Pakistan Pakistan's ex-leader Imran Khan given 14 years in jail for corruption The 72-year-old, who has been imprisoned since 2023, says the latest ruling is politically motivated and that he will appeal the decision. 17/01/2025
Economy Strong exports help China hit economic growth targets for 2024 Exports have surged as companies and consumers rush to beat potential US tariff hikes. However, some economists say China's economy is growing at a slower pace than official estimates show. 17/01/2025
Pakistan PIA says flights to France ad not meant to be evocative of 9/11 A spokesperson for PIA said the ad, which has more than 21.2 million views on X, was only ever meant to celebrate that the airline was resuming flights to Europe. 17/01/2025
Israel Israeli hostages to be released Sunday if ceasefire deal approved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has paved the way for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas pending his cabinet's approval. 17/01/2025
Cinema Bollywood star 'out of danger' after attack at Mumbai home The 54-year-old Indian actor underwent surgery after suffering six stab wounds when an intruder entered his home in the early hours of Thursday. 16/01/2025
No Comment Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill 72 as ceasefire delayed Gaza's Health Ministry reports 72 dead from Israeli airstrikes despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas reportedly agreed on Wednesday. 16/01/2025
No Comment Watch bereaved families of Israeli soldiers oppose ceasefire deal On Thursday, families of soldiers killed during the war displayed coffins in Jerusalem to protest against a proposed ceasefire deal. 16/01/2025
No Comment Gaza celebrates as Israel and Hamas reportedly reach ceasefire deal A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas brings hope to end 15 months of conflict, with phased release of hostages and humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza. 16/01/2025
Europe News Israel-Hamas reach ceasefire deal, Biden says as Netanyahu stays quiet Key mediators, including US President Joe Biden, in a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel say that a landmark agreement has been reached to pause the 15-months of war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli has said its cabinet is yet to agree. 15/01/2025
The Exchange Smart cities powered by renewable energy In partnership with Media City Smart cities use technology and sustainability to improve city life. Data collection enhances services, lowers environmental impact and boosts economic growth. As urban populations grow, the priority is on better transportation links and community involvement to meet residents' needs. 15/01/2025
East-West Connect Kazakhstan’s digital economy: Fintech growth, cashless payments, and cybercrime prevention In partnership with MDQ In this episode of East-West Connect, we look at Kazakhstan’s fintech growth, its shift toward cashless payments, and efforts to combat cybercrime through international collaboration. 15/01/2025
Iran Why Italy's release of wanted Iranian is a win for Tehran The linked cases of Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini and Italian reporter Cecilia Sala are the latest flashpoint between Tehran and Washington. 15/01/2025
No Comment The haunting legacy of Sednaya prison UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk visited the notorious Sednaya prison near Damascus, describing it as "haunted by the memories of utmost cruelty." 15/01/2025
South Korea South Korea's anti-corruption agency arrests President Yoon Suk-yeol South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol becomes the first sitting president to be arrested in the country’s history after weeks-long standoff. 15/01/2025
No Comment Syrians are beginning to rebuild their homes Activity is picking up in Homs, the war-torn city of Syria. Returning residents have started repairing their homes and businesses. 14/01/2025
Travel News Thailand gambles on casinos to bring in more visitors Thailand's Cabinet has approved a draft bill that seeks to legalise casinos in a bid to boost tourism and the economy. 14/01/2025
No Comment Demonstration in front of the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem to demand agreement on Gaza hostages The demonstrators chanted the names of the hostages and “come back” in Hebrew, while holding 98 photographs of the hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attacks, 466 days ago, by Hamas militants. 14/01/2025
Vietnam Vietnam and Russia sign agreement to boost nuclear energy cooperation Hanoi is seeking to revive its nuclear programme in order to achieve energy self-sufficiency and meet its 2050 greenhouse gas emissions goals. 14/01/2025
Gaza Israel to approve ceasefire deal despite pushback, minister says Hamas have approved a draft deal for a ceasefire in Gaza, with Israel's cabinet debating the conditions, officials suggest. A truce, if agreed, would put an end to over a year of war in the Gaza Strip. 14/01/2025
Lebanon Head of ICJ Nawaf Salam named as Lebanon's new prime minister Lebanon’s new president names head of the International Court of Justice as the country’s new prime minister. 14/01/2025
No Comment Huge waves, strong winds batter Thailand`s southern coastal province Severe storms and high tides have hit Thailand's southern coastal provinces, causing widespread damage to homes, resorts, and disrupting travel. 13/01/2025
No Comment Estonia's Jaan Roose completes stunning Dubai skyscrapers walk at over 200 metres height Three-time world champion slackliner, Jaan Roose, has delivered yet another world-first highline walk, this time with an inspirational feat between the iconic Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates 13/01/2025
Gaza Progress made in talks over Israel-Hamas ceasefire, officials say US and regional mediators made significant progress overnight toward brokering a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and the release of scores of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, but a deal hasn't been reached yet, officials said Monday. 13/01/2025
Japan Magnitude 6.9 earthquake hits Japan Tsunami warnings were issued after the earthquake rattled the southwest of the country on Monday. 13/01/2025
No Comment India kicks off a massive Hindu festival touted as the world's largest religious gathering Millions of Hindu devotees, mystics, and holy figures gathered in Prayagraj to begin the Maha Kumbh festival, the world's largest religious gathering. 13/01/2025
Gaza At least one dead in Gaza City after Israeli strike hits house According to a report by Gaza's Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Israel-Hamas war has left hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed or partially damaged, while some 82,000 are deemed entirely uninhabitable. 13/01/2025