HK economy witnesses first annual decline since 2009

Hong Kong (IANS) Hong Kongs economy is expected to shrink by 1.3 per cent this year, its first annual decline since 2009, mainly due to the anti-government protests that have gripped the city since June, officials said on Friday.

The government…

Trump 'big fan' of Erdogan, defends him against outraged Congress

Washington (IANS) US President Donald Trump has declared himself a "big fan" of his visiting Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and defended the latter against criticism from Congress, which is still angered by Ankara's offensive in northern…

Israel-Gaza ceasefire begins 2 days after fighting

Jerusalem/Gaza City (IANS) A ceasefire came into effect on Thursday after two days of fighting between Israel and militants of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Gaza.

The fighting took place after Israel on Tuesday killed Baha Abu al-Ata,…

Labour does U-turn, disowns Corbyn's anti-India stance

New Delhi/London (IANS) In a move that is surely going to embarrass Jeremy Corbyn, the Chair of the Labour Party Ian Lavery has outrightly disowned Corbyn's views on Jammu and Kashmir.

In a letter, Lavery said he "recognise" that the language…

Police officer shoots protester in Hong Kong

Hong Kong (IANS) A policeman has shot at least one person during protests in Hong Kong.

Footage shown live on Facebook showed the officer drawing his gun before grappling with a man at a roadblock, the BBC reported on Monday.

Another…

Warren mocks billionaires Bezos-Bloomberg US election talk

Washington (IANS) US presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren has criticized Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg after reports surfaced that Bezos called the billionaire businessman to launch a 2020 presidential…

Bangladesh evacuates thousands ahead of cyclone Bulbul

Dhaka (IANS) Authorities in Bangladesh on Saturday ordered the evacuation of at least 100,000 people from coastal areas as Cyclone Bulbul was set to make landfall later in the day.

The 'very severe' cyclonic storm surged northwards…

Macron describes NATO as 'brain dead'

Paris (IANS) French President Emmanuel Macron has described NATO as "brain dead", stressing what he sees as waning commitment to the trans-atlantic alliance by its main guarantor, the US.

"What we are currently experiencing is the brain death…

Another Pak U-turn, $20 fee for Kartarpur reinstated

New Delhi (IANS) In another U-turn, Pakistan has decided to charge $20 each from Indian pilgrims using the Kartarpur corridor on the inauguration day on Saturday, despite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan having announced a fee waiver on November…

56% of US voters say Trump will win 2nd term: Poll

New York (IANS) More than five in 10 registered American voters are betting on a second term for US President Donald Trump as he remains "highly competitive" in half a dozen battleground states most likely to decide on the election and will be rewarded…