Despite Western pressure, China in no hurry to reduce Russia support
Despite Western calls on China to cut its support for Moscow's war against Ukraine by limiting supplies of dual-use materials and weapons components to Russia, Beijing has no interest in dropping its backing for President Vladimir Putin, analysts say
INDIA ELECTION / Opposition slams Modi for anti-Muslim remarks
India’s main opposition party yesterday condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for anti-Muslim comments in election campaign speeches that have heightened concerns over sectarian tensions in the world’s biggest democracy.
India Election: Dance videos of Modi, rival turn up AI heat
An AI video shows an ecstatic Narendra Modi sporting a trendy jacket and trousers, grooving on a stage to a Bollywood song as the crowd cheers. The Indian prime minister reshared the video on X, saying “such creativity in peak poll season is truly a delight.”
Xi, Putin condemn US
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday condemned what they cast as increasingly aggressive US behaviour and pledged to deepen their countries’ already close defence and military ties.
China shows off robot ‘dogs of war’
China’s military yesterday showed off its machine gun equipped robot battle “dogs” at the start of its biggest ever drills with Cambodian forces, as the United States frets about Beijing’s growing influence in the Southeast Asian country.
Putin meets Xi in Beijing seeking greater support for war effort
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Thursday with counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing as he seeks greater support from China for his war effort in Ukraine and his isolated economy
CONTROVERSIAL LAW / India issues first set of citizenship certificates to 14
India yesterday granted citizenship to a first batch of 14 people under a controversial law that has been criticised for discriminating against Muslims, midway through general elections in which religious divisions have taken centre stage.
In a first, 14 get Indian citizenship under CAA
The CAA was passed by parliament in 2019 but the BJP-led central government notified the CAA implementation rules in March this year
Modi denies adopting polarisation tactics to win polls
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected the allegation that he has adopted a tactics of polarisation to win the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024
Iran port deal: India downplays US sanctions threat
India's foreign minister has said his company will work to communicate the benefits of a strategic port project in Iran after the United States said Indian firms working on the project risked sanctions
Indonesia flood death toll rises to 50 with 27 missing
Rescuers recovered more bodies on Tuesday after flash floods and cold lava flow on Indonesia's Sumatra island over the weekend killed at least 50 people and left another 27 missing, the country's disaster agency said.
Japan to introduce online booking for Mount Fuji trail
An online booking system for Mount Fuji's most popular trail was announced on Monday by Japanese authorities trying to fight overtourism on the active volcano
Indian polls: Voting begins in 4th phase; 96 seats up for grab
Millions of Indians today began casting their votes in the fourth phase of polling in parliamentary election encompassing 96 constituencies across ten states and union territories
96 constituencies go to polls in 4th phase today
A string of high-profile ruling BJP and opposition politicians will be in the fray as millions of Indians cast their votes 96 constituencies across ten states and union territories in the fourth phase of India’s marathon Lok Sabha elections today.
Nepal's 'Everest Man' claims record 29th summit
Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa reached the top of Mount Everest for the 29th time Sunday, breaking his own record for the most summits of the world's highest mountain
Canada arrests fourth Indian national in killing of Sikh activist
A fourth Indian national was charged by Canadian authorities Saturday in the 2023 killing of a separatist Sikh leader in Vancouver
Save India from dictatorship
A top opponent of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday urged his compatriots to resist “dictatorship”, after the country’s top court provisionally released him from jail to campaign in national elections.
Afghan floods kill over 300
More than 300 people were killed in flash floods that ripped through multiple Afghan provinces, the World Food Programme said yesterday, as authorities declared a state of emergency and rushed to rescue the injured.
More than 200 dead in Afghanistan flash floods: UN
Flash floods that have ripped through northern Afghanistan left more than 200 people dead in a single province, the United Nations said on Saturday
India SC grants temporary bail to Kejriwal
India’s top court gave temporary bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a graft case yesterday, allowing him to campaign in the ongoing general elections, boosting the opposition alliance of which he is a prominent figure.
Opposition in J&K accuses govt of sabotaging campaigns
Opposition leaders in India’s troubled Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) valley have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration of denying or cancelling permissions to hold campaign events, to help his party’s “proxies”.
