Middle East latest: Israeli strikes kill 11 as Lebanon cease-fire efforts appear to gain steam

The lone Congress MP from Gujarat, Geniben Thakor, has requested permission from the Lok Sabha Speaker to address the blast at a firecracker factory in Banaskantha’s Deesa that claimed the lives of 21 individuals. Thakor criticized the BJP-led government in Gujarat for previous tragedies, urging the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the incident and take strict actions against those accountable. The blast resulted in the death of 21 workers, including children, and injuries...

The disappearance of iconic high street brands like Woolworths, WH Smith, and BHS has left a bittersweet mark on our shopping history, as these stores were more than just places to buy goods, but a part of daily life and the fabric of town centres. Rising rents, changing consumer habits, and the rise of online shopping have all contributed to the decline of these beloved stores, altering the landscape of our high streets forever. With...

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced a major expansion of the military operation in Gaza, with plans to seize large areas of the enclave to enhance Israel's security zones. Katz emphasized the need for a large-scale evacuation of population from conflict zones and called on Gazans to eliminate Hamas and return Israeli hostages to end the war. The extent of the land Israel intends to seize was not specified, but previous actions include setting up...

EU antitrust regulators will decide by May 12 on whether to approve Abu Dhabi state oil giant ADNOC's $17.2bn takeover of German chemicals company Covestro, as part of efforts to reduce oil dependency. The European Commission can clear the deal with or without conditions or open a four-month investigation, potentially under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. ADNOC's bid for Covestro awaits confirmation, following a similar case involving UAE telecoms group e&’s acquisition of Czech telecoms company...

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Elon Musk promised $100 to Pennsylvanians for signing a petition supporting free speech and gun rights, as well as $47 for recruiting others, eventually increasing the payment to $100. A canvasser for Musk's America PAC is now suing him for failing to pay $20,000 for signatures, with the lawsuit filed as a class action to seek payment for other workers. Musk's super PAC claims to have paid most signers, and...

The federal government has ended its consumer carbon pricing, aimed at reducing emissions, which added a tax to carbon emitting fuels and provided rebates to offset costs. The program was successful, with projections showing it would cut emissions by 8 to 14 percent by 2030. However, the impact of losing the consumer carbon price will depend on maintaining other climate policies, such as targets for electric vehicles and clean fuel standards. Full Article