An account spreading pro-Saudi messages actually belonged to a deceased Weather Channel meteorologist. Several verified Twitter accounts have been taken over by pro-Saudi operatives and some have been used to promote Saudi Arabia or its leadership, according to an academic who researches digital propaganda and Twitter bots. At least four verified Twitter accounts, including one that […]
SEOUL (AFP) – South Korea reported 256 new coronavirus cases on Friday (Feb 28), taking its total – the highest in the world outside China – to 2,022, the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said. More than 90 per cent of the new cases were in Daegu – the city at the epicentre […]
HONG KONG (REUTERS) – Hong Kong authorities said on Friday (Feb 28) they quarantined a pet dog of a coronavirus patient after its nasal and oral samples tested “weak positive” for the virus, though they added they did not yet have evidence that it can be transmitted to pets. The dog did not have any […]
Refugee footballer departs Thailand for Australia after Bahrain drops extradition request. Thailand has freed a refugee Bahraini footballer after Manama abandoned its bid to seek his extradition, bringing to an end a case that has attracted international attention. Hakeem al-Araibi, 25, boarded a flight to the Australian city of Melbourne early on Tuesday, his lawyer Nadthasiri Bergman and Thai […]
The Supreme Court’s order could affect claims of indigenous people living in forest areas across 21 states. India’s Supreme Court has ordered the eviction of more than one million forest dwellers, a majority of whom belong to indigenous tribal communities, after the federal government failed to defend a law aimed at protecting their rights. The […]
Rights groups fear extrajudicial killings after at least three rape suspects found murdered in the past two weeks. Dhaka, Bangladesh – A spate of vigilante-style murders of rape suspects in Bangladesh has raised fears of possible extrajudicial killings amid anger over rising rape cases in the South Asian country. At least three rape suspects have […]
India summons Pakistani envoy as Narendra Modi vows to exact ‘heavy price’ over deadly attack in Kashmir. Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir – India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a “strong response” to a car bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed at least 42 paramilitary personnel, with New Delhi calling for “the complete isolation of Pakistan” for harbouring […]
One of the two women, who defied the temple ban backed by right-wing groups, calls the decision a ‘positive shift’. The board of one of Hinduism’s holiest temples has said it now supports allowing women of menstruating age to enter the ancient shrine in southern India, reversing its previous backing for a centuries-old ban. On […]
For first time in country’s history, a royal family member becomes directly involved in politics and runs for office. Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn says his elder sister’s candidacy for prime minister is “inappropriate” and unconstitutional, likely ending her short political bid. In an unprecedented move Friday, Thailand’s Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi announced she would run […]
Dozens injured and at least 200 homes destroyed in hours-long inferno, officials say. A devastating blaze has killed at least nine people and injured dozens of others in Bangladesh’s southeastern city of Chittagong, according to local officials. The fire broke out early on Sunday morning and raced through a crowded slum in the port city, […]