Category: World

MOSCOW: The Kremlin has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump’s threat to increase tariffs on India due to its purchases of Russian oil, a major revenue source for Moscow amid its military campaign in Ukraine. Trump has set a Friday deadline for Russia to show progress in peace talks with Ukraine, warning of new economic… Continue reading Kremlin condemns Trump’s tariff threat on India over Russian oil

DEHRADUN: Rescue teams rushed to India’s Himalayan region on Tuesday after flash floods tore through a mountain valley, wiping out much of a town and leaving at least four people dead. Videos aired on Indian media showed torrents of muddy water engulfing multi-storey buildings in Dharali, a popular tourist spot in Uttarakhand state. Uttarakhand Chief… Continue reading Flash flood devastates Himalayan town, 4 dead in Uttarakhand

COPENHAGEN: A Danish zoo has drawn sharp criticism after publicly requesting livestock donations to feed its predators. Aalborg Zoo’s appeal for chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and horses—to be euthanised and used as food—has ignited debate over ethical animal treatment. “We are looking for small livestock, not pets,“ said Anette Sofie Warncke Nutzhorn, a zoo manager.… Continue reading Danish zoo sparks outrage with call for animals as predator food

JERUSALEM: Israel will partially reopen private sector trade with Gaza to reduce dependence on humanitarian aid, the defence ministry’s civil affairs agency COGAT announced on Tuesday. The move follows months of blockade and conflict with Hamas, which has left Gaza in dire need of basic supplies. “As part of formulating the mechanism, a limited number… Continue reading Israel to partially reopen Gaza private goods trade amid aid crisis

MADRID: Spanish airline Iberia has launched an investigation after a passenger who ordered a kosher meal received food packaging marked with the words “Free Palestine.” The incident occurred on a flight from Buenos Aires to Madrid, where several other Jewish passengers reportedly found their meal trays labeled with the initials “FP,“ standing for “Free Palestine.”… Continue reading Iberia investigates ‘Free Palestine’ message on kosher meals

GENEVA: Negotiators from 180 countries convened in Geneva on Tuesday for a fresh round of UN-led talks aimed at finalising a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution, described as a “global crisis” by diplomats. The urgency of the issue was underscored as microplastics continue to infiltrate ecosystems, oceans, and even human bodies. Ecuadoran diplomat Luis… Continue reading UN pushes for global plastics treaty amid pollution crisis in Geneva

BRUSSELS: The European Union anticipates further turbulence in trade relations with the United States but views its recent tariff agreement as a protective measure. Under the deal, most EU exports to the US will face a maximum 15% tariff, providing a buffer against potential disputes. A senior EU official confirmed that executive orders to reduce… Continue reading EU braces for US trade turbulence despite tariff deal

JERUSALEM/CAIRO: Israel’s cabinet is reportedly considering a full military takeover of Gaza, reversing its 2005 withdrawal, as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas collapse. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu favours expanding the offensive to seize the entire enclave, according to Israeli Channel 12. A senior Israeli source confirmed that increased military action is being weighed after indirect talks… Continue reading Israel considers full Gaza takeover as ceasefire talks collapse

ZURICH: Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter will travel to Washington later today for discussions with US authorities to improve Switzerland’s customs situation. The government stated the talks aim to present a more attractive offer to reduce additional tariffs on Swiss exports while addressing US concerns. “The aim is to make the U.S. a more attractive offer… Continue reading Swiss president seeks US tariff deal in Washington talks

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to unveil an updated military strategy for Gaza, aiming to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of remaining hostages. Reports suggest the plan includes a full reoccupation of the Palestinian territory, though officials have yet to confirm details. Netanyahu is expected to meet top security officials in… Continue reading Israel prepares new Gaza war plan amid hostage crisis

TEHRAN: Iranian authorities have ordered government offices to close or reduce working hours as a severe heatwave strains the country’s power grid. The decision affects at least half of Iran’s 31 provinces, including Tehran, West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Hormozgan, and Alborz. State media reported that the closures were requested by the energy ministry to “manage energy… Continue reading Iran closes offices amid heatwave to ease power grid strain

PARIS: High-speed train travel in northern France has resumed after an electrical fault led to the cancellation of multiple Eurostar services and severe delays on Monday. Seventeen Eurostar trains connecting Paris with London and other European destinations were cancelled due to an overhead cable fault on the line in northern France. “The repair work was… Continue reading High-speed train services resume in northern France after Eurostar cancellations

MIYUN, CHINA: Authorities in Beijing lifted a severe weather alert on Tuesday but urged residents to remain cautious as flood risks persist. The red rainstorm warning, issued on Monday, was withdrawn after the weather system weakened, though isolated downpours are still expected in outlying areas. State news agency Xinhua reported that over 82,000 people were… Continue reading Beijing ends rain alert after evacuating 82,000 amid flood risks

WASHINGTON: A federal appeals court has upheld a Texas law requiring voters to provide identification numbers for mail-in ballots, a decision former President Donald Trump praised as a model for nationwide adoption. The ruling intensifies political clashes in Texas, where Republicans are pushing to redraw congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. The 5th Circuit… Continue reading Texas court upholds voter ID law for mail-in ballots amid political tensions

GAZA: Israel has announced plans to permit a gradual and controlled entry of goods into Gaza through local merchants, aiming to reduce dependence on international aid agencies. The move comes as global monitors warn of famine spreading across the enclave, worsening conditions for hostages held by Hamas. Israel’s military agency COGAT confirmed the cabinet-approved mechanism,… Continue reading Israel to allow merchant-led aid into Gaza amid famine crisis

TOKYO: Japan registered its highest temperature on record at 41.8 degrees Celsius (107.2°F) on Tuesday, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors and warning of potential harm to rice crops. The eastern city of Isesaki in Gunma prefecture surpassed the previous record of 41.2°C set last week in Tamba, Hyogo prefecture, according to the meteorological… Continue reading Japan hits record 41.8°C as heat threatens rice crops

BEIJING: The discovery of the next Dalai Lama will be carried out by the Chinese government, and not under the current Dalai Lama’s directions, a Chinese Communist Party committee official for Tibet said on Tuesday. China considers theDalai Lama a separatist and wants to bring Tibetan Buddhism but the Dalai Lama and his huge following… Continue reading China asserts final say in Dalai Lama reincarnation

SEOUL: South Korea will prepare measures to help companies cope with higher U.S. tariffs and expand into new markets, the Finance Ministry said on Tuesday, as it kicked off a task force to prepare the new administration’s economic policy plans. On the domestic front, the government will come up with measures to boost short-term demand,… Continue reading South Korea to aid firms facing higher US tariffs amid trade deal

HONG KONG: Blackened skies unleashed torrential rains on Hong Kong and the high-tech cities surrounding south China’s Pearl River Delta on Tuesday, shutting hospitals, schools and law courts, and turning the Asian financial centre’s many staircases into waterfalls. Around 10,000 lightning flashes lit up Hong Kong’s skies between 6 a.m. (2200 GMT) and 6:59 a.m.,… Continue reading Hong Kong issues black rainstorm warning as floods disrupt city

BOGOTÁ: A Colombian court on Monday turned down a request by ex-president Alvaro Uribe to be granted temporary freedom while appealing his sentence of 12 years’ house arrest. Uribe’s criminal conviction — the first to be issued to a former leader of Colombia — marked a dismal cap for the career of one of the… Continue reading Colombian court denies Uribe’s house arrest release request

BUDAPEST: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban promised that the return of his “dear friend” Donald Trump as US president would usher in a new “golden age”. But trade unionist Zoltan Laszlo says Hungary’s auto industry has seen the opposite as the United States announced new tariffs, with order cancellations and workflow disruptions marking employees’ day-to-day… Continue reading Trump tariffs hit Hungary, Slovakia auto industries despite Orban’s ties

BUENOS AIRES (Argentina): Hate crimes targeting members of Argentina’s LGBT community increased 70 percent in the first half of 2025, an NGO which tracks such attacks announced Monday. Between January and June, the National Observatory of LGBT+ Hate Crimes documented 102 attacks on people because of their sexuality, gender expression or gender identity — a… Continue reading LGBT hate crimes surge 70% in Milei’s Argentina: Report

WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday condemned a decision by Brazil’s Supreme Court to put former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest ahead of his trial for an alleged coup plot. “Justice Moraes, now a U.S.-sanctioned human rights abuser, continues to use Brazil’s institutions to silence opposition and threaten democracy,“ the department’s Bureau of… Continue reading US condemns house arrest of Brazil’s ex-president Bolsonaro

AUSTIN (Texas): Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered Democratic lawmakers to be brought back to the state capital after they left Texas in a bid to prevent voting on a Republican plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts. The exodus by Democratic members of the Texas legislature was intended to deny Republicans the quorum necessary… Continue reading Texas governor orders arrest of absent Democrats in redistricting vote

BEIJING: Chinese authorities evacuated over 82,000 people across Beijing at risk from heavy rainfall, state media said, after dozens of people died in flooding in the capital’s suburbs last week. State news agency Xinhua said tens of thousands had been relocated from vulnerable areas as of 09:00 pm (1300 GMT) Monday, according to the city’s… Continue reading Beijing evacuates 82,000 as heavy rains trigger flood risks

SYDNEY: Australia will upgrade its navy with 11 Mogami-class frigates built by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday. Australia is in the midst of a major military restructuring announced in 2023, turning towards long-range strike capabilities to better respond to China’s naval might. It is striving to expand its fleet… Continue reading Australia to acquire 11 advanced Mogami-class frigates from Japan

SEOUL: As South Korea and the United States prepare for a summit of their leaders, topics left unresolved by a recent trade deal provide scope for more disputes between the key allies and trade partners, six former negotiators and experts said. President Donald Trump may use the summit with counterpart Lee Jae Myung to seek… Continue reading South Korea-US summit faces unresolved trade deal disputes

WASHINGTON: The U.S. could require bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visas under a pilot program launching in two weeks, a government notice said on Monday, an effort that aims to crack down on visitors who overstay their visas. The program gives U.S. consular officers the discretion to impose bonds on… Continue reading US to impose $15,000 visa bonds for high-overstay countries

WASHINGTON: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury probe into allegations that members of Democratic former President Barack Obama’s administration manufactured intelligence on Russia’s interference in the 2016 elections, a source familiar with the matter said on Monday. The Justice Department said late last month it was forming… Continue reading DOJ opens grand jury probe into Obama-era intel claims

WASHINGTON: The United States and Rwanda have agreed for the African country to accept up to 250 migrants deported from the U.S., the spokesperson for the Rwandan government and an official told Reuters, as President Donald Trump’s administration takes a hardline approach toward immigration. The agreement, first reported by Reuters, was signed by U.S. and… Continue reading Rwanda, U.S. sign deal to take in up to 250 migrants

CANADA said on Monday it delivered humanitarian assistance through airdrops to Gaza, which has been under a devastating Israeli military assault for almost 22 months, with Ottawa again accusing Israel of violating international law. “The (Canadian Armed Forces) employed a CC-130J Hercules aircraft to conduct an airdrop of critical humanitarian aid in support of Global… Continue reading Canada airdrops aid to Gaza, accuses Israel of breaking international law

NEW YORK: Sean “Diddy” Combs on Monday lost his bid to be released from jail ahead of his October 3 sentencing, after the hip-hop mogul was found not guilty at his sex crimes trial of the most serious charges he faced. Combs’ lawyers had asked U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian on July 29 to release… Continue reading Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied release before October sentencing

BRASILIA: Brazil’s Supreme Court put former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest on Monday ahead of his trial for an alleged coup plot, underscoring the court’s resolve despite escalating tariffs and sanctions from U.S. President Donald Trump. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the target of U.S. Treasury sanctions last week, issued the arrest order… Continue reading Bolsonaro arrested as Trump tensions escalate over Brazil sanctions

GENEVA: Hopes for a “last-chance” ambitious global treaty to curb plastic pollution have dimmed as delegates gather this week at the United Nations in Geneva for what was intended to be the final round of negotiations. Diplomats and climate advocates warn that efforts by the European Union and small island states to cap virgin plastic… Continue reading Oil producers, Trump policies threaten plastics treaty

BRASILIA: Brazil’s government has set aside for now plans for direct retaliation against steep U.S. tariffs taking effect this week, focusing instead on a relief package for industries hit hardest by the levies, sources familiar with the strategy said. Wide-ranging exemptions granted in U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order last week spared some of the… Continue reading Brazil opts for local relief over retaliation for US tariffs

LONDON: Stella Rimington, the first female director general of Britain’s MI5 security and counter-intelligence service who ushered in an era of greater transparency at the agency, has died aged 90. Rimington, who ran the domestic security agency between 1992 and 1996, was its first head to be publicly named and later wrote a memoir “Open… Continue reading Stella Rimington, Britain’s first female spy chief, dies at 90