Washington, March 31 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has told aides that he’s willing to end the US-Israeli war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Trump administration officials.Trump and his aides recently assessed that a mission to pry open the crucial global energy waterway would push the war with Iran beyond his timeline of four to six weeks, said the report.As a result, Trump decided that the United States should focus on…
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Paris, March 31 (IANS) French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot strongly condemned Israel over what he called “serious incidents” against the French contingent serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the Naqoura area.These violations of security and acts of intimidation by Israeli soldiers against UN personnel are “unacceptable and unjustifiable,” especially since deconfliction procedures are followed, Barrot said on social platform X, adding that France has conveyed…
Tokyo, March 30 (IANS) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday she would consider holding talks with the Iranian leadership at an ‘appropriate’ time if it serves Japan’s national interest as tensions in the Middle East remain high, local media reported.”I will judge the appropriate timing for holding talks based on the national interest from a comprehensive standpoint,” Takaichi told a session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, according to Kyodo News.Stability in the M…
Canberra, March 27 (IANS) Australia’s fuel supply looks good in the short term, but it will get more difficult in the coming months, said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday.Addressing a press conference in Parliament House in Canberra over the escalating fuel crisis facing the country, Albanese said the government is “working around the clock” to “have the strongest possible plan,” and get ready and over-prepared for what may come.Albanese noted his “positive” engagements with …
Taiyuan, March 25 (IANS) Mass vomiting and diarrhea cases were reported at Yucai Primary School in Xiaodian District of Taiyuan, capital of north China’s Shanxi Province, on Wednesday morning, with initial tests confirming norovirus infection, according to local education authorities.An official from the district education bureau said that over 100 students have taken leave, and efforts are underway to confirm the exact number of cases. Classes at the affected campus have been suspended, with te…
Kuala Lumpur, March 24 (IANS) Economists have trimmed ASEAN-6 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to 4.5 per cent in 2026 from 4.8 per cent, and to 4.7 per cent in 2027 from 4.8 per cent, due to the fallout of the conflict in West Asia. The ASEAN-6 nations refer to Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia.Maybank Investment Bank said in a recent note that the downgrades are larger for the Philippines (-0.4 percentage points), Vietnam (-0.4 percentage points…
Melbourne, March 24 (IANS) As Australia sits at the far end of the regional fuel supply chain, it may face a fuel supply “crunch time” in the coming weeks, according to local media reports, citing the conflict in the Middle East that has driven up international energy prices and exposed Australia’s heavy structural dependence on imported fuel.The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that Australia now has only two domestic refineries still operating, while more than 80 per cent of …
Sanya (China), March 23 (IANS) The organisers of the 6th Asian Beach Games 2026 announced on Monday that the torch relay for the upcoming games in Sanya will be held on March 30. Around 1,790 athletes will be taking part in 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 62 events that will be featured in the Games.Wang Guoping, deputy director of the organising committee, said the torch relay will highlight the city’s coastal scenery and vibrant sports culture.”The torch relay will showcase the unique appeal of…
Bangkok, March 23 (IANS) The Thai government has affirmed that the country maintains sufficient oil reserves to meet demand for up to 103 days, and it is advancing regulatory measures to enhance transparency in the market.Sarawut Kaewtatip, director-general of the Department of Energy Business, confirmed on Sunday that Thailand maintains sufficient overall oil reserves, estimated to last around 103 days, with supply levels exceeding normal demand.Thailand currently produces approximately 35.28 m…
Tehran, March 23 (IANS) Iran’s primary military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, issued a statement warning that power plants in countries hosting US bases would be considered legitimate targets if the United States attacks Iran’s power facilities.The statement came in response to remarks by US President Donald Trump threatening to target Iran’s power infrastructure, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Iranian state media Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.The Strait of Hormuz …