Category: World

LONDON: Singer Dua Lipa expressed deep gratitude after being granted citizenship of Kosovo by President Vjosa Osmani. The 29-year-old, born in London to Kosovo-Albanian parents, spent part of her childhood in Pristina before returning to the UK at 15. In an Instagram post, Lipa shared her joy, writing, “Feeling so grateful to have been awarded… Continue reading Dua Lipa awarded Kosovo citizenship: “Feeling grateful”

KAMCHATKA PENINSULA: Tsunami waves were possible in three areas of Russia’s Far East following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake near the Kuril Islands, the Ministry for Emergency Services warned on Sunday. “The expected wave heights are low, but you must still move away from the shore,“ the ministry said on Telegram. The Pacific Tsunami Warning System… Continue reading Tsunami alert and volcano eruption hit Russia’s Kamchatka

DUBAI: Iran’s military commander-in-chief Amir Hatami has warned that threats from Israel remain active, as reported by state media. The remarks follow heightened tensions between the two nations, including strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June and subsequent retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran. Hatami emphasized vigilance, stating that even a minimal threat should… Continue reading Iran army chief warns of ongoing Israeli threats amid tensions

GAZA: An Israeli airstrike targeted the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Khan Younis early Sunday, killing a staff member and injuring three others, according to a statement by the organisation. The attack struck the first floor of the building, igniting a fire and causing extensive damage. The strike occurred shortly after US… Continue reading Israeli strike on Red Crescent HQ in Gaza kills staff member

ROME: Pope Leo XIV concluded the Jubilee of Youth pilgrimage with a monumental mass attended by over one million young Catholics. The week-long event, a highlight of the Vatican’s Jubilee holy year, saw half a million pilgrims in Rome throughout the week. On Saturday evening, an estimated 800,000 people gathered for a twilight vigil led… Continue reading Pope Leo XIV leads historic youth mass in Rome for Jubilee

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed his “profound shock” after viewing videos of two hostages held by Palestinian militant groups in Gaza, his office stated. The footage, released by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, shows Rom Braslavski, 21, and Evyatar David, 24, appearing frail after nearly 22 months in captivity. Netanyahu spoke with the hostages’… Continue reading Israel PM shocked by Gaza hostage videos amid truce calls

SYDNEY: Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters, including WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday, temporarily shutting down the iconic landmark. Assange, who returned to Australia last year after his release from a high-security British prison, was seen alongside family and former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr. The demonstration comes… Continue reading Julian Assange joins pro-Palestinian protest on Sydney Harbour Bridge

VLADIVOSTOK: China and Russia have commenced joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, marking another step in their growing military cooperation. The exercises, named “Joint Sea-2025,“ involve anti-submarine, air defence, and maritime combat operations, reflecting their shared strategic interests. The drills, which started on Sunday near the Russian port of Vladivostok, will last three… Continue reading China and Russia launch joint naval drills in Sea of Japan

AIRO: Egypt’s state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV reported on Sunday that two fuel trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel were set to enter Gaza. This comes months after Israel imposed restrictions on the entry of goods and humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The enclave’s health ministry has repeatedly warned that fuel shortages are severely… Continue reading Egypt prepares fuel trucks for Gaza amid critical shortages

SYDNEY: Thousands of protesters marched across Sydney’s Harbour Bridge on Sunday, calling for urgent aid and peace in Gaza despite heavy rain. The demonstration, dubbed the ‘March for Humanity’, highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis in the war-torn enclave, where Palestinian authorities report over 60,000 deaths. Participants carried pots and pans to symbolise widespread starvation, with… Continue reading Thousands march for Palestine across Sydney Harbour Bridge

KAMCHATKA: A volcano in Russia’s eastern Kamchatka region erupted for the first time in 450 years, authorities confirmed Sunday. The rare event followed one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in the area. Images released by Russian state media show a massive ash plume rising from the Krasheninnikov volcano, which last erupted in 1550, according… Continue reading Russia’s dormant volcano erupts after 450 years in Kamchatka

GAZA: The trickle of food aid entering Gaza after nearly 22 months of war is being seized by desperate Palestinians, looted by gangs, or diverted in chaotic circumstances, leaving the most vulnerable without help, according to UN agencies and aid groups. Despite international outcry over malnourished children, deliveries remain insufficient, with daily scenes of crowds… Continue reading Gaza aid crisis deepens as food fails to reach starving civilians

TOKYO: Four workers have died in Japan after falling into a manhole while inspecting sewage pipes near Tokyo. The incident occurred on Saturday in the city of Gyoda, where one worker initially fell, followed by three others who attempted to rescue him. Local fire officials confirmed the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas, emanating… Continue reading Four workers die in Japan manhole accident during sewage inspection

LONDON: Saudi Arabia, Russia, and six other OPEC+ members are expected to approve another oil production increase during their meeting on Sunday. Analysts suggest the move aims to reclaim market share as crude prices stay strong despite recent output hikes. The group, known as the “Voluntary Eight” (V8), may raise production by 548,000 barrels per… Continue reading OPEC+ to boost oil output amid market share recovery efforts

BUENA PARK: When her husband was arrested in an immigration raid near Los Angeles last month, Martha was abruptly separated from the father of her two daughters. But she also lost the salary that allowed her to keep a roof over their heads. “He’s the pillar of the family… he was the only one working,“… Continue reading Undocumented migrants face homelessness amid Trump’s LA crackdown

RAMALLAH: The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that one of its staff members was killed and three others wounded in an Israeli attack on its headquarters in Khan Yunis, Gaza. The aid organisation stated, “One Palestine Red Crescent Society staff member was killed and three others injured after Israeli forces targeted the Society’s headquarters… Continue reading Palestinian Red Crescent staff killed in Israeli attack on Gaza HQ

WASHINGTON: The Smithsonian Institution has denied claims that the Trump administration influenced the removal of a display detailing Donald Trump’s two impeachments at the National Museum of American History. In a statement, the museum’s parent organization clarified the decision was based on exhibit standards, not political pressure. The placard, which outlined Trump’s 2019 and 2021… Continue reading Smithsonian denies Trump admin pressured removal of impeachment display

MOSCOW: New telemedicine regulations in Russia will permit doctors to use artificial intelligence (AI) during remote consultations starting September 1. The updated rules aim to improve healthcare accessibility while maintaining the necessity of in-person examinations before remote follow-ups. Badma Bashankayev, first deputy chairman of the Russian parliament’s healthcare committee, confirmed the changes. “The new telemedicine… Continue reading Russian doctors to use AI in telemedicine from September 1

SYDNEY: The Victorian government has unveiled plans to legally guarantee work-from-home rights, ensuring employees can work remotely for a minimum of two days per week where possible. Premier Jacinta Allan announced the proposal at the Labor Party’s state conference, framing it as a productivity and cost-saving measure. “We’re doing that because we know what the… Continue reading Victoria plans to make work from home a legal right for employees

WASHINGTON: A mix of rivalry, prestige, and provocation fuels Donald Trump’s fixation on the Nobel Peace Prize. His recent push for recognition has drawn both support and sharp criticism. “It’s well past time that President Trump was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize,“ said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on July 31. She cited his… Continue reading Donald Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize obsession explained

KYIV: Ukraine has conducted drone strikes targeting military facilities and a gas pipeline in Russia, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries, according to Russian authorities. The attacks, carried out late Friday, included strikes on a military airfield in Primorsko-Akhtarsk and a defence-linked company in Penza. Ukraine’s SBU security service confirmed the operation, stating that… Continue reading Ukraine strikes Russian military targets and gas pipeline in drone attacks

ABUJA: Striking nurses in Nigeria will return to work after progress was made in talks between the government and their union regarding wages and working conditions, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) announced on Saturday. The union had initiated a seven-day “warning strike” on Wednesday following the collapse of previous negotiations, which… Continue reading Nigerian nurses end strike as wage talks show progress

ROME: Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics gave Pope Leo XIV a rock star reception at an open-air prayer vigil on the outskirts of Rome. The pontiff made a dramatic entrance by helicopter, descending to thunderous applause from an estimated crowd of up to one million pilgrims. Organisers described the gathering as part of the… Continue reading Young Catholics welcome Pope Leo XIV with rock star fervour at Rome vigil

MANCHESTER: Further clashes erupted at anti-immigration protests across the UK on Saturday, leading to multiple arrests as tensions between far-right demonstrators and anti-racism groups intensified. In Manchester, a march organised by the far-right group “Britain First” was met with opposition from counter-protesters, resulting in brief scuffles before police intervened. “Send them back, don’t let them… Continue reading Clashes and arrests escalate at UK immigration protests in Manchester and London

MANBIJ: Syria’s defence ministry and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have traded blame over an attack in the northern city of Manbij, straining relations after a landmark integration agreement signed in March. The defence ministry accused the SDF of launching a rocket barrage on an army outpost in the city’s countryside, injuring four troops… Continue reading Syria’s SDF and government trade blame over Manbij attack

RANCAGUA: One of five miners trapped after a partial collapse at the world’s largest underground copper mine has been found dead, Chile’s state-owned Codelco group announced Saturday. The collapse took place Thursday at the El Teniente mine in Rancagua, 100 kilometers south of Santiago, following a “seismic event.” At least 100 people were participating in… Continue reading Rescuers find dead miner in Chile copper mine collapse

TEL AVIV: US envoy Steve Witkoff met with distraught relatives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza on Saturday, amid growing concerns over their survival nearly 22 months after Hamas’s October 2023 attack. The meeting took place as international pressure mounts for a resolution to the conflict. Witkoff was greeted by hundreds of protesters in… Continue reading US envoy meets Israeli hostage families amid Gaza war tensions

DAKAR: Senegal has reinforced its eastern border security with new gendarmerie units following recent jihadist attacks near its frontier with Mali. The move comes after assaults in Mali’s western region, including an attack on Diboli, less than 500 metres from Senegal’s Kidira town. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a jihadist… Continue reading Senegal boosts border security with Mali amid jihadist threats

LA PAZ: Five miners died after being crushed in a gold mine collapse in Bolivia’s Potosi department, authorities confirmed on Saturday. The victims were found buried under a landslide at the state-operated Amayapampa mine, the largest gold mining site in the region. Potosi Police Commander Fernando Benitez stated, “Five adults were found inside the mine.… Continue reading Five miners killed in Bolivia gold mine collapse tragedy

KINSHASA: President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has called on lawmakers to formally declare a “genocide” in the country’s conflict-ridden eastern region. The appeal comes as fragile peace negotiations continue with neighbouring Rwanda following a June agreement aimed at ending decades of violence. “I solemnly call upon both houses of parliament to… Continue reading DRC president calls for genocide declaration in conflict-hit east

LISBON: Portugal’s government has declared a high alert for wildfires as a severe heatwave raises fire risks across large parts of the country. The alert, effective from Sunday to Thursday, includes strict measures such as a ban on bonfires, fireworks, and electrical equipment in forests. Authorities have also restricted access to vulnerable woodland areas and… Continue reading Portugal issues high alert for wildfires amid heatwave

KYIV: Ukrainian authorities announced the arrest of several politicians linked to a “large-scale corruption scheme” in the defence sector. The crackdown follows public backlash over anti-graft agencies’ independence, which President Volodymyr Zelensky initially undermined before reversing his decision. The National Anti-Corruption Agency (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) uncovered a scheme misusing budget… Continue reading Ukraine uncovers defence sector corruption scheme, arrests officials

BERLIN: Germany’s state rail operator Deutsche Bahn has reported a third deliberate fire in two days, following two earlier incidents that disrupted train services across the country. The latest fire occurred in Hohenmoelsen, Saxony-Anhalt, where rail cables were intentionally set ablaze. Investigations confirm the fire was an act of sabotage, similar to two earlier attacks… Continue reading German rail sabotage causes third fire in two days

WASHINGTON: The US Office of Special Counsel has launched an investigation into Jack Smith, the former special counsel who led federal criminal cases against former President Donald Trump, according to media reports. The inquiry focuses on whether Smith violated the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from political activity while on duty. Republican Senator Tom… Continue reading US agency investigates special counsel Jack Smith over Trump cases

HAMAS said on Saturday that it would not lay down arms unless an independent Palestinian state is established. In a statement, the Palestinian militant faction said its “armed resistance … cannot be relinquished except through the full restoration of our national rights, foremost among them the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with… Continue reading Hamas: No disarmament without Palestinian statehood