21-12-2025 UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has condemned Rwanda for backing a rebel offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and urged it to withdraw its forces and stop supporting the M23 armed group. The UNSC unanimously adopted the resolution on Friday, and also extended the …

21-12-2025 DHAKA: Bangladesh is observing a national day of mourning as the funeral was held for Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of its 2024 student-led uprising, after his death triggered two days of protests across the country. Tens of thousands of people poured into the area surrounding Bangladesh’s parliament …

21-12-2025 WASHINGTON/ ROCKY MOUNT: The United States military “hit the ISIS (ISIL) thugs in Syria”, President Donald Trump has said, a week after two US soldiers and an interpreter were killed in Syria’s Palmyra city. In a speech in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Trump said he “ordered a massive strike …

20-12-2025 CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government will crack down on hate speech following Sunday’s deadly shooting at Bondi Beach that targeted a Jewish festival. Fifteen people were killed when two gunmen opened fire at an event to mark the first day of Hanukkah. New laws will …

20-12-2025 VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo replaced Cardinal Timothy Dolan as leader of the Catholic Church in New York, the Vatican announced on Thursday, sidelining a prominent US Church figure in a major shake-up of the country’s Catholic leadership. Leo, the first US pope, appointed a relatively unknown cleric from Illinois, …

20-12-2025 Bureau Report + Agencies DUBAI/ NEW DELHI: India signed an economic partnership agreement with Oman on Thursday to boost bilateral trade and investment as it seeks to expand Middle East ties and diversify trade to beat steep US tariffs. Oman has offered zero-duty access on over 98% of its …

20-12-2025 WASHINGTON: In a 19-minute address to the nation on Wednesday night, United States President Donald Trump made no major announcements, as presidents are usually wont to do. Instead, he took the opportunity to further denigrate immigrants, highlight his perceived personal achievements and make grandiose promises of prosperity to come. …

20-12-2025 LONDON: Police in London have arrested two people who called for “intifada” during a pro-Palestinian protest, which followed a decision by authorities to toughen enforcement of hate speech laws after a deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Australia. The arrests on Wednesday came hours after police in London …

20-12-2025 WASHINGTON/ DOHA: Qatar’s Prime Minister has warned that daily Israeli breaches of the Gaza ceasefire are threatening the entire agreement, as he called for urgent progress towards the next phase of the deal to end Israel’s genocidal war on the besieged Palestinian enclave. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim …

20-12-2025 BRUSSELS: EU leaders gather in Brussels Thursday for a make-or-break summit on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine with key player Belgium under pressure to drop its opposition. The 27-nation bloc is scrambling to strengthen Kyiv’ hand as Russia’s war drags towards the four-year mark and US President Donald …