Billionaire investor Frank McCourt (Project Liberty) says his consortium has raised the capital to buy TikTok’s US operations but remains in limbo as the Trump administration prepares to extend the sale deadline for a fifth time. McCourt expressed concern over the platform’s “concentration of power and influence” and plans to remove all Chinese technology, including the core algorithm.

An aggressive security guard working for the England cricket team created a fracas at Brisbane Airport by physically confronting a Channel 7 camera operator. The incident was in sharp contrast to the relaxed Australian players, who posed for selfies without security. England Captain Ben Stokes said the team is “refreshed and ready” for the crucial Third Test at Adelaide Oval starting Wednesday.

Ranveer Singh’s new spy thriller, Dhurandhar, is one of the year’s biggest hits, but its hyper-nationalist tone and graphic violence have sparked intense debate. As Bollywood embraces films openly referencing government policy, the Film Critics’ Guild condemned “targeted attacks” and harassment faced by reviewers who questioned the film’s political messaging.

Hours after US President Donald Trump claimed a ceasefire was agreed, Thailand and Cambodia reported heavy bombing and artillery exchanges. Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul publicly rejected the truce, stating military actions will continue until Cambodia withdraws all forces and removes landmines. At least 21 people are dead and 700,000 evacuated.

US envoy Steve Witkoff meets President Zelensky and European leaders in Berlin to finalize a peace plan by Christmas. The key sticking point is the Donbas region, where the US proposed a controversial “special economic zone” and Ukrainian withdrawal, a plan Zelensky skeptically questioned for failing to restrain Russia’s advance.

CZT, a notoriously difficult-to-manufacture semiconductor, is enabling major advances in medical imaging, airport security, and X-ray telescopes. Due to its precise, single-step detection of X-rays and gamma rays, the material is in high global demand, complicating projects from a £500m UK synchrotron upgrade to US space missions threatened by supply shortages and the US government shutdown.

Germany officially summoned the Russian ambassador, accusing the GRU military intelligence and the Fancy Bear hacker group of a cyber-attack on air traffic control (August 2024) and electoral interference (Storm 1516). Berlin vows “counter-measures” to make Russia “pay a price for its hybrid actions.”

BRUSSELS — With Ukraine facing a critical €135.7 billion budget hole over the next two years, the European Union is in a desperate race against…

After a stunning two-goal performance against Club Brugge, Noni Madueke, 23, reminds Mikel Arteta of his £48.5m talent. The winger aims to be consistently decisive for Arsenal.

Japanese police have suspended the car driving licenses of almost 900 cyclists caught riding while intoxicated. New rules impose stricter penalties, including potential jail time and significantly lowered legal limits.