Syrian army

By Steve Rosenberg Published 20 July Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war This was Vladimir Putin on Syria, after talks with the leaders of Turkey and Iran. Note his language in Tehran. "The Syrian crisis can only be resolved by political and diplomatic means… by strictly adhering to the basic principles of the respect of sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity." This is the same Vladimir Putin who, five months earlier, invaded Ukraine; no talk then of the need to respect a country's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. The difference? Syria has a pro-Russia leader, President Bashar al-Assad, whom the Kremlin was determined to keep in power. Not so much through "political and diplomatic means", but by sending in the Russian military to help him regain lost territory. Ukraine, … [Read more...] about Russia’s Putin finds keen ally in rare trip to Iran

When she was growing up, film-maker Gurinder Chadha was captivated by a photograph which took pride of place on the mantelpiece in her family’s front room in Southall, west London. For years she assumed the dashing man in a jewel-bedecked turban must be a relative; only later did she understand his true significance. “He was Maharaja Sir Duleep Singh, the last king of the Sikhs,” she says. “He ruled Punjab, my ancestral home – vast, powerful territories stretching from Afghanistan to China.” That is, until Duleep Singh was deposed by the British Raj, exiled to Britain as a teenager and forced to give the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the most dazzling of his dynasty’s treasures , to Queen Victoria. For Chadha’s family, that photograph was symbolic not just of past glories from the land of their forefathers, but of the deeply complex shared history between two nations – Britain and India - that had brought them as immigrants to this country. “As soon as you mention the word ‘Empire’, people … [Read more...] about Gurinder Chadha: ‘People get defensive about the British Empire but it’s our shared history’

Dowden asked about what Boris Johnson should do next SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The outgoing Prime Minister was scheduled to meet in Warsaw yesterday, August 8, but Mr Morawiecki's office told Downing Street he no longer had time to meet. The visit was part of several calendar in-person and by-phone appointments set by Number 10 for Mr Johnson's final weeks in power. Related articles UK meringue company ends all exports to EU over Brexit 'disaster' GB News guests lock horns over Commons partygate probe into Boris After weeks of deliberations, the Warsaw visit was finally set for this week only to be cancelled with no further notice by the Polish leader. Mr Morawiecki's office told Mr … [Read more...] about ‘No time for you!’ Boris Johnson snubbed by EU state Poland with official visit CANCELLED

Easyjet CEO says 'nothing new' on the impact of Brexit on travel SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Brexiteer Tom Harris was called out after he compared Brexit to the Easter Rising. Historian Sir Tom Devine called the comparison "completely ludicrous". Tom Harris made the comparison in response to a Guardian article in which comedian Dara Ó Briain called Brexit a terrible idea. Related articles Devon cliff dramatically COLLAPSES into beach below Meghan Markle entering new chapter as Duchess makes major change Mr Harris took to Twitter to make the comparison - the former Labour MP headed the Vote Leave campaign in Scotland ahead of the Brexit referendum. He said: "[I thought it] odd that an … [Read more...] about ‘Completely ludicrous!’ Brexit row as leftie BBC comedian mocks Leaver in Ireland spat

Sirhowy Valley, Wales — Mikey Allen didn't plan to build a castle. He just needed somewhere to be alone, to find some peace. But he also needed something to occupy his time and drown out his thoughts. Hauling stones and logs up a remote mountainside in Wales was physically punishing. It left him with little time for reflection, and it gave him purpose. "The goal has created some form of hope, has kept me alive to a certain degree," Allen told CBS News. A combination of skill and luck kept him alive when he served as a lance corporal with the British Army in Afghanistan more than a decade ago. He was the point-man for his unit, which was tasked with uncovering roadside bombs. Death and injury were common during his seven-month tour. On one patrol in Helmand Province, he saw an Afghan National Police officer step on a mine laid by Taliban militants. "There was a big explosion. Me and my colleague went sideways skidding across the floor. The best way I can describe it is it … [Read more...] about How a military veteran battling PTSD built a castle on a mountain, and rebuilt his life, one stone at a time

One of Taiwan’s top missile experts has been found dead in a hotel room while tensions rise between the island nation and neighbouring China . The sudden death of Ou Yang Li-hsing, the deputy head of the Taiwan defence ministry’s research and development unit, is being probed by police. The official Central News Agency reports that Ou Yang, 57, was found on Saturday morning (August 6) in the southern city of Pingtung and is believed to have been killed by a heart attack. READ MORE: WW3 fears grow as Taiwan 'prepares for war' with China and puts army on 'high alert' He worked for the military-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and has been visiting the south of the island on business. Investigators have found no sign of a break-in, reportedly leading to limited fears over the possibility of foul play. Mr Ou Yang’s family has told the investigation that not only did Mr Ou Yang have a history of heart problems, but that he also had a … [Read more...] about Mystery as Taiwan missile expert found dead in hotel as Chinese invasion threat looms

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Tuesday said that PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s comments — on the basis of which he has been arrested — were a part of the planned conspiracy to create division within the military. "The comments were according to the script prepared under the supervision of PTI Chairperson Imran Khan which was carried forward by former information minister Fawad Chaudhry and Gill," the interior minister said, addressing a press conference flanked by Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. Earlier today, Khan's aide Gill was taken into custody for inciting the public against the state institutions, a spokesperson of the Islamabad police confirmed. Related Stories Imran sure to face disqualification: Rana Sana Sheikh Rasheed warns govt against arresting Imran Khan Shahbaz Gill arrested for provocation against institutions: Islamabad Police Sanaullah stated that Gill has been arrested by the Islamabad police “in accordance with the … [Read more...] about Shahbaz Gill’s comments scripted under Imran Khan’s supervision: Rana Sanaullah

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday exchanged views on matters of common interest with  UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a telephone call. The two leaders review the progress and resolved to further strengthen ties  while recalling the decisions taken during the visit of PM Shehbaz to the UAE in April 2022. According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders resolved to further strengthen trade and economic ties with a particular focus on accelerating cooperation and building partnerships in areas comprising investments, energy, and infrastructure. Related Stories PM Shehbaz Sharif talks to Bill Gates PM thanks UAE president for investment; phones Emir of Qatar UAE’s Coral Energy becomes Pakistan’s top fuel oil supplier During the telephonic conversation, they reaffirmed the close fraternal ties between the two countries and agreed to work closely to further enhance bilateral cooperation in … [Read more...] about Pakistan, UAE discuss need to accelerate cooperation in energy sector

06.06.2022 06:32 Key points to know for Monday: Ukrainian forces are "holding on" in Sievierodonetsk, President Zelenskyy said on Monday. Earlier the regional governor said the local situation had 'worsened' for Ukrainian forces under intense Russian bombardment. Russian forces continue to push towards Sloviansk in the Donbas, says UK military intelligence. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cancelled a Monday visit to Serbia after neighbouring countries closed their airspace to his plane. Moscow has criticised the move . Lavrov followed Putin in warning the West on Monday against providing Ukraine with long-range rockets. Earlier the UK said it would supply new rocket launcher systems to Ukraine, with a range of 80km. Russian car sales fell by 52% in April, a year-on-year drop of 83%, industry figures show, largely due to Western sanctions. The head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff has said Ukrainians are facing the "same horrors" as the French did in World … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Ukrainian forces ‘holding on’ in Sievierodonetsk, says Zelenskyy

As "intense street to street fighting" is reported in Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine says Russian forces are planning an assault on Sloviansk as the battle for the Donbas continues. See a summary of the latest developments in our blog below. 06.11.2022 11:41 Saturday's key points: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told an Asian summit the future international order will be determined on Ukraine's battlefields, predicting that his country "will prevail" in the war Russia started. The Ukrainian army says Russian forces are planning an assault on Sloviansk in Donetsk province, while UK intelligence reports "intense street to street fighting" in Sievierodonetsk. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, visiting Kyiv, told President Zelenskyy that Brussels would finalise its assessment on Ukraine's eligibility for EU membership "by the end of next week" . Ukrainian and British officials warned that Russian forces are relying on Soviet-era missiles … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Future global order will be decided on Ukraine battlefields, says Zelenskyy