Category: World

NEW YORK: New York Governor Kathy Hochul has criticised federal immigration officers who she said shoved and injured journalists at a New York City courthouse. Hochul shared a video posted to X by a New York Daily News reporter showing masked men boarding an elevator in a federal building in downtown Manhattan. Several of the… Continue reading New York governor criticises ICE officers over journalist injuries

WASHINGTON: The United States government is heading towards a shutdown after the Senate failed to pass a funding extension before Tuesday’s midnight deadline. President Donald Trump threatened to extend his purge of the federal workforce during the impending government closure. The Senate vote of 55 to 45 virtually guarantees that government agencies must halt all… Continue reading US government shutdown looms as Senate funding vote fails

COPENHAGEN: European Union leaders will discuss proposals for a drone wall to protect the continent at their summit in Copenhagen on Wednesday. This follows recent airspace intrusions by unidentified unmanned aircraft that forced temporary closures of Danish airports. The summit will also be the first opportunity for EU leaders to debate using Russian assets frozen… Continue reading EU leaders to discuss drone wall plan at Copenhagen summit

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo has delivered his strongest criticism yet of United States immigration policies while questioning their consistency with Catholic pro-life teachings. The pontiff questioned whether supporting harsh immigration measures aligns with genuine pro-life values during remarks to journalists outside his Castel Gandolfo residence. “Someone who says I am against abortion but I am… Continue reading Pope Leo questions US immigration policies and pro-life consistency

LONDON: Britain’s Princess Anne has visited Ukraine to express solidarity with children and families enduring the impact of the war. The late Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during her visit to Kyiv on Tuesday. They discussed Britain’s ongoing support for Ukraine among other issues during their meeting. The royal also paid… Continue reading Princess Anne visits Ukraine to support children affected by war

RABAT: Youth-led protests demanding better education and healthcare in Morocco escalated into violent clashes with security forces on Tuesday evening, marking the fourth consecutive day of demonstrations across several cities. The protests were organised online by a loosely formed, anonymous youth group calling itself “GenZ 212,“ using platforms including TikTok, Instagram and the gaming application… Continue reading Morocco youth protests turn violent on fourth day over demands

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman on Wednesday to discuss artificial intelligence investment strategies. The presidential office confirmed the meeting will focus on boosting Asia’s fourth-largest economy through enhanced AI investment policies. The discussion will take place at the presidential office in central Seoul at 6 p.m.… Continue reading South Korean president to meet OpenAI CEO for AI investment talks

SAN JOSE: A federal judge has denied requests from Apple, Google, and Meta Platforms to dismiss lawsuits accusing them of promoting illegal gambling by hosting and profiting from casino-style apps. U.S. District Judge Edward Davila in San Jose, California, rejected the companies’ primary defence that Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act protected them… Continue reading Apple, Google, Meta must face lawsuits over casino-style gambling apps

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has declared the situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station critical. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed it is working with both sides to restore the external power line. Rafael Grossi stated there is no immediate danger as long as diesel generators continue operating to provide… Continue reading Ukraine warns of critical situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

LOS ANGELES: Yemen’s Houthis will target U.S. oil majors including ExxonMobil and Chevron with sanctions, a body affiliated with the Iran-backed militia said on Tuesday. The Sanaa-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), a body set up last year to liaise between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators, sanctioned 13 U.S. companies, nine executives and two… Continue reading Houthis sanction US oil firms including Exxon and Chevron

WASHINGTON: The top U.S. State Department official for management blamed Democrats for the looming government shutdown in an unusually partisan message to staff on Tuesday, according to a copy of the message seen by Reuters. As the federal government prepares to shut down if a temporary funding deal is not reached by midnight on Tuesday… Continue reading US State Department official blames Democrats for government shutdown

THE International Atomic Energy Agency is engaging with both sides of the military conflict to restore offsite power to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as soon as possible, the U.N. atomic watchdog’s chief Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday in a statement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had earlier said the situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear… Continue reading IAEA seeks to restore power to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant

MOSCOW: The Kremlin expressed hope that US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan would be implemented following its endorsement by Israeli leadership. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Russia consistently supports American efforts to resolve the ongoing Middle East conflict. He emphasised Moscow’s desire for the plan to successfully bring peaceful resolution to regional tensions. Deputy… Continue reading Kremlin supports Trump’s Gaza peace plan and hopes for implementation

ADEN: Yemen’s Houthi militants claimed responsibility on Wednesday for an attack on the Dutch-flagged general cargo ship Minervagracht, which caught fire in the Gulf of Aden. The Iran-aligned group has launched numerous assaults on vessels in the Red Sea since 2023, targeting ships they deem linked to Israel in what they describe as solidarity with… Continue reading Houthis claim missile attack on Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht

WASHINGTON: The United States Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa over potential race-based employment practices. The Justice Department sent a letter to interim superintendent Matthew Smith stating it will examine whether Iowa’s largest public school system violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Federal officials are investigating… Continue reading US Justice Department investigates Des Moines schools for race hiring

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his administration was close to a deal with Harvard University that would include a $500 million payment by the Ivy League institution, after months of negotiations over school policies. The administration has been wrangling with several prestigious universities, threatening to withhold federal funds over issues including… Continue reading Trump: Harvard agrees to pay $500m, launch trade schools

ROME: Pope Leo on Tuesday praised United States President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza and expressed hope that the Palestinian militant group Hamas would endorse it. The pope noted there are very interesting elements in the plan during comments quoted by Italy’s ANSA news agency. He specifically stated his hope that Hamas would… Continue reading Pope Leo hopes Hamas will accept Trump’s Gaza peace plan

A federal judge in Rhode Island on Tuesday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting $233 million in counterterrorism grant funds for Democratic-led states, including New York and Illinois. Eleven states sued the Trump administration on Monday over last-minute changes to counterterrorism grants, saying that Republican President Donald Trump was retaliating against Democratic-led states by… Continue reading Judge blocks Trump from cutting counterterrorism funds for Democratic states

MANILA: A powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Cebu City in the Philippines late on Tuesday. The earthquake caused power outages and damaged buildings across the region. The United States Geological Survey recorded the quake’s depth at 10 kilometres. Multiple aftershocks followed the initial tremor, with the strongest measuring magnitude 6. Another… Continue reading Powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake hits Philippines, causes damage

A Mexican immigrant wounded by a sniper in a shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Dallas last week has died of his injuries, an ICE official said on Tuesday, making him the second detainee killed in the attack. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified the deceased man as Miguel… Continue reading Mexican immigrant dies in Dallas ICE shooting, second detainee killed

WASHINGTON: The lone Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission called on major companies to stand up to threats from the Trump administration against broadcasters and others. FCC chair Brendan Carr, a Republican, had just defended his recent comments pushing Disney and local broadcasters to stop airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. “We need corporations to stop capitulating.… Continue reading FCC commissioner urges companies to resist Trump administration threats

ROME: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday called on the international aid flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza to immediately stop their mission. Insisting on a confrontation with Israel could upset the current “fragile balance” that could lead to peace based on the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Meloni said. “Many… Continue reading Italy PM Meloni urges Gaza aid flotilla to stop immediately

UZHHOROD: The European Union has launched a high-level charm offensive in Ukraine this week to ease tensions threatening Kyiv’s accession bid. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos met with Hungarian minority representatives in western Ukraine on Monday. She visited Hungarian and Slovak minority schools in Uzhhorod to address Budapest’s concerns about minority rights. “There is no… Continue reading EU launches charm offensive in Ukraine amid Hungary accession block

ROME: Italy has informed an international aid flotilla heading to Gaza that its accompanying naval frigate will soon issue a radio call. The communication will offer participants the opportunity to abandon their ships and return to shore before reaching a designated critical zone. The Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed receiving this notification from Italian authorities on… Continue reading Italy warns Gaza aid flotilla of naval call before critical zone

WASHINGTON: US Customs and Border Protection tariff collections will continue during any government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security said on Tuesday. The Department stated in its shutdown contingency plan that all CBP revenue collections will continue, along with disaster payments by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It also confirmed that financial operations funded by… Continue reading US tariff collections to continue during government shutdown, DHS says

WASHINGTON: The White House has restored an advisory board crucial for approving medical claims from nuclear weapons workers with high radiation exposure. This board was previously suspended by the Department of Health and Human Services in January. Eligible workers at US Department of Energy and Defense nuclear sites can receive a $150,000 lump-sum payment and… Continue reading White House restores board for sick nuclear workers’ compensation claims

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump warned congressional Democrats on Tuesday that a federal government shutdown would enable his administration to take irreversible actions against programs they support. Trump stated his administration could implement permanent cuts to popular Democratic programs that would be impossible to reverse once enacted. “We can do things during the shutdown that are… Continue reading Trump warns Democrats of irreversible actions in government shutdown

WASHINGTON: Shares of Pfizer increased approximately 5% following President Donald Trump’s announcement that the drugmaker will reduce prices for all its prescription drugs sold to the Medicaid insurance programme. Trump stated that Pfizer will also introduce all new prescription drugs at a “most favoured nation” price during his Tuesday press conference. The White House plans… Continue reading Pfizer shares rise 5% after Trump announces drug price cuts

PARIS: French authorities are investigating the oil tanker Boracay, suspected of belonging to a shadow fleet involved in Russian oil trade. The French Navy confirmed authorities are examining a possible infraction by the vessel, which is listed under British and European Union sanctions against Russia. Estonian authorities detained the tanker earlier this year for sailing… Continue reading France investigates suspected shadow fleet oil tanker off coast

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration announced on Tuesday it is removing five senior officials over suspicions they targeted former president Joe Biden’s political opponents using a now-abolished aviation security watchlist. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she was referring the matter to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and to Congress for further investigation. The Transportation… Continue reading US removes officials over Biden-era airline passenger watchlist allegations

WASHINGTON: US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced that future trade discussions with Canada and Mexico will likely occur bilaterally rather than trilaterally. This statement signals a fundamental shift in the Trump administration’s approach to North American trade relations. Greer made these comments as the administration prepares to renegotiate the North American free trade agreement. He… Continue reading US trade talks with Canada and Mexico to shift to bilateral format

BOSTON: A U.S. judge ruled on Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s administration had acted unconstitutionally by adopting a policy of revoking visas, arresting, detaining and deporting foreign students and faculty engaged in pro-Palestinian advocacy. In a scathing 161-page ruling, U.S. District Judge William Young in Boston sided with groups representing university faculty, finding that the… Continue reading US judge rules Trump policy targeting pro-Palestinian activists unlawful

WASHINGTON: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth slammed “fat generals” and diversity initiatives that he said led to decades of decay in the military and told a rare gathering of commanders on Tuesday they should resign if they do not support his agenda. Joining Hegseth was U.S. President Donald Trump, who gave an on-camera address to… Continue reading US defence chief slams fat generals and tells officers to resign

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. is probably headed towards its 15th government shutdown since 1981, adding that his administration could make irreversible changes during such a scenario. “We’ll probably have a shutdown,“ he told reporters at the White House. Trump said Democrats were taking a risk in their negotiations over… Continue reading Trump warns US likely headed for government shutdown

WASHINGTON: Florida has officially approved the donation of a prime property near downtown Miami for the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the decision on Tuesday, highlighting the state’s strong support for the former president. The donated lot has an appraised value of approximately $66 million according to media assessments. The New… Continue reading Florida approves $66 million property donation for Trump presidential library