World News

ECB keeps interest rates steady, raises growth and inflation forecasts

The ECB now sees inflation at 1.9% in 2026, above its previous projection for 1.7% while 2027 inflation is projected at 1.8%, below the 1.9% seen in September

Bank of England cuts key interest rate to 3.75% amid easing inflation

Policymakers at Britain's central bank voted 5-4 to reduce the base rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75% on Thursday, the lowest since February 2023

Trump Media to merge with TAE in $6 bn deal to build nuclear fusion company

Upon completion of the deal, shareholders of each company will own about 50% of the combined firm on a fully diluted equity basis

Oil, sanctions, and war. US blockade on Venezuela recalls past conflicts

The US has ordered a total blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, stepped up naval presence and seized ships, raising fears that it may be moving towards a military conflict with Caracas

Russian ban on Roblox stirs debate about limits of online censorship

For many young Russians, Roblox was a window onto a vast world of games and potential friends around the globe

Japan's JAPEX buys US tight oil and gas assets in $1.3 billion deal

JAPEX will buy VRIH, which holds assets in Colorado and Wyoming, from Verdad Resources Feeder LLC using a mix of its own funds and debt. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Feb 2026

Rare smog surge hits Beijing after years of costly pollution clean-up

Beijing was shrouded in heavy smog on Thursday with AQI climbing to very unhealthy levels of 215, a rare spike in pollution in the Chinese capital after years of expensive cleaning up.

How BP's new boss O'Neill became the most powerful woman in fossil fuels

Under her watch, Woodside doubled oil and gas output, leaned aggressively into seaborne LNG, and shelved lower-carbon projects that failed to clear commercial hurdles

Russia wants to drain Europe's investigations with sabotage campaign

So far in this hybrid war, most known acts of sabotage have resulted in minimal damage nothing compared to the tens of thousands of lives lost and cities decimated across Ukraine.

How China's 'Manhattan Project' aims to break Western control of AI chips

China has secretly built a prototype machine to make advanced AI chips, aiming to end Western dominance, with working chips expected by 2028-2030

Kneejerk reactions not enough to stop the next Bondi Beach attack

Faced by such a targeted act of violence after years of increasing antisemitic attacks, it's unsurprising that Jewish Australians feel they've been left unprotected

Asian shares follow Wall Street lower as AI worries drag tech stocks lower

South Korea's Kospi sank 1.8 per cent to 3,989.06, also pulled lower by selling of shares in electronics companies and automakers

Can Trump run for a third term? US lawyer outlines possible paths

Lawyer Alan Dershowitz says the Constitution is not explicit on every scenario barring a third term, outlining hypothetical routes even as he doubts Donald Trump will attempt another run

EU leaders meet to discuss agreement on massive loan package for Ukraine

Many leaders will press for tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets held in Europe to be used to meet Ukraine's economic and military needs

Trump adds controversial White House plaques under Biden, Obama portraits

Donald Trump has added new plaques under White House portraits of former presidents, using the prefix 'sleepy' for Joe Biden and describing Barack Obama as a 'divisive' leader

Pulitzer-winning war correspondent Peter Arnett passes away at 91

Born November 13, 1934, in Riverton, New Zealand, Peter Arnett got his first exposure to journalism when he landed a job at his local newspaper, the Southland Times, shortly after high school

Next Fed chair will believe in lower interest rates 'by a lot', says Trump

Trump made the comments during a national address touting his economic and national security accomplishments in the first year of his second term in office

Ford cancels EV battery deal worth $6.5 billion with LG Energy Solution

The South Korean battery maker said in a regulatory filing that the termination followed a notice from Ford after the automaker decided to halt production of some EV models due to policy changes

Tankers with Russian oil shunned by India pile up off China coast

At least five vessels carrying about 3.4 million barrels were idling in the Yellow Sea as of Wednesday, double the volume of last week and the highest level for the grade in that region

BP appoints Meg O'Neill as first woman CEO of Big Oil in bid for revival

BP has been under pressure from Elliott to improve its performance, after Auchincloss reset the company's strategy in February by promising to refocus on oil and gas