US and Russia swap high-profile prisoners

Russia and the US have conducted a high-level prisoner swap, involving businessman Viktor Bout and WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Celine Dion reveals incurable health condition as she postpones tour dates

Celine Dion has revealed she has been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder with features of an autoimmune disease.

Beijing seeks ASEAN support for dominance in South China Sea

China has sought support from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in order to insulate the South China Sea and retain its dominance in the region, The Singapore Post reported.

At UN, India says Russia, Ukraine have to return to path of diplomacy

India has consistently called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and has urged Ukraine and Russia to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj said.

China announces major changes to Covid restrictions

China’s government has unveiled new Covid policies and eased some of the more controversial restrictions. The decision came shortly after a series of mass protests across the country last week as demonstrators demanded an end to sweeping lockdowns and quarantines.

16 dead in Donetsk road accident

Sixteen people were killed in a road traffic accident in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) on Wednesday, Denis Pushilin, the acting head of the region, has said. There were four survivors, he added.

‘Reich’ coup foiled in Germany: Security services

SWAT deployments, more than 130 searches and a total of 25 arrests have been carried out in Germany and several neighboring countries in one of the largest counter-terrorist operations in the nation’s history, according to German media.

New UN report reveals cracks in region’s health sector investments

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical cracks in health sector investments in Asia and the Pacific, with the sector’s foreign direct investments (FDI) dropping by 45 per cent from 2019 to 2020 and continuing to decline to 34 per cent in the first three quarters of 2022.

Jacqueline trolled over cosmetic surgery comments

Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez has been accused of going back on her statement on cosmetic surgery made at the Miss Sri Lanka pageant back in 2006.

Prince Harry says ’it’s a dirty game’ in new Netflix trailer

Prince Harry speaks of the ’’leaking and... planting of stories’’ as part of a ’’dirty game’’ in a new trailer for the Harry and Meghan series on Netflix.

BGMEA delegation meets US State Department official to discuss RMG issues

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have discussed issues relevant to Bangladesh’s readymade garments (RMG) industry, including its current challenges, prospects, and preparedness to pursue the next level of development and growth.

Russia refuses to give 30-40% discount on crude oil to Pakistan

Russia has declined to give Pakistan a 30 to 40 per cent discount on crude oil and said it cannot offer anything at the moment because “all volumes were committed”, according to a report by The News Thursday.

China’s Xi unwilling to accept Western vaccines, US official says

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is unwilling to accept Western vaccines despite the challenges China is facing with Covid-19, and while recent protests there are not a threat to Communist Party rule, they could affect his personal standing, US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said on Saturday (Dec 3).

Gautam Adani: The school dropout’s high-risk journey to become Asia’s richest man

Adani is India’s undisputed infrastructure tycoon. He runs India’s second-largest cement company, 13 ports - including the country’s largest in the western coastal town of Mundra - and operates seven airports. He is building India’s longest expressway between Delhi and Mumbai, the country’s commercial capital.

India may restart 20 projects in Afghanistan: Taliban

Taliban on Wednesday said that India may restart 20 stalled projects in Afghanistan.

India’s G20 presidency will herald a new era of globalisation; PM Modi

Today, India commences its G20 presidency. The previous 17 presidencies of the G20 delivered significant results - for ensuring macro-economic stability, rationalising international taxation, relieving debt-burden on countries, among many other outcomes. We will benefit from these achievements, and build further upon them.

After protests, Beijing allows home quarantine for low-risk Covid patients

Beijing will allow some virus-infected people to isolate at home, starting with residents of the city’s most-populous district, a landmark shift that reflects the pressure officials are under from a record outbreak and public opposition to Covid Zero.

Is Sri Lanka a victim of Chinese debt trap?

It is undeniable that China has been Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral creditor stemming from the economic relationship, which goes back 70 years to the Rice-Rubber Pact signed between the two countries in 1952 as one of the first trade agreements between China and a non-Communist country after the 1949 Chinese revolution.

Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter Christine McVie dies aged 79

Christine McVie, who played with Fleetwood Mac and wrote some of their most famous songs, has died aged 79, her family has said.

South African President faces threat of impeachment over ’Farmgate’

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa is facing a possible impeachment threat over the ’’Farmgate’’ scandal.

India’s growing population and the role of its youth

As the global population passes the milestone of 8 billion people, experts say it brings both opportunities and challenges for India, a nation that’s projected to pass China as the world’s most populous country.

India’s drive to boost the agriculture sector to great heights

The growth of a nation is closely linked to the well-being of farmers and agricultural productivity. Empowering farmers is therefore a priority for any a government trying to take a nation to greater heights.

Protesters urge Xi to resign over China Covid curbs

Protests broke out in China this weekend, with demonstrators in Shanghai, Wuhan, Beijing and other locations demanding an end to the government’s stringent Covid restrictions. Videos shared on social media purportedly show some protesters calling for the downfall of the Chinese Communist Party.

‘Hard times’ ahead for Europe: NATO

Europeans are about to face numerous hardships due to Western support for Kiev, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told Germany’s Welt an Sonntag newspaper on Sunday. Despite this, he insisted that the members of the US-led military bloc and their allies should boost their efforts to bolster Ukrainian forces.

N.Korea vows to create world’s most powerful nuclear force

North Korea seeks to have the most powerful nuclear capability in the world, the nation’s leader, Kim Jong-un, said on Sunday. He also ordered the promotion of military officials and scientists involved in the recent successful test of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which is thought to be able to reach the US mainland.

Kamboj Briefs UNSC on Achievements of CTC Under India’s Chairship

The Security Council was briefed by Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj about the crucial aspects of the work that is taken care of by the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and the efforts of CTC under India’s Chairship of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).

India requests consular access to 8 former Indian Navy officers in Qatar custody: MEA

The Indian authorities are seeking consular access from the Qatari government to eight former naval officers who were detained in Doha, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

Magical Kashmir: Blazing autumn attracts couples to Kashmir for pre-wedding shoots

The autumn’s blazing shade on the Kashmir Valley has attracted young couples from across the country to capture a pre-wedding living memory.

Iran, India complete each other: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister

Iran is ready to fulfil the energy needs of India, said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri who is visiting India as part of political consultations between the two countries.

India hosts Iran’s deputy FM to push Eurasian link

India hosted Iran’s deputy foreign minister on Wednesday amid a bid to boost connectivity and political ties days after external affairs minister S Jaishankar hosted his counterparts from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Syria.