US to host virtual Indo-Pacific trade meet tomorrow; supply chains and taxes on agenda

The United States will host a virtual meeting on Tuesday of officials representing the 14 countries that have joined the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, as Washington seeks to expand its engagement with Asia. The ministerial meeting will be hosted by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, their offices announced in a statement on Sunday.

Donald Trump likely to surrender next week? What lawyer said after indictment

Former US President Donald Trump is likely to surrender to the Manhattan District Attorney's office early next week, according to his lawyer Joe Tacopina. Trump's arraignment may take place next week, and he is already in contact with the prosecutors. A New York grand jury indicted the former president over hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. If convicted, Trump will not be disqualified from running for the presidential elections in 2024.

Annoyed with potholes, UK man is filling them with noodles

A UK campaigner known as “Mr Pothole” has teamed up with Pot Noodle in a bid to raise awareness of the state of British roads. Mark Morell has previously placed rubber ducks and birthday cakes into potholes in an attempt to highlight the issue. He has now worked with the noodle brand to urge the government to take action over the number of potholes. One cyclist per week dies or is seriously injured due to potholes on UK roads, according to Morell.

‘...my champagne’: What Stormy Daniels said after Trump's hush money indictment

Stormy Daniels, the porn actress who was paid for silence over an alleged sexual encounter with former US President Donald Trump, has reacted to the indictment of Trump by a Manhattan grand jury, which accuses him of defrauding the US government by hiding payments made to her. Daniels tweeted her thanks to supporters and said she didn't want to "spill her champagne". The news has boosted demand for her merchandise and autographs.

Trump indicted; NY grand jury move shakes American politics

Donald Trump has become the first former American president to be indicted, in connection with paying off adult film actress Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter. The payment was made in the run-up to the 2016 presidential elections. On Thursday, a grand jury in New York indicted Trump on criminal charges. The specific charges will only be made publicly available when he turns himself in, but he has likely been charged with falsifying business records and violating campaign finance laws. The indictment comes after a five-year-long investigation.

Hindu doctor shot dead in Pakistan's Karachi: Report

Dr Birbal Genani, a Pakistani Hindu eye specialist, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Karachi on Thursday, according to police. Dr Genani and his assistant were travelling in a car when they were targeted by men near the Garden interchange on the Lyari Expressway. Dr Genani died at the scene, while his assistant was injured. The police are investigating the murder, which they have described as a ?target killing?.

Will Trump be arrested in hush money indictment? Here's what happens next

Former US President Donald Trump is expected to turn himself in to authorities next week after being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury. The indictment remains sealed in the first criminal case ever brought against a former president, after an investigation into payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of an extramarital sexual encounter. If Trump turns himself in as expected, he will be booked and arraigned without bail, with a focus on security, and is unlikely to be paraded in cuffs across a sidewalk or through a crowded courthouse hallway.

‘Political persecution’: Trump slams hush money indictment

Former US President Donald Trump has described charges against him relating to his business dealings as "political persecution" and "election interference". He accused New York prosecutors of ignoring crime in the city and pursuing a Democrat-led "witch-hunt" against him. Trump was indicted, along with his company and its CFO, in connection with alleged tax evasion and fraud. He denies the charges.

Trump indicted over hush money, prosecutor coordinating 'surrender': Top updates

Former US President Donald Trump has been indicted in New York on charges related to payments made to a porn star during his 2016 presidential campaign to keep her silent about an extramarital sexual encounter. The indictment marks the first criminal case ever brought against a former US president. Trump is expected to turn himself in next week, with details of his surrender being worked out. The indictment was brought by New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg, who contacted Trump's lawyers to coordinate his surrender for arraignment.

UK joins trans-Pacific trade pact in biggest post-Brexit deal

The UK has agreed to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), an 11-country trade group that includes Japan, Australia, and Canada. It is the first new member to join the group, and the move is seen as part of Britain's efforts to deepen ties in the Indo-Pacific region and build global trade links after leaving the European Union. While the overall impact of the deal is expected to be modest, it will cut tariffs on cars, spirits, and dairy products, and is estimated to boost the UK economy by £1.8 billion ($2.2 billion) annually in the long run.

Actor Gwyneth Paltrow found not guilty in Utah ski crash case

Gwyneth Paltrow has been found not responsible for injuries sustained by a man during a 2016 ski slope collision at an upscale Park City resort in Utah. Terry Sanderson, a retired optometrist, had sought more than $300,000 in damages from Paltrow at a civil trial, claiming that Paltrow had been skiing out of control when she ran into his back and sent him flying. Paltrow said she did not cause the accident and that it was Sanderson who struck her from behind. The jury sided with Paltrow, ruling that Sanderson was the one at fault.

Trump indicted over porn star hush money, a first for a US ex-president

Former US President Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury after an investigation into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. The charges have not yet been specified, but the indictment is expected to be announced soon. Trump has been accused of directing hush payments to Daniels and a second woman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who both claimed to have had affairs with him. Trump denies having had affairs with either woman. No sitting or former US president has ever faced criminal charges.

US court sanctions Google in data privacy case: 'Alphabet took too long to…'

A US judge has sanctioned Google after a class action alleged the firm unlawfully tracked users in private browsing mode on its Chrome browser. The ruling from US Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen in San Jose, California, followed a similar decision from US District Judge James Donato in California. Donato said Google failed to preserve employees' "chat" records as evidence in antitrust litigation. Google is challenging the claims in both cases. In the data privacy case, Google has said its Chrome browser users consented to the company's data collection. 

Florida passes bill allowing people to carry concealed guns without permit

Florida's legislature has passed a bill allowing residents to carry concealed guns without a permit. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has said the issue is one of his priorities, is expected to sign it into law. The legislation, divided along partisan lines, has been criticised by Democrats, who say the state will become more dangerous. The bill will mean training and background checks are not required for people to carry concealed guns in public. However, background checks and a three-day waiting period will still be required to buy a gun from a licensed dealer.

At least 6 Russian missiles hit Ukraine's Kharkiv: Regional governor

Six Russian missiles hit the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv late on Thursday night, according to regional governor Oleh Sinegubov.

China slams US debt trap accusation as 'irresponsible'

China has criticised US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen for "irresponsible" and "unreasonable" comments about its lending activities. Yellen had expressed concern that China's global lending was leaving developing countries "trapped in debt". China has lent hundreds of billions of dollars to build infrastructure in developing countries, but lending has tailed off since 2016 as many projects have failed to pay expected financial dividends. China says it has followed international rules and carried out investment and financing cooperation with developing countries with openness and transparency.