World News

Xi Jinping to travel to North Korea next week in first visit since 2019

The trip will come just weeks after Xi hosted US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in quick succession in Beijing

Oman suspends oil loading at Mina al Fahal terminal after drone attack

The explosion occurred between single-buoy mooring (SBM) 1 and 2 berths due to an alleged drone attack

'US optimistic about progress in trade talks with India; deal a priority'

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said earlier that a USTR delegation, led by its chief negotiator, visited India from June 1 to 4 to advance discussions on the proposed trade agreement

AI could use 3% of world's power by 2030, strain water supplies: UN report

As AI models become cheaper and more attractive, the report expects this to encourage new uses and higher volumes of use, eroding and possibly erasing any savings from efficiency advances

India condemns attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, seeks accountability

A Serbian peacekeeper in Lebanon was killed when a mortar struck a UN position near Marji'yun in Sector East of the mission's area of operations while two other peacekeepers were injured

Fifa's $13 bn World Cup faces backlash as high costs hit fans, host cities

Host cities are shifting World Cup costs to fans and taxpayers, for instance, in New York, a New Jersey Transit trip to MetLife Stadium that usually costs $13 is priced at $98 during the tournament

Whistleblower alleges IBM, AT&T hid cyber breaches to win federal contracts

William Barlow, IBM's former vice president of threat intelligence, alleged in the complaint that the companies failed to disclose multiple breaches over years by attackers linked to foreign govts

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy proposes peace talks in letter to Putin

The appeal came as officials from Europe's three biggest economies - Germany, France and the UK - have been discussing the possibility of holding talks involving Russia and Ukraine

UN nuclear watchdog unable to inspect Iran sites, verify uranium stockpile

The only nuclear facility inspected in Iran by IAEA inspectors since the last report in February has been the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which was visited on June 1-3

India-born founders behind 96 US unicorns, highest among immigrants: Study

The research found that the privately held US billion-dollar startups with immigrant founders have created an average of 833 jobs per company

US sanctions Cuban Prez Miguel Diaz-Canel, widening pressure on leadership

Included in the sanctions are Alejandro Castro Espin, the sole son of former President Raul Castro and Vilma Espin

Ukraine conflict will quickly end if Kiev accepts compromises, says Putin

Recalling his discussions with US President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, in August last year, Putin said Russia is open to the compromises on Ukraine to end the conflict

Trump confident of trade deal with India, calls PM Modi a 'good friend'

Responding to a question on the trade deal being negotiated between the two countries, Trump said India had taken advantage of US policies for years and charged "tremendous tariffs"

If Iran kills US troops, it would be a good reason to restart war: Trump

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said that those who voted against him would rather see the country "fail" than give him another victory

Putin hails India as reliable partner; slams West over interference in ties

Putin said Russia has not seen any negative consequences of Western pressure on India to limit its engagement with Russia, suggesting that such tactics are bound to backfire

Lufthansa Group welcomes visa-free airport transit for Indians via Germany

The Lufthansa Group currently operates more than 70 weekly flights between India and Europe and has been present in the Indian market for over six decades

Economist Neelkanth Mishra appointed World Bank Executive Director

He will succeed incumbent Parameswaran Iyer, a 1981 batch retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre

John Bolton reaches deal to plead guilty over classified information

The former Trump national security adviser plans to plead guilty to a count of illegal retention of classified information, which could result in a fine and possibly prison time of up to five years

Trump's trade chief says new tariffs can fit within existing deals

The EU and US agreed to a free-trade deal in July that would see the bloc erase levies on US industrial goods in exchange for a 15 per cent tariff ceiling on its exports

Hezbollah rejects ceasefire accord as strikes kill four in Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections later this year, wants to press ahead with Israel's offensive until Hezbollah no longer poses a threat