International News
Joe Biden sworn in as 46th US President
His Excellency Joseph R. Biden was sworn in Wednesday (Jan 20) as the 46th President of the United States.
COVID-19: One year later – WHO Director-General’s new year message
As people around the world celebrated New Year's Eve 12 months ago, a new global threat emerged.
Ghost boat carrying 1,400 pounds of cocaine washes up on remote Pacific island
This December 15, 2020 photo shows a box filled with 2.2-pound (1-kg) bricks of cocaine found on a boat that washed up in the Marshall Islands.
WHO announces forthcoming updates on the systematic screening for tuberculosis
In a Rapid Communication issued today, the World Health Organization (WHO) is announcing a number of updates to its forthcoming guidance on the systematic screening of tuberculosis (TB) disease. This will help national TB programmes, public and private healthcare providers, funders and other stakeholders to prepare for the changes that will be introduced when the new guidelines are released in early 2021.
Girl, 2, rescued after 91 hours trapped under rubble in Turkey
Rescuers found Ayda Gezgin next to a sturdy dishwasher that apparently shielded her from the impact of the damage. Rescue workers called the space she was lying in a "life triangle."
The Arctic sea ice has shrunk to the second lowest number ever recorded, and scientists say it will get worse
Scientists believe the Arctic sea ice, or the floating ice cover of the Arctic Ocean, has reached its minimum extent for the year, shrinking to the second lowest extent since record-keeping began in 1978.
Nobel Peace Prize goes to UN World Food Programme
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said the WFP had acted "as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict".
New Zealand mosque shooting: 'Wicked and inhuman' Brenton Tarrant sentenced to life without parole
White supremacist who murdered 51 people was handed the most severe punishment in the history of New Zealand
Malaysia to launch competition for drones and manned maritime patrol aircraft
Malaysia is moving ahead with its plans to acquire much-needed manned and unmanned aircraft to enhance maritime security, with the Southeast Asian country announcing that it will be issuing separate tenders for each type.
Early lockdown, fast tracking of Covid-19 suspects and financial intervention in key areas, are the most significant highlights of their success story.
As the subcontinent struggles to flatten the coronavirus curve, with India alone recording 2.7 million cases and taking the third spot in the world, Sri Lanka offers a glimmer of hope in curbing the daily infection rate.
D614G : Malaysia detects new coronavirus strain that is 10 times more infectious
KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysia has detected a strain of the new coronavirus that’s been found to be 10 times more infectious.
Delhi consolidates Indian Ocean outreach, creates infra projects in Mauritius & Maldives
NEW DELHI: Expanding Delhi’s Western Indian Ocean outreach as part of Indo-Pacific vision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Mauritius will jointly inaugurate the new Supreme Court building of Mauritius on Thursday.
India looks to make $25B from defense production by 2025
The Indian government on Monday introduced a new draft policy that sets a $25 billion defense production target, including making $5 billion from exports, by 2025.
Kozhikode plane crash: Flight was shaking, it was a nightmare, recount survivors
Survivors of the Air India Express plane crash recounted on Saturday the horror and ordeal that unfolded as the aircraft with 190 people on board skidded off the runaway at the Kozhikode airport and broke into two, killing at least 18 people.
Large fire in closed market in Ajman, UAE, under control: police
A large fire which broke out on Wednesday evening at a market in the emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates caused no injuries or deaths and had been brought under control, the head of Ajman police said.
Beirut explosions: Huge blasts rock Lebanon's capital, killing at least 78 and wounding more than 4,000
Massive explosions shook Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday in a blast that has killed 78, with many more fatalities feared to come.
'Significant numbers' of ISIS terrorists in Kerala, Karnataka: UN report on terrorism
United Nations: A UN report on terrorism has warned that there are "significant numbers" of ISIS terrorists in Kerala and Karnataka, noting that the al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent terror group, which reportedly has between 150 and 200 militants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, is planning attacks in the region.
Indian Navy Completes “Operation Samudra Setu”
Operation Samudra Setu, which was launched on 05 May 2020 as part of the national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic has culminated after successfully bringing 3,992 Indian citizens back to their homeland by sea.
The outbreak at U.S. Marine Corps facilities has raised concerns on the island.
A major outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has added a new dimension to contentious U.S.-Japan alliance politics in Okinawa.
IN THE DOCK British Army major general faces court martial for first time since 1815 over ‘illegal private school fees claim’
Nick Welch is accused of illegally claiming around £50,000 in allowances to send one of his children to a private school.
Oxford University expert believes
Coronavirus may have lain dormant across the world and emerged when environmental conditions were right for it to thrive - rather than starting in China, an Oxford University expert believes.
Indian MoD approves acquisition of 33 Russian fighter aircraft
India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved the INR181.48 billion (USD2.43 billion) procurement of 21 Mikoyan MiG-29 and 12 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) amid heightened tensions between India and China over a border dispute along the Line of Actual Control (LoAC) in the Himalayas.
Australia announces $186 billion in defense spending amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific
The Australian government will spend $186 billion on its military in the next decade -- and will buy long-range missiles -- as it strengthens its defense capabilities amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Sri Lanka can gain from the idea of a Free & Open Indo-Pacific -Rakesh Sood
Today on Global Dialogue, we feature an exclusive interview with former Indian diplomat, columnist and foreign affairs expert, Rakesh Sood on India’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and regional developments.