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A strong earthquake struck Taiwan on Friday, sending tremors across large parts of the island and causing buildings to sway in major cities, including Taipei. Residents reported feeling prolonged shaking, prompting evacuations in some areas as a precaution.

Authorities said the quake measured around magnitude 7 and was centred offshore, according to preliminary assessments. Emergency services were placed on alert while inspections of infrastructure, transport networks, and power systems were carried out.

Initial reports indicated no widespread damage or casualties, though officials said assessments were ongoing. Public transport services were briefly disrupted in some areas while safety checks were completed.

Taiwan lies on ...

Weather forecasts indicate that parts of the United Kingdom may experience snowfall as colder air moves across the country in the coming days. Some regions are expected to see a mix of rain, sleet, and snow, particularly in higher elevations and northern areas.

Meteorologists say the shift is being driven by colder air masses moving south, increasing the likelihood of wintry conditions during overnight and early morning periods. Accumulations, if they occur, are expected to be limited and vary by location.

Forecasters have advised travellers to remain aware of changing conditions, as colder temperatures could lead to icy roads even where snowfall ...

Lloyds Bank and Halifax have announced plans to close a total of 55 bank branches across the UK during 2026, continuing a wider shift away from high street banking.

The banks said the decision reflects changing customer behaviour, with the majority of transactions now carried out online or via mobile apps. In-branch usage at many locations has declined significantly in recent years, prompting a review of physical networks.

Customers affected by the closures will be directed to alternative branches, digital services, or shared banking hubs where available. The banks said they would contact impacted customers in advance and provide support for those ...

Recent polling indicates that Donald Trump continues to draw sharply divided public opinion, with approval ratings reflecting deep political polarisation. Surveys show Trump maintaining solid support among Republican voters and parts of the working class, while facing higher disapproval among independents and Democrats.

Poll results suggest that economic issues, immigration policy, and perceptions of leadership style remain central factors shaping public views. Supporters credit Trump with prioritising domestic industry and challenging political institutions, while critics express concerns over governance and social division.

Among working-class voters, Trump’s approval tends to outperform his overall rating, according to several surveys. Analysts attribute this to messaging ...

New research indicates that many people struggle to accurately identify whether a face is generated by artificial intelligence or belongs to a real person. In controlled tests, participants frequently mistook synthetic faces for real ones, often expressing high confidence in incorrect answers.

Researchers found that AI-generated faces are becoming increasingly realistic due to improvements in training data, image resolution, and facial symmetry. In some cases, participants were more likely to trust AI-generated faces because they appeared more “average” or visually consistent than real photographs.

The findings raise concerns about the potential misuse of synthetic images, including misinformation, identity fraud, and social engineering. ...

Sadiq Khan has responded to recent remarks by Donald Trump about London, suggesting the criticism stems from envy of the city’s economic and cultural achievements. Khan described London as a thriving global centre and dismissed the comments as politically motivated.

The mayor pointed to London’s role as a leading international hub for finance, culture, and innovation, arguing that the city continues to attract investment and talent despite challenges faced by major urban centres worldwide. He said London’s diversity and openness remain key strengths.

Trump’s remarks, made during public appearances and media interviews, criticised aspects of London’s governance and public safety. His comments ...

The UK Ministry of Defence is preparing a voluntary military gap-year style programme designed to give young people short-term experience in the armed forces. The initiative is intended to help address recruitment challenges while offering participants training and practical skills.

Under the proposal, participants would spend up to a year working with branches of the UK Armed Forces, gaining exposure to military life without committing to long-term service. Officials say the scheme would focus on personal development, teamwork, and technical skills rather than combat roles.

The programme is expected to be open to school leavers and young adults, providing paid placements and ...

Authorities in Italy have arrested nine individuals as part of an investigation into alleged illicit financing of Hamas. Prosecutors said more than €8 million in assets were seized during coordinated operations across several regions.

Investigators allege that funds were raised through charitable and humanitarian organisations and then diverted to support Hamas activities. Financial police said the money was moved using complex networks designed to obscure its origin and final destination.

Those arrested are suspected of offences including terrorism financing, money laundering, and misuse of non-profit structures. Authorities stressed that the investigation does not implicate legitimate humanitarian work but focuses on individuals accused ...

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that his country is facing what he described as a “full-fledged” or “total” war waged by the United States, Israel, and European allies. He said the pressure spans military threats, economic sanctions, and diplomatic isolation.

Speaking amid heightened regional tensions, Pezeshkian argued that Western states are coordinating efforts to weaken Iran through financial restrictions, political pressure, and support for Israel’s military actions. He said Tehran views these measures as part of a broader strategy aimed at undermining Iran’s sovereignty and regional influence.

Iranian officials reiterated that the country does not seek wider conflict but will respond ...

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a renewed ceasefire following days of armed clashes along disputed sections of their shared border. The agreement marks the second attempt to halt fighting after an earlier truce failed to fully stop hostilities.

Officials from both countries said the ceasefire includes an immediate halt to military operations, the withdrawal of some forces from frontline positions, and the establishment of communication channels to prevent further incidents. The clashes had resulted in casualties and the displacement of civilians in border communities.

The dispute centres on contested border areas where historical demarcations remain unclear. Tensions escalated after troop movements ...