Syria’s first lady Asma al-Assad diagnosed with leukaemia
Damascus, May 22 - Syria's first lady, Asma al-Assad, has been diagnosed with leukaemia, the Syrian presidency said.
Netanyahu says he has no plans for Israeli settlements in Gaza
Tel Aviv, May 22 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told US media that Israel has no plans to build settlements in the Gaza Strip once the war there is over.
WHO head urges Israel to lift restrictions on aid into Gaza
Geneva, May 22 - Head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has asked Israel to lift blockade on medical supplies into Gaza, saying nearly 700 seriously ill patients are stuck in a war zone.
Turkey grants visa exemption to Romanian citizens
Ankara, May 22 - Turkey has launched a passport-free policy for Romanian citizens, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
Finnish govt proposes controversial border pushback bill to Parliament
Helsinki, May 22 - The Finnish government has submitted to Parliament a controversial bill that would authorise pushing back asylum seekers at the eastern border and would also allow for the use of force.
Death toll from Brazil’s extended extreme weather reaches 161
Sao Paulo, May 22 - The discovery of four more bodies in the last few hours in south Brazil's weather-battered Rio Grande do Sul state has pushed the death toll to 161, the Civil Defence agency said.
Zelensky discusses Ukraine’s air defence boost with German FM
Kiev, May 22 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defence with visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the Presidential press service reported.
Jordan condemns Israeli raid of West Bank’s Jenin
Amman, May 22 - Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has condemned Israel's raid into the West Bank city of Jenin, which killed seven Palestinians and injured nine others.
Int’l tourism reaches 97 pc of pre-Covid levels in 1st quarter of 2024
Madrid, May 22 - International tourist arrivals surged to 97 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024, with projections indicating that numbers are expected to exceed those of 2019 over the rest of the year, the UN Tourism reported.
Russia begins tactical nuclear weapons drills: Defence Ministry
Moscow, May 22 - Russian military has begun the first stage of military exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons, the Russian Defence Ministry said.
Food distribution in Rafah suspended due to security situation
Tel Aviv, May 22 - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) temporarily suspended food distribution in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, it wrote on the social media platform X.
Spain’s FM announces definitive withdrawal of ambassador to Argentina
Madrid, May 22 - Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has announced the definitive withdrawal of the country's ambassador to Argentina, local media reported.
UK to make further interim compensation to infected blood victims
London, May 22 - The UK will make further interim compensation payments to the victims of the contaminated blood scan
Palestinian presidency slams US for supporting Israel in attacks on Gaza, West Bank
Ramallah, May 22 - The Palestinian presidency has slammed the US administration for its support of Israel amid the latter's ongoing attacks on Palestinians in both the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 35,647: Health authorities
Gaza, May 22 - The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,647, health authorities in the Palestinian enclave said in a press statement.
El Nino damage to Philippines agriculture hits $163 mn
Manila, May 22 - The damage caused by the El Nino dry spell and drought to Philippine agriculture has reached 9.5 billion pesos (nearly $163 million), the Department of Agriculture said.
Israeli military secures $760 mn ammo supply contracts with Elbit Systems
Jerusalem, May 22 - The Israeli Defence Ministry signed $760 million worth of contracts with the Israeli defence electronics company Elbit Systems for ammunition supply, according to separate statements issued by the Ministry and the company.
Over 40 hospitalised after food poisoning in Myanmar
Yangon, May 22 - A total of 45 people, including 11 children, have been hospitalised for food poisoning in southern Myanmar's Ayeyarwady region, a local rescue organisation official told the media.
Sri Lanka army discharges over 15,000 soldiers during amnesty
Colombo, May 22 - More than 15,000 soldiers who had deserted the Sri Lankan army have received a legal discharge from their duties during a month-long amnesty period declared by the Ministry of Defence, the army said in a statement here.
Indian-descent Nikesh Arora 2nd highest paid CEO in US, says report
Washington, May 21 - Nikesh Arora, the India-born CEO of Palo Alto Networks, has been ranked America’s second-highest paid CEO in 2023.