All is well: Trump after Iran's missile strike at Iraqi bases hosting US military

Jan 08, 2020, at 11:08 am

Washington/IBNS: US President Donald Trump posed unperturbed even after two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel were fired by Iran.

US Federal Aviation Agency bans flights over Persian Gulf - Statement

Jan 08, 2020, at 11:07 am

Washington/Sputnik/UNI: The US Federal Aviation Authority banned flights over the Persian Gulf due to escalating military activities in the region.

Trump, Merkel discuss middle east, Libya in phone conversation: White House Spokesman

Jan 08, 2020, at 11:01 am

Moscow/Sputnik/UNI: US President Donald Trump has held a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the situation in the Middle East and Libya, a White House spokesman said on Wednesday.

All onboard passengers killed after Ukrainian plane crashes near Tehran

Jan 08, 2020, at 10:56 am

Tehran/IBNS: All 180 onboard passengers were killed after a Ukrainian plane crashed near Iran's Khomeini Airport on Wednesday, media reports said.

Sudan: Intercommunal clashes displace tens of thousands in volatile Darfur region

Jan 08, 2020, at 10:38 am

New York/IBNS: Around 40,000 have been displaced in Sudan’s West Darfur State in recent days, following intercommunal clashes, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday, citing Sudanese Government data.

UN chief monitoring Venezuela developments ‘with concern’

Jan 08, 2020, at 10:33 am

New York/IBNS: The latest twist in Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis “make urgently needed dialogue even more difficult to achieve”, the UN Secretary-General has said.

Syria: Civilians face ‘daily nightmare’ in Idlib, says top UN official

Jan 08, 2020, at 10:16 am

New York/IBNS: Following a sharp escalation of hostilities in southern Idlib, “at least 300,000 civilians have fled their homes” since mid-December, the UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria crisis said on Tuesday, voicing concern for their well-being.

Iran: Ukrainian plane with 180 on board crashes

Jan 08, 2020, at 09:46 am

Tehran/IBNS: A Ukrainian passenger plane, which was carrying 180 passengers,  crashed near Iran's Khomeini Airport on Wednesday, media reports said.

Pakistan: 2 killed in Quetta blast, 14 hurt

Jan 08, 2020, at 09:28 am

Quetta/IBNS: The death toll in the blast which rocked Quetta area in Pakistan touched two on Wednesday, media reports said.

Iraq: Iran fires ballistic missiles at 2 bases used by US troops

Jan 08, 2020, at 09:13 am

Baghdad/Washington/Tehran/IBNS: The US Department of Defence on Wednesday said more than a dozen ballistic missiles, which were fired by Iran, hit at least two airbases housing US troops in Iraq.

Over 100 Afghan militants surrender within 2 days amid clamp-down

Jan 07, 2020, at 08:54 pm

Kabul/Xinhua: More than 100 militants have surrendered to Afghan government forces over the past two days amid increasing military pressure on the Taliban, officials said Tuesday.

Pakistan: Blast hits Quetta, 7 hurt

Jan 07, 2020, at 06:26 pm

Quetta/IBNS: A motorcycle, which was parked close to a security forces vehicle in Quetta area of Pakistan, blew up on Tuesday and left at least seven people hurt, media reports said.

Seven Syrian troops killed in ambush in desert region

Jan 07, 2020, at 06:14 pm

Damascus/Xinhua/UNI: A bus transporting Syrian soldiers was ambushed on Tuesday morning in the desert of the eastern province of Deir al Zour, leaving seven soldiers killed and 14 others wounded.

Thirty five killed, 48 injured during Soleimani's funeral procession in Iran - reports

Jan 07, 2020, at 05:19 pm

Moscow/Sputnik/UNI: Thirty-five people have died and another 48 got injured in a stampede as people packed the streets of the Iranian city of Kerman for the funeral procession of late Qasem Soleimani, the country's Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force commander, killed by the United States last week, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported on Tuesday.

Zarif still waiting on official notice for US visa to attend UNSC meeting Iranian mission

Jan 07, 2020, at 05:12 pm

United Nation/Sputnik/UNI: Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations told Sputnik on Tuesday that it had not yet received any official notification of a visa for Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to visit the mission in the United States.

US army strengthens security at base attacked in Kenya

Jan 07, 2020, at 05:01 pm

Nairobi/Xinhua/UNI: The US military has said that its African Command's (Africom's) East Africa Response Force (EARF) has arrived at Kenya's Manda Bay to augment security after three Americans were killed in an attack launched by al-Shabab terrorists on Sunday.

Iran: 35 killed in a stampede at funeral of Qasem Soleimani

Jan 07, 2020, at 04:59 pm

Tehran/IBNS: At least 35 people were killed as a stampede occurred at the funeral of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in the southeastern city of Kerman on Tuesday, media reports said.

Iran Parliament names Pentagon terrorist organisation

Jan 07, 2020, at 04:56 pm

Tehran/UNI: Iran's Parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a bill designating the US Department of Defence and all affiliated entities as terrorist organisations and all those involved in assassinating General Qasem Soleimani as terrorists.

Iran: Stampede kills mourners at Qasem Soleimani's burial

Jan 07, 2020, at 04:37 pm

Tehran/IBNS: Several mourners died due to a stampede on Tuesday that occurred during a funeral procession in the city of Kerman for Iranian elite Quds Force Qasem Soleimani in US airstrike, media reports said.

UN envoy appeals for other nations to ‘keep out of Libya’

Jan 07, 2020, at 04:18 pm

New York/IBNS: The top UN official in Libya has delivered a stern message urging other nations to stop intervening in the country’s ongoing crisis.

UN cultural agency chief meets with Iran ambassador amid current tensions

Jan 07, 2020, at 04:13 pm

New York/IBNS: The current tensions across the Middle East and Gulf region and their potential implications for cultural heritage sites were the focus of a meeting on Monday between the head of the UN’s cultural agency, UNESCO, and a senior diplomat from Iran.

Australia bushfire crisis: UNICEF offers help and support

Jan 07, 2020, at 04:01 pm

New York/IBNS: Raging bushfires wreaking havoc across Australia have prompted the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, to offer its support to the Australian Government and its partners which are battling the “unprecedented disaster”.

Stop escalation, urges UN chief, as geopolitical tensions reach ‘highest level this century’

Jan 07, 2020, at 03:56 pm

New York/IBNS: The UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to de-escalate geopolitical tensions on Monday, which he described as being “at their highest level this century” as the new decade dawns.

Russian Defence Min, Iran official discuss situation after Soleimani murder: Ministry

Jan 06, 2020, at 08:06 pm

Moscow/Sputnik/IBNS: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held a phone conversation with the chief of staff for the Iranian armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, to discuss steps for preventing escalation in Syria and the Middle East after the killing of Iranian top military commander Qasem Soleimani, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

Two servicemen killed in attack by IS terrorists in northern Iraq: Armed forces

Jan 06, 2020, at 06:21 pm

Cairo/Sputnik/UNI: An attack by members of the Islamic State terror group (banned in Russia) on Iraqi troops in the northern Kirkuk province left two servicemen killed and left three others injured, the Iraqi Armed Forces’ press service said in a statement on Monday.

Kenya arrests 3 for foiled attack on Britain army camp

Jan 06, 2020, at 06:11 pm

Nanyuki, Kenya/Xinhua/UNI: Kenyan security forces are holding three terror suspects who were arrested for trying to storm a British military camp in the country, an official said Monday.

Iraqi caretaker PM calls on people to unite

Jan 06, 2020, at 05:52 pm

Baghdad/Xinhua/UNI: In a statement marking the Iraqi Army Day that falls on Monday, Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi called on Iraqis to get united.

Save alma mater JNU: Fomer Nepal PM Bhattarai

Jan 06, 2020, at 05:18 pm

Kathmandu/UNI: Former prime Minister of Nepal Baburam Bhattarai on Monday extended solidarity with Jawaharlal Nehru University and said the "holy temple of learning" should be protected.

Pakistan FM speaks to foreign counterparts on US-Iran tension

Jan 06, 2020, at 05:09 pm

Islamabad/Xinhua/UNI: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held telephonic conversation with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, discussing the emerging situation in the West Asia after a US airstrike killed an Iranian commander, according to the country's Foreign Ministry.

Pakistan: Police arrest man accused of inciting Nankana Sahib Gurdwara violence

Jan 06, 2020, at 04:51 pm

Peshawar/IBNS: The police have arrested Imran Chishti who has been accused of inciting violence against Sikhs in Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan last week.