World

US-Iran tensions have sparked market volatility as stocks fall and oil prices surge. Following a US drone strike that killed top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, fears of potential military escalation are driving market uncertainty. Crude oil prices responded quickly, with markets on edge awaiting potential retaliatory actions.

China's Ant Financial, the world's highest-valued FinTech company, has applied for a digital wholesale banking license in Singapore. This move follows similar bids by Grab and Razer, as Singapore offers five virtual licenses to encourage banking innovation and create new digital lenders in the global financial center.

A tragic helicopter crash in Taiwan's mountainous region claimed the life of Air Force General Shen Yi-ming and seven other military officials. The UH-60M Black Hawk went down in challenging weather, resulting in multiple fatalities while five personnel survived the incident.

Three countries launch initiatives to reduce plastic waste, with Thailand banning single-use plastics in major stores and aiming for a complete ban next year due to environmental concerns and marine animal deaths.

Shannon Lee, representing Bruce Lee Enterprises, has filed a lawsuit against Chinese fast-food chain Real Kungfu for using her late father's image as a logo without proper intellectual property rights. The lawsuit, filed in a Shanghai court, demands the chain stop using the image and pay 210 million yuan in compensation.

Turkey's constitutional court has ruled the government's Wikipedia ban unconstitutional, ordering its immediate lift. The block, imposed in 2017 over controversial entries about government officials, was deemed a violation of free speech rights.

Turkey's constitutional court has ruled the government's two-year ban on Wikipedia unconstitutional, ordering its immediate lift after a 10-6 vote that found the block violated free speech rights.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declares Russia as the world leader in hypersonic weapons, highlighting the deployment of Kinzhal missiles and Avanguard hypersonic glide vehicles, which he claims surpass any current global capabilities.

Canadian ministers François-Philippe Champagne and Karina Gould express deep disappointment over Russia and China's UN veto, emphasizing the critical impact on millions of Syrians in need, particularly in Idlib where violent air strikes continue.

German flight attendants' union UFO may stage strikes against Lufthansa after holiday season due to unresolved disputes over compensation and legal status. The union spokesperson indicated industrial actions are likely following unsuccessful arbitration talks on Sunday.