China launches long-range airstrike drills around Taiwan

Taipei (IANS) Chinese forces took part in drills focused on land attacks and long-range airstrikes around Taiwan on Sunday, its military said, on what was expected to be the final day of extensive exercises rolled out in response to a visit to the…

China performing simulation of attack on Taiwan: Defence Ministry

Taipei (IANS) In manoeuvres around Taiwan on Saturday, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is performing "what it believed to be a simulation of an attack on Taiwan's main island", according to the Defence Ministry in Taipei.

The…

After pressure from India, Sri Lanka urges China to defer entry of Chinese 'spy' ship

Colombo (IANS) Amid pressure from its immediate neighbour India, Sri Lanka has urged China to delay the entry of controversial Chinese ship 'Yuan Wang 5' into the Chinese controlled port in Southern Hambantota.

In a letter to the Chinese…

Forest fire rages in Berlin amid blasts at munitions facility

Berlin (IANS) Firefighters are battling a blaze that broke out in Berlin's Grunewald forest followed by numerous explosions at a police munitions storage facility.

Some 15,000 square metres of forest is burning, the fire department of the…

Indian-American Congressman Krishnamoorthi visits Taiwan with Speaker Pelosi

New York (IANS) Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi visited Taiwan as a member of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis delegation that drew Beijings ire.

Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat who is a member of the House Permanent Select Committee…

China drills amount to air and sea blockade, says Taiwan

Taipei (IANS) Taiwan's government has issued strong condemnation of China's plans for live fire drills in locations around the island - Beijing's main response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit, media reports said.

Such…

Contrary to Pak military's report, BRAS claims responsibility for downing helicopter in Balochistan

Islamabad (IANS) Contrary to the Pakistani military's narration, Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS) - an umbrella organisation of Baloch armed groups, claimed the responsibility for targeting and downing the military helicopter in the mountainous…

China to begin military drills around Taiwan as Pelosi visits

Beijing (IANS) Within minutes of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landing in Taiwan on Tuesday night, China said it would immediately begin "a series of joint military operations around the island", including using long-range live ammunition in the Taiwan…

696 migrants cross English Channel in single-day record high

London (IANS) At least 696 migrants have crossed the Channel to the UK in a single day, a record for the year so far.

The migrants made the journey in 14 boats on Monday, dpa news agency quoted the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as saying.

Large…

1st ship with grain leaves Ukraine's Odesa port

Kiev (IANS) The first cargo ship carrying grain has left Ukraine's Odesa port in line with a grain exports deal signed between Kiev and Moscow last month in Istanbul, Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Monday.

The vessel…