Category: World

WARSAW: Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian aligned with Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, will be sworn in as Poland’s president today, marking a setback for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-EU agenda. Backed by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, Nawrocki’s victory signals potential policy clashes and a cooling stance toward Ukraine. Nawrocki’s presidency is expected… Continue reading Karol Nawrocki sworn in as Poland’s president amid political tensions

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has created a federal taskforce to oversee preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This marks the first Olympic Games hosted in the US since the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Trump signed the executive order on Tuesday alongside Los Angeles Organizing Committee chair Casey Wasserman.… Continue reading Trump forms taskforce for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics prep

SEOUL: South Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan stated on Wednesday that additional discussions with Washington are necessary to finalize the timing of promised tariff cuts on the country’s auto exports to the US, currently set at 25%. President Donald Trump announced last week that the US would impose a 15% tariff on imports from South… Continue reading South Korea seeks clarity on US auto tariff cut timing

MANILA: The Philippines, among the world’s largest buyers of rice, will suspend rice imports for 60 days from September 1 to protect local farmers impacted by falling prices during the harvest season, the government said on Wednesday. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered the suspension, Communications Secretary Dave Gomez told reporters, adding tariff increases on imported… Continue reading Philippines suspends rice imports for 60 days to protect farmers

ROME: Francis Ford Coppola, the acclaimed American director of “The Godfather” movies and “Apocalypse Now,“ underwent a non-emergency cardiac procedure in a Rome hospital and is doing fine, he and a U.S.-based representative said on Tuesday. “Mr. Coppola went in for a scheduled update procedure” performed by renowned Italian-born cardiologist Dr. Andrea Natale “and is… Continue reading Francis Ford Coppola recovers after scheduled heart procedure in Rome

SEOUL: Former South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee appeared before a special counsel on Wednesday to face questioning over alleged involvement in stock manipulation, election meddling and other charges. Kim, the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, arrived late at the office of special counsel Min Joong-ki. She is the first spouse… Continue reading S Korean ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee faces public questioning in criminal probe

MOSCOW: US envoy Steve Witkoff will hold meetings with Russian officials on Wednesday, a US source confirmed, as President Donald Trump’s deadline to impose new sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine approaches. The source did not clarify whether Witkoff would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, though the two have held discussions multiple times before. Trump… Continue reading US envoy Witkoff heads to Moscow amid Ukraine war tensions

WASHINGTON: The State Department said Tuesday that Malawians and Zambians will be required to pay a bond of up to $15,000 to travel to the United States on business or tourist visas. The decision takes effect August 20 as part of a one-year pilot project aimed at reducing visa overstays in the United States, where… Continue reading US imposes $15,000 visa bond for Malawi, Zambia visitors

WASHINGTON: The US government has terminated 22 federal contracts for mRNA-based vaccines, raising questions about the safety and effectiveness of a technology widely credited with curbing the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision, announced by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reflects growing skepticism within the administration regarding mRNA vaccines. “We reviewed the science, listened to the… Continue reading US cancels mRNA vaccine contracts amid safety concerns

MIAMI: A luxurious superyacht seized by the US authorities from sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov is headed to the auction block. The 348-foot (106-metre) Amadea has a helipad, pool, jacuzzi, gym, spa, beauty salon and eight staterooms that can accommodate 16 guests, according to amadeaauction.com. The yacht, which has been valued at more than $300… Continue reading Russian oligarch’s $300m superyacht Amadea to be auctioned in US

MEXICO CITY: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hosted Canadian officials to coordinate responses to US President Donald Trump’s escalating trade tariffs, despite the existing USMCA free trade agreement. The talks focused on mitigating economic impacts while preparing for a future visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump recently raised tariffs on select Canadian goods to… Continue reading Mexico and Canada strategise against Trump tariffs amid USMCA tensions

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration announced a $64 million reduction in terrorism prevention funding for New York City, according to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant notice. The decision follows a recent deadly shooting in Manhattan, raising concerns over security priorities. FEMA stated the funding cut is based on “an analysis of relative risk of… Continue reading NYC faces $64 million security fund cut amid rising threats

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that Vice President JD Vance is “most likely” his heir apparent to serve as the Republican nominee in 2028, the furthest he has gone in backing Vance as a future presidential candidate. “Well, I think most likely,“ Trump told reporters when asked whether Vance was the heir… Continue reading Trump suggests Vance is his likely heir apparent in 2028

SYDNEY: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has suffered the largest decline in coral cover in two of its three regions over the last year, research released on Wednesday showed, following a mass bleaching of its corals that was among the worst on record. The Australian Institute of Marine Sciences said the reef has experienced the largest… Continue reading Great Barrier Reef suffers record coral decline after mass bleaching

WASHINGTON: The catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible that killed five people in 2023 could have been prevented, a U.S. Coast Guard investigative board found on Tuesday, calling the vessel’s safety culture and operational practices “critically flawed.” The Titan vanished during a descent to the Titanic wreck on a tourist expedition, losing contact with its… Continue reading Titan sub disaster preventable due to safety failures, US report finds