US should not politicise trade issues, Premier Li tells Yellen (Global Times) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday met with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Beijing, where he urged the US to work with China to adhere to the basic norms of the market economy of fair competition and open cooperation, and refrain from politicising or overstretching the concept of national security regarding economic and trade issues. ... More >>>

- China, US discuss key economic issues as Yellen visit continues
(Global Times) -- Visiting US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen has reportedly arrived in Beijing on Saturday to continue meetings with senior Chinese officials, after having “candid, pragmatic and constructive” communication in the southern city of Guangzhou with Vice Premier He Lifeng, who is also China’s lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs. ... More >>>
- Taiwan earthquake injuries climb above 1,000, missing hotel workers found
HUALIEN, Taiwan (The Strait Times/ANN) -- The number of people injured in a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in eastern Taiwan climbed past 1,000 on April 4 though the death toll remained steady at nine, with dozens of workers on their way to a hotel in a national park mostly now found safe.... More >>>
- North Korea test-fires new intermediated ballistic missile carrying hypersonic warhead
TOKYO (TASS/) -- North Korea test-fired on April 2 a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) Hwasongpho-16B equipped with ‘hypersonic gliding warhead,’ the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Wednesday. ... More >>>
- Xi meets Prabowo; visit to deepen strategic cooperation
(Global Times) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President-elect of the Republic of Indonesia and Great Indonesia Movement Party General Chairman Prabowo Subianto in Beijing on Monday.... More >>>
- Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer ‘blown away’ by success of radical new brain cancer treatment
(ABC News) -- World-first clinical trials of a groundbreaking treatment for aggressive brain tumours are likely to begin soon following “fantastic” results in the high-profile case of Australian of the Year, Professor Richard Scolyer. ... More >>>
- President Joe Biden is lapping Donald Trump when it comes to campaign cash - and he’ll need it
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is raising gobs of cash. And it has an election-year strategy that, in a nutshell, aims to spend more - and spend faster.... More >>>
- Boao Forum gathering seeks answers in face of global challenges
(Global Times) -- The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) has touched off a wave of diplomatic frenzy that brings together leaders from across Asia and beyond to discuss both economic and geopolitical issues and seek answers facing the region. ... More >>>
- Five Chinese, one Pakistani killed during terrorist attack in Pakistan
(Global Times) -- Five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver were killed in a suicide terror attack on Tuesday at the China-invested Dasu hydropower project, the Chinese Embassy to Pakistan said in a statement. The embassy has demanded Pakistan to conduct a thorough investigation and punish the culprits severely. ... More >>>
- S’pore may be hotter in 2024 than 2023 due to lingering effects of El Nino: MSS report
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN) -- If droplets of sweat bead your forehead the moment you step outdoors and run down your back despite an umbrella overhead, brace yourself.... More >>>
- Swift parrots still in peril, despite revised numbers of surviving birds due to new counting method
(ABC News) -- While a new method of counting has resulted in the estimates of an endangered bird species being revised upwards, researchers say it in no way means the threat of extinction has lessened for the swift parrot. ... More >>>
- Putin calls Moscow terrorist attack bloody, barbaric, vows retribution
MOSCOW (China Daily/Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday called a terrorist attack here bloody and barbaric, vowing retribution for the perpetrators, organisers and financiers.... More >>>
- Vietnam president resigns, deepening political uncertainty
BANGKOK (Straits Times/ANN) -- Vietnam’s Communist Party on March 20 accepted President Vo Van Thuong’s resignation, deepening the political uncertainty in a country where top officials have been ensnared in corruption crackdowns.... More >>>
- Van Thịnh Phat chairwoman faces death penalty for region’s largest financial crimes
HCM CITY (Vietnam News) – Truong My Lan, chairwoman of real estate developer Vạn Thịnh Phat, is facing death penalty for bribery, violating bank regulations and embezzlement, which is considered the largest financial scandal in Southeast Asia. ... More >>>
- EU, Egypt agree US$8.1b deal to stem migration flow
CAIRO (China Daily/Xinhua) --  The European Union announced a 7.4 billion euro (US$8.1 billion) funding package and an upgraded relationship with Egypt on Sunday as part of a push to stem migrant flows to Europe that has been criticised by rights groups.... More >>>
- Set to win presidential election, Putin vows to achieve national goals
MOSCOW (Xinhua) -- Russia’s incumbent President and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin, who is set to win reelection, said he would do his utmost to achieve national development goals on Monday morning. ... More >>>
- China-Laos Railway clocks up 30m passengers
(China Daily) -- The China-Laos Railway had registered more than 30 million passenger trips and over 34 million metric tons of cargo by Tuesday, facilitating people and cargo movements from both countries and showcasing the railway’s role in injecting vitality into economic and social development along the line.... More >>>
- Time magazine spotlights ‘Salesman’ Srettha with wide-ranging interview
(The Nation/ANN) -- Time magazine has placed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on the cover of its March 25 edition, calling him “The Salesman”.... More >>>
- Russia hails China’s initiative on non-use of nuclear weapons first - senior diplomat
MOSCOW (TASS) -- Russia hails China’s initiative calling on nuclear powers to sign a treaty on the non-use of nuclear weapons first, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said. ... More >>>
- Casino raids in Preah Sihanouk lead to arrest of over 200 foreigners
PHNOM PENH (The Star/The Phnom Penh Post/ANN) -- Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior’s cyber scam suppression working group made hundreds of arrests at two illegal gambling sites in Preah Sihanouk province on March 9 and 10.... More >>>
- Death toll from West Sumatra floods, landslides rises to 26
(The Jakarta Post/ANN) -- The death toll from flash flooding and landslides in West Sumatra of Indonesia has risen to 26, an official said Monday, with at least 11 people still missing.  ... More >>>
- ‘China remains a key ally’
MELBOURNE (The Star/ANN) -- As a “fiercely independent” nation, Malaysia will not be dictated to by anyone over its relations with China or any of its important neighbours, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.... More >>>
- Amid great power rivalry, closer Asean-Australia ties will preserve peace and stability in S-E Asia
MELBOURNE (The Straits Times/ANN) -- Australia is well positioned to support Asean’s efforts to maintain regional peace and stability as the great power rivalry between the United States and China plays out in South-east Asia, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on March 6.... More >>>
- Thailand criticised for captive breeding of elephants for tourism
BANGKOK (The Nation) -- Thailand is among the countries that that have been blamed for the captive breeding of wild animals, especially the breeding of elephants for their role in the tourism industry. ... More >>>
- China’s national legislature opens annual session
BEIJING (Xinhua) -- The 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature, opened its second session Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. ... More >>>
- Key Northern California highway closed as snow continues to fall in the blizzard-hit Sierra Nevada
TRUCKEE, Calif. (AP) -- A major highway was closed and ski resorts were shut down Sunday as the effects of a powerful blizzard continued to cause problems across the Sierra Nevada, and forecasters warned that more heavy snow was on the way for Northern California.... More >>>
- Cambodia’s pioneering Phnom Penh Post newspaper will stop print publication
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (AP) -- The Phnom Penh Post, a newspaper founded in 1992 as Cambodia sought to re-establish stability and democracy after decades of war and unrest, said Friday that it will stop publishing in print this month, the latest blow to the country’s dwindling independent media. ... More >>>
- UK announces new funding to clear mines in 8 countries
The UK Government on February 20 announced new funding to assist the British organisations the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and The HALO Trust (HALO) to help clear mines and educate communities about the associated risks in the countries of Angola, ... More >>>
- Laos proposes to sell 4,150 MW of wind power to Vietnam
HANOI (Vietnam News) -- Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has received proposals from seven wind farm investors in Laos that want to sell electricity to Vietnam, with a total capacity of nearly 4,150 MW, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has said. ... More >>>
- UN chief warns ‘nuclear shadow’ has returned to haunt humanity
GENEVA (TASS) -- The shadow of nuclear apocalypse, which loomed over humanity last century, has made a comeback, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.... More >>>
- US and British strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen answer militants’ surge in Red Sea attacks on ships
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The US and Britain struck 18 Houthi targets in Yemen, answering a recent surge in attacks by the Iran-backed militia group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including a missile strike this past week that set fire to a cargo vessel. ... More >>>
- UN chief calls for end to Ukraine crisis
UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for an end to the Ukraine crisis.
He made the appeal at a Security Council meeting scheduled to coincide with the second anniversary of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. ... More >>>
- China, France eye more direct flights, high-level exchanges
(China Daily) -- At the latest talk between high-level officials, Beijing and Paris have agreed to increase the frequency of direct flights between the two countries to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges.... More >>>
- Asean tourism reaps Spring Festival gains
(China Daily) -- Southeast Asia has become one of the most popular destinations for Chinese travelers during the recent Chinese New Year holiday, offering further proof that the country’s outbound tourism is recovering strongly. ... More >>>
- Vietnam to send 125,000 labourers abroad in 2024
Hanoi (Vietnam News) -- Vietnam aims to send 125,000 labourers abroad to work under contracts in 2024, focusing on key traditional markets such as Japan, Taiwan (China) and the Republic of Korea (RoK), according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).... More >>>
- MSC participants call for enhanced int’l cooperation
MUNICH, Germany (Xinhua) -- Participants and experts present at the just-concluded Munich Security Conference (MSC) have called for enhanced international cooperation in addressing global challenges. ... More >>>
- Indonesia’s election commission websites face ‘extraordinary’ cyberattacks on voting day
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN) -- The General Elections Commission (KPU) reported that its websites faced hundreds of millions of denial-of-service (DoS) cyberattacks during election day on Wednesday.... More >>>
- Int’l pressure mounts on Israel to agree to Gaza truce
JERUSALEM (Xinhua) -- Israel is facing mounting calls to agree to a truce in the Gaza Strip as its deadly conflict with Hamas has lasted for more than four months and claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza as of Wednesday.... More >>>
- Victorian power outages improve, as clean-up from deadly storms and fires continue
(ABC) -- Thousands of Victorians are still without power, a day after deadly storms tore down transmission towers and closed roads across the state. ... More >>>
- 4 killed, 5 injured in confrontations on Lebanese-Israeli borders
 BEIRUT (Xinhua) -- Two Hezbollah fighters and two members of Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement, were killed on Monday, and five were wounded in confrontations on the Lebanese-Israeli borders, Lebanese security sources told Xinhua. ... More >>>
- Landslide victims’ kin brace for worst
MACO, Davao de Oro, Philippines (Daily Inquirer/ANN) -- The number of fatalities in the Feb. 6 landslide at Barangay Masara here climbed further on Sunday, as 19 more bodies were retrieved from the site.... More >>>

- Dozens of Palestinians killed in Rafah as Israeli ground offensive looms
GAZA (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army in the southernmost Gazan city of Rafah in the past 24 hours, as Israel threatened to launch a military operation in the city currently holding more than half of the strip’s population, Palestinian medical and security sources said on Saturday.... More >>>
- Blinken voices hope for ceasefire deal between Israel, Hamas
JERUSALEM (Xinhua) -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Israel on Wednesday that further efforts are needed on a hostage-for-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas but expressed optimism such a deal can be achieved.... More >>>
- 6 reported dead, 31 injured in Davao de Oro landslide
MANILA, Philippines (Daily Inquirer/ANN) -- Six miners were reported dead and 31 others injured after a landslide in Maco, Davao de Oro, the municipal government said on Wednesday. ... More >>>
- Hundreds of people are missing as the death toll from Chile’s wildfires reaches 123
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) -- Volunteers in central Chile tried to remove charred metal, broken glass and other debris Monday from neighborhoods devastated by wildfires over the past several days, as officials raised the death toll to 123. Hundreds of people remain missing.... More >>>
- Forest fires rage on in central Chile, killing at least 112 people over 3 days
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP)  -- Firefighters wrestled Sunday with massive forest fires that broke out in central Chile two days earlier, as officials extended curfews in cities most heavily affected by the blazes and said at least 112 people had been killed. ... More >>>
- H5N1 bird flu detected in Laos
VIENTIANE (Xinhua) -- The bird flu virus H5N1 has been detected at a market in Xaythany district in the Lao capital Vientiane, according to a report from the Department of Livestock and Fisheries under the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.... More >>>
- Asean ministers to discuss AI threats, scams over two-day meeting in S’pore
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN) -- Members of Asean must work closely together to fend off and respond to cyber threats, which are on the rise due to scams and fake news fuelled by artificial intelligence (AI), said Singapore’s Communications and Information Minister Josephine Teo on February 1.... More >>>
- UN chief calls for urgent steps to de-escalate situation in Gaza, surrounding areas
UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday urgently appealed for measures to reduce tensions in Gaza and its neighboring regions.... More >>>
- Red Sea crisis mounts pressure on Asia trade
(China Daily/ANN) -- The ongoing Red Sea crisis is putting pressure on Asian exporters, especially those that primarily ship to Europe, analysts said, ... More >>>
- Global anti-graft watchdog places Singapore as 5th least corrupt country in world index
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN) -- Global anti-graft watchdog Transparency International has ranked Singapore as the fifth least corrupt country in the world, with a score that also places the Republic as the least corrupt country in Asia. ... More >>>
- China-Laos Railway train adds 50 seats
(China Daily/ANN) -- More seats for international passengers are being offered on the bullet train operating on the China-Laos Railway to meet the strong demand for travel between the two nations as the Spring Festival approaches next month, the line’s operator, China Railway Kunming Group, said on Saturday.... More >>>
- Xi, Macron eye stronger ties
BEIJING (China Daily/ANN) -- At a high-end reception marking the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties in downtown Beijing on Thursday, both President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron delivered video speeches and voiced hopes on taking the relations to a greater height.... More >>>
- Full emergency at Delhi airport after bomb threat for Darbhanga-Delhi flight
NEW DELHI (The Statesman/ANN) -- A full emergency was declared at Delhi airport after a Spicejet flight from Darbhanga to Delhi recieved a bomb threat. However, the plane landed safely and authorities searched the aircraft thoroughly but nothing suspicious was found.... More >>>
- S. Korea’s cold wave halts airplanes, freezes water metres
SEOUL (The Korea Herald The Korea Herald) -- With a heavy snow advisory in effect centreed on the Chungcheong and Jeolla provinces, frozen water meters, canceled flights and restricted ship operations have been reported across the country. ... More >>>
- 3rd South Summit calls for ending Israel-Palestine conflict
KAMPALA (Xinhua) -- The Third South Summit ended on Monday in the Ugandan capital Kampala with participating leaders calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the protection of civilians.... More >>>
- Israeli PM rejects ceasefire plan as army continues strike in Gaza
JERUSALEM (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected a proposal of a ceasefire deal reportedly being advanced by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, while the Israeli army continued to pound the Palestinian enclave. ... More >>>
- WEF calls for rebuilding trust amid uncertainty
DAVOS, Switzerland (Xinhua) -- The World Economic Forum (WEF) concluded its 2024 annual meeting here on Friday, calling to rebuild trust in the face of global uncertainty.... More >>>
- A cholera outbreak in Zambia has caused more than 400 deaths and infected 10,000
LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — Zambia is reeling from a major cholera outbreak that has killed more than 400 people and infected more than 10,000,... More >>>
- UN voices concern over Iran’s attacks in Syria, Iraq
UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is concerned about Iran’s missile attacks against what Tehran called the bases of terrorists and Israel’s intelligence service Mossad in Syria and Iraq, said a UN spokesman on Tuesday. ... More >>>
- UN chief calls for humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza 100 days into conflict
UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday again called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza as the conflict turns 100 days. ... More >>>
- Israeli PM vows to continue fighting against Hamas as Gaza conflict hits 100 days
JERUSALEM (Xinhua) -- The bloody Israel-Hamas conflict entered its 100th day on Sunday, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledging to continue the military campaign in the Gaza Strip until “total victory” is achieved.... More >>>
- World witnesses spillover effects from Gaza conflict
(China Daily/ANN) -- The Palestine-Israel conflict that has been ongoing for nearly 100 days may set off a chain reaction and exacerbate instability in the Middle East, experts warned.... More >>>
- Violent riots in PNG leave 16 people dead, as MP calls for PM James Marape to step down
(ABC) -- Sixteen people have died in violent riots in Papua New Guinea after some residents took advantage of police being on strike on Wednesday to set shops and businesses alight in the capital.... More >>>
- WHO says humanitarian, medical situation “dramatically bad” in Gaza
GENEVA (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned of a humanitarian and health catastrophe in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday as humanitarian space and access to medical services continue to shrink. ... More >>>
- Central Japan quake death toll tops 200, over 100 unaccounted for
(Kyodo News) -- The death toll from a powerful New Year’s Day earthquake that struck Ishikawa Prefecture and surrounding areas in central Japan has surpassed 200 with over 100 still missing, as a large-scale search operation started at a severely hit area, local authorities said Tuesday.... More >>>
- Boeing jetliner that suffered inflight blowout was restricted because of concern over warning light
PORTLAND, Ore (AP) -- The Boeing jetliner that suffered an inflight blowout over Oregon was not being used for flights to Hawaii after a warning light that could have indicated a pressurisation problem lit up on three different flights, a federal official said Sunday. ... More >>>
- Woman rescued 5 days after Japan quake, as death toll tops 120
(Kyodo News) -- A woman was rescued from a collapsed house in Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture on Saturday, five days after a powerful earthquake struck the prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast, as the death toll from the quake topped 120 with over 200 still unaccounted for, according to authorities.... More >>>
- Air traffic controller ‘unaware’ JCG plane entered runway; JAL Crew, passengers also being questioned by authorities
(The Yomiuri Shimbun) -- An air traffic controller told transport ministry investigators that he was not aware a Japan Coast Guard plane had entered a runway at Haneda Airport before it collided with a Japan Airlines jet, it has been learned.... More >>>
- Death toll rises to 64 in Noto Peninsula Earthquake
(The Yomiuri Shimbun) -- The death toll in the powerful earthquakes that hit the Noto Peninsula and other areas of Ishikawa Prefecture had reached 64 people as of 11 a.m. Wednesday. ... More >>>
- 30 confirmed dead in Noto quake as more damage reports come in
(Kyodo News) -- At least 30 people have been confirmed dead in the powerful earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas in central Japan on New Year’s Day as more reports of damage came in and rescuers raced to find survivors on Tuesday.... More >>>
- Two years on, RCEP boosts trade amid protectionism, set to bring greater opportunities
(Global Times) -- Chinese experts hail the significant role of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in promoting regional trade and investment cooperation despite rising protectionism, as the agreement celebrates its second anniversary on January 1, 2024. ... More >>>
- Life sentences upheld for three high-ranking officials in “repatriation flight” bribery case
Hanoi (Vietnam News/ANN) -- The High-level People’s Court in Hanoi rejected the appeal and upheld the sentence of life imprisonment handed down at the first-instance trial for three defendants in the “repatriation flights” case on Wednesday during an appeal trial that began this week.... More >>>
- Myanmar and China sign follow-up contract related to Kyaukpyu SEZ Deep Sea Port Project
(Eleven/ANN) -- The signing ceremony of the additional contract (Addendum) related to the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone deep sea port project was held on the evening of December 26 at the Horizon Lake View Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw. ... More >>>
- New COVID variant JN.1 makes nearly half latest infections in US
LOS ANGELES (Xinhua) -- A new coronavirus subvariant JN.1 is spreading fast in the United States, and is now accounting for nearly half of the latest COVID-19 cases in the country, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).... More >>>
- At least 70 killed in Israeli airstrike on refugee camp in central Gaza
GAZA (Xinhua) -- At least 70 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, reported the state-run Palestine TV. ... More >>>
- Global dengue surge sparks concern as cases top 5 million this year
GENEVA (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) sounded the alarm on the threat of dengue Friday as the mosquito-borne disease has spread to previously untouched countries, infecting over 5 million and killing more than 5,000 this year.... More >>>
- China, Russia hail bilateral ties as strategic choice, stabiliser of intl relations amid Russian PM’s China visit
(The Global Times) -- Maintaining and developing China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by both sides based on the fundamental interests of the two peoples, ... More >>>
- If US can clear way for ‘cease-fire in Gaza’, Red Sea problem would be solved
(The Global Times) -- The US-led joint patrol in the Red Sea following Houthi militia attacks against ships heading toward Israel shows that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Gaza is not only affecting the whole region, but also the international community. Chinese analysts pointed out that the root cause of the trade route problem is the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and only a sustainable cease-fire and allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza via land and ... More >>>
- Kishida says Japan is ready to lead Asia in achieving decarbonisation and energy security
TOKYO (AP) -- Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged to lead efforts to simultaneously achieve decarbonisation, economic growth and energy security in Asia, an ambitious goal he set Monday at a regional climate summit attended by Southeast Asian leaders.... More >>>
- Far North Queensland township evacuation delayed by weather, rain easing in Cairns and Cooktown
(ABC News) -- Authorities have called off today’s planned aerial evacuation of the town of Wujal Wujal as record rainfall and dangerous flooding continues to impact Far North Queensland. ... More >>>
- WHO chief reiterates call for ceasefire in Gaza
GENEVA (Xinhua) -- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), reiterated his call on Friday for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.... More >>>
- COP28 delivers “historic” consensus to accelerate global climate action: president
DUBAI (Xinhua) -- COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber announced on Wednesday that parties to the UN climate summit have reached a final consensus on a “historic” climate deal.... More >>>
- Biden hosts Zelensky at White House, reiterates need for Congress to approve Ukraine aid
WASHINGTON (Xinhua) -- US President Joe Biden on Tuesday hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, where he reiterated the need for Congress to approve his administration’s request for more money to help Ukraine defeat Russia. ... More >>>
- UN chief urges developed countries to fully honor climate commitments
DUBAI (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged developed countries to fully meet their commitments on addressing climate change.... More >>>
- WHO calls for urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza
GENEVA (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board adopted a resolution on Sunday, urging for prompt and unobstructed humanitarian aid access to the Gaza Strip. .. More >>>
- Putin seeks another presidential term in 2024
(China Daily/ANN) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he would run for president again in the 2024 presidential election, a move that could keep him in power until 2030.... More >>>
- Following Pakistan’s Official Application, Laos intends to join BRICS
(Sputnik) -- Laos has demonstrated interest in BRICS and more than 40 nations have also indicated their interest to join the bloc.... More >>>
- Putin to visit UAE, Saudi Arabia for talks
MOSCOW (TASS) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit two Middle Eastern countries - the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia - for bilateral talks on Wednesday.... More >>>
- More bodies found after surprise eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Marapi, raising apparent toll to 23
BATU PALANO, Indonesia (AP) -- Rescuers searching the hazardous slopes of Indonesia’s Mount Marapi volcano found more bodies among the climbers caught by a surprise eruption two days ago, raising the number of confirmed and presumed dead to 23. ... More >>>
- Israel expands ground operation to southern Gaza Strip
JERUSALEM (Xinhua) -- Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi said on Sunday that the military has expanded the ground operation against Hamas to the southern Gaza Strip, an area previously considered as a "safe zone." ... More >>>
- Wang Yi urges full cease-fire as truce between Israel-Hamas set to expire
(China Daily/ANN) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday emphasised the need for a comprehensive cease-fire in Palestine, called for renewed commitment to the two-state solution and urged the United Nations Security Council to take responsible and meaningful actions.... More >>>
- UN General Assembly adopts resolution on Golan Heights — results of vote
UNITED NATIONS (TASS) -- The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling upon Israel to withdraw from the occupied Golan Heights, a TASS correspondent reported. ... More >>>
- Israel, Hamas agree to extend truce, more int’l mediation in place
DOHA/GAZA (Xinhua) -- With the four-day truce expiring on Tuesday, Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend the pause by two days, said a Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday.... More >>>
- Hamas releases 3rd batch of hostages, truce extension under discussion
GAZA (Xinhua) -- The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, released on Sunday the third batch of hostages from the Gaza Strip under a temporary ceasefire agreement with Israel.... More >>>
- Asean lobby for green mining
(The Phnom Penh Post/ANN) -- Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rattanak has called for robust cooperation among Asean members in the mining industry. He also urged open dialogue and responsile investment in the sector.... More >>>
- Hamas reveals details of first cease-fire, swap deal since Gaza conflict 
GAZA (Xinhua) -- Israel and the Gaza-ruling Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) confirmed Wednesday a cease-fire agreement in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip for four days,... More >>>
- Israel, Hamas confirm deal on releasing hostages, ceasefire
JERUSALEM/GAZA/DOHA (Xinhua) -- Israel and Hamas on Wednesday confirmed their agreement on a Qatar-mediated proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. ... More >>>
- The bugs in our beds: insecticide purchases soar in Asia
(The Nation/ANN) -- Bed bugs have been making headlines over the past few months, starting with reports from Europe and spreading to the US. Now they have infiltrated Asia.... More >>>
- Businesses laud new hours, push for similar extension on Thai side
(The Nation/ANN) -- In a bid to streamline trade operations and reduce logistical expenses, the Thai-Laos border checkpoint in Nong Khai has now started opening at midnight. ... More >>>
- Xi, Biden hold historic summit, charting course for improving bilateral ties
SAN FRANCISCO (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden on Wednesday held a positive, comprehensive and constructive summit, charting the course for improving and developing bilateral ties.... More >>>
- Summit meeting between Xi, Biden sees candid talks
(China Daily/ANN) -- President Xi Jinping and United States President Joe Biden agreed on Wednesday to resume the high-level military-to-military communication between the two countries on the basis of equality and respect, as part of the consensus they reached during their meeting in San Francisco.... More >>>
- Xi arrives in San Francisco for talks with Biden, APEC meeting
SAN FRANCISCO (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday arrived in San Francisco for a summit with US President Joe Biden, and to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting. ... More >>>
- Former UK PM David Cameron makes shock comeback as Sunak reshuffles cabinet
LONDON (Xinhua) -- Former British Prime Minister David Cameron made a shock return to government on Monday as he was appointed foreign secretary in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle. ... More >>>
- Collapse of healthcare system adds to Gaza’s suffering
GAZA (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Palestinians were killed in the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza in the past 24 hours, amidst a collapse of the healthcare system in the enclave.... More >>>
- Improved a little more, but Delhi air remains ‘poor’
(The Statesman/ANN) -- Delhi’ites woke up to a relatively pleasant weather on Saturday with a little more improvement in the quality of air as a result of yesterday’s rain. However, after the drop in air pollution levels, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) level remained at 220, which falls under the ‘poor’ category.... More >>>
- G7 ministers back up humanitarian pauses in Gaza and two-state solution
(China Daily/ANN) -- Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven called for urgent actions to respond to the... More >>>
- One month into conflict, Israeli troops reach “heart of Gaza City”
JERUSALEM (Xinhua) -- Israeli troops were fighting on Tuesday “in the heart of Gaza City,” a senior Israeli commander said, on the 32nd day of the Israel-Hamas conflict that has claimed the lives of 10,328 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.... More >>>
- China, Australia embark on right path of improving ties: Xi
BEIJING (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing on Monday, saying China and Australia have embarked on the right path of improving relations.... More >>>
- US, Arab states at odds on truce
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Xinhua) -- The United States and Arab countries disagreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as Israeli military strikes killed civilians at a United Nations shelter and hospitals. ... More >>>
- Xi-Scholz talk highlights pragmatic cooperation
(Global Times) – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday held a video meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during which he noted that China and Germany, both responsible major countries, should not only develop bilateral relations and serve as examples of win-win cooperation, but also defend the international order and multilateralism, and work together to address global challenges.... More >>>
- Chinese authorities discover hundreds of illegal foreign-related meteorological detection sites
(Global Times) -- Chinese authorities discovered hundreds of illegal foreign-related meteorological detection sites which are widely distributed across more than 20 provinces nationwide,... More >>>
- Israel sends more troops ‘deep in Gaza’, conducts deadly airstrikes on refugee camp
JERUSALEM/GAZA (Xinhua) -- Israel intensified its ground offensive in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, sending troops deep into the Palestinian territory and clashing with Hamas militants in fierce battles. ... More >>>
- Concerns mount for elderly as fewer Japanese donate blood
(The Japan Times/ANN) -- The number of people under the age of 40 who have donated blood in Japan in the last decade has declined 33 percent, according to data from the Japanese Red Cross Society, posing a concern as the country’s population rapidly ages.... More >>>
- Survey shows 60 percent of Japanese wrongly believe antibiotics can treat a cold
(The Japan Times/ANN) -- Nearly 60 percent of people erroneously believe that antibiotics are effective in treating a cold, according to a recent survey in Japan, with medical experts warning their misuse and overuse can increase antimicrobial resistance. ... More >>>
- China vows to provide more benefits to neighbours through modernisation
Beijing, China: China will continue to promote the development of principles in the new era, hoping that the Chinese style of modernisation will deliver more benefits to its neighbours and contribute to Asia’s modernisation, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said.... More >>>
- Extreme heatwave warnings grip Australia’s north as the south-east prepares for a cold front
(ABC) -- Extreme and severe weather warnings are gripping Australia this week, all the way from the north-west to the south-east.... More >>>
- UN warns of clear violations of international law in Gaza
United Nations (Prensa Latina) -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday warned of clear violations of international humanitarian law in the Israel-Palestine conflict. ... More >>>
- Accelerating switch to renewables could put fossil fuel peak in sight this decade: IEA
(ABC) -- Almost half of the world’s electricity could come from emissions-free sources such as wind, solar and nuclear by the end of the decade according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). ... More >>>
- A large demonstration in Brussels calls for ceasefire in Gaza
BRUSSELS (Xinhua) -- A large demonstration rallied on Sunday afternoon in Brussels, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaze Strip. ... More >>>