International News

GENEVA, Switzerland, September 6 ------ The El Niño weather phenomenon is set to intensify further into 2027 and could be the strongest ever, raising risks of extreme weather into next year, the World Meteorological Organization said. The UN weather agency said its forecasts showed a near 100% likelihood that El Niño would persist through February 2027, fueled by exceptionally warm Pacific Ocean temperatures. This is the first time it has expressed such a degree of certainty,

ISLAMABAD, September 6 ------ Australian researchers have recorded a 50 percent decline in the numbers of dugongs in one of the most globally important populations in the Gulf of Carpentaria off the northern coast of Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The marine mammals are classified as vulnerable on the international conservation agencies' threatened species lists. Chris Cleguer, a researcher at James Cook University (JCU), said aerial surveys his

HONG KONG, September 5 ------ The Japanese yen clung to its gains against the U.S. dollar and was on track for its strongest week in more than a month, as traders ramped up bets on a Bank of Japan interest rate hike and broader currency markets awaited U.S. payrolls data. The Japanese yen strengthened to as much as 155.25 per dollar in morning trade, just off the 155.20 high it hit last month after the July intervention. It later eased and was last flat at 155.71. The y

WASHINGTON, United States, September 5 ------ The US Treasury issued $1 coins featuring the face of President Donald Trump, the latest move in an unprecedented campaign by the Republican billionaire to put his personal stamp on national institutions. The coins were minted to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States celebrated this year. A roll of 25 $1 coins was available for sale for $61 -- a mark-up of 144 percent -- with a 100-coin bag available fo

CAIRO/WASHINGTON, September 4 ------ The sudden recent escalation of the Iran war has cast renewed attention on its civilian toll after Iran reported 18 dead in the last US assault, including four killed and dozens wounded at a wedding. Iran's health minister said 18 people were killed and 108 wounded in Tuesday night's US strikes across Iran. The Iranian Red Crescent said four people were killed and 67 wounded at a wedding ceremony near the coast of the Strait of Hormuz. T

UNITED STATES, September 4 ------ New York is banning student use of artificial intelligence until high school, the city's mayor announced, in a move designed to protect children's education and mental health. The one-year restriction, which impacts nearly 600,000 public school pupils through eighth grade, will be closely watched across the United States as the city's school board is by far the largest in the country. Only high school students -- typically aged 14 and above

September 4 ------ President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had begun a new escalation of its aerial campaign, after overnight attacks caused damage in 13 Ukrainian regions and wounded 17 people in Odesa. In a Telegram post, Zelensky said emergency crews were responding to attacks in several parts of the country while air raid alerts continued almost without interruption in many cities and communities. A Russian drone hit a residential high-rise in Odesa, damaging apartment

September 4 ------ Led by Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a new set of measures intended to keep the economy and civilian life running amid Russia’s ongoing daily barrage. In a statement published on Thursday, Sept. 3, Koretskyi recommended local authorities adjust Kyiv’s curfew from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., shortening it by one hour from the current curfew, which begins at midnight. “The economy must keep working, taxes must keep flowing into