Sri Lanka under pressure: The impact of Trump’s tariffs on a fragile economy

As the world grapples with a new wave of economic nationalism, Sri Lanka stands at a precarious crossroads. In April 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, reviving an aggressive ’’America First’’ trade doctrine.

AI and machine learning jobs rise by 42 per cent YoY in June: Dept of Economic Affairs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning roles recorded a significant 42 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in June 2025, highlighted the Monthly Economic Review released by the Department of Economic Affairs.

India develops first ‘dual stealth drone’ wrapped in nanotech cloak

Two Hyderabad-based firms have teamed up to build India’s first “dual stealth drone,” combining autonomous flight with a new material that hides platforms from both radar and infrared (IR) sensors.

Pakistan’s growing drug trade thrives amid police corruption and policy failure

In the shadowy margins of Pakistan’s crowded cities and neglected rural belts, a flourishing narcotics trade is exacting a deadly toll. Once seen primarily as a transit route for Afghan heroin, Pakistan now faces a drug epidemic of its own, sustained by systemic corruption, institutional apathy, and a deeply compromised law enforcement system.

Australia to ban under-16s from YouTube

Australia will use landmark social media laws to ban children under 16 from video-streaming site YouTube, a top minister said Wednesday stressing the need to shield them from ’’predatory algorithms’’.

Japan and US issue tsunami warnings after magnitude 8.8 quake

Japan and the US have issued tsunami warnings after a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Russia on Wednesday.

Reset & rebuild: Modi’s visit marks revival in India–Maldives ties

rime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a highly successful two-day state visit to the Maldives (July 25–26, 2025), coinciding with the island nation’s 60th Independence Day and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties with India.

Imran Khan moves SC against Lahore HC’s rejection of bail in May 9 riot cases

The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan to challenge the Lahore High Court (LHC) decision rejecting his bail in multiple cases linked to the May 9 riots, Geo News reported.

Taiwan foreign minister Lin Chia-Lung makes rare visit to Japan; China lodges protest

Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung made a rare trip to Japan, where his stops include a visit to the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported Friday.

EU and US agree trade deal, with 15% tariffs for European exports to America

The United States and European Union have reached a trade deal framework, ending a months-long standoff between two of the world’s biggest economic partners.

Passengers exit plane via emergency slide after aborted takeoff

Passengers on an American Airlines flight evacuated onto the runway via emergency slides after the plane aborted its takeoff on the runway in Denver on Saturday. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, officials said.

Lead poisoning investigation in China alleges cover up by kindergarten

An investigation into the lead poisoning of hundreds of children in western China has revealed an alleged cover-up by the management of the kindergarten at the centre of the scandal.

Trump says Thailand, Cambodia agree to hold immediate ceasefire talks

U.S. President Donald Trumpsaid on Saturday the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to meet immediately to quickly work out a ceasefire, as he sought to broker peace after three days of fighting along their border.

Taiwan says China is ’clearly’ trying to interfere in its democracy ahead of recall vote

China is ’’clearly’’ trying to interfere in Taiwan’s democracy and it is up to Taiwan’s people to decide who should be removed from or stay in office, the island’s government says ahead of a recall vote for around one-fifth of politicians.

US wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies aged 71

Hulk Hogan, one of America’s best-known wrestling stars, has died at the age of 71, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has confirmed.

Japan’s 2025 Defence White Paper flags China as ’Greatest Strategic Challenge’, warns of growing CRINK threat

Japan has published its Defence of Japan 2025 white paper, which details escalating threats from a more united bloc of authoritarian countries, specifically China, Russia, and North Korea, as reported by the Eurasian Times.

No survivors in Russian passenger plane crash

All 49 people on board the Angara Airlines An-24 passenger plane which crashed in Russia’s far east Amur region have died, TASS news agency reported citing preliminary information from emergency services.

Indian medical team to visit Dhaka to help burn victims from deadly jet crash

A medical team is likely to visit Dhaka shortly to support burn victims of the recent fighter jet crash in the Diabari area of Bangladesh’s capital, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said on Wednesday.

Trump says US has struck trade deal with Japan

President Donald Trump says the US has agreed to a ’’massive’’ trade deal with Japan, one of the country’s largest trading partners.

Militants use drones to drop bombs on security forces

Militants in Pakistan have started using commercially acquired quadcopter drones to drop bombs on security forces in the country’s northwest, police said, a potentially dangerous development in the volatile region.

China bans Wells Fargo banker from leaving the country

An Atlanta-based banker working for Wells Fargo has been prevented from leaving China, the latest incident that threatens to amplify concerns among Western executives about the potential consequences of visiting the world’s second-biggest economy.

Mid-air fight erupts on KL-Chengdu AirAsia flight over noise dispute

A mid-air brawl erupted on an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu after a group of women allegedly refused to stop making noise while cabin lights were dimmed.

Japan’s PM Ishiba to quit after election drubbing and Trump trade deal, source

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to step down following a bruising upper house election defeat, a source told Reuters, as the embattled premier announced a long-sought trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump.

India and Kuwait boost air connectivity with 50% capacity increase

Kuwait and India signed a new air services agreement with an aim to increase weekly air capacity by 50 per cent, as reported by the Gulf News. This partnership will allow the airline operators to raise seats up to 18,000 per week, each direction, up from the previous limit of 12,000.

China begins construction of controversial mega-dam in Tibet

Construction of a controversial ’’mega-dam’’ on a river flowing through Tibet and India has begun, Chinese state media reported, with Premier Li Keqiang attending a groundbreaking ceremony.

Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns as Vice President of India, citing medical reasons

Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar has officially resigned from his post with immediate effect, citing health reasons and the need to follow medical advice. The resignation, addressed to the President of India, was tendered under Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution.

Navigating sovereignty- Sri Lanka’s SOP on research vessels amid Indo-Pacific power contests

In the vast and contested waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka finds itself navigating an increasingly complex diplomatic tide. Scientific research vessels—once viewed as benign tools for oceanographic exploration—have now become flashpoints in a broader geopolitical power struggle.

Monsoon mayhem: Over 200 dead, 560 injured as relentless rains lash Pakistan

Over 200 people have lost their lives, including nearly 100 children, amongst those killed since the onset of Monsoon in late June, Geo TV reported on Saturday, citing Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

China’s military export model faces major setback

China’s ambitions to become a global power face a crisis. The May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict revealed that Chinese military hardware consistently fails in combat conditions, with Pakistan, Beijing’s largest defence importer, suffering operational disasters across air, land, and naval domains.

Japan’s PM vows to stay on despite bruising election loss

Japan’s ruling coalition has lost its majority in the country’s upper house, but Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has said he has no plans to quit.