Dozens of soldiers freed in Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap
Kyiv: Dozens of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war have returned home following a prisoner swap, officials on both sides said Saturday. Top Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak said in a Telegram post that 116 Ukrainians were freed. He said the released POWs include troops who held out in Mariupol during Moscow’s monthslong siege that […]
NATO urges Russia to respect nuclear pact with the US
Brussels: NATO called Friday on Russia to respect the only treaty it has with the United States aimed at keeping a lid on nuclear weapons expansion and urged Moscow to allow on-the-ground inspections of military sites to resume. The so-called New START Treaty was signed by Russia and the US in 2010. It caps at […]
China says balloon is for research, accidently strayed
Beijing: China’s Foreign Ministry said Friday that a balloon the U.S. suspects of conducting surveillance was a civilian “airship” used for research, mainly meteorological purposes. The statement said the airship has limited steering capability and “deviated far from its planned course” because of winds. It said China regrets the unintended entry of the airship into […]
Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif acknowledges failure to avert Peshawar carnage; calls for ‘national unity’
Peshawar: Amidst a wave of terror attacks in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday acknowledged the failure to avert the Peshawar carnage that killed over 100 people and called for “national unity” to tackle the menace. Addressing an apex committee meeting at the Governor House here on the mosque attack and the overall emerging […]
UK defends BBC independence, says ‘investing heavily’ in relationship with India
London: The UK government has defended the BBC as a media outlet “independent in its output“ in the wake of widespread Indian diaspora protests against the controversial documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing reporters at Downing Street on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson echoed a statement issued by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly […]
Iran blames Israel for drone attack, threatens retaliation
Dubai: Iran on Thursday blamed Israel for a drone attack that targeted a military workshop in its central city of Isfahan over the weekend, warning it “reserves its legitimate and inherent right” to retaliate. Iran’s mission to the United Nations, in a letter it published on its website, attributed the attack late Saturday to Israel. […]
‘Substantial changes’ made in personal I-T in Budget, new tax regime now more attractive: Sitharaman
New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said the government has made the new income tax regime more attractive for taxpayers and has thus brought about ‘substantial changes’ in its structure for the benefit of the middle class. The Budget 2023-24 has proposed changes in the optional tax regime, which was introduced in 2020-21. […]
Biggest day of industrial action in Britain as teachers, workers strike over pay
London: Britain on Wednesday faced what has been dubbed the biggest industrial action in a decade as teachers, university lecturers, train and bus drivers and public sector workers went on a strike to demand better pay conditions. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson admitted that the mass strike action will prove “very difficult” for […]
Russia focuses on eastern Ukraine for possible new offensive
Kyiv: Russia is mustering its military might in the Luhansk region of Ukraine, local officials said Wednesday, in what Kyiv suspects is preparation for an offensive in the eastern area in coming weeks as the anniversary of Moscow’s invasion approaches. The Kremlin’s forces are expelling local residents from their homes near the Russian-held parts of […]
India, US are ready to break down barriers to closer technology and defence cooperation: Experts
Washington: The launch of the India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his American counterpart Jake Sullivan is an important signal that the two countries are ready to break down barriers, foster ties in technology and bolster defence cooperation, experts said. Sullivan and Doval met at the […]
