12 dead in shipwreck off Libya: UN

Tripoli (IANS/AKI): At least 12 people died after a rubber boat which spent more than 10 days at sea capsized off Misrata, Libya, the UN migration agency has said, urging search and rescue operations to be stepped up in the Mediterranean.

Ten…

7.5 magnitude quake strikes off New Caledonia in Pacific Ocean

Noumea (New Caledonia) (IANS): A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake shook off the coast of the Pacific island of New Caledonia on Wednesday, triggering a tsunami warning that was later lifted. No significant damage was reported.

New Caledonia…

Pakistan continues to use Taliban as hedge against India: US commander

Washington (IANS): Pakistan continues to use the Taliban as a hedge against India rather than utilizing it as part of a stable, reconciled Afghanistan, a top American commander has said days after US President Donald Trump sought assistance from Islamabad…

No oil will go through Persian Gulf if US targets Iranian sales: Rouhani

Tehran (IANS): Accusing the US of trying to push India away from Iran, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Washington cannot stop Tehran from exporting oil and warned that no crude will be exported from the Persian Gulf if Iranian…

Chinese province Yunnan wooing Indian tourists

Kunming (China) (IANS) The southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan has got down to actively wooing Indian tourists, the inflow of whom has been limited till now, showcasing its scenic beauty, natural wonders and salubrious climate.

Qatar intends to withdraw from OPEC

Doha (IANS): Qatar on Monday announced that it intended to withdraw from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in order to focus on its plans to increase natural gas production.

The planned January 1, 2019, withdrawal was…

Xi, Trump hold 'successful meeting', agree not to impose tariffs

Buenos Aires (IANS): Following a "highly successful meeting" here between US and Chinese Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the leaders of the two largest economies have agreed not to impose new tariffs from January 1, 2019, and pledged…

Ex-US President George H.W. Bush dies at the age of 94

Washington (IANS) George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the US, has died at the age of 94 in Houston, according to his spokesperson Jim McGrath.

The cause of his death was not immediately available, CNN reported.

51 whales die after mass stranding off New Zealand

Wellington (IANS): Fifty-one whales have died after becoming stranded on a beach on the Chatham Island off New Zealand.

The Department of Conservation said it was notified of about 80 to 90 pilot whales stranded at Hanson Bay, near Owenga,…

Blast near chemical plant kills 22 in north China

Shijiazhuang (IANS): A blast near a chemical plant in Zhangjiakou city, in north China's Hebei province, has killed 22 and injured 22 others early Wednesday morning, local authorities said.

The blast occurred near Hebei Shenghua Chemical…