The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries.

Washington has been in touch with New Delhi and other countries in the region to discuss the recent developments in Bangladesh and push for an end to violence

The country would reopen to foreign tourists this winter

At least 1.4 million girls in Afghanistan have been denied access to secondary education since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, with the future of an entire generation now "in jeopardy", the United Nations' cultural agency said Thursday

India is keen on working with the interim government of Bangladesh led by Prof Muhammad Yunus “to fulfil the shared aspirations of peoples of both countries”, said Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma yesterday.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court yesterday dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for “grossly” violating ethics by appointing a minister who had served jail time, raising the spectre of political upheaval and a shakeup in the governing alliance.

US-sponsored talks on agreeing a ceasefire in the devastating conflict in Sudan kicked off in Switzerland yesterday, despite the Sudanese government staying away.

Myanmar’s military yesterday said rumours top generals had detained the embattled junta chief in a new coup were “propaganda” spread by “traitors” ahead of a visit by China’s foreign minister.

Nepal’s parliament yesterday approved long-delayed amendments to the transitional justice act aimed at addressing war crimes committed during the country’s Maoist insurgency, but victims said some problematic provisions remain.

Soldiers in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir battled insurgents yesterday, with a captain and a suspected rebel killed in clashes in the territory, the army and police said.

Ukraine carried out its largest long-range drone strike of the war on four Russian military airfields in an overnight operation, a Ukrainian security source said yesterday.

The Palestinian group Hamas said yesterday it would not take part in a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks slated for today in Qatar, dimming hopes for a negotiated truce that Iranian sources say could hold back an Iranian attack on Israel.`

Real estate tycoon Srettha becomes the fourth Thai premier in 16 years to be removed by verdicts by the same court, after it ruled he violated the constitution by appointing a minister who did not meet ethical standards.

The claims were "propaganda... with the aim of disrupting the country's peace and stability," the junta said in a statement, accusing those sharing the news of being "traitors".

Belgorod borders Ukraine's Kharkiv region and neighbours Kursk, where Ukraine has launched a surprise offensive in the most significant cross-border attack on Russian soil since World War II.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed Japan almost uninterrupted since 1945, is due to hold an internal leadership contest next month. Its popularity ratings have slumped because of rising prices.

The sale comes as Biden has pressed Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire after 10 months of bloodshed, although the weapons would take years to reach Israel

One of the sources, a senior Iranian security official, said Iran, along with allies such as Hezbollah, would launch a direct attack if the Gaza talks fail or it perceives Israel is dragging out negotiations.

Data from Nasa’s Mars InSight lander shows evidence of liquid water far below the surface of the fourth planet, advancing the search for life there and showing what might have happened to Mars’ ancient oceans.

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi will visit Myanmar and Thailand from August 14 to 17, Beijing’s foreign ministry said yesterday.