23-02-2024 Bureau Report + Agencies SHICAGO/ KABUL: Dozens of archaeological sites in Afghanistan have been bulldozed to allow systematic looting, according to researchers at Chicago University. They say their analysis of satellite photos provides the first definitive photographic evidence that looting patterns that began under the previous government have continued …

23-02-2024 By SJA Jafri + Bureau Report + Agencies ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE/ KARACHI: The deal between two Pakistani parties to form a coalition government will be based on conditional support from one of them, the Pakistan People’s Party, that will review decisions on a case-by-case basis, a top PPP official said …

23-02-2024 SINGAPORE: The use of anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) in the Red Sea has spurred interest in Asia about the systems used to shoot them down, experts and industry officials say – although China, with its huge ASBM arsenal, presents a tougher challenge. US Central Command (CENTCOM) media releases from …

23-02-2024 Bureau Report + Agencies NEW DELHI/ BENGALURE: Bengaluru is facing an acute water shortage this year, months before peak summer, forcing many residents in “India’s Silicon Valley” to ration their water use and pay almost double the usual price to meet their daily needs. Weak southwest monsoon rains have …

23-02-2024 RAFAH, GAZA STRIP: Israel intensified its bombardment of Rafah in Gaza’s south and over a dozen members of one family were killed in an air strike, residents said, as the ruined Palestinian enclave’s health ministry announced 29,313 deaths in the war so far. In Jerusalem, Israeli war cabinet member …

23-02-2024 MOSCOW: Russia is struggling to provide ammunition and weapons for its war in Ukraine, according to Western officials. It is facing “extreme challenges” in obtaining sufficient equipment and materiel, an official said. It comes as concerns over the provision of Western weapons to Ukraine are mounting. As the war …

23-02-2024 Bureau Report + Agencies SYDNEY: Australian bishop Christopher Saunders has been charged with rape and a string of historical sex offences, some against children. The 74-year-old was arrested in Broome on Wednesday, after parallel investigations ordered by Western Australian police and the Pope. Saunders, who has denied allegations in …

22-02-2024 Bureau Report + Agencies NEW DELHI/ SHAMBHU: Indian police fired tear gas and water cannons on Wednesday to scatter thousands of farmers trying to stage a protest march to Delhi after they rejected a government offer on prices for their produce, prompting an offer of fresh talks. The farmers, …

22-02-2024 BEIJING: China has sharply criticized the US for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Beijing said the move sent the “wrong message” and effectively gave a “green light to the continued slaughter”. The White House said the Algerian-proposed resolution would “jeopardize” talks to …

22-02-2024 Bureau Report + Agencies SYDNEY: Australian wages grew at the fastest annual pace in 15 years in the fourth quarter as low unemployment and stiff competition for workers pushed up pay deals, although analysts suspect the best is over as the economy sputters. Figures from the Australian Bureau of …