Ukraine spends over $28 bn on defence this year: PM

Kiev (IANS) As Russia continues its war against Kiev, the Ukrainian government spent more than $28 billion to cover the country's defence needs this year, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

Out of the sum, $18.66 billion was used to pay…

Rafah border crossing opens, first aid trucks enter Gaza

Gaza (IANS) The first convoy of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Saturday through the Rafah crossing, the only crossing point between the besieged Hamas-controlled enclave and Egypt, according to Palestinian security sources.

Dawood Malik, founder of Lashkar-e-Jabbar, gunned down in Pakistan by unknown assailants

New Delhi (IANS) Another terrorist involved in anti-India activities Dawood Malik, considered a close aide of wanted terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar, was shot dead on Pakistan soil by unknown gunmen, reports said.

According to reports in Pakistani…

Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan after four years, addresses rally in Lahore

Islamabad (IANS) PML-N chief and former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday returned to Pakistan after a four-year-long self-imposed exile, and headed for hometown Lahore to address a party rally.

His return came months before…

Large number of Canadian diplomats left India overnight: Report

New Delhi (IANS) A large number of Canadian diplomats have left India overnight, a media report said on Thursday.

The departures followed two weeks of negotiations between India and Canada after India issued a demand for "parity" in the number…

Israel withdraws all diplomatic personnel from Turkey

Ankara (IANS) Israel has reportedly withdrawn all of its diplomatic personnel from Turkey for "security reasons" against the backdrop of the deadly Israel-Hamas conflict.

"All Israeli personnel from diplomatic missions in Turkey have been withdrawn…

Israeli Defence Minister tells troops to get ready for ground offensive in Gaza

Jerusalem (IANS) Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has asked infantry soldiers along the border with the Gaza Strip to get prepared for entering the Palestinian enclave, without specifying the time of the offensive.

Gallant on Thursday…

Hamas-Israel conflict death toll nearing 5,000

Gaza/Jerusalem, (IANS) The death toll in the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict is nearing 5,000, with thousands of others injured and displaced as a result of the violence which continued for the 13th day on Thursday.

In its latest situation update,…

Jordanian King travels to Cairo, to meet Egyptian President

Amman (IANS) After a four-way summit between the US, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt was cancelled in the wake of the Gaza hospital bombing, Jordan's King Abdullah II on Thursday embarked on a visit to Cairo where he will meet President Abdel Fattah…

US pushing Israel not to initiate war with Hezbollah

Tel Aviv (IANS) The Biden administration has privately been urging Israel not to launch a military campaign against Hezbollah, as Washington works to keep the current war from spreading beyond Gaza, media reports said.

The US recognises that…