Page 2 - International News

US urges its nationals to leave West Asia amid 'complex security situation'

US embassies in several West Asian nations on Saturday called upon American citizens there to consider leaving or be "prepared to depart" amid heightened tensions with Iran and a "complex security situation". US embassies in Jerusalem and other West Asian capitals released identical security alerts warning American nationals about travel to or within the region. The advisory came as US President Donald Trump threatened more strikes on Iran. Speaking at Camp David on Friday, Trump said the US would continue striking Iran "very hard" until it "can't take it anymore". The two countries have engaged in hostilities, with the US attacking Iran and Tehran targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz and American assets in the region. The advisory called the Iranian regime "unpredictable" and warned of a "potential for unforeseen escalation". "Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspa

India-China border trade via Shipki La resumes after six-year hiatus

The cross-border trade between India and China through Shipki La, known as the ancient silk route joining India with Tibet, resumed on Saturday after a gap of six years. Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday flagged off 16 traders after presenting traditional Khataks (ceremonial scarves) along with their horses towards Shipki village in Tibet. The minister said that the exchange of various goods would take place via a barter system and that the traders would have to return after conducting trade in the Tibetan region for 72 hours. He also inaugurated a modern trade mart (Chhuppan Trade Mart) constructed in the Shipki La area in the border Gram Panchayat of Namgya in Himachal's Kinnaur district at a cost of Rs 1.70 crore to facilitate border trade, a statement issued here said. The minister urged local traders to strictly adhere to the import-export regulations prescribed by the Union Ministry of Commerce, ensuring transparency and compliance with the ...

China holds military drills near disputed shoal in South China Sea

China conducted military drills near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Saturday as territorial tensions with the Philippines intensify. The joint naval and air drills near the shoal, which is known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, tested the army's ability to coordinate air and sea operations and provide rapid reinforcements, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The drills came after Beijing criticised Manila's attempts to extend its seabed rights in the South China Sea, a vital global trade route with rich undersea deposits of gas and oil that China claims almost in its entirety. The Philippines earlier this week presented its bid to the United Nations to extend its seabed to include the disputed shoal. "The so-called territorial sea baselines of Huangyan Dao designated by the Philippine side are illegal and invalid," the People's Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command said in a statement. China also on Saturday released a

Spain to barricade sea border after 67 die in Ceuta mass migrant crossing

Spain announced it was installing a 500-metre-long (1,600-foot) containment barrier on the sea border between its North African territory of Ceuta and neighbouring Morocco after between 50,000 and 60,000 migrants breached the frontier earlier this week. The death toll has climbed to 67, including some who drowned and others who were killed in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier, the Spanish government said Saturday. A handful of exhausted migrants who swam to Ceuta's urban Tarajal beach Saturday morning were met by soldiers who escorted them back across the border. Spain's interior ministry says the majority of those who entered the Spanish territory in North Africa have already returned to Morocco. "We are relentless against those who break the law," Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told journalists in Ceuta on Saturday. Questioned how this massive border breach could have happened given the heavy security on both sides of the border and whether Morocco pose

Donald Trump may impose $100k fee on post-study work for foreign students

A White House official said there was no imminent policy change, but didn't deny the proposal was under consideration.

Apple forecasts slower sales growth as chip supply crunch persists

"We're seeing some very significant (supply) constraints currently with limited flexibility in the supply chain to remedy it," Chief Executive Tim Cook said

Gold climbs as weaker dollar, easing inflation lift bullion prices

The dollar fell 0.8% as the yen strengthened, while traders remained on alert for possible intervention by Japanese authorities to prop up the battered currency

Iran war widens as Egypt port drone strike sparks Suez route fears

No group has claimed responsibility, the cabinet said, adding that authorities were taking measures to protect Egypt's national security

US grants Amazon's Zoox first approval for steering-wheel-free robotaxis

US regulators have allowed Amazon-owned Zoox to commercially deploy up to 2,500 steering-wheel-free robotaxis annually, subject to state approvals and added safety oversight

Social dialogue key as AI reshapes labour markets in Asia-Pacific: ILO

ILO specialist says stronger industrial relations and worker participation are essential to ensure AI-driven change improves jobs without widening inequality

Fifa's private equity push opens new front in power struggle with Europe

The global governing body led by Gianni Infantino plans to create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and other FIFA events, offering stakes of up to 20% to external ‌investors

Boeing posts larger-than-expected Q2 loss on Air Force One costs

Despite the charge ​and larger-than-expected loss, Boeing's share price rose by 4% in midday trading, as investors appeared to respond to steady, continued progress ​in improving production

Singapore Airlines posts first quarterly loss since 2022 on fuel hit

Singapore Airlines said demand for air travel and cargo remains robust, but warned that a prolonged Middle East conflict could affect supply chains, global trade and macroeconomic conditions

Betye Saar: Artist of Black Art Movement who pioneered assemblage boxes

Artist Betye Saar, whose work reflects Black identity, culture and spirituality, died Sunday morning in Los Angeles at 99. Saar's death was confirmed Monday by relatives. She would have turned 100 this week. A central figure of the 1960s Black Art Movement, Saar pioneered assemblage boxes, or sculptures made of found objects, and reclaimed Jim Crow-era memorabilia as powerful totems of Black liberation. "Her symbolically rich body of work has evolved over time to demonstrate the environmental, cultural, political, racial, technological, economic and historical context in which it exists," according to Roberts Projects, the Los Angeles gallery that represents her. Saar began her career in design and shifted to art at age 35. She continued to make art into her 90s. She grew up in Pasadena and was part of a community of Black artists in nearby Altadena; she often cited Simon Rodia's Watts Towers as an early source of inspiration. Saar's practise incorporated painting, printmaking, ..

Apple unveils US device leasing programme in partnership with Klarna

The program, called Apple Upgrade, expands the technology giant's payment options and ‌replaces its existing iPhone ​Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments ​offering in the country

Kevin Warsh faces biggest challenge yet as Fed weighs rate decision

Keeping rates unchanged would leave the Fed's policy options open while giving officials more time to see how the economy is evolving

Amazon Leo proposes 5,105-satellite network for phone connectivity

The ​proposed network would provide voice, messaging, data and emergency services in areas beyond the ​reach of terrestrial cellular networks, with satellite deployment beginning in 2028

US 'forced labour' tariffs unjustified, amount to protectionism: China

The commerce ministry, in a statement, accused Washington of long manipulating the issue of forced labour, calling the new tariffs a ​typical act of unilateralism and protectionism

US oil refiners stretch capacity as outage risks threaten fuel markets

Refiners are postponing routine maintenance to maximise profits, but industry experts say sustained near-full capacity is neither safe nor operationally sustainable

Russian Dy PM says country will end diesel export ban when market recovers

The diesel ban will be lifted in due course to prevent refineries from facing a glut and having to cut processing volumes, Novak told