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 …
Read More »Qatar reassessing its role in Gaza peace talks
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 …
Read More »Guns & gold seized in Canada bullion heist probe
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 …
Read More »Tesla pushes for $56bn pay deal for Elon Musk
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 …
Read More »Stabbed Australian bishop forgives alleged attacker
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 …
Read More »US & EU eye new sanctions on Iran after attack
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 …
Read More »Fierce storm lashes UAE as Dubai diverts flights
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 …
Read More »IMF raises India’s GDP forecast to 6.8% for 2024-25
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 …
Read More »Putin urges restraint in call with Raisi as tensions soar
18-04-2024 MOSCOW/ TEHRAN: Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for restraint as Israel weighs its response to Iran’s unprecedented weekend drone and missile attack. Putin made the remarks in a phone call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Tuesday. The leaders discussed what the Kremlin called “retaliatory measures taken by …
Read More »China’s newest ally in the Pacific goes to the polls
18-04-2024 BEIJING/ SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Solomon Islands, the night before an election is known as Devil’s Night. Political candidates offer bribes handing out everything from cash and boat motors, sacks of rice and solar panels to secure last-minute votes. Vote-buying has been a common tactic in the Pacific …
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