In brief

Israel forces vow to expand ‘vigorously’

Tel Aviv: Israel announced on Saturday it has completed construction of a new security corridor that cuts off the southern city of Rafah from the rest of Gaza, as the military said it would soon expand “vigorously” in most of the small coastal territory. Palestinians were further squeezed into shrinking areas of land.

4 Indians feted for S’pore fire rescue

Singapore: The Singapore government has honoured four Indian migrant workers for their heroic actions in rescuing children and adults from a fire at a shophouse, where 16 minors and six adults were trapped. Mark Shankar Pawanovich, 8, the son of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan was among those rescued.

US tariffs may ‘shrink’ world trade by 3%

United Nations: Global trade could shrink by three per cent and exports could see a shift from markets such as the US and China to India, Canada and Brazil due to tariffs imposed by the US, a top UN economist has said. Countries such as Mexico, China and Thailand — but also countries in Southern Africa — are among the most affected, alongside the United States itself.