In pictures: India's Lok Sabha election 2024
Voters in India started casting votes in the world's largest parliamentary election this morning, setting off a marathon poll battle as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a record-equaling third straight tenure in office
First-time voters rejoice in India's Maoist rebel heartland
In remote Indian forests home to a decades-old Maoist insurgency battling government rule, few in farmer Ajay Kumaroya's village had ever dared anger the guerrillas by voting
South Korean man jailed for throwing fake money from apartment’s window
A court recently handed down a two-year prison sentence for a South Korean man for photocopying hundreds of counterfeit banknotes and gift certificates and scattering them through the window of his apartment building
US had advance warning of Israel attack on Iran: media
The United States received advance notice of Israel's reported strike on Iran but did not endorse the operation or play any part in its execution, US media quoted officials as saying
US stops UN from recognising a Palestinian state through membership
The United States yesterday effectively stopped the United Nations from recognizing a Palestinian state by casting a veto in the Security Council to deny Palestinians full membership of the world body
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering "moderate to severe" levels of subsidence, putting millions of people at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise, according to a study of nationwide satellite data released on Friday
India starts voting in the world's largest election as Modi seeks historic third term
Voters in India started casting votes in the world's largest parliamentary election this morning, setting off a marathon poll battle as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a record-equaling third straight tenure in office
Explosions in Iran, US media reports Israeli strikes
Iran's state media reported explosions in central Isfahan Friday, as US media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes on its arch-rival
Kenya's military chief among 10 people killed in helicopter crash
Kenya's military chief, General Francis Ogolla, was among 10 people killed when their military helicopter crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday, President William Ruto announced
India’s Lok Sabha election / What are the key issues?
Nearly 1 billion Indians will be eligible to vote in the world’s biggest election starting today. Opinion polls predict an easy win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which would give him a record-equaling third straight term.
Ukraine attacks Russian airfield in occupied Crimea
A Ukrainian attack on a military airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea on Wednesday seriously damaged four missile launchers, three radar stations and other equipment, Ukraine’s military spy agency said yesterday.
In a rebel-held Myanmar town, fragile unity pushes junta to the brink
The fall of Myawaddy means that Myanmar's two most important land border crossings are in resistance hands, after the rebels last year claimed control of Muse, near the Chinese border.
NASA chief warns of Chinese military presence in space
China is bolstering its space capabilities and is using its civilian program to mask its military objectives, the head of the US space agency NASA said Wednesday, warning that Washington must remain vigilant
India’s Lok Sabha Polls: Congress, CPI-M pursue ‘Loot East’ policy
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday wrapped up his campaign in Tripura for the Lok Sabha polls, accusing Congress and its ally Communist Party of India (Marxist) of turning the country’s “Look East” policy into a “Loot East” strategy.
Israel decided to retaliate against Iran
Israel has clearly decided to retaliate against Iran for missile and drone attacks, Britain’s Foreign Minister David Cameron said during a visit to Jerusalem yesterday, the starkest warning yet of another volley coming in regional escalation.
Dubai reels from flood chaos after record rains
Dubai’s giant highways were clogged by flooding and airport passengers were urged to stay away yesterday as the glitzy financial centre reeled from record rains.
Queen bumblebees survive underwater for days: study
Queen bumblebees can surprisingly withstand days underwater, according to a study published yesterday, suggesting they could withstand increased floods brought on by climate change that threaten their winter hibernation burrows.
Suu Kyi moved to house arrest
Myanmar’s detained former leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest, a spokesperson for the military government told media.
Gaza ceasefire talks at ‘delicate phase’
Israeli air strikes hit a playground and busy market in Maghazi refugee camp. Another strike on Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood killed at least seven people and wounded 20 others.
Australia unveils new defence strategy, with eye on China
Australia unveiled its first National Defence Strategy yesterday, signalling a new focus on deterring China’s “coercive tactics” in a region seen as lurching towards conflict.
X blocked in Pakistan over nat’l security
Pakistan’s interior ministry said yesterday it blocked access to social media platform X in February on national security concerns, confirming a long-suspected shutdown.
