International

21-12-2023 PARIS: A key immigration reform is hanging in the balance in France, despite being approved by both houses of parliament. The bill cleared the Senate and the National Assembly after far-right leader Marine Le Pen said her National Rally (RN) would vote for it. A previous draft was rejected …

21-12-2023 Bureau Report + Agencies QUEENSLAND: Major flooding in northern Australia has begun to ease but many towns remain isolated in crocodile-infested waters as supplies dwindle. Extreme weather driven by ex-tropical cyclone Jasper has dumped a year’s worth of rain on parts of Queensland. Some rivers have swollen to record …

21-12-2023 Bureau Report + Agencies NEW DELHI: In November 2016 India abruptly scrapped two banknotes constituting 86% of all currency in circulation, in a move aimed at combating corruption and curbing undeclared wealth. Demonetization as the currency ban was popularly called – sparked scenes of chaos outside banks and cash …

21-12-2023 VIENNA/ DUBAI: Attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea risk pushing up the price of oil and other goods, analysts have warned. Several firms have paused shipments through the route after vessels were attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The world’s second largest shipping line, Maersk, said on …

21-12-2023 REYKJAVIK: Gas pollution could hit Iceland’s capital after a volcano began erupting late on Monday, the country’s meteorological office has said. The eruption, which broke out on the Reykjanes peninsula of south-west Iceland, comes after weeks of intense earthquakes and tremors. Fumes could reach Reykjavik by Tuesday evening or …

21-12-2023 KYIV: Ukraine’s military wants to mobilize up to 500,000 extra people, President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed, as the war with Russia nears a two-year mark. At a news conference in Kyiv, he said his commanders were seeking “450,000-500,000 individuals”, admitting this was a “sensitive” and costly issue. He said …

20-12-2023 DENVER, COLORADO: Colorado’s Supreme Court has removed Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot, citing an insurrection clause in the US Constitution. In a decision that upends the White House race, the court ruled 4-3 that Trump is not an eligible candidate. It is the first time that Section …

20-12-2023 BEIJING: In a tragic event, an overnight earthquake struck the northwestern region in China, resulting in the death of at least 118 people, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.2 according to China Earthquake Networks Center and 5.9 according to the U.S. …

20-12-2023 GAZA CITY/ JABALIA: Dozens more Palestinians have been reportedly martyred and many others injured in an Israeli air raid on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. Three residential buildings have been bombed in Rafah, with at least 39 killed and many more feared trapped under rubble. US Secretary …

20-12-2023 WASHINGTON: In a bid to curb the escalating missile and drone attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, the United States has announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, which is a formation of a 10-nation alliance aimed at safeguarding ships travelling this vital maritime route. Joining forces with Britain, France, …