U.S. Tariff Revenue Hits Historical High—Yet Falls Far Short of Saving the Economy

U.S. tariff revenue has reached a historic high. The country’s Customs and Border Protection last week announced record-breaking $200 billion in collected between Jan. 20 and Dec. 15, 2025, “thanks to more than 40 executive orders put in place by President Donald Trump’s Administration.”

Several dead and injured in explosion at Swiss ski resort town Crans-Montana, police say

Several people have been killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana, Swiss police said early on Thursday.

Condom tax and cheaper childcare: China’s plan to boost birth rates

Chinese people will pay a 13% sales tax on contraceptives from 1 January, while childcare services will be exempt, as the world’s second-largest economy tries to boost birth rates.

Bulgaria joins the euro after rocky path to new currency

Bulgaria - the poorest country in the European Union - has become the 21st member of the eurozone - leapfrogging more obvious and prosperous candidates like Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Pakistan’s investment crisis deepens as SIFC fails to deliver on grand promises

Pakistan’s investment landscape is sinking deeper into crisis, and the numbers speak for themselves.

India’s KP Group to invest $4B in Botswana’s renewable energy sector

These projects are expected to add nearly 5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity. The collaboration also includes the development and strengthening of high-voltage transmission infrastructure within Botswana, along with regional interconnections to enhance power reliability and energy security.

UK calls for restraint over China’s military drills around Taiwan

Britain said on Tuesday that China’s military exercises around Taiwan increased the risk of escalation, and reiterated a call for restraint.

Magnitude 6 earthquake hits Japan’s Noda region

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit offshore near Japan’s eastern Noda region on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 19.3 km (nearly 12 miles), the agency reported.

New year celebrations begin as 2026 kicks off in part of Kiribati

The island of Kiritimati is welcoming in the new year - the first place in the world do so.

India surpasses Japan to become world’s 4th largest economy: Government

India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy with a size of USD 4.18 trillion, and is poised to overtake Germany to become the third-largest by 2030, the government has said.

Guinea junta chief wins presidency in controversial election

Gen Mamady Doumbouya has been elected president of Guinea after securing the majority of the vote, according to initial polling results published by the country’s election commission.

Ex-Australia batter Martyn in coma with meningitis

Former Australia batter Damien Martyn has been placed into an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis.

No retreat, no surrender: Ronaldo wants 1000 goals

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo says he will not end his playing career until he scores his 1,000th career goal.

Bhutan bowler takes 8 for 7 in T20 record

A bowler from Bhutan has become the first cricketer to take eight wickets in a T20 international.

Alleged Bondi gunmen acted alone and did not train in the Philippines, police say

The two alleged gunmen who killed 15 people at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach were not part of a wider terror cell and acted alone, Australian police have said.

Ukraine denies drone attack on Putin’s residence

President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied allegations by Russia that Ukraine launched a drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences, and accused Moscow of trying to derail peace talks.

China kicks off second day of military drills around Taiwan

China has begun a second day of military drills around Taiwan in the latest escalation of tensions over the self-governing island.

Nepal to scrap ’failed’ Mount Everest waste deposit scheme

A scheme to encourage climbers to bring their waste down from Mount Everest is being scrapped - with Nepalese authorities telling the BBC it has been a failure.

Beyoncé declared a billionaire by Forbes

Beyoncé has been declared a billionaire by Forbes, making her the fifth musician to join its list of the world’s wealthiest people.

Bangladesh’s first female prime minister Khaleda Zia dies aged 80

Bangladesh’s first female prime minister Khaleda Zia has died at the age of 80 after suffering from prolonged illness.

How are China’s open-source AI models democratising AI globally?

In the heart of Silicon Valley, a counter-intuitive trend is taking root. Martin Casado, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), recently estimated that 80 per cent of open-source artificial intelligence (AI) start-ups in the firm’s portfolio are now building upon Chinese models. This represents a structural shift in the global AI economy.

Pakistani sports bodies engulfed in corruption and mismanagement

Pakistan’s sports sector remains in the doldrums due to entrenched corruption, chronic mismanagement, and sustained political interference. From cricket to hockey to kickboxing, various sports bodies in Pakistan have been blamed for alleged corruption, administrative failures, and the exploitation of athletes, according to the reports.

Data centre surge reaches India as American tech giants invest billions

Mr Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s chief executive, was striding across a stage in New Delhi, extolling his company’s US$17.5 billion (S$22 billion) investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and the benefits it would bring to his native country’s 1.4 billion people.

700 kmph in 2 seconds: China sets world record with high-speed maglev train

Chinese scientists have achieved a milestone in magnetic levitation technology. Researchers at China’s National University of Defence Technology successfully propelled a one-tonne vehicle to 700 kilometers per hour in just two seconds on a 400-meter test track, setting a new world record for superconducting electric maglev systems.

Mexico train crash kills 13 and injures almost 100

At least 13 people died and almost 100 were injured after a train derailed in Mexico’s south-western Oaxaca region, the Mexican navy said.

Root says 'silly' to change England management after Ashes loss

Veteran England batsman Joe Root has said it would be ’’silly’’ to change England’s management team after losing the Ashes, with players ’’absolutely committed’’ to the current set-up.

India-New Zealand FTA means more jobs, incomes, trade: PM Christopher Luxon

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has described the Free Trade Agreement with India as a landmark deal, noting that it means more jobs, higher incomes and more exports from Indian markets.

French cinema actress Brigitte Bardot dies aged 91

French actress Brigitte Bardot, who revolutionised 1950s French cinema and became a symbol of sexual liberation, has died aged 91.

Former England cricket boss Morris dies aged 62

Glamorgan announced the death of Hugh Morris, the former chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), at the age of 62 on Sunday.

War-torn Myanmar voting in widely criticised ’sham’ election

Myanmar is voting in an election widely dismissed as a sham, with major political parties dissolved, many of their leaders jailed and as much as half the country not expected to vote because of an ongoing civil war.