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ISTANBUL, July 16 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Iran said early Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the United States (US) accepts Tehran’s conditions for reopening the strategic waterway, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, citing local media. According to the semi-official Mehr News Agency, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akrami-Nia said control of the strait must be brought under Iran’s authority before it can be reopened. He said Washington must comply with the terms of last month's framework peace deal, halt what he called hostile actions, and accept Iranian rules governing the strait. Akrami-Nia added that continued US military action would not force Iran to reopen the waterway. His remarks came after a fresh wave of explosions was reported across several Iranian cities as the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) announced additional strikes on the country. CENTCOM said the strikes targeted Iranian military capabilities linked to threats on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global trade. The attacks came amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, with American forces striking Iran and Tehran responding with attacks on US military bases across the region despite a Pakistani-mediated framework agreement towards reaching a lasting settlement. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

Iran Says Strait Of Hormuz Will Remain Closed Until US Accepts Its Terms

ISTANBUL, July 16 (Bernama-Anadolu) — Iran said early Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the United States (US) accepts Tehran’s conditions for reopening the strategic waterway, .... read more

WASHINGTON, July 16 -- The United States (US) State Department has approved a potential US$1.96 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia and a separate US$484 million sustainment package for Kuwait, it said in a statement on Wednesday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. The proposed sale to Saudi Arabia includes up to 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS-II) air-to-air guidance sections and up to 10,000 APKWS-II air-to-ground guidance sections. The package also includes launchers, warheads, rocket motors, fuses, spare and repair parts, technical documentation, training equipment and logistics support services, according to the State Department. The principal contractor for the Saudi sale would be BAE Systems, based in Nashua, New Hampshire. Separately, Washington approved a possible US$484 million Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for C-17 Sustainment and related equipment. The Kuwait package includes aircraft components, parts and accessories, modification and support equipment, spare and repair parts, ground handling equipment, communications equipment, software support, technical documentation, training and logistics services. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

US Approves Potential Arms Deals For Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

WASHINGTON, July 16 — The United States (US) State Department has approved a potential US$1.96 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia and a separate US$484 million sustainment package for Kuwait, .... read more

ISTANBUL, July 15 -- Iran’s state television reported early Wednesday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy and United States (US) forces exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu Ajansi reported. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing authorities in Hormozgan province, said explosions heard in Bandar Abbas, coastal cities and Iranian islands were caused by clashes in the strait. Mehr News Agency also said explosions heard east of Sirik were linked to exchanges of fire in nearby Gulf waters. The reports came amid a fresh wave of explosions across several locations in southern Iran as the military confrontation between Iran and the US intensified. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had launched another round of strikes against Iran, targeting what it described as capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM later said that US forces had resumed a naval blockade of vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas. It added that more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft were operating across West Asia, saying American forces remained “vigilant, lethal and ready”. Tensions have escalated between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, with the two sides exchanging attacks despite a Pakistani-mediated memorandum of understanding aimed at ending their conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy, US Forces Exchange Fire In Strait Of Hormuz

ISTANBUL, July 15 — Iran’s state television reported early Wednesday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy and United States (US) forces exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz, .... read more

WASHINGTON: The death toll from two earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month has risen to 4,561, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on Monday. According to Anadolu Agency , Rodriguez said 16,740 people were injured. Authorities have assisted 128,324 families and set up 107 temporary camps housing 20,231 people, while another 17,907 still have no permanent place to live. Rodriguez said the earthquake also damaged 856 buildings, including 190 that collapsed. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale struck the South American country on June 24. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

The death toll from the Venezuela earthquake has risen to 4,561

WASHINGTON: The death toll from two earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month has risen to 4,561, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on Monday. According to Anadolu Agency , Rodriguez .... read more

CANBERRA: The Australian government on Monday announced it will launch a digital passenger card for all international arrivals within the next 18 months, ending reliance on paper cards, Xinhua reported. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Monday the federal government would spend A$56.1 million (US$38.9 million) over the next four years on modernising travellers at airports, including the implementation of digital passenger cards across the country.

Australia to launch digital passenger cards for all arrivals

CANBERRA, JULY 13 — The Australian government on Monday announced it will launch a digital passenger card for all international arrivals within the next 18 months, ending reliance on paper .... read more

South Korea introduces 'AI legal secretary' for civil servants

South Korea introduces ‘AI legal secretary’ for civil servants

SEOUL, JULY 13 — The South Korean government has developed an “AI legal secretary” service that civil servants can refer to when studying the legal basis for policy planning and .... read more

LONDON – An English travel company has made a playful “bribe” attempt to stop football sensation Erling Haaland from continuing his incredible goal-scoring run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Travel firm On the Beach has offered Haaland 10 luxury holidays every year for the rest of his life, worth millions of pounds, with one condition — he must take his first holiday this weekend, but not in Miami. The Norway striker, who has already scored seven goals at the World Cup, is set to lead his country’s attack against England in the quarter-final clash scheduled to take place in Miami early Sunday morning. The company’s lifetime holiday package includes 10 annual trips for Haaland, his family and friends to more than 280 destinations around the world. However, the offer will only stand if Haaland agrees to travel to a destination other than Miami on Sunday — the same day Norway faces England. The company jokingly said the only way to prevent the prolific striker from scoring was to give him “a sun lounger, a passport and free holidays anywhere in the world for life.” “We would be delighted to send Erling, his family and friends on holidays for the rest of their lives,” the company said. “There is just one small condition. He has to take his first holiday this Sunday, and the destination must be anywhere except Miami.” The company even suggested Mauritius as a possible alternative destination, describing the island nation on the opposite side of the world as an attractive holiday spot. Haaland has been one of the standout performers at the tournament after scoring twice late in the match to help Norway defeat five-time world champions Brazil 2-1, sending his team into the quarter-finals. The Manchester City forward currently shares the lead in the Golden Boot race with seven goals alongside Lionel Messi of Argentina and Kylian Mbappé of France. England captain Harry Kane is just one goal behind with six goals so far in the tournament. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE:HARIAN METRO

Travel Company Offers Haaland Lifetime Luxury Holidays in Humorous Bid to Stop His Goal-Scoring Form

LONDON – An English travel company has made a playful “bribe” attempt to stop football sensation Erling Haaland from continuing his incredible goal-scoring run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. .... read more

HYDERABAD, July 6 -- India has ordered social media giant Meta to remove all child sexual abuse material from ads on Instagram following reports that the platform allegedly promoted such content. According to news agency PTI, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has directed Meta to "deactivate all advertisements and content that promote and facilitate access" to child sexual exploitation and abuse material.  The directive was issued after Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered officials to summon Meta executives following criticism and media reports alleging that advertisements on Instagram promoted child sexual abuse content. The US-based company, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, was also ordered to take immediate action against content that was boosted by algorithms, in addition to submitting a detailed response to the government within seven days, according to a report on the NDTV website. The BBC recently reported that Instagram was running paid ads promoting child sexual abuse material in India. According to the report, the ads used terms such as "rape videos" and "child videos", as well as linking users to channels on the Telegram messaging app that offered the material for as little as 99 rupees (about US$1). -- BERNAMA 

India orders Meta to remove ads promoting child sexual abuse material on Instagram

HYDERABAD, July 6 — India has ordered social media giant Meta to remove all child sexual abuse material from ads on Instagram following reports that the platform allegedly promoted such .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 -- The eighth Tourism Industry Development Conference in Heilongjiang Province will open in Jixi City from July 8 to 9, under the theme "Integration, Innovation, and Opportunity". Centred on the theme and guided by principles of simplicity, safety and excellence, the conference aims to build platforms for cultural-tourism exchange and cooperation, innovative applications, and consumption upgrading. It will showcase Heilongjiang’s ecological beauty, industrial heritage, culinary offerings, and openness, further unlocking the potential of cultural and tourism consumption, according to a statement. During the conference, Jixi City will roll out a series of curated travel itineraries built around three themes, namely "Ignite the Games, Rock the Lakes", "Drive the Border, Embrace Wellness", and "Explore the Countryside, Learn Through Play". A range of visitor-friendly incentives will also be introduced, including dining discounts, guaranteed accommodation packages, free admission to scenic spots, and shopping promotions, aimed at enhancing the overall travel experience. The Department of Culture and Tourism of Heilongjiang Province Deputy Director, Jiang Xingcheng said this year's conference features three highlights. First, driven by integration, it seeks to build a new landscape for all-for-one tourism by promoting deeper links between culture and tourism with industry, agriculture, commerce and sports, including the development of a signature travel IP linked to sporting events. Second, driven by innovation, the event will leverage digital and intelligent technologies. A dedicated smart culture and tourism exhibition zone will feature applications such as AI-powered tourism services, metaverse immersive experiences, and digital intangible cultural heritage displays. Third, as a platform for cooperation, the conference will strengthen international engagement through the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing together government and business representatives from 13 countries and regions and expanding Heilongjiang’s global cultural and tourism partnerships. -- BERNAMA 

Heilongjiang Tourism Conference To Open In Jixi City On July 8 – 9

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — The eighth Tourism Industry Development Conference in Heilongjiang Province will open in Jixi City from July 8 to 9, under the theme “Integration, Innovation, and .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 -- Emerging middle powers, including Malaysia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkiye, and Mexico, should chart their own strategic course and pursue their own interests rather than adopting the agenda of established middle powers as the global order evolves. Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Professor of International and Comparative Politics, Dr Dawisson Belém-Lopes, said emerging and established middle powers represented fundamentally different political realities and should not be viewed as a single group. Speaking at the 39th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR), he said that emerging middle powers, largely comprising countries from the Global South, had never been fully comfortable with the post-World War Two liberal international order and had long called for deep reforms to the global system. He said these countries also have different historical experiences and priorities compared to established middle powers. “The so-called Global South is gaining ground. We now have both more resources and some institutional platforms we could not rely on in the past,” he said, during the session titled “Rogue World Order: Power, Principles, and Pragmatism on Wednesday.” Meanwhile, University of Queensland Chancellor Peter Varghese said the world is currently “in between international orders,” with the post-war system which is largely led by the United States (US) gradually unravelling. Varghese, who was former secretary of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the shift was driven not only by the current US administration but also by long-term structural changes, including China’s rise, the move towards a multipolar world, the weakening of the Washington Consensus, and the growing influence of identity and cultural politics. However, he said rebuilding a new multilateral system would take time. He warned that while agency was necessary, it was not sufficient to create a new world order and countries should instead focus on strengthening regional and cross-regional cooperation.  Another panelist, Keio University Japan Professor of International Relations, Dr Ken Jimbo, said Asia would remain central to the evolving global order despite shifts in US foreign policy. He said the US would continue to rely on regional partnerships to advance its strategic objectives, even under an America First agenda, while countries such as Japan remain dependent on a free and open rules-based international order for their security and economic prosperity. The two-day event was organised by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia under the theme “Accelerating Agency and Action.” -- BERNAMA 

Global South Must Assert Own Interests As Global Order Evolves

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Emerging middle powers, including Malaysia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkiye, and Mexico, should chart their own strategic course and pursue their own interests rather than adopting .... read more

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