PM Modi dials Russian President Putin, shares ‘insights’ from recent Ukraine visit
New Delhi/Moscow, April 27 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin following his landmark visit to Ukraine, last week. “Spoke with President Putin today. Discussed measures to further strengthen Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Exchanged perspectives on
Wildfires cause loss of $182 mn in Brazil’s Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo, Aug 27 – The economic loss caused by the wildfires in Brazil’s southeastern Sao Paulo state reached up to 1 billion reals (US$182 million) within just three days, regional Governor Tarcisio de Freitas said. In an interview with Brazil’s GloboNews channel
Air quality alert sounded in Brazilian capital
Brasilia, Aug 27 – Brasilia’s environment institute, which monitors air quality in the Brazilian capital, issued an alert, warning of a “delicate situation.” For the second day in a row, Brasilia was affected by heavy smoke from wildfires in the states of Sao
Thousands of trade workers join strikes over Australian government’s union takeover
Canberra, Aug 27 – Tens of thousands of trade workers have walked off job sites across Australia in protest against the federal government’s takeover of the construction union. Members of the Construction, Forestry, and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) as well as the electrical,
Iranian, Qatari discuss bilateral ties, Gaza situation
Tehran, Aug 27 – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani exchanged views on bilateral ties and the situation in Gaza. During their meeting on Monday, the two sides reviewed joint efforts to expand
Russia launches missile, drone attack on Ukrainian energy facilities
Moscow/Kyiv, Aug 27 – Russian military launched a massive strike on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure facilities, the Russian Defence Ministry said. “This morning, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a massive strike with high-precision long-range air and sea-based weapons, striking unmanned
Palestine condemns Israeli Minister’s call to build synagogue in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
Gaza, Aug 27 – Palestine has condemned Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s remarks about building a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Palestinian people will not accept any harm to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a red line that cannot
Israeli raid kills 7 Palestinians in Gaza City
Gaza, Aug 27 – At least seven Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a gathering on the beach in Gaza City, Palestinian security and medical sources said. An Israeli drone targeted the gathering of Palestinians, killing seven and wounding dozens of
Hezbollah attacks Israeli site with suicide drone
Beirut, Aug 27 – Hezbollah has claimed that it targeted Israeli “spy equipment” at the Ramyah site in northern Israel with a suicide drone, achieving a direct hit. “In support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and their resistance, our fighters
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