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 …
Read More »Colorado Supreme Court kicks Trump off ballot
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 …
Read More »Earthquake in Northwestern China Kills at Least 127
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. …
Read More »Dozens more martyred in Israeli air attacks across Gaza
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 …
Read More »US forms 10-nation coalition against Houthi attacks in Red Sea
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, …
Read More »Indian shares snap rally to record highs as financials weigh
20-12-2023 Bureau Report + Agencies NEW DELHI/ BENGALURU: India’s Nifty 50 and Sensex fell on Monday after rallying to record highs for most of this month as high-weightage banks took a breather following a recent rise. The benchmark NSE Nifty 50 index (.NSEI) lost 0.18% to 21,418.65 points, while the …
Read More »Too many civilians killed in Israel-Hamas conflict: UK PM
20-12-2023 LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Monday too many civilian lives had been lost in the Israel-Hamas conflict and he repeated his call for a “sustainable ceasefire” to allow the release of hostages. Sunak’s spokesman said a sustainable ceasefire was one that could last but he added …
Read More »Petrol stations hit by cyberattack in Iran
20-12-2023 TEHRAN: Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji on Monday confirmed that a nationwide disruption to petrol stations was caused by a cyberattack. A hacking group that Iran accuses of having links to Israel claimed it carried out the attack which disrupted services at petrol stations across the country on Monday, …
Read More »Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples
20-12-2023 VATICAN CITY: The Vatican said on Monday in a landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies. A document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office said such blessings would …
Read More »Texas Governor signs bill making illegal immigration a state crime
20-12-2023 HOUSTON: Texas Governor Greg Abbott traveled to the Rio Grande Valley on Monday to sign into law three bills that pour more money into his three-year effort to deter illegal immigration at the Texas-Mexico border and give Texas law enforcement authority to arrest undocumented immigrants anywhere in the state. …
Read More »