Sunday, 29 Jun, 2025

International

Israeli military says four soldiers killed in Gaza

Israel's military announced Friday the deaths of four soldiers in Gaza, saying it needed thousands more troops to press its offensive, just as the premier's coalition faces the prospect of collapse over ultra-Orthodox conscription. News of the soldiers' deaths came as

Trump announces fresh US-China trade talks in London next week

US President Donald Trump on Friday announced a new round of trade talks with China in London on June 9, one day after he held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to end a bitter battle over the White House’s so-called “Liberation Day" tariffs. “I am

Saudi Arabia, other countries celebrate Eid-ul-Azha

Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice, is being observed with deep devotion across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other Gulf nations on Sunday, marked by large congregational prayers and sacred rituals. Thousands gathered at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid

Netanyahu confirms Israel’s support for Gaza clans against Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly acknowledged that Israel is backing armed Palestinian clans in Gaza to counter Hamas, a revelation made in a video statement on X on Thursday.  The admission followed a wave of Israeli military strikes that killed at least 52

North Korea launches warship after prior failure

North Korea successfully launched a 5,000-tonne destroyer on Thursday, two weeks after a failed attempt that saw the vessel tip over, prompting sharp rebuke from leader Kim Jong Un.  The warship, now stabilized and moored at a pier, was restored through manual efforts involving

Trump announces China visit after productive call with Xi

US President Donald Trump revealed plans to visit China following a constructive phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking their first direct communication since Trump initiated a trade war with Beijing in February.  The hour-and-a-half discussion, which Trump

Trump-Musk feud erupts with personal attacks, policy threats

The once-warm relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk has dramatically deteriorated, erupting into a public war of words marked by personal insults, policy clashes, and economic fallout. The rift widened this week after Musk, the billionaire CEO of

GHF aid sites remain closed amid rising tensions in Gaza

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has extended the closure of its aid distribution sites for a second consecutive day, citing maintenance and security concerns. The US-backed organization, which began operations on May 26, stated on social media that its sites would not reopen as

Millions gather at Arafat as hajj pilgrims echo 'Labbaik' chants

The sacred plains of Arafat reverberated with the powerful chants of "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" as millions of Muslim pilgrims gathered for the most significant day of Hajj 2025. From the early hours of the morning, the vast desert landscape transformed into a sea of white,

Trump bans travel from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran

US President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order banning entry into the United States for nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Iran, citing national security concerns. The remaining countries are Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo,

Million-plus pilgrims to begin hajj under blazing sun

More than a million worshippers were set to join Islam's most important rite under a beating sun as the hajj pilgrimage kicked off on Wednesday, with authorities scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. In temperatures that are expected to climb to

Biden thought that Russia should be destroyed — Brazilian leader

Former US President Joe Biden, while in office, said he wanted Russia to be destroyed, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in an interview with French newspaper Le Monde. Commenting on the situation in Ukraine, the Brazilian leader said that at first he had condemned

Russia plans to deploy over 100 satellites for drone control

In a substantial move to curb Ukraine’s intensified drone attacks, Russia has proclaimed to deploy over 100 satellites into orbit to elevate its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) control and surveillance capabilities. The move comes in the wake of a series of Ukrainian drone strikes

South Korea's President Lee takes power after sweeping election win

South Korea's centre-left Lee Jae-myung was declared president Wednesday after winning a snap election, taking the helm of a nation deeply divided after his predecessor's disastrous attempt to declare martial law. Lee won a thumping victory over conservative Kim Moon-soo, of

Kremlin on 2nd Round of Russia-Ukraine Talks: Settlement Topic is Very Complex

The issue of settlement in Ukraine is very complex, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday, commenting on the second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. "We have repeatedly said that the issue of settlement is extremely complex and consists of a large number

Mongolia's PM resigns amid corruption scandal and mass protests

Mongolia’s Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene has resigned after losing a confidence vote in parliament, marking the end of his tenure amid widespread protests and corruption allegations. The secret ballot saw 82 lawmakers participate, with 44 supporting Oyun-Erdene, while

South Koreans vote for new president after failed martial law bid

Millions of South Koreans headed to the polls on Tuesday in a snap presidential election triggered by the dramatic impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, following his controversial attempt to impose martial law late last year. The vote comes amid deep political divisions, with

24 killed by Israeli fire while waiting for aid in Rafah

At least 24 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire while waiting near an aid distribution point in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to local health officials, in what appears to be another deadly incident amid a deepening humanitarian crisis. The director of a hospital in

Karol Nawrocki wins Polish presidential election in tight runoff

Poland’s National Electoral Commission has declared Karol Nawrocki the winner of the country’s presidential election, securing 50.89% of the vote in a closely contested runoff against Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%. The victory by Nawrocki, a

At least 21 killed and dozens shot in Gaza aid incident: Red Cross 

At least 21 people have been killed and dozens injured in an incident near an aid distribution center in southern Gaza, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).  The organization reported a mass casualty influx, with 179 wounded individuals, including