News In Brief
China’s new 2-child policy law takes effectAFP, BeijingMarried couples in China will from today be allowed to have two children, after concerns over an ageing...
International
PM Abe pledges to keep Japan out of war
AFP, Tokyo :Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today promised he will keep his nation out of war following the introduction of contentious new security legislation,...
Rouhani orders expansion of missile programme
Reuters, Dubai :President Hassan Rouhani ordered his defense minister on Thursday to expand Iran’s missile program, in response to a U.S. threat to impose sanctions...
Expelled French journalist warns of dark days for media in China
AFP, Parish :A French reporter forced to leave Beijing after she criticised government policy in violence-racked Xinjiang arrived home Friday after warning of dark days...
US warily eyes New Year`s threats in cities abroad
Reuters, Washington :US authorities are monitoring investigations overseas of alleged plots by Islamic State operatives or sympathizers to launch attacks over the New Year’s holiday...
Belgium arrests two over suspected New Year attack plot
AFP, Brussels :Belgian police have arrested two people suspected of plotting attacks in Brussels during New Year festivities, just weeks after the jihadist bombings and...
Iraq threatens to use military option against Turkey if forced
Reuters, Baghdad :Iraq’s foreign minister said on Wednesday it could resort to military means if forced to defend itself from what it says is an...
Merkel tells Germans refugee influx `an opportunity`
AFP, Berlin :Chancellor Angela Merkel in her New Year’s address Thursday asked Germans to see a record refugee influx as “an opportunity for tomorrow” and...
News In Brief
Israel OKs special budget for Arab citizensAP, Jerusalem Israel on Wednesday approved a reported billion-dollar budget meant to improve the living conditions of its Arab...
US preparing sanctions on Iran over ballistic missile programme
Reuters, Washington :President Barack Obama’s administration is preparing new sanctions on international companies and individuals over Iran’s ballistic missile programme, sources familiar with the situation...
News In Brief
Taiwan, China launch hotline after historic summitAFP, BeijingThe first hotline between China and Taiwan was launched Wednesday, in a move designed to build ties between...
Saudi Arabia, Turkey to set up `strategic cooperation council`
Reuters , Riyadh :Saudi Arabia and Turkey have agreed on the need to set up a “strategic cooperation council” to strengthen military, economic and investment...