Major construction-linked accidents in Thailand

BANGKOK, Jan 14 - Dozens of people were killed on Wednesday after a crane collapsed onto a moving train in northeastern Thailand, in the latest in a series of construction accidents in recent years.

Kazakhstan urges US and Europe to help secure oil transport after tanker attacks in Black Sea

MOSCOW, Jan 14 - Kazakhstan on Wednesday urged the U.S. and Europe to help secure the transport of oil following drone attacks on tankers heading to a Black Sea terminal on the Russian coast which handles one percent of global supply.

Iran protest sparks, China vs India and Russia’s real economy

It’s a new year, so I’ve decided to change how I name these roundup posts. I’m retiring the name “At least five interesting things”, which is cumbersome and felt a little repetitive. Instead I’ll just call it “roundup.” I’m keeping the numbers for now, so people who want to

Where are the main US military bases in the Middle East?

Jan 14 - Following are the significant military bases in the Middle East. Iran has threatened to strike U.S. bases in the region if attacked by Washington, after U.S. President Donald Trump told Iranians to keep protesting and declared \"help is on the way\".

Russia's Lavrov says the U.S. is smashing the world around with its raid on Venezuela and threats to Iran

MOSCOW, Jan 14 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that the United States was fragmenting the very international system which Washington helped to create by undertaking what he said was an illegal operation to topple Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and

CNA Explains: The impeachment bid against Taiwan’s Lai – and why it’s unlikely to succeed

The proceedings stem from a political standoff over amendments to a local government spending law passed by Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature last November.

Explainer: Why Japan's Takaichi is gambling on an early election

TOKYO, Jan 14 - Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament's lower house next week, triggering a national election to decide all 465 seats in her first major election test since taking office in October.

Malaysia’s state utility signs deal to transmit energy from Laos to S’pore

This revives a cross-border project that stalled in 2024.

At least 31 killed after crane falls on train in Thailand

SIKHIO DISTRICT, Thailand, Jan 14 - A train derailed in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday after a construction crane fell on two of its carriages, killing at least 31 people and injuring 64, the Health Ministry said.

Economic confrontation replaces armed conflict as top risk in WEF survey

LONDON, Jan 14 - Economic confrontation between nations and its consequences topped the World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual risks perception survey released on Wednesday, replacing armed conflict as the number one concern of 1,300-plus experts surveyed worldwide.

China probes largest online travel agency Trip.com over suspected monopoly

Trip.com is suspected of abusing its dominant market position, said China's State Administration for Market Regulation without elaborating on the allegations.

Mixed views in South Korea over death sentence request for Yoon

Some experts say a death sentence would be symbolically rich.

Japan PM Takaichi readies snap election and sources say she’s considering Feb 8 ballot

She will be looking to ride a surge in public support since coming to office, despite triggering a diplomatic row with China.

Indonesia asked to buy US-made drones for surveillance in waters near South China Sea

The demand, among others, is a condition for lowering reciprocal tariffs, ST has learnt.

Malaysia police rule out foul play in fatal KL university air-con explosion

One person was killed in the incident, while nine others, including four students, were injured.

Indonesian ride-hailing industry set for shake-up under draft presidential decree, sources say

The decree under consideration would slash caps on commissions - the amount ride-hailing companies take from drivers for each trip - to 10 per cent from the current 20 per cent.

At least 32 killed after crane collapses on train in Thailand

Sixty-four people were left injured, including a one-year-old and an 85-year-old.

China’s J-20 upgrades to anchor networked air war over Taiwan

China’s decision to upgrade the J-20 with advanced radar, engines and AI signals a shift from platform competition to system-level air warfare as it prepares for a Taiwan contingency. This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China plans to upgrade its J-20

A Chinese path to peace on the Korean Peninsula

South Korea and China have designated each other as their first summit counterparts of 2026. Media outlets in both countries have interpreted the meeting as a foregone conclusion that the decade-long chill in bilateral relations is nearing its end. Amid escalating tensions

South Korea vows legal action over drone incursion into North

Seoul has denied any involvement in the recent incursion but has left open the possibility that civilians may have flown the drone, a position reiterated by its national security adviser.

Cambodia to keep up crackdown on scam centres after arrest of alleged mastermind

Alleged scam centre kingpin Chen Zhi's arrest and extradition to China reflect the "firm commitment of Cambodia to combat the crime," said Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn.

Japan regulator to pause review of Chubu Electric nuclear plant, seeks report

It set a March 31 deadline for the utility to provide findings on the cause of misconduct.

AI changing the face, surging the profits of crypto scams

In 2025, cryptocurrency scams received at least US$14 billion on-chain, a significant increase from the $9.9 billion we first reported in 2024, which reached $12 billion at our recalculation as of this writing – a number that was broadly in line with our projected $12.4 billion

Jamming to the same beat: Japan, S. Korea leaders signal unity amid shared challenges

The two countries’ shared economic and security concerns necessitate both leaders putting national interests first.

Radioactive zinc shipment stranded for months now in ‘safe’ location in Philippines

Indonesian authorities “re-exported” the 23 containers after discovering traces of radioactive Caesium-137.

Man arrested over son’s death in washing machine in Japan

Police believe the boy was in the washing machine for around 20 minutes.

K-pop drum duet between Japan and South Korea's leaders caps off summit talks

Leaders of the two East Asian nations played drums to hits from BTS and KPop Demon Hunters.

Dubai chocolate-inspired dessert takes S Korea by storm

Shops are selling hundreds of cookies within minutes as the frenzy sends prices of ingredients surging.

Cambodia to keep up crackdown on scam centres after arrest of alleged mastermind Chen Zhi

Chen heads the Prince Group conglomerate, which is based out of Cambodia.

Several passengers injured after Etihad plane hits turbulence over Phuket

Phuket International Airport has not released specific details about the injuries.

Etihad plane hits turbulence while landing in Phuket, no passengers injured

None of the 160 passengers on board were injured.

Hong Kong’s plunging births risk worsening demographic pressure

The slump in the number of newborns ends a two-year growth trend.

Selangor says no permits issued for LGBTQ-linked retreat even as organiser cancels event ‘on safety grounds’

The two-day “Glamping with Pride” retreat organised by advocacy group Jejaka was scheduled to take place from Jan 17 to 18 in Hulu Langat.

Cambodia says Thai troops still occupy civilian areas, testing December truce

Beijing won its war for blue skies but villagers are paying the price

Across Hebei province, villagers are confronting the full cost of China's push for cleaner air.

Japan PM Takaichi set to call February snap election: Media

The most likely election date is Feb 8.

'Are you dead?' Chinese app for single living goes viral

HONG KONG, Jan 14 - An app called \"Are you dead\" targeted at people living alone has gone viral in China, with surging downloads and widespread commentary on social media, prompting the company to introduce a subscription fee and change its name for a global audience.

Japan PM Takaichi to dissolve parliament for snap election

Philippine landfill collapse: Cebu City placed under state of calamity as death toll climbs to 13

The declaration allows a disaster management fund to be used for ongoing rescue operations.

Japan and South Korea leaders got jamming to K-pop beats, social media buzzes with jokes and praises

Drawing a parallel with bilateral ties, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on X that South Korea and Japan had learned to respect each other's differences and adjust to one another's rhythm, deepening cooperation over time.

Bangkok wakes up to toxic air choking central business districts

Toxic smog has become Bangkok’s annual public-health emergency during colder months.

Thailand crane collapses onto train, killing 32

The crane, which was working on a high-speed rail project, had collapsed and hit the passenger train, causing it to derail and briefly catch fire.

At least 12 killed after crane falls on train in Thailand's northeast

BANGKOK, Jan 14 - A train traveling from Thailand's capital to the country's northeast was derailed on Wednesday after a construction crane fell on top of one of its carriages, killing at least 12 people and injuring at least 30, police said.

New Zealand central bank governor faces backlash for Fed solidarity

WELLINGTON, Jan 14 - New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters on Wednesday publicly rebuked the country's new central bank governor for signing a statement alongside other global central bank chiefs in support of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

At least 31 killed after crane falls on train in Thailand’s north-east

The crane was working on a China-backed high-speed rail project when it collapsed

At least 22 killed after crane falls on train in Thailand’s north-east

The fire has been extinguished and rescue work is now under way.

Jakarta sinks deeper as subsidence worsens flood risks

A recent assessment estimates that Jakarta’s land is sinking at an average rate of 3.5cm per year.