jacuzzi, gym, spa, beauty salon and eight staterooms that can accommodate 16 guests, according to amadeaauction.com. The yacht, which has been valued at more than $300… Continue reading Russian oligarch’s $300m superyacht Amadea to be auctioned in US

MEXICO CITY: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hosted Canadian officials to coordinate responses to US President Donald Trump’s escalating trade tariffs, despite the existing USMCA free trade agreement. The talks focused on mitigating economic impacts while preparing for a future visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump recently raised tariffs on select Canadian goods to… Continue reading Mexico and Canada strategise against Trump tariffs amid USMCA tensions

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration announced a $64 million reduction in terrorism prevention funding for New York City, according to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant notice. The decision follows a recent deadly shooting in Manhattan, raising concerns over security priorities. FEMA stated the funding cut is based on “an analysis of relative risk of… Continue reading NYC faces $64 million security fund cut amid rising threats

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that Vice President JD Vance is “most likely” his heir apparent to serve as the Republican nominee in 2028, the furthest he has gone in backing Vance as a future presidential candidate. “Well, I think most likely,“ Trump told reporters when asked whether Vance was the heir… Continue reading Trump suggests Vance is his likely heir apparent in 2028

SYDNEY: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has suffered the largest decline in coral cover in two of its three regions over the last year, research released on Wednesday showed, following a mass bleaching of its corals that was among the worst on record. The Australian Institute of Marine Sciences said the reef has experienced the largest… Continue reading Great Barrier Reef suffers record coral decline after mass bleaching

WASHINGTON: The catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible that killed five people in 2023 could have been prevented, a U.S. Coast Guard investigative board found on Tuesday, calling the vessel’s safety culture and operational practices “critically flawed.” The Titan vanished during a descent to the Titanic wreck on a tourist expedition, losing contact with its… Continue reading Titan sub disaster preventable due to safety failures, US report finds

PORT-AU-PRINCE: Ireland has called on Haitian authorities to take urgent action to secure the release of hostages, including an Irish missionary and a 3-year-old child, after armed attackers stormed an orphanage in Kenscoff. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris held discussions with his Haitian counterpart, emphasising the need for immediate efforts to free the group. “It… Continue reading Ireland demands release of hostages after Haiti orphanage attack

ROME: Francis Ford Coppola, the acclaimed American director of “The Godfather” movies and “Apocalypse Now,“ underwent a non-emergency medical procedure by appointment on Tuesday at a hospital in Rome and is doing fine, according to a U.S.-based representative. “Mr. Coppola went in for a scheduled update procedure with acclaimed Dr. Andrea Natale, his doctor of… Continue reading Francis Ford Coppola hospitalized in Rome for atrial fibrillation

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday that he had had a “productive” conversation with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on ending the war, sanctions on Russia and the finalisation of a U.S.-Ukraine drone deal. “President Trump is fully informed about Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities and communities,“ Zelenskiy wrote on X,… Continue reading Zelenskiy calls Trump talks productive ahead of Russia ceasefire deadline

NEW YORK: Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted in 2021 for aiding Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse of minors, has opposed the U.S. government’s push to release grand jury transcripts tied to her indictment. Her legal team warned that disclosure could harm a potential retrial if her Supreme Court appeal succeeds. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence. “The… Continue reading Ghislaine Maxwell opposes release of Epstein grand jury transcripts

CALIFORNIA: Two Chinese nationals in California have been arrested and charged with illegally exporting tens of millions of dollars’ worth of Nvidia AI chips to China, including the advanced H100 model. The U.S. Justice Department announced the charges on Tuesday, citing violations of export control laws. Chuan Geng, 28, of Pasadena, and Shiwei Yang, 28,… Continue reading Two Chinese nationals charged for illegal Nvidia AI chip exports to China

NEW YORK: The U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday it will not seek the death penalty for accused Mexican drug traffickers Rafael Caro Quintero and Ismael Zambada despite allegations of deep ties to cartel violence. Caro Quintero was extradited to the U.S. in February alongside 28 other suspected cartel members as part of the biggest… Continue reading US drops death penalty for Mexican drug lords Caro Quintero, Zambada