World News
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
 "Thailand votes in early election with three main parties vying for power")
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
 "Kim likely to issue major policy goals at North Korea party congress in Feb")
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
 "Japan election: What to know as PM Takaichi's coalition eyes big win")
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
 "US markets brace for double whammy week as jobs, inflation data loom")
Trump praises Nexstar-Tegna broadcast television deal he once opposed
The acquisition, which Nexstar announced in August and requires regulatory approval, would bring together two companies with significant holdings in local broadcast media
 "Trump praises Nexstar-Tegna broadcast television deal he once opposed")
Trump draws rare Republican backlash over racist video targeting Obamas
Multiple GOP members of the Senate and House joined their Democratic colleagues in voicing disgust and criticism at the post and urged the president to remove it
 "Trump draws rare Republican backlash over racist video targeting Obamas")
Trump to hold first Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC this month
The meeting, proposed for February 19, would include both world leaders who accepted Trump's invitation in January to join the board as well as members of an executive committee for Gaza
 "Trump to hold first Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC this month")
Families protest detention of Venezuelan activists, demand their release
The demonstration outside Helicoide prison in Caracas comes during mounting pressure on the government of acting President Delcy Rodriguez to release all people
 "Families protest detention of Venezuelan activists, demand their release")
Rising prices dominate Japan election as voters seek cost-of-living relief
The election pits the PM Takaichi-led Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) coalition against the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, with inflation and affordability shaping voter sentiment nationwide
 "Rising prices dominate Japan election as voters seek cost-of-living relief")
Gaza's Rafah crossing reopened, but few Palestinians managed to cross
Restrictions negotiated by Israeli, Egyptian, Palestinian and international officials meant that only 50 people would be allowed to return to Gaza each day
 "Gaza's Rafah crossing reopened, but few Palestinians managed to cross")
Japanese Takaichi hopes for big win as polls open in national elections
Takaichi wants to make progress on a right-wing agenda that aims to boost Japan's economy and military capabilities as tensions grow with China
 "Japanese Takaichi hopes for big win as polls open in national elections")
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
 "Washington Post publisher Will Lewis steps down, days after massive layoffs")
Appeals court affirms Trump policy of jailing immigrants without bond
A panel of judges ruled that the DHS' decision to deny bond hearings to immigrants arrested across the country is consistent with the constitution and federal immigration law
 "Appeals court affirms Trump policy of jailing immigrants without bond")
US Ambassador Sergio Gor meets ICC chief Jay Shah, discusses cricket growth
Sergio Gor discussed the rapid growth of cricket in the United States with the ICC Chairman
 "US Ambassador Sergio Gor meets ICC chief Jay Shah, discusses cricket growth")
4 Indian students among several injured in stabbing attack in Russia
At least six people, including four Indian students, were injured in a stabbing at a university in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic
 "4 Indian students among several injured in stabbing attack in Russia")
USTR's India map draws attention as Delhi, Washington announce trade pact
On previous occasions, maps of India have been shown with a demarcated line to portray the PoK and Aksai Chin region
 "USTR's India map draws attention as Delhi, Washington announce trade pact")
US has asked Ukraine, Russia to reach war deal by June, says Zelenskyy
If the June deadline is not met, the Trump administration will likely put pressure on both sides to meet it, he added
 "US has asked Ukraine, Russia to reach war deal by June, says Zelenskyy")
India, Russia share strong ties based on trust: Consul General Ivan Fetisov
To a question about India-Russia relations in the current scenario, he referred to the "enthusiasm" when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in September last year
 "India, Russia share strong ties based on trust: Consul General Ivan Fetisov")
India's success is Malaysia's success, Asia's success too: PM Modi
Emphasising people-to-people ties as the foundation of the relationship, PM Modi spoke of shared geography and cultural connections across the Indian Ocean
 "India's success is Malaysia's success, Asia's success too: PM Modi")
Series of fires in Karachi raise alarm, authorities probe foul play
Multiple fires across Karachi days after the deadly Gul Plaza mall inferno have put authorities on alert, with police probing possible foul play and tightening safety checks
 "Series of fires in Karachi raise alarm, authorities probe foul play")