Obama joins Spanish King for museum tour in Madrid
Madrid, July 7 (IANS) Former US President Barack Obama on Saturday accompanied King Felipe VI of Spain on a private tour of the Reina Sofia modern art museum in the Spanish capital, where the pair…
Diplomacy
Thousands return home following ceasefire in Syria
Damascus, July 7 (IANS) Thousands of displaced people have returned to Syria after negotiations brought about a pause in hostilities following a week-long government offensive aimed at regaining the territory from armed opposition, a UK-based…
May secures Cabinet agreement on Brexit plan
London, July 7 (IANS) British Prime Minister Theresa May and her Cabinet have reached a “collective” agreement on a “business-friendly” plan for Brexit. Announced at the end of a crucial summit on Friday, the proposal…
Pompeo holds talks with N.Korean officials in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, July 7 (IANS) Visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held talks over disarmament and improving bilateral relations with senior North Korean officials here on Saturday. Pompeo and an American delegation reached Pyongyang on…
Rahul meets Bhutanese PM
New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) Congress President Rahul Gandhi met Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay here on Saturday and discussed ways to strengthen the special bond between the two neighbours. “Our discussions covered a wide…
India can be a global beacon for democracy
By Frank F. Islam In this 21st century, democracy is descending and autocracy is ascending in countries around the world. That is the conclusion and argument that Yascha Mounk and Roberto Stefan Foa present in…
Highest-ranking Indian at UN gets more responsibilities
By Arul Louis United Nations, July 7 (IANS) Atul Khare, the highest-ranking Indian at the UN, will take over the newly-created Department of Operational Services (DOS) with a greater role in providing logistical support to…
UN cuts peacekeeping budget by $610 mn
By Arul Louis United Nations, July 7 (IANS) The UN has cut its peacekeeping budget by $610 million for the current year while the monthly payment to each peacekeeper will increase by $96 per month….
Nepal, China to jointly inspect closed border point
Kathmandu, July 7 (IANS) Nepal and China agreed to conduct a joint inspection of Tatopani-Zhangmu border point, which was closed since the 2015 earthquake, to see the possibility of reopening it. During a two-day trade…
Iran hails nuclear talks in Europe ‘constructive’
Tehran, July 7 (IANS) Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said the ministerial meeting of the remaining parties to the international 2015 nuclear deal was “constructive”. “I believe that there is a political will…
Trump to meet Queen, May on visit next week to Britain
London, July 7 (IANS) US President Donald Trump will meet Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Theresa May at separate meetings on his visit next week to Britain. The US President itinerary will avoid central London…
India, Bhutan reaffirm commitment to hydropower cooperation
New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) As India and Bhutan mark 50 years of diplomatic ties this year, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in the hydropower sector during a meeting between Prime Minster…
UNHCR hails new global blueprint to aid refugees
Geneva, July 6 (IANS/AKI) United Nations refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said on Friday that governments and civil society had achieved “an important milestone” with the conclusion this week here of formal consultations on a…
Italian Parliament Speaker backs dialogue with Russia
Rome, July 6 (IANS/AKI) “Cooperation and dialogue” should underlie Italy’ relations with Russia, Parliament Speaker Roberto Fico said on Friday. “Ties between Italy and the Russian Federation should be based on cooperation and dialogue. And…
Forests key to world’s future but ‘time running out’, warns UN
Rome, July 6 (IANS/AKI) Forests are crucial to human livelihoods but time is running out to halt the damaging effects of deforestation, to manage forests sustainably and plant new trees, the United Nations Food and…
India, Bhutan share exemplary relationship: President
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind said on Friday that India and Bhutan share an exemplary bilateral partnership and the relations between the two countries were unique. Welcoming visiting Bhutanese Prime Minister…
US, China trade war begins
By Gaurav Sharma Beijing July 6 (IANS) A trade war between China and the US — the world’s largest economies — began on Friday as the two sides started slapping additional tariffs on each other’s…
40 killed after tourist boats capsize in Thailand
Phuket (Thailand), July 6 (IANS) At least 40 people have been found dead and dozens are still missing after two boats carrying tourists capsized in rough seas off the Thai holiday island of Phuket, the…
Russia introduces additional taxes on US goods: Report
Moscow, July 6 (IANS) Russia is taxing $87.6 million worth of certain US imports for the coming year in response to Washington’s steel and aluminium import tariffs, media reports said on Friday. “Compensation measures are…
Majority of tourists in Bangladesh from India
Kolkata, July 6 (IANS) Bangladesh receives a majority of its international tourists from India and the two countries can share data and information in a bid to boost the sector, a Bangladeshi minister said here…