WORLD
US will act if threatened: Biden tells China
Delivering his second State of the Union address, an annual homily by a US President of past achievements and future plans, Biden used the shooting of the balloon -- without going into specifics -- to engage in some saber-rattling at Beijing even as sought to frame the relationship with China as a competition rather than a conflict. "As we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country.
Paris Club gives assurance to support IMF bailout for SL, hails India's role
The Paris Club is a group of officials from major creditor countries whose role is to find co-ordinated and sustainable solutions to the payment difficulties experienced by debtor countries. Sri Lanka President's media division announced on Tuesday that Sri Lanka's bilateral official creditors, which are Paris Club members including Japan, France, Korea, Germany, the US, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Austria, Canada, the UK.
India the biggest friend of Sri Lanka: PM
Addressing the Tata Tiscon Dealer Convention 2023, he called on Indian companies to invest further in Sri Lanka. Outlining the benefits of Indian investments in Sri Lanka, PM Gunawardene highlighted that 90 per cent of components used by Lanka Ashok Leyland were indigenous.
Protests continue in France against govt pension reform plans
However, the CGT, France's largest union, said that the turnout exceeded two million during the third day of the general mobilisation against the pension reform that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, Xinhua news agency reported. Turnout at the previous nationwide demonstration on January 31 was estimated by the Ministry at 1.2 million and by the CGT at 2.8 million.
Turkey-Syria quake toll nearing 8,000, searches continue
In an address to the nation early Wednesday, Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay said at least 5,894 people have been confirmed dead so far, while 34,810 others were injured, CNN reported. A total 16,139 teams were currently continuing with the search and rescue operations, with additional international teams to be deployed in the coming days, he added.
Quad launches cyber security inititiative
"We are inviting Internet-users across the Indo-Pacific and beyond to join the Challenge and pledge to practice safe and responsible cyber habits," the White House said in an announcement. "The Challenge reflects Quad's continuing efforts to strengthen individuals' and communities' cyber security awareness and action, as well as to foster a more secure and resilient cyber ecosystem to benefit economies and users everywhere."
Bill seeks five-year imprisonment for ridiculing army, judiciary in Pakistan
In a handout, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that a cabinet committee has been formed to carefully review the Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, 2023 forwarded by the Interior Ministry, Dawn reported. It added that the body would submit its report at the next meeting of the federal cabinet.
Imran accused of receiving bribes via his frontwoman, Farah Gogi
This was disclosed by special assistant to the Prime Minister on interior and legal affairs with the status of Federal Minister, Attaullah Tarar, in a news conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Samaa TV reported. Tarar claimed that he had managed to obtain data from banks about the transactions made in Farah's accounts.
US reiterates support to Pakistan in fight against terrorism
On January 30, a powerful explosion ripped through a mosque in Peshawar's Red Zone area where between 300 and 400 people mostly police officers had gathered for prayers. The suicide blast blew away the wall of the prayer hall and an inner roof, claiming 84 lives.
Turkey-Syria quake toll crosses 5,000, rescuers race to find more survivors
In a separate briefing, an official from the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) Orhan Tatar said that some 11,000 buildings were damaged and added that nearly 25,000 emergency responders are currently working at the affected areas.
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