No joke: China fines a comedy firm $2m for 'insulting' the military May 17, 2023 at 10:11AM

Beijing fined a Chinese comedy studio around $2 million on Wednesday for a joke that compared China's military to stray dogs, a reminder of the ever-narrowing confines of expression under the country's leader, Xi Jinping.

Russia says hypersonic missile scientists face 'very serious' treason accusations May 17, 2023 at 09:54AM

Three Russian academics who have worked on hypersonic missile technology face "very serious accusations", the Kremlin said on Wednesday, in a treason investigation that has spread alarm through Russia's scientific community.

Former France president Nicolas Sarkozy loses corruption appeal, to challenge at highest court May 17, 2023 at 09:49AM

FRANCE-France's Sarkozy loses corruption appeal, to challenge at highest court

Russia's Putin says oil output cuts needed to maintain prices May 17, 2023 at 07:41AM

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that oil production cuts were required to maintain a certain price level, contradicting assurances from other leaders of the OPEC+ group of producers that it was not seeking to manage the market in that way.

Islamabad High Court bars police from arresting Imran Khan's party leaders May 17, 2023 at 05:42AM

Prince Harry, wife Meghan in 'near catastrophic car chase' involving pararazzi May 17, 2023 at 04:30AM

Britain's Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and her mother were involved in a "near catastrophic car chase" involving pararazzi photographers, a spokesperson for the prince said on Wednesday. "This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD (New York Police Department) officers," the spokesperson for Harry said in a statement.

Pakistan's Punjab govt gives Imran Khan 24-hour deadline to handover 'terrorists' hiding at his residence in Lahore May 17, 2023 at 02:22AM

The interim government in Pakistan's Punjab province has given a 24-hour deadline to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief Imran Khan to handover all "30-40 terrorists that have taken refuge" at his residence here, according to a media report on Wednesday. The Caretaker Information Minister Aamir Mir while addressing a press conference in Lahore said, "PTI should hand over these terrorists or the law will take its course," Geo News reported.

G7 leaders likely to focus on war in Ukraine, tensions in Asia at Hiroshima summit May 16, 2023 at 09:09PM

The attention on the war in Europe comes just days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy completed a whirlwind trip to meet many of the Group of Seven leaders now heading to Japan for the summit starting Friday. G7 leaders are also girding for the possibility of renewed conflict in Asia as relations with China deteriorate.