World News
TikTok's new CEO Presser brings Hollywood connections, ByteDance loyalty
While Presser is unknown in many tech circles, he's been near the pinnacle of the company leading operations for several years, and was widely seen as the most influential US-based leader at TikTok
 "TikTok's new CEO Presser brings Hollywood connections, ByteDance loyalty")
Trump admin's defence strategy softens tone on China, focuses on deterrence
The department's long-awaited National Defence Strategy, released Friday evening, directs the Defence Department to 'maintain a favourable balance of military power in the Indo-Pacific'
 "Trump admin's defence strategy softens tone on China, focuses on deterrence")
Why this weekend's US winter storm is expected to be so widespread
The ice from this storm will likely threaten areas less acclimated to winter weather and also impact major airport hubs, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta and Charlotte
 "Why this weekend's US winter storm is expected to be so widespread")
Prince Harry defends sacrifices of British, non-US troops in Afghanistan
Prince Harry, who had two tours to Afghanistan in the British Army, said the US's allies "answered" the call to stand with the country after the September 11, 2001 attacks
 "Prince Harry defends sacrifices of British, non-US troops in Afghanistan")
US airlines cancel over 2,300 flights ahead of widespread winter storm
Heavy snow will likely fall across New York City early Sunday, with more than 14 inches (36 centimeters) possible across the metro area before the storm subsides late Monday
 "US airlines cancel over 2,300 flights ahead of widespread winter storm")
Thousands rally in subzero Minnesota temperatures against ICE crackdown
Protesters have gathered daily in the Twin Cities since Jan 7, when 37-year-old mother of three Renee Good was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer
 "Thousands rally in subzero Minnesota temperatures against ICE crackdown")
Why Greenland has drawn America's strategic interest for over a century
From Cold War defence pacts to Trump's annexation threats, the Arctic island has often found itself at the centre to Washington's strategic calculations
 "Why Greenland has drawn America's strategic interest for over a century")
Christine Lagarde isn't on 'the same page' as Carney over ruptured world
Davos leaders push back against Mark Carney's warning of a disintegrating world, stressing that global interdependence still anchors growth and trade
 "Christine Lagarde isn't on 'the same page' as Carney over ruptured world")
At $43.2 billion, record outflows from global equity funds in a week
Global equity funds see record $43.2 billion weekly outflows as heavy selling in US and Chinese stocks outweighs inflows elsewhere
 "At $43.2 billion, record outflows from global equity funds in a week")
Massive armada moving towards Iran, says Trump amid deadly protests
Death toll in protest crackdown tops 5,000
 "Massive armada moving towards Iran, says Trump amid deadly protests")
UAE trilateral may not break Ukraine logjam despite renewed peace talks
Zelenskyy resisting Russia's demand to cede Donetsk region
 "UAE trilateral may not break Ukraine logjam despite renewed peace talks")
Amazon to cut thousands more jobs in efforts to streamline bureaucracy
The cuts, conducted in rounds on either side of Amazon's busy holiday quarter, echo layoffs the Seattle-based company instituted in late 2022 and early 2023 that ultimately snared about 27,000 people
 "Amazon to cut thousands more jobs in efforts to streamline bureaucracy")
Berlin cannot accept Trump's Board of Peace plan in current form: Merz
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Berlin is open to joining Trump's Gaza peace initiative but rejects its current structure on constitutional grounds.
 "Berlin cannot accept Trump's Board of Peace plan in current form: Merz")
Russia, Ukraine sit for talks on territorial issue; no sign of compromise
Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi hit a wall over Donbas as Russian strikes deepen Ukraine's worst energy crisis of the war
 "Russia, Ukraine sit for talks on territorial issue; no sign of compromise")
Sheikh Hasina seeks UN probe into B'desh unrest, calls for Yunus' removal
The Awami League leader also sought an iron-clad guarantee for the safety of religious minority groups, women and girls and vulnerable sections of the society
 "Sheikh Hasina seeks UN probe into B'desh unrest, calls for Yunus' removal")
Russia sees no breakthrough after Putin holds Ukraine talks with US
Still, Kyiv and Moscow remain at an impasse on key points including Putin's demands for parts of Ukraine that remain under Kyiv's control in its eastern Donbas territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions
 "Russia sees no breakthrough after Putin holds Ukraine talks with US")
Japan PM Takaichi dissolves parliament after only 3 mths, calls early polls
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house of parliament on Friday, paving the way for an early election on February 8.
 "Japan PM Takaichi dissolves parliament after only 3 mths, calls early polls")
'Relations with US have taken a big blow', says EU foreign policy chief
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said relations with the US have taken a big blow in the past week, as tensions rose over Greenland and tariff threats during an emergency summit
 "'Relations with US have taken a big blow', says EU foreign policy chief")
EU ready to implement Mercosur trade deal despite parliament vote to delay
The EU would be ready to act as soon as at least one Mercosur country ratifies, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said
 "EU ready to implement Mercosur trade deal despite parliament vote to delay")
Stable policies power India's rise as fastest-growing major economy: CG
Consul General in Shanghai Pratik Mathur also highlighted initiatives like Make in India and Digital India as important drivers of India's rise through the global rankings
 "Stable policies power India's rise as fastest-growing major economy: CG")