India delivers ambulances to Afghanistan as health care cooperation grows

India has delivered a consignment of ambulances to Afghanistan, fulfilling an earlier commitment made during high-level talks in New Delhi.

Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire begins after weeks of deadly clashes

A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia has come into effect along the border, where almost three weeks of deadly clashes have forced nearly one million people from their homes.

Japan Cabinet approves record defense budget to deter China

The Japanese Cabinet on Friday approved a record budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

China’s industrial profits tumble at fastest pace in over a year

Profits at China’s industrial firms in November fell at their fastest pace in over a year, as weak domestic demand offset resilience in exports in another sign of a stuttering economic recovery that backs calls for additional policy stimulus.

Delhi’s air quality edges closer to ’severe’ again as smog engulfs capital

The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR edged closer to the ’severe’ category once again and was hovering around the 391-mark on Sunday morning, with a thin layer of smog engulfing parts of the national capital, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Dhaka Capitals coach dies after collapsing ahead of BPL game

Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki died after collapsing suddenly at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium during a Bangladesh Premier League match on Saturday.

At least 15 dead, 19 injured in Guatemala bus accident

At least 15 people were killed and 19 injured after a passenger bus plunged into a ravine on the Inter-American Highway in western Guatemala, authorities said on Saturday.

Four hikers found dead after avalanche in central Greece

Four hikers who went missing on Christmas Day have been found dead after being buried by an avalanche in the snow-covered Vardousia Mountains in central Greece.

Zelensky plans to meet Trump on Sunday for talks on ending Russian war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will meet his US counterpart Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday, as talks continue on ending Russia’s full-scale war.

Pakistan’s textile industry reels under rising costs and supply chain disruptions

Pakistan’s textile industry, long regarded as the backbone of the national economy, is confronting what many industry leaders describe as the most severe crisis in its history.

Former Malaysia PM Najib Razak found guilty in state funds scandal

A Malaysia court has convicted former prime minister Najib Razak for abuse of power and money laundering, in his second major trial for a multi-billion-dollar state funds scandal.

Pope Leo urges ’courage’ to end Ukraine war in first Christmas address

Pope Leo has urged Ukraine and Russia to find the ’’courage’’ to hold direct talks to end the war during his first Christmas remarks to crowds in St Peter’s square.

US launches strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria

The United States carried out a strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria’s government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.

End China’s illegal fishing

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday lashed out at Chinese fishermen engaged in illegal fishing in Korea’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Sea, calling the practice “really bad” and warranting harsher action by the Korea Coast Guard.

Three new airlines cleared to enter Indian market after IndiGo disruption

Air travellers are set to get more choice in the domestic aviation market, with three new airlines preparing to take to Indian skies in the near future.

China’s CNOOC makes second big oil find in Bohai Sea

China’s oil major CNOOC Limited said on Wednesday (Dec 24) it has discovered an oilfield with proved in-place volumes exceeding 100 million tons of oil equivalent in its second big find in the central Bohai Sea.

Japanese golf legend Masashi ‘Jumbo’ Ozaki dies at 78

Masashi ’Jumbo’ Ozaki, one of only two Japanese golfers to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, died at 78 after a battle with colon cancer, the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) said on Wednesday.

Two police officers killed in explosion in Moscow

Three people - including two police officers - have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russian authorities have said.

UN experts urge Iran to stop execution of woman activist

UN experts and 400 prominent women have urged Iran not to execute Zahra Tabari, a 67-year-old electrical engineer and women’s rights activist.

At least two dead in Pennsylvania nursing home explosion

At least two people have died and several others were injured after an explosion and fire at a Pennsylvania nursing home caused a partial collapse of the building.

China’s reusable rocket test fails for second time

China’s reusable Long March 12A rocket experienced a setback during its second recovery attempt, with the first stage failing to return safely after its inaugural flight on Tuesday.

Pakistan National Carrier Sale Gets Offer for $482 Million

Pakistan’s attempt to sell its national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines Corp. has received a successful bid, marking a watershed moment for the country that has been attempting to privatize the airline since the 1990s.

Libya’s army chief killed in air crash in Turkey

The Libyan army chief has been killed in an air crash in Turkey, Libya’s prime minister has said.

India’s rice stocks surge to record high as paddy procurement climbs

India’s rice inventories in government warehouses climbed nearly 12% from a year earlier to a record high for early December after state-run agencies stepped up procurement of the new-season paddy crop, government data showed.

Pakistan’s China-backed South Asia bloc: An unrealistic idea without India

Pakistan’s proposal to form a new South Asian regional bloc, one that leaves out India, appears fundamentally impractical and overlooks critical realities. The idea, floated by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, is to expand a trilateral cooperation among Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China into a broader alliance of South Asian nations

Gunmen abduct 28 Muslim travellers in central Nigeria

Armed men have kidnapped 28 people travelling to an annual Islamic event in Nigeria’s central Plateau state, local sources have told the BBC.

Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella dies in California car crash

Vince Zampella, who co-created the widely popular video game series Call of Duty, has died in a car crash in California, aged 55.

Global trade to hit record $35tn—by routing around Washington

Global trade is on track to reach a historic milestone of $35 trillion in 2025, surging 7% year-over-year in one of the strongest expansions in recent history, according to the latest data from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Russia escalates attacks on key Ukrainian region of Odesa

Russia has intensified its strikes on the southern Ukrainian region of Odesa, causing widespread power cuts and threatening the region’s maritime infrastructure.

US lawmakers condemn China’s ’coercive actions’ against Japan

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has submitted a resolution to the House of Representatives condemning what they call the ’’coercive actions’’ of China against Japan.