Asia

Afghanistan

Fuel tanker blast at Afghan-Iran border causes huge fire and injuries

The explosion at the Islam Qala crossing in Afghanistan's western Herat province caused a massive fire that consumed more than 500 trucks carrying natural gas and fuel.

13/02/2021

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Japan: Frozen fun in Shikaoi ice village as winter festival kicks off

The annual winter festival on Lake Shikaribetsu in the town of Shikaoi kicked off on Friday.

13/02/2021

Myanmar

Myanmar: Tensions high as arrests mount amid more anti-coup protests

Protesters have defied a ban on public gatherings to as anti-coup demonstrations continue, while the authorities have stepped up the arrests of politicians and activists.

13/02/2021

No Comment

Myanmar protesters defy ban on gatherings to march against the coup

Neither protesters nor the military have shown signs of backing down from their stances on the coup.

13/02/2021

Myanmar

UN passes watered down resolution over Myanmar military coup

The UN passed the resolution on Saturday, but was watered down after pressure from China and Russia.

13/02/2021

Destinations

India launches new push for domestic travel to revive tourism

Fancy seeing the Taj Mahal? Thanks to the new Dekho Apna Desh initiative, the Indian government may reward you for it.

13/02/2021

China

Happy Lunar New Year: Welcome the Year of the Ox!

It's one of the globe’s biggest annual celebrations with approximately one-fifth of humanity taking part in the festivities. Though the pandemic has closed temples and severely limited travel and family gatherings, many traditional celebrations ARE going ahead across Asia and beyond.

12/02/2021

Europe Decoded

Facebook curb content shared by Myanmar military online

Facebook has pledged to reduce the distribution of all content on Facebook pages and profiles run by the Myanmar Military “Tatmadaw”, as well as accounts linked to the armed forces spokesperson Brigadier-General Zaw Min Tun.

12/02/2021

India

Explosions in Indian fireworks factory kill 11, injure 34

Those injured in the blasts at the factory in Tamil Nadu state's Virudhunagar district were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, police officer Raj Narayanan said.

12/02/2021

Japan

Tokyo 2020 president resigns over derogatory comments about women

Yoshiro Mori had initially refused to step down but conceded on Friday after more than a week of non-stop criticism.

12/02/2021

No Comment

Syria's White Helmets rescue four-year-old girl from well

Sumaya had fallen down a well in the northern Syrian town of Al-Bab.

11/02/2021

China

China: BBC World News taken off air for 'serious content violation'

Chinese state media say the BBC news channel has failed to be 'true and impartial'. Last week China's state broadcaster's licence was revoked in the UK.

11/02/2021

Travel News

These baby pandas will make your Chinese New Year

Watch these baby pandas make their first public outing in China, just in time for the New Year’s celebrations.

11/02/2021

Myanmar

Countries curb diplomatic ties and weigh sanctions on Myanmar

In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said European foreign ministers will meet Feb. 22 to review the 27-nation bloc’s relations with Myanmar.

11/02/2021

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Younger generation bring colour to Myanmar coup protests

Street protests against last week's military coup continued on Wednesday.

10/02/2021

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia releases women's driving activist after three years

Saudi Arabia releases women's driving activist after three years in jail

10/02/2021

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Ultra-Orthodox Jews protesting against COVID rules clash with security

The gatherings have led to clashes with police and an unprecedented wave of public anger toward the religious community.

10/02/2021

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Pet dogs and cats can get COVID-19 tests in Seoul, South Korea

It comes after a cat in the southeastern city of Jinju became the country’s first animal confirmed to have COVID-19.

10/02/2021

No Comment

Macho men, princesses and ghosts: Myanmar protesters get creative

The situation is so bad, "even the introverts are here", as one demonstrator's poster put it.

10/02/2021

Myanmar

Myanmar protesters back on streets despite police violence

The protesters are demanding that power be restored to Suu Kyi’s deposed civilian government.

10/02/2021

People

How to celebrate Chinese New Year at home

With Chinese New Year plans on pause this year, we explore how you can recreate the festivities at home.

09/02/2021

No Comment

Rescuers hunt for survivors after deadly flood in India

Rescue workers battled through tonnes of rock and mud on Tuesday searching for survivors after a deadly flood in India.

09/02/2021

Europe Decoded

China 'blocks' political discussion app Clubhouse

The app allowed people in China to engage in political discussions with people outside of the country, on topics such as democracy and Taiwan.

09/02/2021

No Comment

Myanmar protests continue with police repression

Myanmar protests continue with police repression

09/02/2021

China

'Extremely unlikely' COVID originated from a lab leak, says WHO expert

The team of experts were sent by the World Health Organization to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

09/02/2021

United Arab Emirates

UAE rocket to enter Mars orbit - Arab world's first deep-space mission

The orbiter, called Amal, Arabic for Hope, travelled 482 million km)in nearly seven months to get to Mars with the goal of mapping its atmosphere throughout each season.

09/02/2021