Sirisena against parliamentary probe into Easter attacks

Colombo (IANS) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has protested a parliamentary investigation into security lapses leading to the Easter suicide bombings which killed over 250 people and injured hundreds, the media reported on Saturday.

US to end Turkey's participation in F-35 programme over Russia deal

Ankara (IANS) The US government has ordered the termination of Ankara's participation in the F-35 jet programme if the Turkish government doesn't back down from its S-400 missile deal with Moscow, in its most severe warning to President Recep…

Pakistan PM writes to Modi, offers talks

Islamabad (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday wrote a letter to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi offering dialogue to reconcilable problems.

In a letter to Modi congratulating him on his second term as the…

SriLankan Airlines named world's most punctual

Colombo (IANS) SriLankan Airlines, the flag carrier of the island nation, has been named the 'World's Most Punctual Airline' for the second consecutive time with over 90 per cent of its flights in May being "on time", authorities…

Australian PM defends legality of police raids on media

Canberra (IANS) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday reiterated his government's commitment to press freedom while defending the legality of the latest police raids on the media.

Morrison said that "no one is above…

China grants 5G licenses for commercial use

Beijing (IANS) China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Thursday granted 5G licenses for commercial use, marking the beginning of a new era in the country's telecommunication industry.

China Telecom, China Mobile,…

Pak PM hails military's 'voluntary' cuts

Islamabad (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has revealed that the military has agreed to slash the defence budget for the next fiscal year in line with broader austerity measures being introduced by the government.

He noted that the…

US bans cruise ship travel to Cuba amid new restrictions

Washington (IANS) The US has announced a new ban on travel to Cuba for American group tours as well as cruise ships journeying to the Communist island.

The move, which was announced by Trump administration officials, intends…

4 killed in Australia shootings, 1 in custody

Canberra (IANS) As many as four persons were killed and another person injured in shootings across five locations in Australia's Darwin city on Tuesday, authorities said. One person was taken into custody.

"Five crime scenes, four…

China playing 'blame game' in trade battle: US

Washington (IANS) The US has accused China of playing a "blame game", misrepresenting trade talks between the two countries in response to Beijing's release of a white paper blaming Washington for the setback in negotiations.

In…