VIENNA: Planned talks between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog aimed at breaking the impasse over Tehran’s nuclear programme have been put on hold after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, an agency report said on Monday. The temporary suspension of talks between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) comes as its chief Rafael Grossi reiterated his concern over public …

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s interior ministry and police on Monday stated that two Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants had been attacked in Baghdad, over the last 48 hours. The attacks damaged the restaurants’; however, no injuries were reported. Since the attacks, Iraqi security forces have arrested ‘some’ suspects. Initial investigations depict that the restaurants were targeted over the perceived support of ‘US-based’ brands …

PATUAKHALI: Millions of individuals in low-lying areas across Bangladesh and India on Monday ‘surveyed tangled wreckage’, left behind by a powerful cyclone. The climate-related event killed at least 16 people, destroyed thousands of homes, smashed seawalls and flooded cities. Gusts of wind and torrential rain continued to hammer residents, as they tried to salvage whatever remained of their belongings. This …

WASHINGTON: Tornado-spawning thunderstorms that swept the US southern plains and Ozarks have killed at least 21 people as of Monday morning across four states and wrecked hundreds of buildings, with forecasters warning of more severe weather. The death toll over the Memorial Day weekend includes at least eight fatalities in Arkansas, seven in Texas, four in Kentucky and two in …

Torrential rains in the wake of a powerful cyclone caused the collapse of a quarry in India’s Mizoram state killing 12 people, government officials said on Tuesday. “So far 12 bodies have been found, we are looking for more,” deputy commissioner of Aizawl district Nazuk Kumar told AFP. Rescue efforts in the quarry were being hampered by “heavy rains”, police director general Anil …

ISLAMABAD: As Youm-i-Takbeer is being observed across the country on Tuesday (today), Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has lashed out at the government for exploiting the country’s nuclear programme for political gain. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday declared May 28 — known as Youm-i-Takbeer — a national holiday to mark the day Pakistan became a nuclear power 26 years ago. A PTI spokesperson slammed …

ISLAMABAD: Amid inte­nse pressure from the journalist fraternity and civil society organisations, the PML-N seemed to soften its stance on the proposed defamation law — recently pas­sed by the Punjab Assembly and pending gubernatorial assent. At a press conference on Monday, federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar backed demands for consultations with stakeholders before the finalisation of the legislation. When asked about the …

ISLAMABAD: Acting President Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday signed two ordinances on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which were promulgated following the approval by the federal cabinet. Mr Gilani, who assumed the role of acting president after Asif Ali Zar­dari went to Dubai on a private visit, signed the Elec­tions Act (Ame­nd­m­ent) Ordinance 2024 and NAB (Amend­ment) Ordi­nance 2024 into …

ISLAMABAD: As the schools managed by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) undergo renovation and face-lift under a Rs7.4 billion project, the education ministry has sought Rs 3.5 billion from the federal government in the upcoming budget to complete the major part of the said project in the financial year 2024-25. The project titled ‘Provision of Basic Educational Facilities in …

ISLAMABAD: Senior leaders of the opposition in the National Assembly on Monday voiced solidarity with the tribal elders and vowed to raise their concerns on the floor of the house. They made the commitment during their meeting with a delegation of tribal elders from South Waziristan comprising Wazir and Mehsud tribes who called on them. Among the leaders who met …