Category: World

MELBOURNE: Rainfall across Australia’s grain-growing regions in July has improved the outlook for the nation’s 2025 wheat harvest, with traders now forecasting around 33 million tons. The revised estimate was discussed at Wednesday’s Australian Grains Industry Conference, where experts noted the precipitation could help Australia match or exceed last year’s 34 million-ton production. Benchmark Chicago… Continue reading Australia wheat harvest outlook improves after July rains

TOKYO: A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami waves of up to 5 metres (16 feet) and sparked evacuation orders in Hawaii and across the Pacific on Wednesday. The shallow earthquake damaged buildings and injured several people in the remote Russian region, while much of Japan’s eastern seaboard –… Continue reading Tsunami waves hit Hawaii after 8.8 quake rocks Russia’s Far East

MILAN: Italy’s competition authority has opened an investigation into Meta Platforms over suspected abuse of market dominance through the pre-installation of its artificial intelligence tool on WhatsApp. The regulator stated the tech giant may have breached EU competition rules by integrating Meta AI into WhatsApp without obtaining proper user consent. The antitrust body highlighted that… Continue reading Italy probes Meta over WhatsApp AI tool antitrust concerns

SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors have filed for a new detention warrant to compel former president Yoon Suk Yeol to appear for questioning after he repeatedly ignored summonses. The move comes amid an ongoing political crisis stemming from Yoon’s alleged attempt to subvert civilian rule in December 2024. Yoon, who was detained in January after resisting… Continue reading South Korean prosecutors seek warrant to question ex-president Yoon

TOKYO: Japan experienced its hottest day on record as temperatures soared to 41.2C in Hyogo on Wednesday, surpassing previous highs set in 2018 and 2020. The ancient city of Kyoto also recorded 40C for the first time since weather observations began in 1880. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed the new record, warning of continued… Continue reading Japan hits record 41.2C as heatwave intensifies

BISHKEK: Like many in Central Asia, Almagul Ibrayeva faces life-threatening medicine shortages in Kyrgyzstan. “Women are dying because of a lack of medicine,“ said Ibrayeva, a breast cancer survivor in her 50s. She relies on imports from Turkey or Moscow for her hormone treatment, exemestane. “There are many medicines simply unavailable here. The patient has… Continue reading Kyrgyzstan faces deadly medicine shortages amid healthcare crisis

GUATEMALA CITY: At least seven people were killed and 13 wounded in an armed attack at a funeral in Guatemala City, authorities confirmed. The incident, tied to gang conflicts, marks another grim episode in the country’s struggle with organized crime. Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez attributed the violence to clashes between the Barrio 18 and Mara… Continue reading Guatemala funeral attack leaves 7 dead, 13 wounded in gang violence

SHANGHAI: Shanghai has evacuated nearly 283,000 people as Typhoon Co-May approaches, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, state media reported. The Shanghai Central Meteorological Observatory upgraded its rainstorm alert from yellow to orange, the second-highest warning level. Typhoon Co-May made landfall in Zhejiang Province early Wednesday and is expected to hit Shanghai later in the… Continue reading Shanghai evacuates 283,000 as Typhoon Co-May approaches

MOSCOW: Russian state television aired dramatic footage of tsunami waves crashing through coastal towns in the far east on Wednesday following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake. The megaquake struck off the coast of Kamchatka peninsula, triggering tsunami alerts across the Pacific region. In Severo-Kurilsk, a town of 2,000 residents located 350 kilometres southwest of the epicentre,… Continue reading Tsunami hits Russian far east after 8.8 magnitude earthquake

TORONTO: The billion-dollar Port Lands flood prevention project in Toronto has reclaimed a once-polluted industrial area, reconnecting Lake Ontario with the Don River more than a century after they were severed. The initiative, costing Can$1.4 billion (US$1 billion), aims to protect the city from extreme flooding while restoring natural habitats. Chris Glaisek, chief planning officer… Continue reading Toronto’s billion-dollar flood project revives industrial wasteland

BELGRADE: As scorching summer temperatures grip the Balkans, neglected and illegal dumpsites are erupting into flames, triggering wildfires and choking towns with hazardous smoke. The Golo Brdo landfill in southeast Serbia burned for days after igniting in early July, forcing nearby residents to shelter indoors from the toxic fumes. Local resident Haris Ibrahimovic described the… Continue reading Toxic Balkan wildfires erupt from mismanaged dumpsites

LIMA: Peru has declared a tsunami alert after a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s eastern coast. The Peruvian Navy confirmed the warning, stating that the National Tsunami Warning Center’s analysis prompted the alert for coastal regions. “The event will be continuously monitored,“ the navy’s Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation posted on social media. The… Continue reading Peru tsunami alert after 8.8 quake near Russia

TOKYO: More than 356,000 people across Japan have been ordered to evacuate following a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, raising concerns of a destructive tsunami. The Japanese broadcaster NHK reported the mass evacuations, citing the threat of waves reaching up to three meters (9.8 feet) in some regions. The earthquake, the strongest recorded… Continue reading Japan tsunami alert forces evacuation of 356,000 amid earthquake

TACUGAMA, SIERRA LEONE: Bala Amarasekaran has never felt like running his world-renowned sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees in Sierra Leone was truly work, having come to his calling only after several unexpected twists of fate. Standing in his Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary not far from the capital Freetown, he tenderly patted a young ape’s nose and stroked… Continue reading One man’s 30 years of toil to save orphaned chimps

NEW DELHI: U.S. President Donald Trump said a trade deal with India has yet to be finalised and warned of possible higher tariffs ahead of an August 1 deadline to seal an agreement. His comments followed a Reuters report that India was preparing to accept higher tariffs of 20%-25% on its exports to the U.S.… Continue reading Trump says India deal not finalised, higher tariffs possible

TOKYO: One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck Russia’s sparsely populated Far East early Wednesday, causing tsunamis of up to four metres (12 feet) across the Pacific and sparking evacuations from Hawaii to Japan. The magnitude 8.8 quake struck at 8:24 am (2304 GMT Tuesday) off Petropavlovsk on Russia’s remote Kamchatka peninsula and was… Continue reading Huge quake off Russia sparks Pacific tsunami warnings

STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz has announced a steep 56 percent decline in half-year profits, attributing the drop to weak sales, rising tariffs, and restructuring costs. The German automaker’s net income fell to €2.7 billion from €6.1 billion in the same period last year. The company highlighted multiple challenges, including lower vehicle sales and increased expenses tied to… Continue reading Mercedes-Benz profit drops 56 pct amid weak sales and tariffs

BEIJING: China has granted visa-free access to citizens of 75 countries as part of its efforts to simplify entry procedures and promote international travel, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA). Wang Zhizhong, head of the NIA, stated that the number of countries eligible for visa-free transit to China has risen to 55 under the… Continue reading China expands visa-free access to 75 countries to boost tourism

ISTANBUL: France will airdrop 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip starting Friday, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed. The operation, coordinated with Jordan, involves four flights carrying 10 tonnes of food each. Barrot, speaking to French broadcaster BFM TV, acknowledged that airdrops are “useful” but “not sufficient.” He highlighted that 52 metric tonnes… Continue reading France to airdrop 40 tonnes of aid to Gaza amid blockade

BANGKOK: Thailand has accused Cambodia of a “flagrant violation” of their ceasefire agreement after Cambodian forces allegedly launched an overnight attack near the disputed border. The truce, which began on Tuesday, was meant to halt five days of deadly clashes that left at least 43 dead on both sides. Thailand’s foreign ministry stated that its… Continue reading Thailand accuses Cambodia of ceasefire violation amid border clashes

DHAKA: Bangladesh has recorded more than 20,000 dengue cases this year, with 79 fatalities reported so far, according to the Ministry of Health. The latest data shows a sharp rise in infections, with over 10,000 cases reported in July alone. A total of 393 new cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours, along with… Continue reading Dengue cases surge in Bangladesh with 20,000 infections and 79 deaths

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei’s largest bank, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), has issued a warning over a surge in SMS phishing scams targeting customers. The fraudulent messages mimic official bank communications to steal sensitive data such as passwords, account details, and one-time passwords. In a press release, BIBD clarified that it never requests confidential information… Continue reading Brunei bank warns public about rising SMS phishing scams

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has called for urgent food aid to civilians in Gaza, highlighting the dire situation faced by children in the region. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasized the severity of the crisis, stating, “Whether they talk starvation or not, those are kids that are starving.” The president expressed… Continue reading Trump urges more aid for starving Gaza children, calls situation terrible

NEW YORK: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced in a memo that the league’s New York office will remain closed until at least August 8 following a deadly shooting at their headquarters. The incident occurred on Monday when a gunman, identified by police as Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, opened fire in the high-rise building, killing… Continue reading NFL NYC office closed until Aug 8 after shooting, says Goodell

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, Emil Bove, was confirmed as a federal appellate judge in a narrow 50-49 Senate vote on Tuesday. The Republican-led chamber approved Bove’s lifetime appointment to the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals despite strong Democratic opposition. Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of… Continue reading Trump’s ex-lawyer confirmed as US judge in partisan Senate vote

TOKYO: The first tsunami from a huge earthquake off Russia’s far east that sparked warnings around the Pacific was observed in northern Japan, measuring around 30 centimetres (one foot), broadcaster NHK reported. The wave hit the main northern island of Hokkaido, with NHK warning that subsequent waves could be much higher. Japan’s weather agency said… Continue reading First tsunami of 30 cm (1 foot) observed in Japan: NHK

JERUSALEM: Israel should reoccupy Gaza rather than negotiate with Hamas, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Tuesday at an event marking the 20th anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal of settlers from the Palestinian territory. “Gaza is an integral part of Israel. How to move on to a tangible plan (for resettlement)? We need to need think about… Continue reading Far-right minister says Israel should reoccupy Gaza

SURIN, THAILAND: A shaky ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia remained largely intact on Tuesday, despite initial reports of violations. Military commanders from both sides held scheduled meetings along the border, even as Thailand accused Cambodian forces of launching attacks in disputed zones. The truce, brokered during peace talks in Malaysia, took effect at midnight Monday… Continue reading Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire holds despite early tensions

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND: Behind a car repair business on a nondescript Thai street are the cherished pets of a rising TikTok animal influencer: two lions and a 200-kilogram lion-tiger hybrid called “Big George.” Lion ownership is legal in Thailand, and Tharnuwarht Plengkemratch is an enthusiastic advocate, posting updates on his feline companions to nearly three… Continue reading ‘Absolute madness’: Thailand’s pet lion problem

BALMEDIE: US President Donald Trump officially opened his new golf course in Scotland on Tuesday, capping a five-day trip that included high-stakes diplomacy and business dealings. The event, marked by bagpipes and fireworks, saw Trump praising the transformation of the coastal landscape while reaffirming his global agenda. “We started with a beautiful piece of land,… Continue reading Trump opens Scottish golf course amid global diplomacy push

JOHANNESBURG: US President Donald Trump has indicated he will likely skip the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, repeating controversial claims about the country’s policies. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, “No, I think maybe I’ll send somebody else, because I’ve had a lot of problems with South Africa.” The president cited concerns over… Continue reading Trump likely to skip G20 summit in South Africa over land policy concerns

KYIV: Russian strikes killed at least 25 people in Ukraine on Tuesday, including a pregnant woman and inmates at a prison, as US President Donald Trump shortened his deadline for Moscow to end its invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately targeting a prison in the Zaporizhzhia region, killing 16 and injuring dozens.… Continue reading Russia strikes kill 25 in Ukraine as Trump tightens Moscow deadline