WORLD
UK-EU rift 'deepens' over N Ireland protocol
In a telephone call with European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said her country's overriding priority was to protect peace and stability in Northern Ireland and that the protocol had become the greatest obstacle to forming a Northern Ireland Executive, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a press release issued by the UK government.
Italy ends opposition to ruble-denominated payments for Russian gas
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi had been opposed to paying for Russian gas in rubles, after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to shut off gas to "unfriendly" countries if they refused to pay for gas supplies. In late March, Italy announced Draghi discussed the situation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The leaders said then that they rejected the calls for payment in rubles, insisting that euro-denominated contracts be respected, Xinhua news agency reported.
US won't let Imran-led propaganda damage ties with Pakistan
Terming Khan's claims of a foreign conspiracy as "propaganda and lies", Price said that the US respects its ties with Pakistan. "Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a detailed discussion with Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. They talked about strengthening the ties between two countries," Price said.
Sri Lankan court bans ex-PM Rajapaksa, son & 14 others from leaving country
Colombo's Magistrate court issued the travel ban on Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son MP Namal,
and 14 others who participated in Monday's meeting with his supporters who later carried out violent attacks on peaceful protesters in front of his house and his President's office.
Pakistan probe agency decides not to pursue money laundering case against PM Shehbaz, son Hamza
It is pertinent to mention here that the indictment of Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif and others was due on April 27, but it was postponed till May 14 after Amjad Parvez, the counsel of the premier had moved an application before the Special Court Central Lahore, seeking a one-time exemption of his client from personal appearance before the court.
Ranil Wickremesinghe to be sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new PM
The oath will be taken before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at 6 p.m. local time. Vacated after the controversial resignation of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the elder brother of President Gotabaya, Wickremesinghe is to take up the premiership for the record sixth time in the island nation.
New govt in Pakistan rules out resumption of trade with India
The response came from the commerce ministry over the widespread speculation on social media that the new government led by Pak Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is considering a proposal to resume trade with its arch rival India. "There is no change in Pakistan's policy on trade with India," an official announcement from the commerce ministry said.
Nepal announces visit of Modi to Lumbini
At the invitation of Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, the Prime Minister of India will pay an official visit to Lumbini on May 16. The Prime Minister of India will attend the special ceremony on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Jayanti in Lumbini, the statement added.
Omicron BA.4, BA.5 sub-variants found in over a dozen countries: WHO
According to WHO's technical lead on Covid Maria Van Kerkhove, at least 16 countries have reported about 700 cases of BA.4, while more than 300 cases of BA.5 have been found across at least 17 countries, CNBC reported. The new sub-variants do not cause severe infection than the original Omicron strain, but they appear to be more contagious, Van Kerkhove was quoted as saying during a Q&A on the organisation's social media platforms.
Bill to codify abortion rights in US fails to advance in Senate
The bill was tabled in US Senate on Wednesday. The Women's Health Protection Act, which had passed the House of Representatives, was voted down 49-51 in the upper chamber, Xinhua news agency reported. All 50 Senate Republicans, along with one Democrat, opposed the Democratic-led effort, which requires at least 60 votes to move forward.
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