Trade deal with US unlikely to weaken Taiwan’s ‘silicon shield’
US officials have framed the deal as part of a broader push to rebuild domestic chip manufacturing capacity.
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Alibaba: the AI kingmaker
A doctor anywhere likely loves using AI as a second opinion on her lawyers’ legal advice, to prepare for a meeting or to fact-check his claims. However, she perhaps still has only scorn, when she is wearing the other shoe. She has a list of reasons why AI should not be trusted
Myanmar tells World Court Gambia has not proven Rohingya genocide case
THE HAGUE, Jan 16 - Myanmar told the United Nations' top court on Friday that Gambia had not proven its accusation that the Myanmar government had committed genocide against the minority Muslim Rohingya, part of a hearing on the landmark case.
Iran protests abate after deadly crackdown, residents and rights group say
Dubai, Jan 16 - Iran's deadly crackdown appears to have broadly quelled protests for now, according to a rights group and residents, as state media reported more arrests on Friday in the shadow of U.S. threats to intervene if killing continues.
S. Korea’s ‘Thor’ Speaker pushing for constitutional reforms to avoid another martial law debacle
Mr Woo Won-shik will be in Singapore at the invitation of Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng.
China and Canada announce tariffs relief after a high-stakes meeting between Carney and Xi
Canola oil and electric cars are at the centre of the deal agreed by Mark Carney and Xi Jinping after years of strained ties.
Myanmar tells ICJ Rohingya genocide claims are ‘unsubstantiated’
Gambia said that Myanmar’s actions against the Rohingya breached the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.
Trump’s Venezuela strike: the good, bad & the ugly
We dissect the abduction of a sitting president and predict what might come next.
She asked the internet for help with slaughtering two pigs. Thousands turned up in support
Responding to a social media post, thousands turned up at a village home in Chongqing to help an elderly man tasked with slaughtering the family pigs for Chinese New Year.
As Tamil film star Vijay’s legal troubles mount, some see a political conspiracy at play
The ruling BJP is said to be pressuring the actor to join a political alliance for the Tamil Nadu polls.
Thailand orders construction halt for firm Italian-Thai after fatal accidents
It is to allow expert teams to conduct detailed inspections to ensure safety standards were being met.
Trump’s Azerbaijan-Armenia peace pact paying trade-link gains
As discussions progress between Armenia and the United States on the technical design and cooperative implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), Iran has said that it views the project as the functional successor to the earlier “Zangezur
Indonesia sues firms over environmental harm in flood zone
The $366 million sum represents both fines for damage and the proposed monetary value of recovery efforts.
Explainer: What to know about trials faced by South Korea’s former president Yoon
A South Korean court on Jan 16 sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison.
Politics in place of policy
Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Germany’s authoritarian drift: political control replaces economic strategy Diego Faßnacht argues Germany’s governing coalition is compensating for economic stagnation
South Korea to streamline procedures for entry of North Korean food products
The move is aimed at avoiding last-minute delays or conflicting assessments.
Malaysia freezes army and police procurement decisions linked to corruption, PM Anwar says
The suspension comes following allegations of bribery linked to army procurement projects, with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission raiding several firms suspected of involvement in a bribery scheme and freezing bank accounts belonging to a suspect and their family members.
Greek court acquits aid workers of migrant-smuggling charges
LESBOS, Greece, Jan 16 - Over two dozen aid workers involved in refugee rescues in Greece were acquitted of migrant smuggling charges in a multi-year case that rights groups said was a baseless attempt to ban aid for refugees heading to Europe.
UMNO president issues plea to king for Najib pardon; says party seeks to bring ‘home’ defectors, rivals
Giving an analogy, the deputy prime minister said that past attempts to create a “big umbrella” for Malays without the party had failed because it was not “attached to its original home”.
Why Cambodia deported scam boss Chen Zhi to China, not the US
On January 7, Cambodian authorities announced they had detained and deported Chen Zhi, founder and former chairman of Prince Group, a multinational conglomerate accused of fronting a global multibillion-dollar fraud operation. Chen, a former advisor to ex-Prime Minister Hun
Fraudsters flee Cambodia's 'scam city' after accused boss Chen Zhi taken down
Similar scenes played out at alleged scam compounds across Cambodia this week as the government said it was cracking down on the multibillion-dollar industry.
Malaysia freezes army and police procurement decisions linked to corruption, PM says
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government will review and reorganise all procurement.
KL university air-con explosion: One victim still in coma with fractured skull, bleeding in brain
One man died and nine others were injured by the air conditioning gas explosion at HELP University.
Top Australia arts festival apologises for barring Palestinian writer
A week-long literary event was cancelled after 180 authors boycotted it because of the ban.
Investigation after Air India jet engine sucks in cargo container at Delhi airport
No-one was hurt, but the aircraft's engine was damaged and it has been grounded for repairs.
Australia warns of floods, fires after cars washed away
A local record of 186mm fell in the 24 hours to the morning of Jan 16 in one spot.
South Korea's impeached leader Yoon sentenced to 5 years' jail in first martial law verdict
This comes days after prosecutors in a separate case demanded Yoon be sentenced to death for his role as the "ringleader of an insurrection".
Fraudsters flee Cambodia’s ‘scam city’ after extradition of accused boss Chen Zhi to China
The Cambodian government said it was cracking down on the multibillion-dollar industry.
Afghan mothers seek hospital help for malnourished children
There are relatively few medical centres in Afghanistan that can help treat malnutrition.
S Korea's ex-president Yoon to be jailed for five years over martial law bid
This is the first of the verdicts in the four trials linked to Yoon's shock decree in 2024.
South Korea’s ex-president Yoon given 5-year jail term in first ruling over martial law
One of Yoon’s lawyers said the former president would appeal against the ruling.
South Korea court sentences ex-President Yoon to 5 years in prison for obstruction
SEOUL, Jan 16 - A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for charges including obstructing attempts to arrest him following his failed bid to impose martial law.
Pakistan aiming for a big bang military export boom
Pakistan’s emerging US$13 billion defense export pipeline marks a decisive break from its historical role as a marginal arms exporter. If even partially realized, the shift would reposition Pakistan as a credible midtier defense supplier. That, in turn, would have implications
China protests over Philippine coast guard’s Xi images
The Chinese embassy said it was a “blatant political provocation, which has crossed the red line”.
Thai builder seeks debt relief after two deadly crane accidents
The contractor has racked up losses of about S$534 million from 2020 to 2024.
Bus crashes into building in South Korea, leaving 13 injured, Yonhap says
The crash left 13 people injured, including two in serious condition.
Musk’s Grok AI faces scrutiny from Japan over sexualised images
Japan is X’s biggest overseas market.
Grok AI misuse: Victims in Indonesia, Malaysia 'angry' and 'humiliated', but is banning the tool enough?
Victims and experts say there is a need for stronger safeguards, clearer regulations and accountability.
Can a do-it-all missile fix the US Navy’s China problem?
The US Navy is betting that a new modular, multi-mission missile can stretch shrinking magazines and blunt China’s missile advantage in a Taiwan fight—but critics warn that unless it is cheap and mass-produced, versatility alone may not be enough to change the outcome. This
Australia’s new strategic reserve targets China’s rare earth grip
The federal government has unveiled new details of its plan to create a A$1.2 billion (US$804 million) critical mineral reserve. Three minerals will initially be the focus: antimony, gallium and rare earths (a group of 17 different elements). The details came as Treasurer Jim
His lucky star: Daughter’s picks win dad $4m in Malaysian Toto jackpot
The man will use his winnings to buy a house, as his family is currently renting.
As it happened: South Korea's ex-president Yoon to appeal court ruling over martial law bid
The verdict is the first against Yoon in the eight criminal trials over the decree he issued in late 2024 and other allegations.
Canada, China set for 'historic' gains from new partnership, Carney says
BEIJING, Jan 16 - Canada and China are forging a new strategic partnership that stands to yield \"historic\" gains by leveraging on the strengths of each, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday.
Canada, China reach initial trade deal on electric vehicles, canola
China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the US.
China’s J-35 could be the key to winning a Taiwan war
China’s push to expand production of the J-35 stealth fighter reflects its drive to link industrial scale with a carrier-centric doctrine, thereby strengthening its position against Taiwan, narrowing the gap with US airpower and capturing high-end export markets. This month,