Asia

Rain in Tehran brings relief from nationwide drought
Partner

Rain in Tehran brings relief from nationwide drought

Country's meteorological organization is forecasting rain and snow in western and north-western Iran from Saturday

Pakistan, China conduct joint counterterrorism exercise 'Warrior-IX'
China

Pakistan, China conduct joint counterterrorism exercise 'Warrior-IX'

Pakistan Army and China’s PLA are conducting drills to boost interoperability and counterterrorism capabilities

Torrential rain flooded Gaza tents and a baby died of exposure, medics say
Partner

Torrential rain flooded Gaza tents and a baby died of exposure, medics say

Officials said they were unable to cope with the storm because of fuel shortages and damage to equipment

Bangladesh to hold national election on February 12
Partner

Bangladesh to hold national election on February 12

Official says national referendum on implementing the so-called 'July Charter' will also be held on the same day

At least 30 killed in Myanmar after junta airstrike hits hospital, witnesses report
Partner

At least 30 killed in Myanmar after junta airstrike hits hospital, witnesses report

The hospital in Rakhine's Mrauk U township was struck late on Wednesday by bombs dropped by a military aircraft

Japan, NATO share 'grave concern' over China, Russia flights: Tokyo
Partner

Japan, NATO share 'grave concern' over China, Russia flights: Tokyo

Tokyo and NATO warned after China–Russia bombers flew around Japan, prompting jet scrambles in the region

UN partially resumes work on Afghan border with Iran
Partner

UN partially resumes work on Afghan border with Iran

UN official said some female health staff are back and limited services have resumed, but most operations remain halted.

Bangladesh signs letter of intent to buy Eurofighter Typhoon jets
Partner

Bangladesh signs letter of intent to buy Eurofighter Typhoon jets

Air force did not specify how many jets from Italy, Britain, Germany, and Spain it plans to purchase

Lebanese foreign minister turns down invite to Tehran
Partner

Lebanese foreign minister turns down invite to Tehran

Youssef Raggi said he declined the Tehran visit due to current conditions but stressed it was not a rejection of dialogue

Thailand-Cambodia fighting rages on as Trump signals intent to intervene
Partner

Thailand-Cambodia fighting rages on as Trump signals intent to intervene

Clashes rage at more than a dozen locations along their 817-km (508-mile) border in some of the most intense fighting since a five-day battle in July

Indian festival of lights Diwali joins UNESCO heritage list
Partner

Indian festival of lights Diwali joins UNESCO heritage list

United Nations cultural agency is examining dozens of nominations from as many as 78 countries

Microsoft announces $17.5B investment in India, its 'largest ever' in Asia
Partner

Microsoft announces $17.5B investment in India, its 'largest ever' in Asia

Global technology giant Microsoft announced on Tuesday plans to invest $17.5 billion to help build India's artificial intelligence infrastructure, with CEO Satya Nadella calling it "our largest investment ever in Asia".

Several global corporations have announced large investments this year in the South Asian nation, which is projected to have more than 900 million internet users by year's end.

Keep reading...Show less
Hamas says no Gaza truce second phase while Israel 'continues violations'
Partner

Hamas says no Gaza truce second phase while Israel 'continues violations'

Hamas said on Tuesday that the Gaza ceasefire plan cannot proceed to its second phase as long as Israeli "violations" persist and called on mediators to pressure Israel to respect the agreement.

The US-sponsored ceasefire, in effect since October 10, halted the war that began after Hamas's deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. But it remains fragile as Israel and Hamas accuse each other almost daily of breaches.

Keep reading...Show less
Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia spreads along contested border
Partner

Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia spreads along contested border

With each side blaming the other for starting Monday's renewed clashes, it was unclear how or if a fragile ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump in July could be salvaged

Owners fled after Indian nightclub blaze killed 25: police
Partner

Owners fled after Indian nightclub blaze killed 25: police

The blaze was likely triggered by 'electrical firecrackers', officials say

Netanyahu will meet Trump on Gaza on December 29, spokesperson says
Partner

Netanyahu will meet Trump on Gaza on December 29, spokesperson says

Israeli govt spokesperson said PM will meet President Trump on Dec 29 to discuss next steps and the ceasefire’s stabilization force

Magnitude 7.6 quake strikes off Japan, triggering tsunami warning
Partner

Magnitude 7.6 quake strikes off Japan, triggering tsunami warning

Media quoted a Hachinohe hotel worker reporting some injuries, with live footage showing shattered glass on the roads

India seeks assurance from Beijing that it won't target Indians in transit through China
Partner

India seeks assurance from Beijing that it won't target Indians in transit through China

New Delhi lodges strong protest with Beijing over what it called the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen at airport

Indian star acquitted in high-profile rape, abduction case
Partner

Indian star acquitted in high-profile rape, abduction case

Several others were convicted the same day in relation to the case, which rocked South India's Malayalam-language Mollywood film industry in 2017

Hardships mount in Indonesia and Sri Lanka as flood tolls rise
Partner

Hardships mount in Indonesia and Sri Lanka as flood tolls rise

A slew of tropical storms and monsoon rains pummeled Southeast and South Asia, triggering landslides and flash floods