Two giant pandas from China heading to US

Two giant pandas are on their way from China to the San Diego Zoo, the first pair of pandas to enter the United States in 21 years, according to the zoo’s press release.

Africa’s debt crisis worsens with Chinese high-interest loans

Beijing’s aggressive strategies in its peripheral regions often create a false perception of its growing global stature. Far from being considered a superpower, China is viewed as an adversarial power by most, if not all, of its prominent neighbors.

Jaishankar’s recent visit to Sri Lanka: Implications and strategic significance

Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, recently concluded a significant visit to Sri Lanka. This visit is seen as a precursor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit, underscoring the strategic and diplomatic importance India places on its relationship with the island nation. The visit holds particular significance as both countries navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and domestic political pressures.

Taiwan reports large Chinese incursion as tensions escalate

In a significant escalation of tensions, Taiwan reported on Tuesday that a total of 17 China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and 8 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were detected operating around Taiwan as of 6 am (UTC+8).

Bangladesh reels from surge in snake bites

All health centres and hospitals in Bangladesh have been ordered to stock anti-venom after reports of a surge in snake bites around the country.

The myth of China’s poverty alleviation

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long boasted of lifting 800 million people out of poverty, using this claim to justify its authoritarian rule. However, a closer look at the facts reveals that this narrative is largely a myth. In reality, the CCP’s tight control over the economy and society has kept a large portion of China’s population in poverty for decades.

South Africa Mpox cases rise to 13

South Africa has identified six additional laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox, taking the total number of cases from seven to 13 since the first case was reported last month.

US Congressional delegation’s visit to Dalai Lama sends “very powerful” message to China, says Tibetan leader

Former President of the Central Tibetan Administration, Lobsang Sangay on Thursday emphasised that the United States Congressional delegation’s meeting with Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama underscored the US’ commitment to advocating for truth and justice despite China’s opposition.

China’s economic momentum wanes amid aging population and debt crisis

In March, Chinese Premier Li Qiang set an ambitious economic growth target of 5% for 2024, a goal supported by former World Bank chief economist Justin Yifu Lin. Lin projected that China’s economy could expand at an average yearly rate of 5-6% over the next decade, slowing to 3-4% between 2036 and 2050. He suggested that China might reach high-income status as early as 2025 or 2026. However, the country’s aging population casts doubt on these pro

Japan on high alert after 1,000 cases of flesh-eating bacteria infection reported

Health officials in Japan are on high alert after close to 1,000 cases of a deadly infection were reported across the country. The disease, known as Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), or ‘flesh-eating bacteria’, is spreading rapidly, resulting in deaths within a short period.

G7 confronts China on commerce, pope talks about AI

Pope Francis made an historic appearance at the Group of Seven summit on Friday to speak about the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, while G7 leaders also pledged to tackle what they said were harmful business practices by China.

Putin to visit North Korea for first time in 24 years

Russian President Vladimir Putin is to visit North Korea for the first time in 24 years on Tuesday.

Public outrage over high taxes in Pakistan for IMF bailout

There is widespread anger in Pakistan towards the government over the significant tax hikes that the authorities have levied to boost state revenues with an aim to achieve approval for an International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) bailout to prevent another economic crisis in Pakistan.

New China rules allow detention of foreigners in South China Sea

AFP - New Chinese coast guard rules took effect Saturday, under which it can detain foreigners for trespassing in the disputed South China Sea, where neighbours and the G7 have accused Beijing of intimidation and coercion.

Taiwan says new China Coast Guard regulation violates regional peace, stability

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on Friday that the new regulations that would allow the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) to board vessels and detain foreign citizens accused of trespassing are in violation of international law, Taiwan News reported.

Singapore races to clean up beaches after oil spill

Singapore authorities are scrambling to clean up a major oil spill that has blackened the city-state’s southern coastline, days after a shipping accident.

G7 Summit: PM Modi meets Pope Francis, invites him to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Pope Francis on the sidelines of G7 summit in Italy’s Apulia.

Putin peace terms slammed at Ukraine summit

The leaders of Italy and Germany have strongly rejected ceasefire terms laid out by Vladimir Putin to stop the war in Ukraine, as scores of countries gathered at a two-day summit in Switzerland to discuss ending the conflict.

Despite opposition, European Commission plans to impose provisional tariffs on Chinese EVs

The European Commission said on Wednesday that it plans to impose provisional tariffs on imports of battery electric vehicles (EVs) from China starting from July 4.

Maldivian Democratic Party initiates reform roadmap to restructure party

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced the development of a comprehensive reform roadmap to institutionalise itself as the main opposition party.

European Union to hit Chinese electric vehicles with higher tariffs

The European Commission is planning to impose increased duties of up to 38 per cent on imported Chinese electric vehicles from July, escalating a trade dispute that Brussels sees as part of an effort to protect EU-bloc manufacturers, the Voice of America (VOA) reported.

Sexual assaults on minor girls on the rise in Karachchi

Sexual assault on minor girls aged three to eight years were on the rise in the city which must be stopped, it was observed in a meeting chaired by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi on Wednesday.

Tesla investors back record-breaking Musk pay deal

Tesla shareholders have backed a record-breaking pay package for boss Elon Musk and approved a plan to move the firm’s legal headquarters to Texas.

Afghanistan thrash PNG to qualify for Super 8, dump New Zealand out

Fazalhaq Farooqi starred with the ball as Afghanistan pumped Papua New Guinea by 7 wickets to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup.

Crypto aliens might be living among us disguised as humans

The longstanding fascination with extraterrestrial life has taken a new turn with a recent study from Harvard University suggesting that alien beings could be living covertly alongside humans on Earth.

Canada backs Tibetan self-determination motion, stuns China

The recent motion passed by the Canadian House of Commons acknowledging Tibetan self-determination has left China surprised. The motion, proposed by Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, a Member of Parliament representing the Bloc Quebecois, gained unanimous support from attending MPs during Monday’s session.

India set to sign FTA with Oman in first 100 days of Modi’s third term

India is set to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman in the first 100 days of the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Tuesday said that strategic ties between the two countries are destined to scale new heights and the matter figured in commerce minister Piyush Goyal’s review meeting.

Efforts of Saudi Arabia in serving Hajj Pilgrims

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, since the reign of The Founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, until the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has given the utmost attention and care to the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites to accommodate the increasing numbers of the Hajj pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors.

Fate of plane which vanished 53 years ago with 5 onboard revealed

Fifty-three years after a private plane carrying five men disappeared on a snowy Vermont night, experts believe they have found the wreckage of the long lost jet in Lake Champlain.

Hong Kong uses new national security law against exiled activists

Hong Kong’s Security Bureau said on Wednesday it would use powers in a new national security law against six self-exiled activists residing in Britain, including cancelling their passports, after they fled the China-ruled city.