Putin agreed to let US, Europe offer NATO-style security protections for Ukraine: Trump envoy

NEW YORK: Special US envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin agreed at his summit with President Donald Trump to allow the US and European allies to offer Ukraine a security guarantee resembling NATO’s collective defense mandate as part of an eventual deal to end the 3 1/2-year war. “We were able […]

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South Korea, Japan aim to show solidarity amid conflicting US signals at Tokyo summit

By Park Chan-kyong South Korea and Japan could use their coming bilateral summit to project stability to Washington, which was simultaneously imposing high tariffs on its allies while seeking their cooperation to counter China, analysts said. The summit, scheduled for August 23 in Tokyo, will be the first full bilateral meeting between South Korean President […]

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Asian shares mixed as hopes for US rate cuts wane; Bitcoin hits record

Asian shares showed a mixed performance today (14 August) following several days of gains fuelled by expectations of lower US interest rates, while US futures slipped. Bitcoin surged over 3%, reaching a new record above $1,23,000, according to CoinDesk. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 fell 1.4% to 42,657.94 as investors booked profits after recent record […]

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Revived Silk Route allows US to steam ahead of China, Russia in South Caucasus

By Tom Hussain The shortest Silk Route between China and Europe is set to reopen for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, following last Friday’s agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan to end the conflict that had been blocking the way. Ironically, the obstacle was cleared by China’s nemesis, United States President […]

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US-India relations hit new low despite Trump-Modi bromance: What’s next?

By Yashraj Sharma New Delhi, India — When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, many Indian analysts celebrated, arguing that his bonhomie with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would shield the country from the chaos that the United States president could unleash. The two leaders had effectively campaigned for each other previously, […]

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US sanctions force vessels with Russian oil to divert from India, sources say

NEW DELHI/MOSCOW: At least two vessels loaded with Russian oil bound for refiners in India have diverted to other destinations following new US sanctions, trade sources said, and LSEG trade flows showed. The US Treasury Department this week imposed sanctions on more than 115 Iran-linked individuals, entities, and ships, some of which are involved in […]

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How to stop US bunker busters? Chinese scientists have an idea

By Stephen Chenin Beijing Precision-guided bunker busters fly slowly but carry massive warheads wrapped in thick armour. Small nations without air power watch helplessly as bombs fall. When US B-2 stealth bombers struck Iran’s nuclear sites with GBU-57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) bunker busters on June 22, there was reportedly little resistance. Chinese researchers have […]

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US calls for closer South Korea-Japan defence ties amid ‘unprecedented’ China-North threat

By Park Chan-kyong America’s highest-ranking military officer has called for closer trilateral defence ties with South Korea and Japan in response to what he described as an “unprecedented” military build-up by North Korea and China. The remarks by General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, come amid growing pressure on Seoul […]

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