Wednesday, February 19, 2025

World

Zelensky responds to Trump's claim of falling ratings, says US President living in 'disinformation space'

KYIV: Hours after US President Donald Trump alleged that Volodymyr Zelensky holds a "4 per cent approval rating", the Ukrainian President responded on Wednesday saying that Trump was living in a "disinformation space".

Always exciting to hear PM Modi's vision for India, says Rishi Sunak

NEW DELHI: Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "friend", former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday said that it is "always exciting" to hear PM Modi's vision for India.

US chides China for 'dangerous maneuvers' towards Philippines aircraft

MANILA: The United States on Wednesday severely criticised the "dangerous maneuvers" by a Chinese Navy helicopter towards a Philippines aircraft on Tuesday.

EAM Jaishankar to attend G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jo'burg

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will be visiting Johannesburg, South Africa on February 20-21 to participate in the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) at the invitation of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa Ronald Lamola, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Wednesday.

Gunmen kill seven passengers in Balochistan after identification of origin

PAKISTAN: At least seven passengers, hailing from different areas of Pakistan’s Punjab province were offloaded from a passenger bus and gunned down by attackers post identity card checks in Barakhan, Balochistan on Wednesday.

Hamas says ready to implement next phases of Gaza truce deal

GAZA: Hamas reaffirmed its willingness to implement the second and third phases of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Mexico relaunches 'Made in Mexico' brand as US tariffs loom

MEXICO CITY: Mexico has "relaunched" a "Made in Mexico" brand campaign to bolster national production and cushion the impact of the 25-per cent tariffs on Mexican imports announced by US President Donald Trump.

Two dead, four hospitalised in Sydney house fire

SYDNEY: Two people have died and four more have been hospitalised after a house fire in western Sydney in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW).

Australian PM says interest rate cut will not impact general election timing

CANBERRA: A long-awaited decision by Australia's central bank to cut interest rates will not influence the timing of the upcoming general election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said.

Why are we giving $21 million to India? They got lot more money: Trump on voter funds row

WASHINGTON: As the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cancelled $21 million funding for "voter turnout in India," US President Donald Trump voiced in favour of the decision. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump raised the question of why $21 million was given to India, a country with a lot more money.

UN Chief Guterres calls for consensus on security council reforms

UNITED NATIONS: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that now is the time to develop “greater consensus” in the process of reforming the Security Council to strengthen “trust in the United Nations, and trust in this Council”.

India-Qatar relations elevated to Strategic Partnership as PM Modi continues to solidify ties with Middle East nations

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday signed an agreement to elevate India-Qatar relations to a Strategic Partnership with focus on trade, energy, investments, innovation, technology, food security, culture & people-to-people ties.

ADB plans to expand operations by 50 pc over next decade

MANILA: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced on Tuesday that it has approved a plan to scale up its operations by 50 per cent over the next decade, leveraging its existing capital base to enhance its development impact across Asia and the Pacific.

Japan to recognise Taiwan as place of origin for naturalised citizens

TOKYO: In a clear indication of policy shift and snub to China, Taiwan-origin naturalized citizens of Japan will now be able to list their country of origin as Taiwan in their family register from May 26, the Japanese government announced on Tuesday. Japan's Minister of Justice revised an ordinance allowing people to list regions, not just countries, a move that has been welcomed by Taiwan but triggered a sharp reaction from China.

South Korean prosecutors reject third request to arrest acting presidential security chief

SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors on Tuesday rejected for the third time a police request to arrest the acting chief of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) over his alleged attempt to block South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's detention.

Top South Korean expert calls for creation of Asian NATO to enhance regional peace

SEOUL: Chung Mong-Joon, founder and honorary chair of the Asian Institute for Policy Studies and former politician in South Korea, has advocated for an Asian NATO, also suggesting redeploying tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea to enhance regional peace and security.

Sudanese army reports advancements in fight against paramilitary forces

KHARTOUM: The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced that its forces had made advancements in their fight against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on different fronts.

South Korea: Yoon supporters hold protest rallies outside judge's alleged home

SEOUL: Supporters of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have been holding a string of protest rallies in front of an alleged residence of the Constitutional Court's Acting Chief Justice, Moon Hyung-bae, for days, in an apparent attempt to influence the court's ongoing trials on Yoon's impeachment.

Yunus govt turning Bangladesh into terrorism hub: Sheikh Hasina

NEW DELHI: The ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh accuses the Mohammed Yunus-led interim government of turning the nation into a hub of terrorism and lawlessness. She vows to return home assuring help to families suffering and would deliver them justice.

India-Qatar joint business forum to bolster bilateral economic ties

NEW DELHI: India and Qatar are set to strengthen their economic and trade ties with the India-Qatar Joint Business Forum, scheduled to be held here on Tuesday.

Lebanon extends suspension of flights to and from Iran

BEIRUT: The Lebanese government decided to extend the suspension of flights to and from Iran, without clarifying the duration of the extension.

Qatar’s Amir to hold meeting with PM Modi, receive ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan today

NEW DELHI: Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani is in India for a two-day state visit, marking his second visit to the country since March 2015 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Europe should continue supporting Ukraine, reject peace of dictate, says Scholz

PARIS: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Europe should continue to support Ukraine, emphasising that no peace of dictate can be imposed on the country.

US Secretary of State in Riyadh for talks on Trump's controversial Gaza plan, Ukraine

RIYADH: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh for talks with Saudi officials, focusing on a controversial US proposal for Gaza, as part of his first Middle East tour as the top US diplomat.

All 80 onboard have miraculous escape as jet crashes, flips over in Toronto

TORONTO: Eighty passengers had a miraculous escape when their jet crashed here and flipped while landing in heavy wind in a snowed-in airport.

Sudan extends Chad border crossing opening for aid deliveries

KHARTOUM: Sudan's government has extended the opening of the Adre border crossing with Chad by three months, effective February 16, 2025, to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries, particularly to the war-torn Darfur region, the foreign ministry said.

Cambodian King praises PM Hun Manet for economic growth, social stability

PHOM PENH: Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Monday praised Prime Minister Hun Manet for his sound policies to ensure the kingdom's economic growth and social stability.

B'desh Foreign Affairs Advisor-EAM Jaishankar discussed possibility of holding Yunus-PM Modi meeting: reports

DHAKA: Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Advisor to the interim government in Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus, emphasised on the importance of starting the discussions for renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty during his meeting with India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held in Muscat on Sunday, the Bangladeshi media reported on Monday.

Ambassadors and HCs of Cambodia, Maldives, Somalia, Cuba and Nepal present credentials to President Murmu

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday accepted credentials from the Ambassadors/High Commissioners of Cambodia, Maldives, Somalia, Cuba and Nepal at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Hezbollah leader demands full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon

BEIRUT: Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said that Israel must fully withdraw from Lebanon by February 18 (Tuesday).

India, Philippines celebrate 75 years of relationship with cultural summit in Cebu

CEBU: A statue of Tamil saint and poet, Thiruvalluvar was unveiled over the weekend during the Indo-Philippine Cultural and Educational Exchange Summit held in Cebu, known as the Philippines' Queen City of the South, to celebrate 75 years of the establishment of India and the Philippines ties.

South Korea: Ruling party chief dismisses speculation Yoon may voluntarily resign before impeachment ruling

SEOUL: The South Korean interim leader of the ruling People Power Party on Monday rejected speculation that President Yoon Suk Yeol may voluntarily resign before a ruling on his impeachment trial, calling such a move unrealistic and inappropriate.

Netanyahu says Israeli team to travel to Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a negotiation team will travel to Cairo on Monday to discuss the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Egyptian president, World Jewish Congress chief discuss ways to restore Mideast stability

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and President of the World Jewish Congress Ronald S. Lauder discussed ways to restore stability in the Middle East.

Senior Seoul trade official departs for US to discuss Trump tariffs

SEOUL: South Korea's deputy trade minister departed for Washington on Monday to hold talks pertaining to new US tariffs and related trade policies under President Donald Trump, his office said.

38th African Union Summit focuses on reparations, leadership elections

ADDIS ABABA: The 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of the Heads of State and Government opened at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with focus on reparations and the election of senior AU Commission leadership.

Netanyahu, Rubio discuss US-Israel coordination on Gaza

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem, said that Israel and the US are working "in full cooperation" on issues concerning the Gaza Strip.

Turkiye helping Syria renovate Damascus airport: Turkish Minister

ANKARA: A technical team of 25 people from Turkiye has started working in Syria to renovate Damascus International Airport, Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said.

Israel receives shipment of US heavy bombs after delivery ban lifted

JERUSALEM: Israel has received a shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs after the US recently lifted a temporary ban on their delivery, the Israeli Defence Ministry said.

UN chief urges investment, affordable finance to help developing countries meet SDGs

ADDIS ABABA: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the need to boost investment and affordable financing for developing countries to help them meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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