The new frontier in the US-China AI race: Talent

Beyond chips, data and computing power, the battle between Beijing and Washington is increasingly being fought over the researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs shaping the technology's future.

China targets face of international space cooperation in corruption crackdown

Senior Chinese defence industry official Bian Zhigang was also deputy director of the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

Acclaimed Bengali Drama ‘Pinjar’ Lands International Deal, Girls’ Education Initiative (EXCLUSIVE)

Hazelnut Media, the Singapore-based impact production company, has acquired international rights to “Pinjar,” the Bengali feature directed by Kolkata physician and filmmaker Dr. Rudrajit Roy, and will amplify the film’s release through a real-world initiative backing education

Iran declares new Hormuz route 'unacceptable and dangerous,' warns against ships transiting without approval

The stern warning underscores Tehran's resolve to retain control over the Strait of Hormuz and to resist transits that bypass its authorization.

Investors still seek a human touch even with AI tools at hand: HSBC

Investors are still turning to the judgment of a professional adviser in their last investment decision, despite using AI tools, a HSBC survey found.

Precious drops: Spray helps crop farmers facing declining rainfall

A spray made from a biodegradable polymer capable of capturing and redirecting water to crop seeds could be the key to drought-proofing Western Australian farms.

Hong Kong arrests two for allegedly selling ‘seditious’ material

The pair were suspected of displaying “The Troublemaker”, a biography of jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai, in a bookstore.

Hong Kong arrests booksellers suspected of selling 'seditious' publications

BEIJING, June 25 - Hong Kong police have arrested two owners of a bookshop suspected of displaying and selling publications with \"seditious\" content, according to a Hong Kong government statement released on Thursday.

Anthropic accuses Chinese rival Alibaba of illicitly extracting AI capabilities

The firm alleged that Alibaba used fraudulent accounts to access data from its Claude AI model.

Anthropic accuses Alibaba of illicitly extracting AI capabilities

The firm alleged that Alibaba used fraudulent accounts to access data from its Claude AI model.

2 major earthquakes strike northern Venezuela, near Caracas

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake and a 7.5-magnitude were less than a minute apart, said the U.S. Geological Survey. The second earthquake was the largest to hit the country since 1900.

Senate GOP gets back in line with Trump over the Iran war

The Senate late Wednesday night in a 47-50-1 vote opted not to rebuke the Trump administration a second time over its military conflict in Iran, as leaders convinced some Republican swing votes that doing so would harm the negotiations to end the war. The resolution would have

As U.S. tries to win back trust, some Gulf powers are already talking to Iran

With even the existing agreements on the Strait of Hormuz subject to conflicting interpretations, Gulf powers feel compelled to forge their own relations with Iran, fracturing the united front the U.S. has sought to build. It is doubtful whether Rubio's visit can mend the

Australia's security environment degrading, spy chief warns

By Renju Jose SYDNEY, June 25 (Reuters) - Australia faces multi-faceted threats from autocratic regimes, hackers and antisemitic extremists that present a systemic challenge to national security and are degrading the security environment, the country's spy chief said. While

America’s ironclad bond with Israel is starting to crack

There is a ritual quality to the reassurances that flow from Washington to Jerusalem after every crisis, every ceasefire, every awkward telephone call between an American president and an Israeli prime minister. “The bond is unshakeable.” “Our commitment to Israel’s security is

South Africa beat South Korea to reach World Cup knockout stage for first time

Despite their loss, South Korea can still qualify for the last 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.

US says China trying to discourage states, businesses from engaging with Taiwan

TAIPEI, June 25 - China has been contacting U.S. states and private firms to discourage engagement with Taiwan and mischaracterising U.S. policy, but links with Taiwan should be expanded, three U.S. government departments said in joint letters.

Designer proteins unlock near-infrared and SWIR glow for deeper tissue imaging

Researchers at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC) in Dresden, including Oliver Bruns and Dr. Bernardo Arús, are participating in an international study that has, for the first time, developed novel proteins for near-infrared (NIR) and short-wave infrared imaging

Data Center Controversy Unseats Powerful Utah Lawmaker

A massive data center project in Box Elder County, Utah helped bring down the Beehive State’s Senate President, who lost his GOP primary on Tuesday after his support for the controversial development fueled voter backlash. Stuart Adams, one of Utah’s most powerful politicians

President Trump kicks off Great American State Fair, sticks to script with speech

President Trump stuck to script when he kicked off the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on Wednesday as a part of the country’s 250th anniversary. “Tonight, as we stand on the edge of our 250th year of independence, I am thrilled to declare that America is back,”

Luxury hotel remodelling historic former Nara prison opens

A one-night stay starts at S$1,180 per suite room and guests can also visit the Nara Prison Museum.

Beloved spiritual utopia under threat in Modi’s India

The Indian government is pushing to develop the city of Auroville as a tourist destination.

Cassidy Receives Iran Briefing at White House after Clashing with Trump

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) received a briefing about the Iran conflict from Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff at the White House Wednesday afternoon after the senator clashed heatedly with President Trump at a meeting earlier in the day. “I want to thank

‘The Other Bennet Sister’ Star Ella Bruccoleri on Playing a Regency Wallflower, Mary’s Romance with Tom and a Possible Season 2

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers from Season 1 of “The Other Bennet Sister,” now streaming on BritBox. Ella Bruccoleri may be playing a Bennet sister on TV, but the actress wasn’t always a fan of Jane Austen. Bruccoleri read “Pride and Prejudice” for the first time

Ancient stories inform modern understanding of volcanic eruptions

A new international study has found that Indigenous oral traditions, some thousands of years old, hold valuable and often overlooked insights into volcanic eruptions—offering important lessons for modern disaster preparedness. The research, published in the journal Volcanica,

EU’s Taliban talks crack the facade of a principled policy

The European Union’s decision to host a Taliban delegation in Brussels on June 23 marked a significant moment in the evolving relationship between Europe and Afghanistan’s de facto rulers. While European officials stressed that the talks were technical and did not imply

Johor BN says it will not form a coalition government with other parties

Chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi urges voters to judge them based on their work and performance and for the state’s future.

Last ISIS-linked Australian woman to return home, says its government

The unnamed woman is the last of more than 30 women and children to return to Australia.

Zendaya Stuns in Vintage $35 Spider-Man T-Shirt for ‘Brand New Day’ Event in Paris

“Style doesn’t always have to cost a fortune,” Law Roach, the Emmy winner's longtime stylist, wrote in an Instagram Story on Wednesday.

Postmaster General Confirms Plan to Hold Back Mail Ballots in States that won't Share Voter Data

Postmaster General David Steiner told lawmakers Wednesday that the U.S. Postal Service will no longer deliver mail-in ballots in states that refuse to provide sensitive voter data to the federal government, in line with a proposed rule from the Trump administration. Steiner

Asian markets climb after strong results from US chipmaker Micron

Dolly Parton Graces Opening of Tennessee Truck Stop: ‘I Couldn’t Leave It to Beavers’

The star officially opened Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop on Wednesday

'Fingerprints' of black hole's event horizon detected for first time

Scientists have detected the "fingerprints" of a black hole's event horizon—the boundary from which nothing can escape—for the first time, according to research published Wednesday.

Plastics shortages to keep food prices high after war disruptions

Disruptions to plastics supply have led to a sharp increase in packaging costs.

Two powerful earthquakes hit Venezuelan capital of Caracas

Powerful back to back earthquakes hit Venezuela's capital, Caracas. NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with journalist Maria Graterol who is in Caracas.

'Super-puff' planets lighter than candy floss discovered by international team

An international collaboration has discovered two of the lowest-density giant planets ever detected: rare "super-puff" planets with densities lower than candy floss. The study—led by the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Université Côte d'Azur/Observatoire de la Côte

Australia teen social media ban has little impact: Research

Underage users dodge restrictions by using false accounts or logging into private browsers.

MEPs adopt cardiovascular strategy, prioritising early detection and risk reduction

The European Parliament’s Public Health Committee has adopted its response to the EU’s first-ever cardiovascular health strategy, backing a stronger focus on prevention, early detection and action against major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. The report, approved on

Last IS-linked Australian woman to return home: government

The last Australian woman stranded in the Middle East over suspected links to the Islamic State group will be allowed to return home, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Thursday. Dozens of women and children have been returning to Australian from squalid Syrian detention

Negeri Sembilan ruler Muhriz to replace chieftains as tussle for crown escalates

UMNO has also withdrawn support for the Negeri Sembilan chief minister, claiming he interfered with royal affairs.

Australia’s spy chief warns of rising terror, cyberthreats

He cited anti-Semitic attacks, neo-Nazi threats and foreign cyberattacks as key security priorities.

Taiwan cheered by Western allies’ alarm over Chinese Coast Guard activities

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said that he was “truly thankful” for the statements.

Taiwan cheered by Western allies' alarm over Chinese Coast Guard activities

TAIPEI, June 25 - Taiwan expressed its thanks after the U.S., Britain, France and Germany raised the alarm about the Chinese Coast Guard and other activities off the island's east coast, with the government saying freedom of navigation was essential to global trade.

Magnitude 6.9 quake strikes Japan's northeast, no tsunami warning

June 25 - An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.

Chinese tourists flock to New Zealand under visa-waiver trial

A total of 90,111 electronic travel authorities had been issued to Chinese nationals as at May 31.

Zendaya Wears $35 Spider-Man T-Shirt to ‘Brand New Day’ Fan Event in Paris: ‘Style Doesn’t Always Have to Cost a Fortune’

A Zendaya press cycle usually means one couture — and project-themed — look after another. But for her latest stop on the “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” world tour, on Wednesday in Paris, the Emmy winner rocked a simple, oversized black t-shirt with the webslinger on the front. Of

Millie Bobby Brown Speaks Out on Knowing Eleven’s Fate and Making Amends With ‘Stranger Things’ Cast After the Show Ended: ‘I’m Sorry If I Ever Upset You’

There’s an unwritten golden rule in TV: a character is never truly dead unless you see the body. That’s why many “Stranger Things” fans still believe Eleven survived the series finale, which ends with Mike Wheeler imagining a future in which she survives the final showdown with

Pesticide widespread in blood of French Indies adults: Study

Eight in 10 adults in the French West Indies have a toxic pesticide in their blood decades after banana growers stopped using it, a study said Wednesday.