World News
Taiwan's President Lai pledges robust defence after China military drills
Since Lai took office in May 2024, China has escalated pressure on archipelago of 23 million people it regards as its territory
 "Taiwan's President Lai pledges robust defence after China military drills")
US sanctions 4 Venezuelan oil firms, 4 more tankers in Maduro crackdown
The latest sanctions from the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control target ships called Nord Star, Lunar Tide, Rosalind and Della, and their registered ownership companies
 "US sanctions 4 Venezuelan oil firms, 4 more tankers in Maduro crackdown")
Trump admin terminates lease for Washington's 3 public golf courses
Officials for the National Links Trust said in a statement that they were devastated by the decision to terminate the lease and defended their management of the courses
 "Trump admin terminates lease for Washington's 3 public golf courses")
Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor on a Quran, a first in NYC history
Most of Mamdani's predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text
 "Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor on a Quran, a first in NYC history")
Department of Justice is reviewing over 5.2 mn documents related to Epstein
The Justice Department has more than 400 attorneys assigned to the review, but does not expect to release more documents until Jan 20 or 21
 "Department of Justice is reviewing over 5.2 mn documents related to Epstein")
Khaleda Zia's vision to guide India-Bangladesh ties: Jaishankar to Rahman
The three-time Bangladesh prime minister and BNP matriarch died on Tuesday following a prolonged illness
 "Khaleda Zia's vision to guide India-Bangladesh ties: Jaishankar to Rahman")
US military strikes 3 suspected drug-smuggling boats, killing three at sea
The military said three people were killed when the first boat was struck, while people in the other two boats jumped overboard and distanced themselves from the vessels before they were attacked
 "US military strikes 3 suspected drug-smuggling boats, killing three at sea")
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
 "AI startups mint new billionaires as investors chase next tech wave")
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
 "Germany's Merz tells Europe to assert itself to safeguard peace, prosperity")
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
 "UN clears 7% reduced budget for 2026 as US arrears strain finances")
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
 "Oil prices head for biggest annual fall since 2020 on oversupply fears")
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
 "Khaleda Zia's funeral prayer held in Bangladesh amid tight security")
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
 "Envoys of Quad nations hold rare public meeting at US Embassy in Beijing")
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
 "China's factory activity snaps record slump on festive stockpiling")
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
 "Xi vows more proactive macro policies for China's economy in 2026")
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
 "As Warren Buffett retires, a look at the legacy of a pioneer investor")
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
 "Zuckerberg's $14 bn AI hire Alexandr Wang makes 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
 "Saudi vs UAE: How Yemen, oil and rivalry are straining a Gulf friendship")
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
 "Hong Kong rings in 2026 without fireworks after deadliest blaze in decades")
