China and 14 other countries have agreed to set up the world’s largest trading bloc, encompassing nearly a third of all economic activity, in a deal many in Asia are hoping will help hasten a recovery from the shocks of the pandemic. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, is … Read more
Category: International
Asian shares mostly higher as focus shifts to virus recovery
Shares were mostly higher Wednesday in Asia after a worldwide rally spurred by hopes that a COVID-19 vaccine will help the global economy return to normal. Benchmarks advanced in Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney but edged lower in Hong Kong and Shanghai, where new Chinese regulations focused on technology companies prompted … Read more
Joe Biden elected US President; Kamala Harris becomes vice-president-elect
Democrat Joe Biden on Saturday defeated incumbent Republican US President Donald Trump in the closely-fought presidential election, according to American media projections. The 77-year-old former US vice president will become the 46th president of the United States, CNN reported, after a victory in Pennsylvania, the state where he was born … Read more
India, Other Countries Face China Travel Ban Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases
China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry by foreign nationals from India even with valid visas or residence permits because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi said on Thursday. Indian government sources said that the order was not specific to India and Beijing, worried about … Read more
Attack on Afghan university leaves 25 dead and wounded
Gunmen stormed Kabul University on Monday as it hosted a book fair attended by the Iranian ambassador to Afghanistan, sparking an hours-long gun battle and leaving at least 25 dead and wounded at the war-torn country’s largest school. The ministry’s spokesman, Tariq Arian, would not break down the casualty … Read more
Asian stocks fall on worries over rising virus cases, US aid
Asian shares headed lower Wednesday on worries about rising virus counts and Washington’s inability to deliver more aid to the economy. The uncertainty surrounding the upcoming U.S. election also has regional market players hesitant to make big moves. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.3% in morning trading to 23,420.93, while … Read more
Trump jealous of COVID’s media coverage: Obama
President Donald Trump has turned jealous of COVID-19 media coverage, said former US president Barack Obama in his matter-of-factly speaking style Tuesday, accusing his successor of converting the White House into a “hot zone”. “He’s jealous of COVID’s media coverage!” remarked Obama at a drive-in election rally in Orlando city … Read more
Pak to strengthen ties with Afghanistan: PM Imran
Islamabad, Oct 27 (PTI) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said his government has decided to strengthen relations with Afghanistan “no matter who is in power” in Kabul. Inaugurating a two-day seminar titled ‘Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Forum’ here on Monday, Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong resolve to continue to play … Read more
Want To Ensure India-China Standoff Does Not Escalate, Says US
New Delhi: The United States is watching the India-China standoff in Ladakh closely, sharing information with New Delhi, and wants to ensure the situation does not escalate, senior officials of the Trump administration said on Saturday, ahead of an important visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the … Read more
COVID-19 vaccine ready & coming within weeks: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that a COVID-19 vaccine is “ready” and going to be announced “within weeks” to combat the deadly disease that has killed over 223,000 Americans, as he debated with his Democratic challenger Joe Biden for the final time before the presidential election. The debate, … Read more