US proposes 15-year security guarantees for Ukraine as peace talks continue
KYIV (Ukraine), Dec 29 (Agencies): The United States (US) has proposed security guarantees for Ukraine lasting 15 years as part of a draft peace plan, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday, while stressing that a longer commitment would be needed to deter Russia from future aggression.Zelenskyy said he would prefer...
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Chinese military to stage drills around Taiwan to warn 'external forces'
HONG KONG, Dec 29 (Agencies): The Chinese military said Monday said it was dispatching air, navy and rocket troops to conduct joint military drills around Taiwan, a move it called a "stern warning" against separatist and "external interference" forces.The drills came after Beijing expressed anger at US arms sales to...
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Israeli air force deploys first laser interception system
JERUSALEM, Dec 29 (AFP): Israel's defence ministry said on Sunday it had deployed a new "Iron Beam" laser system for the air force to intercept aerial threats.The laser system's main developers, the ministry's research and development department and defence contractor Rafael, delivered it to the air force at a ceremony...
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Nepal's former rapper to run for PM in key vote after Gen Z protests
KATHMANDU, Dec 29 (Reuters): Two popular leaders have formed an alliance ahead of March parliamentary elections in Nepal that will challenge the older parties which have dominated the Himalayan nation's politics for over three decades, party officials and analysts said on Monday.Rapper turned-Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, known as Balen, a...
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NEWS IN BRIEF__2025-12-30
Myanmar pro-military party official says 'winning' junta-run pollNAYPYIDAW, Dec 29: Myanmar's dominant pro-military party is "winning a majority" in the first phase of junta-run elections, a party source told AFP on Monday, after democracy watchdogs warned the poll would entrench military rule. The armed forces snatched power in a 2021...
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