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Taiwan will deepen ties with the US following talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, its foreign minister said yesterday, adding that it was China that was increasing regional “risks”.Trump said earlier yesterday on his way home from Beijing that he had discussed US arms sales to Taiwan with President Xi and said he would soon make a decision on the matter, highlighting a flashpoint in US-China relations.The US is Taiwan’s most important international backer, while China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own, has demanded that such arms sales stop.In a post on his Facebook page which did not directly reference Trump’s remarks, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said many Taiwanese had been “concerned” by the US president’s meeting with Xi.”I want to report to everyone that my diplomatic team and I have continued to closely monitor the situation, and have maintained good communication with the US,” Lin said.”Taiwan occupies a key geostrategic position and is a responsible and trustworthy partner of the international community. Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen co-operation with the US and like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific,” he added.Lin pointed to comments by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday that US policy towards the island remains unchanged. Trump reiterated that stance in his comments to reporters on board his plane yesterday.Last December the US approved an $11bn arms sales package for Taiwan, the largest ever, and a second one worth some $14bn is awaiting Trump’s approval, Reuters has previously reported.China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. The US is bound by law to provide Taiwan, whose government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, with the means to defend itself.Lin said Taiwan has always been a contributor to, and guardian of, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”The party that has truly continued to heighten regional risks is China, with its expanding military activities and authoritarian oppression in recent years,” Lin said.”China, which is attempting to change the international order and the status quo of regional peace and stability, is the main source of threat that is widely concerning the international community.”Xi told Trump on Thursday that mishandling the countries’ disagreements over Taiwan could push China-US relations to a “dangerous place”. Related Story Source link
Smoke rises behind buildings following an Israeli airstrike in the southern city of Tyre yesterday. – AFP Israel carried out new strikes in southern Lebanon yesterday that it said targeted Hezbollah, wounding 37 people as the two countries’ envoys started a second day of peace talks in Washington.United Nations humanitarian co-ordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza condemned the “unacceptable” toll from continued attacks, saying that “diplomatic efforts now offer a critical opportunity to stop the violence”.A truce in the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has been in place since April 17, but it has not stopped the fighting, with hundreds killed in strikes since then and both sides accusing the other of violations.”The IDF has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the area of Tyre in southern Lebanon,” the Israeli military said in a statement.An AFP correspondent reported a series of strikes, two of them near the city of Tyre, while state media said another targeted a centre run by a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) near a hospital.Lebanon’s health ministry said the strikes on the Tyre district wounded at least 37 people, including six hospital personnel, nine women and four children.Hafez Ramadan, a resident near the building targeted by the airstrike, said it had housed people who had fled their towns due to the war, and was adjacent to a hotel where more displaced were staying.”There are only women, children and the elderly here,” he said. “Because of this strike, people have been displaced again.”The Israeli army had earlier issued evacuation warnings for five towns and villages in and around the southern coastal city.It later issued a new evacuation warning for five other towns across the south.In a separate statement, the military said an Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon, bringing the number of Israeli soldiers killed in clashes with Hezbollah since early March to 19.A civilian contractor was also killed.It said it killed more than 220 Hezbollah fighters over the past week and struck hundreds of targets.Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported other strikes on locations in the south not included in the Israeli evacuation warnings.Hezbollah meanwhile claimed several attacks on Israeli troops in several southern Lebanese towns.It also claimed a drone attack on the headquarters of the Israeli army’s 300th brigade, one of the units operating in Lebanon.Riza said “the reality on the ground in Lebanon has been deeply alarming”, adding that “airstrikes and demolitions continue daily, with an unacceptable toll on civilians and civilian infrastructure”.However, he expressed his hope that the Lebanon-Israel talks “will pave the way toward a political solution”.Representatives from Lebanon and Israel, officially at war for decades, resumed talks at the State Department in Washington shortly after 9am (1300 GMT), one diplomat said.The US described the first day of talks in Washington on Thursday as positive, but neither Lebanon or Israel have commented.Lebanon hopes that the round of negotiations in Washington will end with an extension of the ceasefire and an agreement from Israel to halt its attacks.If an extension is not agreed, the truce will expire tomorrow.Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war on March 2 when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.Israeli attacks since then have killed more than 2,900 people in Lebanon, including more than 400 since the truce took effect, according to Lebanese authorities.Lebanon is under heavy US and Israeli pressure to disarm Hezbollah.Israeli troops have invaded parts of southern Lebanon since the start of the war, carrying out widespread demolitions of villages over the past weeks.Hezbollah, meanwhile, rejects outright any direct engagement between the two countries.Senior Hezbollah official Mahmud Qamati said yesterday that Beirut “going to direct, humiliating negotiations with the Israeli enemy is not a separate issue from a comprehensive conspiracy against the nation, its sovereignty and its resistance” at a time when “the south is being destroyed and martyrs are being killed daily”. Related Story Source link
Lusail International Circuit (LIC) has officially launched its premium hospitality packages for the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2026, taking place from November 27 to 29, offering guests an elevated race weekend experience that combines world class motorsport, luxury hospitality, premium entertainment, and exclusive behind the scenes access.Set against the backdrop of one of Formula 1’s most spectacular night races, the new three-day hospitality offering has been designed to cater to corporate guests, VIPs, motorsport enthusiasts, and international visitors seeking a premium Grand Prix experience in Qatar.Among the offerings is the Premiere Hospitality Private Suites experience, featuring private suites located within the Premiere Hospitality venue at the end of the Main Straight. Designed with corporate hospitality and premium client engagement in mind, guests will enjoy indoor seating, outdoor terraces, dedicated trackside and pitlane viewing, premium dining experiences with live cooking stations and premium beverages, as well as exclusive live entertainment throughout the race weekend.Packages are available for purchase in increments of 50 or 100 guests, making them ideal for large scale corporate hosting, networking, and business development opportunities. Guests also have the flexibility to tailor their hospitality experience to suit their specific needs.Lusail International Circuit also brings back the Lusail Hill Lounge package located at the iconic Turn 1 section of the circuit. Designed to deliver a relaxed yet refined hospitality atmosphere, the experience combines panoramic racing views with premium culinary offerings, curated cultural activations, dedicated parking access, and personalized hospitality services throughout the weekend.Located within the Premiere Hospitality venue, F1 Experiences Champions Club guests will enjoy exceptional trackside views, premium hospitality, guided F1 paddock tours, championship trophy photo opportunities on the starting grid, insider appearances from leading F1 personalities, and a range of immersive entertainment experiences across the weekend.The Qatar Grand Prix has rapidly established itself as one of the standout events on the F1 calendar, attracting fans and visitors from around the world to Lusail International Circuit. The launch of the 2026 hospitality packages reflects the circuit’s continued commitment to delivering premium guest experiences both on and off the track.Hospitality packages are now available through the official Lusail International Circuit website. For more information and bookings, visit Lusail International Circuit – F1 Hospitality Related Story Source link
The Investiture Ceremony of MES Indian School was solemnly conducted with grandeur and fervour on May 6 at the KG Hall, marking a significant occasion in the school’s calendar of leadership and excellence.The ceremony unfolded in an atmosphere of discipline and inspiration, in the presence of the chief guest, Ashraf Sharafudheen PT, director, Academics, MES Governing Board.The ceremony witnessed the formal induction of the newly elected student leaders, including the school appointees, prefects, club secretaries, scouts and guides, campus correspondents, representatives of Campus Care Force, house captains, head marshal, sports admiral, house general, wing commanders, head green ambassador and student editors.It was a grand and solemn occasion, where each elected member was prepared to don the mantle of leadership and vowed to fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to them. The major student officials include Master Ishan Bin Thasneef (Senior Head Boy), Miss Evelyn Johnly (Senior Head Girl), and Afthab Basheer Abdulla and Amina Shahal, as Head Prefects of their respective sections.The highlight of the event was the distribution of badges and sashes to the Main Office Bearers and the distribution of badges to the prefects of both boys’ and girls’ sections.This was followed by the distribution of badges to the club secretaries, recognising their roles in co-curricular leadership. The Flag Handing Over Ceremony added a sense of tradition and pride, symbolising the transfer of responsibilities to the new leaders.The oath-taking ceremony was led by the Head Boy, Master Ishan Bin Thasneef, where the newly appointed leaders pledged to uphold the values and responsibilities entrusted to them.Addressing the newly appointed student leaders, Principal Dr Hameeda Kadar urged the appointees to uphold the values and traditions of the institution with sincerity, humility, and dedication. She reminded them that leadership is a responsibility that demands commitment, discipline, and service to the school community.Earlier, Fiona Mary, from the Department of English, welcomed the gathering, highlighting the significance of leadership. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the Head Girl, Miss Evelyn Johnly, expressing gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the event.The event was coordinated by the teachers in charge: Akbar Ali, Shahanas, Manasul Ansari, and Shani GR. The ceremony was compered by the faculty members, Rema Devi, Fiona Mary and Davidson T. Source link
Pakistan is repatriating 11 of its nationals and 20 Iranians from vessels seized in the high seas by the US, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday.They were repatriated through Singapore to Bangkok en route to Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Friday night, Dar added in an X post, with the Iranians due to continue to their homeland.’All individuals are in good health and high spirits,’ the Pakistani minister said.It was not immediately clear which vessels they had been on.The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which began in February, was suspended last month after a fragile ceasefire but Washington and Tehran have engaged in naval confrontations and seizures of each other's vessels as they struggle to reach a peace pact.Pakistan has been mediating between the US and Iran.Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, which normally handles about one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil and gas supply, to most shipping after the war began. Source link
A worker pumps fuel into a motorcycle as newly increased fuel prices are displayed at a fuel station in Kolkata, yesterday. (Reuters) India’s state-run oil companies raised petrol and diesel prices by more than three % yesterday as disruption to energy supplies due to the Iran war mounts pressure on the economy.The increase marks the first hike in automobile fuel prices in India since the war broke out in February, prompting Iran’s near-total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.India, the world’s third-largest oil buyer, normally sources about half of its crude through the vital waterway.In Delhi, petrol prices rose to 97.77 rupees ($1.02) per litre from 94.77 rupees, while diesel climbed to 90.67 rupees from 87.67, according to data from the Indian Oil Corp.Rates vary across the country depending on local taxes.Oil companies say they have been incurring losses due to higher global crude oil prices.The government had earlier raised prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a primary cooking fuel for millions of households.The latest move comes as authorities ramp up austerity measures to curb fuel consumption and conserve foreign exchange.Delhi’s chief minister on Thursday said government offices will have two work-from-home days a week for those able to and urged residents to cut back on private vehicle use.The steps came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said restrictions on fuel use were necessary to save foreign currency spent on fuel imports.India has ramped up imports of Russian crude to plug gaps in supplies from the Middle East, ship-tracking and import data show, following a temporary US waiver on sanctions.But with the waiver set to end on Saturday, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar criticised “unilateral coercive measures”, without naming any country.”Such measures disproportionately affect developing countries,” he said on Thursday as he met foreign ministers from Brics nations, including Iran’s Abbas Araghchi and Russia’s Sergey Lavrov — representing two of the countries most heavily sanctioned by the US.”These unjustifiable measures cannot substitute dialogue, nor can pressure replace diplomacy.” Related Story Source…
Doha Modern Indian School, Qatar, has once again etched its name in academic distinction with a stellar and resplendent performance in the CBSE Class XII Board Examinations 2025–26. The students delivered exceptional and outstanding results across the Science and Commerce streams, reinforcing the institution’s well-established legacy of scholastic excellence and competitive success.In the Commerce stream, Vivana Kathamuchickal Anil emerged as the topper with an outstanding 95.6%, followed by Jessica Laverine with 93.8% and Amna Khan with 92.2%. In the Science stream, Numa Wasimkhan Pathan secured the top position with an impressive 94%, followed by Alice Anne Dominic with 93.4% and Jia Verma with 93%.Across a range of disciplines, several students distinguished themselves as subject toppers, reflecting the school’s strong academic culture. In English, Alice Anne Dominic, Lakshmi Nandana Pramod, and Mohammad Ehtasham secured the top position with 99 marks. In Physics, Jia Verma achieved 86 marks, while Sera Roni Vetticad led Chemistry with an impressive 97 marks. In Biology, Adrina Susan Sunil, Alice Anne Dominic, Numa Wasimkhan Pathan, Olivia Justin Arakkal, and Sampoorva Naidu achieved a perfect 100 marks, while Jia Verma secured 99 marks in Mathematics.In Computer Science and IT, Informatics Practices was topped by Adrina Susan Sunil and Numa Wasimkhan Pathan, both securing 99 marks, while Riona Dsouza excelled in Computer Science with an equally impressive 99 marks. In the Commerce stream, Amna Khan and Vivana Kathamuchickal Anil obtained 97 marks in Business Studies. Economics was led by Anika Prashant Prabhakaran and Vivana Kathamuchickal Anil with 98 marks, while Vivana Kathamuchickal Anil also topped Accountancy with 98 marks. Source link
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