30-03-2024 BERLIN: “Sausage Dogs to be banned in Germany,” screamed headlines in the UK this week. Germany’s biggest-selling newspaper Bild went full circle, fascinated by the panic: “Brits Fear for the German Sausage Dog.” The story arose from the German Kennels Association (VDH), which has launched a petition against a …

30-03-2024 PORT-AU-PRINCE: A new report by the UN describes the “outrageous practices” used by gangs in Haiti to brutalize, punish and control the civilian population. It says that the gangs, which are estimated to control more than 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, recruit and abuse children, sometimes killing those who …

30-03-2024 NEW YORK: Sam Bankman-Fried, co-founder of the failed crypto exchange FTX, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding customers and investors of his now-bankrupt firm. The ruling cements the downfall of the former billionaire, who emerged as a high profile champion of crypto before his firm’s …

29-03-2024 Bureau Report + Agencies NEW DELHI: India will send two delegations next month to Chile to scout for lithium and copper resources, a government source said, as rapid economic expansion and New Delhi’s efforts to speed up the energy transition stoke demand for critical minerals. Chile is a key …

29-03-2024 RIYADH/ DOHA: Stock markets in the Gulf declined on Thursday, as investors awaited key inflation data due on Friday to assess the likely path of interest rates from the US Federal Reserve. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index (.TASI), opens new tab fell 0.3% with most sectors in the red and …

29-03-2024 VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis looked well as he began four intense days of events leading to Easter on Thursday, and renewed his own ordination vow on the day the Roman Catholic Church marks Jesus’s founding of the priesthood the night before the crucifixion. Francis, who recently curtailed his speaking …

29-03-2024 SINGAPORE: Organized crime rings who fueled an “explosion” of human trafficking and cyber scam centres during the pandemic have expanded from Southeast Asia into a global network making up to $3 trillion a year, the head of Interpol said on Wednesday. “Driven by online anonymity, inspired by new business …

29-03-2024 By SJA Jafri + Bureau Report + Agencies ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will set up an inquiry commission to investigate accusations by six High Court judges of interference and intimidation by the country’s powerful intelligence agencies in judicial decisions, the law minister said on Thursday. Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar made the …

29-03-2024 DUBAI/ NEW YORK: Global smartphone shipments are expected to rebound 3% this year as easing inflation aids a demand recovery in emerging markets and the integration of generative AI attracts buyers to premium devices, a report by Counterpoint Research said on Thursday. Global shipments had declined more than 4% …

29-03-2024 GAZA CITY/ CAIRO: Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Palestinian fighters battled in close combat around Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital on Thursday, where the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they attacked Israeli soldiers and tanks with rockets and mortar fire The Israeli army said it continued to …