Author: News Desk

WASHINGTON :  Congress averted a catastrophic debt default early Wednesday morning after Democratic majorities in both chambers voted to send a $2.5 trillion increase in the nation’s borrowing authority to President Joe Biden over lockstep Republican opposition. Capping a marathon day, the House gave final approval to the legislation early Wednesday morning on a near-party-line 221-209 vote, defusing a volatile issue until after the 2022 midterm elections. The action came just hours shy of a deadline set by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who warned last month that she was running out of maneuvering room to avoid the nation’s first-ever default.…

High school students in India will be given full marks for a national exam question criticized as “blatantly misogynist” by the country’s opposition party. Parents and social media users also lashed out at India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which later apologized for the question and said it would be dropped from the paper with no penalty to students. The controversial passage was part of the English Language and Literature exam given to Year 10 students (typically 15 to 16 years old) over the weekend, according to CBSE.

he United Arab Emirates has suspended a multi-billion dollar deal to buy US-made F-35 fighter jets, in a sign of Abu Dhabi’s growing frustration with Washington’s attempts to limit Chinese technology sales to the oil-rich Gulf state. “The UAE has informed the US that it will suspend discussions to acquire the F-35,” an Emirati official told CNN. “Technical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions, and cost/benefit analysis led to the re-assessment.” “The UAE and US were working toward an understanding that would address mutual defense security conditions for the acquisition,” the official added. “The US remains the UAE’s preferred provider for advanced defense requirements…

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the return of a major winter tourism push aimed at driving up visitor numbers for all seven emirates. The ‘world’s coolest winter’ campaign sets out to cement the country’s growing status as a leading tourism destination both at home and abroad. Sheikh Mohammed said departments across the Emirates would work as one to celebrate the best the country has to offer. Local and federal tourism departments are working as one team to establish the UAE as a major tourist destination,” said Sheikh Mohammed on twitter. Sheikh Mohammed said the goal of the scheme…

BRUSSELS : The head of the European Union’s executive branch said Wednesday that omicron is expected to be the dominant coronavirus variant in the 27-nation bloc by mid-January, amid concerns that a dramatic rise in infections will leave Europe shrouded in gloom during the holiday season. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is well prepared to fight omicron with 66.6% of the bloc’s population fully vaccinated. Von der Leyen expressed disappointment that the pandemic will again disrupt year-end celebrations but said she was confident the EU has the “strength” and “means” to overcome COVID-19. “Like many of you,…

Washington : When Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert cracked a racist, Islamophobic joke about Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, it was not the first time she mocked the Muslim congresswoman. Boebert had derided Omar during a House floor debate last month, taunting the Somali-born, Muslim-American immigrant as a member of the “jihad squad” of liberal lawmakers, AP reports. The House on Tuesday took the first formal step at a response, with a 219-212 party-line vote to approve legislation sponsored by Omar that would establish a new special envoy position at the State Department to monitor and combat Islamophobia worldwide. In introducing the…

Bahrain : BRAVE CF 56 will mark not only the very first event promoted by the truly global MMA promotion in Serbia but also wrap up the organization’s 2021 calendar. With the fight night scheduled to take place on December 18, the first fighters are already arriving in Belgrade. BRAVE CF President Mohammed Shahid who expressed his excitement about the promotion’s inaugural venture to the Balkans country. “We are excited to be in Serbia for the first time,” says Shahid. “BRAVE CF 56 is in partnership with the Serbian national MMA federation who are some real visionaries and have big…

Hong Kong : Dozens of people were trapped on the rooftop of a Hong Kong skyscraper after a fire broke out on Wednesday, as firefighters rushed to rescue them and put out the blaze. Shoppers and restaurant customers were among those still inside the World Trade Centre, a retail and office complex in the city’s Causeway Bay district, Hong Kong police said. The fire started in the early afternoon at the World Trade Centre on Gloucester Road, a government notice said. The 38-story building houses offices, restaurants and a shopping centre. Twelve people felt unwell and were taken to hospital,…

Bahrain :  Southern Governor His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa hailed the security, stability and prosperity in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He lauded the royal directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, hailing the follow-up and support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. In a statement today, the Southern Governor commended the directives and support of the Minister of Interior General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. He was speaking as he honoured the ministry’s security affiliates on the occasion of the Bahrain…

Manama: In light of the integration of the work of the institutions in Bahrain concerned with the care of children, women and the family, the Public Prosecution finds that its duties in providing protection and welfare, while carrying out its judicial duties, calls it to extend its role in contributing to these remarkable national efforts. This is to be achieved by accelerating the prosecution of criminal cases relating to these categories. This requires protection and care, making recommendations and submitting proposals to reduce the number of these cases and their causes. https://youtu.be/uB-MShhDTyo The Public Prosecution has been given the authority…