Those that missed out on Dubai’s record-breaking New Year’s Eve light show now have a few extra weeks to see it. The seven-minute display, which was originally believed to be a one-off on the night of December 31-January 1, was…
Author: editor
‘Coach’ actor and comedian Jerry Van Dyke dies at 86
Actor and comedian Jerry Van Dyke, who won four Emmy nominations for his role in the US sitcom Coach, has died at 86. His wife Shirley Ann Jones told US media he had died at his Arkansas ranch on Friday.…
It’s changed our lives, says mum who took royal photos
The mum who took a once-in-a-lifetime photograph of four beaming royals on Christmas Day says it has changed her and her daughter Rachel’s lives. “My phone will ring at work and I have to say to my colleagues, ‘oh it’s…
Trump says book is ‘a work of fiction’
Donald Trump has rejected doubts over his mental health raised in a bombshell new book, describing the book as “fiction” and the author as a “fraud”. His remarks followed an earlier rebuttal on Twitter, in which the president claimed he…
Daylong road blockade in BD hill district Khagrachhari
khagrachhari, Jan 6 – The United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) and its like-minded tribal organisations enforced a daylong road and waterway blockade in the district on Saturday protesting the killing of Mithun Chakma, an Adivasi human rights defender.
Plane evacuated after Toronto airport collision
A plane that had just landed in Toronto was evacuated after it was struck by an empty aircraft pushing back from a gate, the airline said. WestJet airlines said its Boeing 737-800 carrying 168 passengers and six crew was waiting…
Tillerson ‘never questioned’ Trump’s mental health
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says he has “never questioned” President Trump’s mental health after the author of controversial book said his staff saw him as a “child”. Michael Wolff says Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House…
Mild cold wave grips Bangladesh – fog disrupts air-river traffic
Dhaka, 05 Jan – A mild cold wave has been sweeping across Bangladesh causing immense sufferings for the poor people and dense fog that had come in its wake has disrupted flights and river ferry services.
Indian accused of sex assault on US flight
US authorities have arrested an Indian man after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her as she slept in the seat next to him on a US flight. Prabhu Ramamoorthy, 34, was sitting between his own wife and the…
Oman’s expat population to fall 10pc by 2040
The percentage of expats making up Oman’s population is expected to fall dramatically by 2040, as Omanisation plans take effect. Government analysts suggest that the number of foreigners living in the sultanate will fall by 10 per cent within 22…
UAE consumers to pay 25pc more for some products
The introduction of value added tax on January 1 could mean UAE consumers pay 25 per cent more for some cheaper products, according to reports. The National cited the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi as confirming that shops…
Pre-2018 leases exempt from VAT, says Saudi tax authority
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Zakat and Tax (GAZT) has announced that all lease contracts that were concluded before January 1 are exempt from VAT. The announcement affects assets that were delivered under leasing or rental deals last year including…
Wolff book on administration is ‘full of lies’: Trump
Donald Trump says a newly released book containing damaging allegations about his administration is “full of lies”. The book cites former top aide Steve Bannon as describing a meeting with a group of Russians at which Mr Trump’s son was…
Aadhaar ‘leak’ worries Indians
Indian officials in charge of a controversial biometric identity scheme have filed a police complaint after a report that citizens’ personal details were being sold for as little as 500 rupees ($7.8;£5.8) online. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)…
Seven bkash agents held for alleged illegal transaction
Dhaka, 03 Jan – The Crime Investigation department (CID) arrested seven bkash Agent for allegation of illegal transactions. CID said seven agents of bkash were arrested on Wednesday in several districts of the country. Eight money laundering cases were filed…
‘Observance of national days to made mandatory’
Dhaka, 04 Jan – Two lawyers filed a writ petition seeking High Court order for making mandatory the observance of eight National Days, including Independence Day and Martyrs Intellectuals Day, for all political parties and citizens. The petition also sought…
Billionaires, fiscal paradise, world’s debt, and victims
By Roberto Savio Rome, Jan 2 (IPS) – Among Bloomberg’s many profitable activities is a convenient Bloomberg Billionaires Index that has just published its findings for 2017. It covers only the 500 richest people, and it proudly announces that they…
Saudi Arabia raises fuel prices
Saudi Arabia raised local gasoline prices, state news agency SPA reported. The initiative, aimed at more efficient energy use, coincides with an ambitious reform plan to boost sources of revenue and wean the world’s top crude exporter away from oil.…
Saudi Aramco to establish world-class maritime yard
Saudi Aramco has entered into a joint venture to establish, develop and operate a world-class maritime yard. The oil giant signed an agreement to work with Lamprell plc, the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri), and Hyundai Heavy Industries…
Saudi Arabia, UAE introduce VAT for first time
Value Added Tax (VAT) has been introduced in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for the first time. The 5% levy is being applied to the majority of goods and services. Gulf states have long attracted foreign workers with…
China’s ban on ivory trade comes into force
China has long been one of the world’s biggest markets for ivory, but as of 2018 all trade in ivory and ivory products in the country is illegal. The move is being hailed as a major development in efforts to…
Two hurt as barge carrying New Year fireworks display catches fire
Two people were injured when a barge carrying a New Year fireworks display caught fire at an Australian beach. A few minutes into the show at Terrigal Beach in New South Wales, an apparent malfunction caused fireworks to go off…
Trump’s security strategy is one of thuggery and intimidation
By Dr Elias Akleh During his national security speech last Monday, December 18th Trump introduced his administration’s new “America First” national security strategy in a surprisingly unaccustomed calm and calculated mannerism that is uncharacteristic of him. Although it seemed that…
Two Saudi princes released from detention
Two sons of Saudi Arabia’s late King Abdullah have been released from detention at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel, days after nearly two dozen other detainees in the kingdom’s two-month-old anti-corruption campaign were also freed. Saudi Arabia’s attorney general approved the release…
Teen activist Peltier who scolded Trudeau to address UN
At just 13 years old, Autumn Peltier has become an internationally known advocate for water protection, especially for Canada’s indigenous people. What’s next? The United Nations. A year ago, Autumn found herself face-to-face with Justin Trudeau at the Assembly of…
‘Iron fist’ threatened if Iran unrest continues
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned anti-government protesters they will face the nation’s “iron fist” if political unrest continues. Three days of demonstrations erupted over falling living standards. But a Revolutionary Guards commander said the protests had degenerated into people chanting…
Year 2017 turns deadly for journalists in India
Nava Thakuria Guwahati, 30 Dec – As the year 2017 sets to bid adieu, India finds itself in an awkward position with the annual statistics of 12 journalists either murdered or killed in suspicious situations. The populous country, known as…
Rampal power plant impact on Sunderbans to emerge soon
Dhaka 30 Dec – Leaders of the National Committee to Protect Sundarbans said on Saturday that 13 research reports on the Sundarbans by world class scientists have been handed over to the prime minister’s SDG affairs coordinator Abul Kalam Azad.
Brexit infecting government, says Lord Adonis
Brexit is “infecting” the whole conduct of government, Lord Adonis has told the BBC in the wake of his resignation as infrastructure advisor. The Labour peer quit his role as chairman of the government’s Infrastructure Commission with an attack on…
Millennials to enjoy ‘inheritance boom’
Millennials will enjoy the biggest “inheritance boom” of any post-war generation, but it will be too late to solve housing struggles and wealth inequality, a UK report says. Those who have parents and grandparents in the “baby boomer” generation will…