South American leaders reach consensus on regional integration

Brasilia (IANS) Leaders of the South American countries have reached the 'Brasilia Consensus' at a summit here convened by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, seeking to facilitate regional integration.

Twelve leaders of…

Several drones targeting Moscow shot down: Governor

Moscow (IANS) Moscow Governor Andrey Vorobyov on Tuesday claimed that several drones targeting the Russian capital city were shot down.

"This morning, residents of some districts in the Moscow region could hear the sounds of explosions. It…

Israel strikes military sites in Syria

Damascus (IANS) Israeli warplanes launched an overnight attack on military sites in Damascus, causing damages, the Syrian military said in a statement on Monday.

The strike was made from over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which triggered…

ADB approves $350 million loan to help support SL's economic stabilisation

Colombo (IANS) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday said it has approved a $350 million special policy-based loan to provide budget support to Sri Lanka for the stabilisation of its crisis-hit economy.

The bank said that the program is…

Russian missiles hit Ukraine's capital Kiev: Report

They were all reportedly shot down and there are no reports of casualties, the BBC reported.

Flaming debris from the intercepted missiles landed in residential areas in central Kiev.

Russia has launched 16 air attacks on the Ukrainian…

US debt ceiling deal agreed in principle

Washington (IANS) The White House and the Republicans have agreed in principle to raise the US debt ceiling and avert a default after weeks of bitter negotiations, local media reported.

The deal still needs to be approved by a divided US Congress.

6.0 magnitude quake jolts parts of Pakistan

Islamabad (IANS) A 6.0 magnitude quake - epicentred at the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region - jolted parts of Pakistan on Sunday, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), local media reported.

In a statement, the department…

Ukraine seeks to fix perspective of NATO membership during July summit

Kiev (IANS) Ukraine is seeking to fix its perspective of joining the NATO during the alliance's upcoming summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July, top government offical Andriy Yermak said.

"Our expectations from the summit in Vilnius boil…

Bill introduced to make Diwali federal holiday in US

New York (IANS) A bill to make Diwali a federal holiday has been introduced by Grace Meng, a Democrat member of the House of Representatives.

"My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day, and celebrating…

US congressional panel on China suggests NATO+ status for India

Washington (IANS) A US congressional committee has recommended that India should be added to an expanded group of close American allies currently called NATO+5 as part of a broader effort to deter any Chinese military aggression against Taiwan.