S. Korea, US agree to pursue pact for cooperation over nuclear-powered subs
Seoul, Dec 24 (IANS) South Korea and the United States have agreed to pursue a stand-alone agreement on cooperation for nuclear-powered submarines, with working-level talks expected to begin early next year, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said. Wi made the remarks after returning from a weeklong trip to the U.S., Canada and Japan, where he […]
US approval of massive arms sale to Taiwan amid China tensions raises regional volatility
New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) The United States’ approval of a huge arms package worth more than $10 billion for Taiwan on Thursday comes on the heels of China intensifying military pressure and escalating a diplomatic war of attrition against Washington’s regional allies, Japan and The Philippines. Beijing retaliated by asking the US to “immediately […]
Belarus frees 123 political prisoners in sanctions deal with US
Vilnius, Dec 14 (IANS) Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova, following an agreement under which the United States agreed to lift certain sanctions imposed on the country. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski is also among those freed after talks held in Minsk with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy […]
US sees Sri Lanka as key Indian Ocean security partner
Washington, Dec 13, (IANS) The United States views Sri Lanka as a crucial partner in safeguarding Indian Ocean security and protecting global shipping lanes, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the US Ambassador to Colombo told lawmakers. Eric Meyer said Sri Lanka’s geographic position places it at the centre of US efforts to promote maritime stability […]
US outlines China deterrence strategy built on ‘strength, not confrontation’
Washington, Dec 7 (IANS) The United States will anchor its China strategy on deterrence “through strength, not confrontation,” US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said, declaring that Washington intends to maintain an unambiguous military edge across the Indo-Pacific while keeping diplomatic channels with Beijing open. In a keynote address at the Reagan National Defense Forum […]
US outlines hard-edged defence posture to deter China in Indo-Pacific
Washington, Dec 7 (IANS) The United States has outlined a more rigid defence posture to counter China’s growing military and economic influence in the Indo-Pacific. In its new National Security Strategy, the Trump administration calls the region “one of the next century’s key economic and geopolitical battlegrounds” and says the US must be prepared to […]
South Korea sets up task forces for working-level talks with US on nuclear subs, uranium rights
Seoul, Dec 7 (IANS) The South Korean presidential office said Sunday it has established task force teams to support South Korea’s working-level negotiations with the United States on nuclear-powered submarines, uranium enrichment and South Korea’s share of defence costs. Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-jong said the Office of National Security has been drawing up […]
No deal between Iran, US amid zero enrichment demand: Iranian FM
Tehran, July 31 (IANS) There will be no deal between Iran and the United States as long as Washington demands that Iran agree to zero uranium enrichment, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said. In an interview released on Thursday, Araghchi told Financial Times (FT) in Tehran that the two sides can negotiate, but […]
Russia-US ties ‘on verge of rupture’: Russian Deputy FM
Moscow, Feb 10 (IANS) Relations between Russia and the United States are “on the verge of rupture,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday. Moscow has repeatedly warned that bilateral relations were on the brink of rupture, Ryabkov said, adding that US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House could lead to […]
Once-in-a-generation winter storm hits US
Houston, Jan 22 (IANS) From Texas to Louisiana and Florida, a wide swath of the southern United States braced for a once-in-a-generation winter storm with heavy snow, sleet and ice, which created hazardous travel conditions for the region unaccustomed to bitterly cold weather. Up to 235 million Americans were affected by the storm, which the […]
