World News

Pakistan's FDI falls to lowest since 2023 amid tax policy concerns

Pakistan's foreign direct investment fell 34 per cent year-on-year to its lowest level since 2023, as businesses cited unpredictable tax policies and several multinational firms exited the market

Houthis target tankers in Red Sea, threatening new chokepoint in Iran war

The Houthis said they struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea as the US launched a fresh round of strikes on Iran, heightening concerns over global oil supplies and shipping routes

Rubio to meet Russia's foreign minister to revive Ukraine peace efforts

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Asean meetings in Manila, with Ukraine expected to dominate the discussions

House Republicans adopt $95 bn package for Iran war and Trump's priorities

The Republican-controlled House passed a $95 billion budget proposal to fund the Iran war and other White House priorities, despite Democrats' opposition and some Republicans dissenting

Samsung's $400K bonus sparks wave of labour demands across South Korea

After Samsung agreed to hefty employee bonuses, labour unions at Hyundai, Kakao, Naver and other major South Korean companies are stepping up demands for higher profit-linked payouts

US Senate panel investigates Amazon over alleged Chinese influence

A US Senate Small Business Committee investigation is examining whether Amazon allowed Chinese influence over its online marketplace, adding to the company's mounting regulatory challenges

Asian stocks rise as tech earnings lift chipmakers; oil at six-week highs

Asian markets advanced after strong US technology spending plans boosted chipmakers, while escalating conflict in West Asia pushed oil to six-week highs and revived inflation concerns

Trump calls Iran war a 'skirmish', says Tehran wants to 'make a deal'

US President Donald Trump said Iran wants to strike a deal but is 'not ready' yet, describing the ongoing conflict as a 'skirmish' while referring to the latest US airstrikes

US continues strikes on Iran as both sides threaten civilian infrastructure

US Central Command said the strikes aim to curb Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as US President Donald Trump warned of retaliation for attacks on commercial vessels

Over 1,000 people killed as Congo battles Ebola outbreak: Africa CDC

Africa CDC said the Ebola outbreak in Congo has killed 1,031 people, with over 2,470 cases recorded; the Bundibugyo virus strain has no approved vaccine or treatment, complicating the response

War could cut global growth to 1.3%: World Bank Chief Economist Gill

The World Bank warned that a prolonged US-Iran conflict could slow global growth to 1.3% in 2026, while fuelling inflation, higher interest rates and debt pressures

Google is building AI fence around the internet it once championed

Google's AI-powered search is keeping users on its platform, raising concerns that declining traffic to websites could threaten the future of the open web

US war against Iran has cost $37.5 billion, says Defence Secy Pete Hegseth

Hegseth gave the estimate in an appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday that was focused on President Donald Trump's request for an additional $67 billion in defence funding

Trump: Will destroy bridge, power plant for each Iranian attack in Strait

4 more tankers changed course in Red Sea; Marco Rubio says still ready for talks but Iran not serious

Trump approves nuclear agreement that may allow Saudi to enrich uranium

The deal is expected to last 30 years and is also expected to involve US firms in developing the programme

Why US strikes on southern Iran are putting the Gulf's sea lanes on edge

Fighting is spreading across West Asia as the US intensifies strikes on southern Iran, Tehran retaliates across the Gulf, and key energy and shipping routes come under growing threat

US approves Saudi nuclear deal: What it allows and why it matters

The proposed agreement, estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars, is expected to run for 30 years and place American companies at the centre of Saudi's civil nuclear infrastructure programme.

Alibaba's AliExpress fined $629 million by EU over illegal products

The EU has fined Alibaba-owned AliExpress a record $629 million, citing failures in content moderation, seller enforcement, and efforts to stop the sale of illegal products

How AI data centre spending is creating hidden debt for tech giants

AI spending by Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Oracle is driving a surge in hidden debt, with off-balance-sheet commitments reaching $1.65 trillion

France approves social media ban for under-15s: Key details explained

The phased law bars new accounts from September, removes existing ones from January 2027, and signals a wider European push to tighten children's access to social media