Category: WORLD NEWS

US President Donald Trump today said he supports free trade but it has to be fair and reciprocal, as he reaffirmed his nuanced commitment to ‘America First’ policy, saying it does not mean “America alone”. Addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) where several leaders have took him on for his alleged protectionist and inward-looking policies, Trump said America is “open to business” and competitive again. He also said the US would keep up its fight against terrorism across the world and would not let Afghanistan become a haven for terrorists…

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At least 33 people were killed in a blaze at a hospital in South Korea today, firefighters said, with more than 70 injured. It is the second devastating blaze in just a month in the advanced country, Asia’s fourth-largest economy. Videos posted on social media showed a patient hanging on to a rope dangling from a helicopter above the hospital in Miryang, and another crawling out of a window to climb down a ladder. The six-storey structure housed a nursing home as well as the hospital, and the National Fire…

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China today reacted guardedly to India hosting top ASEAN leaders on the country’s 69th Republic Day and hoped that all countries can work jointly to maintain peace, stability and the development of the region. India is holding a two-day India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in New Delhi which is expected to give boost to the cooperation in key areas of counter-terrorism, security and connectivity amidst increasing Chinese economic and military assertiveness in the region. In an unprecedented event, all the 10 ASEAN leaders will also be the chief guests at the Republic…

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A Pakistan Army official, appointed as a clerk at the country’s embassy in Austria some five months ago, disappeared this month along with some sensitive documents, a media report has said. A case of his disappearance and missing documents was registered at the Tarnol police station in Islamabad on a complaint of a defence ministry official, Dawn reported. “It is suspected that he might have become a tool in the hands of enemy of the country,” according to the FIR. The missing official was enrolled in the Pakistan Army as…

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Union minister M J Akbar today asserted that India is a responsible nuclear state and believes in ‘no first use’ of such weapons, even as he questioned why no action is being taken at the global level against proliferation. Speaking at a session on nuclear threats to international security here at the World Economic Forum (WEF), he said many countries see nuclear weapons as the ultimate deterrence and see “missiles as a message”. The minister of state for external affairs said just a few days ago India joined the Australia…

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The EU removed eight countries including Panama from its new tax haven blacklist today after they pledged to address its concerns, in a move swiftly condemned by activists. The United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Mongolia, Macau, Grenada and Barbados were also lifted from the list by finance ministers, in a move that comes just weeks after the bloc unveiled its original list of 17 non-EU nations. The decision drew criticism from campaigners including Oxfam who say the EU’s commitment to tackle tax avoidance after the “Panama Papers” leak last year has…

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President Donald Trump has slapped high tariffs on import of solar cells and washing machines to protect the American market badly hit by products from countries like China and South Korea. The move is in line with President Trump’s “America First” trade policy. The US Trade Representative (USTR) made the recommendations to the President based on consultations with the inter agency Trade Policy Committee (TPC) in response to findings by the independent, bipartisan US International Trade Commission (ITC) that increased imports of washers and solar cells and modules are a…

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Vice President Mike Pence kicked off his visit to Israel today with a morning meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he said it was an honor “to be in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem.” Netanyahu thanked Pence for President Donald Trump’s “historic” recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and lauded the American-Israeli alliance, which he said has “never been stronger.” The brief exchange was part of an incredibly warm welcome for Pence in Israel, which has praised the American decision last month to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s…

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The next submissions hearing in the extradition trial of Vijay Mallya over alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to Rs 9,000 crores remains uncertain as the lawyers are yet to agree on a mutually convenient date. Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot was listed to hear the case at Westminster Magistrates Court today, with the 62- year-old embattled liquor baron exempt from attending. However, the case was not discussed in the court as the lawyers are yet to agree on a mutually convenient date. The next hearing date is expected within the…

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A Taliban assault on the Intercontinental Hotel in Afghanistan’s capital killed at least 18 people, including 14 foreigners, and pinned security forces down for more than 13 hours before the last attacker was killed today, with the casualty toll expected to rise. The heavily-guarded luxury hotel is popular among foreigners and Afghan officials. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the 18 killed included 14 foreigners and a telecommunications official from the western Farah province who was attending a conference. “11 of the 14 foreigners killed were employees of KamAir, a…

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