Author: Web Desk

Washington: The US Coast Guard Venezuela oil tanker enforcement has intensified after American forces have tracked another sanctioned vessel near Venezuelan waters. The move has followed a series of seizures as Washington has expanded pressure on Venezuela’s oil exports. US Coast Guard officials have said they have been pursuing an oil tanker in international waters close to Venezuela, marking the second such operation over the weekend and the third within a week. Unnamed US officials told American media that the action involved what was described as an active pursuit in the Caribbean Sea. According to those officials, the vessel has…

Kentucky: Jim Beam has announced that production at its main Kentucky distillery has been halted for the whole of 2026, as the bourbon maker reassesses output levels amid record stockpiles and mounting pressure from global trade tensions. The pause has been framed as an opportunity to invest in site upgrades while managing supply in a challenging market. The company, owned by Suntory Global Spirits, has said the distillery will remain closed throughout next year while improvements are carried out at the site. Jim Beam has explained that production levels are being reviewed to better match consumer demand and longer-term market…

Madrid: Spain ruling party regional poll has taken on national significance as residents of Extremadura vote in a snap election triggered by political deadlock and growing pressure on the governing Spanish Socialist Workers’ party. Although the election has been framed as a regional matter, analysts have said its outcome could shape the broader political landscape ahead of upcoming contests across Spain. Extremadura was once considered a stronghold of the PSOE but has been governed by the conservative People’s party since 2023. The current regional president, María Guardiola, called the election after opposition parties voted down the regional budget, forcing an…

Washington: US visa delays have prompted major technology companies Google and Apple to caution some employees against travelling abroad, as concerns that extended embassy appointment backlogs could leave workers unable to re-enter the United States. According to a report by Business Insider, Alphabet-owned Google and Apple have issued internal advisories to staff holding US work visas, urging them to avoid international travel unless absolutely necessary. Immigration law firms representing the companies have warned that delays for visa stamping appointments at US embassies and consulates have stretched as long as 12 months in some locations. The advisory applies to employees holding…

New Delhi: Weight loss jabs in India have become one of the fastest-growing segments in the pharmaceutical market, driven by a worsening national epidemic of obesity and diabetes. Appetite-suppressing injections such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic have entered the market within the past year and are being increasingly prescribed beyond their original medical purpose. In just eight months after regulatory approval, Mounjaro has emerged as India’s highest-selling drug, overtaking long-established antibiotics. The injectable medication, designed to regulate blood sugar while suppressing appetite, has been embraced by patients seeking rapid weight loss alongside diabetes control. Its success has prompted manufacturers to…

Brasília: Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has said the government will veto a bill passed by Congress that would significantly reduce the prison term of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to more than 27 years for leading an attempted coup after losing the 2022 election. The bill was approved late on Wednesday after clearing the lower house last week. It would reduce the minimum time Bolsonaro must serve in a closed prison regime from six years to just over two, depending on sentence reduction rules such as good behaviour and participation in reading programmes. Speaking to…

Seoul: Hair loss insurance has moved into the policy spotlight in South Korea after President Lee Jae Myung has instructed the government to examine whether treatment for baldness should be covered under the country’s public health system. Lee has argued that hair loss has become a ‘matter of survival’ for young people, citing the psychological and social pressure faced during job searches and social interactions. South Korea operates a universal health insurance system funded through income-based premiums. At present, coverage applies only to medically caused hair loss such as alopecia areata. Common male pattern baldness and cosmetic treatments remain excluded,…

Washington: Trump moon landing plans have taken centre stage after President Donald Trump has issued a wide-ranging executive order outlining the United States’ renewed commitment to returning humans to the moon by 2028. The order, titled Ensuring American Space Superiority, marks the first major space policy move of Trump’s second term and has been signed just hours after private astronaut Jared Isaacman was sworn in as NASA’s 15th administrator. The executive order has directed the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies to develop a comprehensive space security strategy aimed at defending American interests from emerging weapon threats. It has also called…

Hanoi: Vietnam foreign arrivals have continued to rise sharply in 2025, positioning the country to receive a record 21 million international visitors by the end of the year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The figure surpasses the previous high of 18 million arrivals recorded in 2019, before global travel was disrupted by the pandemic. The government marked the arrival of the 20 millionth foreign visitor on December 15 with a ceremony on Phu Quoc Island, one of the country’s most popular resort destinations. Officials said the achievement reflected sustained international interest in Vietnam’s coastline, cultural heritage,…

New Delhi: Messi has concluded a closely watched India tour that began amid disorder in Kolkata but ended smoothly in the national capital despite heavy pollution and logistical challenges. The visit marked the global football icon’s first trip to India since 2011 and formed part of a promotional series dubbed the GOAT tour. Messi arrived in India on December 13 and followed a packed itinerary across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. The opening event at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, however, descended into chaos after thousands of fans failed to get a clear view of Messi during a brief appearance. Supporters…