Taiwan rattled by 5.1-magnitude earthquake; no immediate reports of damage
The quake briefly shook buildings in the capital, Taipei.
Headlines
- All
- Africa
- Asia
- Business
- Culture
- Environment
- Europe
- Gaming
- Markets
- Middle East
- Movies & TV
- Music
- Politics
- Science
- South America
- Tech
- World News
Taiwan rattled by 5.1 magnitude quake, no immediate reports of damage
TAIPEI, Dec 18 - A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck 18 km (11 miles) off eastern Taiwan's Hualien city on Thursday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.
S. Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s remarks open up debate about coverage – in more ways than one
Mr Lee had suggested expanding public health insurance coverage for hair loss treatment.
Thailand says Cambodia border fight is also a war on scammers
Thailand said some of the targets its military has hit were scam compounds used by Cambodian troops.
India signs trade pact with Oman as it expands Middle East ties
DUBAI/NEW DELHI, Dec 18 - India signed an economic partnership agreement with Oman on Thursday to boost bilateral trade and investment as it seeks to expand Middle East ties and diversify trade to beat steep U.S. tariffs.
Prabowo’s proposal to scrap direct election of regional leaders sparks debate, concerns
President Prabowo Subianto has suggested scrapping the direct election of governors, mayors and regents in Indonesia, citing high costs. Critics say it will not address corruption and bribery risks.
Russia is preparing for contacts with the United States on Ukraine, the Kremlin says
MOSCOW, Dec 18 - The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russia was preparing for contacts with the United States to get details about U.S. talks with European powers and Ukraine on a possible peace settlement to end the Ukraine conflict.
Australia police arrest 7 men in Sydney after tip on possible ‘violent act’
They were arrested in Sydney’s south-west on Dec 18.
EU targets 41 additional vessels in Russia's shadow fleet
BRUSSELS, Dec 18 - The European Union on Thursday imposed sanctions on 41 more ships in Russia's shadow fleet, taking the total of designated vessels to almost 600.
Japan eyes adding Japanese proficiency to permanent residency requirements
The revised law also allows for permanent residency to be revoked if the holder intentionally neglects public obligations.
In pictures: Toxic haze covers Delhi as air quality worsens
Exposure to this level of pollution can cause serious health problems, experts say.
Hainan now has a new customs regime. What does it signal for China’s trade openness?
Hainan is now a distinct customs zone from the rest of mainland China. The tropical island province is being positioned as a testbed for policy and trade openness amid mounting external headwinds, say analysts.
Russia says it hopes Trump does not make a 'fatal mistake' on Venezuela
MOSCOW, Dec 18 - Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it hoped that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration would not make a fatal mistake over Venezuela and said Moscow was concerned about U.S. decisions that threatened international shipping.
Australian PM announces crackdown on hate speech after Bondi shooting
Measures include fresh penalties for 'those who spread hate' as well as new powers to cancel or refuse visas.
The EU’s great frozen Russian asset holdup
You do not invade Russia in winter. Napoleon learned that from the comfort of the Louvre’s heated salons, long before anyone could swipe the empress’s jewels from beneath the museum’s nose. Anyone convinced that the great European jackpot of 2025 is the glitter stolen from a
Floods in Malaysia force thousands across six states to evacuate
The authorities have opened 75 temporary shelters to aid affected families.
At Tokyo zoo, visitors fear a spat with China will cost Japan its pandas
The last day to view pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo is Jan 25.
Beauty and wellness giant Mannings closes all stores in mainland China
Also known as Guardian in Southeast Asia, Mannings’ physical stores in mainland China will cease operations after Jan 15, 2026.
Thailand bombed Cambodian casino town on border, says Phnom Penh
Poipet is a major land crossing between the two nations that are engaged in renewed border clashes.
Manila teacher probed by education department for forcing student to eat cockroach
The student had reportedly caught the teacher molesting a girl in a restroom.
Thai queen wins SEA Games gold in sailing
Queen Suthida, the wife of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, competed in the mixed keelboat SSL47 category.
Riau’s humpback dolphin that became viral video star found dead in river
The dolphin carcass was discovered washed ashore in Kepenuhan Hulu village.
Collapse at construction site near Seoul’s Yeouido station leaves 7 workers trapped
Police and firefighters were continuing rescue operations for the remaining workers.
Trump’s Gaza peace plan is ambition without strategy
President Trump’s twenty-point Gaza peace plan deserves credit for what it has achieved: halting active hostilities after two devastating years of war and securing the return of hostages. These are not trivial accomplishments. But as Washington prepares to move the agreement
Pivotal week in court for Najib as two rulings could decide ex-Malaysian premier’s political fate
Victory in two upcoming court cases could pave the way for him to make a political comeback.
Study urges South Korea to curb rising multiple births, citing health risks
The report attributed South Korea’s sharper increase largely to delayed childbirth.
Prosecutors demand life sentence for shooter of former Japan PM Abe
The man believed shooting Mr Abe would direct “attention and criticism” at the Unification Church, said prosecutors.
Alleged Bondi shooters holed up in hotel for most of Philippines visit
The men, who entered the country on Nov 1, wanted to try durians, but their search was unsuccessful.
EU must reform or risk irrelevance, Blair and Dimon say
LONDON, Dec 18 - The European Union must reform or risk becoming irrelevant as the rivalry between China and the U.S. sparks a new era without precedent, posing challenges on security, energy, technology and trade, a report led by Tony Blair and Jamie Dimon says.
US announces $11bn weapons sale to Taiwan
The deal, one of the largest ever, includes rocket launchers, self-propelled howitzers and various missiles.
FDI is the missing piece of Japan’s puzzle
My book, “Weeb Economy” came out in March, but only in Japanese. Half of the book was a series of translated posts from my blog, so those are already in English. The other half was a new part that I wrote in English and had translated into Japanese by my excellent translator,
China voices support Venezuela amid US blockade, but makes no aid pledges
BEIJING, Dec 17 - China opposed what it said was \"unilateral bullying\" after Washington ordered a blockade of tankers entering and leaving oil-rich Venezuela, but did not say exactly how it would come to the South American country's aid or offer any refuge for its embattled
Dark Eagle: US hypersonic no silver bullet against China
The US’s vaunted Dark Eagle hypersonic missile promises lightning-fast, non-nuclear strikes deep into enemy territory. However, its real test in the Indo-Pacific may hinge not just on speed and survivability, but on whether US defenses, kill chains and missile production rates
After Sabah drubbing, debate reignites over little-known exam that could break PM Anwar’s coalition
PM Anwar is under pressure to fulfil an election pledge to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate.
Indonesian prosecutors indict four activists for inciting August unrest
They were arrested in early September following demonstrations that began on Aug 25 in Jakarta.
Birthrates are falling, but don’t blame dogs in strollers, Taiwan study suggests
These animals have become replacements for human children, contributing to plummeting birthrates.
Too thin to buy? Why ultraslim phones from Samsung, Apple aren’t selling in South Korea
Many customers are concerned about what functions they have to give up for a slimmer, more expensive phone.
Hotels and stores in Japan suffer amid cancellations by Chinese tourists
Many Japanese tourism businesses are concerned that the situation could drag on to early 2026.
Escalator in Bangladesh university goes rogue, abruptly surges forward in viral video
A viral video shows an escalator at BRAC University in Dhaka suddenly speeding up, sparking safety concerns.
Japan govt sued over ‘unconstitutional’ climate inaction
The lawsuit criticises Japan’s latest emissions target as incompatible with the Paris Agreement’s goal.
Influencer Iris Hsieh’s death: Namewee ill, so drug case postponed
The courts have fixed Dec 22 and Jan 19 for mention of his case.
Rupee’s slip testing Modi’s grip on India’s economy
In early December 2025, the Indian rupee fell past the important 90 mark against the US dollar for the first time. It dropped to intraday lows above 90.38 before closing near that level on December 17, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) suggests. Although official reports say
Japan releases first sakura forecast for 2026; Tokyo to see blooms from mid-March
The blooms are expected to start flowering on March 19 in Tokyo, with full bloom a week later.
The elusive dream of rock-bottom US interest rates
Sometime in the next few months, President Donald Trump will appoint a successor to Jerome Powell, whose term as Federal Reserve Board chair expires next May. It’s tempting to think that a Trump-appointed chair will give farmers, ranchers and other business borrowers sharply