World

NEW DELHI: Israel’s ambassador to India Reuven Azar on Wednesday strongly condemned Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comments on the treatment of minorities in India, calling them “ridiculous” and hypocritical. Azar noted that while Khamenei lectures other nations, Iran is accused of suppressing freedoms and violating human rights. “It is really ridiculous that this … Read more

Washington: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Wednesday refused to endorse Kamala Harris or Donald Trump for president, saying neither candidate had enough support from the 1.3 million-member union. “Unfortunately, none of the leading candidates were able to make serious commitments to our union to ensure that the interests of workers are always put before … Read more

SUMMARY The U.S. Federal Reserve implemented a notable half-point reduction in its benchmark interest rate, marking a significant shift after more than two years of high rates designed to control inflation. While these high rates were effective in curbing inflation, they also made borrowing significantly more expensive for American consumers. The decision to cut the … Read more

Image source: AP United States Federal Reserve The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half a percentage point on Wednesday, kicking off what is expected to be a continued easing of monetary policy with a larger-than-usual reduction in borrowing costs that followed growing unease over the health of the labor market. “The committee has gained … Read more

BEIRUT — Explosions occurred in Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon in what appears to be a second wave of electronic device detonations, Hezbollah officials and state media reported Wednesday, reporting walkie-talkies and even solar equipment exploding a day after hundreds of pagers went off. At least one person was killed and more than 100 were … Read more

In a dramatic turn of events, Israel on Tuesday carried out a covert operation targeting pagers used by Hezbollah members in Lebanon and Syria. The decision to launch the attack, which left at least nine people dead and 2,800 others injured, came amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. According to three US officials who … Read more

“We have every confidence that we will be able to work with the president of the United States, whoever that may be.” Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said this recently, publicly signalling India’s willingness to work with the next occupant of the Oval Office. Working with Donald Trump While India has experience working with … Read more

Image source: @BUATMERDEKA/X Protesters staged a protest with watermelon-print umbrellas in Singapore SingaporeThree Singaporean women, including one of Indian origin, will contest charges against them in connection with a pro-Palestinian procession to the Istana, Singapore’s presidential palace, during their trial. The trio were charged in June under the Public Order Act for organising a procession … Read more

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation on Tuesday with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib. During the phone conversation, Araghchi blamed Israel for a series of pager explosions in Lebanon, calling them “Israeli terrorism.” Araghchi inquired about the condition of Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, who was injured in the explosions, … Read more

It’s a good thing seals aren’t on the humpback whales’ menu. A photograph by a whale-watching naturalist captured a seemingly bewildered seal in the mouth of a humpback whale after the giant marine mammal accidentally swallowed it last Thursday in the waters off Anacortes, Washington. The feeding confusion began when a Blue Kingdom Whale and … Read more