World News
Pakistan: Terrorists storm paramilitary HQ in Karachi, 3 personnel killed
Sindh Home Minister Zia ul Hasan Lanjhar said Special Security Unit commandos and the Anti-Terrorist Force were helping Rangers personnel in the clean-up operation
 "Pakistan: Terrorists storm paramilitary HQ in Karachi, 3 personnel killed")
Magnitude 6 quake hits Afghanistan's Hindu Kush, tremors felt in Delhi-NCR
Strong tremors were also felt across the Delhi-NCR region following the earthquake
 "Magnitude 6 quake hits Afghanistan's Hindu Kush, tremors felt in Delhi-NCR")
California budget deal proposes new tax on digital software sales
The spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is Newsom's last as governor and comes as state finances are buoyed by an artificial intelligence boom fueled by home-state companies
 "California budget deal proposes new tax on digital software sales")
Bahrain accuses Iran of launching new drone attack on its territory
Iran did not immediately acknowledge launching an attack
 "Bahrain accuses Iran of launching new drone attack on its territory")
UK says it will open new sponsorship routes for eligible refugees
The new routes will allow community groups, universities and employers to sponsor refugees to come to the UK
 "UK says it will open new sponsorship routes for eligible refugees")
Israel, Lebanon reach framework deal to end conflict, advance peace talks
Israel will maintain a "security zone" along the boundaries of the yellow line, which marks a seized territory that stretches some 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanon from the Israeli border
 "Israel, Lebanon reach framework deal to end conflict, advance peace talks")
Pak emerged as 'peacemaker' after mediating Iran-US deal: PM Shehbaz Sharif
The US and Iran have agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days after talks mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, held in Switzerland last week
 "Pak emerged as 'peacemaker' after mediating Iran-US deal: PM Shehbaz Sharif")
Iran says it struck US-linked targets in response to American attacks
Iran did not identify the targets or say where they were located
 "Iran says it struck US-linked targets in response to American attacks")
Trump may visit India next year, trade deal close to finalisation: Rubio
India-US ties have been rocky over the past year since Washington imposed high tariffs on Indian goods, punishing New Delhi for purchasing Russian oil, and engaging closely with Pakistan
 "Trump may visit India next year, trade deal close to finalisation: Rubio")
Apple seeks US govt approval to buy chips from blacklisted Chinese company
The iPhone maker has lobbied the White House for approval aimed at easing financial pressure on the company from rising memory chip prices
 "Apple seeks US govt approval to buy chips from blacklisted Chinese company")
Beyond chips, IMF warns AI wealth boom could fuel inflation risks
Booming technology stocks are swelling retirement accounts and investment portfolios, leaving consumers feeling richer and more willing to spend on vacations, homes and other big-ticket purchases
 "Beyond chips, IMF warns AI wealth boom could fuel inflation risks")
Apple's vision pro and smart glasses chief Paul Meade to join OpenAI
Paul Meade, a vice president, is set to leave Apple by next week and will then start at OpenAI's hardware unit
 "Apple's vision pro and smart glasses chief Paul Meade to join OpenAI")
S&P keeps US sovereign rating at AA+ with stable outlook, resilient economy
S&P Global Ratings was the first major credit grader to strip the US of its AAA rating in 2011 and was harshly criticized by the US Treasury at the time
 "S&P keeps US sovereign rating at AA+ with stable outlook, resilient economy")
Data centres to deepfakes: How AI is reshaping US politics at every level
Driven by a flood of Silicon Valley money, AI has emerged as one of the biggest financial forces in this year's US elections
 "Data centres to deepfakes: How AI is reshaping US politics at every level")
US sanctions Indian firm, CEO among 8 over 'fuelling' civil war in Sudan
Among the sanctioned individuals is Alok Choudhari, the CEO of SBL Energy Limited, which allegedly supplied over 200 shipments of explosives to a company that maintained the SAF's arsenal
 "US sanctions Indian firm, CEO among 8 over 'fuelling' civil war in Sudan")
Toll from Venezuela earthquakes climbs to at least 920 dead, 3,360 injured
The new figures were announced by Jorge Rodriguez, the president of the country's National Assembly
 "Toll from Venezuela earthquakes climbs to at least 920 dead, 3,360 injured")
US strikes Iran after drone attack on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said the drone attack violated the ceasefire
 "US strikes Iran after drone attack on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz")
Israel, Lebanon sign framework deal with US in 'first step' toward peace
The officials did not share details on the agreement that was signed by Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, and Nada Hamadeh, ambassador of Lebanon to the United States
 "Israel, Lebanon sign framework deal with US in 'first step' toward peace")
Trump threatens 100% tariff on countries imposing digital services tax
The US president said any country levying a digital services tax on American companies would face sweeping tariffs, escalating tensions with Europe despite progress on a broader trade deal
 "Trump threatens 100% tariff on countries imposing digital services tax")
A historic heat wave catches Europe's fashion industry unprepared
Across the week, designers treated heat as a hospitality problem, a staging problem and a scheduling problem - rarely as a design problem
 "A historic heat wave catches Europe's fashion industry unprepared")