China re-imposes fresh lockdowns amid rising Covid infections

The rapid spread comes despite about 75 per cent of China's population being fully vaccinated

Biden imposes new international travel vaccine rules, lifts existing restrictions

The White House confirmed that children under 18 are exempt from the new vaccine requirements as are people with some medical issues

Sudanese take to the streets as international community condemns coup

On Monday soldiers detained Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, ministers in his government and civilian members of the ruling council

Japan's Princess Mako marries college sweetheart, loses royal status

Mako and fiance Kei Komuro, both 30, announced their engagement four years ago

Facebook removes Brazil President's video claiming Covid vaccines cause AIDS

Facebook's press office said the video violated the company's policy regarding COVID-19 vaccines

China reports 43 new Covid cases on October 21, vs 21 a day earlier

There were no new deaths, leaving the death toll unchanged at 4,636

Japan's former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to become new Prime Minister

Kishida replaces outgoing party leader Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga

India: Want Taliban to keep terror off Afghanistan

India said its primary concern was that Afghan soil should not be used for terror against India

North Korea says it tested new long-range cruise missiles

The allies say the drills are defensive in nature, but they have cancelled or downsized them in recent years to create space for diplomacy

Gunfire at Kabul airport kills 1; Taliban mass near Panjshir

The Taliban have pledged amnesty to those who worked with the U.S., NATO and the toppled Afghan govt, but many still fear revenge attacks

Taliban leaders meet with UK, Iran delegations amid economic woes

The meeting marked Britain’s first diplomatic visit to the country since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the U.S. exit

Zalmay Khalilzad resigns as special Afghan envoy, replaced by Thomas West

Thomas West had previously served as the Deputy Special Representative

Israel to set new nationwide lockdown as virus cases surge

Lockdown is credited with having brought down what were much lower infection numbers, but it wreaked havoc on Israel's economy

A curtain divides male, female students as Afghan universities reopen

What happens in universities and schools across the country is being closely watched by foreign powers

Emirates to fly from India again as Dubai lifts ban over virus

Dubai said that only passengers from India 'who have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine' would be allowed to travel to the emirate

South Africa says 12 million 'probably' had coronavirus

Some South African experts suggest that Africa's most developed economy may be approaching herd immunity

Sudan bans travellers from India, imposes other COVID-19 restrictions

Sudan's health emergency committee also warned that cases country could top 100,000-mark by mid-June if restrictions were not imposed

Maduro announces arrest of 'American spy' near Venezuelan refineries

The arrest occurred after a 'plan to cause an explosion' was 'discovered and dismantled' at El Palito refinery, authorities say

Ousted Mali president Keita leaves country as transition talks begin

West African leaders, fearing the coup could set a precedent that would undermine their power, initially insisted Keita be restored to power

Over 200 vessels blocked as 'maritime traffic jam' grows outside blocked Suez Canal

An initial investigation showed the vessel ran aground due to strong winds and ruled out mechanical or engine failure as a cause

UK health workers to receive 3 per cent pay rise

Earlier this week, the UK lifted almost all COVID-19 restrictions as part of the government's roadmap out of lockdown

UK PM Boris Johnson to set out plans for end of lockdown on July 19

UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid will announce the plans for an end to all legal lockdown restrictions from July 19 to Parliament

UN: Millions driven from homes in 2020 despite COVID-19 crisis

99 of the more than 160 countries that closed their borders due to COVID didn't make exceptions for people seeking protection as refugees

Vaccine certification for travel must meet 'minimum criteria', says UK

Indian travellers to the UK will continue to be treated as non-vaccinated and therefore required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival

After Rihanna, Greta Thunberg extends support to farmers' protest

Thunberg tweeted soon after singer Rihanna shared a news article highlighting the Centre's crackdown on the farmers

Hundreds in Canada, US believed dead in heat wave despite efforts to help

Weather experts say the number of heat waves are only likely to rise in the Pacific Northwest, a region normally known for cool weather

Trump announces launch of his very own social media site 'Truth Social'

An earlier effort to launch a blog on his existing website was abandoned after the page drew dismal views

'A tragic mistake': US admits strike in Kabul killed 10 civilians, not IS militants

The drone strike killed 10 people, including seven children, according to McKenzie, none of who ultimately were linked to IS

US rules out adding India or Japan to security alliance with Australia and UK

On September 15, Joe Biden, Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson jointly announced the formation of AUKUS

Newly released FBI memo hints at Saudi involvment with 9/11 hijackers

The memo from April 4, 2016, showed links between Omar Bayoumi and two of the Al-Qaeda operatives

New Zealand to lift virus curbs in most of country on September 21

New Zealand on Monday reported one new case of coronavirus in the community, taking the total number of cases to 1,447 and 24 deaths

New Zealand sees first case-free day in five weeks

Friday’s report also marked the fourth consecutive day without any cases of community transmission

New Zealand declares climate emergency, promises carbon neutral government by 2025

New Zealand joins 32 other countries including Japan, Canada, France and Britain that have declared a climate emergency

New Zealand Covid cases hit record despite vaccination push

Health authorities announced 94 new virus cases, exceeding the previous daily record of 89 set in April last year during the first wave

New Zealand extends Delta outbreak lockdown

PM Jacinda Ardern said the initial three-day lockdown, which would have expired overnight Friday, would be extended by another four days