Southeast Asian bloc faces challenges from Myanmar to South China Sea
MANILA, Jan 29 - The 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, whose foreign ministers met in the Philippines this week, faces a complex regional agenda, including:
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Bodies pulled from sea as Philippine ferry toll rises to 29
The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 went down off south-western Mindanao in the early hours of Jan 26.
Japan Box Office Roars Back to Set Record in 2025, Powered by ‘Demon Slayer’ and ‘Kokuho’
Total ticket sales revenue jumped 32 percent to a record 274.45 billion yen ($1.79 billion) as local megahits drove the world’s third-largest film market past its prior pre-pandemic peak.
Berlin Adds Chinese Animation ‘Light Pillar’ to Perspectives Lineup
Xu Zao’s sci-fi feature is set in the distant future in a nearly deserted film studio.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Already Have Old-School Pricing After a Sudden Price Drop
The AirPods Pro 3 and their upgraded active noise cancellation are $50 off if you hurry. The post Apple AirPods Pro 3 Already Have Old-School Pricing After a Sudden Price Drop appeared first on Kotaku .
Russia's Putin tells UAE leader he wants to discuss Iran tensions with him
MOSCOW, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told his UAE counterpart Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that Russia was closely monitoring the situation in Iran and wanted to discuss it with him in Kremlin talks. Putin made the comment at the start of
Israeli fire kills two in Gaza, as truce deal moves to next phase
CAIRO, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Israeli fire killed at least two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, health officials said, in the latest incident of violence, as Hamas and Israel braced to implement the second phase of the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal. Medics said two men were
Trump is sleepwalking into a forever-war in Europe
Kyiv will not give Moscow in negotiations what the Russians cannot take on the battlefield. Nor should they be persuaded or coerced into doing so.
Flights to northern Ethiopia cancelled as fears mount of renewed conflict
Passengers received a text message about the cancellation of flights, citing "unforeseen circumstances".
Accessible beaches and local cheese: EU exhibition sheds light on sustainable tourism projects
The European Commission is expected to publish its EU strategy for tourism this year.
Ministers reject Waspi calls for compensation after rethink
Women hit by changes to the state pension age say the decision shows "utter contempt" for their situation.
French parliament approves bill to end concept of 'marital duty' after consent concerns
The text must now be examined by the Senate under an accelerated procedure and if approved, it could be passed into law in the next few months.
Indonesia ends elephant rides nationwide
Facilities that previously offered rides are shifting elephant tourism toward ethical, observation-based experiences.
‘No consensus for now’ within ASEAN to recognise Myanmar elections, says group’s chair
The election, which ended on Jan 25, has been widely criticised by watchdog groups as an exercise to rebrand army rule.
Berlinale Adds Xu Zao’s ‘Light Pillar’ to Perspectives Section
The Berlin Film Festival has added Xu Zao’s animated film “Han ye deng zhu” (“Light Pillar”) to its Perspectives section for first-time features. The Chinese production is set in the future, where “space travel is no longer a dream,” according to its official synopsis. “A
Africa: AUC Chairperson This Morning Received the Letters of Credence of H.E. Mrs Birgitt Ory, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany
[African Union] The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, this morning received the Letters of Credence of H.E. Mrs Birgitt Ory, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union.
Africa: AUC Chairperson Today Received H.E. Ms. Annette Weber, EU Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa
[African Union] The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, today received H.E. Ms. Annette Weber, EU Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. Their discussion focused on regional peace & security, enhanced AU-EU cooperation in mediation, peace
Chia seeds sold by Amazon, Whole Foods recalled over salmonella risk
A "superfood" sold nationwide is under recall over the risk of salmonella contamination.
Africa: Afcon 2025 Breaks New Digital Records With 6 Billion Views
[Ghanaian Times] The CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 has broken new ground with a record 6 billion digital views across social media platforms during the Competition.
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says 'remote work isn't all sunshine and lollipops' and explains why he's happy to be back in the Obsidian office after 5 years of semi-retirement
"Uncle Tim likes a bagel once a week."
White House, Senate navigate another shutdown dilemma
Morning Report is The Hill's a.m. newsletter. Subscribe here. In today's issue: ▪ White House, Senate leaders eye last-minute deal ▪ FBI carries out search warrant at election office ▪ Fears renewed around political violence ▪ Next “No Kings” protest planned Democrats and
Microsoft says Windows 11 now has one billion users, 'up 45% year-over-year', which is probably no surprise after Windows 10 was put out to pasture
It's not like we had too many other options. Yes, I know, Linux.
UK bans Coinbase ads implying crypto can ease cost of living concerns
The ASA upheld complaints that Coinbase's adverts trivialised the risks of investing in cryptocurrency.
Chechen leader Kadyrov says Russia should fight war in Ukraine to the end
MOSCOW, Jan 29 - The leader of Russia's Chechnya region, Ramzan Kadyrov, said on Thursday that he was opposed to talks on ending the war in Ukraine and that Moscow should fight on.
China relaxes visa rules for UK citizens on PM Starmer’s trip to Beijing
The move is part of a partnership deal which London hopes will help expand its service sector.
Oil prices climb as Trump warns Iran 'time is running out' for nuclear deal
Markets priced in fresh geopolitical risk as Washington escalated rhetoric against Tehran, with analysts warning supply disruptions could push prices higher.
Record snowfall triggers chaos across parts of Japan
Weather officials in Japan warn of heavy snowfall along the Sea of Japan coast, with up to 70 cm expected in some regions.
EIB spending on security and defence quadrupled to €4bn in 2025
Since 2024, the EIB has revised its lending policy several times to allow for greater financing of security and defence as EU member states looked at ways to prepare for a possible Russian attack.
Friction emerges between Trump and Venezuelan opposition over Machado’s return
The administration may prefer reliability over democracy in Caracas, worrying advocates for opposition leader María Corina Machado.
Africa: Access Bank to Drive Africa's Trade Ambitions At Cape Town Conference
[This Day] Access Bank Plc has announced plans to host the second edition of the Africa Trade Conference (ATC 2026), a high-level strategic convening designed to accelerate Africa's role in shaping the future of global trade.
Portugal builds Europe's first dedicated drone carrier, D João II
Portugal's new drone carrier, D João II, will challenge traditional aircraft carriers, offering high flexibility and lower costs. Built by Damen for €132 million, it can switch mission profiles within a week.
French Senate rejects assisted dying bill. What happens now?
Critics of the text range from right-wing politicians who oppose the idea in principle to initial supporters who considered the final text too watered down.
Africa: CAF Suspends Coach, Players, Fines Senegal, Morocco Over Misconduct in Afcon '25 Final
[Daily Trust] The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended several players and officials and imposed heavy fines on Senegal and Morocco following misconduct during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.
China relaxes visa rules for UK citizens on PM's trip to Beijing
BEIJING, Jan 29 - China agreed to relax rules to allow some visa-free travel for British citizens on Thursday during a visit by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Beijing, as part of a partnership deal which London hopes will help expand its service sector.
Australia’s under-16 social media ban: How children are already finding ways around it
Australia’s world-leading ban on social media for under-16s has removed millions of accounts, but early evidence suggests tech-savvy teenagers are already finding easy ways back in.
In southern Italy, poisoned 'Land of Fires' continues to claim lives
One year after Europe condemned Italy for failing to protect the lives of citizens in Campania's infamous "Land of Fires", the area poisoned by illegal toxic waste for decades remains an open crime scene.
Africa: Ghana Ranks 7th Strongest Financial Market in Africa
[Ghanaian Times] Ghana has been ranked as the seventh strongest financial market in Africa, recording a financial market index score of 60, according to the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index report.
Six dead as Storm Kristin wreaks havoc in Portugal with 202 km/h winds
Six people died as Storm Kristin battered Portugal with winds reaching record speeds, causing widespread destruction and leaving around 1 million people without electricity.
Hong Kong raids offices in bid-rigging probe after deadly Wang Fuk fire
The search included the residences of people suspected of rigging the tendering for housing projects.
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: World of Warcraft: Midnight
Plus, Total War: Warhammer 40,000, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, Nova Roma, Steam Machine, Hell Is Us, gaming CPUs tested, and much more, too
BRICS laying first tracks for new global payment system
As India prepares to host the BRICS summit later this year, the focus will be on a payment system linking national digital currencies. By prioritizing this infrastructure over launching a new currency, the bloc makes a pragmatic bet that practical systems will reshape global
Talks ramp up to avert US government shutdown after Minneapolis shooting
Democrats are pushing to remove funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless new measures are implemented.
Nicki Minaj calls herself Donald Trump's 'No. 1 fan', furthering fan dismay
From Barbz to MAGA princess. Rap star Nicki Minaj is making headlines following her appearance at the Trump Accounts Summit, where she proudly declared herself Donald Trump’s No.1 fan.
Africa: Decision Making Under Pressure - Africa's Test in 2026
[ISS] The greatest risk to Africa's future is not inaction, but reactive crisis responses that inadvertently lock in long-term constraints.
Driver accuses 3 Filipino actresses of beating him up over ‘sensitive photos’
The actresses’ lawyer says his story “is not only physically impossible but also incredible”.
Russia urges US-Iran talks, warns against use of force
MOSCOW, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday that there was still room for negotiation between Iran and the United States and warned that any use of force against Tehran would have dangerous consequences and cause chaos throughout the Middle East. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry
EU ministers approve new Iran sanctions in response to crackdown
BRUSSELS, Jan 29 (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers adopted new Iran sanctions on Thursday targeting individuals and entities involved in a violent crackdown on protesters and the country's support to Russia. The ministers are also expected to reach a political