Author: News Desk

China has installed a large floating structure in waters that it disputes with South Korea, with analysts suggesting that the Chinese government is employing similar tactics to take control of territory as it used successfully to seize atolls and islets in the South China Sea over a decade ago. China has placed similar steel structures in the same area in the past, insisting that they are merely “fishing support facilities” and each time leading to diplomatic protests from South Korea’s government. However, The Chosun Ilbo, a South Korean newspaper, cited diplomatic sources suggesting that China aims to advance its claims to…

Indonesian regulators last week rejected a proposal from Apple that the tech giant had hoped would pave the way for sales of the iPhone 16 in one of Southeast Asia’s largest markets. Indonesia requires 40% of parts used in certain smartphones to be produced domestically. To comply, Apple had pitched a $1 billion investment in a manufacturing facility on Indonesia’s Batam island to produce parts for the AirTag tracking device. However, Indonesian Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang pointed out that since the AirTag is not an iPhone part, the facility would not count towards the locally produced component rule for the iPhone…

Ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh have led to significant scaling back of visas and appointment slots for Bangladeshi nationals seeking to travel to India. Following political unrest and the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, Indian visa centers across Bangladesh were closed indefinitely for security reasons. In September, over 20,000 Bangladeshi passports were returned following the suspension of visa services by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka in the wake of widespread protests. Impact on students and medical tourism Since January, five visa centers in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna have been operational but only…

  The streets of Maputo were deserted on Monday when Mozambique swore in its new parliament. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane had called for a three-day strike to protest the result of highly disputed elections. Indeed, two smaller opposition parties boycotted the opening ceremony, saying they did not accept the outcome of the October election. President-elect Daniel Chapo called for calm and unity after months of unrest that have rocked the southern African nation. Mondlane entered Mozambique from self-imposed exile last week after his lawyer was assassinated on October 19. His return sparked confrontations between supporters and police in the capital. He…

It has been nearly a week since the devastating wildfires began raging through southern California, killing at least 24 people and burning an area larger than San Francisco. While the true causes of the blaze remain under investigation, a flood of misinformation regarding the fires and their impact has been unleashed on social media. Noticeably, President-elect Donald Trump was one of those who spread numerous false or misleading claims on the wildfires in LA, many of which went viral after Elon Musk reposted them on his social platform, X. Many users on social media shared numerous pictures and videos allegedly showing the fires,…

Donald Trump’s first days in office will be symbolically important and his actions will likely be a mixed bag of domestic and international policies. He will want to show voters that he means business while demonstrating America’s power abroad. Putting presidential executive orders to use To get things rolling quickly, Trump will depend on presidential executive orders, which are directives issued by the president. These orders bypass US Congress and can cover a range of issues like national security, foreign policy, and regulatory matters. A pile of them is expected to be ready for him to sign on January 20.…

It has been an intense past year for the Princess of Wales as she underwent cancer treatment Kate Middleton’s cancer timeline: From diagnosis after secret surgery to remission The Princess of Wales is making a steady return to royal duties following what has been one of the most tumultuous years of her life. In March, Kate confirmed she had been diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer. What followed was a nine-month battle as she underwent “preventative chemotherapy”. She endured intense online speculation in the weeks leading up to the public announcement and has largely stayed out of the spotlight…

MPs call on government to introduce entitlement to paid bereavement leave for miscarriage in new legislation ‘I had three miscarriages in one year – bereavement leave would have helped us process our grief’ Women and their partners should be entitled to paid bereavement leave if they experience a miscarriage as part of new employment laws being brought in by the Labour government, MPs have urged. MPs and campaign groups are calling on ministers to ensure that a period of paid leave is available to all women and partners who experience pre-24 week pregnancy loss – to match the existing provision…

Shadow attorney general Lord Wolfson KC says Labour’s reasonings for planning to repeal the Legacy Act ‘make no sense’ Gerry Adams in line for ‘payday from taxpayer’ under plans to repeal Legacy Act, says think tank report Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams will receive taxpayer-funded compensation if government plans to repeal the Legacy Act go ahead, a think tank has claimed. Mr Adams, 76, is currently blocked from receiving compensation over his detention in prison without trial in the 1970s, despite winning an appeal in the Supreme Court in 2020 to overturn historical convictions for two attempted prison breaks.…

Sir Keir Starmer hit by second ministerial resignation in six months as Tulip Siddiq steps down as anti-corruption minister No 10 refuses to rule out emergency budget as fresh inflation figures due  Rachel Reeves has opened the door to emergency spending cuts as No 10 refused to rule out the possibility of an emergency budget in the spring. Facing a grilling from MPs in the Commons on Tuesday over the rising cost of government borrowing and the recent falls in the value of the pound, Ms Reeves said there was a need to go “further and faster” in search of…