World News

Venezuela frees several opposition members as prisoner releases continue

Under mounting pressure from the US to free political prisoners, rights group Foro Penal said some 35 political prisoners were released on Sunday and that it was verifying additional cases

SpaceX to prioritise building 'self-growing city' on Moon, says Musk

Musk's comments echo a Wall Street Journal report on Friday, stating that SpaceX has told investors it would prioritise going to the moon first and attempt a trip to Mars at a later time

Trump congratulates Japan PM Takaichi for 'landslide victory' in elections

Commending Japanese voters, Trump said the wonderful people of Japan had voted with enthusiasm and would always have his strong support

Facing democracy test, Bangladesh at a crossroads ahead of elections

India will closely watch the first post-Hasina parliamentary polls, amid concerns over minority safety, regional alignments and a tight BNP-Islamist contest

As climate changes, what does future hold for Winter Olympics, Paralympics

Except the snowy cold winter that comes to mind when you picture the Olympic Games may not be tenable for much longer

Ukraine imposes sanctions on foreign suppliers for Russian missiles

"Producing this weaponry would be impossible without critical foreign components, which the Russians continue to obtain by circumventing sanctions," Zelenskiy said on X

UK leader's aide quits over Mandelson ambassador role, Epstein ties

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's chief of staff resigned Sunday over the furore surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK ambassador to the US despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Iran sentences Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi to 7 more years in prison

Iran has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to over seven more years in prison, days after she began a hunger strike, her supporters said

Japan's 'Iron Lady' Sanae Takaichi forges stunning election win

Takaichi's ruling coalition secures supermajority in lower house; Japan's first female leader gambled on rare winter snap election

Washington Post publisher Will Lewis steps down, days after massive layoffs

Lewis sent an email to the Post's staff, saying that "difficult decisions have been taken in order to ensure the sustainable future of The Post

Thailand votes in early election with three main parties vying for power

The battle for support from 53 million registered voters comes against a backdrop of slow economic growth and heightened nationalist sentiment

US accuses China of secret nuclear test in 2020; Beijing rejects charge

The allegation was raised days after the New START treaty expired, with Washington urging broader arms control that includes China as Beijing dismissed the charge as a false narrative

PM Modi meets Indian-origin leaders in Kuala Lumpur during Malaysia visit

PM Modi said the accomplishments of PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) "in public life are a matter of immense pride for everyone"

Iran asserts power, refuses US demands in ongoing nuclear negotiations

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signalled that Iran would stick to its position that it must be able to enrich uranium - a major point of contention with US President Donald Trump

Denmark sees surge in apps to help boycott US goods amid Greenland row

Downloads of boycott apps jumped in Denmark after US President Donald Trump revived calls for Washington to take control of Greenland, fuelling diplomatic tensions

Portugal voters choose between moderate, populist in presidential runoff

Recent opinion polls say Centre-left Socialist candidate Seguro will collect twice as many votes as hard-right populist Ventura in the head-to-head between the two top candidates

Power cuts, uncertainty hit Ukraine businesses amid Russian attacks

Power cuts from Russian strikes are forcing Ukrainian businesses to rely on costly generators, squeeze output and profits, and focus on survival amid labour shortages, rising costs and a harsh winter

Kim likely to issue major policy goals at North Korea party congress in Feb

The ruling Workers' Party congress comes after years of accelerated nuclear and missile development and deepening ties with Moscow over the war in Ukraine

Japan election: What to know as PM Takaichi's coalition eyes big win

Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, could capture around 300 seats in the 465-seat lower house of parliament, polls showed

US markets brace for double whammy week as jobs, inflation data loom

The employment report will be even more substantive than usual. In addition to the monthly payrolls and unemployment numbers, each January release includes an annual revision to the jobs count