Hong Kong uses decades-old speeches to try pro-democracy activists

Two activists who organised vigils as leaders of a now-defunct group, are facing national security charges.

European countries including UK lose measles elimination status

LONDON, Jan 26 - Britain and several other European countries have lost their measles elimination status, the World Health Organization said on Monday, after a jump in infections across the continent.

Mexico president asks Korean counterpart for more BTS concerts

MEXICO CITY, Jan 26 - Huge demand to see K-pop boy band BTS, among the world's most popular artists, has led Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to formally request of her counterpart, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, that he help arrange more concerts in Mexico.

Lebanon's Hezbollah chief says group concerned with confronting US threat against Iran

BEIRUT, Jan 26 - The leader of Lebanon's Iran-aligned Hezbollah movement, Naim Qassem, said on Monday that his group was concerned about confronting Washington's threat against Iran, particularly any threat against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

India, EU wrap up talks for landmark trade deal amid strained US ties

The deal paves the way for free trade of goods that makes up a quarter of the world's GDP.

Israel recovers last hostage body from Gaza, paving way for crossing to open

JERUSALEM, Jan 26 - Israel has recovered the remains of the last remaining hostage held in Gaza, the military said on Monday, fulfilling a key condition of the initial phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in the Palestinian territory.

Philippine ferry survivor describes scenes of panic, wait for rescue

Aquino Sajili said he was awoken by a fellow passenger as the ferry began to tilt precariously.

Israel retrieves last hostage body from Gaza in boost for Trump plan

JERUSALEM, Jan 26 - Israel has retrieved the remains of the last remaining hostage held in Gaza, the military said on Monday, fulfilling a key condition of the initial phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the Gaza war.

Marshall Islands' nuclear past and precarious future explored in London exhibition

LONDON, Jan 26 - A group of artists is shining a light on the impact of climate change, rising sea levels and nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands after travelling to the remote Pacific nation as part of an expedition.

Harsher rhetoric by PLA mouthpiece ties Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli probes more to politics than graft: Observers

A stinging editorial published by the People’s Liberation Army Daily on Sunday (Jan 25) against Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli used wording that goes beyond how previous senior military purges have been framed, say analysts.

Tourist mauled by snow leopard at popular Xinjiang ski destination; authorities step up patrols

A female tourist had reportedly approached the snow leopard despite being cautioned against it.

Nepal arrests six in tourist rescue fraud

The arrests come after an investigation into fraudulent helicopter rescues of travellers.

Finland hopes to prevent cable damage with new surveillance centre

HELSINKI, Jan 26 - Finland's Border Guard hopes to prevent damage to critical undersea infrastructure in the Gulf of Finland with a maritime surveillance centre it plans to set up in cooperation with other Baltic Sea states and the EU Commission, it said on Monday.

Forget Greenland — securing Diego Garcia should come first

The focus and the fuss have been on Greenland. US President Donald Trump now says a framework is in place for a deal that suits US interests to control this piece of strategic territory. Meanwhile, Trump is paying attention to a bigger disaster headed America’s way in the

New Nepali political party fields LGBTIQ candidates

Nepal has some of South Asia’s most progressive laws on LGBTIQ rights.

Nephew of Indonesia’s president gets nod to become central bank board member

The nomination that has raised concerns about Bank Indonesia’s independence.

China’s Xi urges greater cooperation with Vietnam

To Lam was unanimously reappointed as head of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party on Jan 23.

HK lawmaker deliberately drives against traffic, sparking calls for her dismissal

Netizens question her suitability to make laws after having broken the law herself.

China warns citizens against Japan travel during Chinese New Year

The number of Chinese visitors to Japan plummeted by 45 per cent in December 2025 from a year earlier.

Tributes pour in across India for revered BBC broadcaster Sir Mark Tully

Sir Mark Tully's cremation was held on Monday in Delhi, where he lived even after leaving the BBC.

China warns citizens against Japan visits during longest annual holiday

BEIJING, Jan 26 - China on Monday warned its citizens against travelling to Japan during the Lunar New Year, its longest public holiday, as Beijing's anger over a comment Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made in early November about democratically governed Taiwan showed

China warns citizens against Japan travel during Lunar New Year

EU and India to explore defence cooperation, draft document says

BRUSSELS, Jan 26 - The European Union and India will explore possibilities for Indian participation in European defence initiatives, according to a draft security and defence partnership document seen by Reuters.

Japan court holds North Korea liable for fake ‘paradise on Earth’ scheme

The court ruled the four plaintiffs had “most of their lives taken away” by Pyongyang.

Carney likely to visit India in early March as Canada trade pivot intensifies, envoy says

OTTAWA, Jan 26 - Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney will likely visit India the first week of March and sign deals on uranium, energy, minerals and artificial intelligence, Dinesh Patnaik, India's High Commissioner to Canada said in an interview.

Police review possible arrest warrant for Coupang’s interim CEO over data leak

Move comes after he failed to comply with repeated requests to appear for questioning.

Former Philippines president Duterte fit for pre-trial hearings, ICC judges rule

THE HAGUE, Jan 26 - Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have ruled that octogenarian former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to attend pre-trial hearings and will hold a confirmation of charges hearing on February 23,  the court said on Monday.

Ex-Philippine leader Duterte fit for ICC pre-trial hearings on Feb 23

Prosecutors say Rodrigo Duterte is involved in at least 76 murders as part of his “war on drugs”.

Japan’s nuclear watchdog starts probe of plant operator’s HQ over data fraud

The data fraud could have led to an underestimation of earthquake risks faced by a nuclear plant.

Yelling in sleep could be early sign of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, South Korean study shows

They found patients tended to show marked loss of cognitive functions.

‘Nobody is safe’: China’s Xi targets his close ally in purge

The Chinese President is putting together a cadre of more competent and loyal generals, analysts say.

Indonesia receives first Rafale advanced fighter jets from France, official says

JAKARTA, Jan 26 - Indonesia has received three Rafale fighter jets from France in the first deliveries from a multi-billion-dollar defence deal between the two countries, a defence ministry official told Reuters on Monday, marking a major upgrade to the country's ageing

Myanmar’s war headed for a tipping point in 2026

In the backwash of Myanmar’s protracted exercise in military-engineered elections, the coming months will see much media commentary on the new frontmen of the junta’s “civilian” government and the degree of warmth that greets their efforts to establish the international

Cambodia to host first-ever ‘Baby Olympics’ in February

The Feb 1 event will feature competitions in 10 disciplines with 333 children registered so far.

India sets sail an ancient ship to bolster its ambitions at sea

Kaundinya is part of a wider strategic government soft power project to revive the country’s maritime legacy.

German defence minister urges Trump to apologise for Afghanistan remarks

BERLIN, Jan 26 - German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to apologise for remarks suggesting that America's NATO allies in Afghanistan avoided frontline service, joining a chorus of criticism from European politicians and army veterans.

Myanmar election offers little change to political reality, analysts say

The military-backed USDP has claimed a landslide in Myanmar’s post-coup election, but observers say the vote is unlikely to ease conflict or revive the economy.

Great powers trending toward self-harm — except maybe India

Howdy, folks! The theme of this week’s roundup is “self-inflicted harm by the world’s Great Powers.” I left Europe out of the mix this week, since their own improving growth, rearmament, decoupling from America and successful pushback over Greenland makes them look a little

How far can Pauline Hanson’s One Nation ride Australia’s growing far-right wave?

The party benefits from Liberal-National Coalition infighting and Ms Hanson credits her rising popularity to the Bondi attack.

PM Wong congratulates Vietnam’s top leader on re-election

To Lam was unanimously re-elected as the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam on Jan 23, and will serve as Vietnam's leader for the next five years.

China says Canada deal not aimed at US after tariff threat

The US has threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian products.

Japan party leaders clash over consumption tax in debate ahead of election

Ms Takaichi dissolved the powerful House at the outset of the ordinary parliamentary session on Jan 23.

PAP sec-gen Lawrence Wong congratulates Vietnam’s To Lam on reappointment as head of ruling party

Mr Lam was was re-elected on Jan 23 as head of Vietnam's ruling party.

Chips powerhouse Hsinchu a bright spot amid Taiwan’s birth rate crisis

The island's total fertility rate for 2025 is projected to have fallen below 0.8, the lowest worldwide.

Kremlin sticks to demand that Ukraine cede all of Donbas in talks, TASS reports

MOSCOW, Jan 26 - The Kremlin said on Monday that the issue of territory remained

Philippines lodges 'firm representations' to Chinese embassy over 'escalating' war of words on South China Sea

The Chinese Embassy and officials in Manila have stepped up their rhetoric in recent weeks, with the former criticising the Philippines' coast guard spokesperson and its lawmakers.

US, South Korea agree to deepen cooperation on nuclear-powered subs, Seoul says

A nuclear-powered submarine would strengthen South Korea's ability to lead the defence of the peninsula, said Seoul.