Biden has an eye on China as he heads to South Korea, Japan

Biden has an eye on China as he heads to South Korea, Japan

Washington: President Joe Biden departs on a six-day trip to South Korea and Japan aiming to build rapport with the two nations’ leaders while also sending an unmistakable message to China: Russia’s faltering invasion of Ukraine should give Beijing pause about its own saber-rattling in the Pacific. Biden departs Thursday and is set to meet […]

‘I mean Ukraine’: Former US President George Bush calls Iraq invasion ‘unjustified’

‘I mean Ukraine’: Former US President George Bush calls Iraq invasion ‘unjustified’

Washington: Former US President George W. Bush mistakenly described the invasion of Iraq as “brutal” and “unjustified” before correcting himself to say he meant to refer to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Bush made the comments in a speech during an event in Dallas on Wednesday, while he was criticising Russia’s political system. “The result is […]

US-Taliban deal biggest factor in collapse of Afghan forces, watchdog says

US-Taliban deal biggest factor in collapse of Afghan forces, watchdog says

WASHINGTON: The biggest factor that led to the collapse of the Afghan military in August last year was the US decision to withdraw forces and contractors from Afghanistan through an agreement with the Taliban signed by the Trump administration and executed by the Biden administration, a US watchdog report concluded. The withdrawal “destroyed” the morale […]

Sri Lanka receives USD 160 mln from World Bank; PM says looking at possibility of using some of it to buy fuel

Sri Lanka receives USD 160 mln from World Bank; PM says looking at possibility of using some of it to buy fuel

Colombo: Sri Lanka has received USD 160 Million from the World Bank and is looking at the possibility of using some of it to buy fuel, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Wednesday, as protests continued in the country against the ongoing fuel and gas shortages caused by the economic crisis. “160 million dollars […]

Finland, Sweden apply to join NATO, face Turkish objections

Move seen redrawing geopolitical map of Europe Brussels: Finland and Sweden formally applied to join the NATO alliance on Wednesday at allied headquarters, a decision spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but face objections from Turkey to an accession process that is expected to take only a few weeks. Neutral throughout the Cold War, Sweden’s […]

‘America better positioned to lead the world in 21st century’, Biden tells Indian-American social worker

‘America better positioned to lead the world in 21st century’, Biden tells Indian-American social worker

Washington: The US is better positioned than any other country to lead the world in the 21st century, President Joe Biden has said, expressing hope that Americans will work together to find a common ground to make it a more just, prosperous and secure nation, as it celebrates Asian Heritage month. Biden said this in […]

CPC bans retired cadre from criticising party leadership ahead of key Congress

CPC bans retired cadre from criticising party leadership ahead of key Congress

Beijing: China’s ruling Communist Party has barred retired cadres from making negative political speeches ahead of its key Congress that will make a once-in-a-decade leadership reshuffle later this year and is expected to endorse an unprecedented third term for President Xi Jinping. Xi, 68, is widely expected to get the endorsement for a rare third […]

US hopes India would ‘reconsider’ its decision to restrict wheat exports

New York: The US hopes India will reconsider its decision to ban wheat exports, with Washington encouraging” countries not to restrict exports as that will exacerbate food shortages, amidst Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. India, the world’s second-biggest wheat producer, has banned wheat exports in a bid to check high domestic prices amid concerns of wheat […]

India’s quest for ‘self-reliance’ doesn’t mean ‘isolation’: President Kovind to diaspora in Jamaica

Kingston: India is on a “transformational path and its quest for “self-reliance” does not mean “isolation” but creating capabilities that can help the entire humanity, President Ram Nath Kovind has said, urging the Indian diaspora in this Caribbean country to take advantage of the government’s policies and participate in the country’s growth story. Addressing the […]

US has made Pakistan ‘a slave’ without invading it, says former PM Imran Khan

US has made Pakistan ‘a slave’ without invading it, says former PM Imran Khan

LAHORE: The US has made Pakistan “a slave” without invading it, ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed, asserting that the people will never accept an “imported government.” Khan, the 69-year-old cricketer-turned-politician, was voted out of power last month through a no-confidence motion, which he alleges was plotted by the US with the help of local […]