Facing uncertainty after overthrow of al-Assad, Biden orders airstrikes on Islamic State in Syria

Dec92024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Facing uncertainty after overthrow of al-Assad, Biden orders airstrikes on Islamic State in Syria

New York: Facing uncertainty in Syria after the rapid overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, Washington bombed sites controlled by Islamic State, a group on the terrorist list, as President Joe Biden’s administration tried to recalibrate its policy for that country. The US faces a quandary because the rebels who have captured Damascus and sent al-Assad into exile in Russia are led by an organisation that is also listed as terrorist, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), for its al-Qaeda link. While celebrating the fall of al-Assad, Biden addressed the “risk and uncertainty” in Syria to Washington and the region and the initial US response. “Just today, US forces conducted a dozen precision strikes, airstrikes, within Syria targeting ISIS camps and ISIS operatives”, he said. “We’re clear-eyed abou...

Dec92024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Healthy diets reduce chronic pain: Australian study

SOUTH ASIA, SPECIAL, SPORTS, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Canberra: Adopting a healthy diet can reduce the severity of chronic pain, an Australian research has found. In a new study, researchers from the University of South Australia found a direct link between greater consumption of food within the federal government's Australian Dietary Guidelines and lower levels of body pain, particularly among women, reports Xinhua news agency. "It's common knowledge that eating well is good for your health and well-being. But knowing that simple changes to your diet could offset chronic pain could be life-changing," Sue Ward, a co-author of the study, said. Previous research has found that over 30 per cent of people globally suffer from chronic pain, with women and people who are overweight or obese more likely to be affected. The new study foun...

Dec92024 by thestatelineNo Comments

28 killed, 37 injured in bombardment of fuel station in Sudan’s capital

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Khartoum: At least 28 people were killed and 37 others injured in a bombardment targeting a fuel station south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, according to a volunteer group and local media. "The ammonia fuel station, in the new Market 6 in Mayo neighborhood, north of Bashair Hospital, was bombed, resulting in significant human and material losses," South Khartoum Emergency Room, a local volunteer group, said in a statement on Sunday. The injuries included 29 burn cases, three of which were first-degree burns, and eight cases of shrapnel wounds, Xinhua news agency reported. The group said medical efforts were going on to deal with the incident, calling for additional medical assistance for the injured. The Sudanese news portal Al-Rakoba confirmed on Sunday that 28 people were...

Dec92024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Pakistan: 22 terrorists, 6 security members killed in military operations

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Islamabad: Twenty-two terrorists and six security members were killed in separate military operations in Pakistan, the military said. Security forces conducted the operations in various districts of the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in a statement on Saturday. During an intelligence-based operation in Tank district, nine terrorists were killed and six others injured, Xinhua news agency reported. In another operation, 10 terrorists were killed after security forces engaged terrorists' location in North Waziristan district of the province. Separately, security forces successfully thwarted terrorists' attempt to attack a security check post in Hangu district and killed three terrori...

Dec82024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Maharashtra: 106 legislators-elect take oath as MLA

INDIA, SOUTH ASIA, SPECIAL, SPORTS, STATE'S

Mumbai: Remembering gods and saints, on the second day of the special session of the Maharashtra legislature, 106 newly elected members on Sunday took oath as Members ofthe Legislative Assembly (MLA). A total of 173 MLAs took oath on the first day, and so far, 279 MLAs have been sworn in. As the remaining eight MLAs were absent, their swearing-in will take place on Monday. After the swearing-in of 106 legislators, Protem Speaker Kalidas Kolamkar adjourned the House for the day. The proceedings of the second day of the state assembly started at 11 a.m. The Maha Vikas Aghadi on Saturday had boycotted oath-taking. However, the state Congress president Nana Patole was the first to take oath on Sunday He tried to dissuade the Treasury bench members with the Constitution book i...

Dec32024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Israel buys advanced drones to bolster battlefield capabilities: Ministry

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Jerusalem: Israel's Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday the purchase of $40 million worth of advanced drones and autonomous systems from Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons and defence manufacturer. Under the contracts, Elbit will supply intelligence-collection drones, mission-specific drones, and mini-drones designed for precision strikes in urban areas, Xinhua news agency reported. The new systems feature "advanced capabilities and are designed for various missions, including precise intelligence gathering and targeted strikes," said the ministry, adding that it strengthens the military's autonomous combat capabilities on the battlefield. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been engaged in multi-front conflicts involving Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and a major military campaign i...

Dec32024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Nearly 4,000 families displaced by floods in Kenya

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Nairobi: About 4,000 households have been displaced by floods in Kenya, a government official said Tuesday. Raymond Omollo, principal secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, said the most affected families are in the western part of the country. "Busia and Kisumu counties are among the hardest-hit following heavy rainfall over the past week, which has displaced 3,970 households. The displacement has been largely attributed to the overflow of rivers Nzoia, Nyando, Yala, Miriu and Awach," Omollo said in a statement issued in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. He said that as part of a long-term strategy, the government will relocate communities at risk to better housing facilities and redesign 30-meter riparian corridors along the rivers and other large water ...

Dec22024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Putin to visit India in early 2025 at PM Modi’s invitation; dates yet to be finalised

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Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India in early 2025 following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, confirmed Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. The visit is being planned as part of the ongoing commitment to annual meetings between the two leaders. "Our leaders have an agreement to meet once a year. This time, it is our turn," Ushakov said during a press briefing. He added that Russia has received the invitation from PM Modi and would respond positively. "We will figure out the tentative dates early next year," he noted. The announcement underscores the deep ties between New Delhi and Moscow, even as global geopolitical tensions continue to shape international relations. Putin's visit to India will focus on strengthening strategic cooperation in c...

Dec22024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Mamata Banerjee seeks UN intervention in Bangladesh crisis

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Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Monday, sought the intervention of the United Nations (UN) in the ongoing crisis in neighbouring Bangladesh. She also floated a proposal for the Union government to consider peacekeeping forces in Bangladesh following the UN intervention. “These are my proposals. Let the Prime Minister give a statement on the matter and seek UN intervention,” the Chief Minister said after mentioning these two proposals on the floor of the state Assembly. She also explained the reasons for the proposals. “I do not want to speak about illegal infiltrations. This is entirely a matter of the Union government and we always accept the central decisions in the matter. But, the Union government has been silent on the Bangladesh issue for the last ten...

Dec22024 by thestatelineNo Comments

Houthi drone attack kills six in Yemen’s Taiz

SOUTH ASIA, SPORTS, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Aden: A Houthi drone attack on a popular market in Yemen's Taiz province killed six people and injured eight others. The local pro-government military official, who requested anonymity, said on Sunday that "the Houthi bombing occurred in the Maqbanah district of Taiz during a busy market day when dozens of local residents were present," Xinhua news agency reported. The attack has drawn strong condemnation from the Yemeni government, which directly blamed the Houthi group for the incident. Muammar al-Eryani, Yemen's information minister, described the bombing as an "extension of brutal and deliberate killings" carried out by Houthi militias against civilians in Taiz. The minister called for international action and urged the United Nations and various human rights organisations ...