Tag: US

“Always stated India plays a very important role in Afghanistan”: Russia
9Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments
China, World

“Always stated India plays a very important role in Afghanistan”: Russia

After reports emerged which suggested that Russia had asked to keep India out of Afghan dialogue, the Russian embassy in Delhi said that Moscow "always stated that India plays a very important role in Afghanistan, and its eventual deeper involvement in dedicated dialogue formats is natural".In a statement, the embassy said that it had noted "the publication in the Indian media claiming that Russia allegedly 'kept India out' of the international efforts for the Afghan peace process, which seems to be based on ill-informed sources"."Dialogue between Russia and India has always been very close and forward-looking on all global and regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan. It has been intensively maintained in bilateral and multilateral formats, including the SCO-Afghanistan Con...
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US refuses to accept WHO’s findings on COVID-19 in China
10Feb By Grace TsoiNo Comments
China, World

US refuses to accept WHO’s findings on COVID-19 in China

The United States has refused to accept the latest findings by the World Health Organization which said that there is no evidence of coronavirus circulation in any animal species in China and said it will independently verify the results using its own intelligence.“We look forward, again, to seeing the report, to seeing the underlying data, to using what we may have within our own reach based on our own intelligence and analysis to corroborate what the WHO has found and to reach our own conclusions,” said Ned Price, US State Department Spokesperson, on Tuesday.He further said, “Clearly, the Chinese, at least heretofore, has not offered the requisite transparency that we need and that, just as importantly, the international community needs so that we can prevent these sorts of pandemics fro
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White House condemns desecration of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in California
3Feb By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

White House condemns desecration of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in California

The White House in Washington has condemned the recent vandalism of a Mahatma Gandhi statue in California's Davis city by unknown miscreants."We would certainly have concerns about the desecration of monuments of (Mahatma) Gandhi. We would condemn the desecration and watch it closely," Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during a briefing.She was responding to a question on the desecration of the six-foot-tall, 294 kg bronze statue of Gandhi in the Central Park of the city of Davis in northern California. It was broken and ripped from the base by unknown miscreants recently.In a statement by Deputy Chief Paul Doroshov of the Davis Police Department, the statue, broken off at the ankles and the top half of its head broken off, was found by a park worker.In protest against the vandalism of a Maha...
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As US-Taiwan strengthen ties, China warns ‘Taiwan’s independence’ means war
31Jan By Grace TsoiNo Comments
China, World

As US-Taiwan strengthen ties, China warns ‘Taiwan’s independence’ means war

As the United States and Taiwan strengthen their ties, China’s Ministry of National Defence “warned” the people wanting “Taiwan independence” and said that seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ means nothing but war”.Wu Qian, spokesperson of China’s Ministry of National Defence, on January 28 said that “those who play with fire will set themselves on fire, and seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ means nothing but war”.According to an article by The Global Times, a Chinese state media, Taiwan’s “mainland affairs council” has warned that any of the mainland’s words and deeds that deliberately provoke Taiwan’s bottom line may cause far-reaching effects that the mainland cannot bear.It further said, “We urge Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to give up their performance of pretending to be fearles
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US-India ties: US State Secy speaks with EAM Jaishankar, reaffirms growing partnership
31Jan By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

US-India ties: US State Secy speaks with EAM Jaishankar, reaffirms growing partnership

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a brief talk on Friday to reaffirm the growing US-India partnership and underscored the importance of working together to expand regional cooperation.In an official release, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said that both the leaders discussed issues including COVID-19 vaccination efforts, regional developments, and other bilateral matters.“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar to reaffirm the growing US-India partnership and discuss issues of mutual concern, including COVID-19 vaccination efforts, regional developments, and next steps in expanding bilateral ties,” the release said.Blinken underscored India’s role as a p
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Strengthening of US-South Korea ties cause concerns in China: Report
31Jan By Grace TsoiNo Comments
Asia, China, World

Strengthening of US-South Korea ties cause concerns in China: Report

In an early sign of a strong alliance under US President Joe Biden, South Korea Defence Minister Suh Wook has announced that the annual spring military exercises with the US would be resumed this year and such actions have raised China’s concerns.As part of former US President Donald Trump’s “effort to maintain a truce he had struck with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un”, the drills usually held in March every year by the US and South Korea were either suspended or downsized since 2018. And in 2020, the drills could not be held due to COVID-19 pandemic.Soon after resuming office, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in a telephonic conversation with his South Korean counterpart Suh Wook assured Seoul of the US’ “ironclad” commitment to defend its long-term ally through joint defence work.Simil
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Omar Sheikh must not be permitted to evade justice in Daniel Pearl’s murder: US Justice Dept
29Jan By Grace TsoiNo Comments
Asia, World

Omar Sheikh must not be permitted to evade justice in Daniel Pearl’s murder: US Justice Dept

The United States Justice Department has said that Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh, the accused in the abduction and murder of Daniel Pearl, must not be permitted to evade justice“We are deeply concerned by the Pakistani Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the acquittal of individuals convicted by a Pakistani trial court for the kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl. Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh has long been indicted in the United States and must be held accountable for his crimes,” Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson said.“He must not be permitted to evade justice for his charged role in Daniel Pearl’s abduction and murder,” he added.Slamming the Pakistani court’s decision to acquit Omar Sheikh, State Secretary Antony Blinken said that Washington is ready to prosecute Sheikh in the United States for
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Taiwan reports large incursion by Chinese air force
24Jan By Grace TsoiNo Comments
China, World

Taiwan reports large incursion by Chinese air force

Taiwan’s defense ministry on said that a total of eight Chinese bomber planes and four fighter jets entered the southwestern corner of the island’s air defense identification zone on Saturday.In recent months, China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has conducted almost daily flights over the waters between the southern part of Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea. However, they have generally consisted of just one or two reconnaissance aircraft.The presence of so many Chinese combat aircraft on this mission – Taiwan said it was made up of eight nuclear-capable H-6K bombers and four J-16 fighter jets – was unusual.A map provided by Taiwan’s defense ministry showed that the Chinese aircraft, including a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, flew over the sa
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Biden administration to release more climate policies, urges China to toughen emissions target
24Jan By Grace TsoiNo Comments
China, World

Biden administration to release more climate policies, urges China to toughen emissions target

The United States’ top climate advisers on Saturday said that the Joe Biden administration will release more policies to tackle climate change next week and urged China to toughen one of its targets on greenhouse gas emissionsGina McCarthy, the White House’s national climate adviser, did not say what policies would be released. However, a report says that Biden will unveil a second round of executive orders as soon as January 27 that include an omnibus order to combat climate change domestically and elevate the issue as a national security priority.“We’ve already sent signals on the things that we don’t like that we’re going to roll back, but this week you’re going to see us move forward with what’s the vision of the future,” McCarthy told a virtual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors
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US: Biden’s pick for Pentagon chief says Pak action against LeT, JeM ‘incomplete’
20Jan By Grace TsoiNo Comments
Asia, China, World

US: Biden’s pick for Pentagon chief says Pak action against LeT, JeM ‘incomplete’

United States president-elect Joe Biden’s pick to head the Pentagon, Gen (retired) Lloyd Austin, has said that Pakistan’s actions against anti-India terror groups such as LeT and JeM are “incomplete” and that China’s “increasingly aggressive actions” across the Indo-Pacific are a key concern for the country.Speaking at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, Austin also said that if he is confirmed for the post, he will work to continue elevating the defence partnership with India and work to “further operationalise India’s ‘Major Defense Partner’ status”.Austin, 67, would be the first African American to run the department of defence but needs to be granted a waiver by both the House of Representatives and the Senate because the National Security Act requires the secretary o
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