Category: World

JAKARTA: American demand for recreational vehicles is driving deforestation on Indonesia’s Borneo island, according to a new investigation by environmental groups. UK-based Earthsight and Indonesia’s Auriga Nusantara published their findings late Tuesday. The report identifies the RV industry as the largest consumer of tropical wood in the United States. Evidence indicates that tropical lauan plywood… Continue reading US RV brands linked to Borneo deforestation in NGO report

BEIJING: China and India have pledged to resume direct flights between the two nations in a significant diplomatic development. The announcement came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded his official visit to New Delhi on Wednesday. This breakthrough forms part of broader efforts to normalize relations between the world’s two most populous countries. Following… Continue reading China India resume flights as Wang Yi visit ends

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister Kim Yo Jong has accused Seoul of displaying a double character in its approach to inter-Korean relations. She condemned South Korea for conducting military exercises with the United States while simultaneously attempting diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang. Newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has promised to… Continue reading North Korea slams Seoul’s leadership as two-faced

SYDNEY: Google and Australian Associated Press have announced a partnership to integrate the national newswire’s content into the Gemini artificial intelligence platform. The agreement aims to improve the quality and relevance of Gemini’s responses to user queries. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed when announced on Tuesday. Google’s head of news partnerships for… Continue reading Google and AAP strike AI deal for Gemini in Australia

CALIFORNIA: Billionaire Elon Musk is quietly delaying plans to launch his new political party. The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Musk told allies he wants to focus on his companies instead. Musk unveiled the America Party in July following a public dispute with former President Donald Trump regarding tax legislation. The Tesla CEO… Continue reading Elon Musk delays new political party plans to focus on companies

BEIJING: China will stage a massive military parade next month involving tens of thousands of people in the heart of Beijing to commemorate 80 years since the end of World War Two following the surrender of Japan. Hundreds of aircraft including fighter jets and bombers as well as ground equipment, some of which have never… Continue reading China stages massive military parade marking WW2 surrender of Japan

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has ruled out sending US troops to Ukraine while envisioning extended US air power as Western nations begin discussing security guarantees. Trump brought Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and top European leaders to the White House following his meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump revealed that Putin agreed to meet… Continue reading Trump eyes air power in Ukraine deal, rules out US troops

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration announced it will evaluate anti-American sentiments in social media posts when processing immigration applications. US Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed it is expanding vetting procedures for all applicants seeking to live or work in the country. Agency spokesman Matthew Tragesser stated that America’s benefits should not be given to those who… Continue reading US to assess anti-Americanism in immigration visa decisions

GENEVA: The United Nations has sharply criticised Israel’s prolonged blockade preventing tents from entering the Gaza Strip despite ongoing civilian displacement orders. UN humanitarian agency OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke revealed shelter items have been banned for approximately five months. During this period, over seven hundred thousand people experienced displacement or re-displacement across the devastated territory.… Continue reading UN condemns Israel’s tent ban in Gaza amid displacement crisis

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised French President Emmanuel Macron in a letter obtained by AFP. Netanyahu blamed Macron’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state for increasing antisemitism in France. A French minister responded by stating that the fight against antisemitism must not be exploited. Macron announced late last month that France… Continue reading Netanyahu slams Macron over Palestine state recognition

JERUSALEM: A senior Israeli official stated on Tuesday that the government maintains its firm position demanding the release of all hostages in any future Gaza ceasefire agreement. This declaration follows Hamas’s acceptance of a new truce proposal that mediators describe as nearly identical to previous Israeli-approved terms. Mediators are currently awaiting Israel’s official response to… Continue reading Israel demands all hostages release after Hamas truce offer

WASHINGTON: The White House officially launched its TikTok account on Tuesday despite ongoing legal uncertainties surrounding the Chinese-owned platform’s operations in the United States. President Donald Trump continues to permit TikTok to operate despite a federal law requiring its sale or ban on national security grounds. “America we are BACK! What’s up TikTok?” read the… Continue reading White House launches TikTok account amid US legal uncertainty

WASHINGTON: Top US military officer General Dan Caine will hold talks on Ukraine with European military leaders in Washington on Tuesday evening. A US defense official confirmed the high level discussions will focus on potential pathways to peace. The military chiefs will discuss best options for a potential Ukraine peace deal, the official told AFP… Continue reading US General Caine to lead Ukraine peace talks with Europe

WASHINGTON: Top US and European military officers met in Washington Tuesday to discuss the mechanics of a possible Ukraine peace deal. President Donald Trump has ruled out sending American troops to back an agreement but suggested air support instead. In a flurry of diplomacy aimed at ending the war, Trump brought Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky… Continue reading Ukraine peace talks after Trump rejects US troops deployment

DAMASCUS: Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met with an Israeli diplomatic delegation in Paris on Tuesday to discuss de-escalation and non-interference in Syria’s internal affairs. The state news agency SANA reported that the latest US-mediated talks resulted in understandings supporting regional stability. Washington has been working to resolve security issues in Syria and Lebanon, which… Continue reading Syrian and Israeli diplomats meet in Paris for de-escalation talks

MIAMI: A 67-year-old man convicted of a 1982 murder was executed by lethal injection in Florida on Tuesday. Kayle Bates received the death penalty in 1983 for killing Janet Renee White. The 24-year-old victim was abducted from her Lynn Haven insurance office. White was stabbed to death in nearby woods after returning from lunch. Officials… Continue reading Florida executes man for 1982 murder by lethal injection

WASHINGTON: United States health authorities announced a major frozen shrimp recall over potential radioactive contamination concerns. The Food and Drug Administration identified imported seafood from Indonesian company PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati as the source. Walmart supermarkets distributed the potentially affected products across thirteen American states. Radioactive isotope Cesium 137 detection triggered the precautionary recall measure.… Continue reading US recalls Indonesian shrimp over radioactivity scare

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump said Tuesday that a Ukraine peace deal could boost his chances of getting to heaven. The 79-year-old US president joked that his odds of making it through the pearly gates are currently low. Trump has previously said he wants to end Russia’s war in Ukraine as part of his bid to win… Continue reading Trump says Ukraine peace deal would help him get to heaven

BAR DALORI: Rescuers and residents resumed searching on Tuesday for survivors as the death toll from five days of torrential rain rose to almost 400. Authorities warned monsoon downpours would continue until the weekend. Torrential rains across Pakistan’s north have caused flooding and landslides that have swept away entire villages. Many residents remain trapped in… Continue reading Pakistan monsoon floods death toll nears 400 amid rescue efforts

SYDNEY: Google has agreed to pay a Aus$55 million (US$36 million) fine for making deals to pre-install only its search engine on Android phones sold by Telstra and Optus. Australia’s competition watchdog filed proceedings in the Federal Court alongside Google Asia Pacific for the penalty. The court will now determine if the fine and related… Continue reading Google fined US$36m over Android search deals in Australia

HONG KONG: Above the bustling streets of Causeway Bay, a conservation effort is underway to save the critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoo. Only 1,200 to 2,000 of these birds remain worldwide, with one-tenth residing in Hong Kong. Astrid Andersson, a researcher at the University of Hong Kong, describes the city as home to one of the… Continue reading Hong Kong scientist uses nest boxes to protect endangered cockatoos

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron has described Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a predator” and “an ogre at our gates”. His comments came during an interview with French broadcaster LCI on Tuesday. Macron cautioned European allies against placing trust in Putin amid ongoing tensions. “Putin has rarely honoured his commitments,“ Macron stated bluntly. The French… Continue reading Macron labels Putin ‘predator’ and ‘ogre at Europe’s gates’

BRASÍLIA: Brazil has formally requested Meta to eliminate chatbots that imitate children and engage in sexually suggestive dialogues across its platforms. The attorney general’s office issued an extrajudicial notice demanding immediate removal of these AI-generated profiles. Meta’s AI Studio allows users to develop customised bots exhibiting childlike language and appearance on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.… Continue reading Brazil demands Meta remove childlike erotic chatbots from platforms

MADRID: Wildfires have consumed an additional 30,000 hectares in western Spain within 24 hours, satellite data revealed on Tuesday. The European Forest Fire Information System confirmed 373,000 hectares burned this year as of 0700 GMT. This marks Spain’s most destructive fire season since records began in 2006, exceeding 2022’s total of 306,000 hectares lost. The… Continue reading Spain wildfires destroy 30,000 more hectares as heatwave ends

BANGKOK: Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, is undergoing continuous medical treatment to stabilise her blood pressure. The palace confirmed her condition remains critical due to a severe infection. The 46-year-old princess has been unconscious since December 2022 after suffering heart complications during a dog training session. The Bureau of… Continue reading Thai princess receives continuous treatment for blood pressure stabilisation

BAR DALORI: Survivors and rescuers in a remote Pakistani village are digging through rubble after a deadly cloudburst triggered massive landslides. The disaster struck Dalori village in the middle of the night, sending rocks and water crashing down mountainsides. At least 15 houses were destroyed, with nine confirmed dead and around 20 still trapped under… Continue reading Deadly Pakistan cloudburst leaves survivors digging through rubble

TORONTO: Striking Air Canada flight attendants have vowed to defy a back-to-work order from Canada’s labour tribunal as negotiations resume. The walkout, which began early Saturday, has disrupted travel plans for half a million passengers worldwide. Around 10,000 flight attendants are demanding higher wages and compensation for unpaid ground work, including boarding duties. Air Canada,… Continue reading Air Canada flight attendants defy back-to-work order as strike talks restart

NEW YORK: An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Harlem has resulted in five deaths and 14 hospitalisations, according to health officials. The New York City health department stated, “The NYC Health Department is currently investigating a community cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in Central Harlem.” As of August 18, there are 108 confirmed cases linked to… Continue reading Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in NYC kills 5, hospitalises 14

SYDNEY: Australia has rebuked Israel for cancelling visas held by its diplomatic staff assigned to the Palestinian Authority. The move came after Australia barred far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman from entering the country ahead of a speaking tour. Foreign Minister Penny Wong called Israel’s response an “unjustified reaction” that undermines peace efforts. “At a time… Continue reading Australia condemns Israel over revoked diplomat visas amid tensions

SANTIAGO: Chile’s upcoming presidential election on November 16 highlights the nation’s political polarisation, with Communist Party candidate Jeannette Jara and far-right veteran Jose Antonio Kast emerging as frontrunners. Eight candidates have registered for the race, according to an AFP tally before Monday’s deadline, setting the stage for a contentious battle. Analysts describe the contest as… Continue reading Chile’s presidential race pits communist against far-right in polarised contest

LOS ANGELES: A Human Rights Watch report has accused law enforcement of using excessive force and deliberate brutality against protesters and journalists during demonstrations in June. The protests were sparked by anger over immigration raids targeting undocumented migrants in Southern California. Scores of people were injured as officers deployed hard foam rounds, flash-bang grenades, pepper… Continue reading Excessive force against LA protesters detailed in rights report

CARACAS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced plans to mobilise 4.5 million militia members following what he described as US threats. The move comes after Washington increased the bounty for Maduro’s arrest to $50 million over drug trafficking charges. Maduro stated on state television that the militia would ensure nationwide coverage, calling them “prepared, activated and… Continue reading Maduro mobilises 4.5 million militia amid US threats and sanctions