Asia

Death toll from Gaza war surpasses 70,000: health ministry
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Death toll from Gaza war surpasses 70,000: health ministry

Ministry said 354 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the October 10 ceasefire

Sri Lanka declares emergency as cyclone toll hits 132
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Sri Lanka declares emergency as cyclone toll hits 132

Government appealed for international aid and urged Sri Lankans abroad to donate

Bangladesh ex-PM Zia in 'very critical' condition
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Bangladesh ex-PM Zia in 'very critical' condition

Daily Star says Zia is suffering from multiple organ issues, diabetes, arthritis and eye diseases

Hong Kong begins mourning period after fire kills at least 128
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Hong Kong begins mourning period after fire kills at least 128

Families continued searching hospitals and victim identification centers

Russia bans Human Rights Watch
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Russia bans Human Rights Watch

Russia gave no reason for the move

Death toll in Southeast Asia floods tops 300
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Death toll in Southeast Asia floods tops 300

Monsoon rains and a tropical storm have triggered severe flooding and landslides in Indonesia and Thailand

Sri Lanka braces for more flooding as Cyclone Ditwah claims 46 lives
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Sri Lanka braces for more flooding as Cyclone Ditwah claims 46 lives

Landslides from over 300mm of rain killed many, affecting nearly 44,000 people who took shelter in schools and public centers

Hong Kong tower fire toll rises to 128, 200 remain missing
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Hong Kong tower fire toll rises to 128, 200 remain missing

Rescue efforts conclude and at least 79 people, including 12 firefighters, are injured

Russia's Putin to visit India on December 4-5 for Modi talks, Kremlin says
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Russia's Putin to visit India on December 4-5 for Modi talks, Kremlin says

Putin last went to India in December 2021, just a few months before ordering troops into Ukraine in February 2022

Hong Kong nears end of search and rescue mission as tower fire toll rises to 94
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Hong Kong nears end of search and rescue mission as tower fire toll rises to 94

Firefighters have mostly contained blaze that destroyed the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in the northern district of Tai Po

Afghans say last path to safety shuts as US halts visas after DC shooting
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Afghans say last path to safety shuts as US halts visas after DC shooting

Washington gunman Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, arrived under Operation Allies Welcome and served in the Afghan army

Pakistan and Iran agree to strengthen security, trade and regional cooperation
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Pakistan and Iran agree to strengthen security, trade and regional cooperation

Iran’s top security official meets Pakistan’s NSA and calls on senior leaders including the president and prime minister

Israel launches new strikes in south Lebanon on ceasefire anniversary
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Israel launches new strikes in south Lebanon on ceasefire anniversary

Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including Jezzine, Lebanese state media reports

Toll in Hong Kong fire rises to 65, police cite 'grossly negligent' firm
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Toll in Hong Kong fire rises to 65, police cite 'grossly negligent' firm

Hong Kong fire at Wang Fuk Court kills 65, injures 70, prompting $38.6 million relief fund

Three Chinese citizens killed in Tajik-Afghan border clash
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Three Chinese citizens killed in Tajik-Afghan border clash

Tajikistan’s foreign ministry said Thursday that criminal groups in Afghanistan are attempting to destabilize border regions

Bangladesh ex-PM Hasina gets 21 years in jail for corruption
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Bangladesh ex-PM Hasina gets 21 years in jail for corruption

Judge said Hasina’s actions showed a persistent corruption mindset, using public land as personal property for herself and her relatives

UAE pledges $1B investment in electricity for Yemen
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UAE pledges $1B investment in electricity for Yemen

Emirati ambassador Mohammed Hamad al-Zaabi said in Aden that the UAE has allocated $1B to build solar, wind and oil-fired power plants

Hamas calls for fighters to be allowed out of Gaza tunnels
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Hamas calls for fighters to be allowed out of Gaza tunnels

Hamas said it holds Israel fully responsible for its fighters’ lives and urged mediators to press Israel to let them return home

India approves $800M plan to boost rare earth magnet production
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India approves $800M plan to boost rare earth magnet production

New Delhi relies heavily on imports to meet current demand, which the government says could double by 2030

US directs diplomats to lobby governments against mass migration, cable says
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US directs diplomats to lobby governments against mass migration, cable says

The cable argues crime and human rights abuses linked to mass migration and 'individuals of a migration background' were a significant concern in Europe and the West