YouTube says kids will be ‘less safe’ under Australia’s social media ban

YouTube was originally slated to escape the ban so children could watch educational videos.

The photo that became a symbol for Hong Kong’s deadly fire

A week after the tragedy, Mr Wong's wife is still unaccounted for and is among the 30 people listed missing.

The photo that became a symbol for Hong Kong's deadly fire

HONG KONG, Dec 3 - It was a clear autumn afternoon with blue skies and a cool breeze as Wong set off to pick up his granddaughter from school.

Family voices new alarm for Hong Kong’s jailed Jimmy Lai

He faces at least 15 years in prison on charges of foreign collusion.

Cyclone catastrophe in Sri Lanka awakens volunteer spirit

Fishing boats deliver relief supplies to flooded suburbs as community kitchens churn out food aid.

Putin and Witkoff discuss peace options for Ukraine past Moscow's midnight

MOSCOW, Dec 3 - Russian President Vladimir Putin spent around five hours negotiating with Donald Trump's most trusted envoys until well after midnight in Moscow about the possible outlines of a peace settlement to end the war in Ukraine.

India, Pakistan trade barbs over aid to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka

They had both extended an airspace ban on each other’s airlines earlier in 2025.

Is Canon’s factory closure tied to strains in China-Japan ties?

The sudden closure of Canon’s long‑standing printer plant in Zhongshan, Guangdong, has cast a fresh spotlight on the fragile diplomatic relations between China and Japan. The facility, which had operated for nearly a quarter‑century and employed about 1,600 workers, announced

South Korea court dismisses request to detain former finance minister in martial law probe, Yonhap says

SEOUL, Dec 3 - A South Korean court rejected a request to detain former deputy prime minister and finance minister Choo Kyung-ho, Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday, as prosecutors sought his arrest as part of an investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's briefly

South Korea court dismisses request to detain former finance minister in martial law probe

A court said it was difficult to conclude he would destroy evidence or attempt to flee.

Commentary: Hong Kong must demand accountability to rebound after deadly fire

As Hong Kong takes stock of the deep-rooted issues exposed by the flames, it was unavoidable that the deadly Tai Po blaze became politicised, says former SCMP editor-in-chief Wang Xiangwei.

PRC-linked Spamouflage works to spread antisemitic disinformation

This article, originally published by Pacific Forum, is republished with permission. Fears among the Jewish community in the United States are on the rise, and for good reason. In early October a non-profit security organization warned that extremist groups are stepping up the

Takaichi faces scrutiny over media spending and company donations

Recently released political fund reports have put Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi under scrutiny over publicity spending and company donations in the past year. The Mainichi Shimbun reported on 28 November that Takaichi spent more than 80

No role in renovations, says Danish facility management group amid scrutiny over Hong Kong fire

ISS said its unit had been the property manager for the building complex where at least 156 people died.

Danish facilities group ISS falls on link to towers in deadly Hong Kong fire

COPENHAGEN, Dec 2 - Danish facility management group ISS said on Tuesday its unit had been the property manager for a Hong Kong building complex hit by the city's deadliest fire in decades, but had no role in renovations blamed for the blaze.

The gentle power of Bangladesh’s Khaleda Zia

In Bangladesh, there are few figures whose presence can stir the public conscience the way Khaleda Zia’s can. The scene that has unfolded for several days outside the hospital in Dhaka where the former prime minister lies in critical condition tells you of the fervor for this

Putin threatens to 'cut Ukraine off from the sea' after attacks on tankers

MOSCOW, Dec 2 - Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened on Tuesday to sever Ukraine's access to the sea in response to drone attacks on tankers of Russia's \"shadow fleet\" in the Black Sea.

Indonesia to investigate alleged illegal gold mining near Komodo Island

Gold mining could pose a threat to the endangered Komodo dragon, the world's largest living lizard.

India investigates Air India after plane flown repeatedly without safety certificate

Owner of oil tanker damaged near Senegal says it is ceasing all Russian operations

LONDON, Dec 2 - Besiktas Shipping, the Turkish owner of an oil tanker that was damaged near Senegal's coast last week after being hit by four external explosions, said on Tuesday that it was ceasing all shipping operations involving Russian interests.

Indonesia, Dutch sign deal to repatriate two convicts, one on death row

In the past year, Indonesia has repatriated several foreigners on death row or sentenced to life.

Push and pull for S-E Asia as China counters Malaysia’s US trade deal with own pact

China proposes liberalising two-way investments with Malaysia and increased access to "strategic sectors".

Imran Khan healthy but cut off in jail, sister says as family seeks access

LAHORE, Pakistan, Dec 2 - Imran Khan, Pakistan's jailed former prime minister, is in good physical health but facing isolation and psychological strain, his sister said on Tuesday, after a rare supervised visit following weeks in which his family said access had been blocked.

Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan healthy but cut off in jail, sister says as family seeks access

The meeting took place under strict supervision and without mobile devices.

Tajikistan is in talks with Russia about helping guard its Afghan border, security sources say

ALMATY, Dec 2 - Tajikistan is in talks with Russia and a Moscow-led regional security grouping about the possibility of Russia deploying troops to jointly patrol the volatile border with Afghanistan, three Tajik security sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

Thai authorities pledge full restoration of water, electricity systems in Hat Yai by Dec 3

Cleaning operations for the city are expected to be completed in 14 days.

Explainer-What might a Ukraine peace deal look like?

MOSCOW/KYIV, Dec 2 - U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow for talks on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a possible agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

Japan aims to raise usage of AI to 80% to catch up with global peers

Japan plans to introduce AI to different fields, including healthcare and finance.

Doha delusion: World bet and lost on Taliban moderation

The Doha Agreement was born of a comforting illusion. It promised that the Taliban—once granted legitimacy and a path to power—would abandon the absolutism that defined their past and move toward political inclusion, counterterrorism cooperation and respect for basic human

Israel to receive possible hostage remains from Gaza for forensic tests

JERUSALEM, Dec 2 - Israel said on Tuesday it was preparing to receive more possible hostage remains from Gaza via the Red Cross and would send them for forensic tests.

Death toll from Indonesia floods and landslides passes 700

Environmental experts have said deforestation on Sumatra has led to a disproportionately deadly toll.

Germany’s foreign minister to visit China next week, as EU prepares to toughen up on trade

BEIJING, Dec 2 - German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will visit China from December 8 to 9, two sources familiar with his plans said, after he abruptly cancelled a planned October trip, as Beijing seeks to counter European calls to \"de-risk\" from the Chinese economy.

Is Japan abandoning pacifism? Spat with China spotlights clash in regional security perspectives

China has been growing more assertive in East and South-east Asia, and Japan is pushing back against this.

EU epidemic vets begin work on swine fever outbreak in Barcelona

MADRID, Dec 2 - A taskforce of EU vets specialising in epidemics began work in Barcelona on Tuesday as Spain seeks to contain an African swine fever outbreak that has forced it to halt some pork exports.

JR Central station in Tokyo moves AI analysis trials for Shinkansen passenger footage to January 2026

The filming will take place from Jan 10 to 16 between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations.

Facility services group ISS shares fall 10% after Hong Kong announces fire probe

COPENHAGEN, Dec 2 - Danish facilities management group ISS said on Tuesday it supported Hong Kong's decision to establish a judge-led committee to investigate the cause of the city's deadliest fire in decades, and that the company was cooperating in the probe.

People versus power? Hong Kong’s fire fallout risks reopening societal divide

The city's leader vowed justice and reform as the government acted pre-emptively against centralised grassroots groups.

Facility services group ISS says it supports investigation into Hong Kong fire

COPENHAGEN, Dec 2 - Danish facilities management group ISS said on Tuesday it supported the decision to establish a judge-led committee which will investigate the cause of Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades.

US airfields increasingly exposed to a Chinese missile attack

Kadena Air Base, the US’s largest airpower hub in Japan, has intensified preparations against potential Chinese missile strikes by conducting rapid airfield damage repair drills amid rising tensions over Taiwan. Located on Okinawa, roughly 595 kilometers from Taiwan, Kadena is

Former Japan PM Abe’s shooter says he dreaded Unification Church gaining recognition

Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe is known to have had ties with the religious organisation.

Malaysia tightens nuclear controls under amended law

Permits must now be obtained for all atomic energy activities.

China cautions foreigners about fraudulent arrival card platforms

The notice stressed that only authorised channels guarantee a secure and free application process.

India tells smartphone makers to put state-run cyber safety app on new devices

India wants all smartphone makers to pre-install new devices with a state-owned cyber security app.

‘Mischievous hands’: Indonesians blame deforestation for devastating floods

The tropical storm killed more than 800 people last week.

'Mischievous hands': Indonesians blame deforestation for devastating floods

SOUTH TAPANULI, Indonesia, Dec 2 - Indonesian Reliwati Siregar gestured angrily at deforestation around her home on the island of Sumatra, where landslides and floods brought by a tropical storm killed more than 700 people in its deadliest disaster since a cataclysmic tsunami

How e-commerce platform Coupang is deeply integrated into South Koreans’ everyday life

Founded in 2010, Coupang reshaped South Korea’s retail ecosystem with its next-day delivery service.