BEIJING: Strong winds and blowing sand pushed air pollution higher in China’s capital over the weekend, with city meteorological authorities reporting a sharp rise in PM10, the coarse particulate matter closely associated with dust events. The citywide average PM10 concentration reached 175 micrograms per cubic meter by 2 p.m. on…

KOTA KINABALU: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 struck off Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island early Monday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake hit shortly before 1 a.m. local time and was centered offshore north of Kota Belud, the USGS said, with the tremor originating deep below the surface.…

CAIRO: Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said it has documented a previously unknown rock art site in South Sinai featuring a natural sandstone rock shelter that preserves paintings, carvings and inscriptions spanning thousands of years. The ministry said the site, known as the Umm Irak Plateau, contains layered imagery…

NEW DELHI: India’s updated baggage framework took effect on February 2, 2026, changing how returning travelers can bring personal goods into the country and revising long-standing limits on jewellery carried in baggage. Under the Baggage Rules, 2026, eligible passengers may bring gold, silver and other precious metal jewellery under a special…

MENA Newswire, ABU DHABI: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi on Monday, as the two sides discussed areas of cooperation and current global economic developments. The meeting took place during Georgieva’s visit…

MENA Newswire, JAKARTA: The death toll from a landslide in Indonesia’s West Java province has risen to 50, police said Wednesday, as rescuers continued searching for dozens of missing people in steep terrain hit by days of heavy rain. The landslide struck before dawn on Saturday, January 24, in Pasir Langu village…

India marked its 77th Republic Day on Monday with senior European Union leaders attending the national celebrations in New Delhi, underscoring the country’s expanding global economic and diplomatic engagement. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa at…

MENA Newswire, NEW DELHI: India placed 16th out of 154 countries in the Responsible Nations Index 2026, a new global ranking that assesses how countries use national power in relation to citizens, the environment and the wider international community. The index was launched in New Delhi under the aegis of…

MENA Newswire, KARACHI: Rescue teams searched through debris at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping complex on Tuesday after a large fire swept through the commercial building over the weekend, killing at least 21 people and leaving 63 others missing, according to Rescue 1122 officials involved in the operation. The fire began late…