
Evidence suggests Russia blew Kakhovka dam in Ukraine - New York Times
Evidence suggests this month's destruction of the huge Kakhovka dam in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine resulted from
2023-06-18 18:24

Key ASEAN members skip Thai-hosted Myanmar talks amid criticism
By Panu Wongcha-um and Orathai Sriring BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's caretaker government hosted the foreign minister of Myanmar's ruling junta at
2023-06-18 18:23

Death toll rises from flooding after Ukraine dam breach
The death toll from flooding following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam has risen to 16 in Ukraine,
2023-06-18 18:15

US Transport Chief Wants to Break China’s EV Battery Stronghold
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the US must take steps to cut into China’s advantage in batteries used
2023-06-18 17:55

Patients left to wait by Britain's public health service turn to crowdfunding
Holly Reeves has a medical condition where she struggles to swallow food, so doctors fitted the five-year old from Devon with a feeding tube.
2023-06-18 17:28

Top US-China exchanges since Biden took office
By Martin Quin Pollard U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken began two days of talks in Beijing on
2023-06-18 16:46

Blinken arrives in Beijing for first China visit by US’s top diplomat in five years
US secretary of state Antony Blinken has arrived in Beijing in the highest level visit between the two countries in years, amid heightened tensions that have kept the world on edge. Mr Blinken is the highest-level US official to visit China in since Joe Biden took office and first US secretary of state to do so in five years, as he is tasked to open communication with Beijing on an array of highly crucial issues like trade with Taiwan, Chinese surveillance and the Ukraine war. The US secretary of state arrived in Beijing on Sunday morning for the two-day, visit where he is set to meet senior Chinese officials. He will be meeting Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang, top diplomat Wang Yi, and possibly president Xi Jinping on Monday, according to US officials. Mr Biden and Mr Xi agreed to Mr Blinken‘s trip early at a meeting last year in Bali. The discussions are expected to cover a wide range of contentious issues that have strained bilateral ties and have significant implications for global security and stability. Among the topics on the agenda are trade relations with Taiwan, human rights concerns in China, the situation in Hong Kong, Chinese military assertiveness in the South China Sea, and Russia’s actions in Ukraine. US officials have said on Friday before Mr Blinken’s visit that would raise each one of these concerns. However, chances of a breakthrough remain slim as both sides have not shown any flexibility on changing their stands. But there have been hints about reducing tensions from both sides. In a meeting with Microsoft Corporation co-founder Bill Gates on Friday, Mr Xi said the US and China can cooperate to “benefit our two countries”. “I believe that the foundation of Sino-US relations lies in the people,” Mr Xi said to Mr Gates. “Under the current world situation, we can carry out various activities that benefit our two countries, the people of our countries, and the entire human race.” China also hosted Elon Musk recently in what was seen as a bid by China to improve business relations with the US. Mr Biden told White House reporters on Saturday he was “hoping that over the next several months, I’ll be meeting with Xi again and talking about legitimate differences we have, but also how ... to get along”. The two leaders are likely to attend the next G20 summit, in September in New Delhi, and Mr Xi has been also invited to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping in San Francisco this year. Ahead of the visit, Mr Blinken emphasised the importance of the US and China establishing and maintaining better lines of communication. The US wants to make sure “that the competition we have with China doesn’t veer into conflict” due to avoidable misunderstandings, he told reporters. Mr Biden and Mr Xi had made commitments to improve communications “precisely so that we can make sure we are communicating as clearly as possible to avoid possible misunderstandings and miscommunications,” Mr Blinken said on Friday. The much-anticipated trip comes after a series of hiccups and delays. The trip was initially planned for February but faced delays due to escalated tensions between the US and China over the surveillance balloons. Additional reporting by agencies Read More Biden calls spy balloon ‘embarrassing’ for China ahead of Blinken talks in Beijing China calls hacking report 'far-fetched' and accuses the US of targeting the cybersecurity industry Biden criticised for suggesting bridge ‘across the Indian Ocean’ China condemns EU Parliament's resolution on Hong Kong's shrinking freedoms Taiwanese foreign minister asks for support from European countries to maintain peace, stability China's foreign minister airs concerns in phone call with Blinken ahead of planned visit
2023-06-18 15:00

Melinda French Gates Says World Debt Woes Need Bold Action Now
Melinda French Gates is urging world leaders gathering in Paris this week to take bolder action to reform
2023-06-18 14:50

Man is accused of living with the dead body of a relative for days without reporting it, authorities say
A 61-year-old Alabama man was arrested after failing to report that he'd been living "for days" with a dead relative in his home, investigators said.
2023-06-18 14:25

Philippine coast guard rescues 120 people as ferry catches fire
MANILA (Reuters) -All 120 people onboard a ferry that caught fire at sea in central Philippines on Sunday have been
2023-06-18 14:17

Ireland's Land Acts and the decline of the 'Big House'
Irish partition meant landlords and estates were affected differently north and south of the border.
2023-06-18 13:45

Cruising to Nome: The first U.S. deep water port for the Arctic to host cruise ships, military
Climate change is opening up the Arctic, and a $600 million-plus expansion will make Nome on Alaska's western coast the nation’s first deep-water Arctic port
2023-06-18 12:53