Top News

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

18-04-2024 MADRID/ AMSTERDAM: The heir to the Dutch throne, Princess Amalia, lived in Spain for at least a year because of severe threats made against her, Dutch media report. The crown princess studied in Madrid because of the security situation and enjoyed greater freedom of movement there, according to sources …

18-04-2024 BRUSSELS: Brussels police were ordered to shut down a conference for right-wing politicians, including Brexiteer Nigel Farage and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Tuesday. People were stopped from entering the National Conservatism Conference a few hours after it began, organizers said – although it continued for those inside. …

17-04-2024 TEHRAN/ TEL AVIV/ GAZA CITY: Tehran is tense, two days after Iran’s unprecedented direct attack on Israel. Worried about war and its impact on Iran’s already flailing economy, a significant proportion of Iranians oppose what they see as the reckless adventurism of the country’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps …

17-04-2024 NEW YORK/ LONDON/ TEHRAN: Oil prices slipped lower after Iran’s weekend attack on Israel proved to be less damaging than anticipated, easing concerns of a quickly intensifying conflict that could displace crude barrels. Brent futures for June delivery settled at $90.10 a barrel, down 35 cents, or 0.4%. US …

17-04-2024 Bureau Report + Agencies NEW DELHI/ MUMBAI: The Indian rupee ended at a record closing low on Tuesday, as rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and worries that the Federal Reserve will delay interest rate cuts triggered a selloff in risky assets. The rupee ended at 83.5350 to …

17-04-2024 UNITED NATIONS/ KHARTOUM: Indiscriminate attacks against civilians in Sudan could constitute “war crimes and crimes against humanity,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said, one year after war erupted between rival generals in the East African country. The United Nations has said nearly 25 million people, half Sudan’s population, need …