By Matthew Rusling WASHINGTON, (PNA/Xinhua) — While the U.S. Congress cut a last-minute deal late Wednesday to avert a debt default, the larger budget war is far from over. That is because…
Putin, Singh to discuss military ties at Moscow summit
MOSCOW, (PNA/RIA Novosti) — Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will travel to Moscow next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks expected to focus on cooperation in the defense…
Russia’s unemployment rate goes up in September versus August – Stats
MOSCOW, (PNA/Itar-Tass) — Russia’s unemployment rate went up to 5.3 percent in September as compared to 5.2 percent in the preceding month, the Russian State Statistics Service says. According to preliminary estimates…
Ukraine bill may allow Tymoshenko to seek treatment abroad
KIEV, (PNA/RIA Novosti) — A bill submitted to Ukraine’s parliament Friday may enable jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to seek medical treatment abroad — a development that would lead to a…
India justifies detention of American ship, arrest of its crew
NEW DELHI, (PNA/IRNA) — India on Friday justified detention of a ship owned by an American company and the arrest of its crew, saying the action was taken as the vessel in…
PM Nawaz Sharif to hold wide-ranging talks with Obama
WASHINGTON, (PNA/APP) — Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will hold talks with President Barack Obama next week on wide-ranging issues during the first bilateral visit by a Pakistani leader to Washington in…
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State to visit Russia
MOSCOW, (PNA/RIA Novosti) — Deputy Secretary of State William Burns will arrive in Moscow on Sunday on a two-day visit, the U.S. Department of State said on Friday. “He will meet with…
Kremlin ready to consider citizenship for Syrian Christians
MOSCOW, (PNA/RIA Novosti) — The Kremlin is ready to consider a Russian citizenship request from about 50,000 Syrian Christians when it receives it, a presidential spokesman said Friday. “We have not received…
Maldives EC calls off re-vote after police intervene
MALE, (PNA/PTI) — Maldives Election Commission Saturday called off fresh presidential polls after the police prevented it from going ahead with the controversy-ridden re-vote at the last minute. “As we continued with…
PM Abe’s younger brother visits Yasukuni Shrine
TOKYO, (PNA/Kyodo) — Senior Vice Foreign Minister Nobuo Kishi, the younger brother of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday during its annual autumn festival. After paying homage…
Women’s participation, leadership crucial to peace processes: UN
UNITED NATIONS, (PNA/APP) — The U.N. Security Council has called on the international community to strengthen its commitment to ensuring that women play a more prominent role in conflict prevention, resolution and…
Dagestan leader says parents of extremists must be punished
MAKHACHKALA, (PNA/RIA Novosti) — The president of the restive southern Russian republic of Dagestan said Friday that punitive measures should be introduced for parents of minors taking part in extremist militant organizations….
Iranian scholar terms Geneva talks positive
VIENNA, (PNA/IRNA) — An Iranian scholar in Switzerland has described as very much positive the talks between Iran and the P5+1 in Geneva which ended on October 16. Speaking to the International…
Izu Oshima braces for more heavy rain as rescue work continues
TOKYO, (PNA/Kyodo) — Izu Oshima Island braced itself for more heavy rain Saturday after being battered earlier in the week by a powerful typhoon that left 25 dead and 22 missing. Local…
Malaysia’s ruling party holds crucial party election
KUALA LUMPUR, (PNA/Xinhua) — Malaysia’s leading political party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), held its party elections on Saturday, which may give clues on the future leadership of the country. The…