Inflation is at risk of rising again, according to a leading economist, following attacks on ships using a vital trade route through the Red Sea. Mohamed El-Erian said while disruption to shipments was not as severe as during Covid, he warned it would push up prices and hit economic growth. Several shipping firms have stopped
TV stars are gearing up for the Emmy Awards, which are happening four months late because of the Hollywood strikes. Nominations were announced in July and the ceremony was originally scheduled for September, but the writers’ and actors’ strikes meant very few nominees would have been able to attend. The event will finally go ahead
Bilateral ties between the Maldives and India – that have hit rock-bottom in recent weeks – have taken another tumble after Male formally asked Delhi to withdraw its troops from the island nation by 15 March. The demand was conveyed at the first meeting of a high-level core group between the two sides held on
Zayn Malik’s collaboration with popular Pakistani band Aur has given fans much to celebrate – with many psyched that the British singer is fluent in Urdu. A remake of Aur’s breakout hit Tu Hai Kahan features the ex-One Direction singer providing vocals in Urdu. The original version of the song has more than 95m views
Artificial intelligence is set to affect nearly 40% of all jobs, according to a new analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). IMF’s managing director Kristalina Georgieva says “in most scenarios, AI will likely worsen overall inequality”. Ms Georgieva adds that policymakers should address the “troubling trend” to “prevent the technology from further stoking social tensions”. The
A Turkish doctor selling weight-loss “holidays” abroad told an undercover reporter to gain weight so she could have gastric sleeve surgery. Dr Ogün Erşen told the reporter to “eat some snacks” so she could increase her body mass index (BMI) to qualify for his weight loss surgery. The reporter had a BMI of 24.4, which
One of Taiwan’s last diplomatic allies has cut ties with the island in favour of Beijing, just days after a new president was voted in in Taipei. Nauru, a tiny Micronesian island, was just one of 12 countries that kept diplomatic ties with Taipei. But in recent years, Beijing – which insists Taiwan is part
Ukraine’s military says it has shot down a Russian military spy plane over the Sea of Azov, in what analysts say would be a blow to Moscow’s air power. Army chief Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi said the air force had “destroyed” an A-50 long range radar detection aircraft, and an Il-22 air control centre. The A-50
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has dropped out of the presidential race with a parting shot at frontrunner Donald Trump. “I am going to make sure that in no way do I enable Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States again,” the Trump ally-turned-critic said. The Republican had faced pressure to
A warning to Swedes from two top defence officials to prepare for war has prompted concern and accusations of alarmism. Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin told a defence conference “there could be war in Sweden”. His message was then backed up by military commander-in-chief Gen Micael Byden, who said all Swedes should prepare mentally for
