US designates Pakistan, Taliban as violators of religious freedom

New Delhi (IANS) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has redesignated Pakistan as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for violating religious freedom and also rebranded the Taliban as an Entity of Particular Concern, according to a Dawn news report.

Japan to spend record $488bn on economic stimulus package

Tokyo (IANS) Japan plans to spend a record 55.7 trillion yen ($488 billion) on an economic stimulus package, which is designed to help recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, local media reported on Thursday.

The total package, including…

Did the Xi-Biden summit go beyond optics?

Beijing (IANS) Guardrails were invoked at a vaunted summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping which saw the idea of "global village" spring up in marathon talks that kept staring at closure but didn't reach one.

In…

Biden, Xi discuss 'complex nature' of ties during virtual meet

Washington (IANS) In their first face-to-face virtual summit, US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Tuesday discussed the "complex nature" of ties between the two superpowers, as well as the "importance of managing competition…

Pak's alliance with China may invite wrath of US, allies

New Delhi (IANS) Pakistans decision to form a complete strategic alliance with China may invite the "wrath of the US and its allies", the countrys policymakers anticipated during their last weeks closed-door briefing to the lawmakers on national security…

Major win for India in climate diplomacy with deal signed with 1.5C alive

Glasgow (IANS) In a major win in international diplomacy in the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, India on Saturday managed to convince the world to include coal to the 'phase down', instead of 'phase out' after days of negotiations.

Ukraine, NATO countries hold naval drills in Black Sea

Kiev (IANS) The Ukrainian Navy held a passing exercise (PASSEX) in the Black Sea with the naval forces of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states, namely the US, Turkey and Romania, the Defence Ministry in Kiev said in a statement.

Boris Johnson facing lawsuit for protecting Priti Patel

London (IANS) Priti Patel, the Indian-origin British Home Secretary, has triggered a court case against Prime Minister Boris Johnsons decision last year not to dismiss her for alleged unacceptable behaviour with Philip Rutnam, a permanent secretary…

Xi, on historic high, to hold virtual summit with Biden

New York- (IANS) US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a virtual summit Monday evening, the White House said.

The high-stakes meet is set amid increasing hostility among the world's two largest economies.

China launches compulsory recruitment drive for locals in Chumbi Valley

New Delhi (IANS) China has launched a "compulsory recruitment drive" for locals in Chumbi Valley between Sikkim and Bhutan as the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers from the mainland are unable to deal with the harsh winter situation.