Hong Kong high-rise fire kills at least 44, leaves hundreds missing

The death toll from one of Hong Kong’s worst fires in peacetime has risen to at least 44, authorities have said, with hundreds of others still unaccounted for.

Ahmedabad to host 2030 Commonwealth Games; gets seal of approval at CGF General Assembly

Ahmedabad was officially named the host city of the 2030 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday (November 26), edging out Abuja, Nigeria. Delegates of the 74 Commonwealth member nations and territories ratified India’s bid at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow.

UK to impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese biodiesel imports

Britain will apply anti-dumping duties on biodiesel imports from China after finding they were sold at unfairly low prices, the government said on Tuesday.

4 dead after fire engulfs residential high-rise buildings in Hong Kong

A fire engulfed multiple high-rise towers of a residential housing complex in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district on Nov 26, with plumes of thick grey smoke billowing out as emergency services battled to subdue the blaze.

Jakarta rises to world’s largest city

Tokyo has lost its long-held title as the world’s most populous megacity and now ranks third, according to a new report.

One spouse is enough, Vatican tells world’s Catholics

Happily ever after doesn’t require any complicated maths, the Vatican said on Tuesday for Catholics, one spouse is enough.

New Zealand mother jailed for life over ‘suitcase murders’ of her children

A New Zealand woman who murdered her two children and hid their bodies in suitcases at a storage facility has been sentenced to life in prison.

Afghanistan says Pakistan bombed Khost, killing nine children and a woman

At least nine children and a woman have been killed after Pakistani forces bombed a house in the country’s southeastern Khost province, according to Afghan authorities – a claim dismissed by Pakistan’s military.

US tells Britain: Kick out Chinese firms

Britain should ban China from all of its critical infrastructure, a senior US official has suggested.

Thai woman’s cremation stopped as knocking on coffin heard, temple staff say

A woman thought to be dead, who was about to be cremated at a Buddhist temple in the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, has been found alive by staff.

Australia senator suspended after burka stunt in parliament

An Australian senator has been suspended for a week after wearing a burka in parliament to push for a ban on the Muslim garment.

Air India cancels multiple flights as Ethiopian volcanic ash drifts into Indian airspace

Air India cancelled multiple flights after initiating precautionary checks on aircraft that had flown over regions affected by the Hayli Gubbi volcanic eruption in Ethiopia, as an ash cloud from the eruption continued to disrupt flight paths across several countries, including India. The cancellations came as the ash plume spread rapidly, impacting airspace over western and northern India.

Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae music pioneer, dies at 81

Jimmy Cliff, the charismatic reggae pioneer and actor who preached joy, defiance and resilience in his classics, has died at 81.

Mobilisation drive in Sindh against 27th Amendment

Opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday announced a three-day public mobilisation campaign during the first week of December, beginning from Kamo Shaheed in Ghotki and culminating in Karachi as part of its ongoing “struggle” across the country against the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

Australian federal MPs warned to turn off phones when Chinese delegation visits Parliament House

Politicians and staff in parts of Parliament House have been urged to turn off their phones, laptops and internet during a visit by Chinese officials, with parliament administrators warning building occupants about interruptions to wifi service.

Saudi Arabia to open more alcohol stores as curbs ease: Reports

Saudi Arabia plans to open two new alcohol stores, including one serving non-Muslim, foreign staff at state oil giant Aramco, as the kingdom further eases restrictions, according to people briefed on the plans.

Trump says he will visit China in April after call with Xi

President Donald Trump has said he agreed to visit Beijing in April and invited Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit later next year, following a phone call between the two leaders.

The price of free education: How Madrassas shape extremist worldviews

The madrassa system in Pakistan occupies a paradoxical space: it is both a lifeline for the poor and a potential conduit for radicalization. This duality has made madrassas a focal point in debates on education, militancy, and global security.

NBA coach Billups pleads not guilty to Mafia-linked gambling racket: prosecutors

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty Monday to alleged involvement in Mafia-linked illegal gambling schemes that rocked the NBA, prosecutors said.

Boy with rare condition amazes doctors after world-first gene therapy

A three-year-old boy has astounded doctors with his progress after becoming the first person in the world with his devastating disease to receive a ground-breaking gene therapy.

Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra passes away at 89

Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra has passed away at the age of 89. Media sources confirmed that he died in Mumbai, weeks after being discharged from Breach Candy Hospital following a period of medical treatment.

Fifty kidnapped Catholic school students in Nigeria escape

Fifty of the more than 300 students kidnapped from a Nigerian Catholic school last week have escaped and have been reunited with their parents, the Catholic Church and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said on Sunday.

Japan releases data to counter China’s claim of crimes against Chinese

The Japanese Foreign Ministry has released data to counter China’s claim that crimes against Chinese nationals are on the rise in Japan.

Watch Ronaldo score stunning overhead kick

Cristiano Ronaldo rolled back the years by scoring a stunning overhead kick in Al-Nassr’s 4-1 win over Al-Khaleej in the Saudi Pro League.

Norris and Piastri disqualified from Las Vegas GP

Lando Norris and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri have been disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for technical infringements.

China’s aging population opens a new market front

China’s rapidly aging population – now over 310 million people aged 60 and older – is transforming the country’s economic landscape, spawning a booming ’’silver economy’’ worth 8.3 trillion yuan (around US$1.16 trillion) as of 2024.

Titanic couple’s pocket watch sells for record £1.78m

The 18-carat Jules Jurgensen engraved watch was owned by first class passenger Isidor Straus, who died when the ship sank in April 1912.

Brazil’s ex-president Bolsonaro detained by police ahead of vigil

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was taken into federal police custody on Saturday before a planned supporters’ vigil near his home, ending months of house arrest as he appeals a Supreme Court conviction for plotting a coup.

Pakistan faces risk of corruption-related money laundering

The International Monetary Fund has said that Pakistan faces significant risks of corruption-related money laundering, while accountability remains weak, as high-profile or politically sensitive cases often face external interference that limits the independence of investigations.

Meta alerts young Australians to download their data before a social media ban

Technology giant Meta on Thursday began sending thousands of young Australians a two-week warning to downland their digital histories and delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram and Threads before a world-first social media ban on accounts of children younger than 16 takes effect.