India’s Muslims split in response to Babri Masjid verdicton December 6, 2019India’s largest Muslim political groups are divided over how to respond to a Supreme Court ruling that favours Hindu’s right to a disputed site 27 years after Hindu nationalist mobs tore down a 16th-century mosque, an event that unleashed torrents of religious-motivated violence. The sharp split illustrates growing unease among India’s Muslims, who are struggling to […]
3 charged in Australia’s largest crystal meth seizureon December 5, 2019Three people have been charged with drug offenses over Australia’s largest seizure of methamphetamine, which had been smuggled to Melbourne from Bangkok in stereo speakers. Police estimate the 1.6 metric tons of the drug, also known as ice and crystal meth, had a street value of $818 million. The 37 kilogrammes of heroin also seized […]
Iran consulate in Iraq burns a 3rd time, amid premier talkson December 4, 2019BAGHDAD: Anti-government protesters burned an Iranian consulate in southern Iraq for a third time on Tuesday, as the country’s political leaders continued talks over selecting a new prime minister following weeks of widespread unrest. Five rockets landed inside Ain Al-Asad air base, a sprawling complex in Western Anbar which hosts US forces, without causing any […]
China repeats demand for rollback of US tariffs for dealon December 2, 2019BEIJING: China expects the US to roll back some tariffs on its exports as part of a trade deal, an official newspaper said Monday, reiterating Beijing’s insistence that President Donald Trump’s administration be “flexible” and “reasonable.” The Communist Party newspaper Global Times ran several articles Monday that emphasized there would be no deal without a […]
Australia investigates China plot to plant spy in Parliamenton November 25, 2019PERTH: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Monday that allegations of a Chinese plot to plant an agent into Australia’s Parliament are “deeply disturbing and troubling.” The Nine Network on Sunday aired explosive accusations that suspected Chinese operatives had offered Melbourne luxury car dealer Bo “Nick” Zhao $679,000 to run as a candidate for a […]
Former Trump adviser undercuts Trump impeachment defenseson November 22, 2019WASHINGTON: A former White House official said Thursday that President Donald Trump’s top European envoy was sent on a “domestic political errand” seeking investigations of Democrats, stunning testimony that dismantled a mainline of the president’s defense in the impeachment inquiry. In a riveting appearance on Capitol Hill, Fiona Hill also implored Republican lawmakers — and […]
Suzanne Mubarak in intensive careon November 22, 2019CAIRO: One of the sons of Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak has said his 78-year-old mother and former first lady is in hospital. Alaa Mubarak tweeted that Suzanne Mubarak was in intensive care but did not elaborate on her illness. He sought to reassure his followers and tweeted: “Things will be fine, God willing!” During […]
Palestinian journalists protest wounding of colleagueon November 18, 2019JERUSALEM: “The eyes of truth will never be blinded,” protesters’ placards read, as Palestinian journalists wore eye patches Sunday to decry the wounding of a colleague in the occupied West Bank. Muath Amarneh has been in an Israeli hospital since he was hit in the eye Friday during clashes between Israeli border police and Palestinian […]
At least 7 die, 25 hurt in Bangladesh gas pipeline explosionon November 17, 2019DHAKA: At least seven people were killed and another 25 injured after a gas pipeline exploded in southeastern Bangladesh on Sunday, police said. The explosion at Patharghata area in Chittagong district collapsed portions of a boundary wall of a nearby building, local police chief Mohammed Mohsin said. He said at least 25 people were hospitalized […]
Airstrikes kill 5 in northwest rebel-held Syrian villageon November 17, 2019BEIRUT: Syrian opposition activists say airstrikes on a rebel-held village in the country’s northwest killed five people. The Syrian Civil Defense and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three women were among the victims. Sunday’s airstrike hit the village of Mallaja in Idlib province, the last major rebel stronghold in Syria. Last week, […]