BEIJING - The first passenger train service between Beijing and Pyongyang ​was set to leave ‌China’s capital on Thursday, ending a six-year gap, as China moves to shore up cross-border infrastructure and rebuild ties with its neighbour.

Immigration police have come forward to rebut claims circulating on social media that hundreds of thousands of Israelis have settled in Thailand.

Police have arrested seven Chinese nationals at a resort in Kanchanaburi province for illegal entry, with some claiming to have been deceived into travelling to Thailand to work.

BEIJING - China was set to approve Thursday what it called an "ethnic unity" law, which rights advocates warn could further marginalise minority groups like the Uyghurs.

INDIAN WELLS , California - Novak Djokovic was dumped out by Jack Draper in a slugfest Wednesday as the defending champion won 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) to reach the quarter-finals at Indian Wells.

Torn between hope and fear, a Tehran resident in her 30s agrees to share her thoughts with AFP about the ongoing war and daily life.

TEHRAN - Iran launched a new wave of attacks against Gulf energy targets on Thursday, hours after two oil tankers were hit, sending crude prices soaring again despite record reserve releases.

Thailand on Thursday denounced the attack on a Thai-flagged cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and summoned Iran’s ambassador, as authorities race to rescue three crew members feared trapped aboard the damaged ship.

MANILA - Filipino sailor George Miranda was racing to help a stricken vessel aboard the tugboat Mussafah 2 when he last spoke to his wife and young daughter.

Public health authorities have alerted the public to stay vigilant against influenza as more than 130,000 cases have been reported since January, with the total this year expected to rise from last year.