World News
UK plans ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties: PM Starmer
The move could be a financial blow to the hard-right party Reform UK. The party led by Nigel Farage is one of the few in Britain to accept cryptocurrency donations
 "UK plans ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties: PM Starmer")
US court questions Trump administration's ban on Anthropic AI's usage
Anthropic sued last month to block the Pentagon's declaration, escalating a high-stakes dispute over safeguards on AI technology used by the military
 "US court questions Trump administration's ban on Anthropic AI's usage")
Trump names Huang, Zuckerberg to 13-member science and tech council
Trump has made securing US leadership in artificial intelligence a priority of his second term, framing the technology as a defining arena of strategic competition with China
 "Trump names Huang, Zuckerberg to 13-member science and tech council")
Strait of Hormuz opens to ships but marine covers to stay pricey
Insurance brokers say war-risk premiums will remain elevated as uncertainty persists in West Asia despite Iran allowing passage for non-hostile vessels through Hormuz
 "Strait of Hormuz opens to ships but marine covers to stay pricey")
US jury finds Google, Meta liable in social media addiction trial
Snap and TikTok were also defendants in the trial. Both settled with the plaintiff before it began. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed
 "US jury finds Google, Meta liable in social media addiction trial")
Meta is laying off hundreds of employees across multiple teams: Report
Meta had nearly 79,000 employees as of December 31, according to its annual filing
 "Meta is laying off hundreds of employees across multiple teams: Report")
BBC names former Google executive Matt Brittin as new director-general
Brittin, 57, spent almost two decades at Google, becoming the company's president in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He does not have a background in broadcasting
 "BBC names former Google executive Matt Brittin as new director-general")
Iran rejects Trump's 15-point ceasefire plan, presents its own 5 demands
Tehran termed the US proposal excessive, and said it would continue operations; it also outlined five conditions including security guarantees and control over the Strait of Hormuz
 "Iran rejects Trump's 15-point ceasefire plan, presents its own 5 demands")
Iran conflict shows limits of BRICS as India faces pressure to pick sides
New Delhi has strong economic ties with the UAE and other Gulf nations, where almost 10 million Indians work
 "Iran conflict shows limits of BRICS as India faces pressure to pick sides")
Closure of US bases, sanctions relief: What is Iran demanding from Trump?
Iran has responded to Trump proposed 15-point ceasefire plan with sweeping demands including US bases closure in the Gulf and sanctions relief
 "Closure of US bases, sanctions relief: What is Iran demanding from Trump?")
Shehbaz Sharif briefs Saudi Prince as Pak pushes to mediate US-Iran talks
Sharif also reiterated Pakistan's strong condemnation of the recent attacks on the Kingdom and reaffirmed Islamabad's unwavering solidarity and unequivocal support for Saudi Arabia
 "Shehbaz Sharif briefs Saudi Prince as Pak pushes to mediate US-Iran talks")
Israel envoy to UN denies knowledge of US led peace overtures to Iran
Addressing a media stakeout at the United Nations, the envoy said the goal was to ensure that Iran did not gain nuclear capability
 "Israel envoy to UN denies knowledge of US led peace overtures to Iran")
'Negotiating with yourselves?': Iranian military mocks Trump's claim
This came shortly after the Trump administration sent a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran
 "'Negotiating with yourselves?': Iranian military mocks Trump's claim")
US worried by rise in 'foreigner butchering' scams being run from China
The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission said recent crackdowns on scam centers had seen Chinese criminals return home to start smaller-scale operations targeting only foreigners
 "US worried by rise in 'foreigner butchering' scams being run from China")
Volkswagen may turn car factory into Iron Dome hub with Israel partnership
Volkswagen is in talks with Israel's Rafael to convert its Osnabruck plant into an Iron Dome component hub, a move that could save jobs as Europe ramps up defence spending
 "Volkswagen may turn car factory into Iron Dome hub with Israel partnership")
Rising temperatures to kill more people in poor countries than rich ones
The new report projects that by 2050, vulnerable countries will see an increase in heat-related deaths equivalent to current fatalities from common diseases
 "Rising temperatures to kill more people in poor countries than rich ones")
India, Britain are global AI superpowers, says former UK PM Rishi Sunak
He stressed that both countries share a similar philosophy toward artificial intelligence governance, favouring innovation-friendly policies over heavy regulation
 "India, Britain are global AI superpowers, says former UK PM Rishi Sunak")
Non-hostile ships can cross Hormuz Strait on its terms, says Iran
The nation made the comments in a letter circulated to members of the International Maritime Organistion on Tuesday, adding that countries could benefit from safe passage
 "Non-hostile ships can cross Hormuz Strait on its terms, says Iran")
West Asia war: Trump says Iran won't build nukes; US offers 15-point plan
US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed not to build nuclear weapons, as Washington plans to send 1,000 more troops to the region. Here are the top updates as of 9 am:
 "West Asia war: Trump says Iran won't build nukes; US offers 15-point plan")
Trump's Iran war goals remain unfulfilled as he looks to wind-down conflict
Some of his objectives are difficult to achieve and if the US walks away with unfinished aims and Iran's paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard in power, Trump could face political fallout at home