Parts of US sizzle under 'heat dome', others struck by heavy rains, flash floods

Washington (IANS) About a third of Americans have been in the grip of a brutal heatwave, with excessive heat warnings in effect in 15 states, from Washington and California on the West Coast down to Arizona, Texas and Florida in the south, impacting…

Powers of US, West declining, claims top Iranian military official

Tehran (IANS) The influence of the US and the West as global powers is declining, according to a top Iranian military official.

Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri made the remarks in a meeting with visiting…

Erdogan says ready to host Putin in August

Istanbul (IANS) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan he is ready to host his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Ankara next month for talks on several issues.

"We are preparing to host Putin in August," Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul.

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…