Afghanistan hails Obama’s decision on troops pullout

Kabul, May 29 (IANS) Afghan government Wednesday welcomed US president’s plan to keep about 9,800 troops after 2014 in Afghanistan but virtually withdrawing all by the end of 2016. “The United States government announced that, within a schedule, it will reduce to zero the number of its combat troops in Afghanistan. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan […]

UN should play greater role against terrorism: China

United Nations, May 29 (IANS) The UN should play a greater role in counter-terrorism and promoting closer cooperation of the international community on the battle, a Chinese envoy to the UN said here Wednesday. “On the question of counter-terrorism, the UN should advertise a clear-cut criterion and oppose double standards in promoting the international community to […]

Syrians in Lebanon, Jordan cast ballots in presidential poll

Beirut, May 29 (IANS) Syrian nationals in Lebanon and Jordan started to cast their ballots for a new president at embassies Wednesday irrespective of strong criticism of the elections from western countries and the UN. Balloting at the Syrian embassy in Beirut began at 7.00 a.m. Wednesday, and was previously scheduled to carry on till 7.00 […]

Libyan warplanes bomb militias in Benghazi

Benghazi, May 29 (IANS) Warplanes belonging to Libya’s “coup” general Khalifa Haftar Wednesday launched an air strike on Jihadist militia bases in Benghazi city, military officials said. Two fighters bombed the February 17 Brigade militia compound and the Ansar al-Sharia militant base in Libya’s second largest city Benghazi, witnesses said. The two militia groups under attack […]

Israel calls off aerial drill, training flights over budget

Jerusalem, May 29 (IANS) Cash-strapped Israeli military announced Wednesday that it was halting air force training flights and cancelling a large-scale aerial drill due to budget constraints. Weekly training flights for reservist pilots serving in fighter squadrons will be halted beginning next Sunday, while flight hours allotted to career pilots and drone squadrons will be gradually […]

Canada to deport Rwandan genocide suspect

Kigali, May 29 (IANS) The federal court of Canada has decided to deport one of the key Rwandan genocide suspect Jean Berchmans Habinshuti after he failed to gain asylum status in Canada, a source said here Wednesday. It said that Canada’s federal court reached its decision to decline the suspect’s appeal and deport him back to […]

Maldives accepts India’s role on global stage: Yameen

Male, May 28 (IANS) Maldives accepts India’s leadership role in the international arena and feels this would benefit the SAARC countries, President Abdulla Yameen has said. Yameen was among the SAARC leaders who had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as India’s 15th prime minister. During their meeting in New Delhi Tuesday, both leaders agreed […]

Sikh outfit in Pakistan threatens protest

Islamabad, May 27 (IANS) A Sikh organisation in Pakistan has threatened to launch a countrywide protest if those who desecrated their holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, are not arrested by May 31. Speaking at a press conference at Karachi Press Club Monday, the Pakistan Sikh Council’s chief patron, Sardar Ramesh Singh demanded that a judicial commission […]

White House reveals name of CIA chief in Kabul

Washington, May 27 (IANS) The White House inadvertently revealed the name of the Central Intelligence Agency’s top officer in Kabul during President Barack Obama’s weekend trip to the Afghan capital. A list of 15 senior US officials, first provided to journalists traveling with Obama and then forwarded to other reporters on the White House mailing list, […]