160,000 Iraqi Christians flee Mosul in Iraq

160,000 Iraqi Christians flee Mosul in Iraq

Baghdad, Dec 13 (IANS) At least 160,000 Iraqi Christians have been forced out of their homes in the city of Mosul after the Islamic State (IS) radical group terrorists seized Iraq’s second largest city in June, a Christian lawmaker says. “Christian families have been displaced from the city because of violence and death threats from […]

Kiev confirms ceasefire takes hold in eastern Ukraine

Kiev confirms ceasefire takes hold in eastern Ukraine

Kiev, Dec 12 (IANS/EFE) Ukraine confirmed Friday the cessation of hostilities between its troops and pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country, as a new truce accord reached earlier this week entered into force. A spokesman for the Ukraine Security Council, Andriy Lysenko, said the ceasefire was taking hold gradually and mutually in […]

Beijing supports Hong Kong government in clearing protest sites

Beijing supports Hong Kong government in clearing protest sites

Beijing, Dec 12 (IANS) China’s central government Friday said it supports the Hong Kong government and the police’s decision to clear the Occupy protest sites and roads. The central government “fully agrees with and firmly supports” the Hong Kong government and the police’s decision to stop these illegal activities, thereby maintaining social order and safeguarding […]

Iraq gets ready to welcome 20 mn Karbala pilgrims

Iraq gets ready to welcome 20 mn Karbala pilgrims

Baghdad, Dec 12 (IANS) The holy city of Karbala in Iraq is expected to host 20 million pilgrims for the Arba’een ceremony, Iraqi officials have said. Black-clad pilgrims were walking towards Karbala, where they would take part in the mourning ceremonies around Imam Hossein’s shrine, Press TV reported. According to Iraqi authorities, some 17 million […]

Pope Francis, Dalai Lama seek global effort for peace

Pope Francis, Dalai Lama seek global effort for peace

Rome, Dec 12 (IANS/EFE) Pope Francis I and the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the XIV Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, Friday expressed their hopes for achieving world peace and encouraged humanity to resolve its conflicts through a vision of global brotherhood. At Friday’s opening ceremony of the XIV World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, Pope […]

Palestinian minister died from artery blockage: Israel

Palestinian minister died from artery blockage: Israel

Jerusalem, Dec 11 (IANS) A joint forensic team Thursday ruled in a preliminary autopsy report that the death of Palestinian cabinet minister Ziad Abu Ein during a protest Wednesday was caused by “blockage to the coronary artery”. The Israeli health ministry circulated the initial results of the autopsy, which was carried out by two Israeli […]

Fog disrupts air, rail traffic in north Bengal again

Fog disrupts air, rail traffic in north Bengal again

Siliguri, Dec 11 (IANS) Chilly and foggy conditions continued to play havoc with air and train traffic in northern West Bengal for the second day Thursday. While as many eight flights were cancelled from Bagdogra airport, several trains were running well behind schedule. With fog reducing visibility below 50 metres, air traffic from Bagdogra remained […]

My life’s aim is to free every child: Satyarthi

My life’s aim is to free every child: Satyarthi

Oslo, Dec 10 (IANS) India’s child rights crusader Kailash Satyarthi Wednesday said that his life’s aim was to “make sure that every child is a free child” after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize here along with Pakistani girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai. “My only aim in life is to make sure that every child is […]

No shadow of Putin’s India visit on Obama trip: US

No shadow of Putin’s India visit on Obama trip: US

Washington, Dec 6 (IANS) The US says “now is not the time for business as usual with Russia” but insists Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming India visit would not cast a shadow on President Barack Obama’s own trip in January. “Let’s wait and see what comes from the visit,” State Department spokesperson Marie Harf told […]