International

16-08-2025 LONDON: Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky believe there is a “viable” chance of a ceasefire in Ukraine but Vladimir Putin must “prove he is serious about peace,” Downing Street has said. The UK prime minister held a breakfast meeting with the Ukrainian President ahead of a summit between …

16-08-2025 Bureau Report NEW DELHI: India said on Thursday that it hoped relations with the United States would move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests, seeking to temper worries that ties were headed downhill in the aftermath of high tariffs imposed by Washington. A US defence policy team …

16-08-2025 ISTANBUL/ DAMASCUS: Syria’s interim government has faced mounting challenges in restoring order after nearly 14 years of civil war following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebel forces in December. Turkey will provide weapons, military equipment and logistical support to Syria under a newly signed defence …

16-08-2025 KABUL: Aid agencies say more than half of Afghanistan’s population, roughly 23 million people; need humanitarian assistance. The Taliban denied using force to divert international aid in Afghanistan on Thursday, responding to a US watchdog report that said authorities used “every means at their disposal, including force,” to ensure …

16-08-2025 JERUSALEM: No further details about the plan that has been agreed to or a timeline have been released but the announcement comes days after Israel’s security cabinet approved plans for the takeover of Gaza City following an all-night session. Israel’s military has approved plans for an expanded operation in …

16-08-2025 BELGRADE: Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Serbia, smashing windows of the governing party’s headquarters in the northern city of Novi Sad, where the country’s antigovernment revolt started more than nine months ago. The protesters came out in force for a third night on Thursday, following major …

15-08-2025 LONDON: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due in London to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, to take stock ahead of US President Donald Trump’s key talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Zelenskiy, who was in Germany on Wednesday, has been working with …

15-08-2025 JERUSALEM/ GAZA STRIP: Israel’s military pounded Gaza City prior to a planned takeover, with another 125 people killed in the last day according to the Gaza health ministry, while militant group Hamas held further talks with Egyptian mediators. The 24-hour death toll was the worst in a week and …

15-08-2025 Bureau Report + Agencies NEW DELHI: India aims to allow private firms to mine, import and process uranium as part of plans to end a decades-old state monopoly over the nuclear sector and bring in billions of dollars to boost the industry, two government sources said. Prime Minister Narendra …

15-08-2025 CANBERRA/ PORT VILA: Australia and Vanuatu have agreed to a 10-year deal, aimed at strengthening security and economic ties, worth AU$500m ($328m; £241m). The so-called Nakamal agreement, the result of months of negotiations will transform Australia’s relationship with its Pacific neighbor, leaders from both countries said on Wednesday. “We …