Author: Desk Reporter

United States: Global oil prices have climbed to $100 a barrel for the first time since May, as escalating tensions in the Middle East renewed concerns over energy supplies and global inflation. Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, jumped more than 6 percent, extending gains recorded over the past several days. The latest rally comes as the United States intensified military strikes against Iran, while attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea further disrupted confidence in global energy markets. The price surge was triggered after Yemen’s Houthi militia targeted oil tankers in the Red Sea, threatening a…

New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced plans to establish fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks, marking his first public response to the nationwide protests led by students and youth groups over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. The announcement comes as demonstrations continue across New Delhi, with thousands of protesters occupying Parliament Street for the third consecutive day. Security measures have been intensified after clashes between protesters and police earlier this week. In a post on X, Modi said the government was committed to protecting the interests of young people. Modi…

Washington: The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, laying the foundation for a long-term partnership aimed at expanding the kingdom’s nuclear energy sector while strengthening strategic and economic ties between the two allies. The agreement, described by the US Department of Energy as a ‘peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement,’ is expected to provide significant opportunities for American companies to participate in Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme. Alongside the cooperation pact, the two countries also signed a bilateral safeguards agreement, which US officials say establishes the legal framework for a multi-billion-dollar partnership focused on nuclear…

Sikkim: At least 12 workers have died and 13 others remain missing after a section of an under-construction tunnel collapsed following a suspected methane gas explosion in India’s north-eastern state of Sikkim. The accident occurred inside a tunnel being built as part of a hydropower project developed by the state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). The tunnel is designed to channel water from the Teesta River to power plant turbines. According to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the explosion took place around 1.5 kilometres inside the tunnel. Officials said 27 workers were deployed across different sections of the site…

Guyana: The death toll from the ferry disaster off the coast of Guyana has climbed to at least 41, after search teams recovered 14 more bodies, authorities confirmed. The latest fatalities come after 27 deaths were reported a day earlier following the capsizing of the MV Barima. Officials said 77 people have been rescued, while search and recovery operations remain underway for dozens who are still missing. The ferry was carrying 179 people at the time of the accident, despite the official passenger manifest listing only 133 passengers, raising concerns about overcrowding and safety compliance. Guyana’s Minister of Public Works,…

England: The UK government has announced a reduction in VAT on household electricity bills, aiming to provide financial relief to millions of families as energy costs remain elevated ahead of winter. The measure, introduced by newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham, will reduce the current 5 percent VAT on household electricity bills from October 1, saving a typical household around £45 ($60) annually. The government said the move is part of its broader commitment to ease the cost-of-living burden and offer households greater financial breathing space. According to ministers, the tax cut will be financed through savings generated by cancelling…

Afghanistan: At least 20 people have been killed, and more than 100 others are missing after devastating flash floods triggered by torrential rainfall swept through eastern Afghanistan’s Nuristan province, Taliban officials said. The worst-hit area was Parun, the capital of Nuristan province, where floodwaters caused widespread destruction, washing away homes, shops, roads, and government buildings. Authorities confirmed that Parun’s mayor is among those reported missing, while more than 80 residents have sustained injuries. Taliban officials warned that the disaster is expected to result in ‘severe financial and human losses’ as rescue operations continue in difficult conditions. Emergency teams and residents…

Singapore: Singapore’s acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, has resigned from the Cabinet, Parliament and the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) following concerns over his interactions with a woman, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced. In an official statement, Wong said that most of the interactions between Faishal and the woman took place via online messages, and that they also met on the sidelines of public events. Both individuals later made allegations of harassment against each other, prompting a police investigation. The Prime Minister clarified that the authorities found no criminal offence had been committed by either party…

New Jersey: Spain were crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after a hard-fought 1-0 extra-time victory over defending champions Argentina in a thrilling final at the New York New Jersey Stadium. After 90 minutes of intense action ended without a goal, Spain finally found the breakthrough in extra time when Ferran Torres calmly finished a well-worked attacking move to hand La Roja their second FIFA World Cup title. The victory marked Spain’s first World Cup triumph since their historic success in 2010. The final attracted more than 82,000 spectators, who witnessed a tactical battle between two of international football’s biggest…

London: The Bank of England has announced that it will no longer accept bonds linked to the thermal coal industry as collateral for key lending operations, marking a significant shift in its approach to climate-related financial risks. The new policy, which takes effect in October, has been welcomed by climate campaigners as a strong signal that high-carbon assets are becoming increasingly risky in the global financial system. Under the revised framework, commercial banks borrowing funds from the Bank of England will no longer be able to use bonds tied to thermal coal companies as collateral. The central bank regularly provides…