World News
American climber Alex Honnold scales Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes
American rock climber Honnold's free solo climb of the iconic building in Taiwan's capital city was being broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay
 "American climber Alex Honnold scales Taipei 101 skyscraper without ropes")
US to inject $1.6 billion into rare earths miner for 10% stake: Report
The government would receive 16.1 million shares in the rare earths company, along with warrants for a further 17.6 million, both priced at $17.17, the report said
 "US to inject $1.6 billion into rare earths miner for 10% stake: Report")
Meta hit with international lawsuit over alleged WhatsApp privacy breaches
Plaintiffs allege Meta and WhatsApp can access users' private chats, accusing the company of misleading billions worldwide about WhatsApp's privacy and security claim
 "Meta hit with international lawsuit over alleged WhatsApp privacy breaches")
Pakistani human rights lawyers jailed for 17 years over social media posts
Verdict came a day after Zainab Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha were arrested in Islamabad, with court citing her social media posts as echoing the agenda of banned Baloch separatist groups
 "Pakistani human rights lawyers jailed for 17 years over social media posts")
US envoys urge Netanyahu to move to second phase of Gaza ceasefire
Senior US officials met Israel's prime minister as Washington pressed to advance the next stage of the truce, including steps on hostages, demilitarisation and reopening the Rafah border crossing
 "US envoys urge Netanyahu to move to second phase of Gaza ceasefire")
Carney urges Canadians to buy local as trade tensions rise with US
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada's economy is under threat from abroad as he promoted domestic consumption, following warnings from US President Donald Trump over Ottawa's outreach to China
 "Carney urges Canadians to buy local as trade tensions rise with US")
Japan PM vows action against speculative trading after sudden yen spike
A weak yen has become a source of headaches for Japanese policymakers as it pushes up import costs and broader inflation, hurting households' purchasing power
 "Japan PM vows action against speculative trading after sudden yen spike")
Over 13,000 flights cancelled as massive storm batters large parts of US
Around 120,000 power outages were reported as a massive winter storm swept across the US, cancelling thousands of flights, downing trees and power lines, and coating roads with dangerous ice and snow
 "Over 13,000 flights cancelled as massive storm batters large parts of US")
Why Myanmar's junta plans elections during an ongoing nationwide civil war
Most analysts see the election as a way for the military, which has governed Myanmar for much of the past six decades, to entrench its rule via proxies in the absence of a viable political opposition
 "Why Myanmar's junta plans elections during an ongoing nationwide civil war")
One killed, 14 injured in gas explosion at NYC apartment building
Officials said the building had been undergoing renovations, and work on the natural gas system had been completed and inspected
 "One killed, 14 injured in gas explosion at NYC apartment building")
Federal agents shot another person in Minneapolis amid immigration drive
On Friday, thousands of demonstrators protesting the crackdown on immigrants crowded the city's streets in frigid weather, calling for federal law enforcement to leave
 "Federal agents shot another person in Minneapolis amid immigration drive")
Data of 149 mn online accounts, including Gmail and Netflix, leaked: Report
Email queries to major firms named in the report did not elicit any immediate reply
 "Data of 149 mn online accounts, including Gmail and Netflix, leaked: Report")
US envoys meet Netanyahu, press Israel to enter Gaza ceasefire phase two
Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and Middle East adviser, according to the Prime Minister's Office
 "US envoys meet Netanyahu, press Israel to enter Gaza ceasefire phase two")
Trilateral talks talks were constructive, may continue next week: Zelenskyy
The Ukrainian leader said there was "an understanding of the need for American monitoring and control of the process of ending the war and ensuring real security"
 "Trilateral talks talks were constructive, may continue next week: Zelenskyy")
Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariffs over new trade deal with China
Trump initially had said that agreement was what Carney "should be doing and it's a good thing for him to sign a trade deal
 "Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariffs over new trade deal with China")
Cuba keen to deepen economic ties with India across key sectors: Envoy
The envoy said his country allows companies the use of land for business purposes, and offers an electronic visa facility to facilitate ease of travel and investment
 "Cuba keen to deepen economic ties with India across key sectors: Envoy")
Zelenskyy says Moscow must end war as Ukraine-US-Russia meet in UAE
The trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates marked the first such engagement involving all three sides since the war began nearly four years ago
 "Zelenskyy says Moscow must end war as Ukraine-US-Russia meet in UAE")
US hits suspected drug-smuggling vessel in Pacific, first since Maduro raid
Maduro, before his capture, said the US military operations were a thinly veiled effort to oust him from power
 "US hits suspected drug-smuggling vessel in Pacific, first since Maduro raid")
Iran's protests, bloody crackdown in focus amid internet blackout
The killing of peaceful protesters - as well as the threat of mass executions - has been a red line for military action for US President Donald Trump
 "Iran's protests, bloody crackdown in focus amid internet blackout")
China probes top military officials, including CMC vice chairman Youxia
The other senior official under investigation is General Liu Zhenli, a CMC member who serves as its chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department
 "China probes top military officials, including CMC vice chairman Youxia")