International

19-04-2024 UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations (UN) Security Council is scheduled to vote Friday on a Palestinian request for full UN membership, said diplomats, a move that Israel ally the United States is expected to block because it would effectively recognize a Palestinian state. The 15-member council is due to …

19-04-2024 WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden has called for a tripling of tariffs on some steel and aluminium from China. It is the latest protectionist policy to be embraced by Biden as he campaigns for re-election against Donald Trump, who was known for his tough trade stance against China. The …

19-04-2024 STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s parliament has passed a law lowering the age at which people can change their legal gender from 18 to 16, and making the process easier. The law passed with 234 votes in favor and 94 against in Sweden’s parliament. Though Sweden was the first country to make …

19-04-2024 DOHA: Qatar is reassessing its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, the country’s prime minister has said. Qatar has had a key role along with Egypt and America in trying to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the release of Israeli hostages but Sheikh Mohammed …

19-04-2024 TORONTO: Canadian police have made arrests and issued nine warrants in the biggest gold theft in the country’s history. More than 6,500 gold bars worth C$20m ($14.5m/£11.6m), were stolen from Toronto Pearson Airport, in April 2023, along with millions in cash. The alleged driver was arrested in the US …

19-04-2024 NEW YORK: Tesla is again seeking to award boss Elon Musk the biggest pay deal in corporate American history, worth $56bn (£44.9bn). The electrical vehicle (EV) company is asking shareholders to vote on its chief executive’s record-breaking pay that was set in 2018. However, the deal was rejected by …

19-04-2024 Bureau Report + Agencies SYDNEY: A bishop who was stabbed at a Sydney church on Monday has said he is “recovering quickly” and forgives his alleged attacker. In an audio message, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel also called for the community to remain calm. Police say the attack, which was …

18-04-2024 BRUSSELS/ WASHINGTON: The United States and the European Union say they are looking at imposing further sanctions on Iran, after its attack on Israel at the weekend. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she expected to take action “in the coming days”, while EU foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell …

18-04-2024 DUBAI: The rains began overnight, leaving massive ponds on streets as whipping winds disrupted flights at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel and the home of the long-haul carrier Emirates. By the evening, over 120 millimetres (4.75 inches) of rainfall had soaked the city-state, the typical …

18-04-2024 Bureau Report + Agencies NEW DELHI: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised India’s growth forecast for 2024-25 to 6.8% from 6.5% on the back of strong domestic demand and a rising working-age population. The Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank, estimates the economy to grow at …