World News

Former California mayor pleads guilty to acting as agent of Chinese govt

Eileen Wang, who stepped down as the mayor of Arcadia earlier this month, was charged in April with one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government

US judge orders removal of Trump's name from Kennedy Center, blocks closure

The judge ordered the defendants to remove Trump's name from the institution's facade and any 'official materials', such as digital or physical signs, within two weeks

Rubio thanks Pakistan for West Asia peace efforts after meeting counterpart

Rubio said both leaders 'agreed upon the importance of working together to further strengthen a meaningful partnership for better security'

Trump weighs Iran deal after White House meeting, decision pending

Iran's main negotiator said on Friday that it has "no trust in guarantees or words", only actions, underscoring lingering distrust after the US and Israel have twice attacked Iran over the past year

Internet built Backrooms, does Hollywood effectively own them now?

As A24 turns the internet-born Backrooms phenomenon into a blockbuster, fans are debating who truly owns collaborative online storytelling

SpaceX lowers IPO valuation target to at least $1.8 trillion

SpaceX is targeting a valuation of at least $1.8 trillion in its IPO, potentially making it the largest public offering in history

Russian drone targeting Ukraine crashes into apartment block in Romania

Romania asked NATO for a faster transfer of anti-drone capabilities to its military, the Foreign Ministry said, calling the drone's flight a serious violation of international law

Trump to meet with aides on proposed Iran deal, may lift Hormuz blockade

Trump says he will take a final call on a potential Iran deal after Situation Room meeting, outlining conditions including reopening the Strait of Hormuz

'Crazy love for Israel': Netanyahu calls India huge power, praises support

The remarks came amid fragile geopolitical situation in West Asia, with Israel facing security challenges on multiple fronts and seeking to strengthen ties with partners beyond its traditional allies

Strait of Hormuz exposes China's vulnerability in Indian Ocean: Report

The report says the Indian Ocean Region is re-emerging as a key strategic theatre after decades of relative calm following the end of the Cold War

Satellite images show China building launch pads near nuclear missile silos

The images reveal more than 80 pads for possible use by China's expanding fleet of mobile missile launchers and air-defence batteries

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket explodes on launch pad during firing test

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin said its New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine-firing test, and all personnel have been accounted for

Indian-American Shrey Parikh wins Scripps National Spelling Bee competition

Judges determined that Shrey, a 14-year-old Indian-American student from California, spelled 32 words correctly during the spell-off, as against Ishaan Gupta's 25 words

Cuba's fuel crisis leaves nearly 3 mn people facing daily water shortages

Water system is one of the sectors most affected because it is one of the country's largest energy consumers, said Antonio Rodriguez, president of the state-run National Institute of Water Resources

'We're not there yet, but very close': Vance on US, Iran peace deal

The Trump administration has several times said a deal to end the fighting was close, only to have Iran dispute or downplay the claims

US, Iran standoff over Strait of Hormuz: A test of 'who will blink first'

The American blockade and Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz have created a stalemate that is neither peace nor raging conflict, with both sides attempting economic strangulation on the water

US-Iran draft tentative plan to end conflict: All you need to know

US and Iranian officials say they are closing in on the terms of a preliminary agreement; yet sticking points, particularly over the Strait of Hormuz, remain

Vietnam emerging as Asia's rising power by balancing US-China rivalry

According to the Lowy Institute's 2025 Asia Power Index, Vietnam recorded the second-largest increase in overall influence in the region; it now ranks seventh in Asia for economic relationships

Man stabs 3 people at Swiss train station in suspected 'act of terror'

The 31-year-old Swiss-Turkish dual national attacker had come to the authorities' attention in 2015 for distributing propaganda of the Islamic State group

Trump's pressure campaign brought Iran to the table: US Treasury secy

Speaking about the potential US deal with Iran, Bessent stressed that it depends on President Donald Trump, who is resolute on his demand against Iran's nuclear programme