US flags pattern of visa abuse linked to Pakistani nationals

Pakistani immigrants who have been recently banned from seeking US visas have a problematic history of misusing the immigration process, such as submitting fraudulent applications, entering into sham marriages, concealing criminal histories, and even plotting terrorist attacks.

Airports reintroduce COVID-style checks after virus outbreak in India

Airports across parts of Asia have begun tightening health surveillance and travel screening after an outbreak of Nipah virus in an Indian state.

US defence plan prioritises deterring China, limits support for allies

The US military will prioritise protecting the homeland and deterring China while providing ’’more limited’’ support to allies in Europe and elsewhere, a Pentagon strategy document released on Friday said.

Gunmen kill 11 at soccer field in Mexico

A group of men opened fire at a soccer field in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, killing at least 11 people and wounding 12 more, authorities said.

South Korea mourns death of former prime minister who nurtured democracy

South Korean former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, a veteran politician and influential fixture on the country’s road to democracy, died during an official visit to Vietnam’s southern hub of Ho Chi Minh City, both governments said.

Gold tops $5,000 for first time ever, adding to historic rally

The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time ever, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025.

Ferry carrying over 350 people sinks in Philippines, killing at least 15

A ferry carrying more than 350 people has capsized off the southern Philippine province of Basilan, killing at least 15 people, according to officials.

Pakistan arrests rights lawyer, husband, family says

Pakistani rights lawyer Imaan Mazari-Hazir was arrested alongside her husband Hadi Ali Chattha on Friday, according to her mother, politician and former minister Shireen Mazari.

China places military’s top uniformed officer under investigation

China announced Saturday that it has placed the military’s highest-ranked uniformed officer under investigation for “suspected serious discipline and law violations,” terminology often used to refer to corruption.

Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariffs if it ’makes a deal with China’

US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if the country strikes a trade deal with China.

Italy and Germany seek raw materials security amid China concerns

Italy and Germany have pledged to work together to secure supply chains for raw materials vital to their economies, according to a document seen by Reuters, as Rome urges partners to counter what it sees as China’s growing influence over global prices.

Bangladesh officially out of T20 World Cup, ICC name Scotland as replacement

Scotland has officially been named as Bangladesh’s replacement for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC announced on Friday, January 23. Bangladesh decided to pull out of the ICC event, citing security concerns and saying that their concerns weren’t adequately addressed by the cricket governing body.

China no longer Pentagon’s top security priority

China is no longer the top security priority for the US, according to the Pentagon’s new National Defense Strategy.

National security trial for HK’s Tiananmen activists begins

Three activists who organised annual vigils to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown have gone on trial in Hong Kong, facing charges under the city’s controversial national security law.

To Lam wins new term to rule Vietnam for the next five years

Vietnam’s top leader To Lam was reappointed on Friday as head of the ruling Communist Party for the next five years after a unanimous vote by its central committee, as he pledged to turbocharge growth in the export-reliant nation.

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves parliament, paving way for snap election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved parliament in advance of a snap election scheduled for February 8.

Gold tops $4,900/oz; silver and platinum extend record‑setting rally

Gold pushed past $4,900 per ounce for the first time on Thursday, powered by ‌ongoing geopolitical tensions, a softer U.S. dollar and expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, while silver and platinum prices hit fresh record highs.

US, Russia and Ukraine to hold security talks in UAE after Putin meeting

Ukrainian, US and Russian officials will hold security talks in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, the Kremlin said, following a meeting of top US negotiators with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on a US-drafted plan to end the Ukraine war.

TikTok clinches deal for new US joint venture to avoid American ban

TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, on Thursday said it has finalized a deal to establish a majority American-owned joint venture that will secure U.S. data, to avoid a U.S. ban on the short video app used by over 200 million Americans.

Japan suspends world’s largest nuclear plant hours after restart

Japan has suspended operations at the world’s largest nuclear power plant, hours after its restart, its operator has said.

Bangladesh adamant on playing T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka despite ICC threat

Bangladesh have reiterated their stance on not travelling to India for the T20 World Cup and will, once again, request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their games to Sri Lanka despite the global cricket body’s refusal to change the tournament’s schedule.

Death toll in Pakistan shopping centre fire rises to at least 60

The death toll from a fire at a shopping centre in Karachi has risen to at least 60, after at least 30 bodies were found in a single burned shop, Pakistani officials have said.

From doctors to engineers: Pakistan’s growing brain drain

Pakistan expects to sign an agreement with Russia on the restoration and modernization of the Karachi steel plant during Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Moscow, scheduled for March, Pakistani Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi told Sputnik.

US set to quit World Health Organization

The U.S. is due to officially exit the World Health Organization on Thursday, in the face of warnings it will hit both U.S. health and global health and also in violation of a U.S. law that requires Washington to pay the U.N. health agency $260 million in fees that it owes.

Three dead in shooting in Australia’s New South Wales

Three people have died after a reported shooting in a small town in New South Wales, Australia, police say.

India becoming ’’Indispensable’’ for Europe: EU ahead of New Delhi visit

Days before the European Union’s top leadership arrives in India as chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations and for the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27, the bloc’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, on Wednesday set the tone for what is being described as a pivotal reset in ties between the two strategic partners.

Slow emergency response blamed in deadly fire that tore through Pakistani mall

A fire tore through a crowded mall in Karachi this past weekend, leaving at least 23 people dead and dozens missing on Monday in the latest tragedy that urban planners and shopkeepers have blamed on chronic mismanagement in Pakistan’s largest city.

China’s population declines for a fourth straight year amid record low birthrates

China’s population has shrunk for the fourth straight year as birthrates hit a record low, national data shows.

Ex-Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s killer sentenced to life

A Japanese court has sentenced the killer of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to life in prison.

Tourist helicopter goes missing near volcano in Japan

A sightseeing helicopter carrying three people has gone missing near Mount Aso, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes.