International News

El Nino may become strongest ever, raise extreme weather risks: WMO

"If this trajectory continues, it may ​be stronger than anything since our monitoring began. So literally off the charts," WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo told a Geneva press conference.

Two-time Grammy-winning jazz singer Cassandra Wilson dies at 70

Two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer, songwriter and producer Cassandra Wilson has died at the age of 70, with the Hinds County Coroner Jeramiah Howard confirming that she died in her native Jackson, Mississippi, according to Page Six. Wilson's manager, in a statement to jazz radio station WBGO, said the singer "transitioned peacefully at home, surrounded by family, close friends, and her manager.""It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy Award-winning and legendary jazz artist," the statement said, as per the outlet. Described by Time magazine in 2001 as America's best singer, Wilson was known for her genre-bending style that expanded the boundaries of traditional blues-based jazz. Her music incorporated elements of folk, pop, R & B, country and other genres, while her distinctive contralto remained central to her sound.Jon Batiste, in a eulogy on Wednesday, described Wilson's voice as one that sounded like "the South."Born and

Gloria Steinem, US feminism icon and Ms Magazine co-founder, dies at 92

Gloria Steinem, the celebrated author and activist who became one of the most visible symbols and potent voices of the US women's movement and a fierce advocate for feminist causes throughout her life, has died. She was 92. With her trademark streaked hair parted down the middle and large aviator glasses, Steinem, a co-founder of Ms Magazine, was a hugely recognisable presence wherever she went. And she went everywhere: Much of her life as an advocate was spent on the road, speaking at college campuses and community centres, at rallies and marches. She died Wednesday at her home in New York City, according to her and her foundation's social media pages. "Gloria's greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard," the posts said. "Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves. Gloria lived true to her independent spirit, always with curiosity and a great sense of humour." Steinem enjoyed writing and spending tim

Saturday Evening Post to cease print publication after 205 years

The magazine, which debuted in 1821, will continue to publish new articles and fiction online.

Uber to cut 10% of jobs, or 3,300 roles, to reduce management layers

The cuts will reduce the number of managers in the company by 20%, with some being moved to the role of an individual contributor, an Uber spokesperson said.

Lyte raises $165 million funding, valuation jumps 3x to $1.6 billion

The latest financing was led by Maverick Silicon, according to a statement on Wednesday, with participation from existing investors, including Fidelity Management & Research

Data centre spending to reach $31.6 trillion by 2050 on AI boom

At the same time, the tech industry is trying to blunt a backlash against data centers that threatens to slow down the buildout.

Trump says he's nominating acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao for permanent job

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is nominating acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao for the permanent job, giving the Navy combat veteran the nod as concerns have emerged that some sailors have been stretched to the limit during the Iran war. Cao has been serving as acting Navy secretary since John Phelan departed the job unexpectedly and without explanation in late April. Unlike Phelan, who had not served in the military or had a civilian leadership role in the service, Cao spent 25 years in the Navy as a special operations officer and went on to serve with SEAL teams and special forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. "I am pleased to nominate a true WARRIOR," Trump wrote on social media, prodding the Senate "to confirm this Warfighter, ASAP." Cao on social media called it the "honour of a lifetime to lead the great warriors of the Navy and Marine Corps team." Cao's nomination comes as some, including Democrats in Congress, believe Trump has been overtaxing the Navy. The USS Abraham

Indonesia's 2027 palm oil output to drop 2.9% to 56.8 MT, GAPKI says

"Due to dry weather, many companies have stopped fertilising, because even if we apply fertiliser, it would be wasteful as it will vaporise," ​GAPKI secretary general Hadi Sugeng said

Two oil tankers disabled after hitting mines: Iran's Revolutionary Guards

The tankers had been forced ​to disembark their crews and were placed in the ‌hands ​of ‌U.S. operatives to pass through ‌what it called ​an "illegal route" in the strategic waterway

US launches new barrage of strikes on Iran around Strait of Hormuz

"Today at 12 p.m. ET (1600 ​GMT), US forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran," US Central Command posted on X.

Ukraine Parliament fails to pass tax law, risking $30 billion in aid

The government needed 226 votes for it to pass but got only 194. It was not immediately ​clear how many lawmakers voted against the bill, or were absent from the session.

Obituary: Author, farmer and environmentalist, Wendell Berry dies at 92

Berry was a prolific writer who published more than 40 books, including the novels Nathan Coulter and A Place on Earth, and the short story collection Stand By Me.

Iran says it has enough foreign currency reserves despite US sanctions

"I am telling the President ​of the United States: Iran has (foreign) currency and it has enough," Central Bank ​Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said

Two tankers reportedly struck as oil shipments through Hormuz face risks

Renewed attacks threaten the fragile recovery in oil shipments through the vital chokepoint, which had reached roughly half of pre-war levels thanks to clandestine shuttle runs from major Middle East

US Army Secy Dan Driscoll stepping down after 18 months on job: White House

No reason was given for the departure of Driscoll, who is a friend of Vice President J D Vance, but tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have been widely reported

Punjabi Association seeks fair system after 94.1% asylum cases denied in US

The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) on Tuesday expressed concern over US immigration court data showing that 94.1 per cent of asylum cases were denied in June 2026, while only 5.5 per cent were granted. NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal said the high denial rate raised concerns about the fairness of the US asylum system. "We support the enforcement of US immigration laws and strongly oppose fraudulent asylum claims. However, genuine asylum seekers must get a fair chance to present their cases and evidence," Chahal said. The figures were reported by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). He said a denial rate of more than 94 per cent was very high and needed an independent examination. According to the TRAC, 279 immigration judges were either fired or resigned during fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Hundreds of new and temporary judges have also joined the immigration court system. Chahal said reducing the backlog of immigration cases is important, b

Singapore diplomat, Myanmar activist, B'deshi teacher win Magsaysay awards

The winners of the award, first given in 1958, will be recognised at the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila on November 15 with a medallion, inscribed certificate and an undisclosed cash prize.

Pakistan says more Muslim nations keen to join Mecca Defense Pact

Bangladesh is the latest country to express interest in joining the pact, signed on Aug. 7, which stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three nations will be considered an attack on them

Saudis explore about $8 billion in loans as war strains finances

State-backed oil major Saudi Aramco is holding similar discussions with banks, some of the people said. Both potential transactions are at an early stage and may ultimately not materialize