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US proposes USD 1.8 billion fund for strengthening security and stability in Indo-Pacific
“In the Indo-Pacific, America is strengthening its role and expanding its cooperation with longtime allies and partners, including new diplomatic, defence and security, critical and emerging technology and supply chain, and climate and global health initiatives, while supporting stronger ties between our European and Indo Pacific allies,” US President Biden said in a statement.
12 killed in Russia's airstrike on Ukraine's regional administration building
The airstrike, which occurred at about 8.45 a.m. local time (0545 GMT), destroyed the central section of the nine-story building, the ministry said on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the ministry, 18 people were rescued from the debris following the attack. The search and rescue operation is under way, the ministry said.
'Putin-Zelensky meeting possible only after agreement ready'
Before the discussion of a possible meeting of the presidents, a treaty must be prepared and approved by the negotiators, and then endorsed by the foreign ministers, explained Medinsky, also an aide to the Russian President. This will be not simple especially because the meeting could be a multilateral one with the participation of state guarantors of peace and security to Ukraine, he was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
Omicron subvariant BA.2 becomes dominant strain in US: CDC
The variant has been steadily rising in proportion due to its increased transmissibility compared to the original Omicron strain, Xinhua news agency reported. The BA.2 variant represented 54.9% of new Covid-19 cases for the week ending March 26, according to CDC data. This data is up from 39 percent a week prior, and 27.8% two weeks before. The BA.2 subvariant is thought to be about 30% more transmissible than the original BA.1 Omicron strain, the early study suggested.
Ukraine puts indirect losses from conflict with Russia at over $1 trillion
"The losses, calculated indirectly, taking into account the losses in the coming years, amount to more than a trillion dollars," Shmyhal was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. The cost of direct damage to Ukraine's public buildings, bridges, roads, civilian and military infrastructure caused by the attacks is estimated at about 270 billion dollars, he said.
Netherlands expels 17 Russian diplomats
The Russian ambassador was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hague and informed of the decision on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.m The ministry said in a statement that the measure had been taken "in the context of national security." The move followed information from the Dutch intelligence that the 17 diplomats were "secretly active as intelligence officers," it said.
US CDC recommends additional Covid-19 boosters for vulnerable groups
The move will increase protection for these vulnerable groups against severe disease from Covid-19, Xinhua news agency quoted the CDC as saying. The CDC's move came right after the US Food and Drug Administration authorised a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna Covid-19 vaccines for these people earlier on Tuesday.
Imran forbids PTI lawmakers from attending Assembly during voting on no trust motion
The Premier issued the directives as head/leader of the parliamentary party of PTI on Tuesday, a day after the no-confidence motion was tabled in the lower house of the Parliament against him by Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif, Express Tribune reported. The handout said only designated parliamentary members will speak on behalf of PTI during the course of debate on the motion against the premier in the house.
Voting on no-confidence motion against Imran Khan on April 3
Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed announced on Tuesday that voting on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan will take place on April 3, Geo News reported. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he revealed the much-awaited date, adding that debate on the motion, tabled by Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif on Monday, will begin on Tuesday.
Baloch lawmakers in Pakistan set to sink Prime Minister Imran Khan
The arithmetic to oust the mercurial Khan is simple. The opposition needs to muster the magic number of 172 lawmakers to oust Khan. After the decision of Shahzain Bugti of the Jamhoori Watan Party to step out of the ruling coalition on Sunday, treasury members have been slashed to 178 in the 342-member lower house of the parliament. With that the opposition has 163 in the bag, only 9 shorts of the required numbers.
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