World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 818
China Reports Record Grain Harvest and Rising Rural Incomes as Policy Shifts to ‘Normalised’ Aid and Land Security
China reported record grain harvests in 2025 and a 6% real rise in rural per‑capita disposable income as authorities shift from five years of special poverty relief to a ‘normalised’, development‑oriented support model. Policy priorities for 2026 include boosting grain capacity, modernising infrastructure and extending land contracts for longer tenure security.
From ‘Spring City’ to Metro Hub: How Jinan’s Rapid Rail Buildout Aims to Rewrite a Regional Map
Jinan completed a rapid metro expansion that added 121.2 km last year, bringing its network to 217.9 km and placing it among China’s top 20. The buildout, constrained for decades by fragile underground springs, now forms a more coherent H-shaped network and crosses the Yellow River, but low ridership intensity and the need for supportive land-use policies mean the economic payoff is not assured.
Brussels Convenes Emergency Summit as EU Grapples with US Rhetoric on Greenland
EU leaders convened an emergency summit in Brussels on January 22 to coordinate a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about Greenland made at Davos and related statements. The meeting underlines growing European sensitivity to unilateral U.S. rhetoric on geopolitically sensitive issues and could accelerate EU measures to bolster Arctic policy, regional partnerships, and transatlantic diplomacy.
Iran Says Cities Calm After Protests; Tehran Blames Israel and U.S. as Turkey Urges Stability
Iran’s parliamentary speaker told Turkey that nationwide calm has been restored after recent unrest, blaming the disturbances on Israeli and U.S. backing for ‘‘terrorists.’’ Turkey urged continued stability, while Washington’s warnings of possible intervention and Tehran’s external-conspiracy narrative deepen polarization and raise the risk of further escalation.
Trump’s Retreat on Tariffs Leaves Greenland Dispute Unresolved and Europe Uneasy
President Trump withdrew planned tariffs on eight European countries after saying he and Western partners had sketched a framework on Greenland that covers defence and mining. European leaders welcomed the de‑escalation but remain alarmed: the episode raises fundamental questions about Greenlandic sovereignty, NATO’s role, and the resilience of the transatlantic alliance.
China Makes Cross‑Provincial VAT Refunds Easier to Lure More International Visitors to the West
Chongqing has expanded a cross‑provincial “immediate” VAT refund scheme to Yunnan, Shaanxi and Gansu, following a 2025 agreement with Sichuan, allowing foreign visitors to claim tax rebates when departing from a different province than where they purchased goods. The move is designed to make multi‑stop itineraries across western China more convenient, boosting inbound consumption and aiding regional economic coordination amid broader visa‑free transit liberalisation.
Trump Demands 'Immediate' Talks to Buy Greenland at Davos, Deepening Rift with Europe
At Davos, President Trump demanded immediate talks to purchase Greenland, calling it a U.S. "core national security interest" while insisting he would not use force. His remarks, including a disputed claim that the U.S. once owned Greenland, heightened tensions with Denmark and Europe and raised fresh questions about NATO cohesion and Arctic geopolitics.
China’s New 054B Frigate Marks First Year of Operational Integration for a More Networked Navy
The PLA Navy’s first 054B frigate, Luohe (545), has completed its first year of service after commissioning in January 2025, conducting repeated live-fire drills and routine at-sea training. The class is intended to enhance early warning, information processing and integrated combat functions, making it a force-multiplier within fleet networks rather than a standalone game-changer.
US Army’s ‘Dark Eagle’ Hypersonic Fielding Delayed Again, Exposing Cost and Capability Risks
The US Army has again failed to meet its schedule for fielding the LRHW "Dark Eagle" hypersonic system, highlighting technical hurdles and cost pressures in a program that has already consumed over $12 billion across services. With the first battery’s deployment cost estimated at roughly $2.7 billion, the delay raises questions about deterrence timelines, congressional oversight, and potential shifts in Pentagon priorities.
Trump Renounces Force but Revives 'Buy Greenland' Gambit, Deepening Transatlantic Strain
At Davos President Trump said he would not use force to seize Greenland but pressed to negotiate a purchase and suspended planned tariffs on several European countries after talks about an Arctic framework. Denmark and the EU reacted with alarm: Copenhagen rejects the idea of transferring Greenland, Greenland issued civil‑defense guidance, and Brussels convened an emergency summit to consider a unified response.
Trump Says NATO Has Agreed Arctic Framework on Greenland, Pauses Feb. 1 Tariffs
President Trump said he and NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte agreed on a framework for Arctic cooperation focused on Greenland and has paused tariffs due February 1. NATO confirmed productive discussions on Arctic security, but concrete details and buy‑in from Denmark and Greenland remain unclear.
Songs, Snow and Sacrifice: How a Remote Spanggur Outpost Sustains China’s Frontier Presence
At a remote high‑altitude outpost by Spanggur Lake, China’s border troops sustain presence through ritual, mutual care and small infrastructural projects. A company anthem and the memorial to a fallen pack horse have become focal points for morale, civil‑military outreach and a broader narrative linking frontier sacrifice to national cohesion.