United States Geological Survey says

It was one of the warmest years on record

Washington on Monday pledged an initial $2 billion for United Nations humanitarian aid in 2026 -- far less than it has provided in recent years -- warning UN agencies to “adapt, shrink or die”.

An emerging political bloc in Nepal has gained another heavyweight, with a third key figure joining the new alliance ahead of next year’s election, a party member said yesterday.

If 2025 feels exhausting, you’re not alone. The year has been turbulent, with wars dragging on, new conflicts erupting, and rivalries sharpening.

China fired rockets into waters off Taiwan yesterday, showcased new assault ships and dismissed prospects of US and allied intervention to block any future attack by Beijing to take control of the island in its most extensive war games to date.

President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US had “hit” an area in Venezuela where boats are loaded with drugs, marking the first known time Washington has carried out land operations in Venezuela since a pressure campaign began against President Nicolas Maduro’s government.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States could support another major strike on Iran were it to resume rebuilding its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs and warned Hamas of severe consequences if it does not disarm.

The United Nations urged global leaders Monday to focus on people and the planet in a New Year’s message depicting the world in chaos.

Called for UN and its partners be able to continue their work in Gaza

Iran’s currency crash and soaring prices spark fresh unrest

It was not immediately clear what target was hit nor which part of the US government acted.

Trump also downplayed reports of tensions with Netanyahu over the second stage of the fragile Gaza ceasefire

Sajid Akram and his son Naveed allegedly killed 15 people in an ISIS-inspired attack targeting a Jewish festival on December 14

The administration has provided no evidence that the targeted boats were involved in drug trafficking, prompting debate about the legality of these operations

The leader of Yemen’s Houthi rebels warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be considered a “military target”, according to a statement published Sunday, in the latest condemnation of Israel’s move to recognise the breakaway region.

Myanmar’s dominant pro-military party claimed an overwhelming victory in the first phase of the country’s junta-run elections, a senior party official told AFP, after democracy watchdogs warned the poll would entrench military rule.

Violence in western and southern Sudan displaced more than 10,000 people within a three-day period this week, according to figures released by the United Nations’ migration agency on Sunday.

Nepal’s former interior minister Ramesh Lekhak yesterday gave evidence before an inquiry investigating the deadly crackdown during the September uprising that toppled the government.

Thailand’s army yesterday accused Cambodia of violating a newly signed ceasefire agreement, reached after weeks of deadly border clashes, by flying more than 250 drones over its territory.