Heat waves prompt red alerts in 16 Italian cities

Rome (IANS) Authorities in Italy on Saturday issued red alerts in 16 cities due to blistering heat waves that continue to bake much of southern Europe.

The alerts, which indicate risks even for healthy people, apply to tourist hotspots including…

Sudan govt willing to work with all parties to end conflict

Khartoum (IANS) The Sudanese government has expressed willingness to work with all parties on finding solutions to end the violent conflict that has killed thousands and displaced millions of people since it erupted in April.

"The Sudanese…

Syria breaks UNSC stalemate by agreeing to allow border-crossing for aid

United Nations (IANS) Syria has unilaterally broken a Security Council stalemate by agreeing to allow the UN to use a contentious border-crossing to provide aid to rebel-held areas of the country on the terms of a Russian resolution that failed.

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…