CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: PROF. KHALID MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

World / Asia

Coronavirus variant from South Africa found in Japan 28 Dec 2020 - 10:21 pm
Passersby wearing protective face masks walk on the Shibuya crossing, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Tokyo, Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo December 26, 2020. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS
Second Taiwan-born panda cub makes media debut 28 Dec 2020 - 04:06 pm
The picture shows six-month-old giant panda cub Yuan Bao during a media preview at Taipei Zoo in Taipei on December 28, 2020. / AFP / HSU Tsun-hsu
Philippine president signs $93.7 bln national budget for 2021 28 Dec 2020 - 02:40 pm
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech during their joint press statement with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (not pictured) at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, Japan May 31, 2019. Kazuhiro Nogi /Pool via Reuters/File Photo
India's Serum Institute expects approval for AstraZeneca vaccine in days 28 Dec 2020 - 02:36 pm
Vials with a sticker reading,
Piecemeal data releases threaten to undermine Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine 28 Dec 2020 - 02:01 pm
A man works in a laboratory of Chinese vaccine maker Sinovac Biotech, developing an experimental coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, during a government-organized media tour in Beijing, China, Sept. 24, 2020. Reuters/Thomas Peter/File Photo
China jails citizen-journalist for four years over Wuhan virus reporting 28 Dec 2020 - 01:37 pm
This screengrab taken on December 28, 2020 from an undated video showing former Chinese lawyer and citizen journalist Zhang Zhan as she broadcasts via YouTube, at an unconfirmed location in China. AFP / YouTube / Handout
Philippines troops, ministers get COVID-19 vaccine before approval 28 Dec 2020 - 01:03 pm
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte reviews military cadets during change of command ceremonies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, metro Manila, Philippines October 26, 2017. REUTERS/Dondi Tawatao/File Photo
Indonesia bans international visitors for 2 weeks over new virus strain 28 Dec 2020 - 12:33 pm
Passengers wearing protective face masks walk at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Tangerang, on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia December 23, 2020. Antara Foto/Muhammad Iqbal/via Reuters.
Philippines warns of unapproved Covid shots as soldiers get jabs 28 Dec 2020 - 11:55 am
Peninsula
S.Korea to accelerate virus vaccine efforts as first U.K. variant detected 28 Dec 2020 - 11:22 am
A medical staff member wearing protective gear takes a swab from a visitor to test for the Covid-19 coronavirus at a temporary testing station outside the City Hall in Seoul on December 28, 2020. / AFP / Jung Yeon-je
Sydney told to watch its famous New Year's Eve fireworks from home 28 Dec 2020 - 08:21 am
Fireworks light up the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during new year celebrations on Sydney Harbour, Australia, January 1, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo
Thai hospital banned from offer to sell COVID-19 vaccine 27 Dec 2020 - 07:40 pm
A nurse holds a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Attikon hospital, in Athens, Greece, December 27, 2020. Kostas Tsironis/Pool via REUTERS
Beijing tightens COVID-19 curbs as cases detected across capital 27 Dec 2020 - 01:02 pm
People wearing masks walk in a street in Beijing?s central business district (CBD) during morning rush hour, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in China December 8, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo
S.Korea extends social distancing steps as new daily COVID-19 cases remain near record levels 27 Dec 2020 - 11:36 am
A man reads a book while waiting in a line to undergo coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test at a coronavirus testing site which is temporarily set up in front of a railway station on Christmas day in Seoul, South Korea, December 25, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Hong-J
Sydney awaits verdict on New Year's Eve festivities as COVID-19 outbreak grows 27 Dec 2020 - 09:25 am
Medical workers administer tests at the Bondi Beach drive-through coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing centre in the wake of an outbreak in Sydney, Australia, December 22, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo
Japan to ban new entry by all non-nationals to fight Covid-19 26 Dec 2020 - 05:12 pm
A couple takes pictures in front of Christmas-themed light decorations along a street in Marunouchi district in Tokyo on December 25, 2020. / AFP / Philip FONG
Philippines extends ban on flights from U.K. to avoid new COVID-19 variant 26 Dec 2020 - 05:03 pm
A woman undergoes a swab test amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic at a testing station, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines, December 21, 2020. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David
Series of explosions target police in Kabul; at least 4 dead 26 Dec 2020 - 03:29 pm
A member of Afghan security force stands guard at the site of an attack in Kabul on December 20, 2020. A car bomb targeting an Afghan lawmaker killed nine people and wounded more than a dozen in Kabul on December 20, officials said, the latest attack to r