S. Korean Finance Minister vows contingency plans against global financial market uncertainty
Seoul, Aug 1 - South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok on Thursday vowed to beef up monitoring of the global financial market and devise contingency plans to better respond to uncertainties regarding interest rates in the US and other nations.
Venezuelan Prez appeals to Supreme Court to audit, certify election outcome
Caracas, Aug 1 - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has submitted an appeal to the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice to audit and certify the results of Sunday's presidential elections amid calls for greater transparency.
Iran’s supreme leader orders attack on Israel for Haniyeh killing: Report
Tehran, Aug 1 - Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued an order for Iran to strike Israel directly, in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, a media report said, citing three unnamed Iranian officials.
US Fed keeps interest rates unchanged, hints at September cut
Washington, Aug 1 - The US Federal Reserve has left interest rates unchanged at a 22-year high of 5.25 per cent to 5.5 per cent, as inflation continues to cool, hinting that a rate cut might come as soon as September.
‘Is she Indian or Black?’ Trump questions Kamala Harris’ racial identity
Chicago, Aug 1 - Former US President Donald Trump has triggered a controversy by raising questions on the racial identity of his Democratic rival Kamala Harris during a convention of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Chicago.
Guterres calls killing of Hamas, Hezbollah leaders ‘dangerous escalation’
United Nations, Aug 1 - Calling the twin strikes by Israel killing senior leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah during a 24-hour period a "dangerous escalation", UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an international diplomatic push to prevent a broader regional conflict.
India and Vietnam adopt ‘new plan of action’ to solidify strategic partnership
New Delhi, Aug 1 - Emphasising that India's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and Vietnam's 'Vision 2045' continue to accelerate development and have opened up many new areas of mutual cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Thursday that both countries have decided to further strengthen
ADB approves $400 mn loan to Uzbekistan
Manila, July 31 - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday said that it has approved two policy-based loans totalling $400 million to support Uzbekistan's initiatives to enhance its financial markets and develop a sustainable, market-led power sector.
Russia begins third stage of non-strategic nuclear exercises
Moscow, July 31 - The third stage of Russia's non-strategic nuclear exercises has begun, which focuses on the preparation of units for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday on its Telegram channel.
Biden signs Act mandating US-made flags for federal use
Washington, July 31 - United States President Joe Biden has signed an "All-American Flag Act," which mandates the federal purchase of flags completely manufactured in the US.
South Korea closely watching North Korean-China ties amid signs of rift
Seoul, July 31 - South Korea's intelligence agency is closely watching relations between North Korea and China amid increasing signs of the two countries growing apart, officials said on Wednesday.
Hamas leader’s ‘martyrdom’ will strengthen bond with Palestine: Iran
Tehran, July 31 - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Wednesday said the "martyrdom" of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran will strengthen Iran's "deep and unbreakable" bond with Palestine and the resistance.
Harris announces Philadelphia rally with new running mate
Washington, July 31 - US Vice President Kamala Harris will hold her first rally with her yet-to-be-named running mate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 6.
Russia condemns assassination of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh
Moscow, July 31 - Russia on Wednesday "strongly condemned" the assassination of the head of the Hamas Politburo, Ismail Haniyeh as a result of a missile strike on his residence in Tehran.
Hezbollah’s senior military advisor missing after Israeli drone strike
Beirut, July 31 - Hezbollah said Wednesday that civil defence teams were still searching for Fouad Shokor, a senior military advisor to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in the rubble after he was attacked by an Israeli drone in southern Beirut a day
Leonardo DiCaprio lauds expedition for rediscovering 21 species in Madagascar forest
Los Angeles, July 31 - Hollywood star and environment activist Leonardo DiCaprio has applauded the efforts in searching for lost species in a natural park in Madagascar in eastern Africa.
Suspected bubonic plague case in Mongolia tests negative
Ulaanbaatar, July 31 - A laboratory test for a suspected case of bubonic plague in the western Mongolian province of Govi-Altai has returned negative results, local media reported on Wednesday.
Australian govt to force banks to compensate scam victims
Canberra, July 31 - Australian banks will be forced to compensate customers who lose money to scams under new laws flagged by the government.
Venezuela to sever diplomatic ties with Peru
Caracas, July 31 - Venezuela has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Peru due to Peruvian Foreign Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea's statement on the presidential election results in the country, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said on social media on Wednesday.
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Tehran
Tel Aviv, July 31 - The political head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, has been assassinated in Tehran, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement on Wednesday.