Nasa targets early March to send humans back around the Moon

Nasa is targeting early March to launch a crew around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, in what would be humankind’s furthest trip into space.

Trump brings in new 10% tariff as Supreme Court rejects his global import taxes

US President Donald Trump has imposed a new 10% global tariff to replace ones struck down by the Supreme Court, calling the ruling ’’terrible’’ and lambasting the justices who rejected his trade policy as ’’fools’’.

Trump directs US government to prepare release of files on aliens and UFOs

US President Donald Trump says he will direct US agencies, including the defence department, to ’’begin the process of identifying and releasing’’ government files on aliens and extraterrestrial life.

Twelve killed in China’s Hubei as firecracker store explosion triggers blaze

Twelve people were killed on Wednesday when a store selling firecrackers exploded and caught fire in China’s Hubei province, burning 50 square metres of the premises, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Mystery donor gives Japanese city $3.6m in gold bars to fix water system

A Japanese city has received a hefty donation to help fix its ageing water system: 21kg (46lb) in gold bars.

US and Indonesia finalise deal to cut tariffs to 19%

President Donald Trump’s administration and the Indonesian government say they have finalised an agreement to lower US tariffs on the South East Asian country to 19% from 32%.

Trump says world has 10 days to see if Iran deal reached

President Donald Trump says the world will find out ’’over the next, probably, ten days’’ whether the US will reach a deal with Iran or take military action.

Son of Robert Mugabe questioned in South Africa after reported shooting

Police in South Africa have detained the youngest son of Zimbabwe’s late former President Robert Mugabe after a reported shooting at a property in an upmarket suburb in Johannesburg.

’Law must take Its course’: King Charles III responds after his younger brother arrested

Britain’s monarch, King Charles III, has publicly reacted to the arrest of his younger brother, Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, stating that the law must be allowed to take its course.

Gilgit-Baltistan economy under stress due to declining tourists

The local economy of Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan received a big jolt as the number of foreign tourists plummeted by about 90 percent in just one year. The region hosts five of the 14 tallest peaks across the Himalayas and attracts over 2,000 climbers annually.

Canada revises express entry immigration rules, adds military roles

Canada introduced new immigration priority categories on Feb 18 to bring in skilled workers in fields ranging from research and healthcare to aviation, and to include certain military recruits.

Bill Gates pulls out of India’s AI summit amid Epstein files controversy

Bill Gates will not deliver his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, his philanthropic organisation said hours before the Microsoft co-founder was due to speak.

How Pakistan let food adulteration become a silent public health emergency

Public health emergencies are often imagined as sudden outbreaks or visible disasters. In Pakistan, however, one of the most damaging crises has unfolded gradually, almost invisibly, inside kitchens and marketplaces.

Russia’s Lavrov warns against any new US strike on Iran

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview made public on Wednesday (Feb 18), said that any new US strike on Iran would have serious consequences and called for restraint to find a solution to enable Iran to pursue a peaceful nuclear programme.

India’s Tata signs up OpenAI as customer for data centre business

OpenAI will become the first customer of India’s Tata Consultancy Services’ data centre business, beginning with 100 megawatts of capacity, part of the global AI infrastructure initiative Stargate, the companies said.

South Korea’s ex-president jailed for life for masterminding an insurrection

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of rebellion and abuse of authority over his failed 2024 martial law bid.

Washington appoints new US envoy on Tibetan human rights

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the Trump administration has appointed an envoy to the position of United States special coordinator for Tibetan issues.

Adani bets $100 billion on data centres to power India’s AI ambitions

Adani Enterprises (ADEL.NS), opens new tab said on Tuesday that it will invest $100 billion to build renewable-powered AI-ready data centres by 2035, positioning India as a contender in the global AI race.

Iran foreign minister says progress made in nuclear talks with US in Geneva

Iran and the United States reached an understanding on Tuesday on main ’’guiding principles’’ in talks aimed at resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute, but that does not mean a deal is imminent, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said.

Shein under EU investigation over childlike sex dolls

The European Union (EU) has launched a formal investigation into fast fashion giant Shein over possible breaches of digital law, including the sale of childlike sex dolls.

Canada’s Carney to visit India in early March, Ontario minister says

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit New Delhi in early March to work with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the framework for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, Canadian official Victor Fedeli said on Monday.

Treat Imran Khan fairly in jail, 14 legendary cricket captains appeal to Pakistan government

In a massive development, 14 legendary captains from five countries -including Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev and Australian great Greg Chappell, appealed to the Pakistan government on Tuesday about ensuring proper treatment for Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, who has been in jail for more than two years now.

Bangladesh PM-to-be Tarique Rahman and lawmakers sworn into parliament

Bangladesh’s prime minister-to-be Tarique Rahman and lawmakers were sworn into parliament on Tuesday, becoming the first elected representatives since a deadly 2024 uprising.

Rhode Island shooting: 2 killed, 3 critically injured at Pawtucket ice rink

At least two people have been killed, and three others are in critical condition after a mass shooting at a high school ice hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Beijing’s stock exchange values policy over liquidity

As the Beijing Stock Exchange (BSE) completed its fourth year in September 2025, its total market capitalisation exceeded 900 billion yuan (US$129.1 billion), reflecting China’s attempts to restructure capital markets to support innovation-led growth amid mounting economic pressure

Indonesia readies 1,000 troops for potential peacekeeping force in Gaza in early April

Indonesia is readying 1,000 troops for potential deployment in Gaza by early April as part of a proposed multinational peacekeeping force, its army spokesperson said on Monday (Feb 17).

Kremlin rejects claim it poisoned Navalny with dart frog toxin, widow says truth is out

The Kremlin on Monday flatly rejected accusations from five European countries that the Russian state had killed Alexei Navalny two years ago using toxin from poison dart frogs, but his widow said the truth had finally been proven.

Pakistan turn attention to crucial showdown against Namibia

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson has urged his side to put their loss to India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup behind them quickly and move their focus to qualifying for the next phase of the tournament.

Deadly blast at least 8 killed as huge explosion rips through fireworks shop in China ahead of lunar New Year

A huge explosion ripped through a fireworks shop in a village in Jiangsu province, eastern China, leaving two others with minor burns.

Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan’s family doctor denied from meeting him, says sister

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum spoke out against Khan’s treatment in jail and his worsening health.