Category: International

Chinese state-media said COVID-19 testing requirements imposed around the world in response to a surging wave of infections were “discriminatory”, in the clearest pushback yet against restrictions that are slowing down its re-opening. Having kept its borders all but shut for three years, imposing a strict regime of lockdowns and relentless testing, China abruptly reversed […]

At least 100 protestors are facing the death penalty in Iran, says a rights group. Norway-based Iran Human Rights said this week that 100 protestors — including teenage boys and two 22-year-old women — are currently at risk of execution for participating in demonstrations sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in September. The organisation […]

United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths will visit Afghanistan in the coming weeks and will seek to meet the highest possible officials within the Taliban-led administration after it banned female aid workers, a senior UN official said on Thursday. “We regret to see that there is already an impact of this decision on our programs,” […]

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a countrywide protest drive from tomorrow (Friday) against skyrocketing inflation, prevailing economic crisis and soaring food and energy prices in the country. “A countrywide protest will be held against inflation, electricity and gas loadshedding from tomorrow… the protests will continue until this [PDM] government is sent packing,” PTI leader […]

Uzbekistan’s health ministry has said that 18 children have died after drinking a cough syrup manufactured by Indian drug maker Marion Biotech. The ministry said that preliminary tests showed a batch of the medicine contained ethylene glycol, a toxic substance. The children were given the Dok-1 Max syrup without a doctor’s prescription, it said. The […]

MOSCOW: Belarus said a Ukrainian missile fell on its territory on Thursday, raising fears of the conflict spilling over, with the Moscow ally sending investigators to establish the cause of the incident. President Alexander Lukashenko “was immediately informed”, said a statement posted on a Telegram channel close to the presidency. It said an S-300 missile […]

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest the “unacceptable” response to women-led protests in the Islamic republic, his office said Tuesday. Ambassador designate Mohammad Reza Sabouri has been called in to a meeting on Wednesday, the foreign ministry said in a note to the media. Tajani has previously condemned the […]

The US is considering imposing new Covid restrictions on Chinese arrivals, after Beijing announced it would reopen its borders next month. American officials say this is due to a lack of transparency surrounding the virus in China, as cases surge. On Wednesday, Italy announced plans to enforce mandatory testing, after tighter measures were outlined by […]

MOSCOW: Russia and China have completed naval drills in the East China Sea, after a week of joint exercises which included practising how to capture an enemy submarine with depth charges and firing artillery at a warship, Russia’s defence ministry said. The Dec. 21-27 exercises, entitled “Maritime Interaction-2022”, included Russia’s Pacific Fleet and were carried […]

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday called on the Taliban to reverse policies targeting women and girls in Afghanistan, expressing alarm at the “increasing erosion” of human rights in the country. In the latest blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban reclaimed power last year, on Saturday the rulers […]