Oil spill in Ecuador pollutes protected area

Quito (IANS) An oil pipeline spill in Ecuador polluted the country's protected area of the Cayambe Coca National Park, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition said Monday.

"The total area affected is 21,007.91 square…

Pakistan seeks $3 bn loan from China to boost dwindling forex reserves

New Delhi (IANS) Pakistan has set its sight on a loan to the tune of $3 billion from China to stabilise its dwindling foreign exchange reserves and also seeks an investment bonanza in half a dozen sectors during the visit of Pak Prime Minister Imran…

FIA alleges Farooq Zahoor partner of Dawood Ibrahim, pointing to Don's presence in Pakistan

New Delhi (IANS) In a big embarrassment for Pakistan, the country's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has alleged that Gulf-based Pakistani businessman Umer Farooq Zahoor is a partner of Dawood Ibrahim.

A You Tube video uploaded in Pakistan…

Pak-origin Farhan Mujahid Chak symbolises shift from Jamaat to Muslim Brotherhood

New Delhi (IANS) Pakistani-origin Farhan Mujahid Chak who is based in Qatar and founded an organisation called the Kashmir Civitas (KC), appears to be the right candidate symbolising the shift from Jamaat to Muslim Brotherhood in the Kashmir conflict…

Australian Defence Force deployed to airdrop supplies to flood-hit region

Canberra (IANS) The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been deployed to deliver essential supplies to flood-stricken parts of South Australia (SA).

Steven Marshall, the Premier of SA, on Sunday announced that the ADF will fly 20 tonnes of food…

Russia bans more EU officials from entry

Moscow (IANS) The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that an additional number of officials from some European Union (EU) member states have been barred from entering the country for their actions against Moscow.

These "representatives of law…

Int'l arrivals to Vietnam up 11.2% in Jan

Hanoi (IANS) Vietnam welcomed over 19,700 international arrivals in January 2022, up 11.2 per cent year on year, mainly due to the pilot tourism programmes and resumption of regular flights, the country's General Statistics Office said on Saturday.

700 security personnel commissioned to Afghan forces

Kabul (IANS) A total of 700 Afghan security personnel who have been receiving military training, were commissioned to the forces of the Taliban-led government, authorities said.

In Nangarhar, 500 police personnel graduated from a police training…

10 Pakistani soldiers killed in militant attack on checkpost

New Delhi (IANS) Ten Pakistani soldiers were killed after militants attacked a security forces' checkpost in Balochistan's Kech district, the military's media wing said.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public…

N. Korea to assume rotational presidency of UN disarmament conference

Seoul (IANS) North Korea will lead the UN Conference on Disarmament in a rotational one-month presidency later this year, the world body said.

North Korea is among six countries -- along with China, Colombia, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of…