Category: World

BANGKOK: Fresh clashes erupted between Thai and Cambodian troops along their shared border early Friday, marking the second consecutive day of hostilities. Thailand’s military confirmed that Cambodian forces deployed heavy weaponry, including artillery and BM-21 rocket systems. “Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems,“ the Thai military… Continue reading Thai-Cambodia border clashes escalate with heavy artillery fire

SEOUL: South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution reported a significant jump in second-quarter profits but cautioned about a potential slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand due to U.S. tariffs and policy changes. The company, a key supplier to automakers like Tesla and General Motors, highlighted concerns over the early termination of U.S. federal EV… Continue reading LG Energy warns of EV demand slowdown despite Q2 profit surge

KUALA LUMPUR: A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 struck the Samoa Islands region early this morning. The tremor occurred at 7.37 am local time, as reported by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). The quake’s epicenter was located at a depth of 302 kilometres, with coordinates at 14.7° South and 175.8° West. This places… Continue reading Strong 6.4 earthquake hits Samoa Islands region, no tsunami threat

PHANOM DONG RAK: Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery and airstrikes in their deadliest border clashes in over a decade, leaving at least 12 dead and dozens wounded. The fighting erupted near the disputed Emerald Triangle, where both nations and Laos share a border. Cambodia fired rockets into Thailand, striking a petrol station in Sisaket… Continue reading Thailand and Cambodia clash in deadly border dispute with jets and rockets

SAN DIEGO: Comic-Con 2025 kicked off with excitement as fans gathered to witness legendary filmmaker George Lucas at his first-ever appearance at the event. The annual pop culture celebration saw thousands of attendees dressed as their favourite characters, filling the streets of San Diego. “I waited for this the entire year,“ said 17-year-old Samantha, dressed… Continue reading George Lucas makes debut at Comic-Con 2025 in San Diego

SAN FRANCISCO: Intel reported higher quarterly revenue despite posting a significant loss, as the US chip maker slashed its workforce by 15 percent and shelved projects in Germany and Poland to cut costs. The company’s earnings release showed $12.9 billion in sales, beating forecasts, but it recorded a $2.9 billion loss, including $1.9 billion in… Continue reading Intel revenue rises amid 15% workforce cuts and project cancellations

RAMALLAH: Palestinians have expressed strong support for France’s decision to formally recognise a State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly. The announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron has been met with optimism, with many hoping it will encourage other nations to follow suit. Hussein al-Sheikh, deputy to Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas, described… Continue reading Palestinians welcome France’s move to recognise State of Palestine

MIAMI: A federal judge ruled that Ryan Routh, the 59-year-old man accused of planning to assassinate former presidential candidate Donald Trump, can represent himself at his upcoming trial. The decision came after Routh’s court-appointed lawyers requested to withdraw, citing a breakdown in communication. District Judge Aileen Cannon approved Routh’s request to act as his own… Continue reading Alleged Trump assassin to represent himself in Florida trial

PARIS: Three quarters of United Nations member states now recognise a Palestinian state, with France announcing it will formally join them in September. The move marks a significant shift in international diplomacy amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has intensified global calls for Palestinian self-determination. According to an AFP tally, at least 142… Continue reading Three quarters of UN states now recognise Palestinian statehood

LONDON: Britain, France, and Germany will hold an emergency call on Friday to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed. The discussions will focus on securing a ceasefire and advancing steps toward Palestinian statehood. Starmer stated, “I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will… Continue reading Britain, France, Germany to discuss Gaza crisis in emergency call

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel remains committed to securing a Gaza ceasefire despite recalling negotiators, blaming Hamas for prolonging nearly two years of conflict. Mediators have been facilitating indirect talks in Qatar for over two weeks, but no agreement has been reached. International concern is mounting over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, with warnings of… Continue reading Israel and US recall teams from Gaza ceasefire talks after Hamas response

DHAKA: Police in Bangladesh arrested former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque on Thursday in connection with a murder case linked to last year’s student uprising. The 81-year-old was sent to jail after a court hearing in Dhaka. Police officer Nasir Islam confirmed the arrest, stating, “Haque is facing several other cases, but he was shown… Continue reading Former Bangladesh chief justice arrested in murder case

BUENOS AIRES: A court in Argentina has ordered Google to pay compensation to a man whose naked image was captured and displayed on Google Street View. The incident, which occurred in 2017, showed the man in his private yard behind a two-meter wall, exposing him to public ridicule. The plaintiff, a policeman, argued that the… Continue reading Google ordered to pay Argentine man pictured naked in yard

ISTANBUL: Iran has firmly defended its right to enrich uranium, calling it “unshakable,“ just before crucial discussions with European nations that may reinstate nuclear sanctions. The talks, scheduled for Friday in Istanbul, mark the first meeting since Israel’s mid-June strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites triggered a 12-day conflict. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated,… Continue reading Iran asserts right to uranium enrichment ahead of Istanbul talks

PARIS: A student-led petition opposing the reintroduction of a toxic pesticide in France has gained massive public support, highlighting growing discontent with political decision-making. The petition, launched by a 23-year-old master’s student, calls for the rejection of legislation allowing acetamiprid, a chemical harmful to bees but favored by farmers. Banned in France since 2018, acetamiprid… Continue reading French petition against toxic pesticide gains 1.9M signatures

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Thailand and Cambodia to “stand down” following deadly border clashes that escalated Thursday, with both nations exchanging rocket fire and airstrikes. The violence marks a sharp deterioration in a decades-old territorial dispute over the Emerald Triangle region. “The least we can expect is for them to stand… Continue reading Malaysia urges Thailand, Cambodia ceasefire amid border clashes

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Thursday he had approved a draft bill ensuring the independence of anti-corruption bodies, following widespread protests and EU concerns over a controversial law that weakened their autonomy. The reversal comes after thousands took to the streets across Ukraine, marking the first large-scale demonstrations since the war with Russia began… Continue reading Zelensky reverses anti-graft law after protests and EU concerns

GENEVA: The United Nations stated on Thursday that it cannot verify the number of aid trucks waiting inside Gaza due to Israel’s refusal to grant access. More than 100 aid and rights groups warn of spreading “mass starvation” among Gaza’s two million Palestinians. Israel’s military denied blocking aid, claiming 950 truckloads are on the Gaza… Continue reading UN unable to verify Gaza aid due to Israel access restrictions

LONDON: Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi formalised a major trade deal during talks at Chequers, marking a significant step in UK-India economic relations. The agreement, first announced in May, aims to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion while supporting jobs and investment in both countries. Starmer called the deal a “landmark… Continue reading UK and India sign landmark trade deal boosting economic ties

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed his country will formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September, marking a significant shift in European policy. The announcement makes France the most powerful European nation to take this step, joining at least 142 other countries that recognise or plan to recognise Palestinian statehood. Israel… Continue reading France to recognise Palestinian state at UN meeting in September

WASHINGTON: The US Department of Justice is set to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted accomplice of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in a high-profile meeting on Thursday. Reports confirm Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will lead the discussion in Tallahassee, Florida, as pressure mounts over unresolved questions in the Epstein scandal. Maxwell, serving a 20-year… Continue reading Ghislaine Maxwell to meet US Justice Dept amid Epstein case scrutiny

BUDAPEST: Police will question Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony as a suspect for organising the city’s 30th Pride parade, which authorities had banned earlier this year. The mayor’s office confirmed the summons to AFP on Thursday, stating he will be questioned next week. The June event saw a record turnout, with organisers estimating over 200,000 participants.… Continue reading Budapest mayor to face police questioning over banned Pride march

DAMASCUS: Saudi Arabia signed major investment deals worth $6.4 billion with Syria on Thursday to support the reconstruction of the war-torn country’s infrastructure, telecommunications, and other key sectors. The agreements were announced at the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum held at the Damascus presidential palace. Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih confirmed the signing of 47 agreements and… Continue reading Saudi Arabia invests $6.4 billion to rebuild Syria’s infrastructure

DUBLIN: Ireland’s media watchdog has issued a stern warning to Elon Musk’s social media platform X, demanding stricter controls to prevent children from accessing adult content. The regulator, Coimisiun na Mean, acting on behalf of the European Union, set a Friday deadline for compliance or risk facing penalties. The Online Safety Code, adopted in October… Continue reading Irish watchdog warns X over adult content controls

PARIS: Ocean tides could help predict when enormous icebergs break away from Antarctic ice shelves, according to new research. The findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that tidal forces, along with wind stress, play a key role in triggering these dramatic events. Glaciologist Oliver Marsh from the British Antarctic Survey had anticipated the 2023 calving… Continue reading Tides may predict when massive Antarctic icebergs break off

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s highest court has ordered a Singapore-based shipping company to pay US$1 billion in damages for causing the country’s worst marine pollution disaster. The MV X-Press Pearl, owned by Express Feeders, sank off Colombo Port in June 2021 after a fire burned for nearly two weeks. The 361-page judgment stated, “The X-Press Pearl…… Continue reading Sri Lanka court orders Singapore firm to pay US$1bn for marine disaster

LONDON: Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has launched a new political party alongside independent MP Zarah Sultana, marking a fresh challenge to the UK’s political landscape. The party, named Your Party, aims to prioritise grassroots movements and trade unions while pushing for radical economic reforms. Corbyn and Sultana declared in a joint statement, “It’s time… Continue reading Jeremy Corbyn launches new UK political party Your Party

BRUSSELS: The European Union has expressed support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s commitment to introduce new legislation ensuring the independence of anti-corruption agencies. The move follows criticism from Brussels over recent legal changes weakening oversight bodies. EU spokesman Stefan de Keersmaecker stated, “We have seen that the Ukrainian government has taken action. We welcome that… Continue reading EU praises Zelensky’s anti-corruption pledge amid Ukraine concerns

DENPASAR: An Indonesian court sentenced five foreigners to prison on Thursday in separate drug smuggling cases involving cocaine. The cases highlight Indonesia’s strict anti-drug laws, which include the death penalty for traffickers, though executions have been on hold since 2017. Argentine national Eleonora Gracia, 46, received a seven-year prison term after being caught at Bali’s… Continue reading Five foreigners jailed in Bali for cocaine smuggling

BRUSSELS: The European Union has described a landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on climate change as “important,“ reinforcing the legal obligations of nations to address global warming. The ICJ stated that failing to act on climate commitments could lead to liability for damages. The court declared climate change an “urgent and… Continue reading ICJ ruling highlights urgent climate action need: EU response

NAIROBI: Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirmed 65 deaths during recent protests, accusing police of using “disproportionate force” and failing to uphold constitutional standards. The demonstrations, which occurred between June and July, were marked by violent clashes, looting, and property destruction. The watchdog noted “significant breaches of constitutional policing standards,“ including excessive force and… Continue reading Kenya police watchdog reports 65 deaths in recent protests

KFAR YONA: Israeli police are searching for a driver who deliberately rammed his car into a bus stop, injuring eight people in what authorities called a “terror attack.” Witnesses described a horrifying scene as the driver accelerated into pedestrians waiting for transport. One eyewitness, Kineret Hanuka, 45, told AFP: “I saw only blood and heard… Continue reading Eight injured in car-ramming terror attack in Israel

BEIJING: China and the European Union have pledged to intensify efforts in tackling climate change, as stated in a joint declaration issued during a one-day summit in Beijing. The agreement highlights shared commitments despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. The joint statement emphasised the urgency of global climate action, stating that all nations must “step up efforts… Continue reading China and EU pledge stronger climate action in joint statement

JERUSALEM: Israel’s military confirmed on Thursday that a projectile was launched toward aid distribution sites in southern Gaza, escalating tensions amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. Hamas claimed responsibility, stating it targeted an Israeli command post in the area. The Israeli army said in a statement, “Last night, the (Israeli military) identified a projectile launched from… Continue reading Israel identifies projectile launched toward Gaza aid sites amid crisis

BUDAPEST: The Hungarian government has banned Irish rap group Kneecap from entering the country and performing at the Sziget music festival, accusing them of promoting “antisemitic hate speech.” The controversial Belfast-based group, known for its Irish nationalist messaging, has faced backlash for its criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs stated… Continue reading Hungary bans Kneecap from Sziget festival over antisemitism claims

YANGON: Myanmar’s junta announced on Thursday it had regained control of a strategic gold mining town after months of fierce fighting with anti-coup forces. This marks the second key territorial recovery in a week as the military pushes back against rebel advances. The conflict, which erupted following the 2021 coup, has seen pro-democracy groups and… Continue reading Myanmar junta retakes gold mining hub amid civil war clashes

NICOSIA: Two people have died in a wildfire outside Cyprus’s second city of Limassol, fanned by strong winds and temperatures forecast to reach 44°C, authorities confirmed on Thursday. Police reported finding two charred bodies in a burnt-out car believed to have been trapped in the blaze, which erupted on Wednesday afternoon. Health officials confirmed two… Continue reading Cyprus wildfire claims two lives amid extreme heatwave

BEIJING: China has described a recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on climate change as “positive,“ aligning with the stance of developing nations. The ICJ declared that states bear legal obligations to address climate change, with potential reparations for failures. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated, “The advisory opinion reflects the long-term positions and… Continue reading China welcomes ICJ climate ruling as positive step for global cooperation