26-02-2023 WASHINGTON/ KYIV: The words “as long as it takes” have become a rallying cry for American officials as they support Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion, signaling an open-ended commitment to help Kyiv. US President Joe Biden put it bluntly on Tuesday when he said in a speech that …
Read More »Earthquake death toll surpasses 50,000 in Turkey & Syria
25-02-2023 ANKARA/ DAMASCUS: Turkey has begun work to rebuild homes following this month’s devastating earthquakes, a government official said on Friday, as the combined death toll in Turkey and Syria surpassed 50,000. More than 160,000 buildings containing 520,000 apartments collapsed or were severely damaged in the February 6 earthquakes that …
Read More »China calls for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire
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 …
Read More »Interaction with Russia not against others: Iran
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 …
Read More »North Korea test fires four long-range cruise missiles
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 …
Read More »India abstains from UN vote on Russian invasion
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 …
Read More »Japan’s mystery ball removed from beach
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 …
Read More »Power outages and more disruption in US storm
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. …
Read More »Modi asks G20 Finance Heads to focus on ‘most vulnerable’
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 …
Read More »Australia uncovers Russian espionage ring, expels spies
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 …
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