Trump signs executive orders banning Chinese apps TikTok & WeChat; cites India’s action
Washington: President Donald Trump, citing India’s recent ban on Chinese social media apps, has signed executive orders that would prevent TikTok and WeChat from operating in the US as they threatened America’s national security and economy. The ban comes into effect in 45 days, Trump said in two separate executive orders signed on Thursday. India […]
Kabul opens traditional council on release of 400 Taliban
Kabul: A traditional council met on Friday in Afghanistan’s capital to decide whether to release a final 400 Taliban prisoners, the last hurdle to starting negotiations between Kabul’s political leadership and the Taliban under a peace deal with the US. The negotiations are a critical step toward lasting peace in Afghanistan. The talks will decide […]
US welcomes release of Taliban prisoners, commends Afghan Loya Jirga
Washington: Commending the participants of the Afghan Loya Jirga to consolidate the national support for peace, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has welcomed the move to expeditiously release the remaining Taliban prisoners, which he said was the last obstacle to begin the intra-Afghan negotiations. Hours ahead of the convening of the Loya Jirga — […]
Virus upends Trump and Biden convention plans
Washington: At the last minute, President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, are searching for places to impressively yet safely accept their parties’ presidential nominations as the spread of the coronavirus adds fresh uncertainty to the campaign for the White House. Trump said Wednesday he’s considering giving his Aug. 27 acceptance speech on […]
Lebanon probes blast amid rising anger, calls for change
Beirut: Lebanese officials targeted in the investigation of the massive blast that tore through Beirut sought to shift blame for the presence of explosives at the city’s port, and the visiting French president warned Thursday that without serious reforms the country would “continue to sink.” The blast Tuesday, which appeared to have been caused by […]
Afghan council to decide whether Kabul releases 400 Taliban
Kabul: Afghanistan officials say a traditional consultative council will convene Friday to decide whether the last 400 Taliban prisoners will be released as part of a peace agreement, even as its Health Ministry says half of Kabul’s residents are infected with the coronavirus. The Taliban have rejected any changes to the deal they signed in […]
Lebanese confront devastation after massive Beirut explosion
Beirut: Residents of Beirut confronted a scene of utter devastation Wednesday, a day after a massive explosion at the port rippled across the Lebanese capital, killing at least 100 people, wounding thousands and leaving entire city blocks blanketed with glass and rubble. Smoke still rose from the port, where a towering building of silos was […]
French president traveling to Lebanon after deadly explosion
Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron is traveling to Lebanon on Thursday to offer support for the country after a massive, deadly explosion. Macron’s office told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the French leader will meet with Lebanese political leaders. It provided no further details. Lebanon is a former French protectorate and the countries retain […]
WHO airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon
Beirut: The World Health Organization says it is airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon to cover up to 1,000 trauma interventions and up to 1,000 surgical interventions following the explosion in Beirut. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said supplies airlifted from a “humanitarian hub” in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates would be used to treat burns […]
Lanka’s general election sees high voter turnout, Rajapaksa clan expected to win
Colombo: Sri Lankans, wearing face masks and carrying their own pens, turned out in large numbers to vote on Wednesday in the twice-postponed parliamentary election which is expected to be won by the powerful Rajapaksa family-run Sri Lanka People’s Party (SLPP). According to Chairman of the National Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya, the election, conducted amidst […]
