US-China LIVE Updates: Blinken says discussed 'open channels of communication' with Chinese FM

11:14 (IST)

US-China LIVE Updates

Asian chip-making stocks rise on hopes of easier US-China sanctions

Asian chip-making stocks surged on Tuesday after a report claimed that South Korean and Taiwanese manufacturers will be permitted to keep facilities in China despite US sanctions against the nation.

After the Wall Street Journal reported that the three firms will be allowed to maintain and upgrade their chip-making infrastructure in China, Taiwan's TSMC  rose more than 3 per cent, while South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and SK Hynix Inc rose 1.6 per cent and 3.7 per cent, respectively.

The three, who are among the world's largest chipmakers, initially received a one-year reprieve to preserve their Chinese infrastructure after the United States imposed export curbs aimed to limit Beijing's access to cutting-edge chip technology.

11:03 (IST)

US-China LIVE Updates

Blinken says discussed 'open channels of communication' with Chinese FM

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a phone discussion with China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Tuesday that he discussed "open channels of communication" ahead of his travel to Beijing next week.

"I spoke by phone tonight with PRC State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang." "Discussed ongoing efforts to keep communication channels open, as well as bilateral and global issues," Blinken stated on Twitter.

Blinken also "made clear that the U.S. would continue to use diplomatic engagements to raise areas of concern as well as areas of potential cooperation," according to Miller. 

10:42 (IST)

US-China LIVE Updates

China FM tells Blinken relationship with US facing 'new difficulties': ministry

China's foreign minister, Qin Gang, informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday that the two nations' relations were experiencing "new difficulties and challenges," according to Beijing.

"Since the beginning of the year, Sino-American relations have faced new difficulties and challenges. It's clear who is responsible," Qin Gang said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout of a phone call between the two diplomats.  

10:28 (IST)

Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE Updates

Action plan being put in place to tackle medical, health emergencies, says Union Minister Mandaviya

Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health Minister, stated on Tuesday that an action plan is being implemented to deal with medical and health emergencies. Mandavia made the remarks after meeting with Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel in Bhuj to discuss the preparations for Cyclone 'Biparjoy'.

According to a statement, the union minister has guaranteed the state of the Centre's help. Mandaviya stated that the cyclone situation is being constantly watched in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) states and regional offices and that central medical fast-reaction teams are on standby.

10:26 (IST)

Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE Updates

Pakistan to evacuate around 100,000 people as cyclone Biparjoy intensifies

According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman Inam Haider Malik, Pakistan will evacuate around 100,000 people as part of its measures to safeguard the safety of those living along the country's coast as Cyclone Biparjoy intensifies.

The evacuations would be finished by early Thursday, when Biparjoy is scheduled to make landfall between Keti Bandar in Sindh province and Kutch in Gujarat, the NDMA chairman said during a press conference, according to Xinhua.

09:47 (IST)

Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE Updates

Cyclone Biparjoy won't impact monsoon further, says IMD

Cyclone Biparjoy has now separated from the monsoonal flow and will have no effect on the rain-bearing system's progress or performance, according to the India Meteorological Department on Tuesday.

The cyclone, according to IMD Director Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, aided the monsoon's progress over southern sections of the peninsula by enhancing the cross-equatorial flow over the Arabian Sea.

"Now, it is completely detached from the monsoonal flow. We do not expect any largescale impact either on the monsoon advance or its performance," he said.

09:30 (IST)

Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE Updates

37,800 people evacuated from coastal areas in Gujarat

As Cyclone Biparjoy approaches the Kutch coast in Gujarat, the administration reports that almost 37,800 people living near the sea in eight districts of the state have been evacuated.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the severe storm will make landfall near Jakhau port on the evening of June 15.

09:28 (IST)

Senthil Balaji Arrest LIVE Updates

Congress President condemns arrest of TN Minister Senthil Balaji by ED 

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemns the late-night arrest of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate

"This is nothing but political harassment and vendetta by the Modi govt against those opposed to it. None of us in the Opposition will be… pic.twitter.com/4Jz189eqwS— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2023

09:04 (IST)

Japan LIVE Updates

Two dead in shooting at Japan army training range: local media

The death toll in a shooting at a Japan army training range has risen to two, the military said Wednesday, after a recruit opened fire at the facility.

NHK and the Jiji Press agency both reported the fatality, which occurred after the government acknowledged three members of the Self-Defense Forces had been injured and a person was being held in custody in connection with the event.

08:59 (IST)

United Nations LIVE Updates

Record 110 million people now forcibly displaced: UN

The United Nations announced Wednesday that a record 110 million people have been forcefully displaced from their homes throughout the world, calling the massive increase an "indictment" of the world.

The overall number of refugees compelled to seek shelter abroad, as well as those displaced within their own countries, has reached an all-time high as a result of Russia's war in Ukraine, people from Afghanistan, and violence in Sudan, according to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. 

08:40 (IST)

Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE Updates

Cyclone Biparjoy now 380 kilometers away from Karachi, authorities on alert

Cyclone Biparjoy has deteriorated to a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) and is moving north-northwestward. According to Pakistan-based ARY News, it is presently roughly 380 km south of Karachi.

Cyclone Biparjoy has travelled further north-northwestward in the last six hours, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), and is presently roughly 380 kilometres south of Karachi and 390 kilometres south of Thatta.

08:16 (IST)

Cyclone Biparjoy LIVE Updates

95 trains to remain cancelled, short-terminated in Gujarat till June 15, says Western Railway

Around 95 trains passing through, originating in, or ending in Biparjoy-affected districts of Gujarat would be cancelled or short-circuited till June 15, according to a statement from Western Railway.

Cyclone Biparjoy is projected to make landfall on Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch areas, as well as the nearby Pakistan beaches, on June 15.

07:54 (IST)

Donald Trump LIVE Updates

Trump pleads not guilty to mishandling US secrets, blames 'corrupt sitting president' for his prosecution

Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to 37 allegations of mishandling some of the US government's most sensitive secrets, making him the first former US president to face criminal charges.

During Trump's arraignment Tuesday in a federal courthouse in Miami, his lawyers requested a jury trial. "We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty," Trump attorney Todd Blanche told the judge, according to CNN.

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07:42 (IST)

Earthquake LIVE Updates

Earthquake of magnitude 4.3 jolts J&K's Katra 

In the early hours of Wednesday, a 4.3 magnitude earthquake struck Katra, Jammu and Kashmir.

The earthquake struck at 2:20 p.m. at a depth of 10 kilometres, 81 km east of Katra, according to the National Centre for Seismology.

Earthquake of Magnitude:4.3, Occurred on 15-06-2023, 02:20:59 IST, Lat: 33.14 & Long: 75.79, Depth: 10 Km ,Location: 81km ENE of Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India for more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/kJh89XiRSa pic.twitter.com/UFGsGcIxwU— National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) June 13, 2023