Saudi Arabia has eased its strict alcohol ban for the first time in decades. The kingdom now allows high-income non-Muslim residents to buy alcohol at a store in Riyadh’s diplomatic area. Only those earning above $13,300 a month can shop there. The move follows the opening of a similar store for diplomats last year. New outlets are also planned for Jeddah and Dhahran. This policy shift is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to attract global businesses and tourists. The country has had a near-total ban on alcohol since 1952. (PC: India Today)

At least 22 people died after a fire broke out in a seven-storey office building in Jakarta on Tuesday. Police said the blaze began when a battery exploded on the first floor. Many workers were having lunch when the fire spread quickly through the upper floors. Most victims were women, and many are believed to have died from smoke inhalation. Fire crews used 28 engines and 100 personnel to rescue trapped workers, with dramatic scenes from aerial ladders. The fire has been put out, but teams are still searching the top floors. The building houses a company that makes and operates drones.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations.” The order instructs state agencies to block them from receiving contracts, employment, or funding from the state. Neither group is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. CAIR, one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in the U.S., said it plans to sue DeSantis, calling the order unconstitutional and defamatory. The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt, says it renounced violence decades ago. This follows a similar move by Texas last month. (PC: ABC News)

Fresh fighting has broken out along the Thailand-Cambodia border, breaking a ceasefire agreed only weeks ago. At least three Thai soldiers and seven Cambodian civilians have died since Monday. Both sides blame each other for starting the clashes. Thailand has carried out airstrikes, while Cambodia says Thai forces fired into civilian areas. Tension has been rising for months over a long-running border dispute linked to an ancient temple. A peace deal backed by former US President Donald Trump is now stalled, and talks have broken down. Travel warnings are in place for all border areas as violence continues.

Ukraine is working on a new peace plan for the US after President Volodymyr Zelensky again said he will not give up any land to Russia. He said Ukrainian law, international law, and basic morals do not allow him to surrender territory. His comments came during meetings with leaders from the UK, France, and Germany, who backed Ukraine against US pressure for concessions. Ukraine and the US held long talks over the weekend but reached no agreement. Russian drones also hit power sites in Sumy, causing a blackout. Zelensky may send the new proposal to Washington as early as Tuesday. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan’s federal government has revived the long-debated plan to create smaller provinces, with Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan declaring division “inevitable” to improve governance. The proposal suggests carving three provinces each out of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While coalition partners like MQM-P support the move, the PPP strongly opposes dividing Sindh. Experts warn restructuring could worsen instability, citing Pakistan’s history of failed governance experiments and weak institutions. Veteran bureaucrat Syed Akhtar Ali Shah and think-tank leader Ahmed Bilal Mehboob argue that multiplying provinces won’t fix systemic gaps in law enforcement, accountability, or local governance, and may deepen grievances instead. (PC: Nations Online Project)

At least 33 people were injured after a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan's Aomori prefecture at 11:15 PM local time Monday, with depth of 50 km. Shaking intensity reached upper 6 on Japan's 7-point scale, felt even in Tokyo, 550 km away. Tsunami waves reached 70 centimeters high along Pacific coasts. Japan's Meteorological Agency issued a 'megaquake' alert, warning potential massive tremors could trigger tsunamis from Hokkaido to Chiba Prefecture. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi formed an emergency task force, pledging government's "utmost effort" while urging citizens to protect themselves. Around 90,000 residents evacuated homes. All tsunami warnings were later lifted; water leaked from a nuclear reprocessing plant.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting leaders from the UK, France and Germany in London as the U.S., under former President Donald Trump, pushes a peace proposal that critics say favours Russia. Zelenskyy described recent U.S.–Ukraine talks as “constructive, although not easy.” The biggest sticking point remains territorial concessions, especially over Donbas, with Russia’s control at the centre of the dispute. Trump claimed Zelenskyy “hasn’t yet read the proposal,” raising tension in the negotiations. (PC: AP)

Ukrainian President Zelensky met UK Prime Minister Starmer, French President Macron, and German Chancellor Merz at Downing Street to discuss the latest Ukraine peace plan drafted during US-Ukraine talks in Florida. Starmer emphasized standing with Ukraine, stating any ceasefire must be "just and lasting." Zelensky stressed unity between Europe, Ukraine, and the US is crucial for negotiations. Trump claimed Zelensky's negotiators "love" the plan but expressed disappointment that Zelensky hadn't read it. German Chancellor Merz voiced skepticism about details from US documents. Meanwhile, Russian attacks continue as seven injured in Zaporizhzhia, one killed in Dnipropetrovsk drone strikes. Residents described windows blown out and "terrible horror" from aerial assaults.

A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Hokkaido region on Monday evening at 7:45 PM local time, prompting tsunami warnings for coastal areas. The USGS reported the epicenter near 41°N latitude and 142.3°E longitude, originating 32 miles deep off Hokkaido's coast. Previously, a 6.9 magnitude quake hit Iwate prefecture on November 9, triggering tsunami advisories with waves reaching 10-20 centimeters in Ofunato, Miyako, Kamaishi, Ominato, and Kuji. Initial forecasts warned of 3-meter waves, later reduced to 1 meter. Advisories were lifted three hours later, though officials cautioned about week-long aftershocks. No immediate injuries, major damage, or nuclear plant issues reported. Japan remains highly earthquake-prone along the Pacific Ring of Fire.