Osaka tourism endures heavy hit as China-Japan tension simmers
Chinese visitors are Japan’s biggest spenders, accounting for a fifth of the nation’s ¥8.1 trillion tourism revenue.
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Nationalist politician Sohei Kamiya aims to revitalize Japan
Japan’s new right-wing prime minister Sanae Takaichi is riding high in the polls, but Sohei Kamiya’s new nationalist party, Sanseito, which rose to prominance in the Upper House (House of Councillors) election last July, continues to advance in local elections and is making an
China releases audio to say it notified Japan of drill in radar incident
Tokyo has strongly protested the Dec 6 action by the Chinese military aircraft.
Thai leader Anutin’s hard line on Cambodia clash risks irking Trump
Cambodian former premier Hun Sen accused Anutin of using attacks on his country to gain votes in the upcoming elections.
US Golden Dome moves forward as questions mount over feasibility
This month, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported that at the Reagan National Defense Forum, US Space Force General Michael Guetlein, head of the Golden Dome program, revealed that the ambitious air and missile defense shield ordered by US President Donald Trump in January will
IN FOCUS: What’re the dynamics in Malaysia’s opposition pact PN 3 years into PM Anwar’s term?
With crucial state polls preceding Malaysia’s 16th General Election due by early 2028, Perikatan Nasional's path forward hinges on solving Bersatu’s leadership crisis and getting more non-Malay support, say party insiders and analysts.
China wants to own Industry 4.0 – but India wants it open
China has taken the lead in Industry 4.0, the next wave of technology that integrates industrial systems like factory automation, robotics, cyber-physical systems, sensors, the internet of things (IoT), 5G and logistics. India’s strategic question is not whether China will lead
Zelenskiy says he is open to elections if US ensures security
KYIV, Dec 9 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he was prepared to hold elections within three months if the U.S. and Kyiv's other allies could ensure the security of the vote.
Hong Kong grapples with mental health crisis after Tai Po inferno
Counsellors’ accounts shed light on depth of trauma facing victims and volunteers alike.
China, Quad and the rare earths mineral competition in Myanmar
As the US-China rivalry spirals, it is spilling over into new domains, particularly those involving rare earth minerals, regional supply chains, and emerging technologies. Countries with fragile political systems but high geoeconomic value are increasingly turning into theaters
EU close to deal on Russian assets, summit to go on until agreement - Costa
DUBLIN, Dec 9 - The European Union is very close to a solution to finance Ukraine in 2026 and 2027 that would have the support of at least a qualified majority of EU countries, the chairman of EU summits, Antonio Costa, said on Tuesday.
Shells of unknown origin land near military airport in Damascus, Syrian state TV says
Dec 9 - Shells of unknown origin fell in the vicinity of Syria's Mezzah military airport in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, the state-run Al Ekhbariya TV reported.
Chinese astronauts install debris protection aboard space station
BEIJING, Dec 10 - Chinese astronauts have installed protection against \"space junk\" aboard the permanently inhabited station Tiangong, according to China's manned spaceflight authorities, a month after a docked vessel was damaged for the first time.
Chinese astronauts install debris protection aboard Tiangong space station
A window was cracked in November by a tiny piece of debris travelling at high velocity.
Zelenskiy says 'refined documents' on peace plan will soon be sent to U.S
KYIV, Dec 9 - Ukraine and its European partners will soon be ready to present the U.S. with \"refined documents\" on a peace plan to end the war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday, following days of high-stakes shuttle diplomacy.
All out support for Zelensky’s hard line means sinking NATO
Two things happened on Monday, December 8, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Keir Starmer, prime minister of the United Kingdom, Emmanuel Macron, president of France and Friedrich Merz, chancellor of Germany. Zelensky made it clear (and expanded on the
Germany's Merz: Europe must become less dependent on United States
MAINZ, Germany Dec 9 - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday rejected a blistering attack on European democracies by the Trump administration, which issued a strategy paper last week declaring that the continent faced \"civilizational erasure\".
Trump to send farmers $12 billion to offset Trump tariff losses
The federal government will provide $12 billion to US farmers who have been hurt by “unfair market disruption,” President Donald Trump said at a White House roundtable event Monday. Trump said repeatedly the funding was available thanks to tariff revenues, framing his
Anguished Sri Lankans queue for care after deadly cyclone
The disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah has affected more than two million people.
Nepal charges 55 officials, Chinese firm in airport graft case, officials say
KATHMANDU, Dec 9 - An anti-graft panel in Nepal has charged 55 officials, including five former ministers and a Chinese contracting company, with corruption in the construction of a Chinese-funded airport in west Nepal, officials said on Tuesday.
UN troubled by Hong Kong clampdown after fire
The UN said several provisions under the national security law did not comply with international human rights law.
Visual spectacle and message of unity at 33rd SEA Games opening ceremony in Bangkok
Singapore is sending its largest contingent to the Games with 930 athletes set to compete in 48 sports.
Cambodia ‘ready at any time’ for talks to end Thailand conflict, PM adviser says
Thailand has ruled out dialogue, saying the military had the full backing of the government to carry out its operations.
Cambodia 'ready at any time' for talks to end Thailand conflict, PM adviser says
BANGKOK, Dec 9 - Cambodia is open to immediate bilateral talks with Thailand to bring a halt to a raging border conflict, a top adviser to its prime minister said on Tuesday, after the neighbours accused each other of violating a truce brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Troop pay, Ukraine and social issues - Congress takes up the 2026 NDAA
WASHINGTON, Dec 9 - The U.S. House of Representatives is due to vote this week on the final version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, a nearly $1 trillion bill setting policy for the Pentagon that Congress has passed for 63 straight years.
Tough-talking Thai PM Anutin brings border conflict with Cambodia to the brink
The question is to what extent the conservative, pro-military leader is engaging in performative political theatre.
What’s my age again? The tech behind Australia’s social media ban
The law will take effect on Dec 10.
Australia social media ban for children under 16 takes effect in world first
The ban is being closely watched by other countries considering similar age-based measures.
Malaysian Mandopop fans turn to Malay in resistance against China’s ‘yellow cows’
They are using the local language to express frustration against concert scalpers from China.
China’s climate balancing act: Mixed signals over coal undercut clean energy drive
With overall emissions set to remain stable, all eyes are on what Beijing does next.
Australia social media ban takes effect in world first
SYDNEY, Dec 10 - Australia at midnight (1300 GMT) on Wednesday became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16, blocking them from platforms including TikTok, Alphabet's YouTube and Meta's Instagram and Facebook.
Fire rips through seven-storey building in Jakarta, killing 22 people
JAKARTA, Dec 9 - A fire swept through a seven-storey office block in Indonesia's capital Jakarta on Tuesday, killing 22 people, police said.
Top Indian arms makers held rare meetings in Russia on potential joint ventures, sources say
NEW DELHI, Dec 9 - At least half a dozen executives from top Indian arms makers, including Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, attended rare meetings in Russia this year to discuss potential joint ventures, three people familiar with the matter said.
US National Security Strategy tells us how Trump views the world
The White House has released its national security strategy, a document put out by every US presidential administration in order to spell out its foreign policy priorities. These documents are legally required to be released by Congress and are typically written by a committee.
EU's Kallas says criticism of liberties in Europe should be aimed elsewhere, 'Russia perhaps'
BRUSSELS, Dec 9 - European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday that criticism of liberties in the bloc should be aimed elsewhere and at \"Russia perhaps\", referring to a White House strategy document critical of EU policies.
Putin does not want to restore the U.S.S.R. or attack NATO, the Kremlin says
MOSCOW, Dec 9 - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that European claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to restore the Soviet Union were wrong and that claims Putin plans to invade a NATO member were complete stupidity.
Thailand says tariffs must not be used to force peace with Cambodia
The Thai foreign minister underlined that it was up to its neighbour to de-escalate the conflict.
Pope urges 'continuation of dialogue' after meeting Ukraine's Zelenskiy
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, Dec 9 - Pope Leo stressed the need to continue with dialogue aiming at a \"just and lasting peace\" during a meeting on Tuesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Vatican said in a statement.
Renewed Thai-Cambodian clashes expose deep flaws in October peace accord, say experts
Analysts say it is difficult to ascertain who triggered the latest hostilities amid conflicting claims, swirling speculation and limited transparency from both governments.
Beyond pizza and pasta: Italy's culinary heritage awaits UNESCO nod
ROME, Dec 9 - Italian cooking, already celebrated around the world, is poised for a new accolade: formal recognition as a cultural treasure from the United Nations' cultural agency, UNESCO.
Fire breaks out in 7-storey building in Indonesia's Jakarta, 22 dead
Many workers in the building, which was used as a sales and storage office for a drone company, were out for lunch when a battery started sparking in a storage and testing area.
Nepal approves 114 parties for post-uprising polls
An election commission spokesman said the Nepal election was on track for March 5, 2026.
Office building fire in Jakarta city centre kills 22: Police
Police said a drone battery that exploded on the first floor had likely ignited the fire.
Fire breaks out in seven-storey building in Indonesia's Jakarta, 13 dead
JAKARTA, Dec 9 - A fire broke out at a seven-storey building in Indonesia's capital Jakarta on Tuesday, local broadcaster Kompas TV reported, with 13 people confirmed dead and some still trapped inside.
China hunts 100 fugitives tied to cross-border fraud; dangles US$28,000 bounty for each
A reward of 200,000 yuan (US$28,280) is being offered for information or assistance leading to the arrest of each wanted individual.
