Category: World

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russian forces are prevailing in what he said was a “righteous battle” in Ukraine. “Our fighters and commanders go on the attack, and the entire country, all of Russia, is waging this righteous battle and working hard,“ Putin said in a video published on the Kremlin’s website.… Continue reading Putin declares Russia prevailing in righteous Ukraine battle

DUESSELDORF: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Monday that Europe is not at war but no longer at peace with Russia. Merz delivered this striking assessment during a media event in Duesseldorf, acknowledging the statement might initially shock listeners. He characterised Russia’s actions as a war against European democracy and freedom. The Chancellor further asserted… Continue reading Germany’s Merz says Europe no longer at peace with Russia

RAMALLAH: The Palestinian Authority welcomed on Monday US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war in Gaza. Palestinian news agency WAFA reported the Authority’s positive stance towards the American initiative. The Palestinian Authority reiterated its commitment to work with the United States and international partners. It aims to reach a comprehensive deal that includes… Continue reading Palestinian Authority welcomes Trump efforts to end Gaza war

CAIRO: Palestinian Islamic Jihad group chief Ziad al-Nakhala declared on Monday that he considers the United States and Israel’s announcement on Gaza a “recipe to blow up the region”. The group is an Iran-backed ally of Hamas and has also taken hostages. Earlier, United States President Donald Trump held a joint press conference with Israeli… Continue reading Islamic Jihad chief says US-Israel Gaza plan risks regional explosion

CAIRO: The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt welcomed United States President Trump’s announcement to end the war in Gaza. This statement came in a joint declaration issued on Monday. The ministers affirmed their readiness to cooperate positively with the United States and relevant parties to finalise the agreement.… Continue reading Arab and Islamic ministers welcome Trump’s Gaza war end announcement

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s administration started detailing its plans on Monday for which services it will pause if the federal government shuts down this week, with the U.S. health department slated to furlough 41% of its workforce. The impending shutdown will be different from past government closures because the administration has threatened mass firings of… Continue reading US government shutdown plans emerge as funding deadline approaches

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s commitment to ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages. Macron stated he expects Israel to engage resolutely on this basis for peace. He declared that Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan.… Continue reading Macron welcomes Trump’s commitment to end Gaza war and free hostages

MILAN: Italy has welcomed United States President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza. The prime minister’s office stated Italy is ready to play its part in close coordination with the US, European partners, and regional actors. It said the proposal presented by President Trump could mark a turning point for the conflict.… Continue reading Italy welcomes Trump’s Gaza peace proposal and pledges support

WASHINGTON: Firefly Aerospace on Monday said the core booster for its centerpiece Alpha rocket was destroyed during a ground test in Texas, weeks before that rocket was due for a long-awaited return to flight mission. Firefly in a statement said all personnel were safe as the company assesses the testing failure’s impact on its booster… Continue reading Firefly Alpha rocket booster destroyed during testing in Texas

NEW YORK: Leaders of developing countries threatened by climate change told rich nations at the United Nations General Assembly that they are falling far short of promises to fund measures to combat rising sea levels, droughts and deforestation. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine told the assembly that it is past time for the rich world… Continue reading Developing nations accuse rich countries of broken climate promises at UN

DOHA: Qatar’s prime minister and Egypt’s intelligence chief have presented US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan to Hamas representatives. The official briefed on the talks confirmed the mediators shared the proposal with the Palestinian militant group. Hamas negotiators informed the mediators they will examine the plan with good faith intentions. They committed to providing… Continue reading Qatar and Egypt share Trump’s Gaza plan with Hamas officials

WASHINGTON: US Senate Democrats are discussing several alternatives to prevent a government shutdown that could begin at midnight Tuesday. These options include a seven to ten day funding bill along with other possible measures that could run concurrently. Two Senate Democratic sources who requested anonymity confirmed these discussions. The plans have not yet received approval… Continue reading US Senate Democrats consider short stopgap funding bill to avert shutdown

CAIRO: A senior Hamas official has confirmed that the group has not yet received the written version of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. Mahmoud Mardawi made this statement during an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher television on Monday. His comments came shortly after Trump’s joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.… Continue reading Hamas official says group has not received Trump’s Gaza peace plan

CARACAS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has signed a decree granting him additional security powers in case the U.S. military enters the country, the nation’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, said on Monday. The measure marks the latest escalation in tensions between the two countries, with Maduro publicly alleging that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is plotting… Continue reading Maduro signs decree granting security powers for military intervention

PRAGUE: The ANO party of Czech billionaire and former Prime Minister Andrej Babis has slightly widened its lead over the main ruling centre-right coalition Spolu in the final poll before October’s election. The IPSOS survey showed ANO’s support edged up by 0.4 percentage points since August to reach 32.6%. Support for the ruling Spolu coalition… Continue reading Czech opposition ANO party widens lead in final pre-election poll

WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his support for United States President Donald Trump’s peace proposal to end the war in Gaza. Netanyahu stated his endorsement during a press conference while standing beside President Trump. “I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims,“ Netanyahu declared. He explained… Continue reading Netanyahu supports Trump’s Gaza peace proposal to end war

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump declared on Monday that the time has come for Hamas to accept a comprehensive 20-point peace proposal regarding Gaza’s future. Trump announced this proposal was developed in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We’re not quite finished,“ Trump stated during a White House press conference. He expressed confidence that the… Continue reading Trump urges Hamas to accept Gaza peace proposal terms

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump challenged Palestinians to take responsibility for their destiny by accepting a peace deal with Israel. Trump stated that the proposed deal would create conditions for durable Israeli security. He made these remarks while standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Trump acknowledged that many Palestinians wish to… Continue reading Trump challenges Palestinians to take responsibility for their destiny

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he believes Iran could potentially join the Abraham Accords. Trump made these remarks during a White House press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Abraham Accords were signed during Trump’s first term and normalised diplomatic relations between Israel and four Muslim-majority nations. “Who knows,… Continue reading Trump says Iran could join Abraham Accords in future

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump stated on Monday that Israel and other parties are “beyond very close” to finalising an agreement to end the war in Gaza. Trump made these remarks while standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. He explained that the agreement would include participation from Arab countries. Trump emphasised… Continue reading Trump says Israel ‘beyond very close’ on Gaza peace deal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed United States President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza. Sharif stated on social media platform X that achieving durable peace between Palestinians and Israelis is essential for regional political stability. He further emphasised that such peace would also drive economic growth throughout the region.… Continue reading Pakistan PM welcomes Trump’s Gaza peace plan for regional stability

WASHINGTON: The United States Justice Department is suing pro-Palestinian organisations and demonstrators accused of intimidating Jewish worshippers at a New Jersey synagogue. This lawsuit uses a United States law traditionally employed against people blocking access to abortion clinics. The case filed on Monday in New Jersey federal court alleges a November protest at a West… Continue reading US Justice Department sues pro-Palestinian protest groups under FACE Act

WASHINGTON: Top US Senate Republican John Thune informed reporters that lawmakers in his chamber will vote on Tuesday on a bill to avert a government shutdown. The Senate previously rejected a House-passed funding bill on September 19. – Reuters

WASHINGTON: The White House has released a peace plan for Gaza proposing an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants. This proposal includes the return of all hostages, both living and deceased, within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting the agreement. The plan states that the war will immediately end if both sides… Continue reading US proposes Gaza peace plan to end war and return hostages

CAIRO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged not to attack Qatar again in the future during a phone call with the Qatari prime minister and United States President Donald Trump. The commitment was confirmed in a readout from the Qatari foreign ministry on Monday. The three leaders discussed regional security matters during their conversation.… Continue reading Netanyahu pledges no future attacks on Qatar in Trump call

WARSAW: The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine has been without offsite power for six days, according to the United Nations atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi. Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stated he met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Warsaw to discuss the situation. The plant in southeastern Ukraine… Continue reading Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant without offsite power for six days, IAEA says

WASHINGTON/CAIRO/JERUSALEM: U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for pivotal talks on Monday to press him to back a Gaza peace proposal aimed at ending a nearly two-year-old war that has seen Israel face growing international isolation. In Netanyahu’s fourth visit since Trump returned to office in January, the right-wing Israeli leader… Continue reading Trump presses Netanyahu on Gaza peace plan in pivotal White House talks

ANTANANARIVO: Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said on Monday he was dissolving the government following youth-led protests over water and power cuts in which the United Nations says at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured. Inspired by the so-called “Gen Z” protests in Kenya and Nepal, the three days of demonstrations… Continue reading Madagascar president dissolves government after deadly protests

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has rescinded Biden-era restrictions on civilian firearms exports to 36 countries deemed high-risk for weapons diversion. Commerce Department officials announced the policy change on Monday, restoring export rules from Trump’s first presidential term. The Bureau of Industry and Security stated this move will create hundreds of millions of dollars annually in… Continue reading Trump administration ends Biden-era gun export restrictions

WASHINGTON: The US Department of Health and Human Services plans to furlough 41% of its workforce if Congress fails to prevent a government shutdown. This action would suspend critical functions including public health messaging, contractor oversight, and medical research. Of the department’s 79,717 employees, 32,460 are expected to be furloughed under the contingency staffing plan… Continue reading US health agency to furlough 41% of workers in government shutdown

MILAN: Ferrari and Stellantis chairman John Elkann faces renewed legal action from his mother over the inheritance of Gianni Agnelli’s estate. Margherita Agnelli’s lawyers presented a previously undisclosed handwritten amendment to her father’s will during a Turin court hearing on Monday. The 1998 note suggests Gianni Agnelli intended his Dicembre holding company stake for his… Continue reading Ferrari chair John Elkann faces new inheritance legal battle with motherFerrari chair John Elkann faces new inheritance legal battle with mother

PROVO: The Utah trade school student charged with murdering right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk made a brief court appearance on Monday. Tyler Robinson’s new legal defence team confirmed they will seek a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial. The 22-year-old is accused of firing the single rifle shot from… Continue reading Charlie Kirk murder suspect appears in Utah court for hearing

LONDON: A Dutch-flagged cargo ship named Minervagracht sustained substantial damage after being hit by an explosive device in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel’s Amsterdam-based operator Spliethoff confirmed the attack occurred while the ship was in international waters. Spliethoff stated the unidentified explosive device inflicted substantial damage to the general cargo vessel. Following the attack,… Continue reading Dutch cargo ship hit by explosive device in Gulf of Aden, crew evacuated

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Transportation Department said on Monday that it will not enforce key provisions of a rule issued in December by former President Joe Biden’s administration that requires new consumer protections for disabled passengers using wheelchairs. United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and airline trade group Airlines for America… Continue reading US halts enforcement of Biden wheelchair passenger protection rule

WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret for an Israeli attack in Doha to Qatar’s leader on Monday in a three-way call with U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House said. The White House said Netanyahu also expressed regret for Israel violating Qatari sovereignty and “affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack… Continue reading Netanyahu apologises to Qatar for Doha attack during White House call

WASHINGTON: Two U.S. senators on Monday urged the country’s auto safety regulator to investigate reported failures of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system to detect and safely respond to railroad crossings, citing risks of “catastrophic” collisions. The Full Self-Driving system, according to Tesla’s website, allows a vehicle to drive occupants “almost anywhere,“ handling everything from route navigation… Continue reading US senators urge probe into Tesla Full Self-Driving at railroad crossings

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Labor Department said on Monday its statistics agency would suspend economic data releases, including the closely watched monthly employment report for September, in the event of a partial government shutdown. The employment report, crucial for decision-making by officials at the Federal Reserve, businesses and households, is scheduled for Friday. Government funding will… Continue reading US September employment report would be cancelled if government shuts down

BUDAPEST: Hungary’s Viktor Orban said on Monday that Ukraine was not a sovereign country, as he hit back at accusations that Hungarian reconnaissance drones violated its airspace – the latest salvo in an increasingly bitter row between Kyiv and Budapest. “Ukraine is not at war with Hungary; it is at war with Russia. It should… Continue reading Orban says Ukraine not sovereign amid drone row with Hungary

AUTHORITIES on Monday called the weekend’s deadly attack on a Michigan church “an act of targeted violence” but said they were still trying to determine precisely why an ex-Marine crashed his pickup truck into the church during a Sunday service, opened fire and set the building ablaze, killing four people. Hundreds of worshippers were inside… Continue reading Ex-Marine kills four in Michigan church shooting and arson attack

LIVERPOOL: Britain plans to tighten permanent residency rules by requiring migrants to prove their societal value through English proficiency and civic contributions. Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood announced applicants must demonstrate a high standard of English alongside other criteria to qualify for indefinite leave to remain. The government initiative aims to counter the rising popularity of… Continue reading Britain plans tougher residency rules based on English skills and civic conduct

SOFIA: Bulgaria’s traffic control agency has suspended two employees for demanding bribes from truck drivers delivering equipment for a British singer Robbie Williams concert. Williams performed in the Bulgarian capital Sofia on Sunday night as part of his Britpop tour. Five trucks were stopped and questioned over their speedometers at the Black Cat checkpoint on… Continue reading Robbie Williams tour truck drivers face bribery demands in Bulgaria

WASHINGTON: The chief executives of low-cost carriers Allegiant Airlines and Frontier Airlines will testify before a United States Senate Judiciary antitrust subcommittee on Tuesday regarding air carrier competition. Allegiant Airlines CEO Greg Anderson and Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle are among the witnesses scheduled to testify at the hearing. Sharon Pinkerton, a senior vice president… Continue reading Frontier and Allegiant CEOs to testify at US Senate airline hearing