Thai beach declared disaster area after oil spill
BANGKOK: A beach in eastern Thailand was declared a disaster area on Saturday as oil leaking from an underwater pipeline in the Gulf of Thailand continued to wash ashore and…
Third COVID wave looms in Indonesia as omicron spreads
Indonesia: Indonesia is bracing for a third wave of COVID-19 infections as the highly transmissible omicron variant drives a surge in new cases, health authorities and experts said Saturday. The…
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern isolates after virus exposure
New Zealand: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said late Saturday she is self-isolating after coming into close contact with a person infected with the coronavirus. The exposure came on…
Kyiv says needs to be ‘vigilant, firm’ in Russia talks
KYIV: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Saturday said it was important to stay “vigilant and firm” during negotiations with Moscow amid rising fears of a Russian invasion. The Kremlin…
Austria to ease virus rules after vaccine mandate begins
Austria plans to loosen coronavirus restrictions in February after the country’s national vaccine mandate, the first of its kind in Europe, takes effect on Tuesday. Starting Feb. 5, restaurants will…
Saudi foreign ministry condemns missile attack on Baghdad Airport
RIYADH: The Saudi foreign ministry on Saturday condemned an attack that targeted Baghdad International Airport on Friday. Six rockets struck the airport’s facility, damaging two commercial planes but causing no…
Iran nuclear talks pause as diplomats confer with capitals
VIENNA: Talks to salvage the tattered 2015 nuclear deal with Iran have paused while diplomats return to capitals for political consultations, European officials said Friday. “January has been the most…
Lebanon highlights drug seizures as PM ‘smooths rough edges’ of response to Kuwaiti initiative
BEIRUT: Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi pledged that the Lebanese state “will spare no effort in thwarting all smuggling operations and preventing harm to our Arab brothers.” He also announced on…
US plans to reroute $67 million in aid toward Lebanon’s armed forces
WASHINGTON: The United States plans to reroute $67 million of military assistance for Lebanon’s armed forces to support members of the military as the country grapples with financial meltdown. According…
UK stands with UAE after fatal Houthi attack: Foreign secretary
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Friday that the UK stands “with our Emirati friends” following a deadly attack by Yemen’s Houthi militia last week. Speaking during a phone…