NATO summit opens in Vilnius amid protests, criticism

Vilnius (IANS) Leaders of NATO gathered here for a two-day summit that seeks to address "the most pressing challenges" facing the alliance amid protests and growing criticism.

Strengthening defence and bridging differences on the Ukraine war…

Indonesia's Mt. Merapi erupts 16 times in 24 hours

Jakarta (IANS) In the past 24 hours, Mount Merapi -- one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia -- erupted 16 times, releasing incandescent lava up to 1,800 m, according to the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).

Helicopter with 6 people onboard goes missing in Nepal

Kathmandu (IANS) A helicopter with six people onboard went missing on Tuesday in Nepal, officials said.

The helicopter was flying to Kathmandu from Solukhumbu district, where Mount Everest is located.

Raju Neupane, manager at Manang…

Israeli parliament gives initial approval to controversial bill

Jerusalem (IANS) The Israeli parliament on Tuesday voted early in favour of a controversial bill that limits part of the Supreme Court's powers, part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned judicial overhaul.

Netanyahu's…

Ukrainian official hints at blowing up Crimean bridge in 2022

Kiev (IANS) In the clearest admission yet, Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar has hinted at the country's forces blowing up a bridge that connected Russia and Crimea in October last year.

Listing 12 Ukrainian achievements since…

Ukraine not yet ready for NATO membership: Biden

Washington (IANS) Ukraine is not yet ready for a NATO membership, US President Joe Biden said, adding that Russia needs to first end its ongoing invasion of Kiev, only then can the military alliance consider adding the war-torn nation to its ranks.

Putin held secret talks with Wagner warlord in Kremlin on July 1

London (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin has held secret talks at the Kremlin with the Wagner warlord who staged an armed mutiny against his regime, according to Western intelligence sources, a media report said.

The unannounced session…

Turkey takes 'fair, balanced stance' in Russia-Ukraine conflict: Erdogan

Ankara (IANS) Turkey has taken a "fair and balanced stance" in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and strengthened ties with both countries, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.

"While strengthening our relations with Ukraine, we did not…

Biden on Europe visit amid questions over NATO unity, munition to Ukraine

Washington (IANS) US President Joe Biden on Sunday embarked on Europe visit which is expected to be dominated by the US approval of munitions to Ukraine and bolstering North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) alliance.

During his five day…

Reservations followed Indians to US, now they may get reprieve

New York (IANS) Some Indian immigrants to the US used to say that a reason for coming here was the reservations policy in university admissions and jobs in their homeland and they wanted their children to escape its clutches. But it followed them…