International

04-01-2023 JERUSALEM: Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has entered the compound that houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, in a move that threatens a backlash from Palestinians who have labelled the act an “unprecedented provocation”. Ben-Gvir was seen at the site on Tuesday under heavy security. …

04-01-2023 LONDON: The last days of Al-Saqi Books were some of its busiest. A closing-down sale ensured a steady stream of customers flitting in and out, most expressing confusion and disappointment at the news that the iconic London bookshop, located in the Bayswater area, would close its doors for the …

03-01-2023 MEXICO CITY: Dozens of inmates have escaped from a prison in northern Mexico after gunmen, suspected to be members of a drug cartel, opened fire on the facility. The men arrived outside the Chihuahua state prison shortly after 07:00 (14:00 GMT) in armoured vehicles and began firing on the …

03-01-2023 Bureau Report + Agencies MELBOURNE: Four people have died after a mid-air collision between two helicopters near Seaworld on Australia’s Gold Coast. Queensland Police say initial investigations suggest the crash happened as one aircraft was taking off and the other was landing. Those who died were travelling in the …

03-01-2023 DUBAI: Dubai has scrapped its 30% alcohol tax in an apparent bid to boost tourism. It will also stop charging for personal alcohol licences, something residents who want to drink at home must have. Dubai has been relaxing laws for some time, allowing the sale of alcohol in daylight …

03-01-2023 KYIV: Ukraine says around 400 Russian soldiers have died in a missile attack on the occupied Donetsk region. Russian officials have contested the figure, admitting to only 63 of their troops being killed in the blast. Neither claim has been verified. The attack hit a building in the city …

03-01-2023 Bureau Report NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has upheld the legality of the government’s decision in 2016 to demonetize 86 percent of the country’s cash in circulation, saying the decision was taken in consultation with the central bank and followed due process. A five-judge bench of the …

02-01-2023 BRASILIA: Leftist leader Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva has pledged to “rebuild” Brazil “with the people” as he was sworn in as the new president of the fiercely polarized country for a historic third term. The inauguration ceremony in Congress began at 3pm (18:00 GMT) on Sunday under tightened …

02-01-2023 DAMASCUS/ JERUSALEM: Syria’s military says an Israeli air raid has killed at least two Syrian soldiers and put the country’s main international airport out of service. The air raid, which targeted the Damascus International Airport and its surroundings, took place at about 2am local time on Monday (23:00 GMT …

02-01-2023 BEIJING/ SHANGHAI: China and the United States must pursue dialogue rather than confrontation and avoid the mistakes made during the Cold War, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said on Sunday in his first public comments since his appointment as head of the ruling Communist Party’s foreign affairs office. Wang …