International

25-02-2023 BEIJING: China has called for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia and a gradual de-escalation of the situation that will pave the way for peace talks, as part of a 12-point proposal to end the conflict. The plan by China, which was released on Friday morning by the foreign …

25-02-2023 TEHRAN: The defense cooperation between Iran and Russia dates back to years before the start of war in Ukraine and is not against any third country, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated. “Military and defense ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation sit in …

25-02-2023 PYONGYANG: North Korea has launched four strategic cruise missiles as part of a military drill that state media said was designed to demonstrate its ability to conduct a nuclear counterattack. The launches came as the United States and South Korea held a simulated military exercise in Washington, DC, aimed …

25-02-2023 UNITED NATIONS: India has once again abstained from voting in a UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which started a year ago. The motion was backed by 141 nations with 32 abstaining and seven, including Russia, voting against it. India reiterated its position on the …

25-02-2023 TOKYO: A metal sphere that washed up on a beach in Japan, perplexing locals and setting off widespread speculation, has been removed, according to local media. Pictures showed a heavy lifting machine picking up the huge sphere. Local officials in Hamamatsu said that it will be stored “for a …

25-02-2023 MICHIGAN: A massive winter storm that brought blizzards and subfreezing temperatures to much of the US has left nearly a million households without power. The number of customers without electricity has grown to over 945,000 across five states on day two of the storm – 820,000 in Michigan alone. …

25-02-2023 Bureau Report + Agencies NEW DELHI/ BENGALURU: Policymakers of the Group of 20 (G20) leading economies should focus on helping the world’s most vulnerable people, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said as top-level financial talks kick off near the Indian technology hub of Bengaluru. “You represent the leadership …

25-02-2023 Bureau Report CANBERRA/ MELBOURNE: Australia has exposed and quietly expelled a large Russian spy ring whose members were posing as diplomats, a local newspaper has reported just days after Australia’s intelligence chief revealed that his agency had scored a major counterespionage success. The spy ring comprised purported embassy and …

24-02-2023 By SJA Jafri + Bureau Report GUANTANAMO BAY/ KARACHI: Officials from the United States have returned two Pakistani brothers to their home country after holding them for 20 years without charges at the Guantanamo Bay military prison. Abdul, 55, and Mohammed Rabbani, 53, were the latest inmates to be …

24-02-2023 Bureau Report + BBC LONDON/ NEW DELHI: The BBC will not be put off from reporting without fear or favor, its Director-General Tim Davie has said in an email to staff in India. It follows searches at BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai by tax officials. Davie thanked staff …