UN chief condemns attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan
United Nations, Aug 27 – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, his spokesman said. “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the 26 August attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Chief, at a daily
S. Korea seeks 3.6 pc rise in defence budget for 2025
Seoul, Aug 27 – The South Korean government has sought a 3.6 per cent increase in defence spending next year to bolster capabilities to respond to evolving North Korean military threats. The Cabinet on Tuesday endorsed the proposed budget of 61.59 trillion won
IMF approves $820 mn disbursement to Egypt
Cairo, Aug 27 – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a disbursement of US$820 million to Egypt as part of an 8 billion-dollar loan program. The IMF on Monday said macroeconomic conditions in Egypt have improved since the program’s first and second reviews
Russian Navy inducts new Karakurt-class corvette
Moscow, Aug 27 – A new small missile corvette under Project 22800 Amur, also known as the ‘Karakurt-Class’, has been commissioned into the Russian Navy, Russia’s Defence Ministry announced. According to the ministry, a solemn ceremony of acceptance into the Russian Navy and
Nigerian President appoints new intelligence, secret police chiefs
Abuja, Aug 27 – Nigerian President Bola Tinubu appointed new leaders for two of the country’s most critical security agencies, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), as part of efforts to address the nation’s security challenges. In
Eight TN fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy
Chennai, Aug 27 – Eight fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested during the early hours of Tuesday by the Sri Lankan Navy. The fishermen were arrested for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The arrested fishermen were taken to the Mannar
Indonesia records 88 monkeypox cases since 2022
Jakarta, Aug 27 – Indonesia has recorded 88 cases of monkeypox (mpox) since it was first detected in August 2022, according to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin. In 2024 alone, the number of mpox cases has reached 14, Xinhua news agency reported. “The
S. Korea, CEPI discuss ways to bolster investment in local bio firms
Seoul, Aug 27 – The head of the global coalition meant to combat epidemic diseases said Seoul’s contribution plays a critical role in maintaining health initiatives worldwide, according to South Korea’s foreign ministry on Tuesday. South Korea contributed $33 million to the Coalition
S. Korean PM urges nurses, medical workers to call off planned strike
New Delhi, 27 Aug – South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday urged nurses and medical workers nationwide to call off a strike planned for this week, saying the government is doing everything it can to improve their working conditions. Duck-soo issued
Former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard endorses Trump for 2024 presidential race
Michigan, Aug 27 – Former US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, officially announced her endorsement of former President Donald Trump on Monday in the upcoming presidential polls in November, media reported. Gabbard, who has become a regular presence
PM Modi speaks to Biden, discusses Ukraine, Bangladesh
New Delhi, Aug 26 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday discussed the situation in war-torn Ukraine and volatile Bangladesh with US President Joe Biden. “Spoke to @POTUS@JoeBiden on phone today. We had a detailed exchange of views on various regional and global
Yemeni govt says intercepts Houthi drones targeting oil facility
Aden (Yemen), Aug 24 – The Yemeni army intercepted three Houthi drones carrying explosives targeting the Safer oil facility in Marib Governorate, according to a statement from the defence ministry. The ministry called the attack, which occurred on Friday morning, a “cowardly terrorist
Indian Air Force’s Sarang team leaves for Egypt International Airshow
New Delhi, Aug 24 – The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday dispatched its Sarang Helicopter Display Team to participate in the first edition of the Egypt International Airshow, which will take place from September 3 to 5 at Al-Alamein International Airport, in
11 dead, 14 missing after heavy rains hit China
Beijing, Aug 24 – Torrential rains have left 11 people dead and 14 others missing in the city of Huludao, China’s Liaoning Province. The heavy rainfall caused extremely severe damage in Huludao, particularly in the city’s Jianchang County and Suizhong County. Roads, power
Israeli attacks kill five in Gaza
Gaza, Aug 24 – Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza as the Israeli military ordered evacuations from the area. Palestinian security sources reported that Israeli artillery heavily shelled the outskirts of Beit Lahia and several nearby neighbourhoods, according to Palestinian
North Korea slams US nuclear strategy, vows to build up nuclear arms
Seoul, Aug 24 – North Korea on Saturday strongly lashed out at a revised US nuclear strategy plan, vowing to further strengthen its nuclear capability. Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that President Joe Biden approved the revised strategy in March
South Korea: Five labourers, including three Chinese nationals, killed in road accident
Ansan, Aug 24 – Five-day labourers, including three Chinese nationals, were killed in a traffic accident in Ansan, South Korea on Saturday while heading to a worksite, local authorities said. The accident occurred in Ansan, at around 5.45 a.m., while the victims were
Delayed humanitarian pause in Gaza could fuel polio outbreak among children: UNRWA
Gaza, Aug 24 – Delaying a humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip increases the risk of polio spreading among children, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has warned. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, emphasised
Are Russians falling out of love with vodka?
Moscow, Aug 23 – It is the alcoholic beverage most stereotypically identified with Russia, but vodka seems to be losing its charm for the people of the country, with its share of the domestic market in 2024 plunging to single-digit figures, as per
PM Modi invites Ukraine President to India, Zelensky accepts
Kyiv, Aug 24 – During his historic visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit India and the Ukrainian leader accepted the invitation. During his talks with Zelensky, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s principled position and commitment to a