US President Donald Trump on Wednesday publicly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the United Kingdom’s handling of the strategically important island of Diego Garcia, warning that London could be making a significant strategic error. In a post on Truth Social dated February 18, Trump said he had advised Starmer that entering into a 100-year lease arrangement concerning Diego Garcia was a “big mistake.” The island, located in the Indian Ocean and part of the Chagos Arc

A 22-year-old Sikh nurse has alleged that he was subjected to a brutal racially motivated assault at a gym in Geelong, near Melbourne, late on February 17, prompting renewed concerns about hate crimes in Australia. The victim, identified as Harmanpreet Singh, said the incident occurred while he was working out at a gym in Corio at around 11 pm, when he was confronted by a group of three men. According to Singh, the men approached him without provocation and began hurling racial slurs before

Poland has formally prohibited Chinese-made cars and other technologically advanced vehicles from entering the country’s military facilities, citing concerns over potential data security risks. The decision, announced by the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, is intended to reduce the possibility of uncontrolled acquisition and use of sensitive information by modern automotive systems. According to the Polish military, the move follows a detailed risk assessmen

In one of the wealthiest cities in the world, thousands of residents are living inside spaces barely larger than a mattress. Hong Kong, famous for its glittering skyline and ultra-luxury real estate, is also home to nearly 2 lakh people who survive in cramped 16-square-foot “coffin homes” hidden inside ageing buildings. For 14 consecutive years, Hong Kong has ranked as the world’s mo

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has intensified his criticism of the Narendra Modi-led government following a controversy at the AI Impact Summit 2026, where a robot dog displayed by Galgotias University was alleged to be a Chinese product rather than an indigenous innovation. Taking to social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi described the event as a disorganised PR spectacle, accusing the government of

Iran has indicated it is prepared to allow verification of its nuclear activities following the conclusion of a second round of US-Iran negotiations mediated by Oman. Speaking on Tuesday, February 17, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran has no intention of developing atomic weapons and expressed openness to international scrutiny aimed at confirming that position. In remarks reported after the Geneva talks, Pezeshkian stated that Iran’s stance on nuclear weapons rema

Tensions between the United States and Iran intensified this week as both sides exchanged sharp rhetoric ahead of renewed diplomatic efforts over Tehran’s nuclear program. Former US President Donald Trump highlighted America’s military strength while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a pointed warning, underscoring the fragile atmosphere surrounding the latest round of nuclear deal talks. The war of words escalated even before the second round of negotiations, which were mediat

The second round of talks between the United States and Iran concluded in Geneva on Tuesday, with both sides signaling cautious optimism about the path forward. The Geneva meet, facilitated through Oman mediation, comes at a sensitive moment in US Iran relations, with diplomatic and military signals unfolding simultaneously across the Middle East. Speaking at the Conference on Disarmament, Iran FM Abbas Araghchi described the latest engagement as a potential turning point. He said a

Actor Shia LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans early Tuesday following an alleged altercation outside a Royal Street business during Mardi Gras festivities, according to local police. Authorities said the incident unfolded after the 39-year-old actor was removed from the establishment for reportedly causing a disturbance. In a statement, the New Orleans Police Department said the situation escalated shortly after LaBeouf was escorted out of the venue. Investigators reported that one

Gold and silver prices saw a sharp correction on February 17, rattling investors after weeks of strong gains. Gold dropped by Rs 2,561 or 1.65% to Rs 1,52,199, while silver fell by Rs 6,241 or 2.6% to Rs 2,33,650 at the time of writing. The sudden decline comes amid reduced global trading activity and rising volatility in the bullion market. A major reason behind the decline is low participation from key global markets. Chinese markets remain closed from February 15 to February 23 f

China’s 2026 Spring Festival Gala turned into a futuristic spectacle as humanoid robots stole the spotlight with life-like dance routines, martial arts moves and acrobatic flips. The annual event, broadcast by CCTV and held in Yiwu, showcased the rapid progress of China’s robotics industry, leaving viewers across the globe stunned. Several leading robotics firms including Unitree Robotics, MagicLab, Noetix Robotics and Beijing Galbot demonstrated their latest advancements in hum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a warm invitation to Bangladesh’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) electoral victory, signaling India’s intent to deepen engagement with Dhaka’s new leadership. In a congratulatory letter sent soon after the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka, PM Modi expressed confidence that bilateral relations would grow stronger under Rahman’s leadership and emphasized the importance of shared dev

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated bilateral ties to a new level by signing more than 20 agreements across defence, artificial intelligence, trade, skilling, health and critical technologies during high-level talks in Mumbai. The agreements were announced during President Macron’s three-day visit to India from February 17 to 19, where he is also attending the AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Addressing a joint press conference, Prime Minister Na

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday warned that Russia is expected to continue launching large-scale strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, citing fresh intelligence assessments. The warning comes amid ongoing hostilities in the Ukraine war, now approaching its fourth year, and underscores growing concerns in Kyiv about the resilience of the country’s power grid during continued missile and drone attacks. Speaking about the latest intelligence findings, Zelensky

Russia has fully blocked access to M

Hundreds of Lufthansa flights were cancelled across Germany on Thursday after pilots and flight attendants launched coordinated strike action, disrupting travel plans for tens of thousands of passengers and straining operations at the country’s busiest airports. Aircraft operated by Germany’s largest carrier remained grounded at major hubs including Frankfurt and Munich as employees walked out in a dispute centered on pay, benefits and long-term employment conditions. The airlin

The Arctic, once considered remote and largely inaccessible, is emerging as a key area of global strategic interest. China has formally included its “Polar Silk Road” initiative within its broader Belt and Road strategy, signaling an expansion of influence in a region historically dominated by Arctic nations. By calling itself a “near-Arctic state,” Beijing is asserting that its economic and strategic interests extend well beyond its geographical borders, prompting concern from other glo

The large-scale immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is set to conclude, according to border czar Tom Homan. Speaking at a press briefing, Homan confirmed that he had proposed ending the intensified operation and that the decision had been approved. A significant drawdown of federal personnel has already begun and is expected to continue over the next week, signaling the gradual end of the enhanced enforcement effort in the state. While the surge operation is ending in Minnesota