Yemeni Government Gains Ground as Marine Biodiversity Treaty Takes Effect
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has seen the Yemeni government make significant strides in the southern regions, particularly following a fragmentation of the Southern Transitional Council (STC). Despite the government's advancements, challenges persist from the Houthi movement, which remains firmly entrenched in the north, particularly in the capital, Sanaa, since their takeover in 2014. Naef, a soldier in the Yemeni government forces for nine years, recalls joining the military amidst high hopes for a swift resolution to the Houthi rebellion, which was expected to be brief. Instead, a decade of turmoil has resulted in a fragmented command structure and disparate... [Continue Reading]
Increasing Tensions in Middle East Amid Sports Rivalries in Seoul
Seoul, South Korea, has recently witnessed a captivating display of sportsmanship and camaraderie between two young tennis stars, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, even as geopolitical tensions escalate in the Middle East. The backdrop for this vibrant gathering in Seoul comes at a time when significant discussions surrounding disarmament and humanitarian aid are taking place in Gaza, reflecting the complex interplay between sports and international affairs. During a promotional event in Seoul, Alcaraz and Sinner captured the attention of fans and the media alike, dressed in contrasting colors reminiscent of the yin and yang philosophy. Sinner, clad in black, and... [Continue Reading]
Killer Theo’s next murder victim ‘confirmed’ after Billy’s brutal death
Who's next? [Continue Reading]
China and Canada announce tariffs relief after a high-stakes meeting between Carney and Xi
Canola oil and electric cars are at the centre of the deal agreed by Mark Carney and Xi Jinping after years of strained ties. [Continue Reading]
Bougival Accord at impasse: 'Nothing can move forward without participation of Kanak people'
Alison Sargent welcomes Dr. Andrew Smith, Historian of Modern France and Lecturer in Liberal Arts at Queen Mary University of London. Dr. Smith offers a thoughtful assessment of the Bougival agreement and its highly contested reception in New Caledonia, drawing attention to the deeper undercurrents of mistrust, political plurality, and colonial legacy that shape this pivotal moment. The accord recognises a “state” within France, yet it also embeds mechanisms of control that reignite fears among the Indigenous Kanak population of political marginalization. [Continue Reading]
Philippines, France near defence pact to boost ‘operational intimacy’ in contested waters
A visiting forces military deal to be signed between the Philippines and France has put the focus on “operational intimacy”, with observers noting that Paris has a presence in the Indo-Pacific and would serve Manila’s interests well in the contested waters of the South China Sea. The term was coined by Associated Press correspondent Jim Gomez and confirmed by French Ambassador to Manila Marie Fontanel during a freewheeling discussion on Tuesday at her residence. In a bid to balance the... [Continue Reading]
Why India is losing ground over Bangladesh and Myanmar to regional rivals
India is facing multiple geopolitical challenges in the region as Bangladesh and Myanmar show signs of drifting away from New Delhi’s orbit amid its long-standing disputes with Pakistan and China. Dhaka has been drawing closer to Islamabad following the downfall in 2024 of its former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who had close ties with Delhi during her rule, while China has continued to maintain its influence in Myanmar since the junta in Naypyidaw ousted the elected government in a coup in... [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong man in court over seditious acts, media arson threats calls it ‘mischief’
A Hong Kong man accused of threatening to burn down the offices of five local media outlets if they did not publish seditious articles has described his actions as mischief, a court has heard. West Kowloon Court on Friday granted a request by Tse Chun-pan, 43, to adjourn the hearing for two months so that his lawyers could continue negotiations with prosecutors regarding his plea. Tse, who said he was a social security officer, faces one count of knowingly publishing seditious articles and six... [Continue Reading]
Supermarket own-brand coffee crowned best in UK — better than Nescafé and Kenco
Two supermarket coffees beat competition from big brands like Douwe Egberts. [Continue Reading]
Indonesia sues six companies over environmental harm in flood zones
Environmental groups say government also holds responsibility for granting firms right to raze large tracts of land. [Continue Reading]
Incumbent President Museveni takes strong lead in Uganda election count
Museveni is credited with 76 percent in early results; violence reported with opponent Bobi Wine under house arrest. [Continue Reading]
Venezuela's opposition figurehead Machado presents Trump with Nobel Peace medal
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gave her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump on Thursday during a White House meeting, in a bid to influence his efforts to shape her country's political future. A White House official confirmed that Trump intends to keep the medal. [Continue Reading]
Washington warns Tehran 'all options are on the table' in emergency UN Security Council session
Trump remains open to military intervention if Tehran continues to exact lethal force on protesters in the ongoing nationwide demonstrations, US representatives told the UN Security Council on Thursday. [Continue Reading]
Prison rights, Elbit’s loss: How the Palestine Action hunger strike ‘won’
As critically ill activists begin re-feeding in prison, campaigners and an MP believe the government made 'concessions'. [Continue Reading]
Extreme rainfall inundates South Africa and Mozambique
Flood warning raised to highest level with roads washed away and rain forcing evacuation of Kruger national parkLarge areas of north-eastern South Africa and neighbouring Mozambique have been inundated for several days with exceptionally heavy rainfall. Some locations in South Africa recorded hundreds of millimetres of rain over the weekend, such as Graskop in Mpumalanga, where 113mm fell in 24 hours, and Phalaborwa, which recorded about 85mm of rainfall. Rain has continued to fall across the region since the weekend.The deluge has been driven by a slow-moving cut-off low pressure system that has remained anchored over the region, repeatedly drawing... [Continue Reading]
Olympic hopes double as act of defiance in war-ravaged Ukraine
At a war-ravaged sports centre in Ukraine, the hope for Olympic glory persists as athletes defy danger while training. [Continue Reading]
George RR Martin admits he has ‘abysmal’ relationship with House of the Dragon boss
The show has been plagued with troubles from the start. [Continue Reading]
Early results show Museveni in lead in Uganda election as violence reported
Veteran president holding off main challenger Bobi Wine after campaign marred by violence at opposition ralliesThe veteran Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, held a commanding lead in early presidential election results announced on Friday, as conflicting accounts emerged of violence after the vote.Museveni, who is 81 and has ruled Uganda since seizing power in 1986, is seeking a decisive victory after a campaign marred by violence at opposition rallies. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Water restored to most Kent and Sussex homes after six days’ disruption
Up to 30,000 customers of South East Water had no supply or low pressure at height of incidentWater has been restored to most homes across Kent and Sussex after almost a week of disruption.South East Water (SEW) said the outage, which began on Saturday, was the result of Storm Goretti causing burst pipes and power cuts. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Sir Brian May reveals why Queen will ‘never’ perform at Glastonbury
'I don't think the conversation of us doing [it] has ever taken place.' [Continue Reading]
Malaysia’s Umno chief denies he ‘sidelined’ Najib to secure his own legal freedom
The president of Malaysia’s Umno has denied abandoning disgraced ex-prime minister Najib Razak to save himself, as fissures emerge in the former ruling party over the mixed legal fortunes of two of its top leaders. Umno grass-roots members have urged President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to quit Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government in protest after the High Court blocked Najib’s bid to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest last month. It also handed the one-time party figurehead a... [Continue Reading]
Dear Trump, Buying Greenland Is a Bad Idea
Trump wants Greenland? Its previous colonizer has some thoughts. [Continue Reading]
The Right Is Furious With Liberal White Women
In the MAGA imagination, white women are supposed to be helpmeets, not harpies. [Continue Reading]
EastEnders and Bad Girls legend describes life as ‘fragile’ after brother’s death
Simone's brother died in 2024. [Continue Reading]
NASA prepares first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years
NASA's first moonshot with astronauts in more than a half-century is set to take place as soon as early February. The moon rocket moves to the pad this weekend at Florida's Kennedy Space Center, with a fueling test to be conducted by early next month. Until all that is completed, a launch date cannot be confirmed; the earliest the moon flyaround could take off is Feb. 6. [Continue Reading]
AFP charges three family members over alleged links to illegal tobacco, vapes
A 47-year-old woman, her son-in-law and her father are granted bail after the AFP charges them, claiming they are allegedly involved in supplying illicit tobacco and vapes. [Continue Reading]
‘Enough already’: Jenrick’s defection gets mixed reception from Reform members
Some supporters are concerned about the number of Conservatives being welcomed by their party, and fear it could alienate votersIf Reform UK was officially celebrating Robert Jenrick’s defection to Nigel Farage’s party, the reaction of the rank-and-file was an altogether more complicated one – ranging from jubilation to despair that yet another Tory was coming onboard.“Enough already! Reform uk please take note, you are going to lose members and voters if you don’t cap this craziness … We don’t want a Tory party Pt II,” was the early response from James Scott, one of a number of members expressing their... [Continue Reading]
Trump pick for South America command sidesteps China questions at Senate hearing
Days after the operation that abducted then Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump’s nominee to command US forces in Latin America dodged pressure from senators to endorse a military-first plan to counter China’s growing influence in the region. Lieutenant General Francis Donovan, who is nominated to lead US Southern Command (Southcom), repeatedly declined to say whether Washington should rely mainly on force projection to push back against Beijing’s expanding footprint. The... [Continue Reading]
The U.S. says seizing Venezuelan oil hurts its foes. How dependent are they?
See how Trump’s capture of Maduro and control of Venezuela’s oil sales could affect China, Cuba and the United States. [Continue Reading]
China senses opportunity as U.S. targets Iran and Venezuela
China is trying to position itself as a stabilizing force amid U.S. actions on Venezuela and Iran — but its commitment to allies is largely pragmatic, analysts say. [Continue Reading]
China ‘hardcore grandma’ gains fame for farm fertilisation drone skills and as live-streamer
An 82-year-old woman from eastern China, affectionately known as the “hardcore grandma,” has captivated many with her remarkable skills in operating field fertilisation drones and her success as a live-streamer selling rice. Born in 1943, Dai Shuying hails from Laomei Village in Xindu Town, Tongcheng, Anhui province. In her youth, she worked as a bookkeeper and was regarded as one of the few “educated individuals” in her village, capable of reading, writing, and performing calculations. While... [Continue Reading]
With Maduro in U.S. custody, his lieutenants warm to Trump
Attacked by the U.S. military, Venezuela’s socialist regime is now working with the Trump administration to harness the world’s largest proven oil reserves. [Continue Reading]
Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act over protests in Minnesota
US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke an emergency law that allows the domestic deployment of the military, after federal agents killed one person and injured another in Minnesota, sparking mass protests. Protesters have denounced the aggressive tactics of Trump's broad-reaching immigration raids in rallies in the Midwestern city, which is a Democratic stronghold. [Continue Reading]
US delegation seeks to reassure Denmark and Greenland amid Trump seizure threats
A bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers will meet with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland on Friday to reassure them of congressional support despite President Donald Trump's threats to seize the Arctic island. Trump has said Greenland is vital to US security because of its strategic location and large supply of minerals and has not ruled out the use of force to take it. [Continue Reading]
Number of registered companies in Hong Kong reaches record 1.56 million in 2025
Hong Kong’s corporate landscape expanded to unprecedented levels last year, with the total number of local registered companies reaching a record of nearly 1.56 million by the end of 2025. “By the end of 2025, the total number of local companies and redomiciled companies registered under the Companies Ordinance increased by 96,609 compared with 2024, reaching 1,557,103,” the Companies Registry said in a statement on Friday, noting that it was “an all-time high figure”. Among the total in 2025,... [Continue Reading]
Weight loss jabs are 'opportunity' for Leon, boss says
John Vincent says the chain could benefit from the weight loss trend, and sets out his plans to revive the business. [Continue Reading]
Iran deploys riot police to shut down protests
Iranian authorities deployed riot police Thursday evening on Tehran's main square and avenues to prevent protests, FRANCE 24's correspondent Siavosh Ghazi said. Ghazi also reported that Iran has not yet responded to the White House claim that it has halted executions for some 800 protesters. [Continue Reading]
HSBC reviews Singapore insurance unit amid focus on high growth in Hong Kong, China
HSBC Holdings’ exploration of options for its insurance business in Singapore may lead to a sale of the unit as the group reallocates resources to its insurance business in Hong Kong and mainland China, according to analysts. “It makes sense for HSBC to consider an exit from Singapore’s insurance market to focus on Hong Kong and mainland China, as so many mainlanders are coming to Hong Kong to buy insurance products here,” said Kenny Tang Sing-hing, chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of... [Continue Reading]
South Korea sentences ex-president to five years in first martial law verdict
Yoon Suk Yeol’s conviction for obstructing own arrest separate from main trial that could lead to death penaltyA South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for mobilising presidential security forces to block his own arrest and abusing his powers. It is the first judicial ruling linked to the events surrounding his failed martial law declaration in December 2024.The ruling is separate from Yoon’s main insurrection trial, where prosecutors earlier this week sought the death penalty and a verdict is due next month. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Chief minister stands by NT administrator nominee, despite questionable posts
A history of questionable social media posts from the NT's next administrator David Connolly have emerged, but the chief minister say she stands by her nomination of him. [Continue Reading]
Irish humanitarian says charges in Greece were 'farcical'
An Irish man who was facing up to 20 years in jail for helping refugees in Greece has said the charges brought against him were "farcical". [Continue Reading]
White House claims ‘acquisition of Greenland’ is purpose of working group – Europe live
Denmark’s foreign secretary has denied the assertion and since reiterated that discussion over territory is a red line.France has warned the US treasury secretary Scott Bessent that taking Greenland would be “crossing the line” and could endanger the trade relationship with the EU.In an interview with the FT (£), the country’s finance minister Roland Lescure was asked if the EU would hit back with retaliatory trade sanctions if Donald Trump were to invade Greenland.“Obviously, if that happened we would be in a totally new world for sure, and we would have to adapt accordingly.” Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Sudan food aid expected to be ‘depleted’ by end of March, UN warns
The United Nation’s food agency on Thursday warned that its food stocks in Sudan will be depleted by the end of March, and that it urgently needs funding to help prevent an imminent catastrophe. According to the UN, food rations have already been cut to an absolute minimum and millions of children have been pushed to “the brink of survival”. [Continue Reading]
Julio Iglesias denies sexual assault allegations
In a statement, the Spanish singer says the allegations are "absolutely false and deeply sadden me". [Continue Reading]
Canada PM hails ‘strategic partnership’ with China to adapt to ‘new global realities’
Mark Carney holds talks with Xi Jinping on rare Beijing trip as Canada seeks to diversify trade links away from USBusiness live – latest updatesCanada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, has hailed a “new strategic partnership” with China as he held talks in Beijing with President Xi Jinping, the first visit there by a Canadian leader in eight years.Addressing Xi in the Great Hall of the People, Carney said: “Together we can build on the best of what this relationship has been in the past to create a new one adapted to new global realities.” Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown has special UK start time live on Netflix
A welcome treat for fans in the UK. [Continue Reading]
You may have missed this mammoth Emmerdale clue that explains how Graham is alive
It's starting to add up... [Continue Reading]