World News
Islamic State-Khorasan spokesperson arrested by Pak authorities: UN report
The UN report claimed that following his arrest, IS-K propaganda arms, such as the Al-Azaim Foundation, had suffered a major blow
 "Islamic State-Khorasan spokesperson arrested by Pak authorities: UN report")
Bangladesh unrest: Who was Sharif Osman Hadi, whose death sparked protests?
Bangladesh saw fresh unrest after Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of Inquilab Mancha and a key face of the July uprising, died from gunshot injuries, triggering protests and political tension in Dhaka
 "Bangladesh unrest: Who was Sharif Osman Hadi, whose death sparked protests?")
Bangladesh rocked by protests after death of student leader in Singapore
Hadi, also a candidate in the scheduled February 12 general elections, was shot in the head by masked gunmen on Friday as he initiated his election campaign
 "Bangladesh rocked by protests after death of student leader in Singapore")
EU leaders agree to $106 bn loan to Ukraine for 2026-2027 amid peace hopes
EU leaders were under intense pressure to agree to the massive loan for Ukraine at the make-or-break summit after months of talks failed to break the deadlock over the contentious plan
 "EU leaders agree to $106 bn loan to Ukraine for 2026-2027 amid peace hopes")
Man suspected in Brown University shooting found dead in New Hampshire
Although Brown officials say there are 1,200 cameras on campus, the attack happened in an older part of the engineering building that has few, if any, cameras
 "Man suspected in Brown University shooting found dead in New Hampshire")
Japan should have nuclear weapons, PM's security adviser reportedly says
The official cited Japan's worsening security environment, pointing to China's expanding nuclear arsenal, Russia's nuclear threat and North Korea's ongoing development of nuclear weapons
 "Japan should have nuclear weapons, PM's security adviser reportedly says")
Asia sees Mexico's sweeping 50% tariffs as building Trump's new trade wall
For the countries affected by the new rates out of Mexico City, this is a sobering reminder that they have more than just the US president to deal with
 "Asia sees Mexico's sweeping 50% tariffs as building Trump's new trade wall")
BP's sudden CEO change shocks investors, signals shift in company strategy
Auchincloss had been in the chief executive role less than two years and just this February had unveiled a strategic reset. His replacement will be Meg O'Neill
 "BP's sudden CEO change shocks investors, signals shift in company strategy")
Australia to start gun buyback programme after Bondi Beach terror attack
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday announced the government will introduce legislation to help fund the buyback
 "Australia to start gun buyback programme after Bondi Beach terror attack")
Nasa chief fuels SpaceX-Blue Origin rivalry as US eyes return to moon
Both SpaceX and Blue Origin hold contracts with Nasa to build lunar landers for the agency's Artemis program
 "Nasa chief fuels SpaceX-Blue Origin rivalry as US eyes return to moon")
US Coast Guard removes references to swastikas, nooses being 'divisive'
The move appears to cap off back-and-forth revisions to Coast Guard policy on swastikas, nooses and other hate symbols, which has sparked an uproar
 "US Coast Guard removes references to swastikas, nooses being 'divisive'")
Asian markets rebound as tech lifts Wall Street, investors eye BOJ hike
Markets imply around a 90 per cent chance the BOJ will raise its rate a quarter point to 0.75 per cent later Friday, with much resting on the outlook for further tightening ahead
 "Asian markets rebound as tech lifts Wall Street, investors eye BOJ hike")
Trump's handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts centre
Trump, a Republican, often refers to the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, which is named for a Democratic predecessor, as the Trump Kennedy Centre
 "Trump's handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts centre")
Business jet crashes at North Carolina airport, multiple deaths feared
Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle
 "Business jet crashes at North Carolina airport, multiple deaths feared")
Britain appoints new ambassador to US, replaces Epstein-linked diplomat
Christian Turner was previously political director of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and high commissioner to Pakistan
 "Britain appoints new ambassador to US, replaces Epstein-linked diplomat")
Trump signs executive order to reclassify marijuana as less dangerous drug
The switch would move marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD
 "Trump signs executive order to reclassify marijuana as less dangerous drug")
US weekly jobless claims fall as labour market remains stable in December
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 224,000 for the week ended December 13, the Labor Department said on Thursday
 "US weekly jobless claims fall as labour market remains stable in December")
US core inflation unexpectedly eases to slowest pace since 2021
The report was complicated by the federal government shutdown, which prevented the BLS from collecting much of the October price data
 "US core inflation unexpectedly eases to slowest pace since 2021")
OpenAI talks funding at $750 bn valuation, could raise up to $100 bn
The ChatGPT maker could raise as much as $100 billion, the report said, citing people with knowledge of the discussions
 "OpenAI talks funding at $750 bn valuation, could raise up to $100 bn")
Venezuela inflation soars 500% as Trump intensifies pressure on Maduro
The inflation rate soared to 556 per cent in the 12 months through Dec. 17, up from 219 per cent at the end of June and 45 per cent in 2024, according to a weekly index compiled by Bloomberg News
 "Venezuela inflation soars 500% as Trump intensifies pressure on Maduro")
