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Japan’s tourism reshuffle: Chinese numbers collapse, South Korea, Taiwan and US visitors hit new highs
TOKYO, March 18 — Chinese visitors to Japan tumbled 45.2 per cent in February from a year earlier, official data showed Wednesday, as the fallout from the countries’ diplomatic spat bit for the third month running. Previously Chinese travellers were
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UN watchdog warns of risks after projectile strike on Iran’s nuclear facility, urges restraint
VIENNA, March 18 — The UN nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that Iranian authorities had reported projectile impact at the country’s only operational nuclear power plant that caused no damage. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) “has been informed by Iran
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Havana lights return as Cuba reconnects grid after 29‑hour nationwide blackout amid US fuel squeeze
HAVANA, March 18 — Cuba has reconnected its power grid on Tuesday and brought online its largest oil-fired power plant, energy officials said, putting an end to a nationwide blackout that lasted more than 29 hours amid a US move
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War in the Middle East: Iran security chief killed, missiles hit Tel Aviv, US embassy attacked in Baghdad
PARIS, March 18 — Here are the latest developments Tuesday in the Middle East war US strikes near Strait of Hormuz US Central Command said Tuesday it had hit Iranian missile sites with “multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions,” some of
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Amid escalating Middle East tensions, a poignant note from Iran’s alleged fallen leader
TEHRAN, March 17 — The official social media profiles of Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani posted a handwritten note today, shortly after Israel said it had killed him. Tehran has not confirmed Larijani’s death, nor did the post address the
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Afghanistan says 400 killed in Pakistani airstrike on Kabul drug rehabilitation centre
KABUL, March 17 — The Afghan government on Tuesday said that about 400 people were killed in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in the capital, Kabul, in the deadliest attack in the recent violence between the two
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China announces humanitarian assistance for Iran, Lebanon and other Middle Eastern nations amid US‑Israeli strikes
BEIJING, March 17 — China said on Tuesday it will provide humanitarian assistance to Middle Eastern countries, including Iran and Lebanon, targeted in US and Israeli strikes in the conflict now in its third week. Beijing is a close partner
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China notes US clarification, says Trump’s Beijing visit delay not tied to Hormuz issue
BEIJING, March 17 — China said on Tuesday it had “noted” clarifications from the United States about the reasons for a possible delay to a planned visit to Beijing by President Donald Trump. Trump had planned to visit at the
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Taliban accuses Pakistan of hitting Kabul drug rehab centre, claiming hundreds killed in latest cross-border attack
KABUL, March 17 — Heavy casualties were feared on Tuesday after Afghanistan accused Pakistan of hitting a treatment centre for drug addicts in the capital, Kabul, and killing civilians. Pakistan denied deliberately targeting the facility, instead saying it had conducted
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Trump asks China to push back Xi summit, saying Middle East war makes staying home more urgent
WASHINGTON, March 17 — US President Donald Trump said Monday he had asked China to delay his summit with Xi Jinping by around a month while he deals with the war in the Middle East. Trump had been due to
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