International

12-03-2023 BAMAKO: Mali’s interim government has postponed a constitutional referendum, a key step on the country’s path towards elections meant to restore democracy after a military takeover in 2020. “The transitional government informs national and international opinion that the date of the referendum scheduled for March 19, 2023 … will …

12-03-2023 MANAMA: Bahrain has revoked visas issued to Human Rights Watch (HRW) to attend an international parliamentary conference, the rights group said on Friday, days after raising concerns about the Gulf state’s rights record. Visas that were issued for two members of the rights group on January 30 were cancelled …

12-03-2023 ROME: More than 1,000 migrants were brought ashore to southern Italy on Saturday after coastguards launched major rescue operations for three boats struggling in rough seas off Calabria. One coastguard vessel brought 584 people to the city of Reggio Calabria, while another escorted a packed fishing boat carrying 487 …

11-03-2023 TEHRAN/ RIYADH: TEHRAN: Regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed Friday to restore ties and reopen diplomatic missions in Chinese-brokered talks, they said in a joint statement, seven years after relations were severed. The move caps a broader realignment and efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East. Riyadh …

11-03-2023 Bureau Report NEW DELHI: India and Australia have agreed to accelerate a broader economic partnership and to boost their defence ties, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says. Last year, the two countries signed a free trade deal, called the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), the first signed by …

11-03-2023 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s former prime minister who led during the height of the pandemic has been charged with corruption, a move that ratchets up already bitter political tensions. Muhyiddin Yassin, 75, was arrested just months after losing an election to PM Anwar Ibrahim in November. The former PM has …

11-03-2023 MEXICO CITY: Suspected drug cartel members have handed over five purported henchmen as a would-be apology for the abduction of four Americans in the Mexican border city of Matamoros, according to media and a source familiar with the investigation. The Scorpions faction of the Gulf Cartel on Thursday apologized …

11-03-2023 PARIS: This month, French lawmakers are expected to pass legislation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which, for the first time in France’s history, will permit mass video surveillance powered by artificial intelligence (AI) systems. When governments embark on the slippery slope towards the expansion of surveillance powers, it has …

11-03-2023 OTTAWA: The Canadian government on Thursday announced that ‘terrorism financing laws’ will be amended to allow Canadian humanitarian aid organizations to help needy families in Afghanistan, following pressure from aid agencies. Currently, Canadian aid organizations have ceased operations in Afghanistan due to some legal constraints which are in conflict …

11-03-2023 LOS ANGELES: Another big storm was headed for California on Thursday, the latest in a winter parade that has already brought near-record snowfall and heavy rains. Over the coming days, two atmospheric rivers moisture-laden weather systems chugging in from the Pacific – were expected to dump heavy snow on …