A Russian missile hit a five-storey residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, on Saturday, killing at least seven people and wounding 10 others, including three children. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, stating Russia launched 29 missiles and 480 drones overnight targeting energy facilities in Kyiv and central regions, with damage reported across at least seven areas.
Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper and engineer who entered politics four years ago, holds a significant lead over 74-year-old communist leader K.P. Sharma Oli in Nepal's parliamentary election. The former Kathmandu mayor's surge is widely viewed as a referendum on generational leadership change following last year's youth uprising. Shah is competing for a House of Representatives seat in an eastern district.
President Donald Trump has prioritized impulse and emotion over rational explanation during the first week of conflict with Iran, drawing criticism even from within the White House. When questioned by ABC News, Trump emphasized personal feeling rather than policy rationale, asking reporters what they thought of his "performance." This approach has been criticized as arrogant messaging regarding the most significant U.S. military conflict in decades.
Cathay Pacific Airways fares from over 50 cities to Hong Kong have doubled as Middle East airspace closures force airlines to reroute around the Iran conflict zone. London, Madrid, and Chennai experienced the steepest price surges. US-Israeli attacks on Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes have kept much of the Middle East's airspace closed, increasing demand for alternative routes.
Taiwan's legislature started scrutinizing a long-delayed special defence budget on Friday. The government's NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) proposal faces three rival proposals from major political parties, exposing deep divisions over defence spending levels and the balance between foreign weapons purchases and domestic defence development. Despite mounting US pressure, the budget's passage remains complicated by these competing visions.
Indonesia signed a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States that imposes over 200 obligations on Indonesia compared to nine for America. One day after signing, the US Supreme Court struck down the legal basis for the tariff threat that prompted the agreement. Critics compare the deal to a blank check and sovereignty surrender, while the Indonesian government claims it is mutually beneficial.
China will prioritize anti-corruption efforts and financial superpower development at the 2026 Two Sessions. The conference will focus on deepening anti-corruption campaigns, improving the financial system, and enhancing financial competitiveness. This reflects China's commitment to strengthening institutional governance and financial support for high-quality economic development in the new development stage.
According to two US intelligence officials, Russia has provided Iran with information that could assist Tehran in striking American warships, aircraft, and regional assets. The anonymous officials stated that US intelligence has not found evidence Russia is directing Iran's use of the information. As the US and Israel continue bombardment operations, Iran is assessing its response options.
Australia has raised concerns with China following an “unsafe and unprofessional” encounter betwe...
US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that Cuba will 'fall pretty soon,' renewing threats against the communist-ruled island already facing an American energy blockade. Trump told CNN that Cuba is eager to make a deal and noted that after 50 years, Cuba is now ready. He designated Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the point person on Cuba policy, indicating the administration's focus on this issue.