Nobel Peace Prize winner’s daughter accepts award on her behalf

The daughter of María Corina Machado, the winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, has said her mother is determined to live in a free Venezuela and would ’’never give up on that purpose’’ as she accepted her mother’s award.

Environmental damage mounts as China pushes BRI infrastructure

The Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013, was initially presented as a grand vision of connectivity and development. Yet, more than a decade later, the environmental consequences of this vast infrastructure program are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Reports from the first half of 2025 revealed that BRI engagement reached record highs, with USD 66.2 billion in construction contracts and USD 57.1 billion in investments.

Sperm from donor with cancer-causing gene was used to conceive almost 200 children

A sperm donor who unknowingly harboured a genetic mutation that dramatically raises the risk of cancer has fathered at least 197 children across Europe, a major investigation has revealed.

Microsoft’s mega investment in India: Rs 1.5 lakh crore for ’’AI 1st Future’’

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella met Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday evening and committed the United States-based software giant’s largest ever Asia investment – over US$ 17.5 billion, or Rs 1.5 lakh crore – towards developing Artificial Intelligence-capabilities.

Australia's social media ban for children takes effect in world first

Australia has enacted a world-first ban on social media for users aged under 16, causing millions of children and teenagers to lose access to their accounts.

Lithuania declares state of emergency over balloons from Belarus

Lithuania’s government on Tuesday declared a state of emergency over smuggler balloons originating in Belarus that have disrupted aviation, and asked parliament to allow the military to operate alongside police and border guards.

At least 20 dead in Jakarta fire

A fire broke out at a seven-storey building in Indonesia’s capital on Tuesday, with 20 people confirmed dead, police said.

Record graft case filed over China-funded Pokhara airport

Nepal’s anti-graft body on Sunday filed a corruption case at the Special Court against 55 individuals, including five former ministers and 10 former secretaries, as well as a company over irregularities in the construction of the $215.96 million China-funded international airport project in Pokhara.

Japan earthquake with 7.6 magnitude leaves ’everything wobbling’ as tsunami warning issued

A massive earthquake measuring 7.6 in magnitude has struck off the north-east coast of Japan. The quake, on Monday afternoon (December 8), has prompted fears of an incoming tsunami in the Aomori district.

New mpox strain identified in England

A new strain of mpox, previously called monkeypox, has been detected in a person in England, say UK health officials.

India is turning the tide against Naxalism

India’s campaign against Naxalism has moved decisively from containment to rollback, combining sustained security operations with development, rights-based rehabilitation and political outreach. The reported killing of top maoist commander Madvi Hidma marks both a symbolic and operational inflection point, coinciding with a broader shift from insurgency to integration in erstwhile strongholds.

Chinese companies as outliers amid faltering global green transition

At the 25th anniversary of the founding of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) held in Beijing on December 2nd, 2025, batches of Chinese companies and research institutions joined the Belt and Road Action Platform expert groups in transportation, finance, compliance, medicine, and sustainable social value ecosystem.

Thailand launches air strikes at Cambodia as border tensions reignite

Thailand has launched air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, the Thai military said on Monday, after both countries accused the other of breaching a ceasefire agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Shakib Al Hasan reverses retirement, eyes all-formats home series before farewell

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has withdrawn his retirement from Test and T20I cricket, expressing his desire to represent the national team across all three formats, as per ESPNcricinfo. Shakib, who has been away from international cricket for over a year, announced his retirement from Tests and T20Is last year.

New US security strategy aligns with Russia’s vision, Moscow says

Russia has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s new National Security Strategy, calling it ’’largely consistent’’ with Moscow’s vision.

UAE emerges as prime destination for India’s tech expansion amid proptech boom

As India’s tech-solution providers push beyond traditional markets in a bid to diversify their global footprint, the Gulf--especially the UAE--has rapidly emerged as their newest frontier. Drawn by the region’s pro-business ecosystem, soaring digital adoption, and its growing appetite for advanced technology, Indian tech firms are increasingly anchoring themselves in Dubai and beyond.

Nepal anti-graft body launches probe into China- built Pokhara airport

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Monday opened a formal inquiry into alleged corruption in the construction of Pokhara International Airport, a project built by a Chinese firm with a concessional loan from China Exim Bank. The airport was completed on January 2, 2023, at an estimated cost of $216 million.

Lando Norris wins first F1 world championship title at Abu Dhabi GP

A tearful Lando Norris claimed his maiden Formula One world drivers’ title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, ending Max Verstappen’s four-year reign.

Power as ‘currency’: Experts say data centre growth lifts demand; India poised for global leadership

India’s expanding data centre and artificial intelligence ecosystem could position the country as a global leader in power trade, with experts pointing to surplus electricity capacity and rapid reforms in the power distribution sector, according to speakers at a national conference on energy and technology.

Death toll from devastating Indonesia floods passes 900

The death toll in Indonesia from recent flooding has passed 900, with hundreds still missing.

Staff and tourists among 23 killed in Goa nightclub fire, officials say

At least 23 people have been killed in a fire at a popular nightclub in the coastal region of Goa, India, local officials say.

China’s National Security Office in Hong Kong summons foreign journalists

The Hong Kong authorities summoned international news organisations to a rare meeting on Dec 6 to warn against “false information and smear campaigns” surrounding the city’s deadliest fire in nearly eight decades and upcoming legislative elections.

Pakistan legend Akram hails 'incredible' Starc after Ashes heroics

Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram believes even more is to come from Australia’s ’’incredible’’ veteran Ashes wrecking ball Mitchell Starc.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - Groups, Teams, Format

Sri Lankan football fans have been following the global build up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw, and the long wait ended in Washington, DC where the tournament groups were officially revealed. After weeks of political attention surrounding the event and the presence of United States President Donald Trump, the focus finally returned to the sport.

Legendary architect Frank Gehry dies aged 96

Frank Gehry, one of the most influential architects of the last century, has died aged 96. Gehry was acclaimed for his avant garde, experimental style of architecture. His titanium-covered design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, catapulted him to fame in 1997.

India talking to 8 more nations for UPI acceptability

India is talking to about eight countries, including those in East Asia, to make UPI payments acceptable, Financial Services Secretary M. Nagaraju said on Friday (December 5, 2025).

Putin says Russia will take Donbas by force or Ukraine’s troops will withdraw

President Vladimir Putin has warned again that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war in Ukraine.

US widens travel ban to more than 30 countries, Noem says

The US plans to expand the number of countries covered by its travel ban to more than 30, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Thursday (Dec 4).

Man who killed ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe apologises to his family

The man accused of assassinating former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has apologised to the ex-leader’s family for the first time.

India won’t accept humiliation: Putin slams Trump over oil trade tariffs

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday slammed Donald Trump’s administration for pressuring its trading partner India to cut back energy trade with Moscow, warning that it would backfire on Washington.