World

A 14-year-old girl was allegedly sold by her parents to a stranger for £4,000 and five bottles of whiskey. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime following an alleged deal between the teenager’s parents and another couple, who intended to marry their son to the underage girl. The shocking crime came to light when Spanish police noticed …

Baumkuchen originated in Germany but has become a wildly popular sweet in Japan, where a prisoner of war on a small western island started making the treat that has thrived in its new homeland. Today, the confectionery known as “tree cake” because of the resemblance to a trunk with rings is considered a symbol of longevity and prosperity in Japan, …

A new rail line will connect 11 cities, including two of the most modern in the world, when it opens in 2026. The United Arab Emirates is growing in popularity among tourists, thanks to incredible futuristic cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 11 cities and all 7 emirates are to be connected when Etihad Rail, the country’s first train network, …

For most of the 20th century, the center of gravity in science was anywhere but the US. On the eve of World War II, the great laboratories were in Europe, and American research — especially in physics — was widely seen as trailing them. Then came the “scientific exodus”: Foreign refugees from fascism — like Einstein, Fermi, Bethe, Szilard, von …

Beijing has said that the American weapons supplies to the self-governing island violate China’s sovereignty and security interests The Pentagon has announced that it has approved its first arms sales to Taiwan since US President Donald Trump took office in January. China, which views the self-governing island as part of its territory, has called the move an infringement on its …

A cache of seized explosives detonated inside a police station in Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing at least nine people and wounding 32 others, police reported on Saturday. The explosion happened in the Nowgam area of Srinagar, the region’s main city, late Friday as forensic experts and police were examining the material, said Nalin Prabhat, the region’s police director-general. He ruled out …

The event on Tuesday at Guinea’s Morebaya port, attended by Chinese and regional African leaders, saw the departure of the first shipment of ore from the Simandou project – a major feat after nearly three decades of development. The Chinese delegation was led by Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong, who underscored the importance Beijing has attached to securing high-grade ore for decarbonising …

Voters are concerned about corruption undermining elections, fake news, and extremist parties, a study has found Some 45% of residents of Western nations believe that democracy in their countries is “broken,” Politico has reported, citing a poll by Ipsos. The study which was shared with the outlet was carried out in September and involved 9,800 voters from the US, UK, …

Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on the BBC, declaring he will sue the corporation for up to $5bn after it apologised for airing a doctored edit of his 2021 speech but refused to pay damages. The US president said he would press ahead with legal action next week, describing the broadcaster’s conduct as “beyond corrupt!” and insisting the …

Brazil’s far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro is running out of options to avoid prison, after judges on Friday rejected his appeal against a 27-year sentence for a botched coup bid. Bolsonaro lost the 2022 elections and was convicted in September for his efforts to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking power after the polls. Prosecutors said the …