South Africa

Stood up for right, wished for free Balochistan, Kurdistan and Iran: Natasha Fatah remembers father Tareq Fatah

25 Apr 2023 02:38 AM IST

Tarek Fatah’s daughter Natasha Fatah, in a free-wheeling conversation said that her father always stood for a collective Balochistan, a collective Kurdistan, a free Iran and for beautiful earth. She said that the revered commentator and columnist always spoke for what he believed was right. The Pakistani-Canadian columnist passed away

With a funny meme, DMRC urges commuters not to dance on Delhi Metro trains

25 Apr 2023 00:13 AM IST

Recently, it has become quite popular to film Instagram Reels inside Delhi Metro trains as people dance to songs. While such videos often go viral on social media, fellow passengers have complained they cause inconvenience to them. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has time and again raised awareness on Twitter and

Taiwan’s quest for legitimacy

25 Apr 2023 00:00 AM IST

On the heels of losing another diplomatically, Taiwan continues to win friends and influence others in the only way it knows how: through its soft power. For many countries, the concept of ‘One China’ represents a distant diplomatic stoush that is best left alone. For Taiwan, it’s an existential threat.

Afghans fear weakening book culture in country

24 Apr 2023 23:59 PM IST

Afghans on World Book Day said they fear the weakening of book culture in the country. They said economic challenges and the use of the Internet by youth are the reasons they are no longer interested in studying, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported. Ahmad, a book reader, said: “People have the

Watchdog: World military spending up to an all-time high

24 Apr 2023 23:58 PM IST

Global military spending grew for the eighth consecutive year in 2022 to an all-time high of $2.24 trillion, with a sharp rise in Europe, chiefly due to Russian and Ukrainian expenditure, a Swedish think tank said Monday. Spending globally increased by 3.7% in real terms, but military expenditure in Europe

German climate activists block traffic in Berlin

24 Apr 2023 23:57 PM IST

German climate activists tried bringing traffic to a standstill in Berlin on Monday morning by gluing themselves to streets all over the capital. Members of the group Last Generation have repeatedly blocked roads across Germany in the past year in an effort to pressure the government to take more drastic

Florida governor in Japan ahead of US presidential bid

24 Apr 2023 23:55 PM IST

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Japan on Monday to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other officials as part of his four-nation trade mission seen as an attempt by the expected Republican presidential candidate to improve his diplomatic profile. During their meeting Monday at the Prime Minister’s

China boosts German business optimism, but more challenges ahead

24 Apr 2023 23:46 PM IST

A key measure of German business optimism rose in April for the seventh month in a row amid lower natural gas prices and the reopening of the Chinese economy after COVID-19 restrictions. The Munich-based IFO institute’s confidence index went up to 93.6 from 93.2 in March. Analysts said Monday that

China’s overseas dissidents face renewed intimidation from regime

24 Apr 2023 23:45 PM IST

China has gone beyond its territory to harass and intimidate its citizens settled abroad, Geo-politik reported. The country uses surveillance and data collected on individuals for intimidation, blackmail and coercion of its opponents, based in foreign countries. According to Geo-politik, people who have received such threats are the ones who

The man in a hurry: King Charles III rushes to make a mark

24 Apr 2023 23:43 PM IST

After waiting 74 years to become king, Charles has used his first six months on the throne to meet faith leaders across the country, reshuffle royal residences, stage his first overseas state visit and hold a sleepover at Windsor Castle that included the coach of the England soccer team. Then

Mohammad Shahabuddin administered oath as Bengladesh’s 22nd President

24 Apr 2023 23:40 PM IST

Veteran politician Mohammed Shahabuddin was sworn in as the 22nd President of Bangladesh on Monday at a state ceremony attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet colleagues. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the oath to 73-year-old Shahabuddin at the historic Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban. Besides premier Hasina and

Tibetan bodies protest in support of Dalai Lama in Paris

24 Apr 2023 23:39 PM IST

France-based Tibetan community associations organised a protest demonstration in support of the Dalai Lama in front of the France Television office in Paris on Saturday. The protest was jointly organised by Students for a Free Tibet (STF, France), Ustang Association of France, Dhomay Association of France, Dokham Chushi Gangdrung, Tibet