Student demonstrations erupted across Iran on Tuesday, adding momentum to a wave of unrest driven by mounting economic pressure and growing frustration over living costs and employment prospects. Protests were reported in Tehran just one day after shopkeepers in the capital took to
Finnish police have seized a ship suspected of damaging a telecommunications cable linking Finland and Estonia, an incident that has raised concerns about the security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic region. Authorities said on Wednesday that the vessel was taken into custody
Russian President Vladimir Putin used his traditional New Year’s address to declare confidence that Russia will prevail in Ukraine, offering a message of resolve as the conflict approaches its fourth year. The speech was broadcast on Wednesday evening, first airing in Russia’s far
China’s world number one table tennis players Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin have withdrawn from the upcoming WTT Champions event in Doha, a move that has reshaped the tournament field and created an unexpected opportunity for Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi-kem. The withdrawals were
Skywatchers have much to look forward to in 2026, with the moon and sun sharing the spotlight in a year filled with striking celestial events. From dramatic eclipses to rare lunar moments and colourful auroras, the coming year promises a rich calendar for
Meta Platforms’ multibillion dollar acquisition of Manus, a Chinese founded artificial intelligence agent start up, has been widely praised for its strategic ambition while also reigniting concerns inside China about a potential exodus of top AI talent and innovation. The deal has generated
The start of 2026 across the South Pacific was marked by both celebration and sombre reflection as communities welcomed the new year in the shadow of a deadly mass shooting, choosing resilience and unity over fear. The first major city in the world
In his annual New Year’s address, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the nation to intensify efforts to strengthen economic growth and accelerate technological progress, framing the coming years as decisive for China’s long term development and global standing. Speaking in a nationally
China’s latest military drills around Taiwan are being closely analysed by regional security watchers, with growing attention on whether Beijing is experimenting with low cost methods to gradually weaken the island’s air defence capabilities. The two day live fire exercise, named Justice Mission
The United States is advancing a series of new health cooperation agreements across Africa as it intensifies efforts to expand its influence on the continent amid growing competition with China. The deals, focused on disease surveillance and outbreak response, are designed to strengthen
