KYIV: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte urged dialogue to defuse a crisis with Russia today during a trip to Kyiv in which he also reaffirmed his resolve to secure justice for families of the victims of an airliner downed over eastern Ukraine in 2014. Rutte is the latest leader – […]
Year: 2022
NEW YORK: The United States has requested an emergency meeting tomorrow of the UN Security Council on North Korea, which launched its most powerful missile since 2017 last weekend, diplomatic sources said yesterday. The meeting is expected to be held behind closed doors. It is up to Russia, the president […]
MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal edged Daniil Medvedev in a classic Australian Open final on Sunday (Jan 30), roaring back from two sets down to claim a record 21st Grand Slam title only months after fearing his glorious career might be over due to injury. With Novak Djokovic forced out by deportation […]
BEIRUT: A decision by Lebanon’s leading Sunni Muslim politician to step back from politics and boycott a parliamentary election in May must not be used as an excuse to call for a delay, the Maronite Christian patriarch said today. Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rai said he was surprised by three times-former […]
HONG KONG: Having discussions and making “general remarks” about Hong Kong’s coronavirus strategy is not illegal and does not violate the Chinese territory’s national security law, the government said today, as it grapples to control a rise in cases. Hong Kong has followed China in sticking to a zero-Covid policy […]
Moscow: Russia said on Sunday (Jan 30) it wants “mutually respectful” relations with the United States and denied posing a threat to Ukraine, as the UK said it was preparing fresh sanctions against Moscow. Tensions have soared between Moscow and Washington after Western governments accused Russia of amassing tens of […]
MANILA: The Philippines’ justice ministry has ordered law enforcers to investigate a post on the social media platform TikTok threatening to assassinate presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., acting on a tip received by its cybercrime unit. “If a bomb joke is actionable, so is a threat of assassination, whether true […]
BEIJING: China has selected 15 pilot zones and identified several areas of application to “carry out the innovative application of blockchain” technology, according to a joint government statement on Sunday (Jan 30). The pilot zones include areas in China’s major cities of Beijing and Shanghai, as well as Guangzhou and […]
BEIJING: Daily Covid-19 infections among athletes and team officials at the Beijing Winter Olympics jumped to 19 yesterday from two a day earlier, as Games organisers warned of more cases in coming days. Including the athletes and officials, 36 Games-related personnel were found to be infected – 29 when they […]
ROME: Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has asked Sergio Mattarella to carry on as president for a second term after political leaders failed to find an alternative, compromise candidate, a political source said today. The source said Draghi had told Mattarella he needed to remain in office “for the good […]