China

New book portrays anti-apartheid legend Nelson Mandela’s marriage and struggle

19 May 2023 01:20 AM IST

A powerful new book on Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has just been published. Winnie and Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage is at once a double biography of South Africa’s two famous liberation leaders and a historical love story about their personal lives. Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years during

Joe Biden Confident of Budget Agreement

19 May 2023 01:02 AM IST

An optimistic President Joe Biden declared on Wednesday he is confident the US will avoid an unprecedented and potentially catastrophic debt default, saying talks with congressional Republicans have been productive. He left for a G-7 summit in Japan but planned to return by the weekend in hopes of approving a

World leaders land in Hiroshima for G-7 meeting, with Ukraine war high on agenda

19 May 2023 00:44 AM IST

World leaders landed on Thursday for a Group of Seven meeting in Hiroshima, the site of the world’s first atomic bomb attack, with Russia’s war in Ukraine expected to be high on the agenda. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida kicked off his summit diplomacy by meeting with US President Joe

Israel deploys heavy police presence ahead of contentious Jerusalem march

19 May 2023 00:38 AM IST

Israel deployed over 2,000 police on Thursday for a march by flag-waving Jewish nationalists through the main Palestinian thoroughfare in Jerusalem’s Old City, a contentious event that comes as tensions are already running high. Authorities say the beefed up security is a determined effort to ensure the march passes without

Chinese envoy urges Australia to raise effort to find survivors

19 May 2023 00:32 AM IST

A Chinese envoy asked Australian authorities on Thursday to increase efforts to find the 39 missing from a capsized Chinese fishing boat in the Indian Ocean. Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said the Australian authority had already sent four airplanes and three ships to the search area, which is in

China threatens embassies against pro-Ukrainian ‘propaganda’

19 May 2023 00:23 AM IST

Foreign embassies in Beijing were asked by the Chinese government to avoid displaying what it calls propaganda in an apparent response to shows of support for Ukraine. Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government says it is neutral in Moscow’s 15-month-old invasion of Ukraine but has repeated Russian justifications, accusing Washington and

Russia strikes ukraine with 30 cruise missiles, 29 neutralised

19 May 2023 00:16 AM IST

Russia fired 30 cruise missiles against different parts of Ukraine early Thursday in the latest nighttime test of Ukrainian air defences, which shot down 29 of them, officials said. One person died and two were wounded by a Russian missile that got through and struck an industrial building in the

Water wells projects in Africa aim to provide clean and accessible water

18 May 2023 07:06 AM IST

Water projects in Africa aim to provide clean and accessible water. Africa has a pressing need for these resources. Many regions face challenges like drought, contamination, and bad infrastructure. These projects are vital. They improve public health, sanitation, and economic development. They cover borehole drilling. They also cover community water

US court approves extradition of 26/11 attack accused Tahawwur Rana to India

18 May 2023 05:57 AM IST

A US court has approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian businessman of Pakistani descent, to India where he is sought for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Rana was arrested in the US on an extradition request by India for his role in these attacks in

Sri Lankan court lifts overseas travel ban on former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa

18 May 2023 05:56 AM IST

The overseas travel ban which was imposed on former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa with regard to the May 9, 2022 clashes was lifted by a Sri Lankan court on Wednesday, Lankan news organization News First reported. Alongside Rajapaksa, the travel ban against MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and ex-provincial

Failure in ensuring food security can erode CCP legitimacy in China

18 May 2023 04:25 AM IST

Beijing’s increasing reliance on imports, making it dependent on a number of foods is likely to result in China becoming vulnerable in various ways that could be used against it in a crisis, Toronto-based Geopolitical Monitor, an international intelligence publication reported. The subject of food security in China has received

Pakistan: Punjab govt assures “no arrests” at Imran Khan’s residence until expiry of 24-hour deadline

18 May 2023 02:33 AM IST

Punjab Caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir has said no arrests will be made at PTI chief Imran Khan’s residence until 2 pm Thursday, reported Dawn. In an interview with a Pakistani media outlet, Mir stated that the PTI leadership had been given a 24-hour deadline to turn up the “30