Asia

China

China space probe due to enter Mars' orbit

China's Mars probe spacecraft is due to enter the red planet's orbit within a month after traveling 400m kilometres since its launch in July

03/01/2021

Iran

Iran-US tensions high a year after killing of military chief Soleimani

There are fears of a renewed US-Iran clash a year after the US drone killing of the Revolutionary Guard chief, in the dying days of Donald Trump's presidency.

03/01/2021

Iran

Iran tells UN inspectors it plans to enrich uranium to 20%

This would push the country's programme a technical step away from weapons-grade levels as it increases pressure on the West over its tattered atomic deal.

02/01/2021

No Comment

Mosul residents welcome 2021 after difficult year

Iraqis celebrated New Year's Eve with fireworks, songs, and dances in the celebration square in East Mosul as well as Khan Gumruk bazaar in West Mosul.

01/01/2021

No Comment

North Korea welcomes in the new year with a fireworks display

Crowds wearing face masks listened to the North Korean national anthem as the national flag was raised at midnight.

31/12/2020

Yemen

Yemen: At least 16 dead and 60 wounded in blast at airport in Aden

Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest country, has been engulfed in civil war since 2014.

30/12/2020

No Comment

Footage emerges of deadly blast at airport in Yemen

The blast happened just moments after a plane carrying a newly formed government cabinet landed in Aden, security officials said.

30/12/2020

Bangladesh

Bangladesh navy ships take 1,700 Rohingya to isolated island

The 1,700 refugees were selected because of their willingness to be moved to the island, which the Bangladeshi government said could accommodate 100,000 people.

29/12/2020

Saudi Arabia

Saudi women's rights activist sentenced to nearly six years in prison

The prominent activist, Loujain al-Hathloul, who campaigned to end Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison.

28/12/2020

China

China jails citizen journalist for reports on Wuhan COVID-19 lockdown

Zhang Zhan's broadcasts from inside the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak were widely shared on social media before she was arrested in May.

28/12/2020

No Comment

Winter fishing season has come once again to Chagan Lake in China

Each year, local fishermen use a centuries-old fishing technique to catch fish and are joined by visitors from across China coming to witness the carnival as temperatures fall from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius below zero.

27/12/2020

Lebanon

Lebanon: Syrian refugees taken to hospital after camp set on fire

Several people were taken to hospital in Lebanon after a fire at a Syrian refugee camp that state media said was started deliberately

27/12/2020

Japan

Japan tightens ban on foreign arrivals over new coronavirus variant

Seven cases of the new variant have already been detected in Japan, according to local health authorities.

27/12/2020

China

China to replace US as 'world's biggest economy by 2028' due to COVID

"We now think that the Chinese economy in dollar terms will overtake the US economy in 2028, a full 5 years earlier than we thought last year," the annual report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research has found.

26/12/2020

No Comment

Yemenis light candles on Christmas Day to shine light on ongoing war

Yemeni citizens of Al-Jahmiliya neighbourhood, the most destroyed neighbourhood in Taez, light hundreds of candles on Christmas Day to draw the world's attention to end the war in their city.

26/12/2020

Gaza

Israeli warplanes strike Gaza in retaliation for failed rocket attack

Israeli aircraft struck several sites in the Gaza Strip early on Saturday after Palestinian militants fired two rockets toward southern Israel.

26/12/2020

World News

Israeli jets strike Gaza after militants fire rockets

Israeli jets strike Gaza after militants fire rockets

26/12/2020

Partner content

Lisa Scott-Lee: From Dubai headmistress to life as a popstar

Partner content presented by Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Dubai

Lisa Scott-Lee: "It's strange because I'm here as principal (at Dubai Performing Arts) and everybody calls me Miss Lisa. And then I go I jump on a plane and I'm a pop star again.

24/12/2020

No Comment

Explosion at pharmaceutical factory in Taiwan kills one

A chemical leak was thought to be the reason the blaze kept burning despite firefighters best efforts.

23/12/2020

Explore

How a clash of cultures transformed Tokyo's Harajuku district

In partnership with Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Explore Harajuku and the trendy Takeshita Street with its “Kawaii” fashion stores and, away from the hustle and bustle of shopping streets, discover the historic landmarks like the Meiji shrine and the peaceful Yoyogi park.

23/12/2020

Partner content

Dubai trials shared mobility and greener transport solutions

Partner content presented by Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Dubai

Dubai is growing as a metropolitan hub and the infrastructure and public transport network has had to expand. The future shared mobility is being trialled in the city, as well as green solutions for residents.

23/12/2020

Azerbaijan

Review of the Year: Azerbaijan takes the upper hand in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armed conflict erupted in the Caucasus in September 2020. It would last 44 days, leave more than 5000 people dead and redefine the map of the Caucasus.

23/12/2020

No Comment

Virtual idol digital avatars take to the real-life stage in China

Although the phenomenon originated in Japan, virtual idols are now stealing airtime in China, appearing at concerts, TV shows, billboards and even news programmes.

22/12/2020

Earth News

Neglected bears are the last to leave the infamous Islamabad Zoo

A pair of Brown bears have been relocated to a sanctuary in Jordan after being neglected.

22/12/2020

Spotlight

Japan keeps culture alive during the pandemic

In partnership with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

We take a look at the ways Japan is getting its traditional theatre performances known as Kabuki out to audiences during the pandemic. Then we go for a stroll to an open-air art festival specially adapted to COVID times.

22/12/2020

Israel

Israel on cusp of fourth national election in two years

Israelis face a fourth outing to the ballot box in two years after the ruling parties failed to reach a compromise to stave off an automatic dissolution of parliament and fresh elections.

22/12/2020