Iran warns of retaliation if Trump strikes, US withdraws some personnel from bases

The United States is withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbours it would hit American bases if Washington strikes.

US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iran

The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries in an effort to crack down on applicants deemed likely to become a public charge.

Ford asks Carney not to lift tariffs on Chinese EVs during foreign trip

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is imploring Mark Carney not to lift tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles as the prime minister heads to Beijing in a bid to build relations. It’s been a long-standing request of the premier,

The UK is expected to approve a ’mega’ Chinese embassy in London despite objections

Britain’s government is expected to approve a “mega” Chinese embassy close to London’s financial district after years of controversy and political wrangling over the potential security risks it poses to the U.K.

India and US discuss trade, critical minerals and nuclear power

India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Tuesday he held talks on trade, critical minerals and energy with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

At least 22 people killed after crane falls on train in northeast Thailand

At least 22 people have been killed after a construction crane fell on a passenger train in northeast Thailand.

Mark Ruffalo calls Trump ‘the worst human being in the world’ at Golden Globes

Mark Ruffalo had strong words for Donald Trump on the red carpet of Golden Globes on Sunday night. The actor was asked about his pin, which read “Be Good,” and explained that he was wearing it to honor Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent last week.

Trump’s Iran tariff threat risks reopening China rift

Donald Trump’s threat to slap a 25% tariff on countries that trade with Iran risks reopening old wounds with Beijing, Tehran’s top partner, challenging Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s global image and resolve to defend China’s commercial interests.

Prosecutors seek death penalty for ex-South Korean president Yoon

Prosecutors have asked for South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol to be handed a death sentence if he is found guilty over his botched attempt to impose martial law.

’Miracle baby’ born in a tree above Mozambique floodwaters dies aged 25

She was seen as a ’’miracle baby’’ after being born in a tree which her mother had climbed to escape flooding, but nearly 26 years on Mozambican Rosita Salvador Mabuiango has died after a long illness, her sister told the BBC.

Chinese rocket shares slump after warnings on ‘Irrational’ rally

Shares of Chinese companies tied to commercial rockets production tumbled after they cautioned that a recent rally had outpaced underlying fundamentals.

Trump to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado

Washington announced on Monday that Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado will meet President Donald Trump this week, as pressure grew on the interim leadership in Caracas to speed up the release of political prisoners.

Trump briefed on military and covert options for Iran, reports

President Donald Trump has been briefed on a wide range of covert and military tools for use in Iran, two Department of Defense officials told the BBC’s US partner, CBS News.

Germany to soon relocate Afghan refugees stranded in Pakistan

Germany said it will soon relocate more than 400 Afghan refugees stranded in Pakistan, ending months of uncertainty under its humanitarian admission programme.

Apple, Google strike Gemini deal for revamped Siri in major win for Alphabet

Apple (AAPL.O), will use Google’s Gemini models for its revamped Siri coming later this year under a ‌multi-year deal that deepens the tech giants’ alliance in the artificial intelligence era and bolsters Alphabet’s position in the race against OpenAI.

Power, control and party survival: Why China doubles down on anti-corruption drive in 2026

China’s Communist Party has signalled that President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive will intensify after a record 65 senior officials were detained in 2025, the highest number since the campaign began more than a decade ago.

US Supreme Court to weigh transgender athlete bans

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday wades into the hot-button issue of transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.

Alonso leaves Real Madrid, Arbeloa appointed as coach

Real Madrid said on Monday coach Xabi Alonso has left the Spanish giants by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Elephant kills 20 in Indian state as rescue efforts continue

At least 20 people have been killed by a wild elephant in nine days in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, officials have said, adding that the animal is yet to be captured.

Meta blocks 550,000 accounts under Australia’s social media ban

About 550,000 accounts were blocked by Meta during the first days of Australia’s landmark social media ban for kids.

Back-to-back PSLV rocket setbacks for ISRO, 16 satellites lost In space

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission on Monday encountered an anomaly after launch, with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirming that a deviation was observed during the rocket’s third stage.

Donald Trump declares himself as ’Acting President of Venezuela’, posts on Truth Social

In his Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump recognises himself as the ’Acting President of Venezuela’. Credit: Screen grab/Reuters

Chalamet beats DiCaprio to Golden Globes glory

Chalamet, 30, continued his pursuit of greatness, and an Oscar, by beating stars including Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney to the award for best actor in a musical or comedy for table tennis caper Marty Supreme.

Malaysia and Indonesia block Musk’s Grok over sexually explicit deepfakes

Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok over its ability to produce sexually explicit deepfakes.

Trump tells Cuba to ’make a deal, before it is too late’

Donald Trump has urged Cuba to ’’make a deal’’ or face consequences, warning that the flow of Venezuelan oil and money would now stop.

Maersk explores more ethanol use for green fuel to cut reliance on China, FT reports

Danish shipping company Maersk (MAERSKb.CO), opens new tab is looking at increasing its use of ethanol as a fuel, which could reduce its dependence on China and boost the industry’s decarbonisation efforts, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing an interview with CEO Vincent Clerc.

China widens attack on Japan nuclear ‘threats’ as ties sour

China is ramping up objections to what it sees as Japan’s desire to acquire nuclear weapons, despite Tokyo’s long-standing renunciation of such arms, deepening another fissure in the two neighbors’ increasingly tense ties.

US warns Americans to leave Venezuela immediately

The U.S. government issued a new security alert Saturday urging Americans in Venezuela to leave the country immediately, citing security concerns and the U.S. government’s inability to provide emergency assistance, according to the U.S. Embassy Caracas.

Bob Weir, Grateful Dead co-founder, dies aged 78

Bob Weir, the guitarist who co-founded the Grateful Dead, has died aged 78. Weir, a cornerstone of the California psychedelic rock group and many of its offshoots, passed away after a battle with cancer and lung issues, according to a post on his Instagram.

Venezuela-style strike on Taiwan’s leader could prove tricky for China

Some Chinese online users are calling for a lightning Venezuela-style snatch of Taiwan’s leaders in a prelude to taking over the island, but analysts, scholars and security officials say China’s modernising military is still far from ready.