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.

UN honours 3 Indian peacekeepers killed in service amid calls for increasing protection

United Nations (IANS) Three Indian peacekeepers who died in the service of the UN have been honoured with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal amid calls for better protection for personnel in its missions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres handed…

Rocket attack on Ukraine medical clinic kills 1, injures 15

Kiev  (IANS) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said that a person was killed and 15 others were injured during a Russian rocket attack on a medical clinic in the city of Dnipro.

Confirming the development on Instagram, the President…

S.Korea, US to stage massive live-fire drills marking alliance anniversary

Seoul (IANS) South Korea and the US will conduct their largest-ever live-fire drills on Thursday to mark the 70th anniversary of countries' alliance.

The Combined Joint Live-Fire Exercise, the first of its kind in six years, will take place…

Nominee for top US military post advocates strong defence ties with India

New York (IANS) US President Joe Biden has nominated General Charles Q. Brown, a former Indo-Pacific leader and advocate of close defence ties with India, to be the nation's top military officer.

Biden is set to formally announce the nomination…

HK-flagged ship runs aground in Egypt's Suez Canal

Cairo (IANS) A Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier ran aground on Thursday in Egypt's Suez Canal.

In a tweet, the Oslo-based Leth Shipping Agency said: "M/V Xin Hai Tong 23 has grounded in the Suez Canal at KM 159/0400 hrs - leaving behind 4…

China to help Pakistan meet debt repayments worth $2.3 billion

Islamabad (IANS) As Pakistan struggles to secure the critical pending loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the cash-strapped nation looks towards China to rollover more than $2 billion in debt due next month, media reports said on Thursday.

Egyptian authority refloats stranded HK-flagged ship in Suez Canal

Cairo (IANS) The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) in Egypt on Thursday refloated a Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier which ran aground in the world's busiest man-made waterway, according to an official statement.

"Three tugboats refloated a large…

Modi raises issue of attacks on temples, activities of separatist elements with Australian PM

New Delhi (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that he raised the issue of attacks on temples and activities of separatist elements with his Australian counterpart.

Modi said that Australian PM assured him of taking strict…