Pope Leo calls for end to antisemitism worldwide

VATICAN CITY, Jan 28 - Pope Leo called on Wednesday for an end to antisemitism worldwide, marking the annual commemoration of the Holocaust with a prayer for a world without prejudice or racism.

Budget slashed for Indonesia’s rescue agency despite disaster surge

Ministries, agencies ordered to cut budgets to make room for areas prioritised by the president.

Budget slashed for Indonesia's rescue agency despite disaster surge

JAKARTA, Jan 28 - Indonesia's main rescue agency had its funding cut by a parliamentary panel on Wednesday as part of a plan to divert government expenditure to other programmes, despite concerns over the number of disasters the agency has to deal with.

Reading the tea leaves on Xi’s latest military purge

Last weekend, China’s Ministry of National Defense announced that the country’s two most senior generals – Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli – would be removed from office and placed under investigation for serious disciplinary violations. Zhang had been the People’s Liberation

Trump says 'we'll work something out with South Korea' after tariff threat

WASHINGTON/SEOUL, Jan 28 - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the United States and South Korea would work out a solution, in response to a query about his surprise threat a day earlier to step up tariffs to 25% on imports from the Asian ally.

Hong Kong scientists launch AI model to better predict extreme weather

The system may predict thunderstorms and heavy downpours up to four hours ahead.

Chinese-language crime networks now drive 20% of crypto laundering

The illicit on-chain money laundering ecosystem has grown dramatically in recent years, increasing from US$10 billion in 2020 to over $82 billion in 2025. [1] This substantial topline growth reflects the growing accessibility and liquidity of cryptocurrencies, as well as a

Shoppers clash over furniture at Ikea amid China store closures

Ikea will close seven stores in China from Feb 2 as it moves from broad expansion to more focused growth and online sales.

Debased dollar and soaring gold hand China a rare opening

TOKYO — As if US Treasury Security Scott Bessent didn’t have enough stuff with which to deal, gold is literally exploding higher on his watch. In any discussion of the global “debasement trade” gaining momentum in real time, the dollar is written between the lines in bold font.

Malaysians lampoon minister over stress-gay link: ‘They never work hard in parliament?’

Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan has come under fire for claiming in parliament that work stress turns people gay.

Malaysia football officials quit over foreign-born players scandal

Fifa had accused Malaysia's football association of doctoring citizenship documents.

Turkey urges US to resolve Iran disputes one by one, says Iran ready for nuclear talks

ANKARA, Jan 28 - Turkey's foreign minister on Wednesday urged the U.S. to resolve its disputes with Iran \"one by one\" instead of through a sweeping deal, saying this would avoid humiliating Iranian officials, and added that Tehran was ready for talks on its nuclear programme.

Thailand uses contraceptive vaccine to control wild elephant population

Wildlife authorities and a veterinary team administered the shots to three female elephants.

Australia committed to retaking ownership of Darwin port, Albanese says

SYDNEY, Jan 28 - Australia was committed to returning a key northern port leased for 99 years to a Chinese company to Australian ownership, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday after Beijing's envoy to Canberra warned of trade reprisals.

Britain's Starmer heads to China as Western alliances face strain

Davos highlights execution behind India’s electronics Second Wave

At Davos this year, India projected confidence. Semiconductors, manufacturing expansion, supply-chain resilience and artificial intelligence featured prominently in conversations and policy statements. The message was clear: India intends to be a serious player in the next

Japan-born pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei arrive in China as bilateral ties freeze

Japan-born Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei have "made a positive contribution to promoting friendship between the peoples of the two countries", said China's panda research base.

India confirms two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, but situation contained

Fruit bats have been identified as the most likely cause of subsequent outbreaks.

Record-breaking Australia heatwave fuels bush fires, cuts power to thousands

A record-breaking heatwave baked Australia's south-east for a fifth straight day.

A year into Trump presidency, 'pivot to China' gathers pace

BEIJING/HONG KONG, Jan 28 - When U.S. President Donald Trump took office a year ago with an \"America First\" agenda, many saw trouble for China's sluggish economy, but Beijing has thawed frosty relationships with other trade partners to post a record trade surplus.

South Korea court sentences former first lady to jail term for bribery

SEOUL, Jan 28 - A South Korean court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee on Wednesday to one year and eight months in jail after finding her guilty of accepting Chanel bags and a diamond pendant from Unification Church officials in return for political favours.

One in three parental leave users in South Korea is now a dad

Use of reduced working hour programmes rose as well, with 39,407 employees benefiting from shorter hours.

Record-breaking Australia heatwave fuels bushfires, cuts power to thousands

SYDNEY, Jan 28 - A record-breaking heatwave baked Australia's southeast for a fifth straight day on Wednesday, fanning bushfires and straining the power grid, leaving thousands of properties without electricity.

Democrats now half-right, half-blind on Israel and Gaza

The recent Rhodes-Shapiro clash has hit the Democratic inbox like a delayed grenade. In a December 1 New York Times piece, Ben Rhodes, a former deputy national security adviser, criticized the party for moral cowardice for hugging Benjamin Netanyahu so close after October 7

Ex-PM Muhyiddin says Malaysia’s opposition pact PN to abolish chairman post, introduce new ‘councils’

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will head the presidential council while coalition partner Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) is set to lead the bloc’s executive council.

What’s on the agenda at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Cebu?

On their plate are unresolved challenges including the Myanmar crisis, alongside new uncertainties reshaping the global order.

6.0-magnitude earthquake strikes Mindanao, Philippines, GFZ says

The quake was at a depth of 10 km, said the German Research Centre for Geosciences.

EU, Vietnam to agree to boost work on minerals, chips and ‘trusted’ 5G, says draft document

The document includes indirect criticism of the strategies of the US, China and Russia.

Britain’s Starmer arrives in China as Western alliances face strain

The British PM will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Jan 29.

EU, Vietnam to agree to boost work on minerals, chips, "trusted" 5G, draft document says

HANOI, Jan 28 - The European Union and Vietnam want to boost trade and investment in critical minerals, semiconductors and infrastructure, according to a draft joint statement seen by Reuters that is set to be adopted on Thursday as the two sides upgrade diplomatic relations.

Johor conducting water bombing on Jan 28 for partially-controlled Pengerang peatland fire

Over half of about 100 hectares affected has been brought under control.

Johor conducting water bombing for partially controlled Pengerang peatland fire

Over half of about 100 hectares affected has been brought under control.

EU-India pact shows free trade still has a future

The EU–India trade deal, formally known as the EU–India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement, stands out as one of the longest, most intricate and politically revealing trade negotiations in the European Union’s contemporary history. Its roots lie in the early 2000s, when

Japan court again convicts man for helping daughter in beheading murder case

The victim was found naked and headless in a hotel in Sapporo on July 2, 2023.

Taiwan shows off F-16 jets rapid response amid tensions with China

CHIAYI, Taiwan, Jan 28 - Taiwan's air force showcased its ability to rapidly replenish and get back in the air its most advanced F-16 fighter jets in a readiness drill on Wednesday, designed to demonstrate combat-oriented training.

South Korea's ex-first lady jailed for 20 months for bribery

Kim Keon Hee was also ordered to return a Graff diamond necklace and pay back 12.85m won in cash.

Australia, Timor urge progress on Greater Sunrise gas field

SYDNEY, Jan 28 - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his East Timor counterpart, Xanana Gusmao, on Wednesday said the Greater Sunrise gas project should be developed \"as soon as possible\", with Australia pledging a third of its state revenue to its small neighbour.

Air charter crash in India's Maharashtra kills key state leader

Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of India's ⁠wealthiest state of Maharashtra, was en route to his home region ⁠to canvass in local body elections, media said.

Australian PM says man who allegedly tried to bomb rally deserves 'full force of law'

A 31-year-old man has been detained after hurling an item at an "Invasion Day" rally crowd in Perth.

South Korea court sentences ex-first lady Kim to jail term for bribery

The court cleared Kim on charges of stock price manipulation and violating the political funds act.

Top Malaysian football officials quit over foreign-born players scandal

The Football Association of Malaysia was fined US$400,000 by FIFA for submitting false documents claiming that seven foreign-born players had Malaysian ancestry.

Scam center scourge not just a Cambodia problem

Cambodia is frequently portrayed internationally as a hub for online scams. This perception oversimplifies a complex reality: Cambodia is also a vulnerable target of transnational networks that exploit regulatory gaps, digital platforms and cross-border financial systems.

South Korea court sentences ex-first lady Kim to jail for bribery

The court cleared Kim Keon Hee on charges of ‍stock price manipulation and ⁠violating the political funds act.

Backlash as Australia kills dingoes after backpacker death

Wildlife experts said killing the animals was the wrong response and may threaten the island’s dingo population.

Japan court orders state to pay compensation to A-bomb victims’ kin abroad

Under Japan’s law, atomic bomb survivors are eligible for reimbursement of medical expenses and other fees.

Thai parties tap nationalist mood as Cambodia clashes roil rural voters

KANTHARALAK, Thailand, Jan 28 - Thai lawmaker Phumin Leethiraprasert has switched party allegiances in his re-election campaign for a February 8 poll, aiming to show voters he can make tough decisions to help border communities scarred by clashes with neighbouring Cambodia.