US issues sanctions related to Iran and Venezuela weapons trade

Dec 30 - The U.S. Treasury said on Tuesday it has added 10 individuals and entities based in Iran and Venezuela to its sanctions list, citing their aggressive weapons program.

Gaza humanitarian deterioration of serious concern, say UK, Canada, France and others

LONDON, Dec 30 - The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened again and is of serious concern, Britain, Canada, France and others said in a joint statement on Tuesday that also called on Israel to take urgent action.

South Korea’s Cabinet green-lights fake news Bill, insurrection tribunal

The fake news Bill is set to take effect in July.

Who is in line to take over Muhyiddin’s chairmanship of Malaysia opposition pact PN?

Islamist party PAS says it is ready to lead Perikatan Nasional, but some analysts question if it has a candidate with “bridge-building” credentials that can steer the bloc into the next general election.

China’s Nvidia snub reveals the price of US chip controls

In the push and pull of contemporary US-China relations, few moves reveal more about shifting power balances than the quiet rejection of a proffered gift. On December 8, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would permit Nvidia to export its H200 artificial

S. Korean President Lee approves resignation of anti-corruption agency chief

He faced mounting criticism over the agency’s handling of a case involving the former first lady.

Managed chaos: China’s game plan for a broken Myanmar

For over 2,000 years, the history of Myanmar has been written in the shadow of the giant to the north. From the Pyu city-states sending tribute to the Tang court, to the Konbaung kings holding off Qing invasions in the 1760s, our ancestors understood a fundamental truth:

Polish prime minister says peace could be achieved in Ukraine within weeks

WARSAW, Dec 30 - Peace could be achieved in Ukraine in a matter of weeks, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday after talks with other European leaders, Canada and NATO.

ASEAN to assess developments in Myanmar after polls: Anwar

Myanmar’s pro-military party claimed an overwhelming victory in the first phase of the elections.

Saudi Arabia issues national security warning as UAE forces asked to leave Yemen

Dec 30 - Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday its national security was a red line and backed a call for UAE forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours, shortly after a Saudi-led coalition carried out an airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla.

China mandates 50% domestic equipment rule for chipmakers: Sources

Soaring prices spark Australia gold rush for new generation of fortune hunters

MELBOURNE, Dec 30 - In the hinterlands of Australia's historic goldfields, Vicki Plumridge jumps for joy when she digs a small golden nugget out of the earth.

5.6-magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan’s Tokara Islands; no tsunami expected

The earthquake hit 20km north-east of Japanese town of Wadomari.

Belarus shows off deployment of Russian nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles on its territory

MOSCOW, Dec 30 - Belarus on Tuesday released video of what it said was the deployment on its territory of the Russian nuclear-capable hypersonic Oreshnik missile system, a development that bolsters Moscow's ability to deliver missiles across Europe.

Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire holds, but Bangkok says breaches delayed release of prisoners

The ceasefire halted 20 days of fighting that killed at least 101 people.

3 million in Japan may have alcohol use disorder, same level as in 2018

About 640,000 people were suspected of having had an alcohol addiction at least once in their lives.

Dragon-elephant tango stops the music on the Quad

When leaders of “the Quad” last met in September 2024, host and then-President Joe Biden declared the partnership between the United States, India, Australia and Japan to be “more strategically aligned than ever before.” “The Quad is here to stay,” trumpeted Indian Prime

Nepal political alliance challenges traditional party dominance

Two of Nepal’s most popular political leaders agreed to unite their parties for the March 5 polls.

US-Indonesia minerals deal points to new global trade era

The new geopolitics of trade is no longer written in tariffs alone. It is etched into nickel seams, coded into battery supply chains and negotiated quietly in the language of “reciprocity.” The recently finalized Indonesia–US tariff and critical minerals package is not just

Coal mining concession sparks rift in Indonesia’s largest Islamic group Nahdlatul Ulama

Jakarta's decision to award coal mining concessions to religious groups has been controversial from the start.

South Korean President Lee to visit China next week

Lee Jae Myung's visit will be the first by a South Korean leader to China since 2019.

5-year-old boy trapped in Hokkaido ski resort walkway died of suffocation

Hinata Goto died as a result of his clothing tightening around his neck.

South Korea’s President Lee to visit China next week

Lee Jae Myung will be visiting China from Jan 4 to Jan 7.

Thai tourism takes hit as strong baht, war compound China fears

Some 32.6 million travellers had come to Thailand as at Dec 28, a 7% drop from a year earlier.

Will the BRICS ‘UNIT’ really challenge the dollar?

At a major summit in Russia last year, a banknote was unveiled that carried more symbolism than monetary value. It hinted at the growing ambitions of BRICS+ – a group of emerging economies anchored by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – to develop alternatives to

Bangladesh declares three-day state mourning for ex-PM Khaleda Zia

The country's first female prime minister died in hospital on the morning of Dec 30.

Japan PM Takaichi moves into ‘haunted’ official residence

The residence was the site of two attempted coups in the 1930s.

All the weapons China doesn’t want Taiwan to have

The US Department of War’s latest China Military Power Report is grim reading when it comes to Taiwan. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has all the pieces needed for an assault on Taiwan utilizing air, naval and ground forces, along with missiles, electronic and cyber

China vows to ‘forcefully counter’ provocations and US arms sales as military drills encircle Taiwan

Speaking on Tuesday (Dec 30), Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s hard line on Taiwan and US arms sales while setting out China’s diplomatic priorities for the year ahead.

Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib files appeal against 1MDB conviction

He was found guilty on Dec 26 of four power abuse and 21 money laundering charges.

Myanmar junta accuses rebels of 'malicious' election attacks

The junta-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper listed rebel attacks ranging from "firing homemade heavy weapons and rockets from a distance" to "dropping bombs using drones".

In India’s race for development, elephants are losing out as their habitat fragments

Wildlife experts are calling for known elephant tracks to be declared and protected by the government.

Japan footballer 'King Kazu' signs for new team at 58

Kazuyoshi Miura will join Japan's Fukushima United on loan until June for what will be his 41st season as a professional footballer.

8 Philippine police officers face dismissal over alleged home robbery

The officers allegedly entered a home on Dec 26 under the guise of an anti-drug operation.

Myanmar junta accuses rebels of ‘malicious’ election attacks

It said at least five civilians were wounded with drones, rockets and bombs.

From MSG to microchips: The lesser-known side hustles of Japanese legacy brands

Many of these firms are leveraging their core expertise to evolve and find new uses for their proprietary technology.

Malaysia's jailed ex-PM Najib files appeal against 1MDB conviction

He has also filed an appeal against a separate court ruling this month denying his bid to serve the remainder of his current prison term under ‌house arrest.

China’s new nuke posture puts US on notice and world on the brink

China’s rapid silo buildup, early-warning push and flirtation with launch-on-warning (LOW) mark a decisive shift from a minimalist deterrent to a hair-trigger nuclear posture that could redefine crisis stability from Taiwan to the continental US. This month, the US Department

‘I can’t move’: Man climbing Mount Fuji falls, dies after calling police

The police mountain rescue team found him in cardiac arrest.

China seeks better US ties while vowing not to cede on Taiwan

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signalled that Beijing intends to assume a more assertive role on the global stage.

Meta to acquire Singapore-based startup Manus to boost advanced AI features

The artificial ⁠intelligence startup is among a flurry of Chinese firms that have set up base in Singapore in recent years.

Number of Japanese restaurants overseas down for first time amid China slowdown

The Chinese economy has recently been hit by weak domestic demand amid a property industry crisis.

North Korea leader Kim calls for strong artillery production ahead of party congress

SEOUL, Dec 30 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a factory that produces multiple rocket launchers and ordered increased output of the weapons system that would be the mainstay of the country's modernised long-range artillery, state media reported on Tuesday.

Chinese homeschool students embrace freer youth in cut-throat market

Homeschooling is banned in China, although the authorities generally overlook rare individual cases.

‘Durian tsunami’: Musang King prices in Malaysia fall after bumper crop

One stall has even introduced a “fill-the-bag” Musang King package, estimated to hold up to 15kg of the fruit.

Khaleda Zia: Slain leader's widow who went on to lead Bangladesh

The country's first female prime minister governed in periods of violent unrest and economic hardship.

Bangladesh's first female prime minister Khaleda Zia dies aged 80

For decades, Zia and ousted PM Sheikh Hasina were bitter rivals - and their feud defined Bangladesh's politics.

Bears delaying hibernation due to food access in Japan’s residential areas: Expert

Bears start hibernation after realising there is no food in the mountains, an expert noted.