Is US losing the new Great Game in Central Asia?

Through Central Asian countries, Beijing is fast realising its dream of connecting nations from Pakistan to Poland to China and reviving the ancient Great Silk Road, outpacing both the US and Russia.

China reports 1,886 new coronavirus cases, death toll up by 98

The update raised the number of deaths in mainland China to 1,886 and the total confirmed cases to 72,436.

China may postpone annual congress as virus toll tops 1,800

China's biggest political meeting of the year is scheduled in March and the standing committee for National People's Congress is seeking its delay. Meanwhile, health officials are urging recovered patients to donate blood for treating critically ill.

'Suicide blast' kills at least 10 in Pakistan's Quetta city

The blast in the capital of Balochistan province also wounded 35 people. Officials say the death toll could rise as some wounded were reported to be in critical condition.

Pakistan and UN host special summit on future of Afghan refugees

The gathering comes at a time of heightened anticipation of a possible peace deal between the Taliban and the US and a number of high profile Afghan, American and UN leaders will attend.

Virus spreads on cruise ship in Japan, US passengers flying home

Seventy more people were confirmed with the virus on board the Diamond Princess on Sunday, bringing the number of cases from the ship to 355, the most anywhere outside China.

China virus toll reaches 1,765 - government

In its daily update, the province Hubei's health commission also reported 1,933 new cases while at least 70,400 people have now been infected nationwide.

UNSC resolutions on Kashmir need implementation – UN chief

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for "enhanced dialogue" between India and Pakistan over disputed Kashmir while calling for "full respect for humans rights and continental freedoms" in the region.

Taiwan reports first coronavirus death as China toll reaches 1,665

A taxi driver died from COVID-19 in Taiwan, officials say marking first such death on island and fifth fatality outside mainland China from an epidemic that IMF says could damage global growth.

Coronavirus cases on Japan ship rise to 355

Japanese health minister Katsunobu Kato earlier voiced worries that the rising infection count among the nation's general population could mean the virus's spread has entered a new phase.

China toll leaps past 1,600 as first death reported outside Asia

More than 68,000 people have now been infected in China from a virus that emerged in central Hubei province in December before spreading across the country and some two dozen countries.

First virus death outside Asia as China toll reaches 1,523

France reports Europe's first death from new virus –– a Chinese tourist from Hubei province –– while WHO hails Beijing's efforts for having "bought the world time."