World News

AI startups mint new billionaires as investors chase next tech wave

It has also produced a crop of new billionaires - at least on paper - from smaller start-ups

Germany's Merz tells Europe to assert itself to safeguard peace, prosperity

In his New Year's speech, Merz pulled no punches, saying the "terrible" war raging on Europe's doorstep posed a direct threat to continental freedom and security

UN clears 7% reduced budget for 2026 as US arrears strain finances

The US usually contributes 22% of the UN's regular budget, but the Trump administration has not paid the $826 million bill for 2025 and it still owes some $660 million in arrears

Oil prices head for biggest annual fall since 2020 on oversupply fears

U.S. crude and fuel inventories rose last week, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday

Khaleda Zia's funeral prayer held in Bangladesh amid tight security

The funeral prayer (namaz-e-janaza) was held at the Manik Mia Avenue on Wednesday afternoon

Envoys of Quad nations hold rare public meeting at US Embassy in Beijing

The Indian Embassy here has not yet commented on the meeting. China, over the years, has been a strong critic of the Quad and has not yet reacted to the meeting

China to impose 55% tariff on beef imports above quota from 2026

The new annual quota levels are set below import levels for the first 11 months of 2025 for top supplier Brazil as well as for Australia

China's factory activity snaps record slump on festive stockpiling

Still, the data should give policymakers cause for optimism after choosing to see out 2025 without major additional stimulus to meet the full-year growth target of around 5 per cent

Xi vows more proactive macro policies for China's economy in 2026

Xi did not unveil any specific policies in his New Year's messages, but vowed to improve the quality of the economy while maintaining "reasonable growth", and reiterated his "common prosperity" pledge

As Warren Buffett retires, a look at the legacy of a pioneer investor

Warren Buffett will step down as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway on December 31, ending a six-decade run both as an investor and philanthropist that reshaped global investing

Zuckerberg's $14 bn AI hire Alexandr Wang makes Forbes 40 Under 40 list

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appointed Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang to head Meta Superintelligence Labs following a $14 billion investment, as the 28-year-old enters Forbes' 40 Under 40 list

Saudi vs UAE: How Yemen, oil and rivalry are straining a Gulf friendship

After Riyadh bombed an alleged Emirati arms shipment in Yemen in a rare public clash, long-simmering Saudi-UAE tensions over security, oil policy and economic competition have come into the open

Hong Kong rings in 2026 without fireworks after deadliest blaze in decades

The territory will ring in 2026 without spectacular and colourful explosions in the sky over its iconic Victoria Harbor after a massive fire in November that killed at least 161 people

X to pay creators more to compete with YouTube? Here's what Musk said

Elon Musk's comment, indicating a higher payout for creators, comes months after he acknowledged that the creators on the social media platform are paid less in comparison with other platforms

Thailand releases 18 Cambodian prisoners of war as part of ceasefire pact

The repatriation of the 18 Cambodian soldiers was undertaken as a demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building, as well as in adherence to international humanitarian principles

Thieves rob a bank in Germany of €30 million in Ocean's Eleven-style

Police said the criminals drilled their way into the bank's underground vault from a nearby parking garage

Zohran Mamdani set to be sworn in as mayor as NYC rings in New Year

In a statement, Mamdani's office said the choice to be sworn in at the station reflected his commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day

OpenAI sets new record for highest employee pay in tech startup history

OpenAI's employee pay has hit historic highs, with average stock rewards of $1.5 million, as the company spends heavily to retain staff amid a fierce AI talent race

Asian shares set for strongest annual jump in eight years on AI bets

Gold firmed a bit and is on track for a 66 per cent surge in 2025 as the three-year rally shows no signs of stopping

Mali, Burkina Faso impose retaliatory travel ban on US national

The announcements, made in separate statements by the foreign ministers of the two West African countries, marked the latest twist in the frosty relationship