China to fully reopen borders to foreigners but near-term hurdles remain
China will reopen its borders to foreign tourists for the first time in the three years since the Covid-19 pandemic erupted by allowing all categories of visas to be issued from Wednesday. The removal of this last cross-border control measure imposed to guard against Covid-19 comes after authorities last month declared victory over the virus. […]
Saudi Arabia-Iran détente: a setback for Israel and wake-up call on relations with US
JERUSALEM: The Saudi-Iran detente sets back Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to isolate Tehran, but time will tell whether it also hinders his outreach to Riyadh or planning for any eventual military strike against Iranian nuclear sites. The more pressing worry for Israel, some experts argue, is that Friday’s Chinese-brokered deal between the top […]
Li Qiang, Xi confidant, takes reins as China’s premier
Li Qiang, the former Communist Party chief of Shanghai, took office on Saturday as China’s premier, the country’s No.2 post, putting the close ally of President Xi Jinping in charge of reviving an economy battered by three years of Covid-19 curbs. Widely perceived to be pragmatic and business-friendly, the 63-year-old Li faces the daunting task […]
Chinese minister warns of conflict unless US changes course
Beijing:China’s foreign minister has warned Washington of “conflict and confrontation” if it fails to change course in relations with Beijing, striking a combative tone amid conflicts over Taiwan, COVID-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Qin Gang’s language appeared to defy hopes China’s might abandon confrontational “wolf warrior” rhetoric. It followed an accusation by Chinese leader […]
Explosion kills 15 in crowded Dhaka market
At least 15 people were killed and several others injured in an explosion in a crowded market area in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on Tuesday, a local fire service official said. The blast occurred inside a seven-storey building, causing heavy damage to two floors, the official added. “There were several shops selling sanitary ware and household […]
It is an embarrassment not to have a US Ambassador to India, says lawmaker
Washington: The absence of a US Ambassador to India for more than two years now is an embarrassment, a top Democratic Senator said Thursday, floating the idea of an “equally qualified” candidate if the current nominee Eric Garcetti is not able to get enough votes for a Senatorial confirmation. Garcetti, 52, a former Mayor of […]
China’s factory activity expands in Feb as the rest of Asia stalls
TOKYO: China’s factory sector grew in February at the fastest pace in more than a decade, a standout in Asia where manufacturing growth stalled elsewhere, weighed down by slowing global demand, high inflation, and interest rates, surveys showed on Wednesday. Stronger signs that Chinese factories are rebounding after the removal of COVID curbs late last […]
China urges peace in Ukraine after US warns against aiding Russia
KYIV: China said on Monday it sought dialogue and a peaceful solution for Ukraine despite US warnings that Beijing might be considering weapons supplies for its ally Russia’s invasion. Air-raid sirens blared in the capital Kyiv and other cities overnight and a Russian missile killed one person in the western town of Khmelnitskyi, Mayor Oleksandr […]
Syria is facing double-disaster, warns UN food agency
UNITED NATIONS: Syria faces a double disaster as the areas hardest hit by this month’s earthquake had already been destroyed in 12 years of unrelenting conflict, warned David Beasley, who heads the World Food Programme (WFP), after returning to New York from the devastated regions of Syria and Turkiye on Saturday. “The impact of this […]
Maxwell, Marsh back from injury for India one-dayers
SYDNEY: Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh will make their international returns from lengthy injury layoffs after being named on Thursday in Australia’s One-day International squad for the series in India. All-rounder Maxwell broke his leg and underwent surgery in November after slipping and falling during a friend’s 50th birthday party. Marsh went under the knife […]
