International

Six men were charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home in reaction to what they viewed as her “uncontrolled power”, according to a criminal complaint unsealed on Thursday in United States’ federal court. The men plotted for months, consulting and training with militia members, and undertaking rehearsals in August and September, according to …

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation, and General Austin Scott Miller, commander of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, on Thursday called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa at the GHQ. Matters related to mutual interest, peace and stability in the region, the Pak-Afghan border management and current developments in the …

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday night that all US troops in Afghanistan could be home by Christmas, putting an end to America’s longest war. On Thursday, Taliban welcomed the announcement and called it a “very positive step” towards the implementation of the US-Taliban peace deal. Just before Wednesday night’s vice-presidential debate, Mr Trump posted a tweet on …

STOCKHOLM: American poet Louise Gluck won the 2020 Nobel Literature Prize on Thursday, an unexpected choice known for themes of childhood and family life that draw inspiration from myths and classical motifs. Gluck, 77, was honoured “for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal”, the Academy said. Gluck won the Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for …

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has blacklisted virtually all of Iran’s financial sector, dealing another blow to an economy that is already reeling under US sanctions. The move will deepen tensions with European nations and others over Iran. Thursday’s move hits 18 Iranian banks that had thus far escaped the bulk of reimposed US sanctions and, more importantly, subjects foreign, non-Iranian …

GENEVA: The World Health Organisation reported a record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases on Thursday, with the total rising by 338,779 in 24 hours led by a surge of infections in Europe. Europe reported 96,996 new cases, the highest total for the region ever recorded by the WHO. Global deaths rose by 5,514 to a total of 1.05 million. …

LAHORE: A young girl was allegedly shot dead by her brother in the name of honour in Sattokatla while another was injured by her cousin in Kahna area here on Thursday. In Sattokatla, the deceased girl (M) was 17 years old and she had reportedly eloped with a man of the same area. A police official said the family and …

PARIS: Earth’s surface was warmer last month than during any September on record, with temperatures since January tracking those of the hottest calendar year in 2016, the European Union’s Earth Observation Programme said on Wednesday. This year has now seen three months of record warmth— January, May and September — with June and April virtually tied for first, the Copernicus …

DHAKA: At least four people died late on Tuesday when members of two criminal factions attacked each other in a sprawling camp for Rohingya refugees, Bangladesh police said. Twenty other refugees were injured as the two groups opened fire with locally made guns and used sharp weapons at Kutupalong in Cox’s Bazar district, said Rafiqul Islam, an additional police superintendent. …

ATHENS: A Greek court found the leaders of neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn guilty of running a criminal organisation on Wednes­day at the end of a historic trial that was hailed by the prime minister as a victory for democracy. The judgement in an Athens court came as police and anti-fascist demonstrators clashed outside the courthouse, on the sidelines of a …