Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July

The release is part of a new ceasefire deal after weeks of deadly clashes along the Thai-Cambodia border.

Soft tariff shock, US math anxiety and China’s land of robots

2025 is drawing to a close, so here’s one last roundup of interesting econ-related items from around the web. I don’t have any podcasts for you this week, but an episode of “Doom Debates” with Liron Shapira will be coming out soon. 1. Why Abundance is good for small business It

‘You could see bones’: Families’ anguish over coastal erosion threat to Norfolk graves

Bereaved relatives say delays over risks at village churchyards are causing distress and call for council action Families of people buried in graves vulnerable to coastal erosion say indecision over how to tackle the problem is causing them avoidable anguish about the final

The year of the ‘Donroe Doctrine’

As President Donald Trump’s second term heads toward its second year, his doctrine for the Western Hemisphere, once seen as impractical, is taking real shape.

EU legislation intended to fight deforestation has been effectively ‘dismantled’

Law’s original author points to removal of obligations for downstream traders to verify origin of commodities It was hailed by campaigners around the world as a game-changing piece of legislation that would help stop deforestation. But when a bullet-ridden version of the EU’s

Russia's Gerasimov says Putin ordered Ukraine buffer zone expansion in 2026

Dec 31 - Russia’s top general said its forces were pressing forward in northeastern Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin had ordered expansion of territory Moscow calls a buffer zone there in 2026, Russian news agencies said on Wednesday.

Africa: South Africa Through, Angola Must Wait, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Comoros Out

[Cosafa] South Africa advanced to the Round of 16 of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, while Angola must wait to see if they will joint them in the next stage as one of the four best third-placed sides.

Eurostar delays enter second day as passengers stuck onboard overnight

Eurostar says it plans to run all of its services on Wednesday but there may still be delays and cancellations.

Eurostar delays enter second day as passengers stuck onboard for hours overnight

Eurostar says it plans to run all of its services on Wednesday but there may still be delays and cancellations.

Myanmar junta says voter turnout at 52% in first phase of election

Turnout was about 70 per cent in Myanmar's 2020 and 2015 general elections, according to a US-based nonprofit organisation.

‘Avatar: Fire And Ash’ Leads U.K., Ireland Holiday Box Office as New Releases Crowd Top 10

Disney’s “Avatar: Fire And Ash” held the No. 1 position at the U.K. and Ireland box office for a second weekend, adding £6.1 million ($8.2 million) and lifting its total to £20.8 million ($28 million), according to Comscore. The threequel comfortably dominated the Christmas

Man at the heart of Taliban’s harsh, inept and fractured rule

On December 8, the United Nations Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team released its 16th report, offering the most authoritative international assessment of governance under the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. The report highlights that

Warner Bros. Discovery Board Poised to Reject Paramount’s Latest Offer, Stay the Course With Netflix

The board of Warner Bros. Discovery is poised to reject the amended takeover offer fielded by Paramount Skydance last week as David Ellison keeps up his pursuit of the assets he sees as crucial to building a 21st century Hollywood heavyweight. Bloomberg News reported Tuesday

Taylor Swift Continues to Spread Joy With Donations Helping Children in Nashville and Kansas City

The pop star previously donated to several organizations this season including Feeding America and MusiCares

Philippines challenges Chinese vessel off northern province amid Taiwan tensions

A Chinese research ship that serves as a base for submersible vessels was spotted around 35km off the coast of the northern Cagayan province.

China to restrict silver exports, echoing rare earths playbook

The U.S. added silver to its nationally designated list of critical minerals in November.

Thailand frees 18 Cambodian soldiers as ceasefire holds

BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH, Dec 31 - Thailand on Wednesday released 18 Cambodian soldiers it had detained since July under the renewed ceasefire the two countries agreed on the weekend to end a border conflict,  Cambodian and Thai authorities said.

Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July as fresh ceasefire holds

Its Foreign Ministry said the release was done “as a demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building”.

India’s electronics boom rolling into a ‘Second Wave’

India’s electronics story is often framed through incentives, factory announcements or ambitions around semiconductor fabrication. Yet the more consequential shift underway is quieter and more structural. India is entering a “Second Wave” of electronics and hardware

Malaysia activists renew reform calls after ex-PM Najib’s jail sentence for 1MDB scandal

Many said the verdict raised fresh questions over the independence of Malaysia’s institutions.

Malaysia activists renew reform calls after ex-PM Najib jailed for 1MDB scandal

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 - Anti-graft activists in Malaysia have renewed calls for sweeping reforms to tackle corruption and prevent a repeat of 1MDB, after former Prime Minister Najib Razak was convicted last week over the $4.5 billion scandal at the state fund.

Teen stabbed in fight with another student in Seoul’s Gangnam district

The stabbing was not life-threatening.

Spitting, littering in KL could cost you $635 as city aims to step up enforcement

Enforcement operations will focus on tourist hot spots to curb the disposal of small litter.

Asia markets mixed in final day of 2025 trading

Ukraine knocks countries that condemned alleged attempt to attack Putin compound

Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha on Tuesday condemned statements alleging that Kyiv initiated an attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s compound. “We were disappointed and concerned to see the statements by Emirati, Indian, and Pakistani sides

Kennedy Center Honors Ratings Plummet After Trump Takeover

Ratings for the Kennedy Center Honors took a sharp decline this year. The poor turnout comes shortly after Donald Trump added his name to the historic forum. This year’s Kennedy Center Honors, hosted by Trump, averaged 3.01 million viewers, according to a report from Nielsen

Taiwan stays on high alert as Chinese ships pull back after massive drills

The drills forced Taiwan to cancel some domestic flights and dispatch jets and warships to monitor.

Bangladesh mourns ex-PM Khaleda Zia with state funeral

Zia, the first woman to serve as prime minister in the South Asian nation of 170 million people, died on Tuesday (Dec 30) aged 80.

A scammer's guide: How cybercriminals plot to rob a target in a week

Dec 31 - A handbook found during a police raid on a compound used by a cyberfraud gang in the Philippines offers detailed instructions in Chinese for conducting scams and reveals a blueprint for grooming and deception.

Passengers stuck on Eurostar trains overnight as delays continue

One man stuck on a train to Paris says staff told him there was a "50% chance we go to Paris, 50% chance we go back to London".

Gold and silver see rollercoaster end to blockbuster year

The price of gold soared by more than 60% this year to hit a record high of more than $4,549.

Eric Adams says he plans to attend Mamdani inauguration

New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) said he would attend the inauguration of Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani (D) despite a disparaging campaign season. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is set to swear in Mamdani, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is also set to introduce the newly elected

Democrat wins Iowa state Senate race, blocking GOP from regaining supermajority

Democrat Renee Hardman won a special election for state Senate in Iowa on Tuesday, preventing Republicans from regaining a supermajority in the chamber, Decision Desk HQ projects. Hardman, the West Des Moines mayor pro tempore, defeated Republican Lucas Loftin to fill the seat

Isiah Whitlock Jr: The Wire and Veep actor dies at 71

Whitlock was known for his notably elongated, profane catchphrase, which he used on The Wire and in films.

Even one drink a day may raise mouth cancer risk

New research suggests that even light alcohol use may carry serious risks. A large study in India found that drinking just one standard drink a day is linked to a roughly 50% higher risk of mouth cancer, with the greatest danger tied to locally brewed alcohol. When alcohol use

Bari Weiss Invites George Clooney to Visit Broadcast Center After He Tells Variety She Is ‘Dismantling’ CBS News

After George Clooney said he felt that newly-named editor-in-chief Bari Weiss was “dismantling CBS News as we speak,” Weiss has responded by inviting him to visit the CBS newsroom. “Bonjour, Mr. Clooney! Big fan of your work. It sounds like you’d like to learn more about ours.

What cannabis really does for chronic pain

Cannabis products with higher THC levels may slightly reduce chronic pain, particularly nerve pain, according to a review of multiple clinical trials. The improvement was small and short-lived, while side effects were more common. Products with little or no THC, including

North Korea may pursue active diplomacy after ruling party congress in 2026

North Korea is also expected to further bolster its defence capabilities in the upcoming years.

Trump’s CIA strike on Venezuela keeps options open, but carries risks

The CIA's recent drone strike on a Venezuelan port facility keeps President Trump’s options open in the country as he intensifies his pressure campaign, effectively expanding U.S. attacks onto land without committing the U.S. to an invasion of Venezuela. However, the commander

Satellite data and weather models improve short-term solar irradiance forecasts in China

The intermittent nature of solar energy poses challenges to grid stability, making accurate ultra-short-term solar irradiance forecasting crucial for balancing supply and demand. However, traditional numerical weather prediction models often struggle with cloud initialization,

Watch: Underwater chess champions compete for world title

Using weighted pieces and magnetic boards, players of the hybrid sport must complete each move in one breath.

Machu Picchu train crash leaves one dead and dozens injured

A train driver died and at least 40 people were injured in the crash on the single-track line to Machu Picchu.

What action has Trump administration taken in Minnesota since viral fraud video?

The Trump administration has ramped up scrutiny of Minnesota’s social services programs amid allegations of fraud. Independent journalist Nick Shirley released a video detailing his investigation into the issue on Friday, sparking a renewed interest into the allegations. The

Eco-friendly palladium recovery technology to safeguard resource security

Palladium is widely used in various industries and everyday products, including smartphones, semiconductor manufacturing processes, and hydrogen fuel cells. It is an essential metal that acts as an excellent catalyst even in minute quantities, reducing pollutants and enhancing

Meet RØZ, the Mexican Duo Taking EDM Sounds to the Next Level

Manolo Cabrera and Hugo Lara are selling out shows, making hits with Peso Pluma, and revolutionizing electronic music