ASIA

TRAGIC CRUSH AT INDIA'S KUMBH MELA HAS DOZENS FEARED DEAD AS PILGRIMS RUSH TO SACRED RIVERS

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Early Wednesday morning, tragedy struck the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, as a stampede claimed the lives of at least 12 pilgrims, according to eyewitnesses and hospital sources. The event, celebrated as one of the world's largest religious gatherings, saw millions converge at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Despite its spiritual significance, the event took a grim turn amidst overcrowding and chaos.

CHINESE MAN EXECUTED FOR CAR ATTACK THAT KILLED DOZENS

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Fan Weiqiu, the perpetrator of a deadly car attack that killed at least 35 people in China last November, has been executed. The 62-year-old deliberately drove his vehicle into a group of people exercising in Zhuhai, leaving dozens more injured in what is believed to be the country’s deadliest such attack in a decade.

BANK OF JAPAN RAISES BORROWING COSTS TO ITS HIGHEST IN 17 YEARS

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In a move reflecting growing inflationary pressures, Japan's central bank has raised borrowing costs to their highest point in 17 years, setting its short-term policy rate to "around 0.5 percent". The decision followed data showing consumer prices in Japan climbed at their fastest rate in 16 months.

FORMER PAKISTAN PM JAILED FOR 14 YRS OVER CORRUPTION

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Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption, his longest jail term to date. The cricket star-turned-politician, who has been detained since August 2023, has been charged in over 100 cases which he claims are politically motivated.

SK HYNIX ACHIEVES RECORD PROFITS ON AI MEMORY DEMAND AS KEY NVIDIA SUPPLIER, BUT STOCK FACES UNCERTAINTY

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The South Korean semiconductor manufacturer delivered a remarkable financial turnaround in 2024, with revenues surging an impressive 102% to 66.19 trillion won ($46.34 billion). This extraordinary growth represents a complete reversal from the previous year's financial struggles, culminating in a net profit of 19.79 trillion won ($13.84 billion).

SRI LANKA SIGNS A RECORD $3.7BN DEAL WITH CHINESE OIL GIANT

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Sri Lanka has secured a record $3.7 billion foreign investment from Chinese oil giant Sinopec to build a "state-of-the-art oil refinery" in Hambantota. Officials announced the deal Thursday, stating the refinery will have a capacity of 200,000 barrels.

OPENAI DISPUTES INDIAN COURT'S DATA ERASURE DEMANDS ON GLOBAL COPYRIGHT CONTROVERSIES

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OpenAI has pushed back against a lawsuit filed by Indian news agency ANI, challenging the jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court in demanding the removal of ChatGPT's training data. The legal dispute, which highlights the growing tension between artificial intelligence and copyright, raises questions about global compliance and jurisdictional authority.

BANGLADESH TREASURY MINISTER RESIGNS HER POST

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Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq has resigned following mounting pressure related to an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh. Siddiq had previously referred herself to the prime minister's standards adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, amid questions concerning her connections to her aunt, who was removed from office as Bangladesh's prime minister last year.