13-05-2023 PARIS/ TEHRAN: Bernard Phelan, who also holds Irish nationality, and Benjamin Briere were freed from their prison in the northeastern city of Mashhad and are “on their way to France”, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said. There had been grave concerns about the health of both men, both of whom …

13-05-2023 KHARTUM: South Sudan is still recovering from years of a ruinous civil war, but now trouble next door risks fueling another descent into turmoil. Analysts said the fighting between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) could upend the shaky peace process in neighboring …

13-05-2023 ISTANBUL: For Turkish women wearing the hijab, or Muslim headscarf, life in the public sphere was once impossible. Beginning in the 1980s, after decades of state-sanctioned efforts to discourage women from wearing hijabs, a ban on wearing them in state institutions was implemented, affecting university staff, students, lawyers, politicians …

13-05-2023 EDINBURGH: Scotland is set to launch the UK’s first driverless bus network next week, marking a significant milestone in transportation technology. The autonomous buses, equipped with advanced technology, will operate on a 14-mile route and aim to transport approximately 10,000 passengers per week. While there will be drivers onboard …

12-05-2023 GAZA: Israel and Palestinians traded more heavy fire Thursday, the third day of the worst escalation of violence in months that has resulted in the martyrdom of 26 people in the blockaded Palestinian enclave Gaza. Air strikes by the Israeli army since Tuesday have martyred freedom fighters as well …

12-05-2023 Bureau Report NEW DELHI: India’s imports of Russian oil rose tenfold last year, according to Indian state-controlled lender Bank of Baroda. The figures show Asia’s third largest economy saved around $5bn (£4bn) as it ramped up crude purchases from Moscow. It comes as Western countries have been cutting their …

12-05-2023 ISTANBUL: Three days before Turkey’s tightest presidential vote in years, one of the four candidates, Muharrem Ince, has pulled out of the race. Ince had been under increasing pressure for splitting the opposition vote, when they have their biggest chance yet of removing Recep Tayyip Erdogan from power. “I’m …

12-05-2023 LONDON: The UK has confirmed it is supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles it requested for its fight against invading Russian forces. The Storm Shadow cruise missile has a range of over 250km (155 miles), according to the manufacturer. By contrast, the US-supplied Himars missiles used by Ukraine only have …

12-05-2023 MANAGUA: The National Assembly of Nicaragua has voted to dissolve the local branch of the Red Cross, a nonprofit humanitarian organization, as part of an ongoing clampdown on groups seen as hostile to the government of Daniel Ortega. The law to shutter the Red Cross passed unanimously on Wednesday, …

12-05-2023 Bureau Report + Agencies NEW DELHI/ AMRITSAR: Five people have been arrested after a third blast in less than a week shook the area around the Sikh holy site of the Golden Temple in Punjab state’s Amritsar city, Indian police said. Two of the suspects had prepared the improvised …