Gold tops $4,900/oz; silver and platinum extend record‑setting rally

Gold pushed past $4,900 per ounce for the first time on Thursday, powered by ‌ongoing geopolitical tensions, a softer U.S. dollar and expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, while silver and platinum prices hit fresh record highs.

US, Russia and Ukraine to hold security talks in UAE after Putin meeting

Ukrainian, US and Russian officials will hold security talks in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, the Kremlin said, following a meeting of top US negotiators with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on a US-drafted plan to end the Ukraine war.

TikTok clinches deal for new US joint venture to avoid American ban

TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, on Thursday said it has finalized a deal to establish a majority American-owned joint venture that will secure U.S. data, to avoid a U.S. ban on the short video app used by over 200 million Americans.

Japan suspends world’s largest nuclear plant hours after restart

Japan has suspended operations at the world’s largest nuclear power plant, hours after its restart, its operator has said.

Bangladesh adamant on playing T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka despite ICC threat

Bangladesh have reiterated their stance on not travelling to India for the T20 World Cup and will, once again, request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their games to Sri Lanka despite the global cricket body’s refusal to change the tournament’s schedule.

Death toll in Pakistan shopping centre fire rises to at least 60

The death toll from a fire at a shopping centre in Karachi has risen to at least 60, after at least 30 bodies were found in a single burned shop, Pakistani officials have said.

From doctors to engineers: Pakistan’s growing brain drain

Pakistan expects to sign an agreement with Russia on the restoration and modernization of the Karachi steel plant during Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Moscow, scheduled for March, Pakistani Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi told Sputnik.

US set to quit World Health Organization

The U.S. is due to officially exit the World Health Organization on Thursday, in the face of warnings it will hit both U.S. health and global health and also in violation of a U.S. law that requires Washington to pay the U.N. health agency $260 million in fees that it owes.

Three dead in shooting in Australia’s New South Wales

Three people have died after a reported shooting in a small town in New South Wales, Australia, police say.

India becoming ’’Indispensable’’ for Europe: EU ahead of New Delhi visit

Days before the European Union’s top leadership arrives in India as chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations and for the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27, the bloc’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, on Wednesday set the tone for what is being described as a pivotal reset in ties between the two strategic partners.

Slow emergency response blamed in deadly fire that tore through Pakistani mall

A fire tore through a crowded mall in Karachi this past weekend, leaving at least 23 people dead and dozens missing on Monday in the latest tragedy that urban planners and shopkeepers have blamed on chronic mismanagement in Pakistan’s largest city.

China’s population declines for a fourth straight year amid record low birthrates

China’s population has shrunk for the fourth straight year as birthrates hit a record low, national data shows.

Ex-Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s killer sentenced to life

A Japanese court has sentenced the killer of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to life in prison.

Tourist helicopter goes missing near volcano in Japan

A sightseeing helicopter carrying three people has gone missing near Mount Aso, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes.

Trump says UK’s Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius is an act of ’great stupidity’

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticised the UK’s deal to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling it an ’’act of great stupidity’’ and ’’total weakness.’’

China Built Another Trillion-Yuan Industry on Ice and Snow

A lifelong snowboard enthusiast, Mr. Yan spent years chasing fresh powder across China’s growing network of ski resorts. This year, he took a different leap: he launched his own snowboarding company, SnowRidge, turning a personal passion into a commercial bet.

Trump threatens 200% tariff on French wines as Macron reportedly snubs ‘Board of Peace’ seat

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to impose 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne after French President Emmanuel Macron was reported to be unwilling to join his “Board of Peace” on Gaza.

Public trust erodes as Pakistan police top corruption survey in 2025

Topping the National Corruption Perception Survey again in 2025 has reinforced the wider and deeply rooted perception that the police department is the most corrupt institution in Pakistan. About a quarter of people interviewed by Transparency International called the police the most corrupt government department.

Why does Trump want Greenland and what could it mean for Nato?

US President Donald Trump insists his country needs to acquire Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using military force.

Italian fashion designer Valentino dies aged 93

Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known as Valentino, has died at the age of 93.

Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 jolts Ladakh’s Leh

An earthquake of magnitude 5.7 struck Ladakh’s Leh on Monday. The tremors were also felt in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and nearby regions of India’s neighbouring countries in the north.

India’s astrotourism boom draws urban stargazers beyond city limits

On a cold winter night, around 200km (125 miles) from the Indian capital Delhi, dozens of people huddle around telescopes, waiting for darkness to settle over the landscape.

At least 21 killed in Spain after crash involving high-speed trains

At least 21 people have been killed after a crash involving high-speed trains in southern Spain, as authorities warn the death toll could rise overnight.

Eight dead, dozens missing in massive Pakistan mall fire

A massive fire that tore through a shopping centre in Pakistan’s largest city has killed eight people, including a firefighter, and rescuers are racing to find dozens more still missing.

England’s cricketers are slapped with a curfew for Sri Lanka tour and T20 World Cup

England’s cricketers will be subject to a midnight curfew for the rest of the winter following their ill-discipline during the Ashes and the New Zealand tour that preceded it.

EU moves to force the phase-out of Chinese suppliers from key infrastructure, FT reports

The European Union is moving to force the phase-out of Chinese‑made equipment from critical infrastructure, barring companies such as Huawei and ZTE (000063.SZ), opens new tab from telecom networks and solar energy systems, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.

Wreckage of Indonesian surveillance plane that went missing found in South Sulawesi

Indonesian authorities have found the wreckage of a surveillance aircraft that went missing in South Sulawesi, but all 11 people on board are still unaccounted for.

Trump vows tariffs on eight European nations over Greenland

President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to implement a wave of increasing tariffs on European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland, escalating a row over the future of Denmark’s vast Arctic island.

Taiwan says Chinese drone made ’provocative’ flight over South China Sea island

A Chinese reconnaissance drone briefly flew over the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands at the top end of the South China Sea on Saturday, in what Taiwan’s Defense Ministry called a ’’provocative and irresponsible’’ move.

India to ease rules to boost foreign investment in domestic defence firms: Report

India plans to make it much easier for foreign firms to invest in defence companies, two government sources with knowledge of the matter said - a move that would align with efforts to boost domestic manufacturing after last year’s conflict with Pakistan.