ISI the culprit, wrote Bhutto
In her book, Benazir Bhutto has written that the ISI had accused her of being an “Indian agent” and tried to scuttle the initiatives taken by both her and Rajiv Gandhi.
By HT Correspondent | PTI, London
UPDATED ON FEB 13, 2008 12:34 AM IST
The ISI tried to wreck the “budding relationship” between Rajiv Gandhi and Benazir Bhutto, the then young premiers of India and Pakistan, who were willing to ‘think out of the box’ to break the stalemate in ties, the slain Pakistani leader said in her last book released on Monday.
Benazir Bhutto, in her book Benazir Bhutto — Reconciliation, Islam, Democracy & the West, wrote that the Inter Services Intelligence even accused her of being an “Indian agent” and tried to scuttle the initiatives taken by both the leaders.
Bhutto said she was proud of her work with Rajiv Gandhi as both were committed to improve relations between the two countries.
WHO sees Ebola risk as 'very high' for Guinea's neighbours
Posted by Kunal Gaurav | Reuters, Geneva
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 04:29 PM IST
WHO's Guinea representative, Georges Alfred Ki-Zerbo, told a virtual briefing that 18 cases had been identified and four of those people had died.
China plans expansion in Arctic region with push for building 'Polar Silk Road'
PTI, Beijing
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 04:24 PM IST
- China has made clear its intention to expand in the Arctic region and published a white paper on this in early 2018 calling for its transformation into a “Polar Silk Road”.
US, UK weigh Russia sanctions over use of chemical weapons, possibly target debt
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 04:03 PM IST
The Biden administration announced its first sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, punishing the Kremlin for the poisoning and jailing of opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
World no closer to answer on Covid-19 origins despite WHO probe: Expert
Reuters, Shanghai
UPDATED ON MAR 05, 2021 03:52 PM IST
- In January, a team of scientists picked by the World Health Organization visited hospitals and research institutes in Wuhan, in search of clues about the origins of Covid-19.
Pak govt not planning to buy Covid-19 vaccines; to rely on herd immunity
PTI, Islamabad
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 02:56 PM IST
NHS Secretary Amir Ashraf Khawaja said that the government has no plan to buy vaccines anytime soon and aims to tackle the Covid-19 health challenge through herd immunity and donated vaccines.
China's emissions grew 1.7% in 2020, only major economy to see increase: Report
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 02:45 PM IST
China’s emissions grew by 1.7% from the previous year to the equivalent of 14,400 million metric tons of CO2, the group said in a report.
China’s emissions increased by 1.7% in 2020: Report
Posted by Kunal Gaurav | Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 02:32 PM IST
While the emissions growth was below the 3.3% average rate in the past decade, it raises concern about the nation’s ability to meet its 2060 carbon neutrality pledge, the report said.
South Africa says in talks with African Union for vaccines for 10 million people
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | Reuters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 02:22 PM IST
Sandile Buthelezi, Department of Health director-general, said the government was seeking to conclude an agreement with the AU, Afreximbank and the Serum Institute of India over AstraZeneca vaccine doses it is selling to other African countries.
Pope Francis departs Rome for risky, historic Iraq tour
Posted by Kunal Gaurav | Reuters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 02:22 PM IST
Iraq is deploying thousands of additional security personnel to protect Francis during the visit, which comes after a spate of rocket and suicide bomb attacks raised fears for his safety.
Situation on ground in Myanmar 'troubling': White House
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | PTI, Washington
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 02:18 PM IST
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference on Thursday that the Biden administration has taken sanction steps to send a clear message that the coup in Myanmar is unacceptable.
China to deter Taiwan independence, seek peaceful ties and 'reunification'
Posted by Ayshee Bhaduri | Reuters, Beijing
UPDATED ON MAR 05, 2021 01:33 PM IST
- China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has increased its military activity near the island in recent months, responding to what it calls "collusion" between Taipei and Washington.
China’s top 20 businessmen-cum-lawmakers are worth a staggering $534 billion
By Sutirtho Patranobis I Edited by Nadim Siraj
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 01:22 PM IST
The wealthiest persons in the parliament and its advisory body, all billionaires, have grown richer over the last one year despite the economy performing badly due to the Covid-19 pandemic
New Zealand says tsunami threat has eased, allows thousands to return home
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 01:20 PM IST
The nation had been on Tsunami alert all morning after a powerful magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck near the Kermadec Islands. It was the third large quake recorded north of New Zealand in a matter of hours.
Pro-Beijing committee to elect some Hong Kong legislators
AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 01:10 PM IST
Wang added that the size, composition and formation method of the current election committee will also be adjusted, and that the chief executive will continue to be elected by the election committee.
China hikes defence budget to $209 bn, 40% increase in army renumeration
PTI, Beijing
PUBLISHED ON MAR 05, 2021 01:03 PM IST
- Friday’s increase is over three times higher than India’s defence budget of about USD 65.7 billion (including pensions).