Iranian president says talks with US 'step forward'
TEHRAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday described the recent nuclear talks between his country and the United States as a step forward.He made the comments in a post on X, highlighting the indirect negotiations between Iranian and U.S. delegations in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Friday.Pezeshkian said that the discussions took place as a result of the follow-up efforts by friendly governments in the West Asia region, emphasizing that dialogue has consistently been Iran's chosen strategy for resolving issues peacefully.Meanwhile, speaking at a national conference in the Iranian capital Tehran, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who headed the country's delegation at Friday's talks, said, No one can tell us what to have and what not to have.He assured that Iran has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons, while firmly rejecting any form of bullying.Araghchi said: If they speak to Iranian people using the language of force, we will respond to them with the same language. However, if they talk to us using the language of respect, their response will be given with the same language.The Friday talks were held amid heightened regional tensions between Washington and Tehran, including a recent U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and Iran's stepped-up preparations.After the conclusion of negotiations, Araghchi said: In general, I can say that it was a good start. However, the continuation of the process depends on the two sides' consultations in their capitals and their decisions about how to continue it.
17:04
Road accident kills 4, injures 5 in Afghanistan's Samangan
KABUL, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Four commuters lost their lives and five others were injured due to a road accident in northern Afghanistan's Samangan province on Sunday, provincial police spokesman Hashamtullah Rahmani said.The deadly mishap took place early Sunday on the main road in Rabatak area, the official said, adding that all the injured travelers had been shifted to a nearby hospital.Blaming reckless driving for the deadly traffic accident, the official noted that an investigation is underway.
16:37
Afghanistan harvests over 158,000 tons of cotton
Afghan farmers harvested more than 158,000 metric tons of cotton over the past year, the National Statistics and Information Authority said in a statement on Saturday.
16:33
7 Photos
In pics: gala performance of Chinese classical dance to celebrate Chinese New Year in Reykjavik, Iceland
In pics: gala performance of Chinese classical dance to celebrate Chinese New Year in Reykjavik, Iceland
16:21
5 Photos
Scenery of Greenland
Scenery of Greenland
16:13
8 killed in gas cylinder explosion in Afghan capital
At least eight people were killed when a gas cylinder exploded inside a residential home in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, the city's governor's office said in a statement on Saturday evening.
15:13
2 Photos
People stroll on frozen sea in Vladivostok, Russia
People stroll on frozen sea in Vladivostok, Russia
15:10
7 Photos
Winter scenery of Iceland
Winter scenery of Iceland
15:10
Russian officials voice hope for greater cooperation as Chinese New Year comes
During the Spring Festival reception for Russian friends held in the Chinese Embassy in Russia on Friday, Russian officials voiced their hope for more cooperation with China while delivering Chinese New Year greetings.
14:35
S. Korea issues national firefighting mobilization order over Gyeongju wildfire
South Korean fire authorities on Sunday issued a national firefighting mobilization order in response to a wildfire in Munmu Daewang-myeon, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Yonhap News Agency reported.Authorities mobilized five vehicles and 25 personnel from special firefighting units in five
14:24
Health costs are fueling voter stress and powering Democratic campaigns
US President Donald Trump's second term has presented an array of opportunities for political opponents, from immigration crackdowns and lingering inflation to attacks on independent institutions and friction with overseas allies.
13:13
Washington Post CEO steps down after massive layoff
The Washington Post CEO and publisher Will Lewis has stepped down, just days after the newspaper announced a sweeping layoff, the company said Saturday.
12:48
Italy not to join Board of Peace: FM
Italy "cannot participate" in the U.S.-proposed Board of Peace as its charter conflicts with Italy's Constitution, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Saturday.
11:56
Flower festival brings color back to Sudan's capital after years of war
Khartoum this week hosted its first Flower Festival in nearly three years, a rare sign of recovery in a city scarred by war. The weeklong event is the largest horticulture and landscaping exhibition held in the capital since fighting erupted in April 2023.
11:24