World

11

Aug

By The Press Editor

World

Ousted Syrian president Bashar Assad sentenced to death for crimes against humanity

Damascus: A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced ousted President Bashar Assad to death in absentia over crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during Syria’s 14-year conflict, which is estimated to have claimed around half a million lives. Assad’s younger brother, Maher Assad, was also sentenced to death in the same case. The court additionally handed down a death sentence to Atef Najib, Assad’s maternal cousin, for his alleged role in leading a violent crackdown in the southern province of Daraa that helped trigger the 2011 uprising and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of Syria’s civil war. The verdict was…

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11

Aug

By The Press Editor

World

Hiding in catering container, taking smaller aircraft: How Trump survived Iran assassination bid in Turkey

Washington: US President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during his visit to Turkey last month by secretly switching aircraft and hiding in a catering container before leaving the country in a smaller C-32A jet after initially arriving on an older Boeing 747-8 Air Force One. According to a new report by The Washington Post, Trump was discreetly transferred from the older Air Force One aircraft to the smaller C-32A before flying to Britain. The report, citing an anonymous US official, said Trump was moved inside a catering container that was taken from the Boeing 747 to the smaller aircraft. The operation…

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11

Aug

By The Press Editor

World

US court dismisses criminal case against Gautam Adani, billionaire hails decision

New York: A US court has dismissed with prejudice the criminal charges against Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani and former Adani Green Energy CEO Vneet Jaain, bringing an end to nearly two years of proceedings in an alleged bribery and securities-fraud case. The US District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved the Justice Department’s Rule 48(a) motion to dismiss the indictment against the three defendants. The charges included conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud. Judge Nicholas Garaufis approved the dismissal after seeking additional explanations from federal…

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11

Aug

By The Press Editor

World

Iran demands $300 billion war damage compensation, Trump rejects, says Tehran should pay for those killed

Washington: Donald Trump on Tuesday rejected Iran's demand for compensation for damage caused by US and Israeli strikes during the ongoing conflict, instead demanding that Tehran should be paying the US and be held accountable for deaths and injuries linked to its attacks. Iran has reportedly sought USD 300 billion in compensation from Washington for war-related damage, along with the release of up to USD 100 billion in frozen Iranian assets. Tehran has linked these demands to any agreement to fully reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Iran’s compensation demand as an “interesting…

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11

Aug

By The Press Editor

World

Colombia earthquake death toll rises to 132, hundreds injured; President declares national emergency

BOGOTA (Colombia): A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday killing at least 132 people, injuring hundreds and causing dozens of buildings to collapse in several cities, CNN reported quoting the Colombian Association of Capital Cities. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS) and Colombia's counterpart, the quake occurred at a depth of around 66 miles (107 kilometres). The powerful tremor was also felt across the border in neighbouring Ecuador.  Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a national emergency, saying, "this government assumes with resolve, total readiness, and absolute commitment the comprehensive care of the victims and the…

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10

Aug

By The Press Editor

World

20 killed, several buildings collapsed as massive earthquake of 7.4-magnitude jolts Colombia

BOGOTA (Colombia): A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least twenty people and causing dozens of buildings to collapse in several cities. The strong tremors trapped people under debris, left several others injured and triggered evacuations in areas as far away as the capital Bogota. The earthquake struck San Jose Del Palmar, a community of around 4,800 people in Colombia's Choco region, which is located nearly 250 miles (400 kilometres) west of Bogota. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS) and Colombia's counterpart, the quake occurred at a depth of around 66 miles (107 kilometres). The powerful tremor…

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10

Aug

By The Press Editor

World

Ukrainian drone strike on Central Russian region of Tatarstan kills 12 people, several injured

Moscow: At least 12 people were killed in a strike by a Ukrainian drone on the central Russian region of Tatarstan. According to reports, this is one of Kyiv's most deadly single attacks of the more than four-year war. "According to the latest information, 12 people have been killed and 39 wounded as a result of the drone attack," on the city of Nizhnekamsk, the regional press service said in a statement. Unverified footage on social media showed a large black smoke cloud billowing over an oil facility near the industrial city of Nizhnekamsk in Russia. According to reports, the…

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10

Aug

By The Press Editor

World

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian meets Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei amid reports of critical health

Tehran: Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei recently, said the latter's office on Sunday, without revealing details of the meeting, and when and where it took place. The meeting holds significance as Khamenei has not appeared before the public since assuming the charge as Supreme Leader. "Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian met Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and spoke with him at the start of his third year in the presidency," a statement by Khamenei's office read.  The meeting is crucial as Pezeshkian had recently said that communication with 56-year-old Khamenei has become "extremely difficult", even as he insisted the…

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10

Aug

By The Press Editor

World

Who is Varun Batchigari? Indian student arrested for killing girlfriend in US

Arizona (USA): A 20-year-old Indian man wanted for the murder of his 19-year-old girlfriend in Arizona has been arrested in Germany, as per US media reports. Varun Batchigari is suspected of murdering college student Julissa Rubi Salazar, who was found inside her apartment near the University of Arizona in Tucson on Thursday. The police found her body with signs of trauma and they suspected of sexual assault, going with reports. The accused has been charged with first degree murder.  Motive for murder; here's what investigation revealed  Following the crime, Batchigari tried to flee United States and stole her phone, credit cards…

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10

Aug

By The Press Editor

World

Former IRGC chief Mohsen Rezaee appointed head of Iran’s top national security body: Why does it matter?

Tehran: Former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief Mohsen Rezaee has been appointed by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei as his representative to Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), a decree published on Sunday said. He will replace Mohammad Baqir Zolghadr, who took up leadership of the council in March.  Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabaei, Deputy of Communications and Information of the Office of the President, made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter). "In light of the resignation of Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr from his position as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and his appointment to new functions, President Masoud Pezeshkian…

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