US President Donald Trump has said the Iran ceasefire is no longer in place, sharply raising tensions between Washington and Tehran after fresh violence around the Strait of Hormuz. His comments came during the NATO summit in Turkey, where the Middle East crisis became one of the main security issues facing global leaders. The latest escalation followed attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but highly important se

The investigation into the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar has entered a new phase after United States authorities charged jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Satinderjeet Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, in connection with the 2023 assassination case. The development has brought fresh attention to the Nijjar probe, which had earlier triggered a major diplomatic dispute between India and Canada. Current public charges focus on an alleged transnational crime network rath

Ireland has approved a ban on goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, marking a sharp political move in its growing dispute with Israel. The measure targets products made in areas that Ireland considers occupied territory and outside Israel’s internationally recognised borders. The direct trade impact is expected to be limited, but the decision carries strong diplomatic weight. Dublin has framed the mov

Meloni seeks to cool Trump dispute Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her relationship with US President Donald Trump remains “cordial” despite a series of sharp public exchanges over NATO, Iran and a disputed photo claim. Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey, Meloni tried to reduce speculation that the disagreement had seriously damaged ti

Manhattan tower evacuated after structural damage A busy Midtown Manhattan block was evacuated Tuesday morning after structural columns buckled inside a 37-story high-rise construction site at 235 East 42nd Street, the former Pfizer headquarters near Grand Central Station and the United Nations. The building is being converted from office space into about 1,600 reside

US strikes Iranian targets after ship attacks The United States military launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iranian targets early Wednesday after three merchant vessels were attacked in waters near Oman, according to US Central Command. CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to impose heavy costs for attacks on commercial shipping and civilian crews in an intern

US ends Iran oil authorisation The United States has revoked a temporary licence that had allowed certain transactions involving Iranian-origin crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemical products, tightening pressure on Tehran after tanker attacks near the Strait of Hormuz. A US official said Iran’s actions in the strategic waterway were “wholly unacceptable??

Trump revives Greenland control demand US President Donald Trump renewed his call for the United States to control Greenland, saying during the NATO summit in Ankara that the strategically important Arctic territory should be under Washington’s authority rather than Denmark’s. His comments revived a dispute that has repeatedly strained relations between the United

Haley calls for tougher Iran terms Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said Washington should use Iran’s current economic and military weakness to demand a much tougher nuclear agreement, arguing that the present memorandum of understanding is moving in the wrong direction. In a televised interview, Haley said the United States had not yet for

Dhanush political entry buzz grows after fan club unveils flag Tamil actor Dhanush has become the centre of fresh political speculation after his fan association unveiled an official flag. The development has triggered intense discussion on social media, with fans and political observers questioning whether the popular actor could be preparing for a future entry into Tamil Nadu politics. The launch of a dedicated flag for the actor's fan welfare organisation has dra

Saudi Arabia’s latest oil price cut has turned attention back to Asia, where refiners are getting more room to negotiate as Gulf crude supply improves. Saudi Aramco has reduced the August official selling price of Arab Light crude for Asian buyers by $11 per barrel, placing the grade at a $1.50 discount to the Oman-Dubai benchmark. The sharp move shows how quickly the market has shifted from supply fear to buyer advantage. The cut is imp

French President Emmanuel Macron was reported safe after explosions were heard in central Damascus during his visit to Syria on Tuesday, July 7. The blasts took place as Macron was in the capital for talks with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, turning a high-profile diplomatic visit into a major security concern. The explosions were reported near the Four Seasons Damascus area, where Macron was said to be staying during the trip. Smoke wa

President Donald Trump’s mention of Nicki Minaj at a White House event has turned into a major online talking point, shifting public attention from a policy-focused gathering to a viral celebrity-politics moment. The event, held in the Rose Garden, was organized to promote Trump Accounts, a child-focused savings initiative connected to the administration’s economic agenda. Minaj’s presence at the White House immediately attracted att

Ukraine’s demand for stronger air defence is set to dominate President Volodymyr Zelensky’s message at the NATO summit in Ankara. His appeal comes after another wave of Russian missile and drone attacks hit Kyiv, causing civilian deaths and renewed concern over gaps in Ukraine’s protection system. Kyiv says the country urgently needs more Patriot missile systems, additional interceptor missiles and faster military assistance from Western allies.

A new archaeological discovery in Thailand has drawn attention to the country’s early links with ancient India. Two gold rings believed to be around 2,000 years old were found at the Don Yai Thong excavation site in Phetchaburi province, along with human skeletal remains and other burial objects. The find is being studied as an important clue to trade, culture and social life during Thailand’s Iron Age. One of the rings carries an insc

Microsoft begins new round of job cuts Microsoft has announced another round of layoffs, cutting nearly 4,800 jobs worldwide, or about 2.1 percent of its global workforce, as the company continues to restructure parts of its business. The latest Microsoft layoffs include a significant impact on the Xbox division, where about 1,600 employees have already been affected

Singapore leads luxury spending list again Singapore has retained its position as the world’s most expensive city for luxury spending for the fourth consecutive year, according to the 2026 Lifestyle Index released by Swiss wealth manager Julius Baer Group Ltd. The city-state held the top rank as prices for major luxury categories, including residential property, car

Macron’s Damascus trip marks diplomatic turning point French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus on Monday, July 6, becoming the first Western head of state to visit Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. His two-day trip marks a significant diplomatic moment as Syria seeks to rebuild international ties after years of isola

US raises alarm over China missile launch The United States has sharply criticised China after Beijing conducted a rare intercontinental ballistic missile test over the Pacific Ocean, saying the launch reflects growing concern over China’s expanding and opaque nuclear programme. The missile, which carried a dummy warhead, was fired on Monday, July 6, in what Beijing

Pakistan military raises Indus water issue Pakistan’s top military leadership has said it will take “all measures necessary” to secure the country’s water share under the Indus Waters Treaty, months after India placed the decades-old pact in abeyance following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack. The statement was issued after the 276th Corps Commanders’ Conference in Rawalpindi, chaired by