A TikTok deal, finally, and what it says about the US-China trade truce

The TikTok issue as a bilateral flashpoint is defused for now, but the durability of the deal hinges on US-China ties.

Outrage in Thailand over 3 children who set homeless man on fire for TikTok views

The suspects are facing criminal charges of attempted murder and property damage.

Ukraine's grid operator says energy situation has 'significantly' worsened

KYIV, Jan 23 - Ukraine's energy situation had \"significantly\" worsened on Friday morning after recent Russian air attacks, triggering emergency power outages in most regions, Kyiv's grid operator said.

UN expert urges world to reject Myanmar 'sham' election

Bangladesh's fugitive ex-PM alleges elections will not be free

"Bangladesh must defend and restore the constitution written in the blood of martyrs, reclaim our independence, safeguard our sovereignty, and revive our democracy," said Sheikh Hasina.

Luxury watchmaker designs $1.5m model with Indian billionaire's statue

With statues of a lion and white tiger, the watch is modelled off the private zoo owned by Anant Ambani.

Meta lends a censoring hand to Vietnam’s Party congress

As the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) convenes its 14th National Congress, the country’s most critical transfer of power, the regime has launched a comprehensive campaign to “sanitize” the information environment. But unlike the crude censorship of the past, Hanoi has found a

Iranian cleric says Iran may target US investments in region if attacked

DUBAI, Jan 23 - An influential Iranian cleric warned on Friday that Iran may target U.S.-linked investments in the region in retaliation for any U.S. attack on the Islamic Republic, Iranian news agencies reported.

UK finance and business ministers to accompany PM Starmer on China visit

LONDON, Jan 23 - British finance minister Rachel Reeves will accompany Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his trip to China next week, underscoring UK efforts to strengthen ties with the world's second-largest economy at a time of strained transatlantic relations.

Taliban release female athlete, 22, after 13 days in jail

Khadija Ahmadzada was detained for being in "violation" of rules "regarding women's sports gyms", a Taliban spokesman said.

Greenland galvanizes Europe to confront new US reality

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 23 - Europe may have rallied to see off President Donald Trump over Greenland, but its leaders recognise the confrontation is unlikely to be the last in dealings with his increasingly strident version of the United States.

Number of Chinese customers at Japan department stores dives over 40% in December as ties sour

Gloomy prospects are expected during the Chinese New Year holidays in February.

Record low rupiah weighs on Indonesians as costs rise, imports slow

Indonesia’s rupiah hit a record low against the US dollar earlier this week, even as other regional currencies have strengthened. Experts point to domestic concerns weighing down the rupiah, including waning confidence in policy making and central bank independence.

Why Iran is shooting protesters straight in the eye

In Iran, protestors and especially militants are being subjected to an extremely violent crackdown with shooting aimed at their eyes. Blinding the enemy who dares to dispute the powers that be, is the latest act of repression to go down in the country’s long history. Over the

Three boys allegedly set fire to homeless man in Bangkok; police probe ongoing

Thai media reported that the 51-year-old homeless man is currently safe though his condition is to be assessed. Police are questioning the three suspects.

When leverage replaces certainty

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. US trade no longer anchors Germany’s export modelDiego Faßnacht shows Germany’s trade surplus with the US has sharply narrowed as exports fell and imports rose in 2025.

Trump's NATO front line comments 'deeply disappointing', UK minister says

LONDON, Jan 23 - U.S. President Donald Trump's comments that NATO troops stayed off the front line in Afghanistan were \"deeply disappointing\", a British minister said on Friday, noting that many European soldiers had died supporting American-led operations.

UMNO president Zahid’s ‘grand coalition’ call runs into old Malay political fault lines

The call is hardly new and unlikely to be taken up, said analysts.

How you like that: Thai tourism campaign featuring Blackpink’s Lisa draws memes, criticism

One commenter asked if the photo was taken at the actual location.

Pakistan mall fire death toll jumps to 67

The process to identify the bodies recovered from the wreckage of Gul Plaza in Karachi continues.

Syrian government says it controls prison in Raqqa with Islamic State-linked detainees

Jan 23 - Syria's Interior Ministry said on Friday it had taken over al-Aktan prison in the city of Raqqa in northeastern Syria, a facility that was formerly under the control of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

China’s fossil fuel addiction exposes a strategic vulnerability

There is also a human cost to China's clean energy transition.

Bus in Malaysia crash that killed 15 university students was doing 115kmh in 60kmh zone: Report

The report said that the bus’ braking system was “contaminated and inconsistent”.

Zelenskiy says territorial issue to be discussed at trilateral talks in UAE

KYIV, Jan 23 - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday that the vital question of territory in Ukraine's war with Russia would be discussed at U.S.-brokered trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday.

Iran: IAEA must clarify stance on June attacks before inspecting bombed sites

Jan 23 - The U.N. nuclear watchdog must clarify its stance on U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear sites last June before inspectors are allowed to visit those facilities, Iranian media on Friday quoted the country's atomic chief as saying.

‘Kamikaze drones’, laser systems: Malaysia to boost defence industry amid ‘uncertain security realities’

The new National Defence Industry Policy aims to reduce Malaysia’s reliance on foreign security and defence technology and bolster long-term domestic industrial capacity.

Remaining bodies found of 10 killed in Indonesia plane crash

The turboprop plane, chartered by the fisheries ministry, was carrying seven crew members and three civil servants when it lost contact with air traffic control on Jan 17.

China rejects UN experts' concerns for alleged forced labour in Xinjiang

BEIJING, Jan 23 - China defended its human rights record on Friday after UN experts said alleged forced labour involving Uyghurs and Tibetans in the Xinjiang region and other parts of China might amount to \"enslavement\".

China's Xi lauds 'shared future' with Vietnam after To Lam's re-election

BEIJING, Jan 23 - China's President Xi Jinping congratulated Vietnam's To Lam on his re-election as the ruling Communist Party's general secretary, praising Vietnam's achievements and describing the two nations as a \"community with a shared future.\"

UN rights body holds emergency session on Iran's protest crackdown

GENEVA, Jan 23 - The U.N. Human Rights Council will hold an emergency session on Friday to discuss the \"alarming violence\" used in Iran against protesters, while a group of states will call on United Nations' investigators to document alleged abuses for future trials.

China dismisses UN experts’ forced labour concerns as ‘groundless’

UN experts said in a joint statement that forced labour was being enabled through a state-mandated programme.

Why Iran’s regime just won’t fall

Iran has once again appeared on the front pages, framed as a state on the brink. Protests in Iran have unfolded inside a dense fog of information warfare. Tehran’s self-imposed internet blackout has created a vacuum, and vacuums invite manipulation. Into that space rush foreign

To Lam wins second term to rule Vietnam for the next five years

HANOI, Jan 23 - Vietnam's top leader To Lam was re-appointed on Friday as head of the ruling Communist Party for the next five years after a unanimous vote by its central committee, as he pledged to turbocharge growth in the export-reliant nation.

To Lam cements his grip as Vietnam’s top leader with reappointment

The Communist Party chief, who took the helm in 2024, was reappointed on Jan 23.

Accelerationist State: China’s biopharma revolution

The continuous stream of drug approvals by Chinese pharmaceutical companies should be a source of awe to any global innovation investor. There are multiple reasons that have led to the current point. However, one key contributor is China’s drug approval policy transformation,

To Lam wins second term to rule Vietnam through 2030

In the one-party state, Lam was re-elected by all 180 party officials from a newly-formed committee at the end of the five-yearly party congress.

Xi assures Brazil's Lula of China's support in 'turbulent' times

BEIJING/SAO PAULO, Jan 23 - Chinese leader Xi Jinping assured his Brazilian counterpart on Friday that China would stand by Latin America's biggest economy and the Global South, and called for both nations to maintain the role of the United Nations, state news agency Xinhua said.

Is the US-TikTok deal a new reality for China's tech champions?

It is a challenge for TikTok's parent company ByteDance as well as global ambitions for other Chinese tech companies.

Dog weddings: How a new industry in China laps up puppy love

However, some critics see pet weddings or celebrations as unnecessary or extravagant.

Malaysia lifts suspension on Musk's Grok chatbot

Elon Musk's Grok chatbot was blocked nearly two weeks ago over concerns about AI-generated sexualised deepfakes.

From top cop to reformist, Vietnam's To Lam cements his grip

Jan 23 - Vietnam's Communist Party chief To Lam, reappointed on Friday as the country's most powerful official, has earned a reputation as an ambitious reformer, promoting the strengthening of private conglomerates while boosting police powers.

Malaysia lifts ban on Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot after X adds safety measures

It blocked access to Grok earlier in January.

Vietnam's leader returns to power with bold promises. Can he deliver?

To Lam resumes the role of communist party chief, the post he currently holds, for the next five years.

Death toll in Pakistan mall fire rises to 67

Vietnam Communist Party confirms To Lam as leader for next 5 years

HANOI, Jan 23 - Vietnam's top leader To Lam was confirmed on Friday as head of the ruling Communist Party for the next five years, according to the title under his name at a press conference which will conclude a party congress.

To Lam wins second term to rule Vietnam until 2030

The top leader pledged to turbocharge growth in the export-reliant nation.

Senior US defence official Colby to visit South Korea and Japan next week, Yonhap says

SEOUL, Jan 23 - U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for policy Elbridge Colby will visit South Korea from Sunday to Tuesday and discuss military alliance issues before travelling on to Japan, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported on Friday.

Pakistan battles legions of fake doctors

Unlicensed clinics are often the first, and sometimes the only, point of care for poor communities.