World

North Korea confirmed its first COVID-19 outbreak on Thursday, calling it the "gravest national emergency" and ordering a national lockdown, with state media reporting an Omicron variant had been detected in Pyongyang. The first public admission of COVID infections highlights the potential for a major crisis in a country that …

Russian importers are reaching out to small Indian businesses to secure fresh produce, auto parts, medical devices and other key goods that are growing scarce due to international sanctions, people familiar with the matter in both Russia and India said. Private sector players in Russia have met with potential suppliers …

The number of people who have died from Covid-19 in Europe, the long-time epicentre of the pandemic, has passed two million, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Thursday. "A devastating milestone has passed as reported confirmed Covid-19 deaths from countries in the WHO European Region have exceeded more than 2 …

The US hit a record-breaking number of drug overdose deaths last year, according to preliminary data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Wednesday. The CDC's provisional estimate of 107,622 overdose deaths represents a dramatic 15% increase from the previous record set in 2020. In all, …

The coalition government on Wednesday clarified that there is no change in Pakistan’s policy on trade with India after the federal cabinet approved the appointment of Trade and Investment Minister in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. The development has triggered speculations that the new government had decided to …

Iran has arrested two European nationals for allegedly “fomenting chaos and social disorder,” without revealing their nationalities. In a statement on Wednesday, the Intelligence Ministry said the detainees had been sent by "foreign conspirators" to carry out destabilising activities in the country. The two arrested men, it said, had "expertise …

New Zealand will fully reopen its international borders from July 31, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Wednesday. The decision means all tourists and visa holders will be able to enter the country two months earlier than initially planned. Ardern said the move will help relieve urgent skills shortages open …

Shanghai officials said on Wednesday half the city had achieved "zero COVID" status, but uncompromising restrictions had to remain in place under a national policy which the head of the World Health Organization described as "unsustainable." Data released by Shanghai, in its sixth week of a painful lockdown, showed the …

Qatar's emir will travel to Tehran on Thursday, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported. Reuters reported on Sunday that Qatar's emir was due to travel to Iran and later Germany, Britain and other European states to discuss efforts to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear deal and energy security in Europe.  "Emir …

Sri Lanka's president urged citizens on Wednesday to reject what he called attempts to foment racial and religious disharmony, as clashes broke out in many areas over the government's handling of a devastating economic crisis. Troops have been ordered to shoot at anyone damaging public property or threatening lives, with …