Elon Musk puts his $44 billion deal with Twitter "temporarily on hold," saying that he wants more details about how many fake or spam accounts there are on Twitter. Musk is checking if the number of fake or spam accounts is less than 5 per cent of the total Twitter users,

Russia has said it will be forced to take "retaliatory steps" over its neighbour Finland's move to join Nato. A foreign ministry statement said the move would seriously damage bilateral relations, as well as security and stability in northern Europe. Earlier,

Sri Lanka's new prime minister has told an economic crisis that has brought misery and unrest is "going to get worse before it gets better". The country is facing fuel shortages and soaring food prices, with some Sri Lankans forced to skip meals. Anger over the

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has died, state news agency WAM reported on Friday.  The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced official mourning and flags at half-mast for a period of 40 days, starting Friday. Work will also be suspended

North Korea has confirmed its first death from Covid-19, with state media adding that tens of thousands more are experiencing fever symptoms. Six people died after suffering a fever with one testing positive for Omicron, state media reported on Friday. It said 187,000 people with a

A helicopter owned by the Chhattisgarh government crashed at Raipur’s Swami Vivekanand Airport on Thursday night, killing both the pilots. According to an official statement from the government, the incident occurred around 9.10 pm and technical malfunction appears to be the

Sri Lanka's veteran political leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has been appointed the next Prime Minister of the crisis-hit island nation by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The 73-year-old has taken the oath of office according to the media office of the President, who in an address to the

The Allahabad High Court today rejected the petition seeking an inquiry into the "history" of Taj Mahal. The court dismissed the petition which asked for opening of the doors of its 22 rooms to see "the truth, whatever it is." "The issues lie outside court and

Mahinda Rajapaksa, his politician son Namal and 15 allies have been barred from leaving the island over violence against anti-government demonstrators. A Sri Lankan court has banned former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, his politician son Namal and 15 allies from leaving the country

A Tibet Airlines plane caught fire after skidding off the runway in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing on Thursday morning. All 113 passengers and nine crew members were "evacuated safely," the airline said in a statement. More than 40 passengers with minor injuries

UN Secretary General António Guterres says he is "appalled" by Wednesday's killing of veteran Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aqla. The US also condemned the killing and called her a "reporting legend". Abu Aqla, 51, died while

Security forces are out in force across Sri Lanka with orders to shoot looters on sight amid continuing protests at the government's handling of a devastating economic crisis. Despite a nationwide curfew, there was a second night of arson attacks.Shops near Colombo were torched, as

Shanghai officials will over the next few days further restrict access to food and hospitals in some parts of the city, the most severe phase of its extended lockdown yet. Commercial food deliveries are not allowed and access to hospitals for all but emergencies must first be approved.

India's Supreme Court has put a controversial colonial-era sedition law on hold that critics say is used to stifle dissent. The judges asked the government to refrain from registering any new cases which invoke sedition until it finishes hearing petitions challenging it. The

The Indian High Commission on Wednesday "categorically" denied media reports about New Delhi sending its troops to Colombo, stating that the country is fully supportive of Sri Lanka's democracy, stability and economic recovery. Sri Lanka is struggling with acute food and

The US House of Representatives has approved a fresh $40bn aid package for Ukraine, after President Joe Biden called for more funds to help Kyiv thwart Russia’s three-month-old invasion. Legislators passed the Ukraine bill by 368 to 57 votes on Tuesday, providing $7bn more than

Israeli forces shot Shireen Abu Akleh in the head while she was on assignment in Jenin in the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces have shot dead Al Jazeera’s journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry. She was hit by a

Sri Lanka has granted its military and police emergency powers to arrest people without warrants after a day of violence that killed seven people and injured more than 200 and resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the older brother of sitting President Gotabaya

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, son of a former Philippines' dictator, is headed for a landslide win in the country's presidential race, according to partial and preliminary results. The 64-year-old senator has so far won 56% of the vote, compared to 28% for rival

Angry mobs in Sri Lanka have burned down several homes belonging to the ruling Rajapaksas and MPs, after they were attacked by government supporters. The violence capped a day of unrest that saw PM Mahinda Rajapaksa quit amid mass protests at his government's handling of the