Myanmar marks coup anniversary with eyes on junta election plan January 31, 2023 at 06:08PM

The military justified its power grab on February 1, 2020, with unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud in the elections Suu Kyi's party won in a landslide. Western powers launched a fresh broadside of sanctions against the generals on the anniversary, but previous rounds have shown little sign of throwing the junta off course.

Explainer: What's fuelling Pakistan's Taliban fire January 31, 2023 at 05:27PM

'US readies $2 billion-plus Ukraine aid package with longer-range weapons' January 31, 2023 at 05:04PM

The United States is preparing to send more than $2 billion in military aid to Ukraine, which includes longer-range rockets and other munitions. The aid is expected to be announced as soon as this week and to include support equipment for Patriot air defense systems, precision-guided munitions and Javelin anti-tank weapons.

Pakistan mosque blast that killed 100 was 'revenge against police' January 31, 2023 at 07:17AM

A suicide blast at a mosque inside a Pakistan police headquarters was a targeted revenge attack, a police chief said Tuesday, as rescue efforts ended with the death toll standing at 100. Between 300 and 400 policemen had gathered for afternoon prayers at the compound's mosque on Monday in the provincial capital Peshawar when an entire wall and most of the roof were blown out, showering rubble on officers.

US secy of state Blinken renews appeal for Israel-Palestinian calm January 31, 2023 at 02:35AM

Broken baby Jesus statues flood restorers ahead of feast day January 31, 2023 at 03:38AM

End systematic persecution of minorities, India tells Pakistan January 30, 2023 at 12:13PM

Russia claims gains in relentless battles in east Ukraine January 30, 2023 at 05:56AM

New US ambassador to Russia heckled by pro-Kremlin protesters January 30, 2023 at 03:55AM

WHO maintains highest alert over Covid, but sees hope ahead January 30, 2023 at 12:46AM

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that COVID-19 continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern, its highest form of alert. The pandemic was likely in a "transition point" that continues to need careful management to "mitigate the potential negative consequences", the agency added in a statement.

UAE prez's trip to Islamabad postponed due to 'bad weather conditions' January 30, 2023 at 12:08AM

Earthquake rocks China's northwestern Xinjiang region January 29, 2023 at 11:16PM

No injuries or major damage have been reported following the temblor that struck the Xinjiang region at 7:49 a.m., according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

US: Classified documents probe pushes Biden think tank into spotlight January 29, 2023 at 02:43AM

Ukraine says repelled attack near Blahodatne, Russia claims control January 29, 2023 at 03:11AM

Ukraine's military said Sunday its forces repelled an attack near Blahodatne in the eastern Donetsk region after Russia's Wagner mercenary group claimed it took control of the village.

Pakistan govt raises petrol, diesel prices by Rs 35 each January 29, 2023 at 01:19AM

“We have decided to increase the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 35 each. The price of kerosene oil and light diesel oil has been increased by Rs 18 each,” Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said. Pakistan entered a $6 billion IMF programme during Imran Khan's government in 2019, which was increased to $7 billion last year.

China announces resumption of visas for Japanese January 29, 2023 at 12:14AM

China announced it was resuming issuing visas for Japanese travelers beginning Sunday, ending its nearly three-week suspension in an apparent protest of Tokyo's tougher Covid-19 entry requirements for tourists from China. Japan's government last week announced plans to downgrade Covid-19 to an equivalent of seasonal influenza in May.

Iran says drone attack targets defence facility in Isfahan January 28, 2023 at 11:37PM

Bomb-carrying drones targeted an Iranian defense factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight, authorities said early Sunday, causing some damage at the plant amid heightened regional and international tensions engulfing the Islamic Republic.

6.3 magnitude quake jolts several parts of Pakistan January 28, 2023 at 11:59PM

An earthquake of 6.3 magnitude jolted parts of Pakistan on Sunday but so far there was no report of any loss to life or property. According to the Meteorological Department, the quake's depth was 150 km with the epicentre being in Tajikistan.

Ukraine: 'Fast-track' talks under way for missiles, planes January 28, 2023 at 05:39AM

Ukraine and its Western allies are engaged in “fast-track” talks on the possibility of equipping the invaded country with long-range missiles and military aircraft, a top Ukrainian presidential aide said Saturday. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Ukraine’s supporters in the West “understand how the war is developing” and the need to supply planes capable of providing cover for the armored fighting vehicles that the United States and Germany pledged at the beginning of the month.

How to fix a howitzer: US offers help line to Ukraine troops January 28, 2023 at 04:45AM

Afghan female students not allowed to sit university entrance exam January 28, 2023 at 04:41AM

The Taliban-run ministry of higher education ordered private universities in Afghanistan not to allow female students to sit university entrance exams next month, underscoring its policy to restrict women from tertiary education. A letter from the ministry was addressed to institutions in Afghanistan's northern provinces, including Kabul, where exams are due to take place from the end of February.

Israeli army reinforces in West Bank after synagogue shooting January 28, 2023 at 02:26AM

Israel's military said it was boosting its forces in the occupied West Bank a day after a Palestinian gunman shot dead seven people on the outskirts of Jerusalem, and another shooting attack in the city on Saturday wounded two people.

2 people hurt in 'terror attack' in Israel January 27, 2023 at 11:54PM

Two people were hurt in a suspected Palestinian shooting attack around Jerusalem's Old City on Saturday, a police spokesman told Israel's Army Radio, describing it as a "terrorist attack." The casualties were badly hurt, Israel's ambulance service said. The assailant "was neutralised", police said

Pope clarifies homosexuality and sin comments in note January 27, 2023 at 11:23PM

Pope Francis has clarified his recent comments about homosexuality and sin, saying he was merely referring to official Catholic moral teaching that teaches that any sexual act outside of marriage is a sin.

Azerbaijan evacuates Tehran embassy, blames Iran for attack January 27, 2023 at 01:29AM

Kyiv seeks more weapons as fighting intensifies in east Ukraine January 26, 2023 at 11:34PM

After weeks of pressure from allies, Germany and the United States have promised Ukraine dozens of modern tanks to help push back Russian forces, opening the way for Canada, Poland, Finland, Norway and others to make their own pledges. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy thanked allies for their support but renewed calls for tougher sanctions on Moscow and made clear his country needed more weapons.

IMF delegation to visit Pakistan next week for talks on 9th review: Official January 26, 2023 at 11:52PM

According to the statement released by the IMF, the international fund organization resident representative for Pakistan Esther Perez Ruiz said: "At the request of the authorities, an in-person Fund mission is scheduled to visit Islamabad [from] January 31 - February 9 to continue the discussions under the ninth EFF review."

More than 160 Afghans die in bitterly cold weather January 26, 2023 at 11:06PM

More than 160 people have died from the cold in Afghanistan this month in the worst winter in more than a decade, authorities said on Thursday, as residents described being unable to afford fuel to heat homes in temperatures well below freezing. The coldest winter in 15 years, which has seen temperatures dip as low as -34 degrees Celsius, has hit Afghanistan in the middle of a severe economic crisis.

Canada to send four combat-ready Leopard tanks to Ukraine January 26, 2023 at 04:48PM

Canada said Thursday it will join the United States, Germany and other countries in supplying heavy tanks to Ukraine to fight off Russian forces, with a shipment of four fully operational Leopards.

Boeing Co pleads not guilty in fraud case over 737Max crashes January 26, 2023 at 03:40PM

Egypt unveils tombs and sarcophagus in new excavation January 26, 2023 at 04:29AM

Egypt on Thursday unveiled dozens of new archaeological discoveries, including two ancient tombs, at a Pharaonic necropolis just outside of the capital Cairo.The artifacts, unearthed during a year-long excavation, were found beneath an ancient stone enclosure near the Saqqara pyramids and date back to the fifth and sixth dynasties of the Old Kingdom, spanning from roughly 2500 B.C to 2100 B.C., Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said.

Cash-strapped Pakistan's rupee plunges amid talks with IMF January 26, 2023 at 03:31AM

Cash-strapped Pakistan’s currency plunged Thursday against the dollar after the government indicated it was ready to comply with tough conditions set by the International Monetary Fund for the next tranche of its bailout package.Pakistan is seeking a crucial installment of $1.1 billion from the fund — part of its $6 billion bailout package — to avoid default. Talks with the IMF on reviving the bailout stalled in the past months.

Russia says tank promises show direct and growing Western involvement in Ukraine January 26, 2023 at 12:14AM

Russia said on Thursday it saw the promised delivery of Western tanks to Ukraine as evidence of direct and growing US and European involvement in the conflict. The Kremlin was reacting for the first time to announcements by the United States and Germany on Wednesday that they would arm Ukraine with dozens of battle tanks in its fight against Russia.

Russia launches wave of missiles at Ukraine after Kyiv secures tanks January 25, 2023 at 11:06PM

Russia launched a rush-hour barrage of missiles towards Ukraine on Thursday, the day after Kyiv secured Western pledges of dozens of modern battlefield tanks to try to push back the Russian invasion.

Islamic world worried about Taliban's interpretation of Islam: Report January 25, 2023 at 10:11PM

The Islamic world is worried about the Taliban's interpretation of Islam as it poses political challenges. The Taliban has enforced Sharia laws based on their own interpretation of Islam, according to Dubai-based media network Al Arabiya Post.Taliban leaders, however, insist that their policies are based on Islamic jurisprudence.

China: Covid deaths, cases down 70% since peak, when daily infections topped 7 million January 25, 2023 at 03:01PM

'Total torture': Sick Ukrainians gasp for oxygen amid blackouts January 25, 2023 at 12:49AM

Regular power outages caused by Russian missile strikes have terrified tens of thousands of Ukrainians who rely on electricity to keep medical equipment running.

Kremlin says Western tanks would 'burn' in Ukraine January 25, 2023 at 12:38AM

Suspect in shootings at Half Moon Bay farms was employee January 24, 2023 at 03:42PM

An agricultural worker killed seven people in back-to-back shootings at two mushroom farms that had employed him in Northern California and the massacre is believed to be a "workplace violence incident," officials said Tuesday as the state mourned its third mass killing in eight days.

California: Cops took 5 hours to warn that dance hall shooter was loose January 24, 2023 at 01:31PM

7 killed in Texas highway crash, 1 in critical condition January 24, 2023 at 01:24PM

US: Tornado emergency issued near Houston, damage reported January 24, 2023 at 12:18PM

A powerful storm system took aim at the Gulf Coast on Tuesday, spawning a tornado that caused damage east of Houston.

New Zealand's Chris Hipkins set to be officially appointed prime minister January 24, 2023 at 10:31AM

New Zealand's Governor General will appoint Labour leader Chris Hipkins as prime minister in a formal ceremony on Wednesday, the government said following the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last week.

Rishi Sunak under pressure over BBC and party chairmen appointments January 24, 2023 at 09:35AM

Four dead in two shootings in northern California: media reports January 23, 2023 at 03:22PM

Seven people were killed in two related shootings Monday at a mushroom farm and a trucking firm in a coastal community south of San Francisco, and a suspect was in custody, officials said.

US SC puts off considering state laws curbing internet platforms January 23, 2023 at 02:27PM

Blackout in Pakistan as energy-saving measure backfires January 23, 2023 at 01:59PM

US: 2 students dead, teacher hurt in Des Moines shooting January 23, 2023 at 11:27AM

Police say two students were killed Monday and a teacher was injured in a shooting at a Des Moines school on the edge of the city's downtown.

Power restoration underway in Pakistan, government says January 23, 2023 at 10:17AM

WHO urges action on contaminated meds after child deaths January 23, 2023 at 06:50AM

US citizen detained in Iran ends hunger strike January 23, 2023 at 12:19AM

Siamak Namazi, who has been detained since October 2015, said his strike marked the seventh anniversary of Washington's decision to exclude him from a prisoner release that saw five other Americans freed after the inking of a historic denuclearization deal with Iran.

Suspect in California mass shooting is dead: Police January 22, 2023 at 03:51PM

The man wanted for a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California during Lunar New Year is dead, apparently from suicide, police in Los Angeles said Sunday. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said police had tracked a wanted van and when officers approached, they heard one gunshot from within the van.