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.

Ugandan President Museveni re-elected to seventh term

Veteran President Yoweri Museveni was the landslide winner of Uganda’s presidential election, the chief of the electoral commission said on Saturday.

Seven shot dead, three injured in alleged extortion-linked attack in Cape Town

Seven people were killed and three others wounded in a suspected extortion-linked mass shooting in Marikana near Cape Town, with police launching a manhunt for the gunmen

EU imposes duties on imports from China of fused alumina

The European Commission has imposed anti-dumping duties on imports into the EU of fused alumina from China, it said on Friday, adding that the move was aimed at boosting the EU’s industrial autonomy.

ChatGPT to carry adverts for some users

Adverts will soon appear at the top of the AI tool ChatGPT for some users, the company OpenAI has announced.

Blair and Rubio among names on Gaza ’Board of Peace’

The Trump administration has named US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former UK prime minister Sir Tony Blair as two of the founding members of its ’’Board of Peace’’ for Gaza.

Trump threatens new tariffs on countries opposed to Greenland takeover

US President Donald Trump has threatened to place tariffs on nations that do not go along with his ambitions to annex Greenland.

Investigation after Air India jet engine sucks in cargo container at Delhi airport

India’s aviation watchdog has launched an investigation after an Air India plane’s engine sucked in a cargo container while taxiing at the Delhi airport.

FDI inflows rise to $51 billion in last six months as govt links manufacturing push with startups

India attracted $51 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the last six months, reflecting sustained global investor interest as the government sharpens its focus on manufacturing, technology and startup-led innovation, Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) said on Wednesday.

Singapore’s opposition leader stripped of title after conviction for lying

Singapore’s Leader of the Opposition in parliament, Pritam Singh, has been stripped of his title by the prime minister following a vote by lawmakers.

INSV Kaundinya’s epic 18-day voyage to Oman brings India’s ancient seafaring legacy to life

Muscat came alive this week as the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel INSV Kaundinya arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos, completing an 18-day maiden voyage from Porbandar in Gujarat. More than a simple port call, the vessel’s arrival was hailed as a vivid celebration of centuries-old civilisational, maritime, and cultural ties between India and Oman.

Lying ban for politicians in Wales prompts free speech fears

A proposed law to make it illegal for politicians to lie during Welsh elections contains ’’extraordinary’’ powers that would limit free speech, Senedd members have warned.

Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize winner presents her medal to Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado says that she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump at a private White House meeting on Thursday.

Villagers shiver in China’s north as government gas subsidies shrink

As the dry, freezing winter air envelops his home, 72-year-old farmer He Wenxiang sits on a bed wearing several layers of clothing including a black fur-collared jacket and a cap.

Astronauts splash down to Earth after medical evacuation from space station

Four astronauts evacuated from the International Space Station (ISS) have landed back on Earth after their stay in space was cut short by a month due to a ’’serious’’ medical issue.