The rich, inviting aroma that greets customers at Dulcinea Panadería Oaxaqueña in downtown San Jose is often enough to draw them in before they even reach the display cases. Inside, visitors are met with an extensive selection of more than 100 varieties of cookies, pastries, breads, and cakes, most prepared fresh each day. The bustling bakery represents years of persistence and reinvention by owner Monse Barrita, whose journey into the food business has been anything but conventional.

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho” and long regarded by authorities as one of the world’s most dangerous drug cartel leaders, has been killed during a Mexican military operation in the western state of Jalisco, officials confirmed Sunday. According to a statement from Mexico’s Defense Ministry, the CJNG chief was shot while troops attempted to capture him and later died while being transported to Mexico City. Cervantes led the Jalisco New Generati

A federal judge in Miami has denied Tesla’s attempt to overturn a $243 million jury verdict stemming from a fatal 2019 crash involving the company’s Autopilot system, marking a significant legal setback for the electric vehicle manufacturer. The ruling requires Tesla to compensate the family of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides, who was killed in the collision, as well as survivor Dillon Angulo, who suffered severe injuries. In an order published Friday, US District Judge Beth Bloom stated t

Flight operations at El Paso International Airport were briefly suspended on Wednesday after several drones believed to be linked to a Mexican drug cartel entered United States airspace near the Texas border, prompting swift action from federal authorities and defense officials. According to a senior administration official familiar with the matter, the unmanned aircraft crossed into restricted airspace during the early hours of the morning. Security forces quickly intervened and to

China has said it understands and respects India’s aspiration for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, marking a notable shift in tone as the two Asian powers work to stabilise relations after several years of tension. The statement came during high-level diplomatic talks in New Delhi and is being viewed as a cautious but significant gesture aimed at rebuilding trust between the neighbours. China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu conveyed the po

A new white paper has underscored the deep and lasting contribution of the Indian diaspora to modern Britain, describing the community as the country’s most economically successful migrant group and a central force in national growth. The report, launched at the House of Lords on 5 February, traces decades of migration and documents how successive generations of Indian migrants have supported Britain’s recovery, innovation and competitiveness across multiple sectors of the economy.

US President Donald Trump held an extended telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, engaging in wide-ranging discussions that touched on trade ties, energy cooperation, agricultural purchases, and several pressing geopolitical concerns, according to remarks shared by the American leader. Posting about the exchange on his social media platform, Trump described the dialogue as “excellent,” emphasizing that the call was both lengthy and substantive. He

Amid continuing global economic uncertainty and renewed debate over the stability of major reserve currencies, Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated China’s ambition to build a “strong currency” and gradually elevate the yuan’s status in the global financial system. Xi said China aims to expand the use of the yuan in international trade, investment, and foreign exchange markets, underscoring a long-standing policy goal to strengthen the country’s financial influence worldwide. Xi’s remarks were outlined in a speech delivered in 2024 to senior provincial and ministerial officials and later published on Saturday in Qiushi, the Communist Party’s leading theoretical journal. The publication of excerpts from the address comes at a time of heightened volatility in global markets and growing scrutiny of the dominance of the US dollar, adding significance to Beijing’s renewed emphasis on currency strength and financial resilience. In the speech, Xi set out what he described as the essential characteristics of a global financial powerhouse. These included a solid economic foundation, world-leading technological and industrial capabilities, and a widely accepted and credible currency. He argued that currency strength was inseparable from broader national competitiveness and institutional capacity, noting that financial influence must be supported by real economic and technological power rather than short-term market movements. Xi also stressed the importance of a capable and independent central bank able to implement effective monetary policy and macroprudential management. He said globally competitive financial institutions, along with influential international financial centres, were necessary to attract global capital and exert pricing power in international markets. According to Xi, these elements must be matched with strong regulation, a reliable legal framework, and a deep pool of skilled financial professionals to ensure long-term stability and credibility. While acknowledging China’s scale in global finance, Xi noted that the country still faced structural limitations. He said China ranked among the world’s largest economies in terms of banking assets, foreign exchange reserves, and capital market size, but remained “big but not strong” overall. Transforming China into a true global financial powerhouse, he added, would be a gradual and long-term undertaking rather than an immediate achievement. Beijing has promoted the internationalisation of the yuan for more than a decade, with measurable progress in its use for cross-border trade settlement. The currency’s role in global markets, however, remains limited when compared with established reserve currencies. China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System currently clears an average of about 700 billion yuan, or roughly 100 billion US dollars, in transactions each day. This figure remains well below the nearly 2 trillion US dollars cleared daily through the dollar-based Clearing House Interbank Payments System. Yuan-denominated debt issuance in international markets also accounts for a small share of global activity, representing less than one percent of total issuance. These figures highlight the gap between China’s ambitions and the yuan’s current global footprint, despite steady domestic financial expansion. In recent months, the yuan has generally held firm against the US dollar, even amid trade tensions and uneven global growth. This stability contrasts with the sharper depreciation seen during former US President Donald Trump’s first term, when market observers speculated that Chinese authorities tolerated a weaker currency to offset the impact of tariffs. International investment banks continue to argue that the yuan remains below its long-term fair value, reflecting both policy controls and cautious foreign investor sentiment. The republication of Xi’s speech signals continuity in China’s financial strategy rather than a sudden shift. As global markets navigate uncertainty and reassess existing monetary structures, Beijing appears intent on steadily advancing its vision of a stronger yuan and a more influential role in the international financial system over the long term.

Tensions across West Asia intensified after allied militant groups aligned with Iran issued sharp warnings to the United States following the deployment of American warships to the region. Lebanon-based Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi movement, and Iraqi militias signaled that any military action against Iran would trigger a wider regional confrontation, underscoring the growing volatility as Washington weighs its next steps amid unrest inside Iran. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem cautione

At least 11 people were killed and 12 others seriously injured following an armed attack at a football field in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, according to local authorities. The shooting occurred in the municipality of Salamanca, where gunmen opened fire on people gathered at the sports facility, triggering a large-scale security response. Municipal officials confirmed that 10 victims died at the scene, while another person later succumbed to injuries after being transpor

Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has launched a scathing attack on the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, accusing it of plunging the country into "murderous anarchy." In an audio message played at an interactive session organized by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia, Hasina described the state of Bangladesh as a "blood-soaked landscape" where democracy is now "in exile." She painted a grim picture of the country, once known for its peace and prosperity, now grappling with extreme violence, fear, and destruction. Hasina, who was ousted from power in August 2024 following violent protests and is currently living in exile in India, blamed Yunus and his government for the worsening situation in Bangladesh. She accused Yunus of taking power through a conspiracy, which led to widespread violence, torture, and the unchecked assault on religious minorities, particularly Hindus. The former Prime Minister also criticized Yunus’ government for suppressing freedoms, claiming that the country had become a "vast prison and execution grounds" under the interim administration. As Bangladesh heads toward the general elections in February 2026, Hasina warned of a "legitimacy crisis" if her party, the Awami League, remains banned from contesting. She claimed that law and order had completely collapsed under Yunus’ rule, and the country was in a state of political crisis. Despite Yunus’ promises to restore stability and oversee elections, critics, including Hasina's supporters, allege that the interim government's actions have undermined democratic processes and raised serious concerns over the credibility of the upcoming polls. With deepening political divisions and rising tensions, Hasina’s remarks underscore the challenges Bangladesh faces as it navigates a crucial period in its political history. Her comments on the nation’s future raise significant questions about whether the transition will bring about stability or prolong the ongoing crisis.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company’s robotaxi service will be “widespread” across the United States by the end of 2026, signaling a major milestone in autonomous vehicle technology. Musk stated that Tesla has begun rolling out its driverless ride-sharing network after launching the first robotaxi service in Austin in 2025. Initially, vehicles operated with human safety supervisors on board, following years of postponed promises regarding fully autonomous cars. The company later

China and Canada have announced a significant reduction in tariffs and signalled a broader reset in their bilateral relationship following high-level talks in Beijing, marking a notable shift after years of strained diplomatic and trade ties. The agreement was confirmed after a meeting on Friday between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the first Canadian leader to visit China in nearly a decade. Under the deal, China is expected to reduce tariffs on Canad

Melissa Gilbert publicly reflected on the lasting impact of child exploitation in the entertainment industry weeks before her husband, actor and director Timothy Busfield, became the subject of an arrest warrant linked to allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors in New Mexico. According to an arrest warrant issued by the Albuquerque Police Department on January 9, authorities allege that Busfield, 68, engaged in unlawful sexual contact with two 11-year-old twin boys. The identities of the minors have not been released. One of the children reportedly told investigators that the alleged conduct began when he was seven years old. The warrant outlines two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The warrant was issued following a lengthy investigation that began in November 2024, after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted law enforcement regarding possible sexual abuse. Investigators were informed that the boys were child actors who had met Busfield while working on the television series The Cleaning Lady, where he served as a director during its production run from 2022 through 2025. The children’s parents told police that medical professionals raised concerns that the boys may have been groomed. At the time, officials determined the case did not meet the criteria for further action. The matter resurfaced in October 2025, when the children’s mother filed a formal police report and contacted Child Protective Services, stating that both boys disclosed abuse allegedly occurring between November 2022 and spring 2024. She was later informed that without evidence of physical injury, additional steps could not be taken at that stage. During interviews with investigators, Busfield reportedly denied the allegations and suggested the parents were motivated by frustration after their children were replaced by another actor. Shortly thereafter, he was notified by a studio that an internal inquiry had been initiated following a complaint. The warrant also notes that Busfield had been accused of sexual assault in a separate matter in 1994, though no charges were filed at that time. Weeks before the warrant became public, Gilbert, 61, shared a personal message on social media reflecting on her own experiences as a minor working in television. In the post, she described revisiting images from her teenage years and confronting the reality that she had been expected to portray romantic scenes with significantly older co-stars. Writing through a modern lens, Gilbert emphasized that she was a child at the time and expressed gratitude that trusted adults were present to protect her, while acknowledging that many young performers are not afforded similar safeguards. Her comments were part of a broader response to public discourse surrounding the minimization of child sexual exploitation. Gilbert cautioned against language that downplays abuse and urged greater care when discussing crimes involving minors. Gilbert and Busfield have been married since 2013 and have spoken publicly about their long relationship, which began after reconnecting in 2012. In April of last year, Gilbert marked their wedding anniversary with a social media tribute highlighting their family life and creative partnership. Representatives for both Gilbert and Busfield have not issued public statements regarding the arrest warrant. The investigation remains ongoing, and no arrest had been made as of the warrant’s issuance. Authorities have emphasized that the allegations are claims and that Busfield is entitled to due process as the legal proceedings move forward. Law enforcement officials continue to encourage anyone with information related to child abuse to report concerns to appropriate authorities, noting that early reporting can be critical in protecting vulnerable individuals.

A fresh controversy around workplace control and employee autonomy has erupted online after a Reddit user alleged that their Indian manufacturing company imposed strict restrictions on employees’ LinkedIn activity. According to the viral post shared on the r/IndianWorkplace subreddit, the company has reportedly instructed staff not to like, comment on, or engage with posts from other companies on LinkedIn, regardless of whether they are competitors, clients, or unrelated organisations. The

US President Donald Trump issued a series of sharp warnings directed at Mexico, Colombia and Cuba following a US military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and airstrikes in the capital, Caracas. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump suggested that Washington could expand its actions in the region, using language that raised concerns about escalating tensions across Latin America. The president claimed that the operation, whi

Chinese President Xi Jinping used his annual New Year’s Eve address to reaffirm Beijing’s long-standing position on Taiwan, declaring that reunification with the self-governing island was inevitable. Speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, Xi said that bringing Taiwan under China’s control was “a trend of the times” that could not be stopped, reiterating a pledge that has become a central pillar of his leadership. The speech came just one day after the conclusion of large-scale

With just days left before the December 31, 2025 deadline, taxpayers across India are being urged to check whether their PAN is linked with Aadhaar. The warning comes from the Income Tax Department, which has made it clear that failure to complete the linking process on time could lead to serious financial and tax-related disruptions. PAN Aadhaar linking is the process of connecting an ind

For nearly a century, humanity has imagined a future where cars drive themselves. From early cinematic visions to ambitious lab experiments, the idea of autonomous vehicles has fascinated engineers, filmmakers, and everyday commuters alike. In 2025, that long-standing dream has finally reached public roads at scale. Driverless robotaxis are no longer experimental concepts hidden behind research labs. They are active, revenue-generating services operating in major global cities, marking a majo

Waymo, the self-driving technology company owned by Alphabet, may soon introduce a new digital co-passenger inside its robotaxis. The company is reportedly experimenting with integrating Google’s Gemini AI chatbot into its autonomous vehicles, allowing riders to converse with an onboard assistant that ca