Palestinians flee as Israeli artillery pounds northern Gaza May 14, 2021 at 02:02AM

Israel has massed troops along the border and called up 9,000 reservists as fighting intensifies with the Islamic militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. Palestinian militants have fired some 1,800 rockets, and the Israeli military has launched more than 600 airstrikes.

Afghan police say Kabul mosque bombing kills 12 worshippers May 14, 2021 at 02:01AM

China accuses US of 'coercive diplomacy' after trade remarks May 14, 2021 at 12:54AM

China on Friday accused the United States of “coercive diplomacy” following comments by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to his Australian counterpart that the US “will not leave Australia alone on the field — or maybe I should say alone on the pitch' — in the face of economic coercion by China.”

Japan widens virus emergency to three more prefectures May 14, 2021 at 12:22AM

Japan is declaring a state of emergency in three more prefectures hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, it said on Friday, in a surprise move that reflects growing concern about the spread of the coronavirus. The latest declaration comes as Japan grapples with a surge of a more infectious virus strain just 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics are due to start on July 23.