Category: World

NEW DELHI (AP): In a major reversal, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Friday that he would repeal the controversial agriculture laws that sparked yearlong protests from tens of thousands of farmers and posed a significant challenge to his administration. Farmers, who form one of India’s most influential voting blocs, have camped out on the… Continue reading Bowing to protests, India’s Modi agrees to repeal farm laws

(BBC): Authorities in the Indian capital, Delhi, have shut all schools and colleges indefinitely amid the worsening levels of air pollution. Construction work has also been banned until 21 November but an exception has been made for transport and defence-related projects. Only five of the 11 coal-based power plants in the city have been allowed… Continue reading Delhi smog: Schools and colleges shut as pollution worsens

BEIJING (AP): China on Tuesday welcomed a virtual meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden as raising hopes for better relations, while the U.S. was more muted on the talks as the world’s two biggest powers sought to ratchet down more than a year of tensions. The leaders appeared to put aside… Continue reading Xi-Biden talks raise hope for better ties but strains remain

WASHINGTON (AP): Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping have slurped noodles together in Beijing. They’ve shared deep thoughts about the meaning of America during an exchange on the Tibetan plateau. They’ve gushed to U.S. business leaders about developing a sincere respect for each other. The American president has held up his relationship with Xi as… Continue reading Biden and Xi prepare for meeting

TOKYO (AP): A Japanese princess who gave up her royal status to marry her commoner college sweetheart left for New York on Sunday, as the couple pursued happiness as newlyweds and left behind a nation that has criticized their romance. The departure of Mako Komuro, the former Princess Mako, and Kei Komuro, both 30, was… Continue reading Japan’s former princess leaves for US with commoner husband

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP): Satellite tracking data and other signals on Wednesday suggested a Vietnamese oil tanker earlier seized by Iran had been freed by the Islamic Republic, ending the latest maritime confrontation involving Tehran amid stalled negotiations over its tattered nuclear deal with world powers. The Sothys left a position off Iran’s Bandar… Continue reading Satellite signals suggest Vietnam ship seized by Iran freed

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP): As COVID-19 ravaged Hungary in April, Budapest resident Akos Sipos received his second vaccine dose, believing he was doing the right thing for his own health and to help end the pandemic. But Sipos, 46, soon discovered that the vaccine he received, Russia’s Sputnik V, disqualified him from traveling to a number… Continue reading Foreign citizens seek US-approved shots as travel resumes

BAGHDAD (AP): Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi survived an assassination attempt with armed drones that targeted his residence early Sunday and officials said he was unharmed. The attack was a major escalation amid tensions sparked by the refusal of Iran-backed militias to accept last month’s parliamentary election results. Two Iraqi officials told The Associated Press… Continue reading Iraqi prime minister survives assassination bid with drones

Kathmandu: Afghanistan has declared a ban on foreign currencies. According to international media sources, the Taliban leadership has outlawed the use of foreign money, claiming that it has a negative influence on Afghanistan’s economy.The Taliban government’s decree threatened “serious retribution” for anyone found using foreign cash in contravention of the rule. In a statement, the… Continue reading Afghanistan bans foreign currency

BBC: More than 20 people have been killed and at least 16 injured in an attack on a military hospital in the Afghan capital Kabul, an official at the Ministry of Public Health told the BBC. A Taliban spokesman confirmed there had been two explosions – the first in front of the 400-bed Sardar Daud… Continue reading More than 20 killed in attack on Kabul military hospital