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Death toll in Pakistani oil tanker fire reaches 162 (20:52)
Islamabad, June 28 (IANS) The death toll in the oil tanker fire in Pakistan's Punjab province has risen to 162, officials said on Wednesday.

Nepal votes in second phase of local polls (20:48)
Kathmandu, June 28 (IANS) Nepal on Wednesday voted in the second round of local elections with 70.5 per cent turnout to choose municipal and village councils, the Election Commission said.

Pakistan criticizes India-US statement targeting Islamabad (20:42)
Islamabad, June 28 (IANS) Pakistan on Wednesday said an India-US joint statement asking Islamabad not to allow cross-border terror attacks from its soil won't help achieve durable peace in South Asia.

Indian held for smuggling 120 kg hashish (20:34)
Kathmandu, June 28 (IANS) An Indian truck driver in possession of 120 kg of hashish was arrested from Nepal's Hetauda city on Wednesday, police said.

China defends Pakistan, says it's fighting terror (Lead) (18:42)
By Gaurav Sharma
Beijing, June 28 (IANS) China on Wednesday strongly defended Pakistan, after India and the US asked Islamabad to ensure that its territory was not used for cross-border terrorism.

Border standoff: China suspects India's 'hidden agenda' for Bhutan (17:26)
By Gaurav Sharma
Beijing, June 28 (IANS) China on Wednesday said the stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops on the border smacked of New Delhi's "hidden agenda" of meddling in Bhutan's internal affairs.

US speaking India's language: Pakistani minister (16:08)
Islamabad, June 28 (IANS) Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has accused the US of speaking India's language after Washington and New Delhi urged Islamabad not to let its territory be used for cross-border terror attacks.

China defends Pakistan, says it's fighting terror (14:24)
By Gaurav Sharma
Beijing, June 28 (IANS) China on Wednesday strongly defended Pakistan, after India and the US asked Islamabad to ensure that its territory was not used for cross-border terrorism.

Bangladesh downgraded in US 'trafficking in persons' report (13:42)
Washington, June 28 (IANS) The US government has downgraded Bangladesh in the 'trafficking in persons' report for not taking firm steps to deal with the threat, a media report said.

Death toll in Pakistani oil tanker fire rises to 158 (19:54)
Islamabad, June 27 (IANS) The death toll in the oil tanker fire in Pakistan's Punjab province has risen to 158, officials said on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka seeks assistance for elephant conservation (16:06)
Colombo, June 27 (IANS) Sri Lanka has sought assistance from the World Bank to conserve its wild elephant population, an official said on Tuesday.

Pakistan defends Salahuddin, to keep backing Kashmir struggle (15:32)
Islamabad, June 27 (IANS) Pakistan on Tuesday described as "completely unjustified" the US' designation of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist and said it will continue its "political, diplomatic and moral support for ... the Kashmiri people".

US, India tell Pakistan: Don't let terrorists use your territory (Lead) (14:46)
Washington, June 27 (IANS) In a strong message to Islamabad, the US and India have told Pakistan to ensure its territory is not used for terror attacks on other countries and asked it to bring to justice terrorists blamed for attacks in Mumbai and other places in India.

US, India ask Pakistan not to let terrorists use its territory (14:18)
Washington, June 27 (IANS) The US and India have urged Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries.

Sri Lanka to begin clean-up to battle dengue (13:28)
Colombo, June 27 (IANS) Sri Lanka on Tuesday said it will launch a major clean-up of cities around the country as the number of people affected by dengue continues to rise.

Panamagate probe team summons Sharif's daughter (13:04)
Islamabad, June 27 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, has been summoned to appear before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in connection with the Panama Papers probe into the family's assets, the media reported on Tuesday.

Saving Bangladesh rivers from dying is a daunting task (With Images) (10:30)
By Kamran Reza
Experts and environmentalists have criticised Bangladesh's environment agency for its decision to declare four dying rivers around Dhaka as ecologically critical areas (ECA).

India, US vow to fight terror, boost economic cooperation (Roundup) (05:06)
Washington, June 27 (IANS) India and the US on Monday reiterated their commitment to cooperate in the fight against international terrorism even as the two sides agreed to boost economic cooperation following the first ever meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.

Linking CPEC with BCIM will benefit people: China (19:02)
By Gaurav Sharma
Beijing, June 26 (IANS) Brushing aside India's concerns, China on Monday stressed the need to link the controversial CPEC with the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Corridor.

Nepal to shift to smart driving licences (18:34)
Kathmandu, June 26 (IANS) Nepal is moving forward to replace around two million paper-based driving licences with smart driving licences within a year, an official said.

Taliban gaining battlefield strength despite infighting (18:14)
Kabul, June 26 (IANS) News of Mullah Omar's death, the man who founded the Taliban, led to the beginning of internal rifts in the group, raising several questions in Afghanistan.

Afghan saffron growers call for larger export market (18:06)
Herat (Afghanistan), June 26 (IANS) Saffron growers in war-torn Afghanistan are hoping for expanded export markets for their harvest, amid higher yields but lower prices, business leaders in the industry said.

China mum over stopping Indian pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar (14:46)
By Gaurav Sharma
Beijing, June 26 (IANS) China on Monday refused to tell why it had stopped a group of Indian pilgrims from travelling to Kailash Mansarovar, saying the foreign ministries of both countries are in touch over the issue.

Pakistan marks sombre Eid after tanker blaze, terror attacks (14:42)
Islamabad, June 26 (IANS) Pakistan on Monday began Eid celebrations on a grim note amid tight security a day after the deadly oil tanker fire and last week's terrorist attacks.

'India-Afghanistan air corridor reflects New Delhi's stubborn thinking' (Lead, correcting para 2) (13:40)
By Gaurav Sharma
Beijing, June 26 (IANS) Bypassing Pakistan in a direct air corridor with Afghanistan reflects India's "stubborn geopolitical thinking" and its opposition to Beijing's connectivity project, a Chinese daily has said.