World News

Opec+ holds 2026 group-wide oil output steady, agrees capacity mechanism

The countries agreed the pause in output hikes for the first quarter at their last meeting held earlier this month

Norway wealth fund to back call for Microsoft human rights report at AGM

The world's largest sovereign wealth fund owned a 1.35% stake worth $50 billion in Microsoft as of June 30, according to fund data, its second-largest equity holding overall, after Nvidia

China's factory activity slumps for longest stretch on record in Nov

The official manufacturing purchasing managers' index was 49.2, remaining below the 50 mark that separates growth and contraction for an eighth month

US halts all asylum decisions after shooting of National Guard members

The Republican administration is promising to pause entry to the United States from some poor nations and review Afghans and other legal migrants already in the country

Bangladesh's ex-PM Khaleda critical, exiled son uncertain of return

Her party has regained prominence after Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's long-serving former prime minister, was ousted in a student-led uprising last year

Netanyahu submits request for pardon amid his ongoing corruption trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the president to grant him a pardon during his long-running corruption trial that's bitterly divided the country.

Swiss voters overwhelmingly reject proposed 50% tax on super rich

Switzerland is home to some of the world's most expensive cities and anxiety about the cost of living has been gaining currency in local politics

4.4 magnitude earthquake strikes western Nepal province, no damage reported

The epicentre of the quake that struck at 12:09 pm (local time) was Saipal mountain in Bajhang district, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre (NEMRC)

Gold could retest record highs as traders eye Powell's speech, RBI policy

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures for the February 2026 contract climbed by Rs 3,654, or 2.9 per cent, over the past week to close at Rs 1,29,504 per 10 grams on Friday

Opec+ set to hold oil output policy amid fears of a looming supply glut

The meeting of OPEC+, which pumps half of the world's oil, comes during a fresh U.S. effort to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, which could add to oil supply if sanctions on Russia are eased

7 explosions occur in Balochistan in 24 hours, no casualties reported

Suspected insurgents carried out the attacks in Balochistan capital Quetta and Dera Murad Jamali

Rubio, Witkoff to meet Ukrainian negotiators as Trump pushes to broker deal

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, were expected to sit down with a Ukrainian delegation to hash out the details

Kyrgyzstan holds snap parliamentary election as opposition faces crackdown

It is expected to cement the grip of President Sadyr Zhaparov, who has sought to suppress dissent in what was once Central Asia's most democratic country

S Korean e-commerce firm Coupang says 33.7 mn customer accounts breached

Coupang, dubbed the Amazon.com of South Korea, is the country's top online retailer with its services ubiquitous for many Koreans using its "Rocket" fast deliveries

Thousands in Philippines protest corruption, demand return of stolen funds

Left-wing groups led a separate protest in Manila's main park with a blunt demand for all implicated government officials to immediately resign and face prosecution

At least 4 dead, 10 injured in shooting at banquet hall in California

Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County sheriff's office, said the victims included both children and adults

Hong Kong mourns as deadly fire claims 128 lives, sparks safety crackdown

There has been an outpouring of support and sympathy, with thousands of city residents visiting the site of the fire to pay tribute to the dead and donate supplies

Eurozone inflation near 2% likely to keep ECB rates steady in December

Officials find themselves in a holding pattern at present, with no clear consensus on what the next move for rates should be

Ex-military officers rally in Argentina in latest sign of political shift

Saturday's demonstration was seen as a provocation in the country of Nunca Ms, the slogan that represents Argentina's commitment to never again return to authoritarianism

Ukrainian delegation to meet Rubio, Witkoff for talks on US peace plan

Presidential advisor Jaresh Kushner will also be present to hold talks with the Ukrainian officials in Florida, emphasising Washington's diplomatic push