World

Taiwan has played down concerns that St Vincent and the Grenadines might switch diplomatic recognition to Beijing, insisting ties with its Caribbean ally remain stable despite a change of government in Kingstown. The reassurance follows last week’s victory by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), with its leader Godwin Friday succeeding long-time Taipei supporter Ralph Gonsalves as prime minister. Friday …

European states are considering adopting the “nuclear option” of sinking the US economy, if Donald Trump sells out Ukraine and endangers security on the continent. Talks between US and Ukrainian officials continued on Sunday in Miami, as both sides attempt to thrash out a peace deal. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s Russia envoy Steve Witkoff attended …

Giving to charity is great, not just for the recipients but for the givers, too. But it can be intimidating to know how to pick the best charity when there are thousands of worthy causes to choose from, and especially when so many are suffering around the world. Yet that suffering makes it all the more clear why giving, and …

The issue transcends borders and requires a coordinated international response, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has said India has highlighted the threat from bioterrorism as a major global concern, calling for adequate preparations to respond to the danger. Addressing a conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) on Monday, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said bioterrorism …

In the latest bid to gauge the number of holidaymakers descending on its beaches, the Balearic Government has announced it will start monitoring occupancy levels in realtime. Over the next three years, authorities will roll out sensors on 150 beaches across Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca in a project set to cost €4 million (£3.5 million).  “We want the land to …

A popular Chinese snack brand has ignited online controversy after netizens revealed that its employees have to change their surnames to “rat” and refer to customers as “master”. Recently, a mainland netizen posted online claiming that “after joining Three Squirrels, you lose your real name”. Photographs from an internal meeting showed nameplates such as Shu Laodie, meaning “Rat Dad”, and …

The measure mirrors Beijing’s recent decision to grant the same privilege to Russian nationals President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing visa-free entry to Russia for Chinese citizens, granting them stays of up to 30 days, according to the document. The move mirrors Beijing’s recent decision to extend the same visa-free access to Russian citizens. Earlier in September, China …

Army artist and photographer Iryna Kovalchuk on the frontline (Image: Ⓒ Iryna Kovalchuk) As one of Ukraine’s most talented artists and photographers, Iryna Kovalchuk never expected to work with more than a paintbrush or camera in her hands. She certainly never imagined being taught how to fire a rifle in anger. However, like millions of other Ukrainian women, when war …

A Bangladesh court sentenced British parliamentarian and former minister Tulip Siddiq to two years in jail in a corruption case involving the alleged illegal allocation of a plot of land, local media reported. The verdict was delivered in absentia as Siddiq, her aunt and former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana – all co-accused in the …

The US senator said it is “unreasonable” to demand NATO membership or nuclear weapons for Kiev Security guarantees for Ukraine cannot include NATO membership or nuclear weapons, US Senator Lindsey Graham said in response to an op-ed by Kiev’s former top military commander Valery Zaluzhny. In an opinion piece published in The Telegraph on Saturday, Zaluzhny, now serving as Ukraine’s …