World
Germany probing possible security lapses after Christmas market attack
By Reuters As a nation mourned, with citizens leaving flowers and lighting candles in Magdeburg where the incident took place on Friday, questions swirled about whether more could have been done and whether the authorities could have acted on warnings.
Dalai Lama downplays health concerns as succession planning looms
By Reuters Says Chinese pick won’t be respected. Suggests his next reincarnation could emerge in India.
South Korea detects signs of North Korea preparing more troops, drones for Russia
By Reuters Seoul, Washington and Kyiv have said there are around 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia.
Inflation fuels global political shifts in 2024
By Reuters Anti-incumbent sentiment reshapes leadership in the US, Europe, and beyond.
Starbucks workers expand strike in US cities, including New York
By Reuters Starbucks said the disruptions from the strike have no significant impact on its operations because only a small handful of US stores have been impacted.
More countries courting middle-class Indian travellers who are seeking new experiences
By The Straits Times While Chinese tourists may still be the leader in global tourism spending, India is seen as the fastest-growing market for outbound tourism.
Tens of thousands gather in anti-government protest in Belgrade
By Reuters Opposition leaders and the public have taken to the streets repeatedly, blaming the accident on shoddy construction resulting from government corruption and nepotism.
Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal
By Reuters Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Arizona, Trump also said he would not let the canal fall into the “wrong hands,” warning of potential Chinese influence on the passage.
Trump says he might demand Panama hand over canal
By Reuters The post was an exceedingly rare example of a US leader saying he could push a sovereign country to hand over territory.
Israeli strikes kill 17 Palestinians in Gaza, orders hospital to evacuate
By Reuters Palestinians have accused Israel of carrying out acts of “ethnic cleansing” to depopulate those areas to create a buffer zone.
German far right brings political edge to Magdeburg attack site
By Reuters Authorities arrested a Saudi man with a history of anti-Islamic rhetoric but said the motives for the attack were not yet known.
Will Kolkata become the next New Delhi in the coming five years?
By The Statesman The issue of air pollution is rising in Kolkata. Considering this situation, can a city like Kolkata (where the AQI is already between 150-200, ‘very unhealthy’) be safe, or may it face a similar fate to that of Delhi in the near future?
Syrian Kurdish groups on the back foot as power balance shifts
By Reuters Turkey seems determined to exploit the changing equation in Syria to the fullest.
More than 20 dead in bus and truck collision in Brazil
By Reuters Firefighters said they rescued 13 passengers from the wrecked bus.
German Christmas market attack kills five, injures 200
By Reuters The motive remained unclear and police have not yet named the suspect.
Ukraine drone attack on Russian city of Kazan forces airport closure, media and aviation watchdog say
By Reuters Russian state news agencies reported the drone attack on a residential complex in Kazan, a city some 500 miles (800 km) east of Moscow.
Islamist militants in northwest Pakistan kill 16 security personnel, police officer says
By Reuters Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack, giving a higher figure for the number of security personnel killed.
US House approves bill to avert midnight shutdown, sends to Senate
By Reuters House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans would have more power to influence government spending next year, when they will have majorities in both chambers of Congress and Trump will be in the White House.
US to announce final package of new arms for Ukraine in coming days
By Reuters Under USAI, military equipment is procured from the defense industry or partners, rather than drawn from American stocks, meaning it can take months or years to arrive on the battlefield.
Israel’s Netanyahu eyes Iran after triumphs over Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria
By Reuters Netanyahu is poised to zero in on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile programme, applying an unyielding focus to dismantling and neutralising these strategic threats to Israel.