U.S. SANCTIONS RUSSIANS, SYRIANS TO CHOKE OFF OIL SUPPLY FOR SYRIA

WASHINGTON : The US on Tuesday said it sanctioned six individuals and three entities to disrupt an Iranian-russian network that it said was providing millions of barrels of oil to the Syrian government and funding militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. US officials said Russia facilitated the delivery of oil from Iran to Syria, and that a variety of mechanisms were used in an attempt to conceal the shipments and oil-related payments. Among those targeted are Syrian national Mohammad Amer Alchwiki and his Russiabased company, Global Vision Group, the treasury department said. Other targets include Syrian national Hajji Abd Al-nasir, Lebanon national Muhammad Qasim Al-bazzal and Russian national Andrey Dogaev. REUTERS

China launches five satellites on single rocket

BEIJING: China on Tuesday successfully launched five satellites, including four nanosatellites, on a single rocket from a launch centre in the country’s northwest Gansu province. Shiyan-6 satellite and four other microsatellites were launched by Long March-2d rocket and have successfully entered their pre-set orbit, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center said. It was the 292th mission of the Long March rocket series, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

3 charged with planning mass killing in Australia

CANBERRA: Three men inspired by the Islamic State group were charged on Tuesday with planning a mass-casualty attack in Australia’s second-largest city, police said. The Australians of Turkish descent—hanifi Halis, and brothers Samed Eriklioglu and Ertunc Eriklioglu—were arrested in pre-dawn raids on their Melbourne homes. All had their passports cancelled this year on suspicion that they intended to fight with extremists abroad. AP

Sri Lanka reinstates top detective after outcry

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan police reversed on Tuesday a decision sacking a top detective investigating a string of high-profile gruesome cases involving the rich and powerful, following intense protests. The island nation has been politically paralysed since October 26 when President Maithripala Sirisena controversially sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former rival Mahinda Rajapakse. Removing detective Nishantha Silva was seen as the latest twist in the ongoing crisis as Sirisena struck up a new alliance with Rajapakse.

US: Elevator in skyscraper falls 84 floors, six rescued

CHICAGO : People rescued from a trapped elevator in one of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers later learned they had dropped 84 floors. The Chicago Tribune reported that six people, including a pregnant woman, got into the elevator on Friday after leaving a restaurant on the 95th floor of the 875 North Michigan Avenue building. AP