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After a marathon session, Lebanon’s parliament endorsed Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s pledges to halt Lebanon’s economic crisis. Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanon’s new government on Monday won a vote of confidence from parliament, after vowing to swiftly resume International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout talks and get cracking on a host of reforms to lift the country out… Continue reading Lebanon: New government wins parliament’s confidence vote

In speech to the UN General Assembly, Sheikh Tamim addresses COVID-19 pandemic, cybersecurity and conflicts in the region. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has called on world leaders to remain engaged with the Taliban in Afghanistan, as he underlined his country’s commitment to contribute to the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Speaking at the… Continue reading UNGA: Qatar’s emir urges world to engage with the Taliban

The boss of Qantas has said that the pandemic is likely to cost the firm A$20bn (£10.6bn) in lost revenue by the end of 2021. Alan Joyce made the comments as the Australian airline announced an annual pre-tax loss of A$1.83bn. The loss was for the year to the end of June and does not… Continue reading Covid: Qantas says pandemic to cost billions in lost revenue

Like so many families separated during the pandemic, Ben Jackson wasn’t able to say goodbye to a loved one. The Australian farmer was 400km (248 miles) away in New South Wales when his Aunt Debby lost her two-year cancer battle in Queensland. Restrictions forbade him from travelling to Brisbane to attend her funeral. So he… Continue reading Australian farmer draws heart with sheep in tribute to aunt

US Vice President Kamala Harris has hit out at China during a speech made in Singapore on the first leg of a South East Asian tour. Ms Harris accused Beijing of coercion and intimidation in the South China Sea, which has been a regional flashpoint for years. She said the US would “stand with our… Continue reading US VP Kamala Harris criticises Beijing intimidation in South China Sea

Investigators in Thailand are hunting for a now-sacked police chief after a video went viral showing the apparent torture and killing of a drug suspect. Police searched the Bangkok luxury estate of Thitisan Utthanaphon – widely known by the nickname “Jo Ferrari”. He and six others are accused over the fatal incident earlier this month.… Continue reading Thai police chief, known as Jo Ferrari, wanted over viral torture clip

China will introduce the political ideology of the Chinese President in its national curriculum. “Xi Jinping thought” will help “teenagers establish Marxist beliefs”, said the Ministry of Education (MOE) in new guidelines. The ideology will be integrated from primary school up to university. This is the latest effort by Mr Xi to consolidate the ruling… Continue reading China schools: ‘Xi Jinping Thought’ introduced into curriculum

Afghan journalist Bilal Sarwary saw the Taliban toppled in 2001 and his country transformed. But in his view, as he explains here, the US missed an opportunity to try to bring lasting peace. And in the last two weeks the path of his homeland took a terrifying twist, one that put his own life in… Continue reading Bilal Sarwary: ‘The plane hit the tower and all our lives changed’