insert_link World Cambridge Dictionary names ‘parasocial’ as 2025 Word of the Year Photo credit: Cambridge University Press & Assessment Cambridge Dictionary has selected “parasocial” as its Word of the Year for 2025, highlighting growing global concern over one-sided emotional attachments formed with celebrities, influencers, and increasingly, artificial intelligence. The term describes a relationship in which a person feels a personal bond with someone they have never met, whether a public figure, fictional character, or AI system. Cambridge defines it as a connection […] today19 November, 2025
insert_link World India approves $5 billion package to support exporters hit by U.S. tariffs India's Minister for Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw (Photo by: REUTERS/Amit Dave) India has approved a $5 billion support package for exporters affected by tariffs imposed by the United States. In August, President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, prompting concerns among businesses reliant on the US markets. The package aims to cushion exporters from the impact of the increased duties and ensure continued trade stability. Rebecca Bundhun […] today13 November, 2025
insert_link World Israeli settlers attack Palestinian communities in latest West Bank violence Two Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank were attacked by young Israeli settlers in the latest episode of violence in the region, according to local reports. Witnesses said groups of settlers entered the communities overnight, damaging property and confronting residents before Israeli security forces intervened. No casualties have been confirmed so far, but several homes and vehicles were reportedly vandalised. The attacks come amid rising tensions in the West […] today13 November, 2025
insert_link World Donald Trump cancels summit with Russia’s Putin The United States has imposed sanctions on Russia’s major oil companies, citing Moscow’s lack of commitment to ending the war in Ukraine. The move follows the collapse of a planned Trump-Putin summit, which Trump said he cancelled because “it didn’t feel right.” today23 October, 2025
insert_link World New index measures the ability of countries to withstand global shocks (Photo by Henley & Partners) Henley & Partners, in collaboration with AlphaGeo, has launched the Global Investment Risk and Resilience Index, a new analytical tool designed to assess how countries balance their exposure to global risks with their capacity to adapt and recover. The index measures countries’ exposure to geopolitical, economic, and climate risks, alongside their resilience capacity, offering a data-driven assessment of national stability and opportunity. According to the […] today22 October, 2025
insert_link World UNCTAD chief warns $31 trillion debt crippling developing nations UN Trade and Development Summit 2025 official photo Addressing this year’s UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Summit, Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan warned that developing countries are being held back by a $31 trillion debt burden. She highlighted that record debt repayments, particularly involving the United States, are slowing development progress in these nations. Grynspan urged global leaders to consider debt relief and sustainable financing solutions to help developing countries meet their […] today21 October, 2025
insert_link Environment Nearly 80% of the world’s poor face climate hazards New Global Multidimensional Poverty Index Report (Photo: UNDP) Nearly 80% of the world’s poorest people—approximately 887 million individuals—live in areas exposed to extreme heat, flooding, and other climate hazards, according to a joint report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford University. The study identifies South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa as the regions most affected, underscoring how poverty and climate change are increasingly interconnected. Vulnerable communities in these […] today21 October, 2025
insert_link World Diwali celebrations split over two days across India due to sunset variations (Hindu women light oil lamps as they celebrate Dev Diwali festival in Mumbai, India on Nov. 7, 2022. Rafiq Maqbool / AP) This year’s Diwali celebrations are being observed over two days across India, as differing sunset times determine when devotees perform the traditional evening rituals that mark the Festival of Lights. Cities where the sun sets after 5:30 p.m. are celebrating today, while regions with earlier sunsets will observe […] today20 October, 2025
insert_link World Trade stalls as hundreds of trucks stranded at Pakistan-Afghanistan border despite ceasefire (Photo by Arab News) Hundreds of cargo trucks remain stranded at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, despite a ceasefire agreement following last week’s deadly clashes that disrupted one of South Asia’s most vital trade routes. The violence, which erupted near the Torkham crossing — a key gateway for goods and travelers — left several people dead and prompted both sides to temporarily close the border. While Pakistan and Afghanistan have since agreed […] today20 October, 2025
