US blames Iran for tanker attack, prepares for response

Washington (IANS) The US has blamed Iran for carrying out last week's deadly drone attack on an oil tanker in the north Arabian Sea, saying "an appropriate response" is forthcoming.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the State Department…

Pak refuses to accept more Afghan refugees

New Delhi/Islamabad (IANS) Pakistani National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yusuf has said that the country cannot accept additional Afghan refugees and the international community is obliged to make arrangements for them inside Afghanistan.

Yusuf…

Myanmar likely to hold general elections in 2nd half of 2023

Nay Pyi Taw (IANS) Myanmar is likely to hold new general elections in the second half of 2023, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chair of the newly-formed State Administration Council, said on Sunday.

"The constitution…

Rockets hit Kandahar airport, flights suspended

Kabul (IANS) Flights in Afghanistan's Kandahar airport were suspended on Sunday after rockets struck the nation's second main international airport, a local official confirmed.

"The initial information found Taliban militants fired…

Troika Plus to discuss Afghan crisis

Islamabad (IANS) Amid escalating bloodbath in neighbouring Afghanistan -- Pakistan, China, Russia and the US will be meeting in Doha on August 11, to discuss the security situation there and ponder on ways to prohibit the Himalayan South Asian nation…

Afghan offensives kill 100 militants in 24 hrs

Kabul (IANS) At least 100 Taliban militants were killed and about 90 others wounded during multiple offensives carried out by the Afghan security forces across the country in just 24 hours, officials confirmed on Friday.

In Herat province,…

France urges UK to lift 'discriminatory' quarantine for travellers

Paris (IANS) The UK's decision to impose restrictions only for French travellers is a "discriminatory" move, Minister of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune said here, calling on Britain to review it "as soon as possible".

"It's…

Massive 8.2 quake rocks Alaska, tsunami warning issued

Washington (IANS) A massive earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale jolted Alaska and prompted authorities to issue a tsunami warning for parts of the state, according to the US Geological Survey.

The temblor occurred at around 10.15…

Massive wildfire erupts in Turkey

Ankara (IANS) A massive wildfire erupted in four different locations in Turkey's southern province of Antalya, a popular destination for foreign tourists, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli said.

"Unfortunately, wind…

Demand rises for Hungarian ministers to resign over Pegasus surveillance

Budapest (IANS) The opposition in Hungary has called for ministerial resignations from Viktor Orban's far-right government over allegations that it had selected journalists, media owners and opposition political figures as potential targets for…