Category: World

WASHINGTON: Offshore Hurricane Erin was downgraded to a Category 3 storm early Sunday, as rain lashed Caribbean islands and weather officials warned of possible flash floods and landslides. The first hurricane of what is expected to be a particularly intense Atlantic season, Erin briefly strengthened into a “catastrophic” Category 5 storm before its windspeeds weakened.… Continue reading Downgraded Hurricane Erin lashes Caribbean with rain

TEL AVIV: Demonstrators took to the streets across Israel Sunday calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages still held by militants, as the military prepares a new offensive. The protests come more than a week after Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, following 22… Continue reading Protests held across Israel calling for end to Gaza war, hostage deal

AIR CANADA said it planned to resume flights on Sunday after the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) acted on a directive from Canada’s Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to end the strike resulting in the suspension of more than 700 flights. The CIRB directed Air Canada to resume airline operations and for all Air Canada and… Continue reading Air Canada to resume flights after directive ending strike

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s deepest tax cuts in eight years will strain government revenues but are winning praise from businesses and political pundits who say they will bolster his image in an ongoing trade fight with Washington. In the biggest tax overhaul since 2017, Modi’s government on Saturday announced sweeping changes to… Continue reading Modi’s tax overhaul to strain finances but boost image amid US trade tensions

BUDAPEST: A hundred boxing matches and thousands of visitors marked the 100th anniversary of the Hungarian Boxing Association on Saturday at Heroes’ Square in central Budapest amid a sweltering 36-degree Celsius heat warning, reported Xinhua. The Hungarian Boxing Association was founded on August 17, 1925, at the Park Hotel in the Hungarian capital. Throughout Olympic… Continue reading Hungary marks 100 years of boxing with 100 matches

PESHAWAR: More than 150 people are missing in northwest Pakistan, the head of the provincial disaster authority said Sunday, after flash floods that have killed at least 344 people in the country. Thousands of rescuers were battling rain and knee-deep mud, digging homes out from under massive boulders in a desperate search for survivors. “In… Continue reading More than 150 missing in flood-hit northwest Pakistan: provincial disaster agency

WASHINGTON: The Republican governors of West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio announced on Saturday that they will send hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington to reinforce the deployment ordered by President Donald Trump, reported German Press Agency (dpa). The United States (US) state of West Virginia plans to send 300 to 400 National Guard… Continue reading Three US states to send National Guard Troops to Washington

TEL AVIV: Demonstrators took to the streets across Israel Sunday calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages still held by militants, as the military prepares a new offensive. The protests come more than a week after Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, following 22… Continue reading Israel says struck Huthi ‘energy infrastructure site’ in Yemen

PESHAWAR: Thousands of Pakistani rescuers are struggling through knee-deep mud and heavy rain to search for survivors after flash floods killed at least 344 people. Most deaths occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where monsoon rains triggered landslides and collapsed homes. In Buner district, at least 208 people died, with 10 to 12 villages partially buried… Continue reading Pakistan landslides and floods kill 344 as rescue efforts continue

VORONEZH: A Ukrainian drone attack injured a railway worker and damaged a power line at a station in Russia’s Voronezh region, the local governor confirmed. Alexander Gusev stated on Telegram that a track technician was hospitalised following the overnight strike. Train services faced delays but resumed normal operations by Sunday morning, according to Gusev. Russia’s… Continue reading Ukraine drone attack injures railway worker in Russia’s Voronezh

BRUSSELS: The European Union is resisting US attempts to target its digital regulations as both sides finalise a delayed trade statement, according to the Financial Times. Disagreements over “non-tariff barriers,“ including EU digital rules, are stalling the joint declaration, EU officials told the newspaper. Reuters could not independently confirm the report, and the EU, White… Continue reading EU-US trade statement delayed over digital rules dispute, FT reports

JAKARTA: Dozens of people were injured after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck central Sulawesi, Indonesia, early on Sunday. The country’s disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) confirmed the quake occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles). The tremor shook the Poso Regency and was felt in nearby areas. Twenty-nine people were injured, with two in… Continue reading Dozens injured as 6.0 quake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia

BRASÍLIA: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva extended an invitation to Donald Trump to visit Brazil amid escalating trade tensions. The Brazilian leader made the remarks while planting grapes, one of the products affected by Washington’s 50-percent tariffs. “I hope you can visit someday so we can talk and you can get to know the… Continue reading Brazil’s Lula invites Trump amid tariff dispute over grapes

LA PAZ: Bolivians head to the polls on Sunday in elections overshadowed by a severe economic crisis. The country faces its worst financial turmoil in decades, with inflation nearing 25 percent and shortages of fuel and foreign currency. Polls indicate a sharp decline in support for the ruling Movement towards Socialism (MAS), in power since… Continue reading Bolivia elections 2025: Right-wing resurgence amid economic turmoil

WASHINGTON: Leaders of France, Germany, and Britain will hold a video call on Sunday to discuss steps towards ending the war in Ukraine. This follows Donald Trump’s decision to drop his push for a ceasefire after his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Securing a ceasefire had been one of Trump’s key demands… Continue reading Europe to discuss Ukraine peace plan after Trump-Putin summit

FARYAB: Over four decades of war left Afghanistan with limited control over five major river basins flowing into neighbouring nations. The Taliban’s rise to power has seen them assert water sovereignty by launching infrastructure projects to harness scarce resources. Dams and canals have heightened tensions with downstream states, complicating the Taliban’s efforts to build regional… Continue reading Afghanistan’s water crisis sparks regional tensions amid drought

BEIJING: A flash flood in northern China has left eight dead and four missing, according to state media. The incident occurred late Saturday in Urat Rear Banner, where 13 people were camping outdoors. Xinhua news agency reported one person was rescued by Sunday morning, with search operations continuing. China’s emergency ministry has mobilised full-scale rescue… Continue reading Flash flood kills 8 in Inner Mongolia, 4 missing amid China rains

DAMASCUS: Syrian state media reported a car bomb explosion in the capital on Saturday evening. The blast occurred in the upscale Mazzeh area, known for housing embassies and UN offices. State news agency SANA confirmed the explosion but stated no casualties were reported. State television attributed the blast to an explosive device planted inside an… Continue reading Car bomb blast in Damascus causes no casualties, say reports

MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held separate calls with his Turkish and Hungarian counterparts on Saturday. The discussions followed the inconclusive US-Russia summit in Alaska, where no agreement was reached on ending the Ukraine war. The Russian foreign ministry confirmed the call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was initiated by Ankara. Both ministers… Continue reading Lavrov discusses Alaska summit with Turkey, Hungary after US-Russia

BRASÍLIA: Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro temporarily left his house arrest on Saturday for medical examinations. The 70-year-old right-wing leader faces a Supreme Court ruling next month over alleged coup plotting after his 2022 election defeat. Bolsonaro has been confined to his home since early August for violating a court order banning social media use… Continue reading Bolsonaro leaves house arrest for medical tests ahead of coup trial

WARSAW: US President Donald Trump has expressed support for a Russian proposal allowing Moscow to take full control of two Ukrainian regions while freezing the front line in two others, according to a source. The source familiar with the matter stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin “de facto demands that Ukraine leave Donbas,“ referring to… Continue reading Trump supports Putin’s Ukraine land proposal amid ongoing conflict

MADRID: Firefighters and military units are struggling to contain wildfires in northwest and western Spain as a prolonged heatwave intensifies the crisis. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed a coordination meeting was held to manage firefighting efforts. France and Italy have dispatched water bombers to assist at an air base near Salamanca. “The government continues to… Continue reading Army deployed as wildfires rage in western Spain amid heatwave

PORT SUDAN: Sudanese paramilitary forces shelled North Darfur’s besieged capital El-Fasher on Saturday, killing at least 17 civilians and injuring 25 others, a medical source told AFP. The source at El-Fasher hospital, speaking anonymously for safety, said the toll only includes those who reached medical facilities. Many victims were buried by families unable to access… Continue reading RSF shelling kills 17 in Darfur’s El-Fasher amid worsening crisis

SYDNEY: Former Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia. Hui, wanted by Hong Kong authorities, confirmed his protection visa approval in a social media post. He called on Australia to increase support for jailed activists still in Hong Kong. The former British colony has faced tightened political controls since Beijing… Continue reading Former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui granted asylum in Australia

WASHINGTON: The US government announced the suspension of visitor visas for Gazans on Saturday. The decision followed complaints by far-right influencer Laura Loomer, who accused the State Department of granting visas to wounded Palestinians. Laura Loomer, known for promoting conspiracy theories, claimed in social media posts that Gazans receiving medical visas were linked to Hamas.… Continue reading US suspends Gaza visitor visas after far-right influencer outcry

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has abandoned his push for a Ukraine ceasefire, opting instead to pursue a full peace agreement. The shift came hours after his high-stakes Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a clear breakthrough. Previously, Trump and European leaders had demanded an immediate halt to hostilities, warning of “severe consequences”… Continue reading Trump shifts Ukraine stance after Putin summit, drops ceasefire demand

LAGOS: Nigerian security forces have arrested two senior leaders of the Ansaru terror group responsible for a 2022 jailbreak near Abuja. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu confirmed the capture of Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri during operations between May and July 2025. “These two men have been on Nigeria’s most-wanted list for years,“ Ribadu… Continue reading Nigeria arrests Ansaru terror leaders behind 2022 Abuja jailbreak

BELGRADE: Fresh clashes broke out between protesters and riot police in Serbia’s capital and other cities late Saturday, marking the fifth consecutive night of unrest. In Valjevo, a group of masked individuals set fire to the empty offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party before clashing with police. Protesters hurled fireworks and rocks while officers… Continue reading Serbia protests escalate as clashes continue for fifth night

TORONTO: Air Canada cancelled hundreds of flights on Saturday as a strike by flight attendants disrupted operations. The airline urged passengers with tickets for Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge not to proceed to airports. Flights operated by Air Canada Express, a third-party service, remain unaffected by the strike. “Air Canada deeply regrets the effect… Continue reading Air Canada cancels flights as cabin crew strike disrupts summer travel

WASHINGTON: Hurricane Erin rapidly strengthened into a catastrophic Category 5 storm on Saturday. The storm lashed Caribbean islands with heavy rain and strong winds. Weather officials warned of potential flash floods and landslides across the region. The US National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour. Erin was located about 135… Continue reading Hurricane Erin strengthens to Category 5, threatens Caribbean with floods

KYIV: The US has proposed security guarantees for Ukraine similar to NATO’s collective defence agreement but separate from the alliance. The proposal emerged during a call between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders on Saturday. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed the US suggested a security guarantee “inspired” by NATO’s… Continue reading US proposes NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine amid talks

KYIV: Pavlo Nebroev stayed awake late into the night in Kharkiv, waiting for the press conference between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The US and Russian leaders met in Alaska to discuss Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year. From Kharkiv, a city heavily bombarded by Russian forces, the meeting appeared to… Continue reading Ukrainians sceptical of Trump-Putin meeting outcomes

SWEIDA: Hundreds of protesters gathered in Syria’s Druze-majority province of Sweida on Saturday, demanding the right to self-determination following last month’s deadly sectarian violence. The demonstrations came after weeks of clashes between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin, which escalated into broader violence involving government forces. Syrian authorities claim their intervention aimed to stop the fighting,… Continue reading Druze protests in Syria demand self-determination amid sectarian violence