Turkish legislators scheduled a long-delayed vote Tuesday on Sweden’s bid to join NATO, in a step that could remove a major hurdle for the previously nonaligned Nordic country’s entry into the military alliance. Turkey, a NATO member, has been dragging its feet on ratifying Sweden’s accession for more than a year, accusing the country of being too lenient toward groups it regards as security threats. It has been seeking concessions from Sweden, including a tougher stance toward Kurdish militants and members of a network that Ankara blames for a failed coup in 2016. Turkey has also been a

Twenty people are confirmed dead and 24 remain missing after a landslide in a remote, mountainous part of China's southwestern province of Yunnan, Chinese state media reported Tuesday. The disaster struck just before 6 a.m. on Monday in the village of Liangshui in the northeastern part of Yunnan. Authorities resumed search and rescue operations Tuesday after suspending the work temporarily due to another landslide alert.

Australia has scrapped the Golden Visa program, which granted wealthy foreign investors the right to stay in the country. The government started the program to attract foreign investment, but now says its economic results have not been significant and is therefore being replaced by the skilled worker visa. The Golden Visa was available on an investment of 5 million Australian dollars. Thousands of foreign investors have obtained visas through the program since 2012, with 85 percent of successful applicants from China. After several reviews, the Australian government found that the scheme ha

Germany's parliament has approved easing the rules for obtaining citizenship by lifting restrictions on dual citizenship. The government says that this step will help in attracting skilled workers. At the same time, the main opposition has accused the government of distributing German citizenship at a cheap price. Under the new law, people will be eligible for citizenship in Germany after five years and in special cases, citizenship can be taken after three years. Currently it takes 6 to 8 years. At the same time, if one of the parents is a legal resident for the last five years, then their

Pakistan may soon restore diplomatic relations with Iran. The Cabinet headed by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq on Friday decided to end the latest conflict with Iran. A spokesman for Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani's office said a telephone conversation between Jilani and his Iranian counterpart took place during the cabinet meeting, in which the two countries agreed to end the dispute. Iran's Foreign Minister Hussain Amir-Abdullahyan also later issued a statement in which he said that Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity are very important to us and cooperation betwee

Reports of death threats against Sikhs in the UK are grabbing headlines. A group of British MPs has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Defense in this regard. A report recently emerged that West Midlands Police had issued Osman Warnings in March to three members of a family, meaning their lives were in danger and although there is information but not enough evidence to make an arrest. An inquiry is also being demanded regarding the death of Sikh activist Avtar Singh Khanda. Khanda died last year after a sudden illness. According to information, Labour MPs Preet Kaur Gill, Afzal K

Pakistan has retaliated against terrorist positions in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province late on Wednesday night. This air strike was carried out by penetrating 48 km inside the border of Iran. For this, fighter jets and drones were used. Pakistan claims that it killed many terrorists in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan. However, Iran said that 9 people, including 4 children and 3 women, were killed in Pakistan's airstrikes and none of them were Iranian citizens. In less than 48 hours of the air strike by Iran, Pakistan retaliated under operational procedures. Late on Tuesday, Iran attacked the po

The first refugee MP to reach the Parliament of New Zealand. has resigned Golriz Gehraman, 42, is accused of stealing three times from two clothing stores, one in Auckland and the other in Wellington. Gehraman made history in 2017 by becoming the first refugee to join the New Zealand government, who is now facing a police investigation in theft cases. Gehraman said in response to the allegations against him that I have disappointed many people, I am very sorry for it. Gehraman fled Iran as a child with her family, who were granted political asylum in New Zealand. His resignation on Tuesday w

Farmers have clogged Berlin streets with their tractors, honking their horns in protest at a plan to scrap tax breaks on thediesel they use. It's the climax of a week of protests that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany's government. Columns of tractors rolled into the capital ahead of the demonstration Monday at the landmark Brandenburg Gate. Over the past week, farmers have blocked highway entrances and slowed traffic across Germany with their protests, intent on pushing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government to abandon the planned cuts entirely. They're not satisfied with concessi