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Five people killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes, say medics
Health officials reported that Israeli strikes killed at least five Palestinians on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, as ceasefire attempts to end the fighting between Israel's militant Hamas group failed. Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza in the weeks following the end of its joint bombing campaign with the U.S. against Iran. Hamas is tightening their grip in Gaza while Israeli troops still control more than half of the territory. Medical personnel reported that an Israeli strike had killed a Palestinian in a tent camp near a police station and another one at a tent encampment?in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces said they killed a militant that posed a direct threat to the local forces. Gaza medics have also reported that another Israeli airstrike in central Gaza killed at least 3 people in a community kitchen located near Al-Aqsa Hospital. The Israeli military didn't immediately comment on that incident. The Israeli military announced on Saturday that Izz al Din al Haddad, the leader of Hamas’ armed wing, had been killed by what they described as an accurate strike in Gaza City. Hamas acknowledged Haddad's demise but did not threaten revenge. HAMAS COMMANDER KILLED BY CAR Israeli military claimed that it also killed Bahaa Baroud, the Hamas Operations Headquarters Commander, in an airstrike Saturday. They accused him of planning numerous imminent attacks against Israeli troops and civilians over recent weeks. The military claimed that Baroud was a direct threat, and it was targeted with a "precise" strike. They also said that they had taken measures to minimize civilian injury, such as the use of?precision munitions? and?aerial monitoring?. Gaza's health officials confirmed that Baroud and another person were killed in an airstrike which targeted the car they were in in Gaza City. Israel and Hamas are unable to progress in their indirect talks on President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, which is intended to bring an end to more than two years fighting by ending the war with Hamas as it disarms along with Israeli troops leaving Gaza. According to figures that don't distinguish between civilians and combatants,?870 Palestinians were killed by?Israeli attacks since the October ceasefire. In the same time period, militants killed four Israeli soldiers. Hamas doesn't disclose the number of casualties amongst its fighters. (Reporting and editing by Kirsty Donovan, Alex Richardson, Maayan Libell; Additional reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi)
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IAEA says UAE radiation levels normal after drone strike near Barakah plant
The Abu Dhabi Media Office reported on Sunday that authorities in 'Abu Dhabi' responded to an fire caused by a drone strike on a?electrical genset outside the inner perimeter at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, in Al Dhafra Region. The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) confirmed that the essential systems of the plant were working normally. The statement didn't give any indication as to?how the drone attack happened. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that the UAE informed it that radiation levels at Barakah Plant remained normal after the incident. The U.N. nuclear watchdog said that the IAEA was "following the situation closely" and in constant contact with?UAE officials, ready to offer assistance if necessary. The UAE was repeatedly targeted by?drones and missiles during the Israel, U.S., Iran conflict. The UAE's Foreign Ministry said that it "categorically" rejected Iranian allegations and attempts to justify attacks against the UAE. It added, "that it reserves its sovereign, legal, diplomatic, and military rights to respond to threats or hostile acts." Reporting by Tala RAMADAN Editing by Peter Graff & Barbara Lewis
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Four Russians are killed by Ukraine drones in Russia. This is the biggest attack on Moscow in more than a year
At least 'four' people were killed by a major Ukrainian drone strike on Russian -regions including Moscow. This was the largest attack Moscow has faced in over a year. Authorities announced on Sunday that three people were killed in the Moscow Region and one in Belgorod. The regional governor of Moscow, Andrei?Vorobyov, said that a woman died when a house was hit in Khimki to the north of the capital. He added that rescuers were searching for a second person among the debris. Two men died?in the village Pogorelki, in the Mytishchi District. He said that a number of?residential buildings and infrastructure facilities had been damaged. TASS, citing Sergei Sobyanin as the mayor, reported that air defences had destroyed 81 drones heading for Moscow since midnight. This is the largest attack on the capital of over a calendar year. Sobyanin reported that 12 people were injured, mostly near the entrance of Moscow's oil refining plant, while three houses were damaged. He added that the "technology" of refinery was not affected. The Russian defence ministry said that 556 drones had been shot down over the country during the night and early morning. The largest airport in the country, Moscow's Sheremetyevo, said that drone debris landed on its land without causing damage. Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Anton Kolodyazhnyy, Editing by Raju Gopikrishnan & William Mallard
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Sun reports that UK government will not raise fuel tax as planned.
The Sun newspaper reported late on Saturday that British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves will announce next week that she plans to postpone the planned 'rise in motor fuel tax that was due to take place 'in September. The temporary fuel duty reduction, first implemented in 2022 and due to expire this September, will increase fuel prices by 6 cents per litre. The British government has repeatedly extended this reduction. Most recently, in November's budget. And the Sun reported that Reeves is poised to do it again. A government insider told the newspaper: "They've been looking at fuel duties." A spokesperson for the British finance ministry responded to a question about the report by saying: "We don't comment on speculation." Since the beginning of the Iran War at the end February, global oil prices have increased by around 60%. Fuel duty, which raised 24 billion pounds last year, is a significant source of revenue. Budget watchdog in Britain bases its predictions on the'stated' government policy to increase fuel duty. However, in 'March, it said that if the government continued with past practices of not increasing fuel duty there would be an annual tax shortfall of 3.6 billion pounds in future years. British government bond prices fell on Friday. This pushed 10-year borrowing rates to their highest level since 2008. Investors were concerned that Starmer's leadership challenge would either force him to spend more money or replace him with a left-winger from his Labour Party.
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Tata Electronics, ASML to partner in India's first semiconductor manufacturing facility
Tata Electronics signed an agreement with?ASML to build India's front-end semiconductor manufacturing plant in the state of Gujarat, as India accelerated its efforts to develop a chip industry. In a joint press release, Tata Electronics and the Dutch chipmaking equipment manufacturer said that their technology would support the planned 300-millimetre fabrication plant for semiconductors in Gujarat. ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet stated that "India's rapidly growing semiconductor?sector presents many compelling opportunities. We are committed to building long-term partnerships in the region." Tata Electronics has announced that it is investing $11 billion in the development of a plant at Dholera, Gujarat. The plant will produce chips for applications as diverse as automotive, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence. India's Ministry of External Affairs announced that the deal was signed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra modi and Dutch Premier Rob Jetten. The two leaders met with the chief executives of leading Dutch companies in sectors such as energy, ports, and technology. Modi encouraged Dutch companies to invest in areas such as semiconductors and renewable energy. He also urged them to invest in digital technologies, healthcare, and digital technology. Both leaders called for the early implementation of a free trade agreement between India and the European Union. India has committed?billions in subsidies for attracting?semiconductor manufacturing plants and related manufacturing. Eight projects are currently underway, including a $14 Billion Tata Electronics facility in Gujarat. Dutch semiconductor firms are looking for new markets and geographic diversification in the face of export controls and trade restraints linked to U.S. and Chinese technology rivalry. (Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru. Mark Potter (Editing)
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India restricts imports of certain silver with immediate effect
According to a government notification published on Saturday, India has 'curbed' imports of some silver products, moving them from a "free" category to one that is "restricted". The government is attempting to reduce the importation of precious metals in order to relieve the pressure on foreign exchange reserves due to higher oil prices. The notification stated that the restriction on imports was only applicable to certain high purity silver bars, and also?certain other grades. India raised import tariffs for gold and silver on Tuesday from 6% to 15%. This could reduce demand in the second largest consumer of precious metals in the world, but also help the rupee and narrow India's trade surplus. India is the world's biggest consumer of silver. It is used in jewellery, coins, bars, and industrial applications from solar energy to electronics. Silver ETFs have seen record-breaking inflows of money over the last year.
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The Latvian President proposes an opposition politician as the next Prime Minister
Edgars Rinkevics, the Latvian president, proposed Andris Kubergs as the next prime minister after 'Evika Silina' resigned. Silina announced on Thursday that she would be stepping down. This caused the collapse of her entire coalition, just months ahead of an October election. Kulbergs will be able to take office as the leader of United List, the largest opposition bloc in Parliament if his cabinet and he are approved by lawmakers. "Given recent events, I believe the new 'prime minister' should come from the opposition parties," said?Rinkevics at a press conference. Silina fired Defence Minister Andris SPruds at the weekend, after two Ukrainian drones crossed into Latvia from Russia, and exploded in an oil storage facility. This was just the latest incident of a long lineage that has occurred among NATO members Latvia and Estonia. The Latvian army claimed it did not?detect? the drones that crossed from Russia. Silina blamed Spruds, saying that they 'didn't develop anti-drone systems fast enough. Spruds' Progressives Party withdrew its support on Wednesday from Silina's Government, leaving it without a parliamentary majority, and potentially vulnerable to a vote of no confidence. (Reporting Janis Laizans. Writing by Andrius Sytas. Editing by Louise Heavens, Mark Potter and Mark Potter
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In Thailand, a train accident that ignites a bus fire has left at least eight dead and 25 injured
Rescue officials and police reported that at least 'eight people' were killed, with 25 more injured after a train collision triggered a fire in a Bangkok public bus on Saturday. The firefighter and rescue crews were sent to the scene as flames consumed the bus and vehicles nearby, according to the report. Officials reported that rescue teams pulled injured victims out of the wreckage while fire crews battled with water hoses to try and contain the fire. They said that the fire had been brought under control. Crews were cooling down the area and releasing gas while continuing to search for survivors. The cause of the accident is under investigation. (Reporting and editing by Louise Heavens; Orathai Shriring, Panarat Thepgumpanat)
Israeli strikes kill four Palestinians, doctors say
Health officials reported that Israeli airstrikes on Gaza Strip killed four Palestinians.
Medical personnel confirmed that an Israeli strike had killed a Palestinian near a police station in Khan Younis,?in the?southern Gaza Strip. Israeli military claimed it had killed a militant that posed a direct threat to forces in an area located south of the enclave.
Gaza medics also reported that another Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza area killed at least 3?people? at a community cooking near Al-Aqsa Hospital.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on this incident. Israel and Hamas are still unable to progress indirect talks in order to implement President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, which is intended to bring an end to more than two years of conflict.
Israel has intensified its attacks on Gaza since it halted its joint bombing campaign with the U.S. against Iran. The military claims that Hamas fighters have tightened their grip in the devastated Palestinian territory. The Israeli military announced on 'Saturday that Izz al Din al-Haddad was killed by a 'precise strike' it called a day earlier in Gaza City.
Hamas acknowledged Haddad's demise but did not threaten revenge.
Israel has repeatedly carried out strikes against Gaza since the ceasefire began.
According to?numbers that don't distinguish between combatants and civilians, 870 Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes since October's ceasefire. Four Israeli soldiers were also killed by militants in the same time period.
Hamas doesn't disclose the number of casualties amongst its fighters. Reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi, Editing by Kirsten Doovan
(source: Reuters)