S. Korean delegation to negotiate with Iran ship seizure

Seoul (IANS) A South Korean delegation is set to depart for Iran soon to negotiate the early release of a seized tanker and its crew, officials said on Wednesday.

The delegation, led by Koh Kyung-sok, director-general of the South Korean Foreign…

Mexican President offers Assange political asylum

Mexico City (IANS) Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has offered political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, after a UK court blocked the latter's extradition to the US, citing concerns over his "mental health and "risk of…

Hazaras refuse to end sit-in against Balochistan massacre

Quetta (IANS) Members of the Hazara minority community have refused to end their sit-in in Quetta against the killing of 11 coal miners in Pakistan's Balochistan province, while demanding justice over the carnage.

The sit-in started on…

US aircraft carrier to remain in Middle East: Pentagon

Washington (IANS) The Pentagon said that US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz would remain in the Middle East waters due to "threats from Iran", reversing a previous decision to order the warship to return home.

"Due to the recent threats issued…

11 coal miners kidnapped, killed in Balochistan

Islamabad (IANS) Pakistan's Balochistan province has been in the grip of terrorist attacks on security personnel and local residents, putting the authorities on high alert 24/7 and in a latest tragic incident, at least 11 coal miners were kidnapped…

Pakistan in Middle East: Diminishing stature, dubious future

New Delhi (IANS) India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar returned to the country last week after a successful visit to Qatar, the seventh such high-level visit from India to West Asia amid the Covid-19 pandemic in the last four months.

'China hopes next US admin will restore normalcy to bilateral ties'

Beijing (IANS) China hopes that the next US administration under President-elect Joe Biden will return to a "sensible approach", resume dialogue with Beijing, restore normalcy to the bilateral relations and restart cooperation, Chinese State Councillor…

UK, EU begin new relationship as Brexit transition period ends

London (IANS) Britain and the European Union (EU) have started a new chapter in their relationship as the Brexit transition period ended on Thursday.

In an earlier message, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Britain to seize the moment…

UK Court slaps $28.7M penalty payment to Pak High Commission

London (IANS) Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB), an institution accused and blamed by political leadership for taking political maneuvering of the government and using it to nab top leaders of major political parties on charges of…

25 killed in Syria ambush

Damascus (IANS) At least 25 people were killed when armed men ambushed a passenger bus in eastern Syria, state media reported.

The "terrorist" attack on Wednesday targeted the bus on the Palmyra-Deir al-Zour road in the area of Kabajeb, Xinhua…