COVID-19: Thailand reports 1st death due to coronavirus

Bangkok (IANS) The Thai Ministry of Public Health on Sunday announced the country's first COVID-19 death of a retail worker who initially was diagnosed with dengue fever.

A 35-year-old Thai man, who worked as a salesman, passed away on…

Syrian army imposes no-fly-zone over Idlib

Damascus (IANS) The Syrian army announced on Sunday that it was imposing a no-fly-zone over the country's Idlib province, saying any hostile aircraft will be targeted, a move that came a day after Turkish drones killed 26 Syrian soldiers.

Thousands of migrants have crossed to EU from Turkey: Erdogan

Istanbul (IANS) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that 18,000 migrants have crossed his country's borders into Europe after Ankara "opened the doors" for them to travel, it was reported.

Turkey is hosting 3.7 million Syrian…

Muhyiddin Yassin sworn in as Malaysia's new PM

Kuala Lumpur (IANS) Former Home Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was on Sunday sworn is as the eighth Prime Minister of Malaysia, following a week of political power struggles.

Muhyiddin was appointed following the abrupt February 24 resignation…

Muhyiddin Yassin to be new Malay Prime Minister

Kuala Lumpur (IANS) Former Home Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will be sworn in on Sunday as the eighth Prime Minister of Malaysia, the National Palace said in a statement on Saturday following a week of political power struggles.

The surprise…

SL govt decides not to sign $480mn MCC agreement

Colombo (IANS) The Sri Lankan government has decided not to sign the $480 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement with the US, taking into consideration the recommendations of a Committee that found some of its features threaten national…

EU to give Pakistan 13 mn euros grant for better fiscal mgmt

Islamabad (IANS) The European Union (EU) under its Public Financial Management Support Programme is supporting Pakistan in improving fiscal policies and budget preparations with a grant of 13 million euros, the Ministry of Finance, Revenue and Economic…

Malay King to meet party leaders to decide new PM

Kuala Lumpur (IANS) After interviews with all MPs this week, the Malaysian King was yet to identify one parliamentarian with the majority support needed to be the next Prime Minister and will now meet leaders of all parties, the National Palace said…

Sajith Premadasa to contest 2020 SL general elections

Colombo (IANS) Sajith Premadasa, a former Sri Lankan presidential hopeful, has decided to contest the island nation's general elections slated to take place this year, according to informed sources.

The development comes almost four months…

COVID-19: Death toll rises to 26 in Iran

Tehran (IANS) The outbreak of coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, in Iran has affected 245 people whereas the death toll so far is 26, Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced on Thursday.

Kianush Jahanpur, head of…