World News

US responds to Iran on nuclear deal as momentum builds

The United States on Wednesday responded to Iran's suggestions on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal as momentum builds to bring back the landmark agreement trashed by former president Donald Trump.. Iran came back last week with a series of proposed changes, to which the United States formally responded on Wednesday, a day after Tehran accused its arch-enemy of stonewalling.

UN chief laments 'sad and tragic' six-month Ukraine war milestone

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called the six-month anniversary of the start of Russia's war in Ukraine a "sad and tragic milestone.". "The consequences of this senseless war are being felt far beyond Ukraine," said Guterres, referring to its impact on food and fuel prices.

Biden announces nearly $3 bn in Ukraine weapons aid

President Joe Biden announced nearly $3 billion in military aid to Kyiv on Wednesday -- the biggest US package so far -- to mark Ukraine's independence day, six months after Russia invaded the country.. "Six months of relentless attacks have only strengthened Ukrainians' pride in themselves, in their country, and in their thirty-one years of independence," Biden said.

Six months on, shelling becomes new normal in Mykolaiv

Six months since the start of Russia's invasion, residents of Mykolaiv feel dread and resignation as the daily shelling of their city in southern Ukraine becomes the new routine.. Russia's grip around Mykolaiv has loosened since then, but the shelling never stopped.

War in Ukraine: latest developments

Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine: - 'Fight until the end': Zelensky - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vows in an Independence Day address that his country will fight Russia's invasion "until the end" and will not be making "any concession or compromise".. We will fight for it until the end," Zelensky says in a video address, on the day which also marks six months since the invasion began.

South African inflation hits new 13-year high

Inflation in South Africa accelerated to its highest level in 13 years in July, pushed mainly by surging food, transport and electricity prices, official data showed Wednesday as workers staged protests over the high cost of living.. For South Africans, it has resulted in rising costs for necessities including food, electricity, fuel and medication, the statistics agency said.

Fighting resumes in northern Ethiopia after five-month lull

Fighting erupted between government forces and Tigrayan rebels in northern Ethiopia on Wednesday, with the warring sides blaming each other for shattering a five-month-old truce.. The rival claims could not be independently verified as access to northern Ethiopia is restricted, but there were reports of fighting around southern Tigray in areas bordering the Amhara and Afar regions.

Hong Konger 'kidnapped' by SE Asia scam ring pleads for help

Anti-trafficking campaigners in Hong Kong played a harrowing recording on Wednesday of a resident testifying that he has been kidnapped and forced to work for online scam syndicates in Myanmar.. Online "boiler room" scams have long had a presence across Southeast Asia but in recent months more details have emerged of people being trafficked and forced to work for them. 

Indian tycoon's bid for broadcaster stokes media freedom worries

An Indian billionaire close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to buy a broadcaster seen as the last major critical voice on television, stoking fears about media freedom in the world's largest democracy.. This includes a majority stake in Network18, one of the biggest media conglomerates in the country, which owns several leading broadcasters.

Flood toll tops 800 in Pakistan's 'catastrophe of epic scale'

Record monsoon rains were causing a "catastrophe of epic scale", Pakistan's climate change minister said Wednesday, announcing an international appeal for help in dealing with floods that have killed more than 800 people since June.. "It is a climate catastrophe of epic scale," Rehman said, adding three million people had been affected.