Vietnam’s renewed leadership continuity is expected to lend momentum to policy execution and economic reform, even as the country’s ambitious growth targets heighten financial and external vulnerabilities, according to a recent assessment by Fitch Ratings. »»»

Taiwan closed 2025 with another emphatic burst of economic growth, driven overwhelmingly by exports, as demand linked to artificial intelligence hardware continued to eclipse a sluggish domestic economy. While the pace of expansion is expected to cool this year, the island is still on course for gr»»»

Global sea surface temperatures are currently the fourth highest ever recorded for this time of year, raising renewed concerns among climate scientists as a developing El Niño event threatens to push marine heat to unprecedented levels. »»»

The big drawback with wind and solar energy is they don’t produce any power when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine. But that so-called “baseload” problem is melting away as a battery revolution is underway. Prices for batteries have tumbled, clearing the way for store power on a bluste»»»

Hong Kong’s economy finished 2025 with a solid burst of growth, helped by falling interest rates that eased pressure on households and supported consumption, even as the outlook for next year appears more restrained. Accor»»»

Global sea surface temperatures are currently the fourth highest ever recorded for this time of year, raising renewed concerns among climate scientists as a developing El Niño event threatens to push marine heat to unprecedented levels. »»»

The big drawback with wind and solar energy is they don’t produce any power when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine. But that so-called “baseload” problem is melting away as a battery revolution is underway. Prices for batteries have tumbled, clearing the way for store power on a bluste»»»

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has warned Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) not to make any “unsafe” behavior near American forces in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is conducting a two-day live-fire naval exercise in the Strait scheduled to begin on Sunday. “CENTCOM urges the IRGC to conduct the announce»»»

Global sea surface temperatures are currently the fourth highest ever recorded for this time of year, raising renewed concerns among climate scientists as a developing El Niño event threatens to push marine heat to unprecedented levels. »»»

Hong Kong’s economy finished 2025 with a solid burst of growth, helped by falling interest rates that eased pressure on households and supported consumption, even as the outlook for next year appears more restrained. Accor»»»

The big drawback with wind and solar energy is they don’t produce any power when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine. But that so-called “baseload” problem is melting away as a battery revolution is underway. Prices for batteries have tumbled, clearing the way for store power on a bluste»»»

The big drawback with wind and solar energy is they don’t produce any power when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine. But that so-called “baseload” problem is melting away as a battery revolution is underway. Prices for batteries have tumbled, clearing the way for store power on a bluste»»»

Global sea surface temperatures are currently the fourth highest ever recorded for this time of year, raising renewed concerns among climate scientists as a developing El Niño event threatens to push marine heat to unprecedented levels. »»»

Eager to counter a spreading perception of unreliability due to financial woes, Rosatom, Russia’s nuclear energy corporation, is trying to double down on its construction promises to build up Uzbekistan’s nuclear energy capacity. »»»

Eager to counter a spreading perception of unreliability due to financial woes, Rosatom, Russia’s nuclear energy corporation, is trying to double down on its construction promises to build up Uzbekistan’s nuclear energy capacity. »»»

Ukraine’s macroeconomic outlook for this year has significantly improved due to a sharp increase in external financial support thanks to the €90bn EU loan promise in December, even as the war with Russia continues, according to the first quarter 2026 edition of the Ukraine Macroeconomic Handbook pu»»»

The big drawback with wind and solar energy is they don’t produce any power when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine. But that so-called “baseload” problem is melting away as a battery revolution is underway. Prices for batteries have tumbled, clearing the way for store power on a bluste»»»

Ukraine’s macroeconomic outlook for this year has significantly improved due to a sharp increase in external financial support thanks to the €90bn EU loan promise in December, even as the war with Russia continues, according to the first quarter 2026 edition of the Ukraine Macroeconomic Handbook pu»»»

Fasting during Ramadan is more than just skipping meals – it’s about keeping the body and mind in balance. Yet many people in the UAE make common mistakes in the lead-up to the holy month that can make fasting harder than it needs to be. From sudden diet changes to poor sleep, Dr Lina Ghazal, Speci»»»

Residents and visitors of International City are advised that paid parking will be enforced starting tomorrow, Sunday, February 1, the parking management company Parkin has confirmed. Notices and signboards across the community remind drivers that the designated parking code is 621Q. Also Read: Par»»»

Global sea surface temperatures are currently the fourth highest ever recorded for this time of year, raising renewed concerns among climate scientists as a developing El Niño event threatens to push marine heat to unprecedented levels. »»»

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka has ordered the country's microelectronics industry to stay "half a step ahead" and produce products in demand on the global market, TASS reported on January 30. OJSC Planar i»»»

Eager to counter a spreading perception of unreliability due to financial woes, Rosatom, Russia’s nuclear energy corporation, is trying to double down on its construction promises to build up Uzbekistan’s nuclear energy capacity. »»»

Prime Minister Orbán Viktor said on Friday that Hungary’s utility price reduction system and household financial security are at stake in the upcoming April parliamentary election, warning that a “Brussels-backed government” would dismantle existing protections and take money away from families. Sp»»»

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Minneapolis as part of nationwide demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) action after the fatal shootings of two US citizens by federal agents. Protests were also held in cities across the US, including New York, Los Ang»»»

An organ music concert will take place on February 7–8 at the Toktogul Satylganov Kyrgyz State Philharmonic Hall in Bishkek, the organizers reported. Gabit Nesipbayev, Honored Artist of Kazakhstan, will perform at the stage. «The program ‘To the Music of Vivaldi...’ consists of instrumental concert»»»

The start date for the new season of the Kyrgyz Football Championship among Premier League teams has been announced. The Kyrgyz Professional Football League announced. According to the league, the opening match of the new season is scheduled for March 1. Sixteen teams will compete for the champion »»»

The US Senate edged closer to a vote on a funding deal to avert a government shutdown following a bitter standoff. Democrats have said they are prepared to pass five of six spending bills immediately but have drawn a red line around funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), demanding i»»»

After the US Senate failed to vote on a budget, a new funding deal endorsed by President Donald Trump has been reached. Democrats and Republicans are divided over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the agency overseeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Democrats are demand»»»

President ​Donald ⁠Trump on Friday ​said ‍he had ​chosen ​former Federal Reserve Governor ‍Kevin Warsh ​to head the US ‌central ‍bank. He will replace Jerome Powell whose term ends in May. President Donald Trump on Friday chose former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh to head the US ce»»»

In separate incidents this month, federal agents in Minneapolis shot and killed two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Federal officials defended the agents involved in the shootings and offered different versions of events from state and local officials. Ordinary people with mobile phones pr»»»

The U.S. First Lady Melania Trump's documentary, "Melania" premiered on January 29, with political figures including House Speaker Mike Johnson, special envoy Steve Witkoff and, of course, President Donald Trump himself. The Amazon-funded film cost 75 million dollars for production and marketing, b»»»

The US Justice Department said Friday that it was releasing a new cache of millions of documents from its investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein, resuming disclosures under a law intended to reveal what the government knew about the millionaire financier's sexual abuse of young girls. The US Justic»»»

This Friday in The World this Week, we talk about: The implications of a fatal week in Minneapolis, Iran & the ‘Armada’ ultimatum, What’s Trump’s goal for Gaza ? The implications of a fatal week in Minneapolis In a week where video evidence and citizen journalism has shown its fundame»»»

Syria’s government and Kurdish-led forces struck a sweeping deal on Friday to integrate Kurdish fighters and their administration into the central state, after weeks of fighting that shrank Kurdish control across the country. Syria's government and Kurdish forces reached a comprehensive agreement o»»»

Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi landed in Istanbul on January 30 for talks where Turkey was to offer help to mediate tensions with the United States, which has mooted a possible military strike. Late the day before, Trump -- who had previously warned time was "running out" for Tehran -- appeare»»»

The head of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) has said that cash-strapped Eurozone countries can tap into its €500 billion worth of reserves to increase military spending. The EU has already borrowed tens of billions of euros to boost its defense budgets and arm Ukraine. Speaking to Reuters on»»»

Iran's top diplomat said that his country's missile and defence capabilities would "never" be on the negotiating table, as US President Donald Trump appeared to cool on threats of a strike after a military build-up in the region. He arrived in Istanbul earlier on January 30 for talks with Turkish o»»»

Iran's foreign minister was in Turkey on January 30 as Ankara led a diplomatic push to mediate between Tehran and Washington, after US President Donald Trump cooled threats of an imminent strike on the Islamic republic. The standoff spurred calls for diplomacy from regional actors and allies of the»»»

Catherine Viette is pleased to welcome Dr H. A. Hellyer, Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Int'l Security Studies. In a wide-ranging interview, Dr. Hellyer highlights the strategic constraints of Iran, the ambivalence of Gulf states toward military »»»

From Lagos to Paris, the beat is getting louder. Nine French composers recently joined forces with Nigerian Afrobeats artists at the headquarters of the prestigious Nigerian label Mavin Records in an effort to create 60 tracks that could become the genre’s next international breakout hits. Will the»»»

In Niger, an attack targeted Niamey airport around midnight and went on for hours into the morning on January 29. This is the first time such a strategic site has been targeted. Niger's military leader has accused the presidents of France, Benin and Ivory Coast of supporting the armed groups which »»»

Twenty years after the 2006 migration crisis, the Atlantic route between Senegal and the Canary Islands remains one of the most dangerous for migrants. In 2024, more than 10,000 people died or went missing there. With most victims dying anonymously, families and associations are trying to give them»»»

The Islamic State group on Friday claimed responsibility for an attack in Niger on an air force base in the capital that wounded four soldiers and damaged an aircraft. State television reported that Niger's forces responded quickly to the assault early Thursday, killing 20 of the attackers and»»»

French lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill seeking to end "marital duty", after criticism from women's rights groups about its use to ignore sexual consent in marriage and marital rape. The text -- backed by more than 120 MPs in the lower house National Assembly -- clarifies in the c»»»

In France, nearly one in two nurses have reported experiencing sexual violence at work, this according to a new study by the country's Nursing Council. In 2025, more than two cases were reported each day, but despite this, reporting rates are extremely low. From this year, a simplified alert system»»»

A meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers was held at Yntymak Ordo under the chairmanship of Adylbek Kasymaliev. According to the Cabinet’s press service, the meeting participants discussed amendments to the draft law on electricity. «The goal of the draft is to develop renewable energy sources, which »»»

The European Union has listed Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation over Tehran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, the bloc's top diplomat said Thursday. EU foreign ministers on Thursday agreed to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard a "terrorist organisation",»»»

US President Donald Trump said Friday he expected Iran to negotiate a deal to avoid military action from Washington even as he warned of a US military buildup in the region "larger than what we had in Venezuela". Iran's top diplomat earlier said Tehran was ready to negotiate but not on its def»»»

In a landmark ruling, a Japanese court has ordered North Korea to pay compensations to victims of a mass repatriation programme that ran between 1959 and 1984. More than 93,000 ethnic Koreans and their Japanese spouses were lured by the promise of a "paradise on Earth" with free education, hea»»»