Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes over Kazakhstan

A passenger plane carrying dozens has crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau on Wednesday, the Kazakh Transport Ministry said.

Chinese man charged with acting as Beijing agent in local California election

A Chinese man was arrested this week on charges of acting as an illegal agent for Beijing while serving as the campaign manager for a Los Angeles-area politician, in a case that highlights rising concerns that the Chinese government has cultivated a network of operatives to influence US politicians and advance their interests.

Pakistan: Karachi faces severe gas crisis amid cold weather

Locals in Pakistan’s Karachi have been grappling with a severe gas crisis amid cold weather forcing domestic consumers largely to purchase expensive liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Dawn reported.

ISRO to test space farming in next mission

Demonstration of seed germination in outer space, a robotic arm to catch a tethered debris there, and testing of green propulsion systems are some of the experiments planned on the POEM-4 -- the fourth stage of ISRO’s PSLV rocket that remains in orbit after launching a satellite.

Former US President Bill Clinton admitted to hospital with fever

Former US President Bill Clinton has been admitted to a hospital after developing a fever, according to a spokesman for the Democrat.

Vietnam, India close to finalising BrahMos deal

India and Vietnam are closer than ever to signing a USD 700 million Brahmos missile system deal as both sides plug in more procedural details.

Taiwan Court upholds 8-month prison sentence for Chinese speedboat intruder

A former Chinese navy officer, identified as 60-year-old Ruan, has been sentenced to eight months in prison by the Taiwan High Court, who arrived at the mouth of the Tamsui River in a motorboat last June, Taiwan News reported.

France, India team up for ’World’s Largest Museum’ near Rashtrapati Bhavan

Culture in many ways is the essence of soft power,’’ Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said as India and France signed what he called ’’a project of great national importance’’ - a museum, the world’s largest, which will be located on Raisina Hill - just in front of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The museum, named ’Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum’ will tell the story of India - a timeline spanning more than 5,000 years.

Nine-year-old among five killed in attack on German Christmas market

A nine-year-old child and four adults have been killed after a car drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg.

Malaysia to resume search for missing MH370 plane

Malaysia’s Cabinet has agreed to a proposal to launch a new search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared mysteriously 10 years ago, the Transport Minister said today.

India China reach consensus over resumption of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, other key issues

India and China have reached a consensus over resuming the Indian pilgrim’s pilgrimage Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after years of border standoff. Both sides have also emphasised on the measures to promote and maintain peace with special mention to cross-border river cooperation and Nathula border trade.

Modi to visit Kuwait, first Indian PM to do so in 43 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kuwait on December 21-22, the first Indian Prime Minister to do so in 43 years.

13 killed after Navy speedboat collides with ferry near Mumbai

An Indian Navy speedboat that was undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with a passenger ferry off the Mumbai coast today. The navy in a statement said 13 people including a naval officer and two people from the original equipment manufacturer were killed in the accident.

China ready to work with India, says Beijing ahead of Ajit Doval-Wang Yi meet

China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries and work to bring bilateral relations back on track as soon as possible, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

Policeman killed guarding polio vaccination team

Militants shot a police officer guarding polio vaccinators on Monday, police said, the day after health workers launched a nationwide campaign against the resurgent disease.

Delhi pollution: Cold air and toxic haze affect millions

Delhi’s pollution has once again soared to hazardous levels, with a top expert warning that India’s toxic air will have a bigger impact on public health than the Covid-19 pandemic.

Taiwan receives first batch of US-made Abrams tanks

Taiwan has received 38 advanced Abrams battle tanks from the United States, the defence ministry said Monday, as the island boosts its military capabilities against a potential Chinese attack.

Russian general killed in explosion in Moscow

A high-ranking general in the Russian armed forces has been killed in an explosion in Moscow.

Polio reaches Charsadda as eight districts test positive for virus

The presence of poliovirus has been detected in eight districts, a day after four more cases of the crippling diseases were confirmed.

Two killed by female student in shooting at US Christian school

A student opened fire at a private Christian school in the US state of Wisconsin, injuring six people and killing a teacher and teenaged student.

Uyghur fighters in Syria vow to come for China next

A Uyghur militant group that helped to topple Bashar-al Assad has vowed to take the fight to China.

Close to 1,000 feared dead after Cyclone Chido hits Mayotte

Close to 1,000 people may have been killed after Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, according to the island’s top official.

After days of military activity, China restates its hard line on Taiwan

China’s defence ministry on Friday broke its silence about days of military activities around Taiwan, saying it was entitled to stage exercises and the military would ’’not be absent’’ if required to fight separatist forces.

Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain dies due to health complications

World-renowned tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away on Monday at a hospital in San Francisco, his family confirmed. He was 73 years old.

Yuan under pressure after report China is considering weaker currency

The yuan was under pressure against the dollar on Thursday, giving up some initial gains as markets digested a Reuters report that China is considering allowing a weaker yuan to weather the tariff risks.

Trump gets $15m in ABC News defamation case

ABC News has agreed to pay $15m (£12m) to US President-elect Donald Trump to settle a defamation lawsuit after its star anchor falsely said he had been found ’’liable for rape’’.

Pakistani beggars in the spotlight again for lavish lifestyles and growing menace

Beggars from Pakistan, who gained attention after causing disturbances during pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia, are back in the news for their extravagant lifestyles and the rise of begging as a profitable business. A beggar from Gujranwala recently went viral for spending PKR 12.5 million on a lavish ritual, which included a feast with 250 goats and 8,000 guests.

US imposes trade curbs on China, Russia firms over human rights

The United States unveiled trade restrictions Tuesday on eight companies, including two Chinese firms and several from Russia, alleging human rights violations.

Biden commutes nearly 1,500 sentences, pardons 39 people

United States President Joe Biden has commuted nearly 1,500 prison sentences and pardoned 39 people in what the White House has described as the largest act of clemency in a single day in the country’s modern history.

Rockwell Automation Invests in India as Manufacturing Hub

After utilising India’s strengths in IT and software for its global operations, Rockwell Automation is betting on turning India into an important manufacturing hub, a senior company official has said.