News In Brief
HK democracy activists walk free in appeal victoryAFP, Hong Kong Hong Kong’s leading democracy activists won an appeal against their jail terms at the city’s...
International
China, Vatican to establish diplomatic ties
Reuters, Beijing :China and the Vatican will establish formal diplomatic relations sooner or later because Pope Francis has the “wisdom” to resolve problems between the...
Despite US, Russia nuclear pledges, experts fear new arms race may be looming
The United States and Russia are pledging to abide by a treaty limiting strategic nuclear weapons that took effect on Monday, but foreign leaders and...
SpaceX set to launch ‘world’s most powerful rocket’ that aims for Mars
AFP, Miami :SpaceX is poised for the first test launch Tuesday of its Falcon Heavy, which aims to become the world’s most powerful rocket in...
German parties in final push for new Merkel govt
AFP, Berlin :Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the centre-left Social Democrats embark on a final round of talks Tuesday to seal a coalition deal and...
Pence trip to Asia, Olympics aimed at countering NKorea
AP, Alaska :Vice President Mike Pence’s six-day swing through Asia, anchored by a stop at the Winter Olympics in South Korea, is set to focus...
Battle over bodies rages quietly in Iraq’s Mosul long after Islamic State defeat
Reuters, Mosul :The Iraqis who have come home to Mosul’s Old City knew it would be hard living in the rubble left by the battle...
Syrian refugees ‘at risk of being pushed to return’
Al Jazeera news :Aid agencies have warned that hundreds of thousands of Syrians are at risk of being pushed to return in 2018, despite ongoing...
Erdogan meets Pope as Rome bans protests
AFP :Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Pope Francis on Monday while police enforced a protest ban in central Rome as feelings run high over...
Nuclear plan: China accuses US of `Cold War mentality`
Al Jazeera News :China has accused the United States of having a “Cold War mentality” after the latter announced its plans to diversify its nuclear...
Syrian rebels down Russian warplane, kill pilot after he ejects
AFP, Saraqib :A Russian pilot was killed Saturday in fighting with Islamists after his warplane was downed over northwest Syria, Russia’s defence ministry and a...
Trump feels vindicated after Republican memo’s release
AFP, Washington :US President Donald Trump claimed vindication Saturday in the probe into Russian interference with the 2016 White House election, following the release of...