Miss Finland's viral 'slanted-eyes' photo stirs racism firestorm
Ex- Miss Universe contestant Sarah Dzafce has drawn backlash in East Asia and in her own country.
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Taiwan says Chinese aircraft carrier sailed through Taiwan Strait
In September, the same carrier sailed through the Taiwan Strait and into the disputed South China Sea during trials.
How long can Palantir’s ‘creative monopoly’ last?
Palantir CEO Alex Karp’s description of the company’s quarterly earnings in August 2025 as “once in a generation” wasn’t far-fetched. It surpassed US$1 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time, after only turning profitable in 2022. Its surge has made it an outlier:
China’s Xi backs Hong Kong leader after deadly fire, Jimmy Lai verdict
President Xi also highlighted the “steady” growth of the city’s economy.
Former New Zealand top cop avoids jail time for child abuse, bestiality offences
Jevon McSkimming would also not have to register as a child sexual offender.
Coupang CEO fails to appear at South Korean parliamentary hearing on data breach
He declined to attend because of his overseas residence and other commitments.
India charges Pakistan-based groups in April terrorist attack in Kashmir
New Delhi’s case, laid out in a 1,597-page document, focuses on two organisations.
Vietnam’s durian export revenue grows to new highs
The fruit is the largest contributor to Vietnam’s total agricultural export value.
No Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine
The idea of offering unilateral US security guarantees to Ukraine is an appalling idea that risks war with Russia. It means the US is willing to go to war to defend Ukraine, and gives the Ukrainians a license to stir up trouble, instigate provocations and drag America into a
Quirky stationery, red ginseng: What tourists in South Korea are buying these days
The report found that tourists are now spending less per purchase but buying far more often.
Bondi Beach shooting: Aussie police officer, 4 months into the job, survives head gunshot wound
He has lost vision in one of his eyes, a report said.
Alleged Bondi Beach gunman to be charged within hours, Australia PM says
Naveed Akram emerged from a coma on Dec 17 after being shot by police.
Trump-Kim summit more likely in 2026, with Seoul still left in cold: Report
Mr Trump’s scheduled visit to China in 2026 could revive Trump-Kim talks, dormant since June 2019.
What to know about Australia’s gun laws in the wake of Bondi Beach shooting
Questions are being raised about whether the laws should be tightened after the Dec 14 shooting.
Hair loss should be under greater national health insurance coverage: South Korean President Lee
Only treatments for hair loss arising from medical conditions are currently covered.
Sydney mourners remember slain rabbi at Bondi Beach funeral
Rabbi Eli Schlanger recently became a father for the fifth time.
Sydney mourners remember slain Rabbi at Bondi Beach funeral
SYDNEY, Dec 17 - Hundreds of mourners have gathered in a Bondi synagogue for the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger on Wednesday, a few blocks away from the beach where he was gunned down at a Hanukkah festival three days ago.
Jewish Australians on why Bondi is a 'sanctuary' for them
The BBC spoke to Jewish people at Bondi Beach about why the suburb is significant to their community.
Australia holds first funeral for Bondi Beach attack victims
Large crowds are expected at the funeral of rabbi Eli Schlanger.
Commentary: How Asia’s Gen Z is losing out to China’s US$1 trillion surplus
China’s new economic model may be stabilising growth at home but it’s exporting uncertainty across Asia’s labour markets, says Karishma Vaswani for Bloomberg Opinion.
Life in limbo: Meet the Myanmar refugees living in Thai camps
Refugees can now work outside camps but still face food, healthcare shortages.
China lowers EU pork tariffs in final ruling after 18-month probe
The European Commission responded in a statement, calling Beijing's use of trade defence instruments "abusive".
Family of Bondi hero in Syria says his home country is proud of him
NAYRAB, Syria, Dec 16 - As Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years unfolded, a Sydney shopowner was captured on camera charging at one of the gunmen and disarming him. Halfway around the world in Syria, a group of men watching the footage recognised a familiar face.
Travelling to China? Here’s how to use the digital renminbi to pay
Singapore customers of ICBC and BOC can top up their e-CNY wallets from their Singapore bank accounts.
Explainer: Bondi attack suspects travelled to Philippine region known for Islamist militancy
The southern Philippines is a region long plagued by Islamist militancy.
Explainer-Bondi Beach suspects travelled to Philippine region known for Islamist militancy
MANILA, Dec 16 - The father and son duo accused of carrying out Sunday's Bondi Beach attack had travelled to the southern Philippines, a region long plagued by Islamist militancy, before the attack that Australian police say appeared to be inspired by Islamic State.
Trump’s hatred demonstrates Europe’s importance
When the American president, vice-president and sundry acolytes spend their time badmouthing and attacking Europe, the key question is not whether they are right or wrong, nor even how European leaders should respond. The key question is why these self-described America
Russia calls German broadcaster Deutsche Welle an 'undesirable organisation'
Dec 16 - Russia has labelled Deutsche Welle an \"undesirable organisation\", in what the German international broadcaster called an effort to suppress independent reporting.
PM Anwar reshuffles Cabinet in possible last rejig before GE16, after rout in Sabah state polls
Analysts view the reshuffle as a strategic move to appeal to PH’s voter base and Sabahans.
UK launches review of foreign financial interference in politics
LONDON, Dec 16 - The British government on Tuesday ordered a probe into foreign financial interference in politics.
Hong Kong leader raises Jimmy Lai conviction in meeting with China's Xi
HONG KONG, Dec 16 - Hong Kong's leader said on Tuesday he raised the conviction of pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai in a meeting with China's leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, one day after the media mogul was found guilty of collusion with foreign forces.
Hong Kong leader raised Jimmy Lai conviction in meeting with China leader
HONG KONG, Dec 16 - Hong Kong's leader said on Tuesday he raised the conviction of pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai in a meeting with China's leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, one day after the media mogul was found guilty of collusion with foreign forces in a landmark
Leonardo denies liability for helicopter crash that killed Leicester City owner
LONDON, Dec 16 - Italy's Leonardo has denied liability for the 2018 helicopter crash which killed Thai businessman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, saying in its defence to a lawsuit that its AW169 model is safe.
Myanmar junta says Suu Kyi ‘in good health’ after son raises alarm
Her son had said that he had not heard from his mother in years.
Myanmar junta says Suu Kyi 'in good health' after son raises alarm
Dec 16 - Myanmar’s junta said on Tuesday that detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi is “in good health,” a day after her son told Reuters he has received little information about the 80-year-old’s condition and fears she could die without him knowing.
Afghan hunger crisis deepens as aid funding falls short, UN says
KABUL, Dec 16 - The U.N. World Food Programme is unable for the first time in decades to provide effective aid to millions of Afghans suffering from malnutrition, with deaths especially among children likely to rise this winter, the WFP said on Tuesday.
Bondi gunman’s Indian family had no knowledge of his radicalisation: Indian police
Sajid Akram had limited contact with family in Hyderabad since he migration to Australia in 1998.
Chinese court sentences 27 people for smuggling antimony ingots
BEIJING, Dec 16 - A Chinese court imposed jail sentences and fines on Tuesday on 27 people for shipping antimony ingots out of the country without export licences, in a ruling that highlights how China is tightening enforcement of its controls on strategic minerals.
Myanmar’s ‘fragmentation’ is a myth—and China’s greatest asset
A narrative has taken hold in foreign capitals that Myanmar is on the verge of collapsing into a failed state. The military junta and its supporters warn that the fall of the regime would unleash a chaotic “Balkanization” of warring ethnic groups. International actors, fearing
Sumatra floods: Aceh residents raise white flags in desperation as hunger, shortages bite
Survivors want the central government to declare a national disaster to increase the scale of aid.
Dashcam video shows couple trying to stop gunman before being killed in Bondi attack
Boris Gurman, 69, "charged straight towards the danger" and grabbed one of the attacker's guns, a witness said.
Man bailed for protest over deadly Hong Kong fire at richest horse race
Video showed the man being tackled to the ground by staff in the middle of the home straight.
US Magnificent Seven will look less so in 2026
The S&P 500’s Magnificent Seven, namely Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla, may look far less magnificent by 2026 as intensifying competition in the AI race erodes the dominance they have enjoyed for much of the past decade. For investors, this shift
EU members bordering Russia push for enhanced security at Helsinki meeting
HELSINKI, Dec 16 - European Union nations that border Russia or are located near the Russian border will flesh out proposals to boost their defence and security, Finland's prime minister said ahead of a summit in Helsinki on Tuesday.