New Zealand reported 55 new Delta variant cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country's community outbreak to 1,719. ....

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has announced the arrest of Sami Jasim, a high-ranking member of the Islamic State (IS) who was also the Deputy of the terror group's late leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in an operation outside the country. ....

The US State Department and the UK Foreign Ministry have warned their citizens based in the Afghan capital of potential threats and attacks on the Kabul Serena Hotel and have asked them to stay away from it, Khaama Press reported. ....

As Sydney, capital of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), exited its 106-day lockdown, residents on Monday re-emerged to celebrate the long-awaited "Freedom Day". ....

Kam Air, a private Afghan airline, said that it has been asked by Pakistan to stop flights until further notice, the media reported on Monday. ....

A senior US official visiting Islamabad has made clear to Pakistan that the Joe Biden administration has downgraded the bilateral relationship, The Guardian reported. ....

The National Flag and National Emblem (Amendment) Ordinance was published in the Gazette and came into effect in Hong Kong. ....

A suicide bomber has targeted a mosque in Afghanistan's Kunduz city during Friday prayers, killing at least 50 people, officials said. ....

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), has warned that climate change increases the global risk of water-related hazards like floods and droughts, and the number of people affected by water scarcity is also expected to soar. ....

The President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, assured India on Tuesday that he will not allow Sri Lanka to be used to inflict any threat on India's security. ....