World News

China refused call with Pentagon chief on day of balloon downing: US

Beijing rejected a request for a secure call between Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and his counterpart on the day an American warplane shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon, a US Department of Defense spokesman said Tuesday.. "On Saturday, 4 February, immediately after taking action to down the PRC balloon, the DOD submitted a request for a secure call between Secretary Austin and PRC Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe," Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in a statement, referring to the People's Republic of China.

Tue, Feb 7, 2023 2 mins read

World News

US approves $10 bn sale of Himars rocket launchers to Poland

The United States on Tuesday announced its approval of a $10 billion sale of 18 Himars precision rocket launchers plus ammunition and other equipment to Poland, a NATO ally that borders conflict-hit Ukraine.. The announcement on the sale of the rocket launchers to Poland -- which shares a long border with Ukraine -- comes nearly a year after the start of Russia's invasion.

Tue, Feb 7, 2023 1 mins read

World News

UN states spar over Syria chemical attack report

Several UN Security Council members called on Syria to give guarantees regarding chemical weapons after a global watchdog concluded it had conducted a chlorine attack in 2018, accusations rejected by Damascus.. But the Council members said Syria is "still in breach of its obligations" under the Chemical Weapons Convention and "poses an ongoing threat to international peace and security."

Tue, Feb 7, 2023 1 mins read

World News

Quake imperils cross-border aid to Syria: UN

The sole border crossing used to shuttle life-saving aid from Turkey into conflict-ravaged Syria has seen its operations disrupted by the deadly earthquake that struck the two countries, the UN said Tuesday.. He said the UN was intent on using "any and all means to get to people, and that includes the cross-border operation and the cross-line operation from inside Syria".

Tue, Feb 7, 2023 2 mins read

World News

Three ways out from Peru political crisis, say experts

Peru has been rocked by two months of social upheaval with near-daily anti-government protests often turning into violence in which at least 48 people have died.. But at the same time, Paniagua believes the government is banking on protesters becoming weary and giving up, allowing the president and Congress to see out their mandates until 2026.

Tue, Feb 7, 2023 3 mins read

World News

At least 20 killed in second day of Somaliland clashes

Heavy fighting in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland continued into a second day on Tuesday, leaving at least 20 people dead as the UN urged a probe into the clashes. . The UN said Tuesday that at least 20 people had died in the clashes and called for an investigation. 

Tue, Feb 7, 2023 2 mins read

World News

Hope turns to despair in Turkey over lack of quake help

It is the last time Mesut Hancer will ever hold his 15-year-old daughter's hand.. "We need urgent help," the 40-year-old NGO worker said.

Tue, Feb 7, 2023 3 mins read

World News

Russia's Lavrov vows aid for W.Africa's jihadist fight

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday pledged assistance to West African states battling jihadists, as Moscow seeks to expand its influence on a continent in a diplomatic tug-of-war between global powers.. While Moscow woos African leaders -- some of whom have refused to publicly condemn the war in Ukraine -- the United States has launched its own diplomatic offensive on the continent, which is also being courted by China.

Tue, Feb 7, 2023 3 mins read

World News

'Silence!': Hushed search for Turkey's quake survivors

"Silence please!". "We need silence," he stressed.

Tue, Feb 7, 2023 3 mins read

World News

French, German ministers to tackle green subsidies with US

The French and German economy ministers, Bruno Le Maire and Robert Habeck, kicked off high-stakes talks with US officials Tuesday to underscore European concerns over President Joe Biden's ambitious climate action plan.. "We are here in Washington... to defend the interest of the European industry and to ensure fair competition between the European industry and the American industry," Le Maire told reporters Tuesday before the talks.

Tue, Feb 7, 2023 3 mins read