China threatens ‘forceful measures’ over US arms sales package to Taiwan

China has urged the US to immediately cease arms sales to Taiwan.

Taking the other side of the anti-India bet

In 2004, The Economist predicted that India’s economic growth rate would overtake China’s in two decades. In 2010, in an article called “India’s surprising growth miracle”, they shortened that timeline dramatically, declaring that India might overtake China in terms of GDP

2.6 million vehicles expected on major Malaysian highways during Christmas peak

Smart lanes have been activated at 30 identified locations along the PLUS Expressway.

Hundreds of thousands displaced along Thailand-Cambodia border as fierce fighting continues

CNA visits displacement camps and border towns in both countries amid the ongoing conflict.

Driver held for allegedly ramming motorcyclist in Johor Bahru; videos of brawl go viral online

The case is being investigated under attempted murder, among other offences.

Sand seas add grit to China-Mongolia relations

Dust storms regularly affect northern China, including its capital Beijing. In recent years, Chinese scientists and officials have traced the source of the dust storms to its neighbor Mongolia. Much of the dust over Beijing in the spring of 2023, for example, originated from

Myanmar arrests hundreds under new election law ahead of December vote

Dec 19 - Myanmar's junta said this week it had arrested more than 200 people under a new law against undermining elections, drawing criticism from a monitoring group that the legislation is being used to block criticism of the regime and prevent scrutiny.

Border casinos caught in Thailand-Cambodia crossfire

Criminals have used casinos to carry out sophisticated cyberscams across South-east Asia.

China, US seek Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire ahead of Asean meeting

Thailand and Cambodia accuse each other of moves that led to the breakdown of a July truce.

Key witness in massive Philippine corruption scandal found dead after falling off cliff

Former undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral had been expected to link powerful politicians to the scam.

Arsonists target Bangladesh newspapers after student leader’s death

Several buildings were set on fire and vandalised, according to the authorities.

K-beauty’s next chapter centres on ‘whole self’ wellness, according to Olive Young report

Functional drinks, gummies and snack-style supplements are gaining traction.

Indonesia government plans daily living allowance, compensation for families hit by Sumatra floods

Indonesia Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf said that the government is mulling a daily living allowance scheme of 10,000 rupiah (US$0.60) for each displaced victim.

S’pore-registered car crashes into several houses in JB; driver taken to hospital

The 32-year-old Singaporean driver suffered minor injuries.

Japan reaffirms no-nukes pledge after senior official suggests acquiring weapons

The unnamed security official said Japan needed nuclear weapons amid a worsening security environment.

Tears at tribute to firefighter killed in Hong Kong blaze

The 37-year-old died in the line of duty in the November inferno that killed at least 160 people.

South Korean rail workers plan to go on strike from Dec 23

A union claimed the Ministry of Economy and Finance was trying to discard changes to a bonus system.

Schoolgirl, 14, wounded while shielding children during Bondi attack, says she is not a hero

Chaya Dadon ‍spent four days at the Sydney Children’s Hospital before returning home on Dec 18.

China Vanke default watch is Xi’s moment to let markets lead

As 2025 ends and 2026 approaches, Fitch Ratings is reminding China investors why it may be time to fasten those seatbelts. On Wednesday (December 17), Fitch downgraded troubled homebuilder China Vanke Co to “C” status from “CCC-” at a moment of maximum suspense for the last

Explainer-Taiwan's political deadlock and the potential for new elections

TAIPEI, Dec 19 - Taiwan is in a political deadlock over the government refusing to enact amendments to a local government spending law passed by the opposition-controlled parliament, saying the plan is fiscally unsound and has been done without proper consultation.

Hong Kong mourns firefighter killed in city's deadliest fire in decades

Ho Wai-ho, 37, lost his life battling the massive blaze that engulfed seven buildings of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex on Nov 26.

Japan reaffirms no-nukes pledge after official floats weapons idea

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara declined to say whether the unnamed person ‍would remain in government.

Temperatures in northern Thailand can dip to 14 deg C, heavy rain expected in the south

There are concerns about sudden floods and flash floods, with waves reaching up to 2m.

50% highway toll discount for motorists in Malaysia to celebrate Christmas

The toll discount will cost the government an estimated RM20.65 million (S$6.5 million).

240,000 victims of Coupang data leak sue South Korean company

The data breach is thought to have leaked personal information related to around 33 million Coupang users .

Made in China, Made in India – and powered by sustainable coal

The global energy debate is entering a reckoning it can no longer postpone. Not because activists have relented or governments have found consensus, but because geopolitics, productivity energy and national security have forced reality back into the room. For more than a

City in North Sumatra cancels New Year’s Eve celebrations after public backlash

The city of Medan remains under disaster emergency status following flooding in November.

Cyclone warning prompts Bali to step up flood mitigation efforts

On Sept 10, Bali was hit by its worst flooding in its history, inundating six of the island’s eight regencies.

Why is Malaysia ruling coalition party DAP making vocal demands on Anwar’s government?

Rattled by its poor showing in Sabah election, DAP has taken an aggressive reformist stance to reclaim its political identity, though some analysts ask if the party could be panicking for “the wrong reasons”.

‘I deserve it?’: Australia’s ‘Bondi hero’ handed $2.1 million collected from fundraising

Mr Ahmed, 43, left his hometown in Syria nearly 20 years ago to seek work in Australia.

Australia's 'Bondi Hero' handed $1.65 million collected from fundraising

SYDNEY, Dec 19 - A man credited with saving lives for wrestling a gun from one of the alleged attackers during a mass shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach received a cheque for more than A$2.5 million ($1.65 million) on Friday, after ‍tens ​of thousands of people contributed to

Toyota to sell made-in-America vehicles in Japan from 2026 to please Trump

Toyota is aiming to meet the diverse needs of customers while improving US-Japan trade relations.

Japan should have nuclear weapons, official reportedly says

Japan upholds a long-standing commitment to not possess, produce, or permit the entry of nuclear weapons.

Cars decorated with Christmas ornaments light up Malaysian roads

The videos received thumbs-ups from netizens, who commended the cars’ owners for bringing cheer to the roads.

Three arrested for allegedly burning wild elephant in Sri Lanka

Police said villagers used flaming torches to drive away the elephant, which later died.

Up to 18,000 could die in major Tokyo quake, mostly from fires: Government panel

There is about 70 per cent chance of a magnitude 7 quake occurring beneath Tokyo within the next 30 years.

Giant lanterns light up Christmas in Catholic Philippines

The festival acts as a platform to highlight the region’s famed lantern industry.

US launches review of advanced Nvidia AI chip sales to China, sources say

Made-in-China EUV machine targets AI chip output by 2028

China has reportedly built an extreme‑ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machine inside a high‑security laboratory in Shenzhen, in what sources described as a nationally coordinated push to overcome the most tightly held chokepoint in advanced chipmaking. The machine is described as

Bus bound for Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport catches fire

The driver and approximately 40 passengers evacuated safely.

Japanese woman convicted of hiding daughter’s body in freezer for 20 years

The 76-year-old woman was sentenced to one year in prison.

Indonesian pro-government parties open to scrapping direct regional elections

Most political parties in the House signalled their willingness to revisit the current direct regional elections.

Japan eyes bigger role in central Asia with first leaders’ summit

Japan will host top officials from five countries for a two-day gathering starting Dec 19.

Indonesia sends top minister to US to finalise trade deal

Crude palm oil, one of Indonesia’s key exports, will reportedly be a focus of the talks.

Australia’s gun control consensus frays after Bondi Beach attack

One of the assailants, Sajid Akram, who was shot dead by police, was the legal owner of six guns.

A photo of Miss Finland sparks racist accusations and furore across Asia

Sarah Dzafce lost her Miss Finland crown last week after a photo posted on social media of her pulling the skin at the corners of her eyes went viral late last month.

Australia announces gun buyback scheme in wake of Bondi attack

It is the largest scheme since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, which prompted massive gun law reform.

Sri Lanka farmers face daunting task of replanting after cyclone

PALLEPOLA, Sri Lanka, Dec 19 - Mud and sand have swamped a rice crop across Kalanchi Dewage Risman's two-acre (0.8-hectare) tract that had just been starting to show green shoots when Cyclone Ditwah ripped through Sri Lanka.