41 killed in IS attack on Afghan cultural centre
Kabul, Dec 28 (IANS) At least 41 people were killed and over 80 injured here on Thursday in a suicide attack on a cultural centre of the Shia minority, which houses a madrasa, a mosque…
International
US asks Russia to reduce violence in Ukraine
Washington, Dec 28 (IANS) US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has asked Russia to ease violence in eastern Ukraine over a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the US State Department has said….
Pakistan rejects India’s claims of cross-LoC strike
Islamabad, Dec 26 (IANS) Pakistan on Tuesday summoned the Indian Acting Deputy High Commissioner here and condemned the “unprovoked” ceasefire violations by the Indian Army and also “categorically rejected” India’s claims of having crossed the…
US ‘negotiates’ $285 mn cut in UN budget
Washington, Dec 26 (IANS) The US government has claimed to have negotiated a significant cut to the UN budget, along with hints of more reductions to come. The US Mission to the UN said the…
Confounding US policy, India partners with Iran to aid Afghanistan
By Arul Louis United Nations, Dec 22 (IANS) In an aid programme that confounds the US policy in the region, India is partnering with Iran to send Afghanistan the assistance that President Donald Trump has…
India slams UNSC’s inability to confront terrorism in Afghanisataan
By Arul Louis United Nations, Dec 22 (IANS) India has criticised the Security Council’s impotency in confronting the terrorism threat in Afghanistan, which poses dangers beyond its borders. “While new threats emerge from the IS/Daesh…
Cuban parliament extends President Castro’s mandate for two months
Havana, Dec 22 (IANS) The Cuban parliament approved “unanimously” on Thursday to extend the mandate of the Council of State, of President Raul Castro and his vice presidents for two more months until next April….
Post-war accord on German-speakers to be honoured, Italy tells Austria
Rome, Dec 21 (IANS/AKI) Italy is committed to upholding a bilateral treaty with Austria that grants the German-speaking population in the province of Alto Adige the right to autonomy and to preserve their cultural identity…
Gene editing technology prevents hearing loss in mice
New York, Dec 21 (IANS) Using the gene editing technology CRISPR, US researchers have edited a gene variant that leads to deafness in mice, a breakthrough that could transform future treatment of genetic hearing loss…
German parties to start talks for new government in January
Berlin, Dec 21 (IANS) Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) and the Conservatives Union announced on Wednesday that they will hold exploratory talks for government formation from January 7 to 12, according to local media. The decision…
Senate passes sweeping Republican tax plan, House to re-vote
Washington, Dec 20 (IANS) The US Senate on Wednesday passed the most sweeping overhaul of the US tax system in more than three decades, handing President Donald Trump and jubilant congressional Republicans their most significant…
US reiterates ‘all options on table’ against N Korean nuclear threat
By Arul Louis United Nations, Dec 15 (IANS) US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reiterated on Friday Washington’s warning that “all options are on the table” to meet North Korea’s nuclear threat while offering to…
China to host Palestine-Israel peace symposium
Beijing, Dec 15 (IANS) China will host a symposium for Palestinian and Israeli peace advocates in Beijing from December 21 to 22, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on Friday. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Foreign…
Dubai Safari draws 14,000 visitors in first two days
Dubai, Dec 14 (IANS/WAM) Dubai Safari, home to the diverse array of animals in the country, has attracted 14,000 visitors in the first two days since its soft opening on December 12. “Dubai Safari has…
Pakistan denies China’s funding halt for CPEC projects
Islamabad, Dec 14 (IANS) Pakistan on Thursday refuted reports that Beijing had halted payments on some of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the country. Foreign Office Spokesperson Muhammad Faisal at a briefing said…
Islamic summit declares East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital
Istanbul, Dec 13 (IANS) A summit of Islamic countries held in Istanbul on Wednesday declared East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also invited all the…
US stocks end mixed as Fed meeting begins
New York, Dec 13 (IANS) US stocks closed mixed with both the Dow and the S&P 500 refreshing closing records, as the Federal Reserve kicked off its two-day policy meeting. The Dow Jones Industrial Average…
6-magnitude quake hits Iran-Iraq border
Tehran, Dec 11 (IANS) An earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter Scale shook the border region of Iran and Iraq on Monday evening, the Iran Seismological Centre said. No injuries were reported. The epicentre of…
Kuwait announces formation of new cabinet
Kuwait City, Dec 11 (IANS) Kuwait formed a new cabinet on Monday, led by Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, after the former cabinet’s resignation a few weeks ago. Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah…
This ‘black box’ recorder can measure surgeons’ proficiency
New York, Dec 11 (IANS) Scientists have developed a novel recorder similar in concept to a flight recorder on an airplane that can be used to objectively measure surgeons’ proficiency in robotic-assisted prostate cancer surgery….