PM Takaichi abandoned Japan\’s strategic ambiguity on Taiwan, leading to China\’s threats of self-defense at the UN. The crisis has \”severely damaged\” trade cooperation and resulted in the cancellation of Japanese cultural events in China

Following the dramatic ₹7.11 crore cash van heist in Bengaluru by men posing as RBI officials, police are aggressively pursuing the theory of insider involvement. Investigators have detained the van\’s four employees, citing inconsistent statements and questioning why the armed security guards so easily complied with the robbers\’ instructions, highlighting severe lapses in cash-in-transit security protocols.

The Trump administration has dramatically revised its annual global human rights report, using it to advance its domestic agenda by declaring DEI policies, abortion subsidies, and restrictions on hate speech in foreign nations as human rights infringements. Critics, including Human Rights First, accuse the administration of \”weaponizing\” the document for political ends, shifting focus away from abuses against women, LGBTQI+ persons, and minorities previously documented by the State Department.

The latest floods, which have killed 43 people and caused major landslides, are the third disaster to batter central Vietnam in recent months, following Typhoons Kalmaegi and Bualoi. Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of storms. The cumulative damage, already surpassing $2 billion this year, has led to a state of emergency, with roads and a key suspension bridge collapsing.

Kirill Dmitriev, the 50-year-old Russian financier and lead negotiator, is under fire for authoring a peace plan that largely repeats Russia\’s maximalist demands. Despite his childhood as a purported Kyiv pro-democracy protester, Dmitriev now spearheads Moscow\’s economic statecraft, drawing a sharp rebuke from US Treasury officials and condemnation from Ukraine, which has sanctioned him for alleged crimes.

The most senior US military delegation since January, led by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, met with President Zelenskyy to present the US \”vision\” for a peace plan. The move follows reports the US negotiated the framework with Moscow, which would require Ukraine to surrender territory. US officials claim Defence Minister Rustem Umerov agreed to key modifications, while Kyiv maintains it will only pursue a \”worthy peace.\”

Australia\’s \”world-leading\” social media ban for under-16s comes into force on December 10, impacting Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the law backs parents and aims to protect teenagers\’ mental health from online pressures, even as tech giants struggle with effective age verification.

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, joined by Army Chief of Staff Gen Randy George, leads a high-level Pentagon delegation to Kyiv to discuss a potential ceasefire. The mission faces immediate European backlash over a rumored US-Russia peace plan that critics fear is a Ukrainian \”capitulation.\” Meanwhile, key Ukraine advocate Keith Kellogg confirms his departure from the White House.

TERNOPIL, UKRAINE — At least 25 people, including three children, were killed, and 73 wounded in a Russian missile and drone attack that struck two…

India signs a \”historic\” deal to import 10% of its annual LPG from the US, addressing Washington\’s concerns over Russian oil dependence. The energy deal coincides with the acceleration of a major bilateral trade pact