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China taxes condoms, contraceptive drugs in bid to spur birth rate
HONG KONG, Jan 2 - China removed a three-decade-old tax exemption on contraceptive drugs and devices from January 1 in new steps to spur a flagging birth rate.
Japan PM Takaichi, Trump agree to arrange summit in US in spring
The two met for the first time when the US president visited Japan in October.
HF-2E launcher sighting exposes Taiwan’s mainland strike intent
As Chinese live-fire drills tighten around Taiwan, a rare sighting of a mobile launcher for Taipei’s long-secret cruise missile offers a glimpse into how it plans to hold the Chinese mainland at risk—and how dangerously high the stakes of that gamble may be. This month, The War
Tokyo sees first snow of season, 14 days later than last season
Snowfall in Tokyo and neighbouring prefectures was forecast to reach up to 10cm.
Chinese digital blueprint for Vietnam’s social engineering
A disturbing synchronization is emerging in Vietnam’s policy planning, revealing a shift toward deep social engineering. On one hand, Hanoi is proposing to handpick an “elite” workforce right from birth; on the other, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) is pushing to score
Trump threatens Iran over protest crackdown as deadly unrest flares
DUBAI, Jan 2 - U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to come to the aid of protesters in Iran if security forces fire on them, days into unrest that has left several dead and posed the biggest internal threat to Iranian authorities in years.
Yemen's Saudi-backed government launches operation against UAE-backed separatists
DUBAI, Jan 2 - Yemen's Saudi-backed government launched what it called a peaceful operation to take back military positions from the UAE-backed southern separatists on Friday, who in turn said seven Saudi airstrikes had taken place since the declaration.
South Korean court issues fresh arrest warrant for ex-president Yoon
Prosecutors indicted Yoon in November on several charges of aiding the enemy, alleging that he ordered drone flights over North Korea to strengthen his effort to declare military rule, and the arrest warrant for that case was set to expire on Jan 18.
South Korean court issues fresh arrest warrant for former president Yoon
The order extends the former leader’s detention, set to end on Jan 18, by a maximum of six months.
Trump threatens Iran over protest deaths as unrest flares
DUBAI, Jan 2 - U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to come to the aid of protesters in Iran if security forces fire on them, days into unrest that has left several dead and posed the biggest internal threat to Iranian authorities in years.
Wrong crown jewels: Streaker bares all for Japan emperor
The man was immediately restrained by officers from the imperial guard and Tokyo police.
Pakistan court sentences journalists to life over links to protests after Imran Khan’s arrest
The convictions stem from cases registered after violent protests on May 9, 2023.
China launches crackdown on ‘vulgar’ AI-altered videos
The month-long campaign by China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) agency will target AI videos that “distort, parody or vulgarise” classic Chinese films, television dramas and animated works.
The one design feature that makes Taiwan ‘ugly’
Metal window grilles were meant to keep households safe from burglars but they have been fingered as eyesores
South Koreans now free to read North’s newspaper, once banned as seditious
South Koreans can from this week access the Rodong Sinmun at select locations without state approval.
Russia-India logistics deal could serve US interests over China’s
Russia ratified the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics (RELOS) agreement with India in early December, practically on the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit, which is why news of the move was largely lost in the media shuffle. As the name implies, RELOS grants each
Molotov cocktail, dead chickens sent to Indonesian government critics, rights groups say
They may have been responding to criticism of the government’s handling of floods in northern Sumatra in November.
Indian families grieve deaths caused by contaminated tap water
Officials in Indore say four people have died after drinking contaminated water but families allege the toll is higher.
Is world peace even possible? Here’s where to start
By any measure, 2025 was not a good year for world peace. Worse, it was just the latest of a decade-long decline of peace and upsurge of war. As author of a book on world peace and how we can achieve it (that’s literally the title), here’s my assessment. Peace is on the decline
Sri Lanka launches investigation over English syllabus’ gay website link
The document’s authors admitted it was prepared with the help of artificial intelligence platforms.
US debt surge leaves China, Japan holding the bag in 2026
TOKYO — A trillion here, a trillion there and pretty soon you’re talking about real money. This, with apologies to 1960s US Senator Everett Dirksen, is where Washington finds itself in 2026 — and it puts Asia on the hook. Dirksen was talking about billions, not trillions, of
Yemen's Hadramout to launch 'peaceful operation' to reclaim military sites, says region's Saudi-backed governor
DUBAI, Jan 2 - The Saudi-backed governor of Yemen's Hadramout province said on Friday he would launch a peaceful operation to take back military positions from the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, but that the actions were not a declaration of war.
10 state-run universities in South Korea reject 162 applicants over school bullying records
All universities in the country are required to reflect penalties for school bullying across all admission tracks starting in 2026.
Lack of moderate voices around Japan PM Sanae Takaichi sparks concern
Doubts are growing over the hawkish Premier's ability to steer diplomacy beyond China.
PAS president says party to chair opposition pact PN, has ‘many’ qualified candidates
Former PM Muhyiddin Yassin, who stepped down as Perikatan Nasional chairman on Jan 1, said his Bersatu party remains a principled and loyal partner in the opposition bloc.
Saudi envoy says leader of Yemen separatist group STC blocked delegation's Aden landing
DUBAI, Jan 2 - Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Yemen said on Friday that Aidarus Al-Zubaidi, the leader of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), refused landing permission the previous day for a plane carrying a Saudi delegation to Aden.
Contaminated water kills 9 in India’s Indore city; 200 hospitalised
Indore’s chief medical officer said a water test had confirmed the presence of bacteria in the pipeline.
Islamist PAS set to lead Malaysia’s opposition PN; Hadi Awang says decision on new chairman soon
The next PN chairman is likely to be its PM candidate should it win power in the next general election.
Canada asks Air India to probe case of pilot removed from plane under influence of alcohol: Source
India has been under intense scrutiny since the June 12 crash of a Boeing Dreamliner, which killed 260 people.
In China, AI finds deadly tumours that doctors may miss
An artificial intelligence tool has been trained to look for pancreatic cancer in non-contrast CTs.
Pakistan’s nuclear command change much ado about nothing
The current debate around the 27th Amendment and Article 243 stems from three factors: a short statutory-alignment phase while the National Command Authority (NCA) Act (2010) and related regulations are updated, politically motivated readings and speculation, and some premature
Under attack from extremists, Bangladesh’s cultural activists fight back with music
The offices of two of the country's leading cultural organisations in Dhaka were recently attacked.
Russia-India defining drivers of the future of trade
India and Russia are boosting trade and transport links with key projects like the Vladivostok-Chennai corridor, aiming for US$100 billion in trade by 2030, a 40% increase on current levels. At the same time, India’s maritime vision aligns closely with Russia’s plans, focusing
China military drills near Taiwan 'unnecessarily' raise tensions: US
China defended the drills as "legitimate" on Friday (Jan 2), and warned countries to "stop stirring up trouble on the Taiwan Strait issue".
Malaysia schools in a knot after move to make neckties optional for students
Some insist ties cultivate self-discipline, while others think comfort matters given the tropical climate.
China slashes hundreds of tariffs in strategic trade war twist
Beijing’s December 29 announcement of the 2026 Tariff Adjustment Plan provides a clear window into the priorities of its 15th Five-Year Plan. Beginning January 1, China will reduce import duties on 935 items to levels below Most-Favored-Nation rates. While such moves are often
Litterbugs in Malaysia, including foreigners, may trim trees in new community service punishment
The court may impose on offenders a community service order for up to six months.
Vietnam introduces tougher penalties on e-cigarette and heated tobacco use
The regulations go further by targeting those who provide space for such activity.
America’s world turned upside down
It has been a dark and stormy year, although not in as benign a sense as the much-mocked melodrama by Edward Bulwer-Litton from which this paraphrase of his opening line derives, nor as funny as the Peanuts cartoons that played on it. The year has blended dangerous geopolitical
Japan aims to cut 25% of clothes waste by 2030 via recycling, re-use
The move comes as textile product waste has become a major issue worldwide.
Snow expected in Tokyo and neighbouring areas
According to Japan’s meteorological agency, a strong winter-type pressure pattern is developing near Japan.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang eyed to lead Perikatan Nasional but alternatives in play
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is at the forefront to take over the helm of Perikatan Nasional.