WORLD
Milan Cortina Olympics open with four-site ceremony celebrating Italian culture
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opened with a sprawling, four-site ceremony celebrating Italian culture, dual Olympic cauldrons, political reactions during the parade, and calls for unity amid global tensions.
WORLD
'I deeply regret it': Norway’s crown princess admits Epstein friendship was mistake
Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologised for her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, saying she deeply regretted the embarrassment caused to the royal family amid public scrutiny and declining support.
WORLD
Pakistan: Row over Imran Khan’s health as govt claims medical reports handed to family
Pakistan’s government says Imran Khan’s detailed medical reports were shared with his family, but his sister disputes the claim as PTI seeks Supreme Court intervention over access and treatment.
WORLD
Canada and France open Greenland consulates, back Nuuk amid Trump claims
Canada and France opened new consulates in Greenland’s capital Nuuk, signalling diplomatic support for the autonomous territory amid US President Donald Trump’s renewed claims and Arctic security ambitions.
WORLD
Republican oversight panel probes businesses linked to Ilhan Omar’s husband, seeks records
House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer has sought records from firms partly owned by Ilhan Omar’s husband, prompting accusations of a political smear and an unusual expansion of congressional scrutiny.
WORLD
US arrests ‘key participant’ in 2012 Benghazi attack, says attorney general Pam Bondi
US authorities arrested Zubayr al-Bakoush, described as a key participant in the 2012 Benghazi attack that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans, officials said.
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Trump offered Hudson Tunnel funding relief in return for airports being renamed after him: Report
Donald Trump reportedly offered to release frozen funding for New York’s Hudson River tunnel in exchange for renaming major transport hubs after him, an offer Democrats swiftly rejected outright publicly.
WORLD
Fresh Dhaka clashes leave dozens injured as police confront Osman Hadi protesters
Fresh clashes erupted in Dhaka’s Shahbagh as police dispersed protesters demanding justice for slain student leader Osman Hadi, injuring dozens and prompting the interim government to consider a UN-led investigation.
WORLD
'Zelenskyy and Putin hate each other': Trump says as peace talks inch forward
Donald Trump says progress is being made toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war, citing talks with Vladimir Putin, while warning deep hostility between Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy complicates peace efforts globally.
WORLD
Kremlin: Moscow and Washington see urgent need for new nuclear arms talks | New START
The Kremlin said Russian and US negotiators agreed on the urgent need to launch new nuclear arms talks after New START expired, as Washington pushed to include China in any future treaty.
WORLD
Epstein files fallout: UK police probe Peter Mandelson as pressure mounts on PM Starmer
UK police searched properties linked to former US ambassador Peter Mandelson amid fresh Epstein file revelations, intensifying scrutiny of Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his appointment despite Mandelson’s ties to the late financier.
WORLD
'I have actually learned Italian': JD Vance jokes with Giorgia Meloni in Milan
US Vice President JD Vance shared a light moment with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a Milan meeting, as he combined Winter Olympics events with diplomacy amid strained US–Europe relations.
WORLD
Libya: Thousands gather in Bani Walid for burial of Muammar Gaddafi’s son Seif al-Islam
Thousands of Gaddafi loyalists gathered in Bani Walid for the burial of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, highlighting enduring divisions in Libya nearly 15 years after Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow.
WORLD
Islamabad mosque blast: Pakistan vows ‘full force’ response, blames Taliban and India
Pakistan’s defence minister vowed a forceful response after a suicide bombing killed 31 worshippers at an Islamabad Shiite mosque, blaming Afghanistan’s Taliban and alleging collusion with India amid claims of intelligence failure.
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India condemns Islamabad mosque blast, says ‘Pakistan should not blame others for home-grown ills’
India condemned the suicide bombing at an Islamabad mosque that killed 31 and injured 169, expressing condolences and rejecting Pakistan’s attempts to blame external actors for its internal security challenges.
WORLD
After backlash, White House removes racist Trump video depicting Obamas as apes, blames staffer
After widespread bipartisan backlash, the White House removed a racist video Trump posted on Truth Social depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, drawing condemnation from GOP figures and public officials.
WORLD
Bangladesh polls: Jamaat-e-Islami election manifesto highlights diplomacy, lacks guarantees for Hindu safety
Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami manifesto emphasises foreign engagement, Muslim-world ties, and Rohingya advocacy, while remaining vague on minority protections and proposing compulsory military training, raising concerns for India and security analysts.
WORLD
US slaps fresh Iran oil sanctions, targets 14 vessels after Oman talks
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Iran continues to use oil revenues to “fund destabilising activities around the world and step up its repression inside Iran.”
WORLD
Clashes erupt outside Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s residence ahead of elections
With six days until Bangladesh’s general election, government employees clashed with police outside Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s residence, demanding implementation of the Ninth National Pay Scale amid rising political tensions.
WORLD
New START ends: US accuses China of secret nuke tests, warns Beijing's 'arsenal has no limits, no transparency'
The US accused China of secret nuclear tests, urging Beijing to join arms control talks, while Russia and the US discuss next steps following New START’s expiration amid global security concerns.
WORLD
What’s behind Japan’s snap election and Takaichi’s popularity surge
Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has called a snap election to secure a stronger parliamentary majority, leveraging youth popularity, social media influence, and policy promises amid economic and geopolitical challenges.
WORLD
US pushes for nuclear talks with Russia and China after New START expires
The US called for trilateral nuclear talks with Russia and China following the New START treaty’s expiration, citing Russian violations, growing stockpiles, and China’s lack of transparency.
WORLD
Trump faces backlash over AI video showing Barack, Michelle Obama as monkeys
US President Donald Trump sparked outrage by posting a video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys, drawing condemnation from Democrats, public figures, and Governor Gavin Newsom.
WORLD
Bangladesh polls: BNP unveils election manifesto emphasising unity, religious freedom, and economic reform
The BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, unveiled its February 12 election manifesto focusing on national unity, religious freedom, economic reforms, anti-corruption, foreign policy, security, governance reforms, and sustainable development.
