Meghan Markle’s dad in ICU after emergency amputation surgery in the Philippines

Thomas Markle and his daughter Meghan have been estranged since 2018.

Vietnam's trade surplus with US hits record as exports surge despite tariffs

Exports to the US rose year-on-year by 22.5 per cent in November, outpacing shipments to the rest of the world.

Australia hits Afghan Taliban officials with sanctions, travel bans

SYDNEY, Dec 6 - Australia on Saturday imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four officials in Afghanistan's Taliban government over what it said was a deteriorating human rights situation in the country, especially for women and girls.

Hong Kong fire: Echoes of loss below burnt towers

Many of the estate's 4,600 residents, reeling from shock and loss, wandered for days near the disaster site.

Chechen leader Kadyrov vows response after Ukrainian drone hits Grozny, no casualties

MOSCOW, Dec 5 - Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said on Friday that a Ukrainian drone had struck and damaged a high-rise building in Grozny, capital of Russia's southern Chechnya region, and vowed to retaliate within a week.

US, Ukraine officials had productive meeting, further talks set, White House says

WASHINGTON, Dec 5 - U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff held productive talks with Ukraine's senior negotiator Rustem Umerov in Miami, Florida on Thursday, a White House official said, with the officials slated to meet again later Friday.

AMD’s MI308 chips may face H20‑like headwinds in China

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has secured approval to ship its MI308 accelerators to China, with Chief Executive Lisa Su confirming the company is ready to proceed under Washington’s new licensing regime and pay the required 15% fee. The move positions AMD’s MI308 to re-enter a

Pakistan, Afghanistan exchange heavy fire along border, officials say

Dec 5 - Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their border late on Friday, officials from both countries said, amid heightened tensions following failed peace talks earlier this week.

Free and Open Indo-Pacific 4.0 under Prime Minister Takaichi?

This article, originally published by Pacific Forum, is republished with permission. When Sanae Takaichi was confirmed as the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), it was – as is typically the pattern in Japanese politics – virtually certain that she would succeed

India’s warm welcome for Putin sends a cold message to Washington

India’s red-carpet reception for Vladimir Putin this week has sent ripples through Washington. The optics were impossible to ignore: As the Russian president openly threatened Europe – warning that Moscow was “ready” should the continent provoke conflict – New Delhi celebrated

Trump strategy document revives Monroe Doctrine, slams Europe

WASHINGTON, Dec 5 - The United States will reassert itself in the Western Hemisphere, build military strength in the Indo-Pacific, and possibly reassess its relationship with Europe, President Donald Trump said on Friday in a sweeping strategy document that seeks to reframe the

Woman wanted by Interpol over trafficking of tiger parts arrested in India

Yangchen Lachungpa is accused of building trafficking corridors leading out of the country.

Trump unveils strategy to prevent China conflict over Taiwan

The details appear in a 29-page National Security Strategy document.

Modi, Putin push economic links to revitalise India-Russia ties in closely watched visit

Economic pacts were made during the visit, the Russian leader's first to India since the start of the Ukraine war.

India’s wedding parties a major casualty of IndiGo’s flight chaos

One couple was forced to attend their own wedding reception virtually.

Sri Lanka issues fresh landslide warnings as death toll hits 607

The number of people affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has risen to over 2 million.

Plan for new Jakarta-Bandung fast train raises questions over high-speed rail service Whoosh

An expert said that too many transportation modes on the same corridor may “fragment demand”.

Sri Lanka issues fresh landslide warnings as death toll surpasses 600

Rainfall in the country's worst-affected central hills has surpassed 150mm in the last 24 hours.

Screaming students give French president rockstar greeting in China

Indonesian military steps up relief for flood-hit Sumatra; death toll above 860

ACEH TAMIANG, Indonesia, Dec 5 - Indonesia's military stepped up its relief efforts in three provinces on Sumatra island devastated by deadly floods and landslides, with many residents still stranded without access to government aid.

Sabah faces political uncertainty after death of divisive leader Bung Moktar

Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Bung Moktar Radin kept his state seat of Lamag just days before his death.

Putin says Russia ready to supply 'uninterrupted' fuel to India

Deals have been signed in civil nuclear energy and critical minerals during the Russian PM's stay in India.

What Putin and Modi got out of Delhi meeting

BBC editors explain what lies behind the high-optics visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Delhi.

Is Trump’s foreign policy really ‘America First’?

When Donald Trump promised to put “America First” in his 2016 campaign, and again in 2024, it resonated with Americans tired of costly military interventions and asymmetric alliances. The slogan suggested a foreign policy rooted in realism—one that would prioritize concrete

Armenian archbishop arrested on drug-related charges amid crackdown on clerics

TBILISI, Dec 5 - A senior figure in the Armenian Church was placed in pre-trial detention for two months on Friday on charges of planting drugs on protesters seven years ago, his lawyer said, amid a widening church-state rift that has seen several clerics arrested this year.

India withdraws pilot rest policy after IndiGo chaos

IndiGo has apologised for “the immense inconvenience and distress” caused to travellers.

Iran holds drills in Gulf, firing ballistic, cruise missiles at simulated targets

Dec 5 - Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy fired ballistic and cruise missiles at simulated targets in the Gulf on Friday during a two-day military exercise aimed at countering foreign threats, state media reported.

Record 230 people attacked by bears in Japan from April to November

There were 66 victims in Akita prefecture.

Passengers, cabbies welcome change to drop-off rules for cross-border taxis

It was announced on Friday (Dec 5) that Singapore and Malaysia will allow door-to-door cross-border taxi trips under new rules.

Taiwan says China deploys warships in 'military operations'

AirAsia to offer hijab option to female flight attendants from 2026

The move is meant to promote inclusivity and ensure crew members feel confident when working.

Sri Lanka faces long road to recovery as floodwaters recede; WFP warns of ‘catastrophic’ devastation

The United Nations food agency says the disaster could trigger rising hunger unless livelihoods are restored.

Xi’s big chance to take the yuan fully global in 2026

TOKYO — As 2025 closes and 2026 approaches, one of the biggest global economic and financial questions is the future trajectory of the Chinese yuan. More to the point, what might President Xi Jinping be willing to do to increase the currency’s global popularity? In the

Complete smoking ban across Hong Kong’s construction sites under discussion after deadly fire

Residents of Wang Fuk Court have repeatedly seen workers smoke at the site during the renovation.

China's three major airlines extend refunds and Japan flight changes to March 2026: Report

The existing policy was set to expire at the end of 2025.

Bangkok committed to Cambodia peace deal, but Phnom Penh must ‘take responsibility’ for new landmines: Thai foreign minister

Speaking to CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut, Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Thailand remains committed to the peace agreement but must also address public anger over the landmine incidents.

Putin says Russia ready to continue 'uninterrupted' fuel shipments to India

US in decline; Trump’s ‘Donroe Doctrine’ is worrying Asia

Our guest expert explains the Americas-focused doctrine, inspired by the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine’s hemispheric stance.

More ‘shadow fleet’ vessels carrying sanctioned cargo spotted in waters off Singapore, raising safety concerns

These ships move restricted cargo such as oil in defiance of global rules, often using stolen identities to evade sanctions and scrutiny.

Indonesian military steps up relief efforts for flood-hit Sumatra; death toll above 860

JAKARTA, Dec 5 - Indonesia's military stepped up its relief efforts in three provinces on Sumatra island that have been devastated by deadly floods and landslides, and the country's vice president apologised for shortcomings in the response to last week's disaster.

France's Macron: unity between Europe and U.S on Ukraine is "essential"

PARIS, Dec 5 - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that unity between Europe and the United States was key in the support of Ukraine, adding there is \"no mistrust\".

India weighs greater phone-location surveillance; Apple, Google and Samsung protest

The firms have protested against the move over privacy concerns.

Sabah’s locally grown avocados gain attention as potential major export

Avocados from the Borneo island stand out for their size and texture, and are prized for their creamy and buttery flavour.

Amid grief, Tai Po FC return to league action after deadly Hong Kong fire

Players from both sides wore black armbands, and the stadium observed a minute of silence in honour of those affected by the fire.

‘Superbugs’ surge to record levels in South Korea, with infections near 45,000

The health authorities say the surge shows how the fight against infectious disease has fundamentally shifted.

India travel chaos worsens as IndiGo cancels hundreds of flights

IndiGo, India's largest carrier, has said operations will return to full normalcy only by 10 February.