Tony Blair’s return to Middle East diplomacy reopens old wounds and new doubts
When Tony Blair was first tasked with forging a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians in 2007, the White House cautioned that the former British prime minister was not “superman” and “he doesn’t have a cape”. After failing to achieve much of note in that role, Blair is preparing once again to tackle one […]
Read MoreExert pressure on Myanmar, Arakan Army to end Rohingya violence, begin repatriation: Yunus tells UN
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called on the international community to exert “effective pressure” on Myanmar and the Arakan Army to immediately stop persecution of the Rohingya and begin their “expeditious repatriation” to Rakhine. Speaking at the opening session of the ‘High-Level Conference on the Situation of the Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar’ […]
Read MoreIndonesian president defends free meals programme after 6,000 suffer food poisoning
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Monday defended his ambitious plan to provide free meals for children after some 6,000 cases of food poisoning, saying the percentage of those affected was small and the programme was still finding its footing. The food poisonings have sparked a public outcry with TV channels broadcasting images of children being […]
Read MoreObama slams Israel’s Gaza offensive, says it lacks ‘military rationale’
Former US president Barack Obama on Friday (26 September) publicly criticised Israel’s ongoing military action in Gaza, stating that there is no longer a “military rationale for continuing to pummel what is already rubble.” The rare comments come as global leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, a meeting roiled by […]
Read MoreHamas says it has not received Trump plan as Israel expands Gaza City assault
CAIRO/RAMALLAH: Hamas has not received US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan, the Palestinian group which runs the enclave said on Saturday as Israeli forces expanded their assault on Gaza City. The comments came after Israeli newspaper Haaretz cited sources saying Hamas had agreed in principle to release all the Israeli hostages it holds in […]
Read MoreFacing global isolation at UN, defiant Netanyahu says Israel ‘must finish job’ against Hamas
NEW YORK: Encircled by critics and protesters at the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told fellow world leaders on Friday that his nation “must finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza, giving a defiant speech despite growing international isolation over his refusal to end the devastating war. “Western leaders may have buckled under […]
Read MoreNew Syria leader warns on Israel attacks on UN charm mission
Syria’s new leader warned yesterday (24 September) that Israel’s persistent attacks put his country and the region at risk, on a landmark UN visit where the former jihadist sought to charm with his moderation. Ahmed al-Sharaa is the first Syrian president in decades to address the UN’s annual week of high-level diplomacy, marking a rapid […]
Read MoreVietnam PM seeks new trade deals to counter US tariff impact
Vietnam’s prime minister said Hanoi was pursuing new trade deals this year to mitigate the impact of tariffs imposed on its goods by the United States, its largest market. The statement came days after estimates by the United Nations Development Programme showed US duties risked slashing by up to one-fifth of Vietnam’s exports to the […]
Read MoreCrimes against humanity charges against former Philippine President Duterte detailed by court
THE HAGUE: The crimes against humanity charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte allege his involvement in the killings of at least 76 people while he was president and earlier a southern mayor, the International Criminal Court has revealed. The first charge cites 19 victims killed while Duterte was mayor of Davao City between 2013 […]
Read MoreTrump Repeats Claim He Ended 7 Wars, Including India-Pak, In UN Speech
New York : At the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), US President Donald Trump repeated his claim of ending seven wars. He said, “In a period of just seven months, I have ended seven unendable wars.” The “wars” that he said he ended were, Israel and Iran, India and Pakistan, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic […]
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