Top Republican on China panel objects to resumption of Nvidia H20 chip shipments

The head of a House of Representatives panel on China told U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that resuming sales of Nvidia’s H20 chips to China threatens to advance Beijing’s AI capability, stepping up his criticism of the decision and saying the original ban was ’’the right call.’’

Man wearing heavy metallic necklace dies after being sucked into MRI machine

A 61-year-old man has died after he was sucked into a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at a medical centre while he was wearing a heavy metal necklace.

ECB awarded hosting rights for the next three WTC Finals

During the ICC Annual Conference 2025, it was confirmed that England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have been awarded hosting rights for the next three World Test Championship Finals.

Taiwan’s longest Han Kuang drills end with sharp focus on countering China’s military playbook

Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo has praised the armed forces for their exceptional performance during the Han Kuang military exercises, the longest-ever live-fire drills held in the country’s history, according to Taipei Times.

Shah Rukh Khan injured while filming for King, flown to US for treatment: report

Shah Rukh Khan has suffered a back injury on the sets of his upcoming film, King. The actor, who was last seen in Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki, has been working on his next film with director Siddharth Anand and was reportedly shooting in Mumbai when the injury happened.

Japan’s defense white paper sounds alarm over China’s ‘Gray Zone’ activities

In its latest defense white paper, Tokyo for the first time sounded the alarm over China’s “gray zone” activities – particularly the expanding role of the China Coast Guard, which is strengthening its cooperation with the Chinese military.

Next India-Russia summit to be held in Delhi, dates under discussion: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday confirmed that India and Russia are set to host a summit in Delhi, with dates to be mutually decided.

Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling, White House says

The White House said on Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump is experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand, after photographs emerged of Trump with swollen ankles and makeup covering the afflicted part of his hand.

Persecution by law: Religious minorities under siege in Pakistan

Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws have become a lethal tool for persecuting religious minorities. Enacted to punish “insults” to Islam with penalties up to death, these laws are increasingly misused to target Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Shia Muslims, and even the remnants of Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage.

Alarming rise of terror networks in Bangladesh

The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024 has unleashed a dangerous wave of extremist activities across Bangladesh, creating significant security challenges not only for the nation itself but for the entire South Asian region.

Fifty people killed in a mall fire in Iraq

Fifty people were killed in a massive fire in a hypermarket in al-Kut city in eastern Iraq, the state news agency (INA) reported on Thursday, citing the province’s governor.

Paraguay president vows to defend Taiwan ties ‘with all its strength’

Paraguayan president Santiago Peña said Monday that his country would “stand firmly by Taiwan”, describing the 68-year diplomatic relationship as a strategic and values-based alliance that the country is prepared to defend “with all its strength and with a loud voice”.

Fire engulfs main stage of Tomorrowland festival days before opening

A fire has destroyed the main stage at Tomorrowland festival in Belgium, just two days before the event was set to open.

Huge military exercise involving 19 countries begins as Chinese surveillance expected

Australia is currently hosting its largest-ever war fighting drills, Exercise Talisman Sabre, an event anticipated to draw the scrutiny of Chinese spy vessels.

Trump announces trade agreement with Indonesia, including 19% tariff

President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States has reached a trade agreement with Indonesia after speaking with the country’s President Prabowo Subianto.

India orders airlines to check fuel switches on Boeing jets

India’s aviation regulator has ordered the country’s airlines to inspect fuel control switches in Boeing aeroplanes, after their reported involvement in a fatal Air India crash that killed 260 people in June.

Dalai Lama calls India ideal place for Buddhist study amidst growing restrictions in China

Ladakh: Dalai Lama’s recent visit to Ladakh underscored India’s unique and vital role as the global center for authentic Buddhist learning and practice, a status that far surpasses China’s constrained and politicized approach, according to The Dalai Lama Office.

Taiwanese businesses abandon China amid rising costs

Taiwanese investment in China has plummeted to a historic low, with experts attributing the decline to China’s deteriorating business environment, rising authoritarianism, and increasing strategic risk, Taipei Times reported.

Australia skittle Windies for 27 - lowest Test total for 70 years

Australia bowled out West Indies for just 27 - the second lowest score in Test history, and the worst since 1955 - to complete a 176-run win and series clean sweep in Jamaica.

India’s Jaishankar set to begin first China visit in five years

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will arrive in Beijing on Sunday evening, his first trip to China in five years.

China mapping seabeds near Taiwan

China’s oceanographic survey and research ships are collecting data in the Indo-Pacific region — possibly to aid submarine navigation, detect or map undersea cables, and lay naval mines — activities that could have military applications in a conflict with Taiwan or the US, a New York Times report said.

Hash highways and heroin havens: Unmasking Pakistan’s global narco nexus

For decades, Pakistan has presented itself to the international community as a frontline state in the war on terror and transnational crime.

Switzerland clears path for $100 billion EFTA-India trade pact after 16 years of talks

Switzerland has officially ratified the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), clearing the final hurdle in a landmark trade deal.

Japan voices strong concern over Chinese military and rare earth moves

Japan’s top diplomat used a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of a regional summit in Malaysia on Thursday to lay out a laundry list of concerns with Beijing — including dangerous intercepts by its military and its export controls on crucial rare earth elements.

Trump intensifies trade war with 30% tariffs on EU and Mexico

Donald Trump announced on Saturday that goods imported from both the European Union and Mexico will face a 30% US tariff rate starting 1 August, in letters posted to his social media platform, Truth Social.

Italy qualify for T20 World Cup for first time

They have won the FIFA World Cup four times but in a historic first, Italy’s men’s cricket team, led by a former Australian Test opener Joe Burns, has qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

India plans to kickstart rare-earth magnet output to cut China dependence

A proposed plan by India to spur local production of rare-earth magnets has drawn initial interest from a clutch of large conglomerates, people familiar with the matter said, as the country seeks to cut its reliance on China for these vital electric-vehicle and wind-turbine materials.

US lawmakers renew concerns about GenScript’s ties to China

The U.S. House of Representatives committee on China on Tuesday sent a letter to the directors of the FBI and national intelligence, renewing its concerns about GenScript Biotechnology’s work with U.S. companies, given its ties to China.

Derailing trust: Pakistan railways’ alarming safety crisis deepens

In a deeply unsettling revelation that underscores the magnitude of Pakistan’s deteriorating railway infrastructure, Pakistan Railways has recorded a staggering 45 accidents in the first six months of 2025 alone.

Original Birkin bag sells at auction for record $10 million

Scuffed, scratched and stained, this black leather Birkin bag just sold for €8.6 million ($10 million), with fees, becoming the most expensive handbag to ever sell at auction. The hammer fell at a winning bid of €7 million ($8.2 million).