Harry Potter’s villain Draco Malfoy trends in China’s Lunar New Year celebrations – Here’s why

Draco Malfoy, the scheming schoolboy who served as Harry Potter’s rival in J K Rowling’s fantasy series has emerged as an unlikely mascot for China’s Lunar New Year celebrations, according to Reuters.Images of Malfoy played by actor Tom Felton in the film adaptations, have begun appearing on red festive decorations and merchandise across China, from…

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‘Indians came to America, and then they became…’: Burt Thakur speaks on ‘Indian takeover’ at Frisco council meeting

As the issue of ‘Indian takeover’ of Frisco rocked the council meeting Tuesday, pushed by influencers on social media, Frisco council’s first Indian-origin member Burt Thakur spoke about the issue and said Indians who came to America upheld American Dream because American Dream needs participation. “Somewhere along the way Indians came to America, and then…

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‘Unprecedented collaboration’: Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan announces withdrawal of 700 immigration agents in Minnesota

File photo: Tom Homan (Picture credit: AP) The Trump administration will withdraw around 700 federal immigration enforcement officers from Minnesota after state and local authorities agreed to increase cooperation with federal agencies, White House border czar Tom Homan said on Wednesday. The move will reduce the federal presence in the state from roughly 3,000 officers…

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‘They made me look weak’: Arrested Minnesota protester breaks silence on White House doctored photo

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted an arrest photo of Nekima Levy Armstrong (left); minutes later, the White House shared a manipulated version of the same image (right). A manipulated arrest image shared by the White House has sparked outrage, raising alarms over AI misuse, racial stereotyping and the political weaponisation of social media. When…

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‘Exemplary partnership’: Putin calls Russia–China ties a ‘stabilising force’ in video call with Xi Jinping

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping via videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow (Picture credit: AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday praised the steady expansion of economic cooperation between Russia and China during a video call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing the partnership as strategic and mutually beneficial. The…

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Makkah hailstorm alert: Heavy rain and strong winds forecast across Saudi Arabia | World News

Hailstorm Warning Issued for Mecca as Thunderstorms Intensify / Image: file The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has issued an urgent weather alert for the Makkah region, forecasting a significant shift from the typical dry heat to intense winter storms. As of February 4, 2026, meteorologists are tracking a weather system capable of producing moderate…

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Saudi Arabia’s oil giant Saudi Aramco raises $4 billion: Shakes global markets, has Wall Street buzzing

Saudi Aramco Just Raised $4 Billion And Global Investors Are Rushing In Saudi Arabia’s oil giant, Saudi Aramco, has successfully completed a major $4 billion bond issuance, underscoring strong investor confidence in the company’s financial stability and its strategic capital management approach. The multi-tranche bond sale, a part of Aramco’s Global Medium Term Note Programme,…

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Big relief for UAE travellers to India: Higher duty-free limits, gold jewellery reforms, simpler baggage clearance, revamped customs rules

India’s 2026 Baggage Rules: Are UAE Travellers Finally Getting a Fair Deal? India has introduced a major overhaul of its customs baggage rules for 2026, bringing changes that will significantly benefit international travellers, especially UAE residents, Indian expats (NRIs) and tourists of Indian origin flying into the country. These changes come into effect from February…

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