World News

Dollar hovers near 3-week high before Fed meet, bitcoin tops $106,000

Bitcoin soared above $106,000 for the first time, buoyed by signs President-elect Donald Trump will go ahead with a potential strategic bitcoin reserve

Men signing up for military voluntarily turning the tide of war: Putin

He said roughly 430,000 Russians had signed army contracts this year, up from roughly 300,000 the year before, a factor he said had huge importance for Russia's war effort

UK govt approves $4.6 bn takeover of Royal Mail by Czech billionaire

Authorities confirmed Monday that the 3.6 billion-pound ( $4.6 billion) takeover of Royal Mail's owner, International Distribution Services, by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group, can go ahead

Insurers flock to catastrophe-hit US property market amid rising risks

Recent large US hurricanes Helene and Milton have added to concern about property losses. However, the increasing regularity of extreme weather events has stoked the market for more expensive excess

Pakistan's central bank cuts key policy rate by 200 basis points to 13%

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced that its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to cut the policy rate by 200 bps to 13 per cent, effective from December 17, 2024

China to optimise use of special bonds for economic recovery next year

China has said local governments will be allowed to use special bonds to purchase unused land and support the purchase of existing commercial housing for use as affordable housing

TikTok's potential US ban explained: Can Trump save it from shutdown?

US lawmakers have called on Apple and Google to comply with the January 19 deadline by banning TikTok from their app stores unless ByteDance divests its ownership

Explained: What is DKRO, the covert and most-feared spy agency of Russia?

With around 2,000 elite officers, the DKRO enjoys generous pay, bonuses, and perks like low-cost mortgages, ensuring their loyalty to the Kremlin

Israel-Hamas war: Death toll in Gaza Strip exceeds 45,000 in 14 months

Israel claims Hamas is responsible for the civilian death toll because it operates from within civilian areas in the densely populated Gaza Strip. Rights groups and Palestinians say Israel has failed

Pakistan's week-long polio eradication campaign begins amid tight security

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where the paralysing virus is still rampant

China's Instagram-like Xiaohongshu making inroads with e-commerce sales

Xiaohongshu, sometimes compared to Instagram, has long been one of China's most important marketing tools

We must win back market share, rethink strategy: Mercedes-Benz labour chief

Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 1.46 million cars in the first nine months of this year, down 4.3% from the same period of 2023

Journalists anticipate renewed hostility toward work under new Trump govt

The news media is heading into this next administration with its eyes open, said Bruce Brown, executive director of the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press

Canada Post says operations to resume after nearly monthlong strike

Workers went on strike after failing to reach a negotiated agreement with the primary postal operator in Canada over key issues, including wages, job security, and how to staff a proposed expansion

Pak made progress in countering terrorist financing: US state dept report

This assessment evaluated 87 terrorist organisations, conducted sectoral vulnerability analysis and identified donations and extortion as key funding sources for terrorism

Bangladesh may hold next election in late 2025 or first half of 2026: Yunus

He, however, said the timing of the election will largely depend upon the political consensus and the extent of the reforms that must be carried out prior to it

As Trump threatens mass deportations, Central America braces for migrants

Hondurans, Guatemalans, Salvadorans need to be very, very nervous because (Trump officials) are going to press the bounds of the law

South Korean investigators ask for impeached prez as matter lands in court

A joint investigative team involving police, an anti-corruption agency and the Defense Ministry plans to convey a request to Yoon's office that he appears for questioning

Biden, Harris thank major Democratic donors, urge them to stay engaged

Biden and Harris, along with their spouses, in remarks at the DNC holiday reception sought to buck up key donors who the Democratic Party needs to stay committed as it tries to pick up the pieces

Israel to close embassy in Ireland because of its 'anti-Israel policy'

Israeli Foreign Minister said that the Israeli embassy in Ireland would shut down in view of what he called 'double standards' and 'extreme anti-Israel policy' of the Irish govt