EU's landmark climate law enters into force

Brussels (IANS) The European Union's (EU) landmark climate law has entered into force as the Minister of Environment and Climate Action of Portugal Joao Pedro Matos Fernandes signed the text.

The signing ceremony on Wednesday coincided…

Afghan airstrikes kill 33 militants

Kabul (IANS) A total of 33 militants were killed in Afghan airstrikes that struck Taliban gatherings in Kaldar and Shortepa districts of Balkh province, an army spokesman said on Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, the fighter jets targeted Taliban…

Last German troops leave Afghanistan

Kabul/Berlin (IANS) The last of the remaining German troops have left Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of deployment in the war-torn country, Defence Minister said Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.

The German Defence Minister said in a tweet that…

Iraqi PM condemns US airstrikes near Syria border

Baghdad (IANS) Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi condemned the US airstrikes on paramilitary Hashd Shaabi positions near the country's border with Syria.

A statement by his office on Monday said that al-Kadhimi's comments came…

Philippines extends travel ban on India until July 15

Manila (IANS) The Philippines has extended the travel ban for all inbound travellers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) until July 15, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday.

Iran's nuke negotiator urges decisions after 'enough' talks

Tehran (IANS) Abbas Araqchi, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, has said that it is time for the parties involved in the negotiations aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal to take "tough" decisions after "enough" discussions.

"There are…

Maldives records over 550K tourist arrivals from Jan-June

Male (IANS) The Maldives has received over 550,000 tourists between January and June this year, data from the Ministry of Tourism revealed on Monday.

The Ministry data showed that 555,494 tourists visited the country by mid-year, with 24.3…

Russia monitors US destroyer in Black Sea

Moscow (IANS) The Russian Defence Ministry said that its Black Sea Fleet was tracking the US guided-missile destroyer Ross, which entered the waters for a multinational exercise with Ukraine.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer will join 31 other…

Pakistan remains in FATF grey list, hit by $38B loss

New Delhi (IANS) Pakistan has been hit with massive losses to its GDP worth $38 billion because of the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) decision to retain the country on its grey list since 2008, according to a research paper published by…

How China won over local agency to shackle Sri Lanka using a port city

In early June, US President Joe Biden, under an executive order, essentially blacklisted Chinese firms by prohibiting US investments in certain Chinese firms that "undermine the security or democratic values of the United States and our allies".