2023 defence wrap: US supports India’s defence modernisation plans

To maintain deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and assist India in bolstering its defence modernisation plans, the United States is deploying cutting-edge military capabilities to its allies.

Donald Trump blocked from Maine presidential ballot in 2024

Maine’s top election official has ruled that Donald Trump cannot run for president next year in the state, citing a constitutional insurrection clause.

China tightens its grip on critical metals with a new trade ban

Closing the gap with China in the production of critical metals is likely to prove harder and take longer than expected if two recent warning shots are a guide.

AUS vs PAK: Play delayed at MCG as third umpire gets stuck in elevator

A dodgy MCG lift has caused a some-seven minute delay to the start of the second session on day three of the Boxing Day Test.

Daihatsu suspends production in Japan after safety test scandal

Production was suspended at the last operating domestic factory of Japanese automaker Daihatsu on Tuesday, as the Toyota subsidiary grapples with a safety testing scandal affecting 64 models going back more than three decades.

Lee Sun-kyun: Parasite actor found dead at 48

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in Oscar-winning film Parasite, has been found dead, according to police.

Fitch expects India to be among the fastest-growing nations in 2024-25

Fitch Ratings expects India to be among the world’s fastest-growing countries, with resilient GDP growth of 6.5 per cent in 2024-25. For the current financial year 2023-24, it pegs GDP growth at 6.9 per cent.

Taiwan detects 4 Chinese naval ships, 2 military aircraft around nation

The Ministry of Defence of Taiwan, has tracked four Chinese Naval vessels and two military aircraft around Taiwan. According to Taiwan News, the naval ships and aircraft were tracked around the nation between 6 a.m. on Sunday (Dec. 24) and 6 a.m. on Monday (Dec. 25).

Afghan couples marry in mass ceremony in bid to cut costs

A mass wedding ceremony involving 50 couples has been held in Afghanistan.

Khawaja accuses ICC of double standards over Gaza support

Australia opener Usman Khawaja has again accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of double standards after being refused permission to display a dove of peace on his bat during the Boxing Day test.

Beijing will reunify Taiwan with mainland China: Xi warns Biden

Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned his US counterpart Joe Biden that Beijing will reunify Taiwan with mainland China but that the timing has not yet been decided, NBC News reported.

Tanker hit off India coast by drone from Iran, says US

A chemical tanker was hit by a drone launched from Iran in the Indian Ocean on Saturday, the US military says.

India sends special charter flight for Papua New Guinea with relief supplies as part of USD 1 million aid

In continuation of India’s commitment to providing relief to the people of Papua New Guinea affected by the volcanic eruption, a special charter flight, loaded with supplies, took off from New Delhi on Thursday.

Gunman kills 14, injures 25 in Czech Republic’s worst mass shooting

The Czech Republic has declared Saturday a national day of mourning after a gunman killed 14 people and injured 25 at a university in Prague.

Tentative truce shows China’s influence – and its limits – in Myanmar

China has emerged as the dominant foreign power in terms of shaping possible outcomes in Myanmar’s spiralling political crisis as Beijing seeks to exert its influence over several armed groups who have staged the biggest challenge to the generals since they seized power in the February 2021 coup.

Sri Lanka’s move against foreign research vessels raises eyebrows

The Indian Ocean, traditionally a zone of geopolitical calm, has witnessed rising tensions in recent times. Sri Lanka, strategically located in this evolving scenario, has made a noteworthy move by imposing a one-year moratorium on foreign research vessels in its waters.

Japan and ASEAN bolster ties at summit focused on security amid China tensions

Leaders from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, marking their 50th anniversary of friendship, were meeting at a special summit on Sunday and expected to adopt a joint vision that emphasizes security cooperation amid growing tensions with China in regional seas.

Colorado Supreme Court ruling removing Trump from 2024 ballot

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump isn’t an eligible presidential candidate because of the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban,” removing him from the state’s 2024 ballot.

Winter woes of people of Gilgit-Baltistan

Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) continues to suffer from severe load-shedding making it difficult for the local populace to lead a normal life. With high electricity bills having become the norm, people are faced with a double whammy.

Pope Francis allows priests to bless same-sex couples

The Vatican said Monday that Pope Francis had allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, his most definitive step yet to make the Roman Catholic Church more welcoming to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics and more reflective of his vision of a more pastoral, and less rigid, church.

Biden safe after car collides with motorcade

President Joe Biden was safe on Sunday night after a car collided with a motorcade SUV that was part of the president’s security detail, a Reuters witness said.

US-China science pact renewal ’not a given’ -US envoy

U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said on Friday he had started talks with Beijing on renewing a landmark scientific cooperation agreement, and while the deal needed to be modernized, prospects for a new one were uncertain.

Quad to ’detect and deter’ cyber-attacks to keep Indo-Pacific resilient

The Quad members--India, Australia, Japan and the United States--discussed the importance of enhanced cooperation in the field of cybersecurity while reaffirming an Indo-Pacific that is resilient and equipped against cyberattacks.

Sri Lanka’s lotus tower: A towering marvel or looming white elephant?

Sri Lanka’s Lotus Tower, an architectural marvel that graces the skyline of Colombo, has become a focal point for both admiration and concern since its grand opening in September 2022.

Cairns in Australia experiencing ‘life-threatening’ flash-flooding

Cairns in Australia is experiencing “life-threatening” flash-flooding due to ex-cyclone Jasper, with dramatic images showing Cairns Airport under water.

More than 60 feared dead off Libya in latest migrant tragedy

At least 61 migrants were missing and presumed dead after their boat sank off Libya’s coast, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said yesterday, in the latest such tragedy off North Africa.

Perry death an accident caused by ketamine - coroner

Actor Matthew Perry’s death was an accident caused by the ’’acute effects of ketamine’’, medical officials in Los Angeles have confirmed.

India, US reaffirm commitment to combat illicit finance risks in global financial system

India and the United States have reiterated their commitment to jointly work to address illicit finance risk in the international financial system.

Philippines ’wargaming’ Chinese hostilities as sea standoffs intensify

The Philippines is contingency planning for an escalation of hostilities in the South China Sea, according to a senior military official, including a scenario where crew repel Chinese forces attempting to board Philippine vessels.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andre Braugher died of lung cancer

Two-time Emmy Award-winning actor Andre Braugher died of lung cancer after being diagnosed with the disease several months ago, his publicist has confirmed to the BBC.