World news
Coronavirus: UK health minister tests positive for Covid-19, met PM Johnson last week

British MP Nadine Dorries, a minister in the health department, has tested positive for coronavirus, she said in a statement on Tuesday, raising concerns about whether senior government figures have been infected. “I can confirm I have tested positive for coronavirus... and have been self-isolati
Pak Air Force plane crashes in Islamabad during republic day practice
Islamabad: A Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed in the capital city of Islamabad on Wednesday morning, a spokesman for the air force said. "We are ascertaining the losses," the spokesman told Reuters by phone. The U.S.-built F-16 was taking part in rehearsals for a Pakistan Day air show
More than 120 Indians on Coronavirus-hit US cruise ship

More than 130 Indians are on a cruise ship that US authorities allowed to dock in California on Monday after keeping it away at sea for days off because of an outbreak of Coronavirus on board affecting both passengers and crew. “We can confirm that there is one guest passenger and 131 team member
Trump has not been tested for coronavirus: White House
Washington: White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said on Monday that testing was not necessary because President Trump is not showing symptoms and the lawmakers aren’t confirmed to be infected. “The President has not received COVID-19 testing because he has neither had prolonged close co
Sudanese PM Abdalla Hamdok survives assassination attempt in Khartoum

Sudan's prime minister survived an assassination attempt on Monday after a blast in the capital, Khartoum, Sudanese state media said. Abdalla Hamdok's family confirmed he was safe following the explosion, which targeted his convoy. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. H
Qatar puts India, 13 other countries in travel ban list

New Delhi: Qatar has temporarily banned entry of people coming from India and 13 other countries in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. The temporary ban would also be applicable on people coming from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri La
10 Killed after hotel used for Coronavirus quarantine collapses in China

Beijing: At least ten people were killed in the collapse of a hotel used as a coronavirus quarantine facility in eastern China, authorities said Sunday. Rescuers retrieved 48 people from the rubble, of whom 38 are still alive, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on social media. The buildi
Pak doesn’t want any security role for India in Afghanistan: Report
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan does not want any security role for India in Afghanistan as he accused New Delhi of playing the role of a “spoiler” in the war-torn country, according to a media report. After months of negotiations, the US and Taliban signed a landmark peac
Bhutan confirms first coronavirus case
The isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has reported its first case of the coronavirus after a US tourist tested positive, the prime minister said Friday. The tiny, land-locked country, famous for measuring Gross National Happiness has emerged as a popular tourist destination in recent years.
Flash floods, landslides caused by torrential rain kill 29 in Brazil

Guaruja: Violent rain has killed scores of people and forced thousands from their homes this year in Brazil's most populous states, a disaster experts blame on climate upheaval but also rampant urbanization. Flash floods, landslides and other havoc wrought by torrential rain have killed at least
US hits Taliban with air strike in response to attack on Afghan forces

Kabul: The US hit Taliban fighters with an air strike for the first time in 11 days in response to an insurgent attack on Afghan forces in southern Helmand province on Wednesday, an American military spokesman said. "The US conducted an airstrike on March 4 against Taliban fighters in Nahr-e Sara
World Bank unveils USD 12 bn aid package to combat coronavirus

Washington: The World Bank unveiled a USD 12 billion aid package on Tuesday, March 3 that will provide fast-track funds to help countries combat the coronavirus outbreak. “The goal is to provide fast, effective action that responds to country needs,” World Bank President David Malpass told report
Netanyahu claims victory in Israel election after exit polls give lead

Jerusalem: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed victory in Israel’s general election Monday, with exit polls putting the indicted premier in a strong position to form the next government. The election, Israel’s third in less than a year, was called after inconclusive votes in April and Septe
Coronavirus: India suspends visas of nationals from Italy, S Korea, Iran, Japan
NEW DELHI: The Indian government has suspended visas and e-visas granted on or before Tuesday to people travelling from Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan, effective immediately, following a surge in cases of COVID-19, commonly referred to as novel coronavirus, in these countries. “Those requirin
Florida man sentenced to 5 years of probation taping dog’s mouth, leaving it dehydrated, malnourished

A Florida man convicted of taping a dog’s mouth shut and leaving the animal dehydrated and malnourished was sentenced to five years of probation on Monday. Oscar Lee Thompson III, 19, was convicted last month of a felony count of aggravated animal cruelty, according to court records. Animal co
Pak doctor who helped CIA track Osama Bin Laden launches hunger strike in jail
The Pakistani doctor who helped the CIA track and kill Osama bin Laden has launched a hunger strike from his prison cell, his lawyer and family said Monday. Shakeel Afridi has been languishing behind bars for years since his fake vaccination programme helped US agents track and kill the Al Qaeda
Peace deal hits first roadblock over Taliban prisoners release
Kabul: Afghanistan's president said Sunday that he will not free thousands of Taliban prisoners ahead of all-Afghan power-sharing talks set for next week, publicly disagreeing with a timetable for a speedy prisoner release laid out just a day earlier in a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement. President A
Luxembourg becomes first country with free public transport

Luxembourg: Luxembourg on Saturday, February 29 became the first country in the world to offer free public transport, as the small and wealthy EU country tries to help less-well-off workers and reduce road traffic. Some cities elsewhere have already taken similar, partial measures. But the transp