Elderly woman dies after choking on mochi in Tokyo

She was among seven cases of elderly people being taken to hospital in the first three days of 2026.

Venezuela acting president seeks US govt collaboration

Jan 5 - Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez invited the U.S. government to collaborate on an agenda of cooperation, in a statement on social media that struck a conciliatory tone following the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

Culture Digest: The best things to do, hear, see or watch in Europe this week

Love and loss in Chloé Zhao's Shakespeare drama 'Hamnet'; the return of taut thriller 'The Night Agent', and the Royal Scottish Academy kicks off a vibrant year-long programme for its 200th anniversary. Here's what to put in your diary this week.

A legendary fossil is forcing scientists to rethink human origins

One of the most complete human ancestor fossils ever found may belong to an entirely new species, according to an international research team. The famous “Little Foot” skeleton from South Africa has long been debated, but new analysis suggests it doesn’t truly match any known

Netflix withdraws Chinese drama in Vietnam over nine-dash line map

Vietnam said scenes showing the nine-dash line map misrepresents and violates national sovereignty.

Philippines arrests ex-general who called for president’s ouster

Mr Romeo Poquiz had publicly called for the armed forces to withdraw their support from Mr Marcos.

'I can't walk anymore': Afghans freeze to death on route to Iran

Habibullah set off from his home in western Afghanistan determined to find work in Iran, only for the 15-year-old to freeze to death while walking across the mountainous frontier. "He was forced to go, to bring food for the family," his mother, Mah Jan, told AFP at her mud home

Millions of Christmas trees will end up in landfill this year. Here's what to do with them instead

Christmas trees can take years to break down when thrown into landfill, but there are some more eco-friendly ways of ending the festivity.

Libya’s youth are filling the void Europe helped create

For Europe, Libya has long been treated less as a neighbouring society than as a recurring emergency. When migration flows spike, energy routes wobble, or armed groups clash, European capitals scramble to contain the fallout. What Europe has consistently failed to do, however,

Africa: A Team, a Dream, a Nation Rewarded - Mozambique Step Into History

[CAF] Until Sunday, December 28, 2025, Mozambique had never tasted victory at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations. Sixteen matches, spread across decades, had passed without a single celebratory dance.

Africa: African Football Is Rising As Egypt Chase an Eighth Afcon Crown

[CAF] Egypt international Emam Ashour has hailed the rising technical standards of African football, noting that the presence of professional players and experienced coaches across the continent has elevated the competitiveness of the game.

A missing flash of light revealed a molecular secret

Scientists have found a way to see ultrafast molecular interactions inside liquids using an extreme laser technique once thought impossible for fluids. When they mixed nearly identical chemicals, one combination behaved strangely—producing less light and erasing a single

Taiwan sees Trump’s arrest of Maduro as helpful in deterring Xi

Some say the strike signals a tougher US stance towards countries with close ties to China and Russia.

EU 'in full solidarity' with victims of Swiss fire tragedy

Ursula von der Leyen (pictured), president of the European Commission, says the EU “stands in full solidarity with Switzerland” following the tragic fire at Crans Montana which has claimed at least 40 lives, many of them young people. She also pledged that the Union will help

Critics Choice to Oscars: Does ‘One Battle After Another’ Need Acting or Tech Wins? Is Jacob Elordi the New Frontrunner?

The 31st Critics Choice Awards winners both reflected where much of the industry sees the Oscar race — and, in key ways, upended it. With the Golden Globes arriving next Sunday night and Oscar nomination voting opening the next day on Monday morning, the CCA ceremony served as

China Box Office: ‘Zootopia 2’ Reclaims No. 1 in First Weekend of 2026 as ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Moves to Second Place

Disney’s “Zootopia 2” returned to the top of the China box office over the Jan. 2–4 frame, grossing RMB121.5 million ($17.1 million) to lift its cumulative total to RMB4.25 billion ($598 million), according to Artisan Gateway. James Cameron’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” slipped to

Gender pension gap across Europe: How much less do women receive?

The gender pension gap in Europe is wider than the gender pay gap, exceeding 30% in several countries.

New funding launched for low income households

People living in the district can apply for up to £225 of funding in addition to government grants.

Ahn Sung-ki, Veteran Korean Actor of ‘Silmido’ and ‘Radio Star,’ Dies at 74

Ahn Sung-ki, one of South Korean cinema’s most enduring and respected screen actors, whose six-decade career spanned more than 130 films and included landmark hits such as “Silmido” and “Radio Star,” has died. He was 74. His death was confirmed by his agency, Artist Company,

Latest news bulletin | January 5th, 2026 – Morning

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this January 5th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

Migrant arrivals in the United Kingdom rose in 2025 while numbers in the EU stabilised

For the UK, last year saw the highest number of migrant arrivals across the English Channel since 2022. In contrast, irregular entries into the EU stabilised in the first 11 months of the year.

Which country in Europe waits the longest to have children?

On average, women in the European Union have their first children shortly before their 30th birthdays, data shows.

Earth has been feeding the moon for billions of years

Tiny bits of Earth’s atmosphere have been drifting to the moon for billions of years, guided by Earth’s magnetic field. Rather than blocking particles, the magnetic field can funnel them along invisible lines that sometimes stretch all the way to the moon. This explains

Philippines arrests ex-general who called for president's ouster

Two-term limit for Malaysia PM among 2026 reform pledges by Anwar

Other Bills to be tabled in parliament this year include the separation of powers of the attorney-general and public prosecutor, the creation of an ombudsman office and the introduction of a freedom of information law.

Trump says Ukraine did not target Vladimir Putin's residence in Novgorod as the Kremlin claims

Trump says that following a US probe into Kremlin allegations, officials found that Ukraine did not launch an attack targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the northwestern Novgorod region.

‘Not about condoms’: Chinese shrug off contraceptive tax

Consumers must now pay a 13 per cent value-added tax for contraception including condoms.

‘Heated Rivalry’ Star François Arnaud Reacts to Miley Cyrus Wanting to Do Song for Season 2, Wonders If She’ll ‘Give Us a Discount’

“Heated Rivalry” star François Arnaud is reacting to Miley Cyrus saying she is “so in” to contributing music to the hit HBO Max/Crave show’s second season. Cyrus exclusively told me Saturday night at the Palm Springs International Film Festival gala that, despite not having

Physicists found hidden order in violent proton collisions

Inside high-energy proton collisions, quarks and gluons briefly form a dense, boiling state before cooling into ordinary particles. Researchers expected this transition to change how disordered the system is, but LHC data tell a different story. A newly improved collision model

China seeks to enhance ties with Ireland to boost relations with EU

Mr Xi positioned stronger bilateral ties as a way to also boost relations with the European Union.

China seeks enhanced ties with Ireland, as leaders meet in Beijing

BEIJING, Jan 5 - China is ready to strengthen strategic communication with Ireland and expand practical cooperation, while aiming to achieve mutually beneficial results, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on Monday.

Rubio says US will not govern Venezuela but will press for policy change through oil blockade

The US’ top diplomat Marco Rubio suggested that Washington will seek to influence policy change in Venezuela through oil blockades, but not involved in the day-to-day running of the country following a Saturday operation which overthrew and captured President Maduro.

Universal Music Takes 30% Stake in India’s Excel Entertainment With $267 Million Deal

Universal Music Group’s Indian division has secured a significant minority stake in one of Bollywood’s leading production houses, gaining global soundtrack rights in the process, it was confirmed on Monday. Universal Music India has entered into a definitive agreement to

10-year, two-term limit for Malaysia PMs: Anwar announces reforms to win back votes ahead of next GE

He said leaders should implement reforms during their term and not overstay their welcome.

Asian Film Awards Scales Back 2026 Ceremony in Wake of Hong Kong Fire Tragedy

This year’s edition of the pan-regional awards will forgo competitive prizes and a red carpet as Hong Kong continues to grapple with the aftermath of the city’s most deadly blaze in decades.

Japanese sushi chain buys tuna for record $4.18 million at New Year auction

The 243kg bluefin tuna was caught off the coast of Oma in the north-eastern prefecture of Aomori.

Chinese cyberattacks on Taiwan infrastructure averaged 2.6 million a day in 2025, report says

TAIPEI, Jan 5 - Chinese cyberattacks on Taiwan's key infrastructure from hospitals to banks rose 6% in 2025 from the previous year to an average of 2.63 million attacks a day, the island's National Security Bureau said, adding some were synchronised with military drills in

Chinese cyber attacks on Taiwan infrastructure averaged 2.6 million a day in 2025: Report

The average number of daily attacks in 2025 jumped 113 per cent from 2023.

Pope Leo calls for Venezuelan independence after Maduro ouster

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday underscored the importance of safeguarding Venezuelan sovereignty after U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro and took control of the country’s governance. Speaking in St. Peter’s Square during his Sunday prayer, the first American pope weighed in

Building connections: India seeks to redraw energy map with green power grid plans

India aims to be at the centre of a cross-continent web of green power connections.

Gold price rises after US captures Venezuela's Maduro

Investors shift money moved into "safe-haven" assets as concerns rose about geopolitical risks.

Timothée Chalamet Thanks Kylie Jenner, Says He’s “Nervous” in Critics Choice Win

The ‘Marty Supreme’ star took his time onstage, saying, "I don't know if I'll be up here again."

Man who allegedly filled S’pore-registered car with RON95 at Johor petrol station identified

The owner of the vehicle was found in Singapore following the viral incident.

‘Ne Zha 2,’ ‘Zootopia 2’ Help Boost China’s Box Office 20 Percent to $7.4 Billion in 2025

China's theatrical market was more top-heavy than ever last year, as a handful of huge blockbusters — 'Ne Zha 2' with $2.1 billion and 'Zootopia 2' at $558.3 million — dominated, while mid-tier features faced further decline.

Trump administration to brief members of Congress on Venezuela actions Monday

Trump administration officials will brief a select group of lawmakers on Monday on the operation in Venezuela to capture and arrest President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The briefing on “Operation Absolute Resolve” will involve several administration officials, including

Bluefin tuna sells for record US$3.2 million at year-opening auction at Tokyo fish market

The pricey fish, caught off the coast of Oma in northern Japan, costs 2.1 million yen (US$13,360) per kilogram.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Kicks Off 2026 Awards Season With Two Critics Choice Wins

The Netflix animated movie won best song and animated film in its first award showing of 2026.

Timothée Chalamet Thanks Kylie Jenner After Winning Best Actor at Critics Choice Awards: ‘I Love You. I Couldn’t Do This Without You’

Timothée Chalamet took time to honor his longtime girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, when he took home the Critics Choice Award on Sunday night for his role as aspiring ping-pong champion Marty Mauser in “Marty Supreme.” “Thank you to my partner for three years. I love you. I couldn’t

China may take time to lift unofficial ban on South Korean culture: Official

South Korean presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said this in an interview on Jan 5.

China may take time to lift unofficial ban on Korean culture, South Korean official says

SEOUL, Jan 5 - Beijing is unlikely to lift its unofficial ban on Korean culture anytime soon, South Korean Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik said in a radio interview on Monday.