Germany to get 'traffic light' government led by SPD's Scholz

London (IANS) Signalling an end to the Angela Merkel era in Germany, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which had upstaged her Christian Democratic Union in the September 26 elections, announced on Wednesday that it would lead the new coalition government,…

Iran highlights removal of sanctions in Vienna talks

Tehran (IANS) Iran has insisted that the lifting of the sanctions will be the determinant point in the upcoming talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"If the JCPOA does not imply specific economic…

La Nina alert issued for east Australia

Canberra (IANS) Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) announced on Tuesday that a La Nina event has established in the tropical Pacific, spelling a stormy summer for much of the country east.

The BoM's climate modelling suggested…

Over 900K tourists in Cambodia during 3-day Water Festival

Phnom Penh (IANS) Over 900,000 tourists took part in Cambodia's three-day Water Festival as majority of the country's population have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, said Tourism Minister Thong Khon.

Water Festival, one of the…

Japan's rail operator launches 'office cars'

Tokyo (IANS) Japan's East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) on Monday launched "office cars" on certain Shinkansen bullet trains on lines connecting Tokyo and the country's northern and central parts to meet the growing demand for telework amid…

Imran Khan says support to Chinese investors a priority

New Delhi (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said his government will support Chinese businesses in the country on priority basis, The News reported.

He was speaking during a meeting with a Chinese business delegation, led by Chen Yan…

First batch of Russia's humanitarian aid arrives in Afghanistan

Kabul (IANS) The first batch of Russia's humanitarian aid has arrived in Afghanistan.

Three planes carrying 36 tons of humanitarian aid landed at the Kabul airport on Thursday. The aid, including flour, cooking oil and blankets, has been…

Pak-China joint ventures face hurdles

New Delhi (IANS) The increasing number of joint ventures between Islamabad and Beijing under the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are confronted with some practical difficulties, The Express Tribune quoted an official as…

US designates Pakistan, Taliban as violators of religious freedom

New Delhi (IANS) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has redesignated Pakistan as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for violating religious freedom and also rebranded the Taliban as an Entity of Particular Concern, according to a Dawn news report.

Japan to spend record $488bn on economic stimulus package

Tokyo (IANS) Japan plans to spend a record 55.7 trillion yen ($488 billion) on an economic stimulus package, which is designed to help recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, local media reported on Thursday.

The total package, including…