International News

Jailed Imran Khan calls for street movement against 'Asim Law' in Pakistan

Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has directed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of his party to prepare for a street movement against "Asim Law", in an apparent reference to Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir. Khan, 73, who has been in jail since August 2023, faces multiple cases launched against him since his ouster from power in April 2022. He and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 17 years in jail each by a court on Saturday in the Toshakhana 2 corruption case. "My message for Sohail Afridi is to prepare for a street movement. The entire nation must rise for its rights. To strive for justice is a sacred duty, and I am ready to lay down my life for Haqeeqi Azadi (true freedom) of my nation," Khan said in a post on X on Monday.

Novo Nordisk secures US FDA approval for first weight-loss pill

US-listed shares of Novo jumped 8 per cent and Lilly fell 1 per cent in extended trading after the approval announcement

US GDP growth beats forecasts, accelerates to 4.3% in third quarter

The data was delayed by the 43-day government shutdown and is now outdated. Consumer spending increased at a 3.5 per cent rate last quarter after advancing at a 2.5 per cent pace in the second quarter

Denmark, Greenland say US will not take over island after Trump envoy move

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland insisted Monday that the US won't take over Greenland and demanded respect for their territorial integrity after President Donald Trump announced?The appointment of a special envoy to Greenland. Trump's announcement on Sunday that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry would be the US special envoy prompted a new flare-up of tensions over Washington's interest in the vast, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO ally. Denmark's foreign minister said in comments to Danish broadcasters that he plans to summon the US ambassador. We have said it before. Now, we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said in a joint statement. They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the US shall not tak

Italy regulator slaps $115 mn fine on Apple for alleged anti-trust breaches

Apple said in a statement it "strongly disagrees" with the decision that it claims "disregards the important privacy protections" provided by the company's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompt

Nvidia aims to begin H200 chip shipments to China by mid-February

Nvidia has also told Chinese clients that it plans to add new production capacity for the chips, with orders for that capacity opening in the second quarter of 2026

US Fed risks recession without more interest rate cuts, says Miran

Spot gold climbed 2 per cent to hit a new record high at $4,426.66 per ounce as of 1313 GMT. US gold futures for February delivery rose 1.5 per cent to $4,451.60 per ounce

Ten arrested in Bangladesh over lynching of Hindu man, says Yunus' govt

Ten people have been arrested in connection with the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, Chief Adviser of the interim government Muhammad Yunus announced Saturday. Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, was lynched to death by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Baluka in Mymensingh on Thursday. Of the 10, seven were arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) while three were arrested by the police as suspects in the case, Yunus said in a statement on X. The RAB and police conducted operations in various locations to arrest these individuals, he said. The arrests were made during operations at various locations, and the ages of those arrested ranged from 19 to 46. According to the police, Das was first beaten up by a mob outside the factory over blasphemy allegations and hanged from a tree. The crowd then left the body of the deceased on the side of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and later set it on fire. The police recovered the body and

US expands sanctions against Maduro family members, close associates

The sanctions were aimed at disrupting the financial networks supporting Maduro's "illegitimate" regime, according to the Treasury Department

Nepal polls: Ex-PM warns of 'street action' if March 5 deadline is deferred

Former prime minister and coordinator of the largest Communist grouping Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Saturday warned that his party would hit the streets if the March 5 general election is postponed under any pretext. Prachanda, the coordinator of Nepali Communist Party (NCP), a conglomeration of 10 left parties in the country formed last month, also asserted that the NCP has stood firmly in favour of elections from the time it was announced. Attempts are being made to differ the election date, which is not acceptable, Prachanda pointed out and said, the election slated for March 5 must be conducted on the stipulated date. The former prime minister was addressing a unity mass rally of NCP in the Bhrikutimandap area of Kathmandu. He cautioned the government against any attempt to defer the election dates under any pretext and said, the NCP has stood firmly in favour of elections since its announcement and has consistently appealed for timely polls through mass gatherings across

Jordan confirms its air force joined US strikes on Islamic State in Syria

Jordan confirmed Saturday that its air force took part in strikes launched by the United States on Islamic State group targets in Syria in retaliation for the killing of three US citizens earlier this month. The US launched military strikes Friday on multiple sites in Syria to eliminate Islamic State group fighters and weapons in retaliation for an attack by a Syrian gunman that killed two US troops and an American civilian interpreter almost a week earlier. The Jordanian military said in a statement that its air force participated in precise airstrikes... targeting several ISIS positions in southern Syria, using a different abbreviation for the Islamic State group. Jordan is one of 90 countries making up the global coalition against IS, which Syria recently joined. The US military did not say how many had been killed in Friday's strikes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that at least five people were killed, including the leader and members

Bangladesh holds state funeral of Osman Hadi amid tight security

Police and paramilitary forces were deployed across the capital for Saturday's funeral but there were no reports of any renewed violence

Blasts hit Jaffar Express, other train, disrupt rail traffic in Balochistan

Suspected insurgents detonated bombs in an attempt to attack two trains including the frequently targeted Jaffar Express in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, damaging railway tracks and disrupting services, officials said on Saturday. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Quetta, Shahid Nawaz, said that on Friday one bomb blast damaged about three feet of railway track in Mushkaf, while another blast in the Dasht area caused further damage. In both cases, the Jaffar Express and Bolan Mail passenger trains were the target, he said. Railway services were disrupted after tracks were damaged on the main line due to the explosions. Nawaz said that from Saturday security approval will be granted before confirming passenger train schedules from Quetta to other provinces of Pakistan. The safety and security of the passengers is paramount to us, and special security measures are being taken for all Quetta outbound passenger trains, he said. Amid security concerns, a special service

India, Ethiopia share vision for peace, security and Global South: PM Modi

India and Ethiopia are "natural partners" in regional peace, security and connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Ethiopian Parliament on Wednesday, asserting that the two countries work for a world that is "more just, more equal, and more peaceful". Modi, who arrived here on Tuesday on his maiden bilateral visit, said it was wonderful to be in Ethiopia, the land of lions, as he greeted lawmakers in the local language, 'Tena yistilign, Salaam'. "I feel very much at home because my home state, Gujarat, is also home to Lions," Modi said in his address to the Joint session of Parliament of Ethiopia. It was the 18th parliament in the world that PM Modi has addressed. "Ethiopia sits at a crossroads of Africa. India stands at the heart of the Indian Ocean. We are natural partners in regional peace, security, and connectivity," Modi told the lawmakers, who clapped more than 50 times during the prime minister's speech. "Our commitment to mutual security became stronger with the

Spain slaps $75 million fine on Airbnb for advertising unlicensed rentals

Spain's government has fined Airbnb 64 million euros ($75 million) for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals, officials said Monday. The rentals didn't include license numbers a requirement in many regions in Spain or included license numbers that didn't match what authorities had, the consumer rights ministry said. Others listed incorrect information about hosts, it said. The move is the latest government action in Spain against short-term rental companies such as Airbnb and Booking.com as the country grapples with a housing affordability crisis, particularly in city centers and other places popular both with residents and tourists. Spain's leftist government and many Spaniards across the political spectrum see short-term rental companies as bearing responsibility for driving up housing costs. In May, the consumer rights ministry ordered Airbnb to take down around 65,000 listings because of rule violations. There are thousands of families living on the edge because of the hous

Pope Leo XIV condemns antisemitic Sydney attack, prays for victims

Pope Leo XIV on Monday denounced the antisemitic violence behind the Sydney Hanukkah massacre as he prayed for the victims and the gift of peace and fraternity this holiday season. Leo also issued a strong anti-abortion message during an audience with the donors of the Vatican's Christmas decorations, which he said were a sign of faith and hope. We pray for those who suffer from war and violence, in particular today I want to entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist attack in Syndey against the Jewish community. Enough of these forms of antisemitic violence! he said. We must eliminate hatred from our hearts. At least 15 people died in the attack on Sydney's Bondi Beach, where hundreds had gathered for a Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the Jewish festival. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the massacre an act of antisemitic terrorism. Leo, history's first American pope, said the evergreen fir trees that were donated by various Italian regions are a

Indian artefacts among 600 colonial-era items stolen from British museum

The break-in took place on September 25, between 1 am and 2 am earlier in the year. The police have now released grainy CCTV footage showing four white male suspects moving around the site

Former ISI chief Faiz Hameed gets 14-year jail term in Pakistan court

In a significant development, a Pakistani military court on Thursday sentenced former spy chief Faiz Hameed to 14 years in jail for violating the army laws. According to a statement by the army, the process of Field General Court Martial was initiated on August 12, 2024, against Hameed, formerly Lt Gen, under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act. He was tried on four charges related to engaging in political activities, violation of the Official Secrets Act detrimental to the safety and interests of the State, misuse of authority & government resources, and causing wrongful loss to persons. It is for the first time that a former chief of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency has been convicted. He served as the Director General of the ISI from 2019 to 2021. He last served as Commander of the XXXI Corps before taking premature retirement on December 10, 2022. "After lengthy and laborious legal proceedings, the accused has been found guilty on all charges and ...

Indian man gets 90 months in US prison for multimillion-dollar scam

A 38-year-old Indian national has been sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for his role in an "imposter scam" that defrauded 11 victims, including elderly people in five US states, according to an official statement. Ligneshkumar H. Patel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and financial institution fraud and two counts of wire fraud. The judge ordered him to pay more than USD 2 million in restitution, the Department of Justice said in a statement on Wednesday. "Imposter scams are international conspiracies often using US-based money mules to meet victims in person to take their money, said US Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. The US Attorney's Office prosecutes these fraudsters aggressively, and anyone who targets elderly victims will face certain justice." According to court documents, Patel drove to the residences of at least 11 elderly victims in five states to steal their assets totalling USD 2,231,216.99. Patel worked within a major conspiracy that

Meet Eileen Higgins, first woman and Democrat in 30 years to lead Miami

Eileen Higgins, 61, defeated Republican Emilio González in a result that broke a long streak of the Grand Old Party (GOP) wins in Florida