North Korean POWs in Ukraine seeking ‘new life’ in South

North Korea sent troops to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to intelligence agencies.

China probe finds Taiwanese smugglers controlled vessel that damaged subsea cables

BEIJING, Dec 24 - Chinese authorities on Wednesday said two Taiwanese citizens led a smuggling operation involving a Chinese-crewed vessel that damaged subsea cables earlier this year.

Jhené Aiko, Ludacris, Nelly and Ashanti Lead 2026 Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival

The fest returns to the Hard Rock Stadium on March 7-8 in Florida

Libya's military chief killed in plane crash in Turkey

Libyan authorities said the plane experienced a technical malfunction before the crash. Four other officials and three crew members were also on board, there were no survivors.

Why markets aren’t buying BOJ’s rate hike spin

TOKYO – As 2026 approaches, the Bank of Japan finds itself in the unenviable position of a central bank that cried wolf. Last week, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda’s board made good on its talk of higher interest rates, raising them to a 30-year high of 0.75%. Yet currency traders

Man in South Korea investigated after fiddling with airplane emergency door

During questioning, the man reportedly said he had only touched the cover playfully.

From sambal to swank: Why a Malaysian food influencer’s upmarket move struck a nerve

Observers say the issue isn't about fine dining as much as the loss of an everyman icon.

Should we smoke salmon using traditional techniques, or should we simply add the flavor?

If you think something is off with added smoke flavoring in salmon, you're not alone. Many consumers are skeptical of salmon that hasn't been smoked in the traditional way.

Bangladesh political heavyweight Tarique Rahman to end exile

Tarique Rahman is set to return to Dhaka on Thursday (Dec 25) after 17 years in exile and ahead of key elections.

Malaysia’s AGC rebuts claims by Najib’s lawyer that High Court ruling on house arrest dilutes royal power

The Attorney General’s Chambers also cautioned against attempts to incite or disrupt public order through misleading interpretations of the court's judgment.

Trump’s new point person on Greenland says administration not 'trying to conquer anybody’

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R), who is also now President Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, said Tuesday that the Trump administration does not aim “to conquer anybody.” “Look, the United States has always been a welcoming party. We don't go in there trying to conquer anybody

Asian markets mostly up after US growth fuels Wall Street record

Bart Story, Entertainment Research Executive at SAG-AFTRA and MarketCast, Dies at 63

Bart Story, a veteran entertainment research executive who worked in the home video distribution industry before leading research and development at SAG-AFTRA and MarketCast, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles from complications related to metastatic urothelial carcinoma, according

China strongly warned Japan not to send official to Taiwan in 1994, archives show

The records underscore how the Taiwan issue has long been a potential source of friction in Sino-Japanese ties.

From predator to plate: Japan bear crisis sparks culinary craze

The 13 people killed in bear encounters this year doubles the previous record.

Taylor Swift donates $1M to hunger relief ahead of Christmas

Pop star Taylor Swift, known for hits such as “Anti-Hero” and “Style,” donated $1 million to hunger relief ahead of the Christmas holiday. In a Tuesday post on the social platform X from the nonprofit Feeding America, CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot said that the organization was

Pluribus creator Vince Gilligan knows how the show ends

Polygon caught up with Gilligan and his writers to discuss the fan response so far and whether it will have any influence on where Pluribus is headed.

This Big Space Sandwich Broke a Record

A particularly massive and chaotic baby planetary system captured in exquisite detail The post This Big Space Sandwich Broke a Record appeared first on Nautilus .

Pink Floyd’s Mesmerizing ‘Wish You Were Here’ Video Arrives 50 Years After Song’s Release

The video threads together black-and-white footage of the band, otherworldly animation, and microscopic close-ups of a fertilized egg

US holds call with Palau on transfer of third-country nationals

WASHINGTON, Dec 23 - The U.S. on Tuesday said Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau spoke to Palau President Surangel Whipps about transferring third-country nationals to the Pacific Island nation, even after its lawmakers rejected a previous request from Washington on

Australia cancels British man’s visa after charges of displaying Nazi symbol

The man also advocated for violence against the Jewish community on social media platform X.

Australia cancels British man's visa after charges of displaying Nazi symbol

SYDNEY, Dec 24 - Australia cancelled the visa of a British national after he was charged with displaying a banned Nazi symbol, the immigration minister said on Wednesday, as the country cracks down on antisemitism in the wake of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach.

Instacart ends AI pricing test that charged shoppers different prices for the same items

Instacart will stop using artificial intelligence to experiment with product pricing after a report showed that customers on the platform were paying different prices for the same items.

Vietnam’s population to peak around 2059 as ageing accelerates

Ongoing urbanisation is projected to slow as the urban population approaches the 50 per cent mark.

Malaysia set to revive Melaka-Riau bridge project with feasibility study in 2026

The plan had been proposed several times since 1996.

Is democracy always about truth? Why we may need to loosen our views to heal our divisions

We find ourselves in the midst of a crisis of truth. Trust in public institutions of knowledge (schools, legacy media, universities and experts) is at an all-time low, and blatant liars are drawing political support around the world. It seems we collectively have ceased to care

Cheap childcare? South Korea’s Filipina caregiver programme found it wasn’t

South Korea had planned to expand the foreign caregiver programme, but it failed to gain traction.

It's been 25 years since America decided to save the Everglades: Where do we stand?

The 20th century was horrible for the Everglades. The broad shallow river, one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet, was labeled wasteland and ruthlessly dammed, carved into parcels, dried out and diverted into near oblivion.

Rivalries and rumours: How the new order of the Murdoch dynasty is playing out

Family feuds and strategic change are redefining who holds power inside the Murdoch empire.

Police step up security ahead of Christmas and New Year in Indonesia

The police have also deployed more than 11,000 personnel to disaster-affected areas.

Republican wins South Carolina state House special election

Republican John Lastinger has won the special election for a South Carolina state House seat vacated by ex-state Rep. RJ May (R), who pleaded guilty this year to distributing child sexual abuse material, according to Decision Desk HQ. Lastinger, a pastor, defeated Democrat and

Brazil's Supreme Court allows Bolsonaro to leave prison for surgery

Former president is granted permission to leave jail for a hernia operation on Christmas Day.

Man finds snake in Malaysia toilet

A 15kg snake was also captured a day earlier.

Saturn’s Rings Are Thicker Than We Thought

New research points to a wide band of particles, invisible to telescopes The post Saturn’s Rings Are Thicker Than We Thought appeared first on Nautilus .

US denies visas to ex-EU commissioner and others over social media rules

Thierry Breton, the former top tech regulator at the European Commission, says a "witch hunt" is taking place.

Trump trips, a fake video and 10 possible co-conspirators - Takeaways from new Epstein files

The largest release of Epstein-related documents yet from the justice department included some notable messages and several mentions of Trump.

Australia to deport British man charged with displaying Nazi symbols

The immigration minister said the man is an unwelcome "guest" in Australia.

Africa: Bushfires and African Grasslands!

[The Point] Catastrophic fires in the Amazon rainforest made global headlines, but since then NASA has noted that right now there are actually many more fires in parts of Africa than in Brazil.

Joint pain supplement recalled nationwide over lead concerns

The FDA already sent a letter to Handelnine warning the company's products were "unapproved."

Africa: New African Magazine Names Merck Foundation CEO Among 100 Most Influential Africans

[Ghanaian Times] The UK based New African Magazine has named the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Rasha Kelej, among the 100 Most Influential Africans for 2025.

Have the American Pope and the American administration fallen out?

Why the Catholic Church and Donald Trump’s government are at odds over immigration policy.

An alleged drug cartel and a murdered witness: South Africa's police corruption probe

Allegations of graft and political interference in the police have been aired at public hearings.

Africa: Foster Scores Winner As South Africa Beat Angola At Afcon

[Nile Post] Lyle Foster was the hero as South Africa narrowly edged out Angola 2-1 in an absorbing encounter in Marrakesh as both sides opened their Group B campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Africa: Daka Injures Neck Celebrating Zambia Equaliser Against Mali

[Nile Post] Patson Daka landed on his neck trying to do a backflip celebration after scoring in stoppage time to secure a point for Zambia against Mali