Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi on Tuesday said Iraq would send delegations to the US and Iran to ease the tension in the Middle East.


Iraq to send teams to Iran, US to ease regional tensions


IANS Automatic

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ruled out the possibility of negotiations with the US under current circumstances. "Today's circumstances are not suitable for negotiations at all," he said.


Iran President rules out negotiations with US


Tripoli, May 21 (IANS/AKI) At least 510 people have been killed and 2,467 injured in the military escalation in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, which began last month, the United Nations World Health Organization said.


At least 510 killed in Libyan capital, 2,467 injured: UN


Google has cut phone maker Huawei off from some updates to the Android operating system, dealing a blow to the Chinese firm. New Huawei smartphones will also lose access to popular Google apps.


Google restricts Huawei's use of Android


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has dismissed the possibility of war breaking out in the region amid rising tensions with the US, saying that Tehran doesn't want a conflict and no country had the "idea or illusion that it can confront Iran".


Iran dismisses possibility of war amid US tensions


The US Exxon Mobil oil company has evacuated all its foreign workers from West Qurna 1 oil field in Iraq's Basra province, the media reported on Saturday.


US company evacuates foreign workers from Iraqi oil field


US President Donald Trump has agreed to lift tariffs on metal imports from Canada and Mexico, that in exchange agreed to stop punishing American farmers with their own taxes on pork, cheese and milk.


Trump lifts metal tariffs, delays auto levies


The US has reached a deal with Canada to lift tariffs on steel and aluminium imports in a move that could lead to approval for a new North American trade deal.


US lifts steel, aluminium tariffs on Canada


US Ambassador to India Kenneth Ian Juster met Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and discussed possible areas of cooperation in road infrastructure and health care among others, an official release said here on Friday.


US envoy meets Mizoram CM discuss health, infra


Rome, May 16 (IANS/AKI) There must be a ceasefire in the deadly battle for Tripoli and a return to dialogue to prevent a "humanitarian crisis" in Libya and to safeguard its people, Italy's Premier Giuseppe Conte said in a statement on Thursday after meeting eastern Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar here.


Italy renews appeal for Libyan truce, peace talks


Rome, May 16 (IANS/AKI) Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte had a lengthy meeting with Libya's eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar on Thursday and told him of Italy's "concern" at the "extremely critical" situation in war-wracked Tripoli.


'Worried' over conflict, Italian PM tells Libyan warlord


India on Thursday delivered the first pair of Mi-24 attack helicopters as replacement to the Afghan Air Force to help bolster the war-torn country's capability in counter insurgency and fight against terrorism.


India delivers a pair of Mi-24 choppers to Kabul


China has formally arrested two Canadians - who had already been detained for over five months - on charges of gathering, supplying and trading in state secrets with foreign powers in a move likely to ratchet up tensions between Beijing and Ottawa.


China formally arrests 2 Canadians on state secrets charges


Iran is committed to the 2015 nuclear agreement it signed with a group of world powers despite the withdrawal of the US from the landmark pact, the Gulf country's Foreign Minister said on Thursday, calling the reimposing of the sanctions by Washington "unacceptable".


Iran committed to nuclear agreement: Foreign Minister


US Navy Chief Admiral John Richardson said that his recent visit to India was a "critical opportunity" to strengthen ties between the two navies with their shared vision of an open Indo-Pacific region.


'India-US shared vision opens way for future opportunities'


The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) has offered India an "Observer" status and access to International Monitoring System (IMS) data.


Nuclear test ban body offers India 'observer' status


The US Department of Homeland Security has announced the "immediate suspension" of commercial passenger and cargo flights between the US and Venezuela.


US suspends flights to Venezuela


Iran is at the highest level of preparedness to counter any military threat against the country, Defence Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said.


Iran prepared to counter military threats: Minister


Rome, May 15 (IANS/AKI) Wind, rain and industrial farming methods accelerate soil erosion which can be mitigated before the world faces calamitous losses in terms of agricultural yields and critical ecosystem functions, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation said at an international meeting on the issue beginning here on Wednesday.


Rome summit urges rapid action to mitigate soil erosion: UN


Rome, May 15 (IANS/AKI) A devastating drought in Somalia could leave some 2.2 million people - almost 18 per cent of the population - facing severe hunger in July-September after poor harvests, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on Wednesday.


Over two million face famine in drought-hit Somalia: UN


Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday warned of disaster if any civilization sought to impose itself on others, calling the idea "stupid" as his country heads for an economic showdown with the US.

Page 5 -