Myanmar Tuesday announced the release of all remaining political prisoners on the last day of 2013. It said the move aims to ensure stability of the state and lasting peace, to build national reconsolidation and ensure all inclusiveness in the country’s political process, Xinhua reported. The pardon covers only those being convicted and persecuted in […]
The UN Security Council has urged all parties in South Sudan to immediately cease hostilities and engage in “direct talks without preconditions” to peacefully resolve the ongoing crisis. “The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern at the situation in South Sudan, in particular the devastating impact of the crisis on South Sudan’s […]
Pakistan’s newly-appointed ambassador to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani has taken charge of the post after reaching Washington. Jilani reached the US capital seven months after the previous envoy, Sherry Rehman, quit and returned home when the Pakistan People’s Party lost the general elections in May, Geo News reported. This post was vacant since the […]
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party has said that opposition leader Khaleda Zia may change the country’s name in case she returns to power. The apprehension was expressed by the ruling Awami League (AL) party’s publicity secretary Hassan Mahmud while participating in a human-chain and protest programme Monday at the capital city’s Bangabandhu Avenue Monday, […]
US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is scheduled to travel to Europe next week for economic talks with top European officials, the Treasury Department announced Monday. Lew will travel to Europe between Jan 6 and 8 for discussions with officials on economic developments in Europe and policies to boost global growth and promote financial stability, Xinhua […]
Israel has freed a group of 26 Palestinian prisoners as part of a US-brokered agreement for resuming direct peace talks, BBC reported Tuesday. They released prisoners, making up the third tranche of a total of 104 prisoners set to be freed, were greeted by cheering crowds on their return to the West Bank and Gaza. […]
Nepal’s anti-corruption body Monday ordered 35,000 government staff to pay cash penalty of Nepalese Rs.5,000 ($52) each for not submitting their property details, officials said. To make sure that the bureaucrats are not making money by foul means, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) requires government employees to make their property details […]
Beijing, Dec 30 (IANS) China’s high definition earth observation satellite Gaofen-1 has been formally inducted into service, it was announced Monday. According to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND), the satellite has undergone eight months of in-orbit tests since it blasted off April 26. It has met requirements and […]
At least 40 gunmen were killed Monday in clashes which ended in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital Kinshasa, and the situation is under control. A government source said at least 40 attackers, who took part in gunfights, were killed in the city, Xinhua reported. The attackers took hostages at the Congolese national TV station, […]
New Delhi, Dec 19 India hit back Thursday at the US over the arrest of its diplomat Devyani Khobragade and accused American officials of interfering with the Indian legal system. Describing Khobragade as the “only … victim” in this case, the external affairs ministry said the action taken against her violated the Vienna Convention. “There […]