Category: World

DEBRIS from a destroyed Ukrainian drone sparked a fire on the roof of an apartment building in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, forcing the evacuation of 15 residents, acting Rostov region governor Yuri Slyusar said early on Wednesday. “Most importantly, no one was injured,“ Slyusar said on the Telegram messaging app, adding the fire… Continue reading Ukrainian drone debris sparks fire in Russian apartment building

CHISINAU: Electoral authorities in Moldova closed registration on Tuesday for next month’s parliamentary election focused on gauging how well public support has held up for President Maia Sandu’s drive for the ex-Soviet state to join the European Union by 2030. The Central Election Commission issued a list of 21 authorised participants in the September 28… Continue reading Moldova closes election registration with 21 participants for EU-focused vote

DECATUR (Illinois): The human case of screwworm reported this week by U.S. health officials is the country’s only one so far this year and poses no risk to the farm sector, a U.S. Department of Agriculture official said on Tuesday. Screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that eats its hosts alive, has moved northward through Central America… Continue reading USDA: Human screwworm case no risk to U.S. agriculture

A Wisconsin judge cannot claim immunity from criminal charges accusing her of helping a migrant evade an immigration arrest outside her courtroom, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday, likely setting the stage for a trial. Wisconsin-based U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman rejected claims from Judge Hannah Dugan, an elected judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit… Continue reading Wisconsin judge faces trial for obstructing migrant’s arrest

WASHINGTON: Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook will file a lawsuit to prevent President Donald Trump from firing her, a lawyer for the embattled central bank official said on Tuesday, kicking off what could be a protracted legal fight over the White House’s effort to shape U.S. monetary policy. “His attempt to fire her, based solely… Continue reading Fed Governor Cook to sue Trump over unprecedented firing attempt

THE U.S. Transportation Department said on Tuesday it is cancelling $175 million for four projects that are part of California’s high-speed rail project, following cancellation of $4 billion in federal grants for the state’s ambitious but much-delayed high-speed rail project in July. The Trump administration said Tuesday it will withdraw funding for grade separation, overcrossing,… Continue reading US cancels $175 million for California high-speed rail projects

FEDERAL Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, whose removal is being sought by President Donald Trump over allegations of misstatements on her mortgages, will seek court approval for her continued right to carry on in her role at the U.S. central bank, the Fed said on Tuesday. “Lisa Cook has indicated through her personal attorney that she… Continue reading Fed’s Lisa Cook to challenge Trump’s removal in court, seeks judicial approval

BELGRADE: The United States has for the sixth time postponed sanctions on Serbia’s Russian-owned oil company NIS, which operates the only oil refinery in the Balkan country, a Serbian official who asked not to be named said on Tuesday. The official said without elaborating that the waiver would stand for one month. The U.S. Treasury’s… Continue reading US extends sanctions waiver on Serbia’s Russian-owned NIS oil company

DUBAI: Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday that Tehran told Europe’s top three powers the revival of the “snapback” mechanism, re-mposing UN sanctions on Iran, will have consequences. Baghaei said Tehran told Europeans during a meeting in Geneva they do not have the right to trigger the mechanism, adding both sides would… Continue reading Iran warns European powers of consequences for UN sanctions move

WASHINGTON: The United States Department of Commerce issued affirmative determinations of anti-dumping and countervailing duties against 10 countries on Tuesday. These determinations follow investigations into corrosion-resistant steel products imported into the American market. The measures cover approximately $2.9 billion in imports from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the Netherlands. Additional countries affected by these duties… Continue reading US imposes anti-dumping duties on steel imports from 10 countries

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that U.S. colleges would struggle without Chinese students, amid backlash from his base after he suggested he could let 600,000 Chinese college students into the country as part of trade talks with the economic rival. – Reuters

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump stated he has identified a potential candidate to replace Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, whom he intends to remove from her position. “I think we have some very good people we’re down to,“ Trump said during a Cabinet meeting. “I mean, I think I maybe, in my own mind, have… Continue reading Trump says he has someone in mind to replace Fed Governor Cook

META said on Tuesday it will launch a California-focused political action committee to back state-level candidates favoring lighter regulation of technology, particularly artificial intelligence. The group, named Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across California — a super-PAC, will support candidates for state offices from either party who advocate AI innovation over stringent rules. The Facebook and Instagram… Continue reading Meta launches California super-PAC to back pro-AI candidates

BOGOTA: At least 34 soldiers were kidnapped by armed civilians in a jungle area of southeastern Colombia after clashes that left 11 guerrillas dead, including a commander of a dissident faction of the former FARC rebel group, Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday. The clashes occurred in a rural part of the El Retorno… Continue reading 34 Colombian soldiers kidnapped by FARC dissidents after jungle clashes

BERLIN: Canada is working with its allies to potentially fund critical mineral transactions, similar to what the U.S. government did with MP Materials to diversify the supply chain from China, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson told Reuters on Tuesday. The key target, Hodgson said, would be minerals subject to China’s export restriction, which… Continue reading Canada and allies explore funding for critical mineral projects

WASHINGTON: Few Americans outside President Donald Trump’s Republican Party support his deployment of National Guard troops to police the streets of Washington, D.C., according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The three-day poll, which concluded on Sunday, found that just 38% of Americans support using troops for law enforcement in the U.S. capital, with 46% opposed.… Continue reading Only 38% of Americans support Trump’s use of troops in DC

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he is prepared to impose economic sanctions against Russia if its president, Vladimir Putin, fails to agree to a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. “It’s very, very serious what I have in mind, if I have to do it, but I want to see it end,“… Continue reading Trump considers serious economic sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that customs duty revenues from President Donald Trump’s tariffs may top $500 billion a year, with a substantial jump from July to August and likely a bigger jump in September. Bessent told a White House Cabinet meeting that his prior estimate of a $300 billion annual tariff… Continue reading US tariff revenue could exceed $500b annually – Treasury Secretary

LOS ANGELES: Pop superstar Taylor Swift and National Football League player Travis Kelce are engaged to be married, the couple announced on social media on Tuesday. In a joint Instagram post, the pair wrote: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,“ along with photos showing the Kansas City Chiefs player proposing to… Continue reading Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce get engaged after two-year romance

PARIS: France will sue Australian streaming platform Kick for negligence following a user’s death during a livestream event. Digital Affairs Minister Clara Chappaz announced the legal action on Tuesday after a 46-year-old Frenchman died during a 12-day streaming marathon on his channel. The channel specialised in the user enduring abuse or humiliation from other participants… Continue reading France sues Kick platform for negligence after livestream death

RAMALLAH: Israeli forces conducted a raid in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday, leaving 14 people wounded according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. Troops spread throughout the city centre during the operation, which marks a relatively rare military action in the Palestinian Authority headquarters city. The Red Crescent reported that seven individuals were… Continue reading Israeli raid in Ramallah wounds 14 as tensions rise in West Bank

DOHA: Qatar has confirmed it remains awaiting Israel’s official response to a proposed Gaza truce and hostage release agreement that Hamas accepted more than one week ago. Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari stated during a regular news conference that mediators continue to expect Israel’s formal answer to the ceasefire framework. “The statements that we… Continue reading Qatar mediator still waiting for Israeli response to Gaza truce proposal

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s former president Ranil Wickremesinghe received bail on Tuesday following his arrest for allegedly misusing state funds during an overseas trip. The 76 year old ex-leader faced charges of spending 55,000 dollars in government money during a 2023 stopover in Britain while returning from international summits. Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura ordered Wickremesinghe’s… Continue reading Sri Lanka’s ex-president Wickremesinghe granted bail in funds misuse case

PARIS: France has returned three colonial-era human skulls to Madagascar, including one believed to belong to a Malagasy king beheaded by French troops during a nineteenth-century massacre. The skull presumed to be that of King Toera and two others from the Sakalava ethnic group were formally handed over during a ceremony at the French culture… Continue reading France returns colonial-era skulls including Malagasy king to Madagascar

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s judiciary has approved the release of former central bank governor Riad Salameh on bail exceeding $20 million after nearly one year in detention on embezzlement charges. Salameh faces multiple accusations including embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion in separate investigations both within Lebanon and internationally. The 75 year old former governor, who led… Continue reading Lebanon agrees $20 million bail for ex-central bank chief Salameh

TALLINN: A combat drone believed to be Ukrainian went off course and exploded over Estonia without causing any casualties. Pieces of the drone were discovered by an agricultural worker near the southeastern town of Tartu, approximately 75 kilometres from the Russian border. Margo Palloson, director general of Estonia’s Internal Security Service, stated that preliminary data… Continue reading Ukrainian drone diverted by Russian jamming explodes over Estonia

BRUSSELS: The European Commission has firmly asserted its sovereign right to regulate technology companies operating within its territory following threats from former US President Donald Trump. Brussels maintains that its digital regulations apply equally to all firms and are consistent with European democratic values. The European Union has implemented comprehensive legislation including the Digital Markets… Continue reading EU asserts sovereign right to regulate tech after Trump tariff threat

BAABDA: US envoy Morgan Ortagus stated on Tuesday that Lebanese authorities must translate their decision to disarm Hezbollah into concrete action. “We’re all greatly encouraged by the historic decision of the government a few weeks ago, but now it’s not about words, now it’s about action,“ she told journalists at Lebanon’s presidential palace. Her comments… Continue reading US envoy urges Lebanon to act on Hezbollah disarmament plan

TEHRAN: Iran declared on Tuesday that it was negotiating with all its might to prevent a sanctions snapback threatened by European powers under the 2015 nuclear deal. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated that Tehran’s focus remained on preventing actions that could prove costly for the country during his weekly press conference. He confirmed that… Continue reading Iran negotiating with all its might to prevent UN sanctions snapback

HELSINKI: Finnish President Alexander Stubb has urged US President Donald Trump to implement measures that would compel Russia to negotiate with Ukraine. Stubb expressed hope that Trump’s patience with Moscow would eventually run out during his Tuesday press conference. The Finnish leader has developed a personal relationship with Trump through golf and leads a nation… Continue reading Finland’s Stubb urges Trump to pressure Russia over Ukraine war

GENEVA: The United Nations insisted that Israel must ensure its investigations into alleged unlawful killings in Gaza produce concrete results. United Nations human rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan stated that justice must follow these probes into incidents like Monday’s hospital strike that killed twenty people. “The Israeli authorities have, in the past, announced investigations in… Continue reading UN demands Israeli investigations into Gaza killings yield results

BERLIN: Germany and Canada will sign a cooperation agreement on critical raw materials to reduce heavy dependence on China. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the partnership during a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Berlin. China’s dominance in supplying critical materials gained attention after Beijing introduced export restrictions on key rare earths this… Continue reading Germany and Canada sign raw materials deal to reduce China reliance

GENEVA: The United Nations human rights chief has demanded Egypt immediately cease its practice of prolonged arbitrary detention against government critics. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned Egypt’s common procedure of bringing new charges against individuals nearing completion of their prison sentences or maximum pretrial detention periods. “The Egyptian government must immediately… Continue reading UN rights chief demands Egypt end arbitrary detention of critics

BANDA ACEH: Two men were publicly flogged 76 times each in Indonesia’s conservative province of Aceh after a court found them guilty of engaging in consensual same-sex relations under strict Islamic law. Gay sex remains outlawed exclusively in Aceh, which enforces a local interpretation of sharia, while it is not criminalised throughout the rest of… Continue reading Two men publicly flogged 76 times for gay sex in Indonesia’s Aceh

TOKYO: Japanese cities have been flooded with complaints from residents confused about an initiative designating them as hometowns for African countries. The confusion arose after false claims circulated that this was a new immigration policy by the Japanese government. The initiative by the Japan International Cooperation Agency aimed to promote international exchanges between four Japanese… Continue reading Japan cities face backlash over false African hometown immigration claims

SHANGHAI: A Chinese woman trapped inside a locked room for thirty hours was rescued after throwing a pillow containing a message written in her own blood out of a window. The woman, identified only by her surname Zhou, became trapped while cleaning a guesthouse in Sichuan province without her mobile phone. She entered a bedroom… Continue reading Chinese woman rescued after writing blood plea from locked room

NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court has ordered an investigation into allegations of illegal animal imports and financial misconduct at a massive private zoo operated by the son of Asia’s wealthiest individual. Vantara, which describes itself as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre”, is managed by Anant Ambani, whose father Mukesh Ambani leads the multinational… Continue reading India probes giant private zoo run by son of Asia’s richest person

SYDNEY: Two police officers were killed and another seriously wounded in a shooting at a rural property in eastern Australia on Tuesday. Victoria police confirmed they are hunting for a male suspect who fled the violent confrontation at a remote Porepunkah property. The incident occurred at the foot of a mountain in northeast Victoria, with… Continue reading Two police officers killed in eastern Australia shooting incident

TEL AVIV: Israeli protesters demanding an end to the Gaza war and the return of hostages took to the streets early Tuesday morning ahead of an evening security cabinet meeting. AFP journalists observed demonstrators blocking roads in Tel Aviv while waving Israeli flags and holding photographs of hostages. Israeli media reported additional rallies near a… Continue reading Israeli protesters demand hostage deal ahead of security cabinet meeting

TOKYO: Mercedes-Benz’s pension trust has sold its entire stake in Nissan Motor for 47.83 billion yen ($325 million) according to a source familiar with the transaction. The German automaker disposed of its 3.8% holding at 341.3 yen per share, representing a 5.98% discount to Nissan’s previous closing price of 363 yen. Nissan shares maintained their… Continue reading Mercedes-Benz sells Nissan stake for $325 million amid investor doubts

NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court has ordered an independent investigation into the Vantara wildlife rescue park operated by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Foundation. The court acknowledged that allegations of unlawful animal acquisitions and mistreatment currently lack supporting evidence. Vantara represents a flagship project for the Ambani family located in Gujarat and managed by Mukesh Ambani’s… Continue reading India’s Supreme Court orders probe into Ambani wildlife park over animal mistreatment claims

BEIJING: President Xi Jinping declared China’s relationship with Russia as the most stable and strategically significant among major world powers during a meeting in Beijing. Xi made these remarks while meeting Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of Russia’s State Duma, at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday. “The two sides should work together to safeguard… Continue reading Xi Jinping calls China-Russia ties most stable in turbulent world

KATHMANDU: Drone operators have joined climbers at Everest Base Camp this season to tackle the mountain’s growing waste problem using heavy-duty aerial technology. Two DJI FC 30 drones successfully transported 300 kilograms of garbage from Camp 1 at 6,065 metres during the spring climbing season. “The only options were helicopters and manpower, with no option… Continue reading Drones remove 300kg of Everest trash in high-altitude cleanup mission