Trump administration eases drone export standards
Washington: In a significant development, the Trump administration on Friday relaxed standards for exporting drones to friendly countries. Under the new policy, drones that fly at speeds below 800 km per hour are no longer subject to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). “This action, which is consistent with the MTCR guidelines will increase the […]
Feds use tear gas to try to disperse Portland protests
Portland: A persistent crowd of protesters remained outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon, into the early hours of Saturday as fireworks were shot at the building and plumes of tear gas, dispensed by U.S. agents, lingered above. Thousands of people gathered in Portland streets hours after a U.S. judge denied Oregon’s request to restrict […]
Between 6,000-6,500 Pakistani terrorists in Afghanistan: UN report
United Nations: An estimated 6,000-6,500 Pakistani terrorists are in neighbouring Afghanistan, most of them with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, posing a threat to both the countries, a UN report has said. The 26th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning ISIS, al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities said that the terror group al-Qaida […]
US seeks new ‘alliance of democracies’ to take on authoritarian China: Pompeo
Washington: Upping the ante on China over its expansionist policies and alleged cover-up of the COVID-19 outbreak, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has pitched for a new “alliance of democracies” to counter the challenges posed by the authoritarian Chinese regime. Echoing President Donald Trump that the US has had “enough” with China, Pompeo announced […]
Judge blocks US agents from arresting observers in Portland
Portland (US): A federal judge specifically blocked U.S. agents from arresting or using physical force against journalists and legal observers at protests in Oregon’s largest city where President Donald Trump is testing the limits of federal power. Federal agents appeared to deploy tear gas early Friday to force thousands of demonstrators from crowding around the […]
Sudan finds mass grave likely linked to foiled 1990 coup
Cairo: Sudanese authorities have found a mass grave believed to contain the bodies of 28 army officers shot in a foiled coup attempt against former President Omar al-Bashir in 1990, the public prosecutor said late Thursday. It was the second Bashir-era mass grave uncovered in as many months. Al-Bashir’s repressive rule collapsed last year, when […]
Taliban say ready for talks with Kabul after Eid holiday
Islamabad: The Taliban say they are ready for talks with Afghanistan’s political leadership after the Muslim holiday of Eid ul Adha at the end of July, offering to hand over the last of the government prisoners in a week’s time, providing the government frees the last of its Taliban prisoners. The offer made by Taliban’s […]
China launches first Mars mission
Beijing: China successfully launched its first Mars probe on Thursday, aiming to complete orbiting, landing and roving in a single mission, taking an ambitious step towards planetary exploration of the solar system. A Long March-5 rocket, China’s largest and most powerful launch vehicle, carrying the spacecraft with a mass of about five tonnes, soared into […]
House OKs repeal of Trump travel ban decried as anti-Muslim
Washington: The House on Wednesday voted to repeal the Trump administration’s travel ban and further restrict the president’s power to limit entry to the U.S., a symbolic victory for Muslim American and civil rights groups. The bill, which passed the Democrat-controlled House 233-183, had initially been slated for action in March, before the coronavirus forced […]
Israeli president lashes out at govt, talk of election
Jerusalem: Israel’s largely ceremonial president lashed out Thursday at squabbling members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s so-called unity government, beseeching them to quit bickering during a time of national emergency and stop floating the prospect of yet another “terrible” election campaign. Reuven Rivlin’s tweet comes amid a wave of angry protests against Netanyahu for his perceived mismanagement […]
