U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: February 04, 2026
Today: February 04, 2026

World

Europe|Sports|World

Ukrainian sports minister rejects idea of Russian athletes returning for Winter Olympics

Ukrainian sports minister rejects idea of Russian athletes returning for Winter Olympics

Ukrainian sports minister rejects idea of Russian athletes returning for Winter Olympics
Business|Crime|Education|Environment|World

Hong Kong police arrest construction firm bosses over fire; death toll hits 75 with 300 missing

Hong Kong police arrested the bosses of a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter on Thursday over the city's worst fire in

Hong Kong police arrest construction firm bosses over fire; death toll hits 75 with 300 missing
Arts|Crime|Europe|Political|World

Sally Rooney says UK ban on Palestine Action could force her books off shelves

Irish novelist Sally Rooney said Britain's decision to ban pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation could stop her receiving royalties and even lead to her

Sally Rooney says UK ban on Palestine Action could force her books off shelves
Europe|Political|World

Germany's Merz: Ukraine will need strong army after any peace deal

Ukraine will need strong armed forces and security guarantees after any peace deal with Russia is agreed and Kyiv should not be forced to surrender territory, German Chancellor

Germany's Merz: Ukraine will need strong army after any peace deal
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|Health|World

Thailand shifts gear in flood evacuation; Indonesia death toll climbs to 61

Flood rescue teams in Thailand readied drones to deliver aid and helicopters dropped supplies to people marooned on rooftops on Thursday, as the

Thailand shifts gear in flood evacuation; Indonesia death toll climbs to 61
Europe|Political|World

Putin says US-Ukraine text could form basis for future peace deal

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the outlines of a draft peace plan discussed by the United States and Ukraine could become the basis of future deals to end the war in

Putin says US-Ukraine text could form basis for future peace deal
Election|Europe|Finance|Political|Technology|World

Hungarian podcasters push back against Orban’s media dominance

Adam Nagy, one of Hungary’s most popular podcasters, says building an audience on YouTube gave him the financial independence to speak his mind in a media

Hungarian podcasters push back against Orban’s media dominance
Food|Travel|World

Pope Leo warns that conflicts are endangering humanity on first overseas trip

Pope Leo warns that conflicts are endangering humanity on first overseas trip

Pope Leo warns that conflicts are endangering humanity on first overseas trip
Asia|Crime|Environment|World

How did Hong Kong’s massive housing estate fire turn so deadly? Here’s what we know

How did Hong Kong’s massive housing estate fire turn so deadly? Here’s what we know

How did Hong Kong’s massive housing estate fire turn so deadly? Here’s what we know
Europe|World

French president unveils new military program for volunteers aged 18 and 19

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a new military service program for volunteers aged 18 and 19

French president unveils new military program for volunteers aged 18 and 19
Africa|Crime|World

Guinea-Bissau soldiers announce general as junta leader, cementing coup days after election

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have announced a new junta leader for the country, cementing a forceful takeover of power that began days after the country’s presidential election

Guinea-Bissau soldiers announce general as junta leader, cementing coup days after election
Business|Education|Environment|Science|World

From hunters to guardians: Angolan villagers help to save endangered sea turtles

Once a sea turtle hunter, Joaquim Avelino Fragoso now patrols Angola’s Longa estuary to protect the very creatures he once killed.

From hunters to guardians: Angolan villagers help to save endangered sea turtles
Asia|World

Japan will pay 'painful price' if steps out of line over Taiwan, China military says

China's defence ministry said on Thursday that Japan will have to pay a "painful price" if it steps out of line over Taiwan, responding to Japanese plans to deploy missiles on an

Japan will pay 'painful price' if steps out of line over Taiwan, China military says
Asia|Economy|Political|World

Trump urged Japan's Takaichi not to aggravate China dispute, sources say

U.S.

Trump urged Japan's Takaichi not to aggravate China dispute, sources say
Asia|Business|Science|Technology|World

Alibaba starts selling Quark AI glasses in China, enters global wearables race

Alibaba released on Thursday its new Quark artificial intelligence glasses in China, heralding the Chinese tech company's efforts to break into the AI wearables market dominated by

Alibaba starts selling Quark AI glasses in China, enters global wearables race
Business|Economy|Science|Technology|World

China's tech giants move AI model training overseas to access Nvidia chips, FT reports

Top Chinese firms are training their artificial intelligence models abroad to access Nvidia's chips and avoid U.S. measures aimed at curbing their progress in advanced technology, Financial

China's tech giants move AI model training overseas to access Nvidia chips, FT reports
Entertainment|Health|Lifestyle|World

Drowning survivor gets a chance to thank her rescuers

Drowning survivor gets a chance to thank her rescuers

Drowning survivor gets a chance to thank her rescuers
Business|Economy|Political|Travel|World

Venezuela revokes flight rights for six airlines amid escalating US tensions

Venezuela has revoked operating rights for six major international airlines which suspended flights to the country following a warning from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Venezuela revokes flight rights for six airlines amid escalating US tensions
Business|Economy|World

German consumer sentiment brightens modestly as holiday shopping begins

Consumer sentiment in Germany will improve slightly in December as households show more willingness to spend on Christmas gifts and festive

German consumer sentiment brightens modestly as holiday shopping begins
Africa|Economy|Political|World

Cameroon's 2026 budget deficit set to double on higher spending needs

Cameroon expects its 2026 budget deficit to more than double due to a sharp rise in spending aimed at supporting economic activity amid continued global

Cameroon's 2026 budget deficit set to double on higher spending needs
Business|Crime|Environment|World

Hong Kong inferno puts spotlight on risks of bamboo scaffolding

Hong Kong's deadliest fire in three decades has highlighted its risky use of flammable bamboo scaffolding and mesh for building work in a tradition

Hong Kong inferno puts spotlight on risks of bamboo scaffolding
Africa|Crime|Political|World

Nigeria’s Tinubu declares security emergency, orders mass recruitment of police and army

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered the army and police to recruit thousands of additional personnel to tackle worsening

Nigeria’s Tinubu declares security emergency, orders mass recruitment of police and army
Business|Economy|Finance|World

Bolivia's bread shortage highlights subsidy reform challenge

Shortages of Bolivia's state-subsidized marraqueta bread roll are creating an early test for newly elected President Rodrigo Paz, as dwindling wheat supplies and rising costs squeeze

Bolivia's bread shortage highlights subsidy reform challenge
Economy|Europe|Finance|World

ECB accounts show no hurry to cut rates, debate on declaring end of easing

European Central Bank policymakers were in no hurry to cut rates when they met last month as uncertainty remained high and some even thought that no more easing would be needed,

ECB accounts show no hurry to cut rates, debate on declaring end of easing
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|US|World

Stocks gain as investors bank on Fed cuts; yen traders on intervention watch

Stocks rose on Thursday, while expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next month kept the dollar a touch softer against most currencies although the yen

Stocks gain as investors bank on Fed cuts; yen traders on intervention watch
Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|Political|World

UK's Reeves fights criticism that she raised taxes to fund welfare

British finance minister Rachel Reeves fought back on Thursday against criticism that she was raising the tax burden to a post-World War Two high to

UK's Reeves fights criticism that she raised taxes to fund welfare
Business|Economy|Finance|Lifestyle|Stock Markets|Travel|US|World

What's open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores rest -- or prepare -- ahead of Black Friday

With Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season, Americans will again take to the road for holiday gatherings before knocking off items on their Christmas gift lists

What's open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores rest -- or prepare -- ahead of Black Friday
Political|Travel|World

Pope Leo warns of conflicts endangering humanity on first overseas trip

Pope Leo lamented that the world was seeing an unusual number of bloody conflicts during his first trip outside Italy as Catholic leader on

Pope Leo warns of conflicts endangering humanity on first overseas trip
Business|Economy|Science|Technology|World

Central bank body BIS appoints new head of tech hub

The Bank for International Settlements, the umbrella body for central banks, on

Central bank body BIS appoints new head of tech hub
Business|Crime|Environment|Health|World

Hong Kong has suffered its deadliest fire in decades. Survivors are asking how it was allowed to happen

Hong Kong has suffered its deadliest fire in decades. Survivors are asking how it was allowed to happen

Hong Kong has suffered its deadliest fire in decades. Survivors are asking how it was allowed to happen
Science|Technology|World

US-Russian crew of 3 blasts off to the International Space Station in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft

A U.S.-Russian crew of three has started a mission to the International Space Station aboard a Russian spacecraft following a successful launch

US-Russian crew of 3 blasts off to the International Space Station in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft
Asia|Business|Crime|Environment|World

Bamboo scaffolding, a centuries-old technique, comes under scrutiny after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades

Bamboo scaffolding, a centuries-old technique, comes under scrutiny after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades

Bamboo scaffolding, a centuries-old technique, comes under scrutiny after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades
Political|Science|Technology|World

New Zealand navy ship made rare transit through Taiwan Strait this month

The New Zealand navy's largest ship, the oiler HMNZS Aotearoa, made a rare transit through the sensitive Taiwan Strait

New Zealand navy ship made rare transit through Taiwan Strait this month
Interview|Political|US|World

Lawmaker: Transcript seems to indicate Witkoff, Trump 'in bed' with Russia

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) talks with CNN News Central's John Berman about the latest Bloomberg report on a phone call between US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and a top Putin advisor.

Lawmaker: Transcript seems to indicate Witkoff, Trump 'in bed' with Russia
Business|Europe|MidEast|World

Kremlin confirms US envoy will visit as talks on ending war in Ukraine gain momentum

A senior Kremlin official confirms that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to visit Moscow next week

Kremlin confirms US envoy will visit as talks on ending war in Ukraine gain momentum
Africa|Economy|Political|US|World

Trump says he's barring South Africa from participating in next year's G20 summit near Miami

President Donald Trump says he's barring South Africa from participating in the Group of 20 summit next year near Miami

Trump says he's barring South Africa from participating in next year's G20 summit near Miami
Health|Lifestyle|Travel|World

Pope's visit is a blessing for Lebanon's forgotten psychiatric patients

Staff at Lebanon's De La Croix Psychiatric Hospital are delighted that Pope Leo's visit will give its carers and residents, often abandoned by their families,

Pope's visit is a blessing for Lebanon's forgotten psychiatric patients
Crime|Education|Sports|US|World

A high school coach is wanted on child porn charges. What we know about the search in rural Virginia

A high school coach is wanted on child porn charges. What we know about the search in rural Virginia

A high school coach is wanted on child porn charges. What we know about the search in rural Virginia
Environment|Health|Science|World

How extreme weather is making plastic pollution more mobile, more persistent and more hazardous

How extreme weather is making plastic pollution more mobile, more persistent and more hazardous

How extreme weather is making plastic pollution more mobile, more persistent and more hazardous
Crime|US|World

What is Operation Allies Welcome, the program officials say brought the DC shooting suspect to the US?

What is Operation Allies Welcome, the program officials say brought the DC shooting suspect to the US?

What is Operation Allies Welcome, the program officials say brought the DC shooting suspect to the US?
Business|Economy|Political|Technology|World

How Maduro’s forces are responding to US deployments in the Caribbean

How Maduro’s forces are responding to US deployments in the Caribbean

How Maduro’s forces are responding to US deployments in the Caribbean
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

World shares are mixed, tracking Wall Street's winning streak, as US markets close for Thanksgiving

Shares in Europe are mixed following gains in most Asian markets

World shares are mixed, tracking Wall Street's winning streak, as US markets close for Thanksgiving
Asia|Crime|Election|Political|World

Political prisoners released in Myanmar mass amnesty

Excited families are greeting relatives released from Myanmar’s Insein Prison as part of a mass amnesty granted by the country’s military rulers ahead of next month’s election

Political prisoners released in Myanmar mass amnesty
Africa|Crime|Education|World

Nigerian parents say they are kept in the dark over abducted schoolchildren

Several parents of the over 300 schoolchildren seized by armed men in the latest mass abduction in Nigeria tell The Associated Press the government has told them nothing about rescue efforts

Nigerian parents say they are kept in the dark over abducted schoolchildren
Business|Crime|Economy|Political|World

US directs diplomats to lobby governments against mass migration, cable says

The Trump administration last week ordered U.S. diplomats abroad to lobby against pro-migration policies and raise concerns over what it says are migrant

US directs diplomats to lobby governments against mass migration, cable says
Crime|Political|World

Trump says US must re-examine Afghan immigrants who came when Biden was president

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for his government to re-examine Afghan immigrants who entered the United States during the former President Joe Biden's administration

Trump says US must re-examine Afghan immigrants who came when Biden was president
Australia|Crime|MidEast|Political|World

Australia lists Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard as state sponsor of terrorism

Australia has listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a state sponsor of terrorism, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Thursday, following an intelligence assessment that

Australia lists Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard as state sponsor of terrorism
Crime|Political|US|World

US stops processing Afghan immigration requests after attack near White House

The U.S.

US stops processing Afghan immigration requests after attack near White House
Asia|Crime|Political|World

Myanmar junta pardons thousands ahead of disputed election

Myanmar's junta will pardon or drop charges against a total of 8,665 people, state media reported on Thursday, allowing them to vote in an upcoming election that Western countries and human

Myanmar junta pardons thousands ahead of disputed election
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|Science|Technology|World

Toyota October output grows for fifth straight month on strong US demand

Toyota Motor said on Thursday its global production rose for a fifth consecutive month in October, lifted by strong U.S. demand for hybrid vehicles that offset weaker sales in Japan

Toyota October output grows for fifth straight month on strong US demand
Asia|Crime|Environment|World

Volunteers seek lost pets amid Hong Kong deadly inferno wreckage

As firefighters battled floor by floor in Hong Kong's flaming Wang Fuk Court housing complex overnight to find survivors and reunite them with

Volunteers seek lost pets amid Hong Kong deadly inferno wreckage
Business|Economy|Europe|World

Is the dollar headed for the carvery?

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Tom Westbrook As markets settled in for the U.S.

Is the dollar headed for the carvery?
Business|Economy|Finance|World

UK's Reeves raises tax burden to post-war high to shore up finances

British finance minister Rachel Reeves announced a big tax-raising budget on Wednesday that will take more money from workers, people saving for a

UK's Reeves raises tax burden to post-war high to shore up finances
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Political|US|World

Taiwan says it has discussed with US arms purchases for extra defence budget

Taiwan has already held preliminary talks with the United States about what weapons it wants to buy as part of a $40 billion supplementary defence

Taiwan says it has discussed with US arms purchases for extra defence budget
Business|Economy|Finance|World

Bank of Japan's Noguchi advocates gradual interest rate hikes

The Bank of Japan can resume interest rate hikes as risks from U.S. tariffs subside but must do so at a "measured, step-by-step" pace,

Bank of Japan's Noguchi advocates gradual interest rate hikes
Asia|Political|World

China's top paper urges US to rein in Japan over Taiwan

China urged the U.S. on Thursday to rein in Japan and prevent any "actions to revive militarism" in an editorial published by the newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, as a war

China's top paper urges US to rein in Japan over Taiwan
Australia|Business|Technology|World

Australia's Optus suffers call outage, vandalism blamed

Australian telco Optus said on Wednesday it had suffered a service outage near Melbourne impacting around 14,000 users, two months after a disruption to emergency calls that probably

Australia's Optus suffers call outage, vandalism blamed
Business|Crime|Economy|Technology|World

Super Dry maker Asahi aims to restore logistics by February following cyberattack

Japan's Asahi

Super Dry maker Asahi aims to restore logistics by February following cyberattack
Business|Economy|World

UK tax hikes to placate bond markets likely to be costly for Reeves

Rachel Reeves may have placated the bond market with her budget on Wednesday but higher taxes for Britons on everything from milkshakes to

UK tax hikes to placate bond markets likely to be costly for Reeves
Business|Economy|Finance|Political|World

Savers and the wealthy count the costs of UK tax-raising budget

British money managers hit out at a raft of tax increases on pensions, savers and investors in Wednesday's budget, saying it risked

Savers and the wealthy count the costs of UK tax-raising budget
Arts|Travel|World

It used to be Cambodia’s capital. Now it’s a city of the dead

It used to be Cambodia’s capital. Now it’s a city of the dead

It used to be Cambodia’s capital. Now it’s a city of the dead
Americas|Crime|Political|World

Dominican Republic grants US access to restricted areas for its deadly fight against drugs

The president of the Dominican Republic says he has authorized the U.S. government to operate inside restricted areas in the Caribbean country to help in its fight against drug trafficking

Dominican Republic grants US access to restricted areas for its deadly fight against drugs
Crime|Political|World

Israel returns 15 more Palestinian bodies to Gaza as first phase of ceasefire nears end

Israel has returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians, following Hamas' return of the remains of an Israeli hostage

Israel returns 15 more Palestinian bodies to Gaza as first phase of ceasefire nears end
Business|Economy|Technology|US|World

Black Friday arrives with solid momentum despite tariffs and economic uncertainty

Black Friday may no longer be the retail bacchanalia of years past, but the event still has enough enthusiasts to make it the biggest single shopping day in the U.S.

Black Friday arrives with solid momentum despite tariffs and economic uncertainty
Australia|Business|Economy|World

New Zealand business confidence jumps in November to highest in a decade

New Zealand's business confidence jumped in November to its highest level in 11 years, suggesting an economic recovery was underway, an ANZ Bank survey showed on Thursday.

New Zealand business confidence jumps in November to highest in a decade
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

NZ's housing funk sows doubts on reliable investment strategy, drags on economy

A dramatic boom-bust cycle in New Zealand's housing market has left many Kiwis and investors scarred and an economy struggling to fire, turning what was once a

NZ's housing funk sows doubts on reliable investment strategy, drags on economy
Election|Political|US|World

Court allows North Carolina's new Republican-drawn US House map to take effect

A panel of three federal judges in North Carolina on Wednesday cleared the way for a new congressional map to be used in the 2026 midterm elections, in a win for President

Court allows North Carolina's new Republican-drawn US House map to take effect
Business|Economy|World

South Korea holds rates as expected

South Korea's central bank kept policy interest rates unchanged as widely expected on Thursday as a tumbling won reduced the scope for further easing and policymakers waited to see

South Korea holds rates as expected
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

South Korea exports seen rising in November on tech demand, US trade deal: Reuters poll

South Korean exports likely grew in November as technology demand remained robust and uncertainty was cleared following a trade deal with the U.S., a Reuters poll showed

South Korea exports seen rising in November on tech demand, US trade deal: Reuters poll
Australia|Business|Economy|Finance|World

Australia to cap high debt-to-income home loans from February to curb housing risks

Australia's banking regulator will impose its first cap on high debt-to-income home loans from February, moving to curb housing risks as property prices surge and credit

Australia to cap high debt-to-income home loans from February to curb housing risks
Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

South Korea signals end to rate cuts as FX, price risks grow

South Korea's central bank kept interest rates unchanged for a fourth straight meeting on Thursday as a tumbling won reduced scope for further easing,

South Korea signals end to rate cuts as FX, price risks grow
Crime|Political|US|World

National Guard soldiers shot in 'targeted' attack near White House

Two National Guard soldiers were shot and critically wounded on Wednesday in downtown Washington near the White House in what

National Guard soldiers shot in 'targeted' attack near White House
Crime|Political|US|World

Suspect identified as 2 National Guard members remain in critical condition after targeted shooting near White House

Suspect identified as 2 National Guard members remain in critical condition after targeted shooting near White House

Suspect identified as 2 National Guard members remain in critical condition after targeted shooting near White House
Crime|Political|World

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appear on state television saying they have seized power

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have appeared on state television to say they have seized power in the country following reports of gunshots near the presidential palace

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appear on state television saying they have seized power