Major achievement for country: Political leaders welcome India’s first bullet train announcement
New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) India’s first bullet train project has once again come into focus after Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the country is likely to witness the launch of its first high-speed rail service on August 15, 2027. The announcement drew reactions from various political leaders on Friday, who described the […]
Afghanistan: Explosion hits court building in Faryab
Kabul, Jan 2 (IANS) An explosion occurred at the court building in Faryab, creating panic and sparking fresh security concerns in northern Afghanistan, local media reported on Friday. Following the explosion, the emergency responders reached at the site of the incident. The blast took place at the Court of Appeal building in Faryab on Thursday, […]
Over 1100 vehicles set on fire across France during New Year’s Eve celebrations
Paris, Jan 2 (IANS) More than 1100 vehicles were set on fire and over 500 people detained across France during New Year’s Eve celebrations, the country’s Interior Ministry has revealed. In accordance with the Interior Minister’s firm instructions, which required a high degree of responsiveness and mobility, law enforcement intervened immediately in cases of violence […]
Space for independent expression steadily reduced under Xi, says jailed Chinese journalist’s son
Beijing, Jan 2 (IANS) Jailed Chinese journalist Dong YuYu’s son Dong Yifu has urged the US, the UK and the Europe to increase diplomatic pressure on China for his father’s release, asserting that his father’s conviction sets a dangerous precedent. Dong Yifu’s statement comes after Beijing High Court in November dismissed an appeal to overturn […]
Trump warns Iran against violent crackdown as US hits UAV networks
Washington, Jan 2 (IANS) President Donald Trump on Friday issued a sharp warning to Iran, saying the United States was prepared to act if Iranian authorities used deadly force against protesters, as Washington announced a new round of sanctions targetting Tehran’s weapons and drone networks linked to Venezuela. In a 2.58 am (local time) social […]
Kenya: Two people feared dead after under construction building collapses in Nairobi
Nairobi, Jan 2 (IANS) At least two people are feared to have died after a multi-storey building which was under construction collapsed in the shopping centre area of Nairobi’s South C estate on Friday, creating panic among residents and passersby, local media reported. The National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) said that it received information regarding […]
Traffic deaths in Norway spike in 2025
Oslo, Jan 2 (IANS) Norway’s transport minister has this week raised the alarm after a spike in deaths on the country’s roads in 2025. According to preliminary figures released by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration on Thursday, 111 people died on Norwegian roads in 2025. This represented an increase of 24 from the previous year, […]
China deploys proxy NGOs at UN to shape narrative, deflect scrutiny: Report
Athens, Jan 2 (IANS) China’s deployment of state-backed proxy NGOs at the United Nations reflects a strategy to manage its international image, deflect criticism, and create diplomatic space to resist accountability for abuses, a report said on Friday. It stated that by eroding the lines between genuine civil society and government-linked propaganda, Beijing has reshaped […]
China using its supply chain dominance as coercive tool
Yangon, Jan 2 (IANS) China is using its supply chains and dominant control over rare earth elements (REEs) and other critical minerals as a lever to gain asymmetric leverage over global industrial networks, according to an article in Mekong News. These 17 metals and their compounds are essential for manufacturing electric vehicle motors, microchips, precision-guided […]
Trump shops marble for White House ballroom
Washington, Jan 2 (IANS) President Donald Trump on Friday made a low-key visit to a Florida stone supplier as part of preparations for a new White House ballroom, with officials confirming he is personally purchasing materials for the project. “President Trump is purchasing marble and onyx, at his own expense, for the White House Ballroom,” […]
