British national Christian Michel, the accused middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal and who is now in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate, has been granted consular access, a senior official said on Friday


Christian Michel granted consular access


IANS Automatic

Nepal's Chief of Army Staff Purna Chandra Thapa is slated to leave for a five-day visit to India on Friday where he will receive the honorary chief title of the Indian Army.


Nepal Army chief leaves for India visit


Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi met with visiting Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zanganeh over further cooperation in the sectors of oil and energy.


Iraq, Iran to boost cooperation in oil, energy sectors


German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the European spirit has been strengthened through the management of common challenges and Europe will have a better future through cooperation and not nationalism.


European spirit has strengthened after 'difficult years': Merkel


The United States' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said his country has learnt from the mistakes it committed in the Middle East and vowed to continue fighting against terror organisations.


Pompeo talks about Washington's desires for Middle East


The Cabinet on Thursday approved the signing of the terms of reference (TOR) for providing tax assistance to Swaziland through the engagement of a designated Indian expert under the Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) programme between both countries.


Cabinet nod to provide tax assistance to Swaziland


India and the US on Thursday discussed the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan during a meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushm Swaraj and US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad here.


India, US discuss Afghanistan peace process


The Cabinet on Thursday gave post-facto approval to an MoU signed between India and France on bilateral cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy.


Cabinet nods India, France MoU on cooperation in green energy


India must do as much as possible for the peace process in Afghanistan to be a success, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said here on Thursday.


India must play greater role in Afghan peace process: Karzai


Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are likely to sign memoranda of understanding (MoU) worth more than $10 billion this month, the media reported on Thursday.


Pakistan, Saudi Arabia likely to sign MoUs worth $10bn


Britain and Japan will launch a programme of 30 million pounds ($38.4 million) of initial funding for cutting-edge technology to boost innovation and create high-skilled jobs.


Britain, Japan to unveil technology programme to boost innovation


Iran is ready to engage with all neighbours in the interests of sovereignty, integrity, peace and stability of the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Wednesday.


Iran 'ready to engage with neighbours for regional peace'


Continuing with increasing engagements with Central Asia, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend the first-ever India-Central Asia Dialogue to be held in Samarkhand, Uzbekistan, on January 12-13, it was announced on Wednesday.


Sushma Swaraj to attend first India-Central Asia Dialogue


Abu Dhabi, Jan 9 (IANS/WAM) Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) on Wednesday launched the #WeAreCommitted campaign, calling on the global community to pledge their support to sustainability.


UAE launches global call to action on sustainability


Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, a state-owned Israeli technology company, announced on Wednesday that it has sold the US military "Trophy" protection systems for vehicles in a deal worth $200 million.


Israel sells vehicle defence systems to US in $200m deal


Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said that talks with the Taliban, if held, should be without any preconditions whatsoever.


Talks with Taliban should be sans preconditions: Army chief


A Sri Lankan bank said on Wednesday that Chinese tourists visiting the island country can soon pay for their goods and services through the WeChat Pay facility in order to attract more tourists.


Sri Lanka to launch WeChat Pay for Chinese tourists


The first round of face-to-face negotiations between representatives of China and the US aimed at resolving the countries' bilateral trade war ended on Wednesday in the Chinese capital.


China, US conclude first round of trade talks


A former Israeli minister on Wednesday pleaded guilty to spying on behalf of Iran, six months after his arrest, officials said.


Israeli former minister pleads guilty to spying for Iran


US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a surprise visit to Baghdad on Wednesday to meet Iraqi leaders as a part of an extensive tour of the Middle East in a bid to reassure its allies of Washington's commitment to the region, Iraqi state television reported.


Pompeo in Baghdad on unannounced visit


Terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and climate change are the three critical challenges the world is facing today, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday.

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