The nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocracy appeared increasingly smothered Thursday, a week on from authorities shutting the country off from the world and escalating a bloody crackdown that activists say killed at least 2,615 people. In Iran's capital, Tehran, witnesses say recent
Huge protests in Iran have galvanised exiled foes of the authorities but despite their hatred of the ruling clerics, a bitter schism dating to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution still afflicts the leading opposition factions. That split, between monarchists supporting Reza Pahlavi, son of the oust
Ali Shaath, the Palestinian former government official chosen to administer Gaza under a US-backed deal, has an ambitious plan that includes pushing war debris into the Mediterranean Sea and rebuilding destroyed infrastructure within three years. The appointment of the civil engineer and former de
In Najaf’s market, Ahmed Salam once ran two shops selling prayer beads and accessories to Iranian pilgrims in the Iraqi holy Shi’ite Muslim city, a prime destination for millions of visitors. Today, Salam stands behind the counter of his remaining store, after selling the other to pay
President of the SAARC Journalist Forum (SJF) Raju Lama met former Nepal Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa “Badal” on Wednesday. During the meeting, SJF President Lama congratulated Thapa on his election as a Vice President of the CPN UML. Thapa was elected as the Vice President of CPN U
At least 22 people have been killed and dozens injured after a construction crane fell on a passenger train in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday. The accident took place in Nakhon Ratchasima province, north of the capital Bangkok in the morning, officials said. The death toll is expected to rise
At least 20 people have been killed by a wild elephant over nine days in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, as forest officials continue efforts to trace and capture the animal. The deaths occurred between Jan 1 and Jan 9 in the Chaibasa and Kolhan forest areas of West Singhbhum district, part
In a nation where opposition to almost half a century of clerical rule has long been fragmented, the son of the last shah of Iran has become a prominent voice spurring on protesters staging the biggest anti-government demonstrations in years. Reza Pahlavi, 65, has sought to speak as a national lea
A gas cylinder explosion during a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police said Sunday. The blast occurred overnight as guests gathered to celebrate the couple, causing part of the house to collapse, according to th
An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck off the coast of Indonesia's Talaud Islands on Saturday, the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said. The quake was at a depth of 77 km (47.85 miles), GFZ said. The Indonesian geophysics agency BMKG reported 7.1 magnitude reading, at 17 km depth. It
A cold wave is sweeping across large parts of Bangladesh, dragging nighttime temperatures down to 8.3°C in Tetulia, one of the lowest readings this season. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said the cold conditions are expected to continue through Sunday, with fog likely in severa
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned on Saturday that safeguarding security was a "red line" and the military vowed to protect public property, as the clerical establishment stepped up efforts to quell the most widespread protests in years. The statements came after U.S. President Donal
Yemen's main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council, denied on Saturday it was disbanding, contradicting a statement by one of its members that the group had decided to dissolve itself. The conflicting statements highlight a split in the STC, a group backed by the United Arab Emirates
