Japan, South Korean leaders drum up rapport playing K-pop after summit
The surprise event showcased their amicable personal relationship.
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Controversial Australian ambassador to US Kevin Rudd quits early
Kevin Rudd’s premature departure in March from his post of Australia’s ambassador to the United States is a surprise, but perhaps not as unexpected as it might initially appear. Rudd’s term had another year to run. Any extension would have been limited. His old job as president
India hunts rampaging elephant that killed 20 people
Children and the elderly are among the dead, as well as a professional elephant handler.
BTS stand to make $1bn as they announce mammoth comeback tour
It's the K-pop band's first tour since completing compulsory military service in South Korea.
Russian captain 'did nothing' to avoid US tanker crash, UK prosecutors tell trial
LONDON, Jan 13 - The captain of a container ship that crashed into a U.S. tanker off Britain's east coast last year did \"absolutely nothing\" to prevent an avoidable and fatal collision, British prosecutors said on Tuesday as his trial over a crew member's death began.
Malaysia suspends licence of Melaka hotel touted as ‘gay-friendly’ on website
LGBT practices are contrary to Islamic teachings and societal norms, said a Melaka religious official.
South Korea prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-president Yoon over martial law
SEOUL, Jan 13 - South Korea's special prosecutor on Tuesday requested the death penalty for former president Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of insurrection over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024.
Prosecutors seek death penalty for ex-South Korean president Yoon
Yoon is accused of leading an insurrection when he tried to impose martial law in 2024.
South Korean prosecutors demand death penalty for ex-leader Yoon
It is highly unlikely that a death sentence handed down to Yoon Suk Yeol will be carried out, however, as South Korea has had an unofficial moratorium on executions since 1997.
Davos begins new era grappling with global order shaken by Trump
ZURICH, Jan 13 - Business and political elites head to the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos next week with its vision of a rules-based global economic order being tested to the limits.
Anti-minority hate speech in India rose by 13% in 2025, US research group says
WASHINGTON, Jan 13 - Hate speech against minorities including Muslims and Christians in India rose by 13% in 2025, with most incidents occurring in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, a Washington-based research group
Number of travellers to China from Japan’s Osaka airport down by half amid diplomatic spat
China, which was the most popular destination in 2025, fell to third place behind South Korea and Taiwan.
Four oil tankers hit by drones near CPC oil terminal in Russia, sources say
MOSCOW/ATHENS, Jan 13 - Four Greek-managed oil tankers were hit by unidentified drones on Tuesday in the Black Sea on the way to load oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal off the Russian coast, eight sources told Reuters.
From ‘yeye’ fun to security threat: What Malaysia’s military camp scandal reveals
The illicit “yeye” culture involves converting military spaces into makeshift bars and smuggling in guests.
Two oil tankers hit by drones near CPC terminal, sources say
MOSCOW, Jan 13 - Two Greek-managed oil tankers were hit by drones on Tuesday near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal, which handles around 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports, six sources said.
Trump’s Iran tariff threat risks reopening China rift
Iran became a flashpoint in US-China ties during Mr Trump’s 2017-21 first term.
Will Iran’s crackdown playbook work this time?
In late December, Tehran’s bazaar merchants began protesting against Iran’s theocratic rulers over the sharp collapse of the currency. These protests quickly spread nationwide, although the level of participation remained limited, initially. The situation changed when Reza
The thinking behind India’s new China business visa
India’s launch of the e-B-4 “Production Investment Business Visa” for Chinese nationals, effective January 1, allows stays of up to six months, with processing times of around 50 days. The visa’s timing and intent are consequential for India-China relations. This development,
Indian army chief says Pakistan told to control ‘drone intrusions’
An Indian source said there were five such intrusions on Jan 11 in the Jammu region of Indian Kashmir.
Taiwan thanks Canada for its support ahead of prime minister's China trip
TAIPEI, Jan 13 - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te thanked Canada on Tuesday for its support during recent Chinese military drills and praised the deepening of ties between the two sides, shortly ahead of a visit to China by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Hong Kong trial of media tycoon Jimmy Lai concludes mitigation phase
HONG KONG, Jan 13 - Hong Kong's High Court wrapped up mitigation hearings on Tuesday for media tycoon and China critic Jimmy Lai, in a final step before the sentencing phase of a years-long national security trial that has drawn international scrutiny.
Iranian MP warns of greater unrest, urging government to address grievances
DUBAI, Jan 13 - An Iranian parliamentarian said on Tuesday the government will face even bigger protests unless it addresses people's grievances, after more than two weeks of nationwide demonstrations that have challenged the legitimacy of the country's clerical rulers.
India, China seek to rebuild military trust to keep border calm
The engagement comes amid US President Donald Trump’s decision to slap tariffs on both nations.
Japan, South Korea push for closer ties to counter regional tension
NARA, Jan 13 - Japan and South Korea aim to deepen security and economic ties to counter growing tension in East Asia, their leaders said on Tuesday, after a summit meeting in Japan.
Malaysia to take legal action against X over Grok AI concerns
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said it has identified the misuse of Grok to generate and disseminate harmful content.
Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jet crash underscores defence vulnerabilities
The island's ageing fleet faces a near-daily need to scramble aircraft to intercept or monitor Chinese military planes.
China warns citizens in Cambodia of kidnappings, job scam ads following recent busts
The embassy warning comes after the recent high-profile extradition of alleged Chinese-Cambodian scam kingpin Chen Zhi, accused of masterminding a cryptocurrency scam.
Why megastar boy band BTS never really went away
The world's biggest boy band are due to reveal their 2026 tour dates - why is it causing so much excitement?
‘Are You Dead?’: Viral safety app reflects quiet anxiety of living alone in China
The number of one-person households in China is projected to reach 200 million by 2030.
G7, other allies discuss ways to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earths
China dominates the supply chain for critical minerals, refining between 47 per cent and 87 per cent of copper, lithium, cobalt, graphite and rare earths, according to the International Energy Agency.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un revamps private security detail, South Korea says
Analysts said the capture of Venezuela's Maduro likely heightened security fears in Pyongyang.
When public credibility fails: a debt default case from Zhejiang
In late November 2025, debt-related products distributed through the Zhejiang Financial Assets Exchange Center entered default. More than 15,000 onshore investors were affected, impacting approximately 25,000 households, with total exposure estimated at around RMB 24.2 billion
Singapore PR who allegedly used RON95 petrol to be charged in Johor over altered car number plate
If found guilty, the man can be fined between RM5,000 (S$1,580) and RM20,000, and jailed for a maximum of five years.
Malaysia cop filmed slapping motorcyclist at JB petrol kiosk pulled from operations
He was assigned to the traffic operation in the area.
Has caning students in Malaysia lost its sting?
Teachers do not want to cane students for fear of reprisal by parents who might resort to legal action.
China's viral app 'Are You Dead' tops download chart and goes global, as critics call for name change
The app's popularity has sparked debate online, with some users finding its name morbid and unpleasant.
Japan PM Takaichi says she urged S. Korea President Lee to help ‘ensure regional stability’
The leaders, who met in Japan, agreed to boost cooperation on economic security, regional and global issues and AI.
Tickets sell out as Hong Kong adds 16 new high-speed rail routes with mainland China
New destinations include the eastern Chinese cities of Nanjing, Wuxi and Hefei, as Hong Kong’s rail operator also steps up services on established links such as Shanghai.
Child beggars seen in post-disaster Aceh raises concern over long-term mental health
An Aceh spokesman said the administration had provided psychosocial support services to help the children.
Misreading India’s thriving and evolving electronics makers
For many Asian electronics component suppliers, India is no longer unfamiliar territory. Sales teams visit regularly. Distributors are appointed. Memorandums are signed. Yet a familiar frustration persists: Progress feels slower than expected. Engagements stall. Relationships