Thousands in Taiwan and China celebrate the Lantern Festival with high hopes and rice dumplings

Dr. Katrina Armstrong, former interim president of Columbia University, testified in a closed-door deposition in Washington, struggling to recall details from Columbia's report on antisemitism and her responses to its recommendations. Following leaked testimony, Columbia's medical school announced her sabbatical instead of her return as chief executive, amid federal investigations into antisemitism on campus and negotiations with the Trump administration to restore funding. The university's board of trustees distanced themselves from Armstrong's testimony, emphasizing their...

Paramedic Munther Abed survived an Israeli attack that killed 15 emergency workers in Gaza by diving to the floor in the back of his ambulance. He disputes Israel's claim that the vehicles were moving suspiciously and insists they were clearly marked as civilian. International agencies are calling for an investigation into the incident, which left the paramedics buried in shallow graves and has left the Gaza healthcare workers feeling increasingly insecure and fragile. Full Article

US President Donald Trump announced direct talks with Iran on their nuclear program, contradicting initial refusals by Iranian officials. Trump indicated negotiations would begin on Saturday at a high level, expressing a preference for a deal over military action. Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, leading to increased tensions and suspicions of Iran's nuclear intentions. Full Article

A laptop technician discovered hundreds of explicit images of children in sexual positions on a device brought in for repair by an elderly man named Ton Kaan. Kaan appeared in the Whangārei District Court before Judge Taryn Bayley on 18 charges of knowingly possessing objectionable material, following a police search warrant executed in March 2023. The material found on Kaan's device was deemed to involve the sexual exploitation of children, leading to his sentencing for...

In 2009, a 10-year-old Dalit girl named Shanti was raped and murdered, leading to the conviction and death sentence of the accused in 2012, which was later reduced to life imprisonment by Allahabad HC in 2022. However, the Supreme Court, citing lack of proper legal assistance during trial, acquitted the man in 2024, raising questions about the judiciary's handling of evidence and procedures. This case highlights the need for improved training for judges, compensation for...

Aldi and Lidl are currently exempt from competition laws restricting big supermarkets, giving them an advantage over rivals. The ban on using 'restrictive land' clauses to block competitors nearby applies to major chains like Tesco and Sainsbury's, who have faced over 220 breaches. The Competition and Markets Authority is reviewing the situation, considering including Aldi and Lidl in the ban or removing it altogether to ensure a level playing field. Full Article