Category: World

BRASILIA: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has strongly criticized the United States for imposing visa restrictions on Brazilian officials, labeling the move as “arbitrary” and “baseless.” In a statement released on Saturday, Lula emphasized that such actions undermine fundamental principles of respect and sovereignty between nations. “I am certain that no form of… Continue reading Brazil’s Lula condemns US visa curbs as arbitrary, defends sovereignty

LOS ANGELES: At least 30 people were injured early Saturday when a vehicle drove into a crowd outside a club on Santa Monica Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Seven victims were reported in critical condition, while six others suffered serious injuries. The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. local time, with the… Continue reading 30 injured as car hits crowd outside Los Angeles club

HANOI: A tourist boat carrying 53 people, including five crew members, capsized in Vietnam’s scenic Halong Bay on Saturday, killing three people, state media reported. Rescue teams have located 12 survivors and recovered three bodies, the People’s Army Newspaper said, citing local border guards. Authorities have yet to disclose details about the tourists or their… Continue reading Vietnam tourist boat capsizes in Halong Bay, three dead

BRUSSELS: Belgian authorities have launched an investigation into the death of a Canadian woman who fell ill at Tomorrowland, one of the world’s biggest electronic music festivals. The Antwerp prosecutor’s office confirmed they are working to determine the cause of death of the 35-year-old attendee, who was among tens of thousands present on the festival’s… Continue reading Belgian authorities probe Canadian woman’s death at Tomorrowland

TEHRAN: At least 21 people died and nearly 30 others were injured when a coach overturned in southern Iran on Saturday, according to state media reports. The accident occurred near Kavar, a town approximately 1,000 kilometres from Tehran. “Unfortunately, 21 deaths have been recorded,“ said Kavar Hospital director Mohsen Afrasiabi in a statement to state… Continue reading 21 dead in Iran coach accident near Kavar, state media confirms

RAMALLAH: The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday strongly denounced what it described as “mass killings” carried out by Israeli forces at humanitarian aid distribution centres across the Gaza Strip – the latest of which killed and wounded dozens in northern Rafah. Palestine News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported that the ministry called the… Continue reading Palestinian Foreign Ministry strongly denounces mass killings at aid centres in Gaza

SWEIDA: Syrian interior ministry forces entered Sweida on Saturday following a US-mediated ceasefire agreement designed to prevent further Israeli military action in the Druze-dominated province. The deal comes after Israeli airstrikes targeted Syrian defence ministry forces accused of abuses against Druze civilians. More than 700 people have died in Sweida since Sunday as clashes between… Continue reading Syria forces enter Sweida under US-brokered ceasefire deal

JERUSALEM: Israel has dismissed Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s pledge to protect minorities, stating it remains “very dangerous” for minority groups in the country. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar issued the warning following deadly clashes in Sweida province that left over 700 dead. “Bottom line: In al-Shara’s Syria, it is very dangerous to be a member… Continue reading Israel warns minorities face danger in Syria under Sharaa

DAMASCUS: Syria’s presidency announced an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire on Saturday, calling on all parties to halt hostilities following violent clashes in the predominantly Druze region of Sweida. The statement urged full compliance to prevent further bloodshed after nearly a week of unrest that left hundreds dead. The Syrian interior ministry confirmed security forces had… Continue reading Syria announces ceasefire in Sweida, urges end to hostilities

RUSSIAN forces staged a mass drone attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea port city of Odesa early on Saturday, setting ablaze at least one multi-storey apartment building and killing one resident, authorities said. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian cities, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to sharpen his tone against Russia… Continue reading One dead, six injured in Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s Odesa

MAIQUETÍA: Hundreds of Venezuelan migrants detained in El Salvador under President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown arrived home Friday in a prisoner exchange with the United States. The 252 men, previously held in the high-security CECOT prison, were accused without evidence of gang ties and deported under rarely used wartime powers. Their release followed months of… Continue reading Venezuelan migrants freed in US prisoner swap arrive home

SEOUL: A deadly landslide triggered by relentless rainfall has left one person dead and three missing in South Korea’s Sancheong county. Emergency officials confirmed the recovery of one body while search efforts continue for the missing individuals, including a couple in their seventies and a person in their twenties. The landslide buried two houses in… Continue reading South Korea landslide kills one, three missing amid heavy rains

DOHA: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels are set to sign an immediate ceasefire agreement in Qatar on Saturday, according to an official familiar with the negotiations. The deal follows three months of talks in the Gulf nation and forms part of a broader Declaration of Principles aimed at ending… Continue reading DRCongo and M23 rebels to sign ceasefire deal in Qatar

GAZA CITY: Gaza’s civil defence agency reported on Saturday that Israeli attacks killed 26 people and wounded over 100 near two aid centres in southern Gaza. Agency spokesman Mahmud Basal stated that 22 died near a site southwest of Khan Yunis and four near another centre northwest of Rafah, attributing both incidents to “Israeli gunfire.”… Continue reading Gaza civil defence reports 26 killed near aid centres in Israeli attacks

BERAT (Albania): Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has proposed the idea of an artificial intelligence (AI)-run government ministry to improve governance efficiency and eliminate corruption risks. Speaking at a tech and innovation event in Berat, Rama highlighted AI’s potential to transform public administration. “Very soon, artificial intelligence could become the most efficient member of the… Continue reading Albanian PM proposes AI-run ministry for better governance

SEOUL: Disgraced former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has been formally indicted for abuse of power and obstruction of justice, prosecutors confirmed Saturday. The charges stem from his controversial imposition of martial law in December last year, an act that triggered nationwide protests and a constitutional crisis. Yoon attempted to bypass democratic processes by… Continue reading Ex-South Korea president indicted for martial law abuse

WASHINGTON: A federal judge blocked on Friday the enforcement of U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting those who work with the International Criminal Court. The ruling follows an April lawsuit by two human rights advocates challenging Trump’s February 6 order authorizing potentially far-reaching economic and travel sanctions on people who work on ICC investigations… Continue reading Federal judge blocks enforcement of Trump’s order on ICC

TOKYO: Bags of mildly radioactive soil from near the Fukushima nuclear plant were delivered to the Japanese prime minister’s office on Saturday in a government-led demonstration of its safety for reuse. The move comes as authorities seek to address public concerns over the stored contaminated soil, with 14 million cubic metres still kept near the… Continue reading Fukushima radioactive soil delivered to Japan PM office as safety demo

SINGAPORE: The government has confirmed a “serious” cyberattack targeting critical infrastructure, with authorities attributing the breach to a sophisticated China-linked hacking group. Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam revealed the ongoing threat during a late Friday address, identifying the perpetrators as UNC3886—a cyber espionage unit previously flagged by Google-owned cybersecurity firm Mandiant. “Even as… Continue reading Singapore faces serious cyberattack on critical infrastructure

WASHINGTON: The United States has formally rejected amendments to the World Health Organization’s pandemic response framework, with the Trump administration arguing the changes infringe on national sovereignty. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr announced the decision, stating the reforms risk undue interference in US health policy. “We will put… Continue reading US rejects WHO pandemic reforms under Trump administration

TOKYO: Shigeru Ishiba, Japan’s prime minister, faces a critical political test as upper house elections this weekend could determine his future. Known for his policy focus and hobbies like model-making, Ishiba’s leadership is under scrutiny amid declining public support. Opinion polls indicate his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) coalition may lose its majority in Sunday’s vote,… Continue reading Japan PM Ishiba’s future uncertain as upper house elections loom

SAO PAULO: Brazilian fruit growers have raised alarms over a potential export crisis following the United States’ decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on mango imports. The new duty, announced by US President Donald Trump, is set to take effect on Aug 1, coinciding with Brazil’s peak mango export season to the US.… Continue reading Brazil mango export crisis looms over new US tariff hike

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian authorities have arrested 2,270 suspects, including 424 women, in the latest crackdown on online scam centres across the kingdom, Xinhua reported. Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said on Friday, the authorities raided 45 locations in 12 cities and provinces, out of the 25 cities and provinces in the kingdom. Some ringleaders have been… Continue reading Cambodia cracks down on online scam centres

TOKYO: More than 80 per cent of scam emails with identifiable senders targeted Japanese recipients in May, according to a US cybersecurity firm. The rise in sophisticated fraud is attributed to generative AI, which helps scammers craft more natural-sounding messages. Proofpoint analysed 240 million scam emails out of a record 770 million sent globally in… Continue reading Over 80% of global scam emails targeted Japan in May: Report

JAKARTA: Former Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison for corruption linked to sugar imports during his 2015-2016 tenure. The Jakarta Corruption Court delivered the verdict on Friday, marking a significant ruling in the high-profile case. Chief Judge Dennie Arsan Fatrika stated, “The judge declares… Continue reading Former Indonesian trade minister jailed 4.5 years for sugar import corruption

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has directed the Justice Department to push for the release of grand jury testimony from the Jeffrey Epstein case, aiming to counter growing backlash over his past ties to the disgraced financier. The move follows a Wall Street Journal report alleging Trump sent Epstein a 2003 birthday letter featuring a crude… Continue reading Trump orders release of Epstein probe material amid letter scandal

WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday revoked a visa for a prominent Brazilian judge hours after he restricted activities of right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro over charges of plotting a coup. “Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes’s political witch hunt against Jair Bolsonaro created a persecution and censorship complex so sweeping that it… Continue reading Rubio: US revokes visa for Brazil judge over Bolsonaro ‘witch hunt’

LAS VEGAS: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios both made weight ahead of their highly anticipated title showdown this weekend. The Filipino icon weighed in at 146.8 lbs, just under the 147-pound limit, while Barrios came in slightly lighter at 146.2 lbs during Friday’s ceremony at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Pacquiao,… Continue reading Pacquiao vs Barrios weight-in results ahead of Vegas title fight