India sends second tranche of food grain assistance to Lesotho

India sent a humanitarian assistance consignment to the southern African nation of Lesotho comprising 1000 metric tonnes of sorghum (jowar) to help in addressing the food security issues in the country.

Taiwan’s NSB releases report on infiltration tactics used by China

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) has released an analysis of China’s infiltration tactics, underscoring Beijing’s attempts to recruit active service members by using military veterans, Taiwan News reported.

Winter sports boom in China: a trillion yuan market in the making

At the National Alpine Skiing Center of China, ski instructor Xin Dawei is welcoming the busiest snow season in his 9-year career.

South Korea’s President Yoon arrested

South Korean investigators have arrested South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol over accusations of insurrection for briefly imposing martial law in a move swiftly overturned by the country’s National Assembly.

China’s foreign trade reaches record high

The total value of China’s foreign trade reached a record high of 43.85 trillion yuan in 2024, marking a 5 percent year-on-year growth, according to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China.

Japan issues Tsunami advisory after 6.6 magnitude earthquake

Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of southwest Japan.

LA fires death toll rises to 24 as high winds expected

Weather forecasters in California are warning fierce winds which fuelled the infernos around Los Angeles are expected to pick up again this week, as fire crews on the ground race to make progress controlling three wildfires.

China’s cram school giant TAL steps up U.S. push amid crackdown at home

The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments over the fate of TikTok on Friday, questioning TikTok’s lawyer far longer than the attorney for the government.

India’s state-owned HSL in talks with Vietnam for submarine refits

New Delhi: India’s state-owned shipbuilding entity, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), is reaching out to countries in Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, amid the Indian government’s push to establish the country as a major defence products exporter and manufacturing centre.

Orthodoxy ’crippling’ Pakistan’s polio fight, worsening health crisis

Pakistan is grappling with a rising polio crisis, as the highly contagious Wild Poliovirus type 1 (WPV1)—the last remaining wild poliovirus serotype—continues to spread. In 2024, the country recorded 68 polio cases, a stark increase from just six cases in 2023.

Taliban ’do not see women as human’, says Malala

Malala Yousafzai has urged Muslim leaders to challenge the Taliban government in Afghanistan and its repressive policies for girls and women.

US government backs decision to withhold Wada payment after Chinese swimmers’ doping case

The United States Anti-Doping Agency has welcomed the decision of their country’s government to withhold a payment of $3.6 million (HK$28 million) to the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Trump avoids prison or fine in hush-money case sentencing

A judge has sentenced US President-elect Donald Trump to an ’’unconditional discharge,’’ bringing to an end the first criminal trial of a former US president.

With 1.2 bn subscribers India’s telecom sector is delving into AI and 6G advancements

With a subscriber base of 1.2 billion, the Indian telecom sector is now delving into Artificial Intelligence (AI) and pioneering 6G advancements. The sector has been on an extraordinary growth trajectory with average monthly wireless data usage soaring to 21.30 GB per user by October 2024.

Sri Lankan accused of sexually assaulting woman on flight to Australia

A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman aboard an international flight has been banned from leaving the country while his court case is underway.

Lebanon parliament elects army chief Joseph Aoun as president

Lebanon’s army chief Joseph Aoun has been elected as the country’s president, ending a power vacuum that lasted for more than two years.

India’s solar capacity to reach 214GW by 2030, 66% of incremental addition to come from solar: Report

India’s solar energy sector is on the brink of significant expansion, with the country aiming to achieve a 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030. A report by Kotak Institutional Equities forecasts that India’s solar capacity will grow from 82 GW in 2024 to 214 GW by 2030.

CDC is monitoring HMPV spike in China as US cases increase

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring reports of a spike in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, as the US sees an increase in such cases.

Los Angeles wildfires: 5 dead in California as Palisades fire rages

A massive wildfire whipped up by extreme winds has swept through a Los Angeles hillside dotted with celebrity homes - with a state of emergency declared.

Smaller, smarter, and more affordable: How China’s EV drives mass adoption

A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights the crucial role of smaller and more affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in driving mass-market adoption.

Run for your lives!’ LA residents abandon cars to flee wildfire on foot

Screaming Los Angeles residents left their cars behind to flee a fast-moving wildfire as it closed in on a picturesque celebrity enclave, eyewitnesses said, describing scenes straight out of a Hollywood disaster movie.

German diplomat found dead in Islamabad

A German diplomat was found dead in Diplomatic Enclave on Monday, police said.

Overblown fears of HMPV cases in China reflect pandemic scars

An uptick of a routine virus in China ignited dire headlines and social media posts, but public health experts caution that the human metapneumovirus cases are part of the typical ebb and flow of respiratory virus seasons and are no reason to be alarmed.

From New Orleans to Las Vegas: The persistent threat of lone wolf terrorism to the world

The dawn of 2025 brought a chilling reminder of the ever-present threat of lone-wolf terrorism. On January 1st, in the early hours of the New Year, a horrific attack in New Orleans shocked the world, leaving 14 people dead and at least 35 others injured.

Indo-Nepal joint exercise Surya Kiran showcases military cooperation

The 18th Indo-Nepal Joint Military Exercise, Surya Kiran, is currently underway at Saljhandi in Nepal. Running from December 31 to January 13, the exercise strengthens the partnership between the Indian and Nepalese Armies, providing a platform for both to exchange best practices and sharpen operational skills.

Undersea cable near Taiwan damaged in suspected sabotage by China

An undersea cable off the north-east coast of Taiwan has been damaged, with authorities blaming a Cameroonian-registered cargo ship, the Shunxin-39, as the likely culprit in the latest maritime incident.

Tibet earthquake: Nine dead as 7.1-magnitude quake felt in Nepal and India

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck a mountainous region in Tibet and neighbouring Nepal on Tuesday morning, damaging buildings and reportedly killing at least nine people.

4 dead, 32 injured as bus targeted in blast in Balochistan’s Turbat: police

Four people were killed and 32 injured in a blast targeting a bus in the suburban area of Balochistan’s Turbat on Saturday, according to the police.

Gulmarg to host Khelo India Winter Games in February

Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo emphasised the need for optimally utilising the events like ‘Khelo India Winter Games’ for tourism promotion in Jammu and Kashmir at global level.

Heaviest snowfall in a decade’ threatens parts of the US

Large swaths of the United States, from Kansas to New Jersey, were hit by a massive winter storm that brought snow, ice, wind and Arctic-like temperatures.