Feature

January 23, 2025 1:53 PM

Hamas’ tight grip on Gaza complicates plan for lasting peace

In neighbourhoods levelled by 15 months of war with Israel, Hamas officials are overseeing the clearance of rubble in the wake of Sunday's ceasefire. The group's gunmen are guarding aid convoys on Gaza's dusty roads, and its blue-uniformed police once again patrol city streets, sending a clear messa...

January 23, 2025 12:21 PM

Trump threatens Russia, others with tariffs if Ukraine deal not reached

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would add new tariffs to his sanctions threat against Russia if the country does not make a deal to end its war in Ukraine, and added that these could also be applied to "other participating countries." In a post on Truth Social, Trump modified co...

January 22, 2025 5:45 PM

India’s soft power at its grandest

Mahakumbh is creating waves in India and abroad. Hindu devotees having connections to various branches of Sanatana thought, Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shaakta, those who follow the tenets of a particular Guru or Ashram and those who follow no one....all are converging in Prayagraj, so aptly called Teetharaj...

January 22, 2025 2:53 PM

China families appeal to free relatives held by scam gangs in Myanmar

The abduction and cross-border rescue had all the makings of the kind of action script struggling Chinese actor Wang Xing had hoped to land – only not as a reality star. Wang, 22, flew to Bangkok earlier this month after getting an unsolicited offer to join a film that was shooting in Thailand. ...

January 22, 2025 9:57 AM

Quad leaders reaffirm commitment to strengthen free and open Indo-Pacific

The United States, Australia, India and Japan recommitted to working together on Tuesday, after the first meeting of the "Quad" grouping's top diplomats since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. In a joint statement after the talks in Washington, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Ma...

January 21, 2025 8:03 PM

WHO regrets Trump’s decision to withdraw; hopes US will reconsider

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday expressed regret over the decision of US President Donald Trump to walk out of the global health body, and hoped the administration will reconsider it. “The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends ...

January 21, 2025 12:41 AM

Will take back Panama Canal & leave Paris climate accord: Trump

President Donald Trump on Monday said he will issue executive orders that will declare a national emergency along the border and all illegal entry will be immediately halted, adding that he will start the process of sending back people who came to the U.S. illegally. Trump also said he will be orde...