World

Baghdad, Jun 30: Iraqi forces pressed a counter-attack on Saddam Hussein's hometown Tikrit today as jihadists who led a blistering Sunni militant offensive that captured swathes of territory declared a "caliphate". Russia meanwhile delivered warplanes to aid Baghdad in a crisis said to rival Iraq's brutal sectarian war of 2006-2007, with more than 1,000 killed and hundreds of thousands displaced

Zurich/New Delhi, Jun 29: As Switzerland commits to cooperate in India's fight against black money, a new strategy of 'layering' through gold and diamond trade has come to light at Swiss banks to thwart any attempt for identification of real beneficiary owners of funds entrusted with them. The activities and avenues being used for such 'layering' include diamond trade, gold and other jewellery

Dhaka, Jun 27: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today held a meeting here with former Bangladesh Prime Minister and chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia. Swaraj, who held a series of meetings with the top leadership here yesterday including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina besides holding delegation-level talks with her Bangladeshi counterpart A H Mahmud Ali, held talks

Lahore/Islamabad, Jun 23: Amid high drama, Canada-based cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri returned to Pakistan today after authorities diverted his Islamabad-bound flight to Lahore fearing unrest in the capital, as clashes between his supporters and police left many injured. Qadri, a 63-year-old cleric who drew tens of thousands of supporters for a sit-in protest here in January last year demanding electoral

Colombo, Jun 21: Sri Lanka's Muslim minority held shortened Friday prayer services as religious tensions gripped the island after clashes with hardline Buddhists killed four people, an official said. The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) said Islamic clerics instructed mosques to conduct shorter services and asked the faithful to disperse peacefully after lunchtime prayers. “The Ulamas (scholars)

Washington, Jun 20: Moving cautiously in the face of an onslaught by Sunni militants advancing on Baghdad, President Barack Obama is sending 300 military advisers to Iraq, but US would not be returning to a combat role there. Under pressure to come to the aid of the embattled Iraq government, Obama announced Thursday he was sending advisers to Iraq to "assess how we can best train, advise and

New Delhi, Jun 18: Forty Indians were "uncontactable" in Mosul town of strife-torn Iraq, government has said even as it decided to send former envoy to Iraq Suresh Reddy to strengthen the Indian Mission in Baghdad. "There are 40 Indians in Mosul whom we have not been able to contact. Despite our best efforts at this stage... they remain uncontactable," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed

Alutgama, Jun 17: Sri Lanka slapped an indefinite curfew in a popular tourist region on Monday after rioting Buddhist mobs killed three Muslims in a surge of religious violence that triggered international concern. Local community leaders accused authorities of doing little to prevent Sunday night's carnage that made hundreds of Muslims homeless after attacks on their homes, shops, factories

Thimphu, Jun 15: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday began a two-day visit to Bhutan, the Bhutanese leadership has described the Indian leader as "a friendly person and well disposed towards Bhutan" and as one who "gives a sense of purpose and hope". Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said that even though there are no specific issues to discuss during the meeting with Modi from Bhutan's

Karachi, Jun 10: Unidentified gunmen today opened fire outside Pakistan's Karachi international airport, a day after an all-night siege ended with the killing of more than 30 people, including 10 Taliban militants. Heavy firing was reported at the Airport Security Force (ASF) camp number 2, situated near the Jinnah International Airport, Dawn News reported. About four to five terrorists attacked