Asia

Heavy fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas trapped thousands of people in Gaza's hospitals on Sunday, with medics and aid workers warning patients will die in the crippled facilities unless there is a pause in the battle.

Two South Koreans were among 18 people sentenced to death on drug smuggling and trafficking charges in Vietnam, state media said. The communist country has some of the toughest drug laws in the world, and is notoriously secretive about its executions. South Korean ex-police officer Kim Soon-sik, 63, and compatriot Kang Seon-hok, 30, were sentenced…

Arab leaders and Iran's president meeting in the Saudi capital Saturday roundly condemned Israel's actions in its war against Hamas in Gaza, as fears mount the conflict could draw in other countries.

LGBTQ rights campaigners welcomed a Vatican statement that transgender people can be baptised as a step towards a more inclusive Catholic Church, but denounced caveats that provide cover to those who object.

Russia has been spreading "disinformation" about the situation in the Middle East, the president of Microsoft said Saturday, as tensions soar in the region due to the Israel-Hamas war. Brad Smith, Microsoft vice chair and president, was asked about the role of the US tech giant in promoting peace at an international peace forum in…

Bangladeshi garment manufacturers on Saturday shuttered 150 factories "indefinitely", as police issued blanket charges for 11,000 workers in connection with violent protests demanding a higher minimum wage, officers said. Bangladesh's 3,500 garment factories account for around 85 percent of its $55 billion in annual exports, supplying many of the world's top brands including Levi's, Zara…

Israel faced growing calls Saturday to protect civilians in Gaza as its battle with Hamas encircled the territory's main hospital, where an aid agency described the situation as "catastrophic". Thunder-like sound of explosions rang through the night in heavy fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces near Gaza's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, AFP correspondents at the scene…

Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler on Friday denounced the conduct of Israeli forces fighting Hamas in Gaza ahead of weekend summits that will focus on the unfolding violence in the Palestinian territory.

China on Friday sentenced the former president of one of its biggest state-owned banks to life in prison for bribery, state media reported, as a campaign against corruption sweeps through the country's financial sector.

Palestinians said a deadly strike on Friday hit Gaza's largest hospital compound as medical facilities sheltering tens of thousands were caught in intense combat between Israel and Hamas.

The World Bank on Friday provided Sri Lanka $150 million to underwrite savings of millions of depositors in a move that highlights the bankrupt country's financial fragility as it recovers from a crisis last year.

Indonesia's top Islamic clerical body issued a fatwa on Friday calling for a boycott of goods and services from companies that support Israel in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians.