Taliban must accept ceasefire before talks: Afghanistan

Kabul (IANS) An Afghan government spokesman has said that the Taliban "must" accept a ceasefire ahead of any peace talks, adding that without it, there would be no negotiations.

"Without a ceasefire, we will not reach a long-lasting peace,…

China launches new remote-sensing satellite

Taiyuan (IANS) China sent a new optical remote-sensing satellite for commercial use into planned orbit from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in north China's Shanxi Province on Wednesday morning.

The satellite, belonging to the Jilin-1…

Rouhani signs law blacklisting Pentagon, subsidiaries

Tehran (IANS) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday signed an amended law that expands Tehrans designation of American terrorist organizations to include the Pentagon and all its subsidiaries.

Iran's Parliament passed the initial version…

Trump demands Iran to respect protesters

Washington (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Sunday Iran to allow its people to continue with their protests in Tehran after the country's military "unintentionally" downed a Ukrainian airliner on January 8.

"The government of Iran must…

Thousands participate in Bangkok anti-govt run

Bangkok (IANS) Thousands of pro-democracy protesters participated in the "Run Against Dictatorship" on Sunday at a public park here to express their discontent with the Thai government.

The capital's Wachirabenchathat Park was filled,…

Pakistani driver turns savior for Indian girl in Dubai

Dubai (IANS) A Pakistani taxi driver in Dubai turned a saviour for an Indian girl by returning her lost wallet that had her UK student visa just three days before she was to return after a winter break, a media report said.

Raechel Rose,…

Nepal to include yoga in school curriculum

Kathmandu (IANS) The Nepal government is set to make yoga education compulsory for school children by including it in their curriculum, it was reported.

On Sunday, Krishna Prasad Kapri, Joint secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science…

Japan distillery to stop selling aged whiskey brands

Tokyo (IANS) A Japanese distillery will stop selling three of its aged whiskey brands after a surging demand at home and abroad has drained its stocks.

Nikka Whisky Distilling's 'Taketsuru' branded drinks that have been aged for…

Iran brought down Ukrainian plane, says it was human error

Tehran (IANS) Iran on Saturday admitted that its armed forces had downed the Ukrainian passenger plane near Tehran killing all 176 people on board, adding that it was an "involuntary human error" and those responsible would "immediately" be held accountable.

House votes to limit Trump's war power on Iran

Washington (IANS) The US House of Representatives has approved a largely symbolic resolution seeking to restrict President Donald Trump's power to take military actions against Iran without congressional approval.

The Democrat-controlled…