European leaders are moving closer to an unprecedented financial move: channeling proceeds from frozen Russian assets into a reparations loan for Ukraine. The initiative, spearheaded by the European Commission, reflects a deepening commitment to Kyiv’s defense while navigating the legal, political,...

Congressional disclosure of materials from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate has put a disputed 2003 “birthday book” squarely into the political spotlight. The book, turned over to the House Oversight Committee and made public in part this week, contains photographs, sketches and short notes compiled for...

Chinese President Xi Jinping used a high-profile summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to set out an expansive vision for a reshaped global order — one that leans on regional institutions, coordinated economic heft and state-driven finance to offer an alternative to a U.S.-centred system....

India and China’s agreement to resume direct flights and expand trade and investment marks a pragmatic thaw between two wary neighbours — a move shaped as much by regional border diplomacy as by a shifting global economic backdrop. After years of freeze-and-thaw relations following a deadly 2020...

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Wednesday, just two days before the expiration of a key deadline set by President Donald Trump. The deadline requires Russia to demonstrate credible steps toward peace in Ukraine or face a new wave of sweeping...

China’s use of exit bans against U.S. nationals has escalated from a sporadic legal remedy into a potent instrument of state leverage, ensnaring professionals, former officials and corporate executives alike. In recent weeks, at least two high‑profile American citizens—a federal patent examiner and...

China has moved decisively to enlarge its diplomatic footprint around the world as Washington’s engagement recedes. From Africa to Latin America, and across Asia and the Pacific, Beijing is deploying a mix of high‑level visits, infrastructure financing, special envoys and cultural outreach to...

The World Health Organization (WHO) is bracing for significant financial cuts, signaling a major shift in global health governance. A proposed 21% reduction in its budget is expected to reshape its operations, forcing difficult choices on program funding, workforce restructuring, and crisis...

In an unprecedented development, UK authorities have confirmed the first-ever case of bird flu (H5N1) in a sheep. The case was detected in northern England, where routine monitoring of farmed livestock revealed that a ewe had tested positive for the highly pathogenic virus. This discovery marks a...

In 2024, the global community faced unprecedented climate challenges, with human-induced climate change significantly intensifying extreme weather events. A comprehensive analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA) and Climate Central revealed that climate change was a major factor in 26 out of 29...

The United States has reported its first severe human case of bird flu in 2024, involving a Louisiana resident who is hospitalized in critical condition. This marks a significant shift in the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, which has primarily impacted livestock and farm workers. The case...