Addiction or companionship? Chinese AI chatbots come under government scrutiny

Their popularity with users has raised concerns about unhealthy emotional over-dependency.

Pre-dawn fire at Phuket's Chalong Bay pier destroys 22 speedboats, tour operators left scrambling

No injuries were reported and the cause of the explosion and fire is under investigation.

Direct Bangladesh-Pakistan flights to resume after 14 years

China calls for joint counter-terrorism efforts with Pakistan

BEIJING, Jan 7 - China is willing to intensify cooperation with Pakistan in fighting terrorism and telecom crime, Wang Xiaohong, China's public security minister, said in a meeting with Pakistan's interior and counter-narcotics minister in Beijing on Wednesday.

China says it will release more details about extradition case from Cambodia

BEIJING, Jan 8 - China said on Thursday it will release more information related to the extradition of an individual named Chen Zhi from Cambodia, without confirming the person's whereabouts or if he is the same person sanctioned by the U.S. and Britain, accused of operating

How rare earths raise the stakes in China-Japan spat

In 2024, around 70 per cent of Japan's rare earth imports came from China.

Is South Korea ready for an era of ageing drivers?

As South Korea’s population ages, the number of elderly drivers has increased rapidly.

Lebanese army says it achieved state monopoly on arms in the south in 'effective and tangible way'

BEIRUT, Jan 8 - The Lebanese army said on Thursday that it had achieved the goal of a state monopoly on arms in the country’s south in an \"effective and tangible way\", but said there was more work to be done to clear unexploded ordnance and tunnels in the area.

Lebanese army says it has achieved goal of state monopoly on arms in the south in 'effective and tangible way'

BEIRUT, Jan 8 - The Lebanese army said on Thursday that it had achieved the goal of a state monopoly on arms in the country’s south in an \"effective and tangible way\", but said there was more work to be done to clear unexploded ordnance and tunnels in the area.

Australia PM announces royal commission into Bondi shooting

Anthony Albanese had previously resisted such an inquiry despite pressure from the Jewish community.

Australia to deport British man over alleged neo-Nazi links

Ryan Turner's visa was cancelled over claims he is part of the National Socialist Network

Former Malaysian army chief remanded for a week after arrest by anti-graft agency

Former army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his two wives were detained on Jan 7.

On a Chinese island, a sunny sanctuary for Russian tourists

Elsewhere, Russians have learned to keep their voices down because of the war in Ukraine.

Pacific Islands environment programme says US must follow formal exit process

Washington said it would withdraw from dozens of international and UN entities.

Australia to hold royal commission inquiry into Bondi Beach shooting

The mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on Dec 14 killed 15 people.

Cambodia to liquidate bank founded by accused scam boss Chen Zhi

Chen Zhi has been indicted by the United States over a multibillion-dollar fraud and is accused of directing alleged cyberscams run by hundreds of trafficked workers in Cambodia.

Japan protests against China’s gas drilling vessel in East China Sea

This comes amid worsening ties between the two countries over comments made by PM Takaichi in November.

US willingness to act unilaterally, including military actions in Venezuela, has major geopolitical implications: SM Lee

While the US intervention in Venezuela may be a “spectacular military success”, the longer term consequences are something “to worry about”, SM Lee Hsien Loong said at a forum on Thursday.

The last Russia-US nuclear treaty is about to expire. What happens next?

LONDON, Jan 8 - Even at the height of their Cold War nuclear rivalry, the United States and the Soviet Union thrashed out a series of treaties to keep the arms race from spiralling out of control.

Bank founded by accused scam boss Chen Zhi ordered to be liquidated: Cambodia central bank

Prince Bank is suspended from accepting deposits and providing credit among other services.

Malaysians to get newly designed passports

Malaysia’s passport is currently ranked the third most trusted in the world in terms of visa-free travel convenience.

Hong Kong shivers as winter monsoon drives temperatures down to 5.9°C

The cold snap is expected to persist through Friday morning with temperatures holding at 12°C in urban areas.

Saudi-led coalition says Yemen separatist leader arrives in Abu Dhabi

Jan 8 - The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the head of a group of southern separatists, arrived in the United Arab Emirates on an aircraft from the Somali capital of Mogadishu, after he journeyed to Somaliland by boat.

Taxi driver in South Korea found to have taken cold medication before fatal crash

A forensics test found an antihistamine used to treat colds – a common side effect is drowsiness and dizziness.

Heatwave hits Australia as officials warn of 'catastrophic' fire risk

The fire danger level for northern Victoria will be set at the highest level.

South Korean man stabbed to death in India in fight with girlfriend

Police said the couple had a history of frequent arguments.

Thai FDA seeks to tighten controls on GLP-1 ‘slimming pens’, proposing special controlled-drug status

The move will limit sales to pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription amid misuse online.

Saudi-led coalition says Yemen separatist leader boarded vessel to Somaliland

Jan 8 - The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said the head of Yemen's southern separatists, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, left for Somaliland by boat and then boarded an aircraft to Somalia's Mogadishu.

22 villages in Aceh vanish after Cyclone Senyar, dozens remain isolated

At least 3.1 million people are affected, with 1,178 confirmed deaths as at Jan 6.

Dome of Philippines’ Mayon volcano collapses, releases lava

Entry into the 6-kilometre Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited.

Malaysia Airlines flight from Paris turns back after guidance system issue

The plane halted its climb at an altitude of 4,572m.

China refutes comparison between Taiwan and Venezuela

Beijing says the Taiwan question is an internal matter for the Chinese people.

Indonesian President Prabowo forms Sumatra disaster recovery task force

Devastating floods and landslides in November 2025 had killed at least 1,178 people.

Malaysia detains former army chief in military contract bribery probe

Chinese villagers shiver in winter as gas subsidies phased out

Gas meters are barely moving in most homes, even as temperatures fall below minus 10 deg C.

Top contenders for PM emerge as Thailand heads to polls in February

Thailand could usher in the fourth prime minister in three year in Feb 8 election.

Bushfires rage in Australia’s southeast, authorities warn of 'catastrophic' Friday conditions

SYDNEY, Jan 8 - Uncontrolled fires burned through bushland in Australia's Victorian state on Thursday, forcing communities to evacuate and authorities to warn of a \"catastrophic\" fire danger rating for Friday.

Bush fires rage in Australia’s south-east, authorities warn of ‘catastrophic’ conditions on Jan 9

Temperatures are forecast to exceed 40 deg C in parts of the state.

Indian activist investigated over anti-fossil fuels campaign

He was arrested for an unrelated offence: an amount of liquor found in his home.

South Korean leader turns to penguins in bid to meet Kim Jong Un

South Korea’s First Lady pitches K-Beauty in Shanghai amid cultural thaw

Ms Kim tried lip butter, hair essence and lip-and-cheek tints, and chatted with on-site staff.

Japan to conduct deep-sea rare earth mining test in Pacific

Aiming to break free of reliance on China, other countries are also scrambling to build new supply chains.

China’s Xi is testing Japan’s ties with Trump by escalating trade battle

The latest moves show President Xi's pressure campaign against Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi is just getting started.

A new Bollywood film spotlights a forgotten India-China battle

The film 120 Bahadur tells the story of Indian soldiers who fought to defend the Rezang La pass in Ladakh.

It’s time to revive plans for an Asian Monetary Fund

In 2025, with the United States’ tariff policy targeting trade deficits with many of its Asian trading partners, headlines focused on how trade flows would be diverted out of Asia. Yet, we should pay more attention to how investors’ jitters could also destabilize Asia’s

Seoul and Tokyo need to counter Pyongyang’s growing drone threat

With Russia’s war against Ukraine approaching its fourth anniversary, many lessons can be drawn by South Korea and Japan but arguably the most pertinent one for defense modernization is the pressing need to equip and train their militaries to deal with the impending drone

Commentary: Venezuela’s key customer China no longer needs it

From asphalt to gasoline, diesel and kerosene, China’s appetite for oil is sated, says David Fickling for Bloomberg Opinion.

Central Asia, vanadium and the US National Security Strategy

Dated November 2025 and released publicly in early December, the US National Security Strategy links overseas trade and investment – but overlooks Central Asia as a target region for critical minerals. This oversight merits reconsideration in the NSS’s next iteration, given the