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 …
Read More »Iran, Saudi to restore ties in China-brokered deal
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 …
Read More »Australia, India pledge to strengthen economic & security ties
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 …
Read More »Ex-Malaysia PM charged with corruption over COVID spending
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 …
Read More »Mexico cartel apologizes for kidnapping Americans
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 …
Read More »Artificial Intelligence plans during Paris Olympics dangerous
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 …
Read More »Canada amends terror laws to allow aid to Afghanistan
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 …
Read More »California readies for yet another big storm
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 …
Read More »Xi Jinping elected as president of China for third time
11-03-2023 BEIJING: Xi Jinping was handed a third term as Chinese president on Friday, capping a rise that has seen him become the country’s most powerful leader in generations. The appointment by China’s parliament comes after Xi locked in another five years as head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) …
Read More »Iconic Indian soft drink set to make a comeback
11-03-2023 Bureau Report NEW DELHI: Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Group is set to relaunch an iconic 50-year-old beverage brand, Campa Cola, this summer. It bought the brand from its makers, Pure Drinks, last August for 220 million rupees ($2.7m; £2.2m). The soda will be offered in cola, lemon and …
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