Chinese buying land in the US: A cause of concern among US lawmakers

The issue of US agricultural land being bought by the Chinese has hit national headlines in United States after the government watch dog recently pointed out in a report. Even as Chinese billionaire, Tian Quaichen, recently became the second biggest foreign owner of land in the US, the issue of Chinese buying agricultural land has become a matter of serious concern.

India, France agree to deepen integration in defence industrial sectors

India and France have agreed to further deepen the integration between the two countries’ defence industrial sectors and to work together to identify opportunities for co-design, co-development and co-production.

Australia sail into both Perth Sevens rugby finals

Australia will contest both the men’s and women’s final at the Perth Sevens after strong semi-final wins.

ABC presenter sacked over Gaza post ignites row in Australia

On 20 December Antoinette Lattouf signed off from the Sydney radio show she was hosting with a promise she’d be back the next day.

Royal - Thomian, Sydney 2024

The Royal - Thomian, Sydney 2024 was held at the Kareela Reserve in Doonside, Sydney today. A large number of Sri Lankans based in Sydney participated in the event.

Thai police to charge Sri Lankan over pet lion spotted cruising in Bentley

Police in Thailand have arrested a woman whose pet lion was pictured going on a joyride in the streets of Pattaya.

Russia and India set to revitalize alternative shipping line

Moscow and New Delhi on Wednesday held detailed talks on reviving the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) connecting Vladivostok in the Russian Far East and Chennai on India’s eastern coast.

Alabama carries out first U.S. execution by nitrogen

Alabama carried out the first American execution using nitrogen gas on Thursday evening, killing a convicted murderer whose jury had voted to spare his life and opening a new frontier in how states execute death row prisoners.

737 Max 9: Boeing jets cleared to fly after mid-air incident

BBC: The US aviation regulator says it will allow Boeing’s 737 Max 9 jets to resume flying after inspections are completed.

Philippines again condemns ‘Provocative’ Chinese actions in South China Sea

The Philippines has again condemned China’s coastguard for its latest “provocative action” against Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea, shortly after the two nations agreed to take additional steps to manage tensions in the disputed waterway.

Taiwan election sparks tensions: China faces setback as US extends support

The recent presidential election in Taiwan has rekindled tensions between China and the United States, bringing to the forefront longstanding geopolitical complexities.

Dozens dead after fire breaks out in China shop

At least 39 people have been killed and nine injured in a fire that started in the basement of a shop in the Chinese city of Xinyu.

Activists decry Tibet ’cultural genocide’ ahead of China rights review

Activists accused China of seeking to ’’erase’’ Tibetan cultural and religious identities, urging a review of Beijing’s rights record at the UN on Tuesday to focus on its ’’cultural genocide’’ in the region.

Russian plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war crashes

A Russian Ilyushin-76 military transport plane has crashed in the southern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine.

UNGA President Dennis Francis arrives in New Delhi to advance India-UN ties

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis on Monday arrived in New Delhi on a five-day visit to India to advance India-UN ties.

Alarming 30-fold rise in measles in Europe - WHO

There was an ’’alarming’’ 30-fold increase in measles cases in Europe last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

China faces declining favorability in key countries

2023 witnessed a significant shift in global public perception of China, with negative sentiment on the rise across numerous countries. This trend, driven by a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions, human rights concerns, and economic anxieties, paints a nuanced picture of how the world currently views the Asian giant.

Concerns brew over ‘fatwa’ issued against voting for minority candidates

Hateful and disturbing content targeting religious minorities has started circulating in Pakistan, raising concerns ahead of the February 8 general elections, The News International reported.

US and UK launch fresh strikes on Houthis in Yemen

The US and UK have conducted a fresh series of joint air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Shannen Doherty says cancer has spread to her brain and bones

Actress Shannen Doherty has been on a public cancer journey for eight years now, and she hasn’t shied away from sharing her successes and struggles with friends and fans as she fights the disease. The Beverly Hills 90210 alum regularly provides updates on her health on Instagram and on her podcast, Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty.

China’s largest oil supplier in 2023 was Russia

CNN: Russia surpassed Saudi Arabia to become China’s largest oil supplier in 2023, according to the latest Chinese customs data.

Despite ending one-child policy China’s population falls for 2nd year

China’s population witnessed a decline of two million people in 2023, marking the second consecutive annual decrease.

21 killed in two fire accidents in China

At least 21 people, including school students, were killed in two separate fire incidents in China, local authorities said on Saturday. In the first accident, 13 students were confirmed killed in a fire that took place at the Yingcai School in Henan Province’s Yanshanpu village on Friday night.

Peru president grabbed by protester at public event

A protester violently grabbed Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on Saturday during an event in the southern Ayacucho region, where 10 people were killed in mass anti-government demonstrations more than a year ago.

Iran vows revenge over deadly missile strike in Damascus

Tehran has vowed to carry out revenge attacks against Israel after a missile strike yesterday flattened a building used as a base of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards in Damascus, killing five Guards and an unspecified number of Syrian troops.

Airstrikes caused serious damage to bilateral ties, says Pakistan’s foreign minister to his Iranian counterpart

Pakistan Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani had a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Wednesday and said that the airstrikes in Balochistan have caused serious damage to bilateral ties between the two countries, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement.

15 students, teacher drown when boat capsizes in Western India

A boat carrying a school group capsized in a lake in western India on Thursday, drowning 15 students and one teacher, fire service officials said.

Sri Lanka grapples with rising tide of online scams led by Chinese nationals

The idyllic landscapes and bustling economies of several countries have become unwitting playgrounds for a burgeoning phenomenon - cross-border financial scams perpetrated by Chinese nationals on tourist visas.

India eyes $100 billion annual foreign direct investment in coming years – IT minister

India is eyeing $100 billion in annual foreign direct investment (FDI) “in the next few years”, its IT minister said on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to attract investors ahead of a reelection bid.

China’s property market slide worsens despite government support

China’s troubled property market ended last year with the worst declines in new home prices in nearly nine years, despite government efforts to prop up the sector that was once a key driver of the world’s second largest economy.