Baghdad, May 24 (IANS) The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) said on Sunday that three of its members were killed and four others wounded by an explosive device left by the Islamic State (IS) militant group in the northern province of Nineveh.The incident occurred when an explosive device detonated while they were performing national duties in the desert area, according to a CTS statement, Xinhua news agency reported.Despite the casualties, the service emphasised that it will continue pursui…
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New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) The Islamic State, in recent years, has proven to be one of the leading terror outfits when it comes to the use of technology. When it commenced operations in Syria and Iraq in late 2013, the focus was heavy on creating fear. For this, it had set up Hollywood-style studios where it shot beheading videos.While some of them were real, many were fake, and these videos were shot and circulated to create a perception of how lethal the outfit is. This worked well for the outfi…
Washington, May 20 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that negotiations with Iran were taking longer than expected and suggested that he could pursue tougher options if diplomacy fails. Trump told reporters at the White House that he would prefer a limited level of violence over a wider conflict in the region.“Ideally, I’d like to see a few people kill as opposed to a lot,” Trump said when asked about a possible Iran arrangement linked to the Strait of Hormuz. “We do it anothe…
New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) India’s current account deficit (CAD) is likely to be about 2.1 per cent of GDP for FY27, assuming an oil average of $85 per barrel, a report said on Monday.The report from HDFC Bank said elevated crude and a closed Strait of Hormuz pose upside risks to forecast, adding that the recent gold import compression measures could provide some offset.The bank said that raising import duty to curb gold imports could trim the deficit, estimating a 20 per cent decline in gold vo…
New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) Global crude oil prices extended gains on Monday as escalating tensions between the US and Iran fuelled concerns over supply disruptions after a nuclear facility in the United Arab Emirates was attacked.International oil benchmark Brent crude rose as much as 2.37 per cent or $2.60 to $111.86 per barrel.Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude advanced 3.11 per cent, or $3.28, to $108.70 per barrel.In the domestic markets, crude oil futures (June 18) on Multi Com…
Riyadh, May 18 (IANS) The Saudi Ministry of Defence announced the interception of three drones after they entered the kingdom’s airspace from Iraq.The ministry’s official spokesperson, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, said on social media platform X that the ministry reserves the right to respond at the appropriate time and place, Xinhua news agency reported.He noted that it will take and implement all necessary operational measures to respond to any attempted attack targeting the kingdom’s so…
New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi on assuming office as the new Prime Minister of Iraq, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries.Posting on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “Heartiest congratulations to Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi on assuming office as Prime Minister of Iraq. India highly values its long-standing and friendly ties with Iraq and remains firmly committe…
Baghdad, May 15 (IANS) Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi was sworn in with a partial Cabinet after lawmakers failed to reach consensus on several key posts, including the interior and defence ministries.Parliament approved 14 members of al-Zaidi’s Cabinet, while votes on the remaining portfolios were delayed amid ongoing political negotiations, Xinhua news agency reported.During a session chaired by Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi, 266 lawmakers voted in favor of the 14 ministers, according to a…
New Delhi, May 11 (IANS) Prashant Pise, presently Additional Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Monday. A 1995 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Prashant Pise, is expected to take up the assignment shortly, the Embassy noted.Pise will succeed Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas from the 1993 Indian Foreign Service batch in Muscat.Pise’s first overseas posting was in Cairo from 1997 to…
Bengaluru, May 11 (IANS) Criticising the Congress party, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai on Monday defended PM Modi’s appeal for austerity measures amid the ongoing global crisis, stating that the message was issued as a precautionary step due to the continuing conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. PM Modi, on Sunday, while addressing a huge gathering in Bengaluru, called upon citizens to remain united and p…