Saying humanity is waging war with the planet, the head of the United Nations isn’t planning to let just any world leader speak about climate change at Monday’s special “action summit.” Only those with new, specific and bold plans can command the podium and the ever-warming world’s attention, Secretary-General Antonio […]
‘Foreign forces raise Gulf insecurity’: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that the presence of foreign forces creates “insecurity” in the Gulf, after the US ordered the deployment of more troops to the region. “Foreign forces can cause problems and insecurity for our people and for our region,” Rouhani said in a televised speech […]
Donald Trump all set to boast about US success to UN, but troubles mounting
US President Donald Trump will stand before the United Nations on Tuesday to declare his country top of the world. But with diplomatic troubles building, his annual boast may ring hollow. Trump’s political brand is as well known inside the United Nations as his businessman version is to the rest […]
Israeli president Reuven Rivlin begins talks to form new government
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin began two days of crucial talks Sunday with party leaders before selecting his candidate for prime minister, after a deadlocked repeat election was set to make forming any new government a daunting task. Israel’s largely ceremonial president is tasked with picking the politician with the best […]
First Gandhi statue installed in Scottish town
The picturesque town of Ayr on the south-west coast of Scotland became the first Scottish place to install a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, marking another place in the United Kingdom to honour the life and times of the iconic leader of India’s freedom struggle. A bust of Gandhi was unveiled […]
Is America ready for gay president? Iowa casts first votes
The question posed to Pete Buttigieg — gay, married and running for president — came from a supporter at an Iowa campaign stop: What should he tell friends who say America isn’t ready to elect a gay man as president? That prompted a woman in the crowd to object with […]
Justin Trudeau’s support holds after apology for wearing brownface
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged Friday that he let down his supporters — and all Canadians of colour — by appearing years ago in brownface and blackface. Yet the scandal’s fallout may be limited in a country without the harsh and still-divisive racial history of the neighbouring United States. […]
US President Donald Trump to meet PM Modi twice
The United States announced on Friday President Donald Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, which will be their second meeting in three days including the “Howdy, Modi!” event in Houston, on the opening day of the 74th UN general assembly debates. In between those two meetings scheduled […]
India important actor in climate action, making fantastic efforts in renewable energy: UN chief
India is a very important actor and “fundamental partner” in international efforts on climate action and is making a “fantastic effort” to grow its renewable energy basket, UN chief Antonio Guterres has said. UN Secretary General Guterres, who has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on several occasions, recalled his leadership […]
No need to strike trade deal with China before 2020 elections, says Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump has said he does not feel the need to strike a trade agreement with China before the next year’s presidential elections, emphasizing that he is looking for a complete and not a “partial deal” with Beijing. The world’s two largest economies have been locked in a […]
Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch
Pakistani troops violated ceasefire on Thursday night and resorted to firing and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in two sectors of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, an Army official said. Pakistani rangers also fired few small arm rounds along the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector of Kathua, […]
Birth rates keep falling in China; in one mega city by 30 percent
The number of births in China fell in the first six months of 2019 in both urban and rural areas, latest rounds of country-wide surveys have revealed, indicating a reluctance among couples to have a second child three years after Beijing abolished the one-child policy. The falling birth rates differ […]
‘Namaste… and sorry’: Tulsi Gabbard’s message to PM Modi ahead of Houston event
Tulsi Gabbard, a member of the Democratic Party of the United States, welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be in US for his ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event scheduled to be held in Houston on September 22. While warmly welcoming the prime minister, Gabbard also apologised for not being able to […]
One dead in Washington DC shooting: What we know so far
One person was killed and five others wounded on Thursday in a shooting on the streets of Washington, DC, not far from the White House, police said. The incident happened in the parking lot of an apartment block. Here’s what we know so far: *The gunfire erupted in the Columbia Heights neighbourhood, […]