AI bands, Sydney Sweeney and demon hunters: Take our New Year quiz

Ready to test your brain cells in 2026? How many of last year's biggest pop culture moments and scandals do you remember?

Lack of moderate voices around Japan PM Sanae Takaichi sparks concern

Shinzo Abe was “more skilled” at building consensus through dialogue, an opposition lawmaker said.

India pioneered job guarantees. A new law could weaken them, critics say.

A mass rural employment program has cut poverty in India and inspired policymakers globally. Critics say the government risks rolling back that legacy.

PAS president says party to chair opposition pact PN, has ‘many’ qualified candidates

Former PM Muhyiddin Yassin, who stepped down as Perikatan Nasional chairman on Jan 1, said his Bersatu party remains a principled and loyal partner in the opposition bloc.

Saudi envoy says leader of Yemen separatist group STC blocked delegation's Aden landing

DUBAI, Jan 2 - Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Yemen said on Friday that Aidarus Al-Zubaidi, the leader of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), refused landing permission the previous day for a plane carrying a Saudi delegation to Aden.

Swiss authorities search for answers after deadly New Year’s fire

Fire rapidly engulfed the Constellation bar inside the Crans-Montana mountain resort, triggering at least one explosion, officials said. The cause is unknown.

Contaminated water kills 9 in India’s Indore city; 200 hospitalised

Indore’s chief medical officer said a water test had confirmed the presence of bacteria in the pipeline.

Watch: Moment 400-pound runaway prop injures Disney employee

The incident took place during a live recreation of a scene from the film of Indiana Jones

Caught in the crossfire of war, a community in Ethiopia keeps preaching peace

The Arwa Amba in northern Ethiopia has been widely hailed for its radical commitment to equality, peace and pacifism. Now, fighting has erupted on its doorstep, and the community is struggling to stay unaffected.

Experience the best of Europe in 2026 with these new vintage luxury train journeys

These upcoming European vintage train journeys will offer passengers stunning landscapes and exclusive experiences without compromising on style or luxury.

PAS will lead Perikatan Nasional, says PAS chief, with chairman candidate to be discussed ‘soon’

This comes after former Malaysia prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin resigned as chairman of the opposition bloc.

Tiny Fiddler crabs are hoovering up and breaking down microplastics, study finds

Despite being the size of a Post-It note, these tiny fiddler crabs can ingest and break down microplastic particles, researchers say.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy announces series of high-level meetings scheduled for early January

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a series of high-level meetings are scheduled to take place in early January to discuss the latest on the ground, bolster support and coordinate strategy in ongoing peace efforts.

Canada asks Air India to probe case of pilot reporting for duty under influence of alcohol: Source

India has been under intense scrutiny since the June 12 crash of a Boeing Dreamliner, which killed 260 people.

Dozens missing after boat carrying 200 migrants sinks off Gambia

It is the latest accident on one of the world’s most dangerous routes used by West Africans trying to reach Spain.

In China, AI finds deadly tumours that doctors may miss

An artificial intelligence tool has been trained to look for pancreatic cancer in non-contrast CTs.

The Year States Chose Surveillance Over Safety: 2025 in Review

2025 was the year age verification went from a fringe policy experiment to a sweeping reality across the United States. Half of the U.S. now mandates age verification for accessing adult content or social media platforms. Nine states saw their laws take effect this year alone,

Surveillance Self-Defense: 2025 Year in Review

Our Surveillance Self-Defense (SSD) guides, which provide practical advice and explainers for how to deal with government and corporate surveillance, had a big year. We published several large updates to existing guides and released three all new guides. And with frequent

Asian Film Awards Suspends Competitive Categories After Hong Kong Fire

The Asian Film Awards Academy has modified the format of its upcoming 19th edition, eliminating competitive categories and the red carpet ceremony in favor of a scaled-back event focused on special honors following last year’s deadly Hong Kong fire. The academy announced that

Pakistan’s nuclear command change much ado about nothing

The current debate around the 27th Amendment and Article 243 stems from three factors: a short statutory-alignment phase while the National Command Authority (NCA) Act (2010) and related regulations are updated, politically motivated readings and speculation, and some premature

Under attack from extremists, Bangladesh’s cultural activists fight back with music

The offices of two of Bangladesh's oldest and leading cultural organisations were recently attacked in Dhaka.

Latest news bulletin | January 2nd, 2026 – Morning

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this January 2nd, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

What if floods left your home unsellable? That’s the reality facing more and more people in Britain | Kirsty Major

Christine wanted to enjoy her retirement, but then the banks of a local brook burst and turned her and her neighbours’ lives upside-down When I visited Christine’s bungalow in Trowell, Nottinghamshire, and asked if I should take my shoes off, she joked: “I wouldn’t worry, I’ll

Ministers may cut green tech mandate from new homes regulations in England

Exclusive: Critics say removing battery installation requirement will reduce amount homebuyers save on energy bills Ministers are poised to allow homes in England to be built without carbon-cutting technology in what experts have said is a climbdown after pressure from

Russia-India defining drivers of the future of trade

India and Russia are boosting trade and transport links with key projects like the Vladivostok-Chennai corridor, aiming for US$100 billion in trade by 2030, a 40% increase on current levels. At the same time, India’s maritime vision aligns closely with Russia’s plans, focusing

Africa: Grand Tycoon, Burna Boy, Wizkid Named Visibility 50 Africa Honourees

[This Day] Journalist, poet and spoken-word artist Tofarati Ige, popularly known as Grand Tycoon, has been named among the 2025 Visibility 50 Africa honourees, a list recognising 50 African personalities and brands noted for building sustained public influence and relevance

Africa: World's Richest Billionaires Added Record $2.2 Trillion Wealth in 2025 - Report

[This Day] Abuja -- The world's 500 richest people added a record $2.2 trillion to their collective fortunes this year, as booming markets in everything from equities to cryptocurrencies to precious metals sent the value of their holdings soaring, according to the Bloomberg

Africa: NAFDAC Approves First Robotic Surgical Platform in West Africa

[This Day] Historic regulatory clearance for RoboMed™ï, confirms safety and efficacy of robotic surgery for Nigerian patients

Maduro suggests Venezuela is open to talks on drug trafficking with the US despite military strikes

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro says Caracas is ready to engage in constructive dialogue with Washington to combat drug trafficking amid continued pressure and military strikes from the Trump administration.

China military drills near Taiwan 'unnecessarily' raise tensions: US

China defended the drills as "legitimate" on Friday (Jan 2), and warned countries to "stop stirring up trouble on the Taiwan Strait issue".

Malaysia schools in a knot after move making neckties optional for students

Some insist ties cultivate self-discipline, while others think comfort matters given the tropical climate.

All Genshin Impact 6.3 livestream codes

Grab the latest Primogems for the Luna 4 special program.

Shares are higher in Asia in an upbeat start to the new year

China slashes hundreds of tariffs in strategic trade war twist

Beijing’s December 29 announcement of the 2026 Tariff Adjustment Plan provides a clear window into the priorities of its 15th Five-Year Plan. Beginning January 1, China will reduce import duties on 935 items to levels below Most-Favored-Nation rates. While such moves are often

Winter blooming of hundreds of plants in UK ‘visible signal’ of climate breakdown

New year plant hunt shows rising temperatures are shifting natural cycles of wildflowers such as daisies Daisies and dandelions are among hundreds of native plant species blooming in the UK, in what scientists have called a “visible signal” of climate breakdown disrupting the

Zohran Mamdani promises to govern 'expansively and audaciously' in inaugural speech as NYC mayor

Mamdani pledges to reel in a new era of New York in his first speech as mayor, vowing to govern “expansively and audaciously” to fulfil campaign promises and improve the lives of millions of New Yorkers “abandoned” by previous administrations.

Tabletop Simulator announces a free 2.0 update that includes a UI overhaul and a marketplace for paid mods

One of these things is more controversial than the other.

Africa: Editor's Pick - RFI English's Standout Stories of 2025

[RFI] In 2025, we reported on war and displacement, culture and climate, power and pushback. Our journalists followed conflicts, questioned politics, unpacked new technologies and listened to people living through change. Some stories were hard reads. Others offered hope,

Litterbugs in Malaysia, including foreigners, may trim trees in new community service punishment

The court may impose on offenders a community service order for up to six months.

Vietnam introduces tougher penalties on e-cigarette and heated tobacco use

The regulations go further by targeting those who provide space for such activity.

America’s world turned upside down

It has been a dark and stormy year, although not in as benign a sense as the much-mocked melodrama by Edward Bulwer-Litton from which this paraphrase of his opening line derives, nor as funny as the Peanuts cartoons that played on it. The year has blended dangerous geopolitical

Japan aims to cut 25% of clothes waste by 2030 via recycling, re-use

The move comes as textile product waste has become a major issue worldwide.

Did an exploding comet wipe out the mammoths?

Scientists are uncovering new clues that a cosmic explosion may have rocked Earth at the end of the last ice age. At major Clovis-era sites, researchers found shocked quartz—evidence of intense heat and pressure consistent with a comet airburst rather than volcanism or human

Snow expected in Tokyo and neighbouring areas

According to Japan’s meteorological agency, a strong winter-type pressure pattern is developing near Japan.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang eyed to lead Perikatan Nasional but alternatives in play

PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is at the forefront to take over the helm of Perikatan Nasional.

China taxes condoms, contraceptive drugs in bid to spur birth rate

Condoms and contraceptive pills now incur value-added tax of 13 per cent.

SBA says it has suspended '6,900 Minnesota borrowers' over suspected fraud

Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler said Thursday night that her agency has suspended "6,900 Minnesota borrowers” over suspected fraudulent activity regarding COVID-era lending programs. Loeffler said the SBA over the last week reviewed “thousands”

Indonesia’s palm oil power only as strong as its sustainability

Indonesia’s rise as the undisputed giant of global palm oil has few parallels in the modern commodity economy. No other country has so thoroughly converted a natural comparative advantage, climate suitability, abundant land and an early start in plantation development into such