New US sanctions destructive to bilateral ties: Russia

Moscow (IANS) The Russian Foreign Ministry has said that the expanded sanctions list published by the US authorities in relation to Russian companies allegedly classified as "military end users" is a destructive move for bilateral ties.

"The…

No backdoor dialogue with India underway: Pak FM

Islamabad (IANS) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that there can be no talks with India under the current deteriorating situation between the two countries.

Qureshi also asserted that there was no backdoor or diplomatic…

Chinese envoy holds talks with Nepal's top leadership

Kathmandu (IANS) As the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) is all set to split into two factions, Chinese Ambassador to the Himalayan nation Hou Yanqi held talks with the top political leadership of the ruling party.

It is widely believed that…

Australians spend Xmas within locked state borders

Canberra (IANS) Following the discovery of a fast-growing Covid-19 cluster in Sydney, Australians have been forced to celebrate Christmas within locked state borders due to the imposition of stricter curbs to stem the virus spread.

Traditionally…

PM Oli removed as parliamentary party leader

Kathmandu (IANS) Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has been removed as the parliamentary leader of Nepal Communist Party amid an internal turbulence within the Himalayan nation's ruling party that has triggered a fresh political crisis.

China asks Pak for additional guarantees for $6B loan

Islamabad (IANS) Pakistan's friendly neighbour China, which has time and again bailed it out of its financial crisis, has in a queer turn of events now demanded guarantees before sanctioning fresh $6 billion in loan to Islamabad.

Pakistan…

20 prominent political leaders' lives in grave danger: Pak Interior Minister

Islamabad (IANS) Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has warned of imminent threats to the lives of at least 20 prominent politicians, majority of whom are part of the opposition political parties, rallying to topple the ruling government.

Nepal's Oli organises separate gathering as NCP on verge of collapse

Kathmandu (IANS) As the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) is on the verge of a collapse, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday organised a separate gathering of the NCP's central committee and took a number of decisions.

The gathering…

US Congress passes $900bn Covid-19 relief package

Washington (IANS) US Congress has passed a $900 billion coronavirus relief package, sending the measure to President Donald Trump for signing into law, as many Americans were set to lose pandemic relief benefits by the end of the year.

The…

Post-Brexit trade talks to resume on Monday

London (IANS) Post-Brexit trade talks between negotiators from the UK and the European Union (EU) will resume on Monday in an effort to reach an agreement on a deal before the transition period expires on December 31.

The resumption will come…