‘A fantasy’ to think UN can fix Afghanistan

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday said any suggestion the world body can solve Afghanistan’s problems is “a fantasy” and that its capacity to mediate for a more inclusive Taliban government is limited.
16 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Singapore’s 3rd richest man who completed only primary school working tirelessly for education

Having had only six years of formal schooling, paint tycoon Goh Cheng Liang, 94, believes strongly in helping needy students get an education.
16 September 2021, 10:09 AM

Afghan envoys marooned abroad after Taliban's sudden return

The Taliban's abrupt return to power has left hundreds of Afghan diplomats overseas in limbo: running out of money to keep missions operating, fearful for families back home and desperate to secure refuge abroad.
16 September 2021, 07:56 AM

Delhi India’s most unsafe city for women, Kolkata safest: report

Delhi remains India’s most unsafe city for women while Kolkata continues to be the safest metro for them, according to the latest National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) report.
16 September 2021, 06:34 AM

Indian man charged for circulating fake currency obtained from ‘2 Bangladeshi residents’

India’s National Investigation Agency today filed a supplementary chargesheet before a special court in Bengaluru against a person for his involvement in circulating fake Indian currency notes (FICN) after procuring them from two residents of Bangladesh, an official said.
15 September 2021, 18:25 PM

Chinese court throws out first #MeToo case

A Chinese court on Tuesday threw out a landmark sexual harassment case on the basis of insufficient evidence, in a blow to the country’s fledgling #MeToo movement.
15 September 2021, 18:00 PM

ICC backs probe into Philippines’ ‘war on drugs’

Judges at the International Criminal Court yesterday approved a formal investigation into possible crimes against humanity allegedly committed under the leadership of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in the context of his “war on drugs”.
15 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Post-Coup Myanmar: Junta wanted spy gear on network

Telenor said yesterday the Myanmar military junta had demanded it install equipment to intercept communications on the network the Norwegian firm operates in the country.
15 September 2021, 18:00 PM

One month after fall of Kabul: Infights, economic crisis stalk Taliban

A month after seizing Kabul, the Taliban face daunting problems, including economic crisis, infightings, as they seek to convert their lightning military victory into a durable peacetime government.
15 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Koreas conduct duelling missile tests

Both North Korea and South Korea test fired ballistic missiles yesterday, the latest volley in an arms race that has seen both countries develop increasingly sophisticated weapons while efforts to get talks going on defusing tension prove fruitless.
15 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Quotes of the day

The Taliban hold all of Afghanistan and if they can sort of now work towards an inclusive government, get all the factions together, Afghanistan could have peace after 40 years.
15 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Running out of dollars, Afghan banks ask Taliban for more cash

Afghanistan's banks are running out of dollars, and may have to close their doors to customers unless the Taliban government releases funds soon, three people with direct knowledge of the matter said.
15 September 2021, 14:34 PM

Qatar won’t take ‘responsibility’ for Kabul airport without Taliban agreement

Qatar warned Tuesday it would not take responsibility for Kabul airport without "clear" agreements with all involved, including the Taliban, about its operations.
15 September 2021, 05:34 AM

Thousands protest against Taliban in Kandahar over evictions

Thousands of Afghans protested against the Taliban in the southern city of Kandahar on Tuesday, according to a former government official and local television footage, after residents were asked to vacate a residential army colony.
15 September 2021, 02:02 AM

US says nearly 500 Afghan citizens evacuated from Uzbekistan

The United States said Tuesday it had evacuated nearly 500 "military and civilian" Afghans from Uzbekistan, while the ex-Soviet country declared there were now no Afghan refugees on its territory.
14 September 2021, 20:25 PM

Can the Middle East trust US?

The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan is a shattering earthquake that will shape the Middle East for many years, a senior Gulf official has said, warning that – despite the group’s promises of moderation – the militant group is “essentially the same” as last time it was in power.
14 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Hong Kong to create more national security offences: official

Hong Kong will create a host of new national security offences, a senior official confirmed yesterday, building on a law Beijing imposed last year that has criminalised much dissent and transformed the city.
14 September 2021, 18:00 PM

S Korea fines Google $180m for market abuse

South Korea’s antitrust watchdog fined Google nearly $180 million on Tuesday for abusing its dominance in the mobile operating systems and app markets, it said, the latest in a series of regulatory moves against tech giants around the world.
14 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Suu Kyi back in court after health no-show

Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi returned to court yesterday to face charges of incitement and flouting Covid restrictions, her lawyer said, a day after failing to appear on health grounds.
14 September 2021, 18:00 PM

Taliban thank world for promised aid

The Taliban yesterday thanked the world for pledging hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency aid to Afghanistan, and urged the United States to show “heart” in future dealings. 
14 September 2021, 18:00 PM