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Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt intensify diplomacy with Iran and the US as efforts grow to restore Hormuz shipping and prevent escalation, reports Asian Lite News Desk Gulf states have intensified a coordinated diplomatic push to break the deadlock between Iran and the United States, restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and prevent the regional crisis from developing into a wider confrontation. Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have all stepped up diplomatic activit

The Trump administration has approved a possible $4.5 billion sale of KC-46A refuelling aircraft and related equipment to Qatarreports Asian Lite News Desk The Trump administration has approved a possible $4.5 billion sale of KC-46A aerial refuelling aircraft and related equipment to Qatar, the US State Department said. Qatar has requested up to four KC-46A aircraft, along with eight PW4062 turbofan engines, including four spares, radar warning receivers, infrared countermeasure systems and othe

European Union leaders have reaffirmed their support for the International Criminal Court after the United States imposed sanctions on its president and a senior lawyerreports Asian Lite News Desk European Union leaders on Wednesday voiced strong support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), a day after the United States imposed sanctions on two senior officials of the Hague-based tribunal. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said

Brand New Day posts the second-biggest global opening ever, giving Marvel a timely blockbuster ahead of Avengers: Doomsday. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has delivered one of the biggest box office debuts in cinema history, earning a staggering $927 million (687 million) worldwide during its opening weekend and becoming the highest-grossing debut in Sony Pictures history. The latest instalment in the Spider-Man franchise, starring Tom Holland, Zendaya and Sadie Sink, collected $355 million from 4,48

India has criticised the continued delay in reforming the UN Security Council, accusing a small group of countries of holding the process hostage through procedural tacticsreports Asian Lite News Desk India has criticised the continued deadlock over reform of the United Nations Security Council, accusing a small group of countries of blocking progress and holding the reform process hostage through procedural manoeuvres. The remarks came after the UN General Assembly on Tuesday voted by consensus

The United States and Saudi Arabia launched joint airstrikes on Iran-aligned targets in eastern Iraq after a wave of drone attacks on American troops and Saudi energy facilitiesreports Asian Lite News Desk The United States and Saudi Arabia carried out joint precision airstrikes against Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq on Tuesday after more than 30 drone attacks targeted American troops and Saudi energy infrastructure, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. According to CENTCOM, US and Saudi

Iran denies seeking talks with Washington despite Donald Trump claiming diplomatic progress, as a fragile pause in fighting raises cautious hopes of easing regional tensions, reports Asian Lite US News Desk Iran has insisted it has neither requested nor resumed negotiations with the United States, despite President Donald Trump claiming Washington and Tehran are holding good talks following a temporary pause in hostilities. Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Foreign

US President Donald Trump has said Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the White House in September, signalling another round of high-level engagement between Washington and Beijing.reports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has said Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the White House in September, signalling plans for another high-level meeting between the leaders of the worlds two largest economies amid continued competition over trade, technology and se

The European Commission has fined Google a combined 890 million ($1 billion) for breaching the Digital Markets Act by favouring its own services and restricting app developersreports Asian Lite News Desk The European Commission on Thursday fined Google a combined 890 million ($1 billion) for breaching the European Unions Digital Markets Act (DMA), accusing the technology company of giving preferential treatment to its own services in search results and restricting competition through its Google

The 2026 Commonwealth Games get underway in Glasgow on Wednesday, with India fielding a 125-member contingentreports Asian Lite News Desk The 2026 Commonwealth Games begin in Glasgow on Thursday, bringing together some of the worlds top athletes, with India banking on Olympic medallists Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain to spearhead its medal campaign. The 23rd edition of the Games will run until August 2 and feature competition across 10 sports, a reduced programme compared to

The request comes as the country continues to grapple with inflation, external financing challenges and economic uncertainty.reports Asian Lite News Desk Pakistans Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has requested a $10 billion Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to strengthen the countrys foreign exchange reserves and ease debt pressures, according to a media report. Citing PakistansDawnnewspaper, India Blooms News Service reported that officials at

Moscow said it reaffirmed its readiness to resolve the Ukraine conflict while both sides agreed to continue diplomatic engagement.reports Asian Lite News Desk Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial meetings in Manila on Thursday, with Moscow saying it reiterated its readiness to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and uphold understandings reached during talks in Anchorage. Accord

Quad foreign ministers reaffirm commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, highlighting ASEAN centrality, maritime security, technology cooperation and regional stability, reports Asian Lite News Desk The Quad Foreign Ministers on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific while expressing strong support for ASEAN unity and its central role in regional affairs. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister T

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani drops his Netanyahu arrest pledge after legal review says city lacks authority, but continues criticism of Israeli leader, reports Asian Lite News Desk New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stepped back from his campaign pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city, saying a legal review found his administration does not have the authority to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. Mamdani said his administration had ex

A global study says 1,700-plus HIV service sites shut after PEPFAR funding cuts in 2025. Prevention programmes and services for vulnerable communities suffered the biggest setbacksreports Africa Daily News Desk Funding cuts to the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2025 have significantly weakened HIV services worldwide, forcing the closure of at least 1,714 service sites and disrupting prevention, treatment and care programmes, according to a new study. The PEPFAR Pulse St

Former England striker Robbie Fowler has tipped Spain to beat Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, praising La Rojas tactical discipline and purposeful style of play.reports Asian Lite News Desk Former England striker Robbie Fowler has backed Spain to lift the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy, saying their purposeful style of play, tactical discipline and game management make them favourites ahead of the final against defending champions Argentina. Speaking ahead of the title clash, Fowler said

Cricket has lost one of its greatest ever players with the death of Sir Garfield Sobers, the legendary West Indies all-rounder, at the age of 89reports Africa Daily News Desk Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in history and one of the finest all-rounders the game has ever seen, has died at his home in Barbados at the age of 89. The West Indies legend, whose extraordinary career spanned two decades, transformed the sport with his brilliance as a batsman, bowle

Iran warns of a severe regional response as strikes target US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, reports Asian Lite News Desk Iran has warned of a crushing response against infrastructure across West Asia if the United States targets Iranian power plants and bridges, as Tehran carried out strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Irans Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued the warning after US President Donald Trump said Washin

The US Central Command has rejected Irans assertion that it controls transit through the Strait of Hormuz, saying the strategic waterway remains an international trade corridor.reports Asian Lite News Desk The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Friday rejected Irans claim that vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz are required to use routes designated solely by Tehran, stating that Iran does not control the strategic waterway. In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said US forces had faci

US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington is prepared to reconsider the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, describing bilateral ties as stronger than ever.reports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has signalled that his administration is prepared to reconsider the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, saying the proposal is certainly something we will consider as he described relations between Washington and Ankara as being at their strongest. Speaking alongside Turki

US authorities plan to seek the extradition of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from India to face federal racketeering charges linked to an alleged transnational criminal enterprisereports Asian Lite News Desk The United States plans to seek the extradition of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from India to face sweeping federal racketeering charges, with investigators saying the move is intended to dismantle an alleged transnational criminal network that has continued operating despite its leader being in pr

The victory extended Belgiums impressive unbeaten run under head coach Rudi Garcia.reports Asian Lite News Desk Charles De Ketelaere starred with a first-half brace as Belgium defeated co-hosts USA 4-1 at Seattle Stadium to book their place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Spain. Hans Vanaken added his first-ever World Cup goal before substitute Romelu Lukaku sealed the emphatic victory with a stoppage-time strike, ending the United States campaign and making them the l

The defeat marked the end of Ronaldos World Cup journey. The 41-year-old had confirmed before the tournament that it would be his final appearance on footballs biggest stage.reports Asian Lite News Desk Mikel Merino struck deep into extra time to hand Spain a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal and secure a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals, bringing Cristiano Ronaldos illustrious World Cup career to an end. Merinos decisive goal at Dallas Stadium settled a tense last-16 contest tha

After five decades of development, the highway continues to inspire travellers with its combination of history, adventure and scenic beauty, making it a remarkable route through one of Chinas most captivating regions Fifty years after opening to traffic, the Yunnan-Xizang Highway remains one of Chinas most breathtaking travel routes, taking visitors through dramatic mountain landscapes, historic towns and culturally rich regions of the countrys southwest. Completed on July 6, 1976, the 715-kilom

The study found that exercise can help restore this balance. Physical activity activates proteins that reduce DEAF1 levels, allowing ageing muscles to improve their ability to remove damaged proteins, rebuild effectively and maintain strength Exercise may hold the key to slowing age-related muscle decline, with scientists identifying a molecular switch that helps ageing muscles repair damage and maintain strength. A new study by researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School, in collaboration with Singa

US President links expected visit to plans for a new White House ballroom designed to host major state events.reports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump on Monday said Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Washington toward the end of September, while highlighting plans to construct a new state ballroom at the White House to host larger gatherings for visiting world leaders. Speaking during a luncheon in the White House Rose Garden, Trump said Xis proposed visit underscor

Guterres warns rapid advances in artificial intelligence demand stronger international governance.reports Asian Lite News Desk Warning that artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented pace, UN Secretary-GeneralAntnio Guterreson Monday called for urgent international cooperation to ensure humanity remains in control of the technology rather than being shaped by it. Addressing the opening of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Guterres posed what he described as a defining

Member states remain divided over military spending, Iran and Europes security role.reports Asian Lite News Desk The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) heads into its summit in Ankara this week amid growing internal divisions over defence spending, strategic priorities and the alliances long-term direction, even as leaders seek to present a united front. The two-day summit, beginning Tuesday, comes against the backdrop of differing responses to the recent US military strikes on Iran, cont

Thailand has begun issuing official identity cards to refugees from Myanmar living in temporary shelters along its border, marking a significant change in the countrys approach to one of the worlds longest-running displacement crisesreports Asian Lite News Desk Thailand has begun issuing official identity cards to refugees living in temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border, in a move described by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, as a historic step towards greater protection, inclusion and s

Defender Alistair Johnston said the players could take pride in what they had accomplished despite the disappointment of their exit.reports Asian Lite News Desk Co-hosts Canada national football team saw their FIFA World Cup campaign come to an end with a 3-0 defeat to Morocco national football team in the Round of 16, but the team left the tournament having achieved several historic milestones for Canadian football. Canadas run included the nations first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup and its f

The goal was Mbapps seventh of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawing him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Bootreports Asian Lite News Kylian Mbapp converted a second-half penalty as two-time champions France national football team edged past Paraguay national football team 1-0 to book a place in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, where they will face Morocco national football team. Mbapps 69th-minute spot-kick settled a hard-fought Round of 16 contest after Paraguay frustrated France

US President says Washington bears a disproportionate share of the alliances financial burden ahead of key summit.reports Asian Lite News Desk US President Donald Trump has once again criticised NATO allies over defence spending, saying the United States shoulders a disproportionate share of the alliances financial burden while receiving little in return. In a post on Truth Social ahead of a key NATO summit, Trump said the US had spent nearlyUSD 999 billionon NATO between 2014 and 2025, far exce