In Indonesia, the death toll following the eruption Semeru volcano has risen to 13. Search is on for survivors..

U.S.officials and former U.S.diplomats say Russia president Putin clearly is laying the groundwork for a possible invasion against Ukrain.

The Omicron variant has been detected in 38 countries but no deaths have yet been reported, the WHO said on Friday.

In Pakistan, a Sri Lankan factory manager was beaten to death and set ablaze by a mob, police confirmed.

Prime Minister Trudeau on Friday appointed three more Indo-Canadians to significant positions in his new government.

The IMF's high-profile chief economist Gita Gopinath next month will become the number two official.