A letter from a descendent of Italy's wartime King, apologizing for his ancestor's role in enabling Mussolini's fascist policies during World War II, has been criticized by historians and Jewish groups after several decades of silence from members of the disbanded royal family. [...]

Yulia Navalnaya's husband was poisoned and detained. Now she is piling pressure on Vladimir Putin

"Why are you detaining me? Have I violated any laws?" demanded Yulia Navalnaya, as four policemen surrounded her on Saturday. She was on her way to a protest in Moscow, where thousands had gathered to demand the release of her husband, Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, from jail. [...]

Schools shut, dine-in services suspended in Bahrain

The health ministry had said it has detected a new variant of coronavirus, without saying which kind. [...]

Coronavirus: UAE issues new quarantine rules for employees

Quarantine period for unvaccinated employees will be deducted from their annual leave or considered an unpaid one if they have none left. [...]

Missing since Feb 2020, 'heartbroken' youth flies home

He received psychiatric treatment in Dubai, after help from the Dubai Police, Consulate General of India and a social worker [...]

Indonesian volcano erupts, spewing hot ash three kilometres away

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Indonesia’s Mount Merapi, erupted Wednesday, belching out huge clouds of smoke and ash that billowed down the sides of its rumbling crater. The volcano, near Indonesia’s cultural capital Yogyakarta, shot hot ash into the air around three dozen times throughout the day. Some of it travelled as far as three kilometres (two miles) away from its peak, Indonesia’s geological agency said. Authorities told residents […] [...]

PHL files another diplomatic protest vs China

(Eagle News)–The Philippines has filed another diplomatic protest against China. The protest was filed over a law China passed last week. The law authorizes the Chinese Coast Guard to “undertake all necessary measures, including the use of weapons when national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are being illegally infringed upon by foreign organizations or individuals at sea.” The Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Vietnam have claims in the South China Sea, which China has claimed […] [...]

UK to impose hotel quarantine for returning Britons

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British citizens returning home from roughly 30 countries deemed at “high risk” from new coronavirus variants could soon have to quarantine in hotels, reports said on Wednesday. Beefed-up rules will require the travellers to stay in hotels near airports for 10 days, according to the Times and BBC. Non-UK arrivals from the targeted destinations — which include South America, Portugal, Cape Verde and South Africa — are already barred […] [...]